Overlord: Start from the Goblin Lair.

Chapter 357 The Power of Oath

"How did you know that?" Perglen showed a surprised expression, followed by a stronger curiosity. "Have you ever lived in a halfling community?"

"But your style is not like theirs..."

"It's just that I met a halfling named Thred before," Ron thought of the steward of the spice merchant, "so I asked this question."

"No wonder, the surname Thred is not common among halflings." Perglen nodded. "What do you think of the contents of the letter--"

"Perhaps we can maintain trade relations. You have a great demand for alchemical potions, and we happen to be good at mass production of potions. Perhaps this can provide some help to both of our businesses," Ron paused. "As for other aspects of cooperation, let's forget about it. Your style of doing things is very different from ours. Let alone other residents, my companions and I alone can't handle it."

The priest was not surprised by Ron's refusal. Although she didn't understand why a letter with no special content needed to be delivered in this way, and she didn't understand why Ron asked this question, she still stood up respectfully and said goodbye.

In the following half month, the priests of the Molten Iron Fortress were unexpectedly well-behaved. Even during the last two days of their stay in New Green Swamp Town, they did not cause any trouble - of course, this kind of obedience was not welcomed by everyone in Ron's territory.

"This is Morlo's complaint," Evander said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry as he put a letter of complaint on Ron's desk. "The Gagawaaa Tavern refused to receive those priests, especially the bearded dwarf."

"Why? Because he can't stand the kobolds?" Ron was not surprised. It was only a matter of time before these guys came into conflict with other residents in the territory. Fortunately, they no longer had to worry about this matter because just last night, Raymond Aaron submitted an application to leave the territory.

Of course, Ron had read the report that they were going to give to the higher-ups of the cult in advance. Although it didn't say anything good about him, it didn't say anything bad either. In the report, Aaron specifically pointed out the special environment and background of the delusion, and claimed that Ron's uniting of different races and camps was a result that matched the situation. Ron had never thought that the chief judge would exonerate him in the report.

As for those investigations on the defense force of the fantasy land and even those that did not recommend attacking to "set things right"... Ron just pretended not to see them. These days he had roughly figured out the main location of the Molten Iron Fortress: on the other side of the two elven kingdoms. It was really hard for these four to come all the way here just to confirm Victoria's belief.

But this makes sense. According to Victoria, if a priest makes a big mistake, the gods may directly deprive him of his gift; and if the priest makes small mistakes continuously - such as believing in a prohibitionist sect but secretly drinking - the gods will most likely ignore it. But for a priest like Victoria, who fights side by side with "evil creatures" every other day, even the gods cannot be sure of her position, and it is too cumbersome to warn her every time, so sending other mortal believers to confirm is naturally a relatively fair decision.

"That's not the case," Evander pulled the corners of his mouth, trying to hold back his laughter. "Molo said that the dwarf went to the tavern for three meals a day, but never drank! This is not like a dwarf at all. The kobolds regard this as an insult!"

A race that is good at brewing and drinking wine, but eats in the territory of another race that loves this, but does not drink? Is there anything more depressing to the Kobolds than this? Obviously, the dwarf named Rurik is not like this!

"This is the first time I know that alcohol is prohibited in the Iron Fort," Ron shrugged, "but you can rest assured, Moruo, that guy probably won't come back after this afternoon." The farewell party in the afternoon was still held in the "Gagawaha" tavern. The stinky-faced kobold slammed a glass full of beer on the table in front of the dwarf. The bearded man didn't seem to mind it at all. He gently pushed the glass aside and concentrated on dealing with the steak on the plate in front of him.

"If you don't drink, I will." Perglen took the beer for the dwarf and drank it all in one gulp. Such generosity obviously won the favor of the kobolds. There was a burst of applause from the surroundings. The priest said "Ha" and wiped his mouth casually, "Old Lei! This is the first time I think these little guys with scales are so cute!"

"That's because we are still under the rule of order here," Aaron also took a sip of the wine in his cup. The Iron Fortress does not prohibit alcohol, it is just the personal habit of the dwarves. "But you should not drink too much. The wine of the kobolds is not ordinary. Be careful that you will not be able to ride the pack animals in a while."

Ron also agreed with what he said. Although the taste of the wine brewed by the kobolds was no different from ordinary beer, it was stronger than spirits. Ron even issued special provisions prohibiting drunk driving - especially prohibiting carriage drivers from feeding their horses or pack animals with alcohol!
As for why? All the regulations were issued because someone had actually done it! If the car accident had not happened in front of the church and the injured had not been treated immediately, there would have been a real loss of life!

"Hey, how is that possible!" Perglen waved his hands at Aaron and pointed at the young man who was walking towards them with a glass of wine. "Old Lei, you should take care of yourself! The young man who has a very close relationship with you wants to toast you, haha!"

"Actually, it's not that serious..." Andre, who had finally mustered up the courage to come over, was immediately embarrassed when he heard this. Raymond Aaron did not say anything either. He just sat there and looked at Andre. The two of them were frozen in place.

"Sir Aaron, I—" Andre gritted his teeth, lowered his head and sighed, "Maybe what you said that day was right. I am really not suitable to be a holy warrior. I can't do anything except cause trouble to others..."

The young man's chest and shoulders were bulging under his clothes, still wrapped in bandages: as his emotions became more unstable, the fluctuations there were particularly violent: "Maybe, maybe I shouldn't have come here with Sir Ron! I should have——"

"Should you what?" Aaron glanced at Ron and then looked at the young farmer. He stood up and patted Andre's shoulder gently. "You should go with Sir Ron, and you should keep going."

"Although I do not know who led you down this path, it was clearly a mistake. But now that you have become a paladin, remember Victoria's words that day: let your oath guide your path."

The chief judge laughed, but no one knew what he was laughing at. "Young man, as a senior, I have something to teach you: Although many paladins dedicate themselves to the good gods, the practice of the oath itself gives us great power - even comparable to the power bestowed by the gods."

"So, stand firm in your faith and do not be swayed by anything, including your so-called 'fellow believers.'"

(End of this chapter)