Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 127: Chapter 126: Jon: Boss, Don’t Mess with Me

Jon’s words hit Alek and the others right where they were most vulnerable.

Emotionally, they didn’t want to believe that Harir, a colleague of over a decade, was a traitor. But what if?

What if, as this young man claimed, Harir really was an Eternal Frost Cultist?

At such a critical juncture, who could guarantee anyone’s absolute loyalty?

Their feelings at that moment were very similar to Rosalind’s when Reya had been attacked.

When their lord’s safety was at stake, they couldn’t afford to gamble, not even on the slimmest of chances!

And so, after a brief standoff, Yadri, the most senior of the three, took a step forward.

”Mr. Jon, I hope you can take responsibility for your words.”

The captain of the Birch Town guard stared intently at Jon’s face, speaking each word with deliberation.

”If what you say is true, I swear on my sword that whatever you ask of me, I will not refuse!”

He didn’t say what would happen if it wasn’t true, but a sword used to make an oath could just as easily be used to cut a man down.

Jon remained noncommittal. He simply lifted Harir, who was frozen stiff as an Ice Stick, off Big Mimi’s hooked tail and held him in his hand.

”Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go.”

With that, he led the way up the steps of the Sun Church.

Xia and Xina lowered their Shields and snorted at Alek and the others, following behind Jon like two smug little sidekicks.

Alek and Hank exchanged a glance, each seeing the anxiety and tension in the other’s eyes.

But things had come this far; there was no turning back without seeing how it ended!

They had no choice but to follow!

At the top of the steps, the towering doors of the church swung open noiselessly. Priest Ingram stood in the doorway, a signature gentle smile on his face. Beside him stood a calm, short-haired young priest.

The two had obviously heard the commotion outside, but bound by the line between faith and worldly affairs, they could not step through the door to intervene in the dispute.

However, if the parties involved came seeking help of their own accord, that was another matter entirely.

”Gentlemen, welcome to the Sun Church.”

Ingram’s voice was steady and powerful, carrying a strength that soothed the soul.

Xia and Xina immediately folded their Light Wings, bowing their heads respectfully in perfect unison.

”Day’s blessings, Grandfather Ingram!”

”Day’s blessings, Sister Xia, Sister Xina.”

The Elder Priest nodded in response, his gaze then sweeping over Jon and the frozen Harir in his hand. A flicker of something passed through his eyes.

”May I ask why you have brought this man to my Lord’s church, Mr. Jon?”

”Day’s blessings, Priest Ingram, Monk Julian.”

Jon propped the man he was carrying, Harir, on the floor. He gave a slight nod to Ingram and the young priest beside him, then got straight to the point.

”This man’s name is Harir. He is a steward at the Lord of Birch’s Mansion.”

”This morning, I was entrusted by Captain Basque of Nomu Village to deliver a message to Village Chief Reed at the Lord’s Mansion. I carried the captain’s Badge, but this man claimed Reed was not there. He then accused me of using a forged Badge to spy for information in an attempt to frame me.”

”I sensed something was amiss and suspected he might be connected to the Eternal Frost Sect. Therefore, I have brought him here to request that the truth be revealed under the watch of the Sun God Poao.”

Ingram gave Jon a long look. He didn’t press for details, but instead looked past him to the three men from the Lord’s Mansion, whose expressions were grim, and offered words of reassurance.

”Gentlemen, rest assured. Under the gaze of my Lord, Poao, no one can lie.”

As the captain of the Birch Town guard, Yadri was clearly no stranger to Ingram.

He bowed formally, his tone earnest.

”Priest Ingram, we trust the Sun God and His followers. But if things are not as Jon claims, we ask that you do not shelter him.”

”Of course.”

Ingram nodded. He then extended a hand, and a ray of golden light stretched out to land on Harir.

The sacred power carried a warm current with it, rapidly dispelling the frost poison that had frozen him.

Sensation returned to the frozen side of the middle-aged man’s body. Under the Holy Light, the ghastly wound on his shoulder blade, pierced by the scorpion tail, healed and scabbed over at a rate visible to the naked eye.

Yet, upon being freed from his bonds and pain, the newly liberated Harir showed not a single trace of relief or gratitude.

”COUGH—! COUGH COUGH COUGH—!”

It was as if all his strength had been drained, as if he’d been crushed by an invisible weight. His face suddenly became even paler than when he had been frozen, and his body trembled violently as he coughed uncontrollably.

He tried to struggle to his feet, but his legs were as weak as noodles. Finally, with a THUD, he collapsed heavily to his knees on the cold stone floor. His head hung low, not daring to look anyone in the eye, much less raise his gaze to the magnificent statue of the god in the depths of the church.

Seeing this, the hearts of Alek and the other two men tightened.

But Jon gave Harir no chance to recover.

He strode forward, walking directly to the front of the tall, solemn statue of the Sun God Poao, which was emitting a faint glow, and stopped.

Then he turned, his gaze as sharp as an Ice Cone, and fixed it on Harir, who was trembling on the hall floor.

”Speak. Why did you claim the Badge from Captain Basque that I brought was a forgery?”

The question struck right at the heart of the matter, leaving no room for evasion.

And the very instant Jon’s voice faded—

VMMMM!

The statue of Poao behind him, which had been silent, solemn, and emitting only a soft, faint glow, suddenly blazed with light!

It wasn’t a harsh, blinding glare, but a warm, sacred golden radiance imbued with supreme majesty, as if the slumbering Deity had been awakened by this inquiry into truth and justice!

At the same time, in the center of the church’s dome, the giant Treasure Pearl symbolizing the Sun seemed to ignite, bursting forth with an even brighter and warmer light!

The sacred radiance washed over the church like a tangible tide, instantly filling every corner and tinging the cold air with warmth.

”By our Lord Poao!”

Xia and Xina let out a soft cry of astonishment almost in unison. Their faces filled with immense awe and excitement, they immediately dropped to one knee, crossed their hands over their chests, and bowed their heads in piety.

Julian quickly followed suit, kneeling as well.

Although Ingram remained standing, his eyes were filled with astonishment, and he bowed his head slightly to show his respect for the Deity.

This sudden divine miracle left Alek, Hank, and Yadri utterly stunned!

They were not followers of the Sun, but they knew that a god’s great power did not manifest so easily.

Yet Jon had drawn the attention of a true god with just a single question?

Didn’t this prove—

They looked at Harir, who was kneeling on the floor and trembling like a leaf in the divine light. The last shred of hope and doubt in their hearts was brutally shattered!

Veins bulged on the hand Yadri had clenched around his sword hilt. His gaze was locked on Harir, filled with the fury of betrayal and incredulous anguish.

Alek’s mouth hung open, the muscles on his rugged face frozen stiff. His earlier rage had been replaced by sheer horror.

Hank, for his part, turned his head away in sorrow and let out a long sigh.

Meanwhile, Jon, the one who had triggered this entire phenomenon, was also inexplicably shocked.

’Come on, Chief, I was just borrowing your house to ask a question. Did you really have to make such a big scene?’

’Don’t do this to me!’