Work Prophet
Chapter 318 - 76: Because You Fear Death

Chapter 318: Chapter 76: Because You Fear Death

Priest Kerkwon’s downfall further detonated the entire situation, causing a stir among the priests and believers within the Church.

More and more people began to realize that this was not simply a grudge between Priest Herodotus and Priest Matina; rather, it was a tempest sweeping through the entire Church.

And the facts once again confirmed this.

Priest Herodotus led a surprise raid on Priest Matina’s residence, and though they obtained evidence of her collusion with foreign powers there, they failed to catch Priest Matina herself.

The latter had somehow received news and left Duolin City where she had been residing, half a day in advance.

Hence, Priest Herodotus turned to arrest Priest Hesiod and simultaneously dispatched the Church’s cavalry in secret to pursue Priest Matina.

However, the Church’s cavalry guessed Priest Matina’s direction of travel incorrectly; she did not return to her family to seek their protection but instead headed southeast.

To Lake City.

By the time Priest Herodotus received the news, Priest Matina had already entered the city.

"This is a good choice," Priest Herodotus praised.

After speaking, he looked at the other three in the great hall, "Do you know why it’s good?"

Priest Kerkwon hesitated before replying, "Lake City belongs to the Marier family, and the Marier family has always been at odds with the Bellon family. Why would she go there?"

Priest Herodotus smiled and did not answer, looking instead at the other two people. Priest Genaya was clearly panicking; as soon as their eyes met, she lowered her head.

With both fear and helplessness, she said, "Priest Herodotus, is it really necessary to go to such lengths?"

"Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that? You, Hesiod, and Matina—the three of you met behind my back in secret. Wasn’t it to discuss how to deal with me?"

Priest Genaya was left speechless.

And Priest Daijius, who had been sitting beside her with an ashen face, finally couldn’t help but speak out, "What about me, then? Priest Matina also came to me, but I did not agree to her terms. So why have I been captured as well?"

"It’s an invitation, not a capture. I’ve only captured one person, Hesiod," Priest Herodotus corrected, "Furthermore, you’re even stupider than they are."

Priest Daijius’s face flushed with anger.

"This is a war of life and death; there’s no room for fence-sitters like the centrists. You indeed did not accept Priest Matina’s invitation, but neither did you report the matter to me afterward."

"Had I known you were this mad, I should have heeded Priest Matina’s warning from the get-go," Priest Daijius responded bitterly.

Priest Herodotus smiled gently, "Even if you had joined the other side, it wouldn’t have changed anything. None of you have an army at your disposal."

"Violence can never defeat justice," Priest Daijius retorted stubbornly, "The Church has so many priests, and there are even more believers beneath them. Do you really think you can control them all, just like you control us?"

"Of course not, nor do I need to control them," Priest Herodotus said, "Haven’t you heard the voices outside these past days while at your residence? The number of people who support the Church forming its own army is growing."

"That’s because you’ve fabricated lies, slandering Priest Matina and Priest Hesiod," Priest Genaya intervened courageously, "and you took advantage of the fact that she had left Duolin City and couldn’t speak out. But now that she’s in Lake City, she surely won’t remain silent any longer, and when she speaks, the truth will come to light."

"This is why I need you," Hirodod said, "when Priest Martina states her truth, you must help me refute her."

"You’re dreaming," Daijius scoffed.

"No, I’m serious," Hirodod replied with a stern look, "and you will indeed help me."

"Why?"

"Because you fear death."

With Hirodod accusing them to their faces of fearing death, both Daijius and Genaya looked very unpleasant, but Priest Kerkwon remained unruffled.

Daijius and Genaya couldn’t help but admire his thick skin.

Priest Kerkwon then took the initiative to smooth things over for both parties, "Now, now, let’s all calm down. Since Priest Herodotus has invited us here, he clearly doesn’t want to kill us.

"Since the three of us are here, it goes without saying that we don’t want to die either. Let’s cooperate, so Priest Herodotus can get his army, and we can continue being High Priests."

Herodotus gave a thumbs-up upon hearing this, "Priest Kerkwon knows how to live life."

Daijius was speechless. Genaya opened her mouth several times, but in the end, she lacked the courage to disagree and could only tacitly accept Kerkwon’s statement.

"So, from now on, we’re all in the same boat, and it would be best to stop causing trouble for one another, or else things might happen that none of us want to see."

Herodotus paused, then steered the conversation back to the main point, "Now, back to business, does anyone know why Priest Martina went to Lake City?"

"I do," Daijius replied, still frowning as if he disapproved of Herodotus’ methods, but he spoke nevertheless.

"Although the Marier family has some old scores to settle with the Bellon family, they have a good relationship with Priest Martina, who hails from the Bellon family. Priest Martina once treated the Family Head of the Marier family and saved his life.

"It stands to reason that she fled to Lake City seeking the Marier family’s support."

"Exactly," Herodotus heartily agreed, "Priest Martina has finally seen the light. She’s realized that if she wants to defeat me, she can’t do it without an army.

"She didn’t go home because she knew I would send people after her, nor did she head east because that’s the direction of Thorny City, and she didn’t go west, for being too near the Double Rest Sect would only confirm the accusations I’ve made against her, so she chose to head south to Lake City."

"Will the Marier family really listen to Priest Martina and lend her troops?"

Priest Kerkwon was skeptical, "Not to mention the Marier family, even the Bellon family might not dare send out troops. The major families of the western border have always had an agreement with the Church not to interfere in its internal affairs."

"Then you’re underestimating Priest Martina. She’s always been the person my teacher found most troublesome," Herodotus said, "She will get the support."

Startled by his words, Kerkwon exclaimed, "This... what if she brings troops to attack us? Would Priest Martina really dare to do that? Surely not."

Not only Kerkwon but also Genaya and Daijius’s expressions soured as they exchanged glances.

Having one lunatic like Herodotus was already troublesome enough; if the usually steady Priest Martina had also lost her sanity, they couldn’t dare to imagine how much worse things could get.

But Herodotus was rubbing his hands together, looking thrilled, "Let them come! Let them come! If she doesn’t attack me, how can she help me remove the biggest obstacle to building my army?"