The Demon King is unfathomable

Chapter 427 Three Wishes
Dark clouds hung low, and the atmosphere was somber!

In the forests on both sides of the road, soldiers armed with muskets and pitchforks completely surrounded Thomas's caravan. The sheer number of them, a dark mass, was easily over a thousand.

However, these guys were more like another group of hungry farmers than soldiers.

Their weapons were a motley collection, and the only uniform thing they wore was the green headscarf tied around their heads.

They showed no pity whatsoever to the terrified caravan guards and the trembling refugees.

A burly man walked to the front of the caravan.

He was dressed in a bearskin, carrying a round shield in his left hand, and a broad-bladed battle axe slung over his shoulder, highlighting his imposing figure.

The dark red mottled spots on the axe blade were either rust or blood, but whatever they were, they didn't diminish the ferocity of his smile.

"Robbers? Us? Buddy, I can't pretend I didn't hear that. Which eye of yours saw us rob someone?"

The mercenary leader stared at him with a livid face, his muscles tense, and the flintlock pistol in his hand trembled slightly.

Bronze? Stainless steel? Silver?

Or perhaps... even higher?
The immense aura made him tremble all over.

He couldn't fathom the strength of the person before him; it was the first time he had ever encountered a bandit with such power!

After all, someone with such strength can live well no matter where they go, so why would they become a robber who doesn't know where their next meal will come from?

Suppressing his fear, the mercenary leader winked at Ben, signaling him to quickly go find Mr. Colin.

At the same time, he stared at the burly man whose strength was unknown and said in a seemingly calm manner.

"Isn't that so? You surrounded us without even a word. I can't think of any other reason besides that. Of course, if you didn't intend to rob us, I will apologize to you."

Seemingly finding the idea amusing, the burly man carrying the battle axe grinned.

"your name?"

The mercenary leader said in a low voice.

"Hogg".

“Hogg…” The burly man with the green turban nodded and grinned, “You’re very calm, although you’re a bit weak… My name is Brennan, people call me ‘Iron Bull,’ how about becoming my subordinate?”

The mercenary leader paused for a moment, and seeing that he didn't seem to be joking, a hint of struggle flashed in his eyes.

However, he finally spoke in a low voice.

“I’m sorry, I can’t do that. Since I’ve taken the money, I have to get my employer to the destination… In my hometown, breaking an oath is a crime punishable by death.”

Brennan laughed out loud, glanced around, and then looked behind him.

"Hell? What's the difference between this place and hell? You're already there!"

Hogg remained unmoved and spoke calmly.

"The difference is... I am still human, I haven't become a demon, or fallen to the point of associating with demons."

Brennan's face darkened, and he moved the axe he had been carrying on his shoulder to his side.

"Won't you reconsider?"

"Nothing to think about."

Hogg stared intently at him, then suddenly smiled.

"So you're ready to drop the pretense? For a moment, I still clung to the hope that I had made a mistake."

“You’re not mistaken. We are indeed not bandits, but the Green Forest Army.”

Brennan gave a forced smile and stared at him with narrowed eyes.

"However, it's true that we can't let you pass. The Sparrowwood Territory ahead has been surrounded by us. No supplies, except for people, can get in."

Hogg stared at him and continued.

"It seems we've been hindering your siege. We'll turn back now."

Brennan gestured for them to leave, but the soldiers standing around showed no intention of letting them go.

Neither did he.

"Do as you please, but your belongings must remain as supplies for the siege. They have been requisitioned. Also, we need to check if there are any nobles or priests in your ranks. We will not let any of those who have sold their souls to Chaos go unpunished."

This is one of the tactics used in a siege.

Although the walls of Quemu Fortress stood firm, they could corrupt the hearts of the castle's defenders by having starving people resort to cannibalism.

Those guards were believers, and they couldn't stand this.

Especially since these lords' lackeys had just plundered the territory's food supplies not long ago, the guilt they felt, even if it didn't shake their morale, was enough to shake their faith.

No matter how hard-hearted and unyielding a count may be, he could never hold a castle by himself.

Hogg laughed as he watched Brennan speak so confidently.

"You really are robbers."

Even just two cavalrymen from the Kingdom of Rhodes were enough to silence him and prevent him from disobeying.

However, for some reason, he felt no fear whatsoever when facing the bandits who were clearly much stronger than him.

The Kingdom of Rhodes is a land of mercenaries.

Perhaps he was born to fight bandits, and that is the meaning of his presence here.

Seeing Hogg ready for battle, Brennan's lips curled into a cruel smile.

"It seems you can't understand human language. But don't worry, my brothers will teach you... what humility and manners are."

The Green Forest Army soldiers standing behind Brennan were ready for battle, their ferocious eyes gleaming with malice.

Just as he was about to order the attack, a sudden change occurred. The bewildered crowd huddled together suddenly parted to make way for him.

In the center of the caravan, a woman wearing a simple robe walked out from the crowd.

The moment they saw the woman, the eyes of the soldiers wearing green headscarves turned green, and their parched lips practically dripped with saliva... just like when Hogg's mercenary men first saw that woman.

That's a perfectly normal reaction. In this land that's closer to hell than hell itself, manners and shame are luxuries.

Especially those who can't survive have long since abandoned their original beliefs.

Brennan's reaction was relatively calm; after all, he was one of the twelve leaders of the Green Forest Army.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, stared at the woman from head to toe, and his smile became increasingly cruel.

"nun?"

The people he hated most in his life were those in churches, followed by the nobles in castles.

He had begged a priest to pray for his deceased parents, but was turned away because he couldn't afford it, and could only watch helplessly as his parents became wandering spirits in the forest.

They had long forgotten their original promise; their desire to eliminate death only brought them a terrible end!

He vowed that once he gained power, he would use the most cruel methods to make those who believed in Saint Sith experience the same pain he had endured!

Facing those pairs of eyes, some naked and some vicious, Karen spoke in a calm tone.

“My name is Karen, and I come from an ordinary village in the Kingdom of Rhodes.”

Brennan laughed heartily.

"Then you've come to the wrong place. It seems Saint Sith has completely abandoned you!"

Karen's expression remained unchanged, and her voice remained calm, as if carrying an incredible power.

"On the contrary, I believe... that it was He who guided me here, and that it was because I was needed here that He sent a miracle to take me away from hell."

Brennan gave a cold laugh.

Before he could speak, the group of soldiers wearing green turbans behind him started shouting.

"Stop wasting time talking to her, boss. I think this nun is definitely hiding a weapon. We need to interrogate her."

"It's the boss! Hehe, I'm at your service!"

Foul language, like invisible bullets, rained down on Karen, who stood in front of the refugees.

The refugees wore expressions of anger, as if they were not insulting a nun, but the faith of all of them.

Anger was brewing in the crowd.

However, Karen gave them a reassuring look, telling those who were worried about her to calm down.

She believed that the gods were with her.

Not just the gods, but also Mr. Colin and his lost souls.

Seemingly finding the nun's reaction amusing, Brennan raised his hand to stop his restless subordinates behind him.

He stared at the nun, whose expression remained unchanged, a playful smile playing on his lips.

"You said Saint Sith sent you here, so let's make a bet."

There must have been several thousand refugees following the caravan, and judging from their fanatical demeanor, they were clearly not going to surrender easily.

He could certainly kill them all, but... why not choose a safer approach?

He can first shatter their faith, and then they will become a flock of sheep to be slaughtered.

Karen looked at him calmly.

“Saint Seth does not approve of our gambling, but if this makes you believe that the gods are still watching over this land… then let them decide our fate.”

Brennan didn't waste any words, holding up three fingers and speaking expressionlessly.

"If you can make the sun dispel the clouds in the sky, fill our granaries with grain, and make the lord of Quemu Territory open the city gates and surrender... as long as you can persuade that so-called god to grant us these three wishes, we will acknowledge that He is still hovering over our heads."

This is impossible.

In the Twilight Province, springtime is a period of continuous rain, and the sun won't appear until the beginning of next month at the latest. Secondly, there's the matter of food.

Although he was followed by only a little over a thousand brothers, the Green Forest Army surrounding Sparrowwood Territory numbered not just a thousand, but tens of thousands!
Even if the wagons of this caravan were fully loaded with grain, it would be impossible for them to fill their granaries!
As for the last request, it was something Brennan said offhand, and it was impossible to fulfill anyway.

However, Luo Yan, who was sitting in the carriage and heard these three wishes, burst out laughing.

Is this wish so difficult?
After hearing Brennan's request, Karen closed her eyes, awaiting the "god's" reply.

After a while, just as Brennan was getting impatient, she opened her eyes and said.

“Saint Seth told me that He can grant you these three wishes, but on one condition.”

Brennan paused for a moment, his eyes fixed on her.

That confident expression suddenly made him unsure of himself. Surely this guy couldn't really do it?

"What conditions?"

Karen said calmly.

“You need to follow His voice, heed His teachings, and let the light of redemption shine again on your parched hearts.”

"Hahahaha!"

Brennan suddenly burst out laughing, as if he had heard a very funny joke.

He had never heard such a ridiculous request before.

Even if he agrees outright, so what?

If he doesn't keep his promise, does he think Saint Sis can just jump in front of him and beat him up?

If He truly existed, He would have done so long ago!

The interesting thing about people is that they only remember the cunning of others, while forgetting what they themselves are like.

Ultimately, deities are merely anchors created by people to stabilize their minds.

He is above all people, yet He is not ahead of anyone. He can fulfill the desires of some believers, but He cannot take them to lands they themselves have never seen.

Sitting in the car, Luo Yan admired the arrogant face with a smile, waiting for this clever person to lie.

"Okay! I promise you."

Brennan looked openly at the nun before him, as if he were looking at Saint Sis himself.

"If He could truly grant our wishes, what would it matter if we were to obey His teachings or even fight for Him!"

He paused, then changed the subject, his cheerful smile turning sinister as he scanned Karen.

"But let me make this clear: if He doesn't keep His promise and instead hides away again..."

Karen showed no fear, her expression equally calm, and spoke in a composed tone.

"You are at my disposal."

Brennan smiled slightly.

"I've been waiting for you to say that—"

He had barely finished speaking when a dazzling light suddenly cast his shadow on the ground.

Brennan was startled for a moment, then looked up at the sky, and the next second he froze on the spot.

A dazzling ball of light appeared in the sky.

It was like a red-hot iron, stuck in the middle of the lead-gray clouds, burning a hole in the sky!

At that moment, it was as if two suns appeared in the sky!
The people standing on the country dirt road were stunned.

They had been believers in the Church of Saint Seism their whole lives, but this was the first time they had ever seen such a sight!
"What's happening here?!"

"Magic?"

"Impossible... If it's magic, it has to be at least Platinum level! That's a power only bishops possess!"

"Yes, God, a miracle!"

The bishop obviously couldn't be here; that sir isn't even in this Twilight Province.

There is only one possibility!
The nun named Karen standing before them was none other than the chosen one of Saint Sith!
He never abandoned them, but sent His messenger, and they were just a little short of meeting her!
The soldier wearing a green turban stood there helplessly, his once arrogant face now filled with panic.

This time, it was their turn to be at a loss.

Before the refugees' faith wavered, it was the faith of this band of outlaws that began to waver...

Unlike the soldiers who were at a loss, the followers of Karen exclaimed in amazement at the incredible miracle before their eyes.

They knelt on the ground, under the blazing sun, and prayed devoutly.

"It's a miracle!"

"By Saint Sith!"

"I beg Your mercy to forgive my sins... and bring my soul to Your side."

Amidst the cacophony of voices, Brennan stared wide-eyed at his brothers, wanting to snap them out of their daze, but his jaw felt as heavy as lead.

It wasn't because of any magic, but because his deepest sense of awe had been rekindled.

The gods are watching him...

A bead of cold sweat slid down his forehead, silently dripping onto the ground and merging into the parched soil.

However, his expression quickly twisted again, and his two bloodshot eyes trembled as if they were fighting.

"This is impossible... If you really existed, what were you doing all this time! Why are you only showing up now!"

Just as he was struggling with this dilemma, Karen walked up to him and spoke in a gentle voice.

“Mr. Brennan, I have also resented, cursed, and doubted... Why should I be sent to hell for no reason, betrayed by my loved ones, and coerced by demons to experience endless fear and torment?”

Brennan forced out a hoarse sound from his throat.

"What do you know..."

"I certainly haven't experienced your hell."

Karen lowered her eyes, and after a moment slowly began to tell her story.

This includes how she was sold to Ms. Lina by her closest relatives, how she narrowly escaped from the clutches of demons, how she wandered in the desolate snowfield for three days and three nights, saw hope, fell into hell again, and finally survived and realized her mission...

Brennan was stunned, and his gaze toward her gradually turned to disbelief.

It wasn't because he could empathize with her suffering, but because he found it incredible that someone could stubbornly climb out of hell so many times.

What he found even more incredible was that she had not given up her piety despite all these hardships.

He suddenly began to believe that she might really be carrying something...

Perhaps she really was sent here by Saint Sith.

However, that's just a possibility.

“The bet isn’t over yet… Your faith can’t feed us,” Brennan said, his eyes trembling as he continued, “but you’re different from other priests. You’ve at least kept one promise. I can make an exception and allow you to leave here with your things, as if we never met.”

He suddenly remembered his principles, and he had only just remembered them.

He only kills nobles and clergy and their lackeys, and this nun... according to her account, it is clearly not true.

He used to prefer killing ten thousand innocent people to letting one guilty person go free, but now he's decided to be lenient.

However, Karen gently shook her head.

"I will not leave. It was the gods who brought me here. I came here to save you..."

Before the "general" of the Green Forest Army could speak, she continued in a gentle voice.

"Now I'm going to fulfill my second promise... Please send your soldiers to help me."

Brennan was stunned, and unconsciously let her words lead him by the nose.

"Help you? What do you mean?"

"Of course, it's about transporting grain."

Karen turned and walked to the front of the caravan, looking at the stunned Mr. Thomas.

"Please lend me your convoy, and I promise to return it to you in perfect condition."

Thomas fell to his knees with a thud, as if he were facing Saint Sith himself, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

"Please tell me what to do... Your Highness."

Whether others believe it or not, he truly believed it.

After all, that sphere of light shining in the sky, if it were magic, would at least be a platinum-level magic!
He admitted that Mr. Colin was very strong, but saying he was at least at the Platinum level was a bit of an exaggeration.

That level of existence is already considered a high-level transcendent being. In a kingdom, they would at least be a renowned general, and in a labyrinth, they would at least be the Demon King's right-hand man.

Moreover, if that gentleman has such ability, why not just crush these bandits with a single finger?
That might actually save you more trouble!

Therefore, there is only one explanation: the holy light that shines in the sky is not from the hands of mortals, but rather is the majesty of a supreme deity descending upon the mortal world!
Eliminating all unreasonable possibilities, this was the closest explanation to the truth that he could think of!
Saint Sis, he and Hawke actually naively believed that it was Mr. Colin who saved Ms. Karen that morning!

It was clearly Saint Sith himself who made the move!
At that moment, Thomas finally understood the true meaning behind Mr. Colin's words, "This is very interesting."

The magician had already noticed that a deity stood behind the nun...

Thomas trembled with fear at the thought of his and Hogg's past betrayals of her.

However, when faced with his fear and repentance, Karen smiled gently and soothed his panic with her soft voice.

“I am not such an extraordinary person, and I am not worthy of the titles of Saintess and Your Highness.”

"Just call me Sister or Ms. Karen."

(End of this chapter)