The Holy Man of Another Century Gospel

Chapter 5: The Ranger's Dream

Eric wasn't kidding.

Not to mention the still somewhat immature young nun Sophie, he had always found it strange that Alena, the head nun with an outstanding figure and unique temperament, was an eye-catching NPC in the game that one would go out of their way to take a look at, but he, a veteran player for ten years, had no impression of her at all.

Either this world spontaneously developed content that did not exist in the online game of the previous life, or they did not live to see the plot stage when the game was officially launched, and all died in the war when the demons marched south three years later.

It was not until he recalled the contents of the closed beta test that he made a more accurate judgment.

Alena and Sophie were indeed dead, but it was earlier than that - before the demons moved south, they both died at the hands of the undead in the abandoned mine in the countryside of Dent County.

Recalling the details of the closed beta test, Eric remembered that the mission did mention that there were two nuns from the Holy City who went deep into the mines to eliminate the undead. As a result, one died and the other was seriously injured because they seriously underestimated the number and strength of the monsters.

The little nun who managed to escape from the mine did not last long and died soon after giving away some important information.

When he participated in the closed beta test, he also completed the task issued by the dying little nun. He vaguely remembered that it mentioned that another nun was unable to escape from the mine because she tried to save her. Later, he also found the body of the nun, which was bitten to the point that only the torso was left. He felt sorry for the tragic fate of the two for a while.

Because so much time had passed, Eric hadn't initially considered connecting the two living nuns before him with the beta test plot that was about to fade from his memory. Now that there was still a chance to save them, he certainly wouldn't watch them die in vain.

What's more, he still needs their reluctant "recommendation".

Just looking at Alena's expression, she obviously felt that he was exaggerating with malicious intent again.

However, after considering for a while, the head nun agreed to let the people from the City Lord's Mansion go with her. After all, more people means more protection, and no one really wants to put themselves in danger.

"Well, I'll go discuss this with my uncle first. Does Sister Alena have any requests? The City Lord's Mansion will do its best to meet your needs in terms of food, clothing, housing, and transportation."

"No need for that. Sophie and I will stay at the local church. There's no need for the City Lord's Mansion to worry about us. This is a serious matter. I just hope to be able to leave as soon as possible."

When Eric left the guest room, the little nun Sophie, who had gone to mail the letter earlier, had not returned yet.

On the Gaia continent, correspondence mainly relies on messengers active in various places. There are no post offices in this world. They usually appear near the city square or tavern, waiting for the sender to come to them.

The characteristics of the messengers are also very obvious - almost all of them are winged people. They have a pair of conspicuous wings, which they use to gallop across the sky and travel quickly between cities.

However, Eric guessed that Sophie would not go to the square to find someone to send a letter, because the church had special messengers who were more efficient in delivering letters and had greater confidentiality.

Church messengers usually reside in local monasteries, and in order to embody their sanctity, they can only be winged people with pure white wings.

Eric glanced out the window in the corridor. There were only a few birds flying across the clear blue sky, but no birdman.

"Young Master." Outside the reception room, the maid bowed her head when she saw him.

"Is Father Roy still here?" Eric asked.

"Father Roy has gone to visit the courtyard," the maid replied.

He walked to the window and looked at the courtyard below, but saw no one. "Where's my uncle?"

"The Count is in his study."

Eric turned and went to the study.

When he entered, Edgar was slumped in a chair, staring blankly at a row of portraits hanging on the wall.

Hanging in the front is the knight ancestor who founded the Kimino family, a legendary figure. At the end of the portrait is Edgar's deceased brother, Eric's father, and the previous lord of the city.

"Is there some dust on your father's portrait?"

Eric looked up and recognized his ancestors for a moment.

"Every picture frame in the study is enchanted to keep out dust. It won't get dusty."

"...Yes, I forgot all about it."

Edgar lowered his head and pinched his furrowed brows. "I've only been looking at it for a while, and my eyes are blurry."

The desk was filled with official documents and letters sent from all over the territory, including casually rolled parchments and secret documents with wax seals. The senders were different, but the recipients had only one name. As the lord of the earldom of Dent County, dealing with these documents was Edgar's main job every day.

"This crest...was it sent by the Wood Elves?"

Eric walked to the table, picked up a roll of parchment with green leaf patterns, untied the string wrapped around it, unfolded it and began to read.

Since he was twelve years old, Edgar began to try to let him share some of the work, intending to cultivate his ability to handle territorial affairs.

Edgar is already in his forties, still unmarried and childless. He only wants to hand over the title of nobility and lordship that he inherited from his deceased brother to his nephew as soon as possible, and then leave here and continue traveling around the continent.

——This earl had already traveled across most of the empire when he was in his twenties or thirties. He was a true knight-errant.

He dreams of returning to his former adventurous life, but the burden of his family constantly reminds him that it is not time to let go.

"Why are these wood elves demanding that human activities be restricted? Isn't it enough to allocate such a large forest to them?"

"Elves..." Edgar glanced at the parchment in his nephew's hand. "Most elves don't like to get along with humans. But they don't have any ill will towards humans. They just think we are noisy."

"How could the orcs be making such a fuss?" Eric put down the parchment. "But the elves seem to have a pretty good relationship with those rough orcs."

"The noise the elves mentioned..."

Edgar took a breath, supported himself and sat up straight, then nodded his head, "Actually, it means here."

Eric smiled. "So the elves get close to the orcs to show off their wisdom."

Edgar seemed to remember something, smiled, and then said:
"Humans built cities and nations, but we're not the only race living on this land. Elves, dwarves, orcs, winged people... even demons. Each race is unique. When they're willing to communicate with us, we shouldn't ignore their demands—of course, this doesn't mean we have to give in."

Eric nodded, "I understand, uncle."

"Let me see."

He handed the elven parchment to his uncle.

Edgar glanced at it for a few seconds, frowned, and then quickly realized, "So they're going to the forest over there."

"Those disturbing the wood elves are probably refugees from Fribourg fleeing famine," he explained to his nephew. "I haven't heard from them in the past few days. It turns out they've taken refuge in the forest to the north."

"So do we need to do something?" Eric asked.

"I want to do something..."

The Earl frowned, weighed the pros and cons for a moment, then suddenly looked up at his nephew: "If it was Eric, what would you do?"

"my words……"

Eric paused and said, "I will personally lead a team to escort the Saint's Messenger to the small town of Valais to deal with the undead there first."

Edgar was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized, "Is Sister Alena awake? Did she agree to come?"

"Yes."

"Eric wants to come too?" he asked again.

"I have to go."

Eric emphasized his plan, "Yela not only told me that the undead appeared over there, but also showed me that two Holy City messengers died as a result. I must save them."

"..."

After returning from the square, Edgar had wanted to find an opportunity to talk to his nephew about things related to miracles, but he didn't expect him to bring it up on his own initiative.

"Yela...Eric, you said you heard Yela's oracle."

"Yes."

"Are you sure..." Edgar hesitated, "Are you sure that it was really the Goddess Yela?"

He had traveled all over the continent when he was young and was knowledgeable. He had also been a lord for many years and had a deep understanding of people's hearts. He would not easily accept his nephew's words.

He looked into Eric's eyes and said, "The miracle of Yela's coming seems to me more like a divine spell performed by a clergyman."

...My uncle also noticed it.

Eric was glad he hadn't said much in the square.

"That divine art was cast by me. It's called 'Goddess's Protection'."

He couldn't tell the whole truth—even if he told his uncle about the awakening of his past life memories and the contents of those memories, he wouldn't believe it—so he decided to use the same words he used to convince Sister Alena. Mixing truth with lies would make it easier to be believed.

"Was it Eric who cast it?" Edgar was even more surprised.

He could tell that it was a very advanced divine spell that even a regional bishop-level clergyman might not be able to perform. But now his nephew said that the caster was himself.

"Of course I didn't have the ability to use it originally..."

Eric clasped his hands together and made a prayer gesture with increasing skill.

"It was Yela who gifted and taught me, allowing me to perform miracles on her behalf and enlighten the world."

"..."

Edgar stared at the charlatan in front of him for a long time.

He couldn't understand how his nephew, who was fine this morning, could suddenly become like this.

——Unless what he said is true.

Then, Edgar, like the skeptical head nun, asked Eric to cast the spell again.

The latter could only say again that the skill was too advanced, the conditions for using it were too harsh, and it was still on cooldown.

"...and more importantly than divine magic, I saw a glimpse of the future, like the discovery of the undead in the abandoned mines in Valais." Seeing that his uncle was still struggling, Eric quickly changed the subject to what he was really good at.

"Apart from Yela, I can't imagine anyone else possessing such divine power."

Edgar pursed his lips and fell silent.

He could think of no other explanation for his nephew's ability to predict the unknown.

He knew everything about Eric's movements and the people he had contacted in the past few days. He was sure that he was the first person in the City Lord's Mansion to know about what was happening in Valais - under normal circumstances.

But he still found it difficult to accept it for a while.

"...But why did Yela choose Eric?"

Edgar glanced at his nephew's praying hands and said, "Before today, you couldn't even remember the names of the ten disciples of the Holy Prophet Raphael, right?"

He almost said that his nephew was far from being pious enough to be favored by the gods.

And Eric actually doesn't remember everything now.

He coughed lightly and said, "I think it's because of Irene."

"...Irene?" Edgar was stunned.

"Uncle, you don't know. Irene's weak body since childhood wasn't due to any other reason, but because she was born with an overpowered mental strength..."

"I know that."

"That's why my body can't bear it... huh?"

Eric was also stunned, and the uncle and nephew looked at each other.

"It's because of Irene..."

"Uncle actually knew?"

Eric was very surprised. He really thought Edgar knew nothing about this. He couldn't help but ask, "Then why don't you send Irene to learn magic, or just hire a magic teacher for her?"

"This matter is very complicated..."

Edgar glanced at the portrait hanging on the wall and shook his head. "It was your father's last wish before he died."

"...Father's request?" Eric was even more surprised.

"I can't tell you the specific reason right now." Edgar took a deep breath. "First, tell me how Irene's talent is related to this matter."

Eric looked at his uncle for a while, then put aside his doubts and said:

"In the future I foresee, Irene, now a Saint, will be led astray by her magical talent and commit a grave mistake, such as attacking the imperial capital. This would be a calamity for the entire empire... Irene will become a witch and ultimately die a violent death, and I will die protecting Irene."

Edgar was startled.

Ever since he discovered that Eric had a considerable amount of information that he had intentionally concealed, he had begun to believe and accept his nephew's statement: the God of Creation might have really shown him some kind of picture of the future.

But now he says...

"Irene will become a witch? Eric will also... die?"

"Irene's current state of mental disorder and confusion is already very depressing," Eric sighed. "If someone with ulterior motives could offer some guidance and help her release her mental burden, she would place her unwavering trust in that person. And that person is in the Holy City."

Edgar frowned, "That's why Eric wants to replace Irene and become the Saint's heir..."

"Not only that, Irene also needs to study magic and actively learn how to control her mental energy," Eric added. "That way, she won't go astray and will become an unprecedentedly powerful mage."

Edgar said nothing, supporting his forehead with one hand, staring at the table, wondering if he was thinking about the truthfulness of his nephew's words or whether his plan was feasible.

Eric didn't say anything either, waiting calmly for his uncle's decision.

He had already explained the motives for all his actions today - although selectively - mainly to reassure his uncle and prevent him from overreacting, such as tying him up and taking him to a monastery to have priests and nuns perform exorcism on him.

If his uncle could really believe what he said, it would be easier for him to carry out his subsequent plans.

The silence lasted for a while, and then Edgar spoke.

"You want to replace Irene and become the Saint Heir. That's too much. There must be another way."

Eric felt somewhat helpless. He certainly knew that his choice at that time was somewhat reckless.
He was a little excited again. What his uncle said meant that he believed or accepted his statement.

"I'm terrified of the future that Yella presents," Eric said, speaking the truth. "I'm afraid of losing Erin."

Edgar sighed softly. He definitely didn't want to see a future where both his nephew and niece died.

"What did the Holy City messenger say?" he asked.

"She didn't dare to say it."

"Ok?"

"She can't make a decision and is waiting for the Saint's response," Eric explained. "The letter has already been sent."

"It is even more unlikely that the Saint will agree."

Edgar shook his head. "For hundreds of years, there have been all kinds of troubles with the succession of saints, but there has never been a male successor."

"Then the Kimino family will become famous in religious history." Eric said with a smile.

Edgar glared at his nephew.

"If the saint is pious enough, she will break the rules." Eric said after the joke.

Edgar looked at him for a moment. "What are your plans?"

"I will prove that Yela's favor towards me is not unfounded."

"how to prove?"

"I wrote a letter to the Saint."

Edgar waited for a while, and seeing that his nephew had no intention of continuing, he did not ask any more questions.

"As long as you have a plan."

He paused. "The status of a Saint is lifelong. Once you enter the convent, you must abandon all worldly power and status, cannot marry, and must serve the gods for the rest of your life. Do you understand what this means?"

Eric understood what his uncle meant. "We still have Irene. Let her inherit the family."

"Eileen..."

Although female lords were rare in the Delan Empire, they did exist. Edgar was worried about other aspects.

"You just said you wanted to go to the mines in Valais with the Holy Maiden?"

"Ah? ...Yes."

His uncle suddenly changed the subject, and Eric was stunned for a moment before he realized, "It's quite dangerous over there. If the messenger is killed, it will be a big trouble."

"What about you? Are you sure?" Edgar looked at him.

"I can guarantee that I can come back alive, but I need a team of people." Eric said. This was also the second purpose of his coming to see his uncle.

Edgar nodded. Even if Eric didn't mention it, he wouldn't let him go alone.

"When can we leave?" Eric asked.

"When do you want it?"

"The sooner the better."

Edgar glanced at the sky outside the window and said, "If we leave in the afternoon, we won't get there until dark."

"I'm worried that if we delay too long, the undead will expand in size," Eric said. "They're just civilians over there, and they have almost no resistance."

In fact, in the closed beta test plot, it was because the intervention was too late that the entire abandoned mine was occupied by the undead, and a large number of local villagers were killed and injured.

"Well, that makes sense."

Edgar was pleased with his nephew's concern for the civilians. He stood up and called the maid to ask her to find the captain of the guard. Then he asked Eric to make some preparations and set off immediately.

"You haven't seen the undead in person yet, so don't be so scared that you lose your grip on your sword."

Eric smiled and said, "Of course not."

Just the undead. In the past ten years, he has chopped down at least eight thousand zombies or skeletons - although he did it all with a keyboard and mouse.

"Go get ready."

"Yes."

Watching his nephew leave with a hint of excitement, Edgar stood for a while and then sat back down among the pile of documents.

Big chapter.

Thanks to the book friends [呆呆一点呆] and [献星], love you.

Add more updates after the game is put on the shelves.

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(End of this chapter)