Work Prophet
Chapter 700 - 26 The Delayed Judgment

Chapter 700: Chapter 26 The Delayed Judgment

Ever since Shapiro became the master of Duolin City, the city hadn’t been this lively for a long time.

The new Family Head of the Raimondi family had invested nearly all of his energy into the capture of the Blood Moon Association members.

In doing so, he did not hesitate to throw many innocent people into the dungeon as well, subjecting them to severe torture. Meanwhile, the Silver Moon Church, due to Hirodod’s rebellion, had lost its influence among the nobles and was unable to provide protection for the believers.

A great fear enveloped the entire Duolin City, and at the same time, hatred was growing wildly in unseen places.

However, the Raimondi family had ruled this land for over a thousand years, enough to make the people here awe them.

Furthermore, with Shapiro’s brutal methods, anyone who even dared to show a hint of rebellion was swiftly eliminated.

Until the arrival of that man.

The attitude of the people in Duolin City towards Hirodod was actually quite complex; he himself had committed many crimes during his brief rule over the city.

The new army he formed was almost no different from bandits, turning Duolin City into a complete mess, and then he also orchestrated that blood-drenched banquet which shocked the entire West Frontier.

However, there is no harm without comparison. Compared to Shapiro, who slaughtered twenty thousand people in one breath, Hirodod seemed a lot more benevolent.

And most importantly, the Blood Moon Association had a very hard stance against the nobles and heathens and were also willing to offer protection for the believers.

The followers of the Silver Moon Church had had enough of the helpless days of the past, and with a little push in the shadows by the Blood Moon Association, the rage building up in their hearts was completely ignited.

In the end, they rose up and killed the tyrant who ruled the city.

And naturally, Hirodod became the new master of the city. When the disheveled and barely clothed man was hoisted up by the believers, the scene did have a certain majesty and sanctity to it.

However, the Blood Moon Association and its disciples had no time to rejoice before they were faced with a new crisis.

This time their enemy was the true ruler of the West Frontier—one of the Twelve Great Nobles of the Empire, the Figrola family, whose power seemed to dwarf theirs in the eyes of outsiders.

But, miraculously, Hirodod led a ragtag group to defeat the insurmountable Gaven and his army of eight thousand.

This battle shocked the entire West Frontier, and it also answered a question that had always lingered in the hearts of believers—who was truly favored by Goddess Pexia.

Overnight, Duolin City once again became the Holy City in the hearts of all the followers of the Silver Moon Goddess.

Naturally, Hirodod would not miss this opportunity. He didn’t secretly execute his enemies like before, instead, he followed in the footsteps of Quintus and others, announcing that there would be a public trial in front of everyone.

Letting the vast number of believers decide their fate, Hirodod called it returning power to the people.

Although the lords from various places strictly forbade their people from going to Duolin City, on the day of the trial, hundreds of thousands of believers still gathered in the city.

Gaven and Quintus, even from within their dungeon, could hear the cheers coming from the streets outside.

The acting City Lord of Rock Snow City looked somewhat pale, unable to understand why so many people supported the Blood Moon Association.

Gaven turned towards Quintus in the corner and whispered, "Damn it, the trial is about to start, and Hirodod will surely find a way to kill us. Aren’t you going to do something?"

"What would you have me do, Lord Gaven?" Quintus opened his eyes.

"I don’t know, those followers of the Blood Moon Association, they also believed in the Silver Moon Church before, didn’t they? You can try to persuade them..."

"I can’t." Quintus interrupted Gwen, shaking his head.

"You are the High Priest of the Silver Moon Church, don’t tell me what you can’t do," Gwen said angrily, "Don’t forget who put you in that position."

"That’s exactly the problem," Quintus said, "Your political allies, the ones who put me in this position, are now not in this city."

The High Priest of the Silver Moon Church paused, then continued, "I think I can somewhat understand why Hirodod was able to win this battle."

"Because of those damn catapults and tar-filled pottery jars," Gwen said with hatred in his voice.

"No, because the people of this city chose to stand with him."

"Those people were merely blinded by Hirodod’s sweet talk."

"Perhaps," Quintus didn’t argue, "But now, it’s they who will determine our fate."

Gwen fell silent, then suddenly raised his voice, "What right do those fools have to judge me, I am a noble, a member of the Figrola family, the deputy lord of Rock Snow City!!!"

"True, but you are also a follower of the Silver Moon Goddess Pexia."

A voice sounded from outside the dungeon.

"This is a religious trial, a trial of the sins you have committed before the goddess."

After finishing, the person turned to the prison guard beside them, "Lord Hirodod has arrived, bring out the prisoners here."

Although Gwen was rather resentful, urged by the prison guard, he had no choice but to stand up.

Compared to ten days ago, he looked much more haggard, Hirodod had not skimped on their food, but as the acting lord of Rock Snow City, Gwen could hardly get used to the food given to prisoners.

Moreover, Hirodod didn’t provide any clean clothes for him, and Gwen’s arrow wound had only been crudely treated. The priests of the Blood Moon Association didn’t understand disinfection, and many places had already become purulent, emitting a foul stench.

Dragging his injured leg, Gwen limped to the outside of the dungeon; the outside sunlight seemed somewhat harsh to him.

But even more glaring to him was the red figure not far away.

The figure was surrounded by a crowd, ascending the stone steps of the temple amid cheers and applause.

Hirodod wore a smile, made a gesture to quiet the crowd, and then he spoke,

"Our Church has been making a mistake for a long time, choosing to ally with those greedy nobles, satisfying their ever-inflating desires, yet forgetting who it is we should truly rely on.

"We have continuously compromised, losing our army, losing the power to protect ourselves, losing the ability to judge good from evil. And what did it bring us? We couldn’t even provide shelter to our persecuted followers when they needed it."

The crowd emitted sounds of agreement.

"But now everything is different, I have come, not only to rescue you from the cruel and evil lords, but also to bring you the justice you have long awaited.

"—A fair and just trial! A trial where you yourselves will be the judges!" Hirodod declared with a fiery gaze.