The red moon returns

Chapter 572 Please Give Me a Little More Time

"The latest news, the latest news, the war against the plague has begun."

This time there were no newspapers, and no newsboys. The messenger from the Governor's Palace rode a fast horse, shouting as he whistled through Charles Square and galloped towards the gray fog area:

"The plague is too severe. Saint is in a tough battle and failure may come at any time."

The atmosphere in Charles Square was silent for a moment, and then there was an uproar.

This invisible threat would not cause chaos or riots in the short term, but it was enough to make people so frightened that they could not breathe. The young fishmonger and the middle-aged seamstress burst into tears.

The crying sounded like a spark, completely igniting people's already suppressed mood. For a moment, many people in the square squatted on the spot, holding their heads and screaming in despair.

Some people hugged their stalls and cried loudly, some people pounded the ground frantically, the butcher who usually lived frugally picked up the most expensive ham and bit it hard and swallowed it in big mouthfuls, and the sculptor who was usually gentle and polite suddenly started cursing.

Regardless of whether they were men or women, everyone was equal in the face of disaster and despair. Everyone's will was almost broken, and they instinctively vented their emotions. Even the beautiful Mrs. Maggie leaned against the wall, covering her mouth and trembling slightly, tears filling her eyes: Is the plague really coming? What about Martha? Martha must not be in any danger.

The depressing atmosphere was brewing and accumulating. Charles Square was filled with people's desperate faces. However, the riders on the galloping horses did not stop because of the citizens' crying and despair. They galloped past while shouting and continued to drive to the next location, spreading the latest despair to all parts of the Rhine.

But as they drove past, several priests came out of the chapels around Charles Square, stopped quietly outside several groups of people, and took a last look at the note delivered by the carrier pigeon.

After several ups and downs, and after confirming that the public had fallen into deep despair, they took a deep breath, raised their megaphones and loudly announced to the crowd:

"Citizens, believers, now is not the time to despair. We have not lost yet. There is still hope."

Priests who had received professional psychology training naturally knew how to manipulate people's hearts. Every syllable of their words carried a convincing force. With just one sentence, the people who were immersed in the trough felt like they had seen a life-saving straw. Almost everyone's eyes turned to the priests who were preaching at the same time.

"Really, Reverend?" Someone rushed to the pastor nervously and asked anxiously, "Do we still have a chance to survive?"

"Yes, child, the Lord has not abandoned us. The Lord is still caring for this world." The pastor's voice was extremely sincere. "As long as we work together, we can definitely defeat the plague."

"What should we do?" The fat stall owner who sold groceries was the first to shout out, no longer showing his attitude of just watching from the sidelines. "As long as we can save our family's lives, we are willing to do anything."

"Dear children, now is the time when you are needed to make contributions." The pastor drew a star emblem on his chest, and he was obviously a priest of the Dark Night Church. "Ms. Nightingale is in urgent need of support, and needs your contribution. Children, this is the best time for you to show your piety. The world will remember your contribution, and the Lord will have mercy on your piety. So, children, answer me, are you willing to follow Ms. Nightingale's example and do your part to save the world?"

"what?"

The people in Charles Square were stunned. Many of them subconsciously took a step back. Their eyes began to wander. Especially the fat stall owner who had just asked, he rubbed his hands awkwardly and stammered, "Reverend Pastor, we are just civilians. We don't know anything. How can we give anything? Are you mistaken?"

"Yes, yes." The voice of agreement immediately followed, "What can a commoner do, Reverend."

"Yes, we can only stand here and cheer for the Saint. You won't ask us to donate anything, will you?" "Or you won't ask us to fight the plague, will you? We don't have the ability to do that. Let's leave it to the Saint, right, everyone."

"Yes, Her Excellency the Saint is a professional. Her efforts are enough. We can't do it."

For a moment, the crowd fell into noise. People seemed to have completely forgotten the fear and despair they had just felt, let alone the promise that they would do anything as long as they could survive. Everyone's eyes were evasive and everyone's expression was stiff.

The preaching pastor remained calm, his voice was loud and infectious: "Be calm, children, believe in the Lord, the Lord will not let you do things beyond your ability. The Lord only needs you to stand here, pray devoutly to the Lord you believe in, and use the power of your faith to support Ms. Nightingale. Confession and prayer should be what you do every day, right? Now I just want you to pray not for yourselves, but for His Excellency the Saint. Children, are you not even willing to make such a contribution within your ability?"

No one spoke. For a moment, the only voice echoing in the square was the pastor's voice amplified by the loudspeaker.

Everyone was weighing the pros and cons in their hearts. Could just praying support Nightingale? If it was that simple, then it would be worth a try. However... I always felt uneasy.

The pastor frowned secretly, and was a little anxious. His years of missionary experience told him that it was not easy to complete the first step of the mission and get as many people as possible into a state of group prayer. Although as an executor, the pastor did not know what the point of getting these people to participate was, he still suppressed his anxiety and preached with a cheerful face, "Praise the Lord, children, the Lord is watching your choice, and Ms. Nightingale is also waiting for your support. Follow your will and throw yourself into the arms of the Lord. Don't you want to fight with His Excellency the Saint and contribute to this world?"

"I am willing!"

The blonde landlady, who was usually gentle and timid, held her head high and took a few steps forward to the front of the crowd. At this moment, her blonde hair was particularly dazzling in the afternoon sun.

Trust Lynch, you're doing him a favor.

Her daughter's words before she left made her more resolute than ever before. Facing everyone's gaze, she said loudly:
"Yes, I am just a commoner, but I want to help Ms. Nightingale stop this plague. I don't understand the principles of those great men, nor do I know how to protect the kingdom and the city, but I want to protect the people I love, and I want to keep the home where I have lived until now. So, Reverend, please tell me, what should I do? I am willing to follow your instructions and do my best to protect everything I want to protect."

"I admire your courage, child. Then please kneel down on the spot and pray to the gods, praying with all your heart and soul for victory in this confrontation."

Mrs. Maggie no longer looked back at her hesitant neighbors, and was the first to kneel on the floor of Charles Square, clasped her hands together in front of her chest, and began to pray devoutly.

Behind her, influenced by her, more and more people knelt on the ground. After a moment, there was no one standing in the entire Charles Square except the priest.

If you look further, you will see that the streets and alleys of the entire Rhine city are filled with people kneeling in prayer.

And in the city center, among the people watching all this, Sir Lynch Leviev secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Ms. Nightingale, please hold on, your reinforcements are coming soon.

I will do everything in my power to save your soul.

Please give me a little more time.

(End of this chapter)