A Guide to Becoming a God Starting from a Monastery

In the city, Dimitrios has begun preparing methods to deal with tunnel warfare.

There are many ways to deal with tunnels, the most important of which is to create a monitoring device to monitor underground engineering. As long as the location of the enemy's excavation is determined, targeted measures can be taken.

A classic method is to dig a large hole in the ground and bury a water tank upside down inside. This way, as long as you put your ear to the water tank, you can hear the enemy digging and judge the location and distance of the enemy's digging.

That's all Thomas knew anyway.

I watched some anti-Japanese dramas in my previous life, and it seemed that the Japanese used this method to fight against the Eighth Route Army's digging tunnels and attacking cities.

In fact, the siege technology of this era was more complete and advanced than what Thomas knew. Without Thomas's intervention, Demetrios led his men to build a very sensitive listening device: a thin animal skin film stretched tightly on a wooden frame, with bells hanging on it.

This thing is so sensitive that even the slightest vibration from the ground is enough to make the bell ring.

It was easy to find out that the Turks did not dig just one or two tunnels, but dozens of them at the same time!

In other words, in the future there will be dozens of tunnels approaching the city wall at the same time.

In addition, spies outside the city reported that the Turks were sending siege cannons of larger caliber.

Bad news comes one after another.

However, none of the bad news could compare to the last one—the Turks had the support of the entire Crescent Cult world. A massive fleet from other Crescent Cult nations was already gathering, ready to threaten Rhodes Island at any moment!

Although the Knights' fleet was powerful, it had no advantage against such an enemy. In addition, the Knights' fleet was now scattered and no supreme commander had been appointed in advance.

At this time, almost all the combat power of the Knights Templar was concentrated in Smyrna, and the mainland of Rhodes Island was extremely empty.

In the afternoon, someone announced the joint decision of the Knights' top leaders.

Smyrna was guarded by the clerk Demetrios, and the Grand Master Thomas was to return to Rhodes to guard it.

This decision caused a lot of uproar.

If a different leader were in charge, some people might even think that this was desertion.

But since taking office, Thomas has always been proactive and adventurous. From another perspective, he could even be described as audacious! He dared to do things others wouldn't, and took risks others wouldn't, and yet, he always succeeded.

So most people think that this decision is inappropriate and worthy of discussion, but there are no other unnecessary opinions.

In the afternoon, Thomas met little Balboa in the church under the hammer and sickle emblem.

After a few days of rest, little Balbo looked fine.

He had previously fought alone against a large number of enemies, but because of the favorable terrain, he was not seriously injured. He was just exhausted and a little weak.

It has already recovered now.

The two performed a simple prayer ceremony together.

"Grand Commander, why did you call me here..." Little Balbo asked after the prayer.

"Little Balbo, I heard that you have found your own way?" Thomas asked.

"Yes. I think I found it," said little Balboa sincerely. "It's exactly what I expected. But now I can grasp it accurately."

"Can you tell me about it? Of course, you don't have to say it if you don't think it's appropriate."

"It's like this... I learned a long time ago that challenging the strong is the key to becoming stronger," said Balbo. "I've forgotten who told me this. Maybe my brother? My father? Or even more likely my first coach? Anyway, this thought has always been in my mind. And it's true. With every victory I've won, I've become stronger!"

"That being said, I'm well aware that there are limits to becoming stronger. I don't know what to do to take the next step. My father once sent a half-step Protector of the Nation to practice with me, but I immediately realized that the practice was meaningless. In a fair fight, I couldn't possibly beat him... In other words, the method of becoming stronger by challenging the strong is wrong. It only applies to gradual, steady growth. But becoming a Protector of the Nation or a half-step Protector of the Nation involves a leap. It's not a steady improvement, but a sudden, instantaneous rise to a higher level. How should I put it? This isn't what ordinary people understand as becoming stronger, like having only one gold coin in the morning and earning ten in the evening. It's like having only one gold coin in the morning and being the richest man in Venice by the evening!"

Thomas completely understood this; he had been stuck at that stage himself. After reaching the summit, you realize there's nothing but sky above you, nowhere to go, and you have to get yourself a pair of wings to keep going up.

But as long as you have wings, you can fly not just five or ten meters, but soar into the sky in an instant.

"I felt it during the battle a few days ago," Balbo said excitedly. "During that battle, my body's potential was constantly being tapped, constantly being pushed higher. My entire body was filled with strength, completely unaware of fatigue and pain. My power continued to surge, and my perception became sharper. I clearly felt the barrier, and I knew that as long as I kept fighting, as long as I kept pushing myself higher and higher, I would break through my limits and reach that new, unknown realm!"

"Then...what happened next?"

"Then I sensed the presence of a powerful enemy. When I sensed that threat, I instinctively retreated to avoid the attack. Then, my ever-surging strength instantly dried up, leaving me exhausted and powerless... I finally understood that to break through that level, I must sacrifice myself without fear. Any moment of retreat would mean everything would be in vain! Although I failed, at least I knew what to do!"

He clenched his fists, obviously extremely excited.

Although I haven't taken that step, even just knowing where my path lies is a great success!

Although this road is extremely dangerous and is like seeking a glimmer of hope amidst a thousand deaths, it is still better than being without a way out, isn't it?

“Ah…ah…” Thomas understood a little.

Sure enough, this is the path to advancement for the Hu country. One must find his own path, which cannot be imitated or copied.

"By the way, Grand Master, what was the Knights' deepest secret that you mentioned?"

"Well," Thomas coughed. "Little Knight Balbo," he said sternly. "Since it has come to this, I won't hide it. Simply put, it's a promotion to Protector of the Nation!"

"It's safe, fast, and there's no danger," Thomas added.

Chapter 295 Leaving

"Divine Revelation?" Little Balbo was shocked. "Your... Bloody Cross Flag can use Divine Revelation?"

"No, I can't." Thomas sighed.

Divine Revelation was a spell only available at the ninth level of the Magic Web. Accessing the seventh level was Thomas's current limit. The eighth required 40,000 divine powers, and the ninth... well, how should I put it, at least 150,000 divine powers!

Although Thomas knew that he would have a long life after being promoted to Protector of the Nation, gathering 150,000 divine powers...that was just wishful thinking!

At least it's just something to think about now.

"Then..." Little Balbo was a little confused. "How did you do that?"

"Saints." Thomas pointed to the hammer and sickle emblem high up and took out a book.

It was none other than "The Third Volume of the Nameless Book".

"Saint?" Little Balbo obviously had no knowledge of this book.

In fact, he knew very little about religion, except that he prayed every day.

Although the Knights Templar were theoretically composed of monks, they were still primarily warriors. While many were literate, few were educated. Those who were both civil and military were quickly promoted.

Although young Balbo was born into an aristocratic family and had studied cultural subjects since childhood, it's hard to say how much he learned. It's estimated that he was only able to read and write. It's impossible to expect him to be as proficient in cultural knowledge as he was in martial arts.

If he was really at this level, his father probably wouldn't have arranged for him to join the Knights Templar!

"I follow the guidance of this saint," Thomas said. To save time, he turned the third volume of the "Nameless Book" to the page he wanted little Balbo to see.

Regarding the preferences and powers of the unknown saint.

Even someone like little Balbo couldn't take his eyes off it.

A god who is extremely generous and asks for very little in return... ah, no, a saint!

It neither tests your wallet nor your moral bottom line!

"I followed the guidance of this saint, so I received a gift from this saint," Thomas said. "He gave me the authority to choose the right person."

"You mean..." Little Balbo found his throat a little dry.

"Little Knight Balbo, you..." Thomas said. "Do you want to become a protector of the country?"

"Of... of course!" Little Balboa said immediately. "Can I... can I do it?"

"You are brave and loyal. This is the type of person this unknown saint prefers," Thomas said. "Of course, it comes at a price. The price is... you must abide by your oath for life, the oath you once swore!"

These days, vows are not irreversible.

When a monk becomes a monk, he must vow to dedicate himself to the Lord, but if by chance, for example, there is no other suitable heir in the family, then he can still change his mind and return to secular life.

It's nothing more than some tedious procedures and some necessary financial expenditure.

"I do!" Little Balbo agreed immediately.

He then knelt before the hammer and sickle (not the cross) and repeated his oath.

"Go and fast for a day, and come back here tomorrow afternoon."

These days, fasting is a very normal way of practicing, in order to restrain one's desires. Even in this time of war, fasting is not something that is unbelievable.

Of course for Thomas...

What’s important is actually an empty stomach!

A few days flew by in the blink of an eye.

That night, the sky was gloomy and the stars and the moon were hidden.

There were only a few fires burning on the city walls and outside the city, serving as a little embellishment to the darkness.

Thomas came to the edge of the dock area, and a light speedboat had quietly entered the port.

Although the dock was actually under the threat of Turkic artillery, the small-scale movement of personnel and materials was still difficult to prevent.

After all, on a night like this, the gunners outside the city (if there were any) would have no way of seeing what was happening at the dock.

This ship was coming to take Thomas away.

After the ship docked at the pier, a small group of people quietly stepped onto the dock area from the city side.

To avoid being exposed, a large-scale farewell was naturally impossible. Only a few people were sent to the dock this time.

"Demetrios, I'll leave this to you," Thomas said to the clerk as they walked. "Remember what I told you? Master Radagast has predicted the weather. It's about fifty days away. If we hold on for fifty days, the cold snap will arrive. Then the Turks will have to retreat whether they want to or not!"

"Of course, Grand Commander!"

"Don't send me off. Go back. If there's any military matter that requires immediate response, remember to communicate via letters."

"Okay." Seeing the Grand Commander say this, Demetrios stopped there.

The group walked for a while longer.

"Knight Andrea, Secretary Demetrios needs your assistance. Don't send him to the front lines; just command from the rear. But if you must wear armor and go into battle, remember to do your best to protect his safety. Demetrios's safety is entrusted to you. Please don't send him off again."

"Yes." Andrea bowed and left.

They walked across the battlefield where thousands had died. It had been so long since they'd been there, but they could still smell the faint stench of blood.

"Knight Joseph, Andrea has to assist the clerk and can't be on the front lines all the time. So, you'll have to take care of the frontline battles on the city walls," Thomas said. "You have to take more responsibility."

"Of course, Grand Commander, this is my unshirkable responsibility," said Joseph.

"You should go back first. The city wall cannot be without a commander. Even a short absence is inappropriate. No one knows when the Turks will attack the city."

Upon hearing this, Joseph also bowed and left.

"Knight Mansredee, you will lead our reserve this time," Thomas said to the next knight. "Once the enemy breaches the city walls—which I believe is extremely unlikely—the entire responsibility will fall solely on you. Do not let me down."

"Grand Commander, I will never fail in my responsibilities." Mansreti said calmly.

"Little Knight Balbo," Thomas turned to look at the youngest one beside him. "You are now the standard-bearer of the Knights! Remember, the flag of the Knights shall never fall."

Young Balboa was excited. He was too young, and unlike Thomas, who had lived two lifetimes, he had actually been itching to strike back lately. He was eager for the Turks to attack the city so he could test his strength on the battlefield.

Fortunately, Thomas noticed this and promoted him to the standard-bearer of the Knights Templar on the grounds of his outstanding military achievements.

This position was somewhere between the middle and upper levels, with no special powers but a high status. As the flag bearer, he could no longer be the first to rush out rashly, as he was shouldering the responsibility of protecting the flag.

The former flag bearer and the former grand master were killed in the naval battle.

"Of course, Grand Master." Little Balbo swore, "Anyone who wants to desecrate the banner of the Knights will have to step over my dead body!"

He also left.

"Knight Reynard." Thomas looked at the last old man. "If, I mean, if, the enemy truly breaks through all the defenses ahead, then the final responsibility for protecting the Knights will fall on you."

"I will live and die with the Knights." The old man said in a detached and resolute tone.

"Master, Louis, we're aboard," Thomas said, then turned and walked up the gangplank onto the ship.

The sailboat silently cut through the water, and Thomas stood on the side of the ship, looking at the city shrouded in darkness.

Damn! He left behind five people to protect the country!

The Turkic siege army is definitely not stronger than the Ottoman army in his previous life!

The strength of the Rhodes Island Knights' garrison is definitely not weaker than that of the Knights Hospitaller in the previous life!

Smyrna's defensive preparations were also more numerous and more sufficient.

Plus five fighting forces to protect the country.

If we still can't hold Smyrna...

That is truly God’s will!

To put it another way in Chinese, it is called "This is a gift from heaven, not human effort!"