A Guide to Becoming a God Starting from a Monastery

Although his status meant that he could not attend banquets hosted by top figures alone, he received many invitations from relatives and friends.

The Knights were no longer what they once were, having already controlled an entire sea area. Therefore, the value of a high-ranking member of the Knights was immense. After all, sometimes, just a word from Joseph, or even a simple act of turning a blind eye, could mean the difference between a merchant's profit and a loss.

At dusk, Joseph returned from outside the city.

He attended a banquet hosted by old friends and drank a lot of wine.

Thomas was the only one in the Order who didn't drink at all. Even at banquets, he'd only touch the cup with his lips. Even Thomas, however, drank a small glass of wine during Communion.

He was still a little tipsy when he started, but with every step he took, the drunkenness faded a little. The dizziness and dullness brought on by the alcohol gradually disappeared, and his weak steps became firm and powerful again.

The gap between the national defenders and the elite is far greater than most people imagine.

These are completely two worlds.

Just like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, it is a complete transformation.

The power of the magic net continued to flow into his body, strengthening his physical fitness every moment.

Joseph sighed inwardly, now beginning to understand why someone would be willing to spend a million florins to be promoted to Protector of the Nation.

Thinking in my mind, I quickened my pace.

Ahead is a side gate of the city of Rome.

If we delay any longer, the city gate will likely be closed.

Suddenly, Joseph stopped.

Three or five people came out from the side. They had been staying behind a big tree until now, but now they came out from behind the tree when they saw Joseph approaching.

Joseph knows the leader!

It was none other than the young Balboa whom he had met once at a dinner party. The same one who had challenged Thomas before!

Little Balbo's expression was obviously unfriendly.

The last time they met, Joseph hadn't noticed the other party's weapon, but this time he could see that he was wearing two swords at his waist.

It is a rare dual-wielding weapon.

To be honest, dual swords are not very practical on the battlefield... Of course, in the hands of a true master, it is another matter.

"Mr. Balbo?!" Joseph asked. "Nice to meet you again."

"I'm glad too," said little Balbo. "I heard you're an adjutant of the Knights Templar. I imagine you're one of the best in the Knights Templar."

"Don't dare."

"I wonder how he compares to Captain Thomas?"

"I dare not compare myself with the Grand Master. The Grand Master is the real pillar of the Knights Templar." Joseph replied seriously.

"That's perfect. I've always admired the Knights. Why not take this opportunity to learn from Knight Joseph?"

Although his words were very proper, his expression, attitude, and body language clearly showed that he had no intention of letting Joseph leave.

"Mr. Balbo, you are a nobleman. Why are you indulging in such meaningless competitions?"

"A meaningless duel?" This time, little Balbo was furious. "What do you mean by meaningless?"

"You are the son of Doge Balbo, who rules over the mighty Venice."

"Ha...you mean everyone gives in to me because of my father?" Little Balbo's face turned ugly.

The expression that was originally somewhat playful now turned into anger.

Who can stand this kind of teasing!

"That's not the question. What I mean is, if you truly want to test your strength, you have a great opportunity right now," Joseph said. "Although the Knights have occupied Smyrna, a counterattack by the Crescent Moon Cult could come at any time. The Grand Master says the Seljuks will definitely strike back in six months at the earliest, and a year at the latest. Young Master Balbo, if you join the Knights, you'll have a chance to truly test yourself."

"There is no test more glorious and accurate than this!"

Little Balbo laughed in anger.

"Haha... interesting... you actually want me to join the Knights! Well, it's not impossible for me to join, but I don't want to join a group of weaklings. If you defeat me, I'll join the Knights, no problem!"

After he finished speaking, he drew out his long sword.

It was not the blunt sword commonly used in competitions, but a truly sharp blade.

The sword is slightly narrower and longer than a standard service sword, but overall it is still a service sword.

It should have been fine-tuned based on personal preference and arm strength.

He casually raised his sword and made a flower.

"Your sword...is not a sword for fighting." Joseph said calmly.

With a training sword and armor on, jousting becomes only a slightly dangerous sport.

Unless one was truly unlucky, a duel wouldn't be dangerous. Even a full-strength blow would only leave a bruise. Ordinary attacks would only hurt, not injure.

But a real sword is different.

They were not wearing any armor, and even if they did, it was inner armor hidden under their clothes, protecting their torsos but not their limbs, necks, and heads.

Flesh and skin cannot stop a sword, not even the flesh and skin that protects the country!

"How can you use that kind of toy in a real battle?" Little Balbo laughed.

"It seems that Knight Joseph... doesn't seem to have much knowledge about combat!" Little Balbo lightly placed the fingers of his other hand on the blade of his long sword.

The next second, purple electric light jumped on the sword.

"Mr. Balbo," Joseph asked, "Why are you so persistent in challenging others?"

"Nothing, I just want to become stronger!" replied little Balbo.

"that's it?"

"That's it! Knight Joseph, draw your sword! If you fight me seriously, I will spare your life. Otherwise..." said Little Balbo. "Grandmaster Thomas is going to get a new adjutant!"

"Oh." Joseph showed a helpless expression and slowly drew out his sword.

Little Balbo took the initiative to attack and thrust out with a sword.

The lightning is dazzling!

Joseph shook his hand lightly, and the sword also stabbed out.

It seemed that the two swords were about to collide, but Joseph's movement was a little faster, and he stabbed the hilt of Balbo's sword.

Caught off guard, the sword in little Balbo's hand flew out, turned in the air, and stabbed into the soil.

There was still lightning on the sword.

Chapter 233: Protectors of the Nation 2

Everyone present was stunned.

Even little Balbo himself was stunned and couldn't come back to his senses for a long time.

This is...how is it possible?

Although this strike was purely a test, and little Balbo was far from using his full strength, his opponent's sword was instantly knocked away.

This...what's going on?

The opponent's movements were not fast, and the speed was about the same as mine, at most it could be said to be slightly faster.

When Joseph's sword hit Balboa's sword, Balboa's sword was actually just a little bit away from Joseph's shoulder.

But the difference was just a fraction of a second. Little Balbo's sword was knocked away, but Joseph was unharmed.

After all, this world is a material world, and it doesn't require any martial arts skills.

Fighting and kicking are the last resort. Normal warriors fight with armor and weapons.

In this kind of contest, if your weapon is knocked away by the opponent, it basically means you lose.

If there is a referee, the referee will stop the duel and declare the winner.

"No... Impossible!" Little Balbo was shocked, took a step forward and drew his sword again.

Joseph did not stop him and let him take the sword again.

Joseph's attitude made little Balbo feel a little relieved at first, but when he came to his senses, it turned into anger.

The so-called anger stems from shame.

It must have been luck! It was a lucky coincidence that the blind cat stole the dead mouse and stabbed the hilt of his own sword!

Little Balbo himself couldn't even remember how many people he had challenged, whether they were renowned coaches, outstanding knights, or battle-hardened mercenaries. Winning or losing aside, he had never lost his weapon in the first round.

But, after all, he was a little careless just now.

I didn't really give it my all, but instead came here with a somewhat underestimating mentality.

For example, the sword strike just now was a purely exploratory one. If he had used all his strength, the speed could have been at least 30% faster.

Besides, wielding a sword wasn't his strongest suit.

But this time, he no longer dared to be careless.

Little Balbo drew out another sword and wielded it in both hands.

Purple electric light was jumping on one sword, and layers of frost were condensed on the other sword.

As he swung, ice chips fell to the ground. Even from a distance, he could feel the chill.

If fighting at close range, you don't even need to be injured by the sword. Just a short confrontation and a few moves back and forth will quickly make your body stiff due to the cold and no longer flexible.

The other sword, at first glance, had an electric shock effect. It wouldn't have pierced, but if the weapons blocked or crossed paths, they would have been affected by the current. It was mentioned lightly that the electric shock paralyzed the whole body, but the main point was that it would have turned the body into charcoal... that was still unknown.

"This is my ability," Little Balbo volunteered. "I can control the elements!"

His hand trembled, and the sword, which had just been covered in layers of frost, suddenly turned into a ball of fire. The blazing heat could be felt from a distance.

Because he can switch between different elements, he doesn't mind telling others the secret of his extraordinary abilities.

This also means that he will go all out next time he makes a move.

Joseph sighed.

"That's a pretty good supernatural power," Joseph said. "But why would you do that?"

Around him, several of Little Balbo's companions retreated a distance again. It was obvious that they knew how powerful Little Balbo's ability was!

"Come out with all your might!" Little Balbo shouted. "Let's fight!"

Joseph chuckled and shook his head.

"Do you look down on me?" Little Balbo became even angrier.

He danced with the two swords in his hands, performing several exquisite moves in succession, the speed was so fast that it was hard to watch.

Then the next moment, he rushed forward.

Joseph opened his mouth and suddenly a syllable came out of his mouth.

You can't tell what the sound is, it's just a chaotic, incomprehensible thing. You can hear it, but you can't describe it.

Little Balbo maintained his charging posture, but his whole body was frozen in place, unable to move.

It wasn't just little Balbo, several of his companions were like this, their bodies were stiff and they couldn't move.

Joseph, however, took a step forward, sheathing his sword as he went.

Little Balbo was unable to move, but although his body could not move, his brain was not affected. He could only watch the other party pass by him.

As they passed each other, he gently stroked little Balbo's neck with his palm.

After a short while, the immobilization effect wore off, and when I looked back, Joseph had already gone far away.

Little Balbo suddenly lost all his strength, collapsed and knelt on the ground.

He needed both swords to hold himself up so that he wouldn't fall.

He gently stroked the spot where the other person had just stroked with the edge of his palm.

The edge of his palm touched it lightly, so naturally there was no killing effect. There was no wound on the neck, not even a red mark.

But this time it was more despairing than being cut by a sharp blade.

In fact, it sentenced him to death.