Chapter 51: Revelation
The next day, after morning prayers, the believers continued constructing the sanctuary, while Corleon received a guest.
"Good morning, Knight Wolf," Corleon greeted him, noticing the battle marks on his armor.
"Good morning, Priest Corleon," Wolf's voice carried a hint of sorrow.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I need your help," he said.
"We encountered an attack while clearing out a bandit group; it was a creature related to a necromancer."
"The prospective knight leading the team was killed; his squire escaped and found me, pleading for vengeance for his master."
"He told me there was only one enemy, and his axe could cleave its neck; Noah could hold it off."
"I sent someone to inform the lord and gathered nearby teams."
"During the day, I investigated the battlefield; it looked as if ravaged by large beasts, with corpses gnawed upon."
"I saw Noah's body; he died after a struggle. I believed that with two prospective knights and over fifty warriors under my command, we could kill it."
"Indeed, as I anticipated, we found it just before the Morning Star set."
"It had a human form, but one hand and one foot were mummified; a large mouth was on its belly, and its head resembled a rotting corpse."
"Our warriors were brave, quickly surrounding it and driving it into a corner."
"I thought we could avenge Noah."
"But then, night fell."
"Azure flames ignited; it didn't flee but attacked us."
"In the darkness, it seemed favored, breaking through a shield wall of six warriors with a single charge."
"It was immensely strong and agile; its large mouth could easily bite off half a body."
"Moreover, it feared no blades; even decapitating it didn't stop its body from moving under the control of the azure flames."
"This was no ordinary undead."
"I thought we would die there, but when my sword struck it, it screamed."
"I'm old; my strength isn't what it used to be, but my sword instilled fear in it."
"I remembered the blessings given by the priest, so I had my direct warriors, who also received the priest's blessings, attack."
"Their blades harmed it."
"We drove it away, but we lost eight fine young men."
"This morning, I confessed to the lord. He said it wasn't my fault; eliminating threats within the territory is the warriors' duty, and they died honorably."
"I reported to the lord that my blessed blade could instill fear in that monster."
"So the lord sent me to seek the priest's help and hoped you could let these fine young men rest in the church's cemetery."
Corleon said, "It seems you've encountered evil."
"I will help you; it's my duty as the Lord's servant. I will follow your army, bestow blessings upon them, and help you hunt that monster."
"But before that, I wish to help these honorable warriors with their burial."
"Of course," Wolf said. "The warriors I've gathered still need some time. I'll return then."
Knight Wolf left, leaving behind eight gnawed corpses; the most tragic one had lost both legs.
After gathering a few believers to help with the burial, Corleon summoned three monks.
"I will follow Knight Wolf on an expedition; I might return tomorrow," he said, looking somewhat weary.
"I sought revelation from the Lord. Ando, I need you to do something for me."
"Please, go ahead," Ando replied obediently.
"I need you to return to Daniels Village now. I'll assign two believers from Daniels Village to act as your temporary guards."
"Once there, find George and tell him that when the Morning Star sets, he must run northeast; evil resides there."
"Of course, George can't read or know directions, so you'll need your sister to send someone to guide him."
"Remember, it must be when the Morning Star sets—not earlier or later."
"But what if he can't follow the exact route?" Ando sensed the gravity of the situation and became uncharacteristically serious.
"Don't worry; as long as he moves in the right direction, the Lord will give George a revelation."
"Then, should I depart now?"
"Yes, child, please hurry."
Ando quickly left, calling upon two familiar individuals to accompany him.
He was a monk of the church and the second son of the Daniels Family, holding considerable authority among those from Daniels.
"Priest, are you alright?" Agamemnon asked with concern.
"Yes, but in your current state, I don't think you're fit to join the expedition," Cicero said. "If possible, please let me take your place."
"No, this is my duty," Corleon said. "You are still monks; this isn't your responsibility."
"I'll rest for a while. When Knight Wolf arrives, come to the back room to wake me."
"…Alright, Priest."
Corleon sought revelation.
Although Knight Wolf's description resembled the gluttony he encountered two nights ago,
the mummified limbs, rotting head, and azure flames didn't match the characteristics of that obese gluttony.
Moreover, judging by the gluttony's previous actions, even if a knight couldn't kill it due to lack of special restraint, a knight's combat skills and physique should have been enough to suppress it.
However, the creature Knight Wolf encountered could contend with a knight, two prospective knights, and dozens of trained soldiers.
Something was clearly amiss.
So Corleon used revelation.
He didn't see the monster, only the march of the dead.
And in that vision, Knight Wolf was present.
Therefore, Corleon sent Ando to find George.
They couldn't go too early; the monster would flee.
They couldn't go too late; it would be too late.
When the Morning Star rose to its zenith, Cicero came to wake Corleon.
"Priest, Knight Wolf has arrived," he said.
"Alright." Corleon sat up, noticing Cicero's hesitation. "Is there something else?"
Upon hearing the question, Cicero hesitated, then gritted his teeth and took out an item.
It was a necklace, shaped like a blue teardrop.
"Aivas gave this to me on my sixteenth birthday. He said it would protect me in times of danger." As he spoke, Cicero handed it to Corleon.
"I can feel that this expedition will be very dangerous, so I want to give this to you, Priest."
Corleon looked at the teardrop necklace. "I can feel that this necklace is very precious."
"Yes, Aivas said this necklace could buy a count's territory."
"No, I mean, this was a gift you received upon coming of age."
"……"
"Therefore, I won't accept your necklace, but this expedition is indeed very dangerous. I will borrow it temporarily."
Cicero breathed a sigh of relief.