Since the advent of the Calamity, the world has grown strange and twisted.
They began their flight for survival amidst the black mist.
During this time, they had witnessed all manner of powerful abominations.
Even the weakest of these abominations could easily claim the lives of ordinary people like them.
Valentin did not comment on the man’s words.
But the abominations were not invincible.
“If I could provide you with weapons capable of harming or even killing abominations, would you be willing to fight them?”
Valentin asked.
At Valentin’s words, the crowd was instantly thrown into an uproar.
Such weapons… in their minds, those were either pollutants or magical artifacts.
These were things they had never dared to imagine before.
“And, you will be awarded points according to the number of abominations you slay. Later on, those with the highest points will also receive divine favor granted by His Grace!”
Valentin said this much, and at once the crowd was filled with excitement.
Roman did not hesitate, immediately shouting, “I’m willing, Bishop Valentin!”
“Hey, are you out of your mind, Roman!” The small-framed Jack, standing nearby, grabbed Roman’s sleeve and hissed in a lowered voice.
This was a job that could get people killed!
“I’m not crazy, Jack. I’ve always wanted to become a knight and fight for the Light! These abominations, born of neither father nor mother, I’ve long wanted to cut every last one of them down!”
Hearing Roman’s voice, now firm and no longer hesitant, Jack was momentarily stunned, then shrank his head back.
Roman’s words had drawn much attention, and Jack had no desire to stick out.
However, what happened next caught Jack by surprise.
Roman’s declaration resonated with many, and more and more voices began to shout their willingness.
“To hell with it! I’ve had enough of being chased by these abominations! Now, with the bishop’s promise, I’ll take the chance no matter what!”
“Well said! The Goddess above surely wouldn’t want us to only seek shelter without making sacrifices! As a devout follower of the Goddess, I must also do my part!”
“……”
As more and more people expressed their willingness, Jack found it harder to stay put.
Those abominations were so strong—wasn’t going up against them just sending oneself to die?
But looking at the high-spirited crowd around him, Jack understood it was no longer up to him.
Gritting his teeth, he too voiced his willingness.
Valentin looked at the crowd in satisfaction, then raised his hand and pressed down to signal for silence.
He quickly returned to his room, finding a small knife and a pottery bowl barely large enough to hold in one hand.
Biting his lip, he tossed the holy emblem into the bowl, then used the knife to fiercely slash his own wrist.
“Ugh—ah—”
Blood gushed out instantly, flowing into the bowl.
Because of the pain, Valentin gripped the edge of the table with his other hand, veins bulging, his whole body trembling…
When the bowl was nearly full of blood, Valentin finally summoned a sliver of Light, stopping the bleeding.
His vision swam with blackness, and he panted for breath.
Roughly tearing a piece of cloth from his sleeve, he bound the wound with Light, then pulled his sleeve down to cover it.
He then poured nearly all his Light into the blood in the bowl.
Watching as the blood slowly turned milky white, Valentin revealed a weak expression.
Bracing his body, frail from blood loss, he carried the bowl and a brush to a nearby knight.
He explained his plan to the knight.
The knight listened, glancing at Valentin’s weakened state, his face conflicted.
But in the end, he nodded.
At present, there weren’t too many abominations breaking in, and Gryffind had ordered him to remain here at all costs, so he could spare a hand to help.
Very quickly, the knight coated a batch of iron swords with the milky white blood.
With the blood infused, those iron swords faintly glimmered with a weak radiance, appearing all the more sturdy and sharp.
Nodding in satisfaction, Valentin and the knight carried the batch of swords back before the statue.
As soon as the exquisite swords were revealed, the crowd below erupted in thunderous cheers.
Valentin said nothing more, merely glancing at the knight.
The knight understood at once, comprehending Valentin’s meaning, and began distributing the weapons.
“Loyal followers, abominations surround us and covet us hungrily. This is not only for the Light, but for ourselves! Please, take up your weapons, and by His Grace’s will, strike back at the abominations!”
Once all the weapons had been handed out, Valentin summoned all his strength and shouted.
“The Goddess above! The Light above!”
“For His Grace’s will, charge!!!”
Roused by Valentin’s words, the crowd burst forth with astonishing fighting spirit, shouting as they charged into the black mist…
The black mist before his eyes had grown thicker, and more abominations attacked in waves.
Gryffind panted heavily, his gaze dull with exhaustion.
He was too tired… The Light within his body had nearly run dry from repeated use.
His armor was badly damaged, his broad shoulders now bare, flesh torn and bloody.
Yet the abominations still surged ceaselessly at the encampment, as if without end…
He could barely lift his sword…
“Captain, let me help!”
Just as Gryffind was about to collapse, a strong hand steadied him from behind, and a silver sword cut down a nearby abomination.
“What are you doing here! Didn’t I tell you—” Gryffind saw the approaching knight and tried to say something, but the words caught in his throat.
The people once sheltered before the statue now brandished weapons, charging into the oncoming tide of abominations that he could no longer handle alone.
“You all…”
Gryffind’s emotions were complicated.
At that moment, Roman also stepped in front of Gryffind, speaking earnestly, “Captain, we are all followers of the Goddess. How could we let you fight and die alone while we just stand by?”
With that, Roman rushed into the abomination tide.
Those abominations on the verge of breaking into the camp were abruptly forced back.
Even if abominations were not something ordinary people could handle, with these weapons capable of harming them, it was possible for ordinary people to kill them.
“Sigh…” Gryffind let out a long breath. For some reason, he found strength again, gripping his sword anew.
Then he shouted loudly, “For the Light!”
At Gryffind’s shout, countless people joined in at once.
“For the Light!”
Once slaughtered by abominations in the black mist with no hope of fighting back, now, even besieged in this haven of Light, they had found the courage to resist.
Valentin’s words had fully ignited the blood and fire in their bones.
With the Goddess’s protection, what was there left to fear!