My Players Are So Fierce

Chapter 180:

Natalie soon arrived at the inner city ruins engulfed by the eerie purple glow of the Astral Realm’s creation. Old Eugene and Grandma Marianne had already set up two tents here.

As the medical commander and faith affairs manager of Crimson Citadel, Sister Jules had returned to the camp outside the city due to her busy daily work. She urgently needed her followers to become her assistants.

Even the fastidious Old Eugene could not find fault with this sincere believer and gratefully accepted Sister Jules’ request for them to clear the surrounding Astral Realm shadows.

“Here.”

Natalie, carrying the Great Oak Sacred Blade, entered the area designated as the Avalon Sanctuary.

As she stepped into it, a distinct perception rose in her heart, like the serenity of strolling through the forest temple district on Glamo Island during her youth training.

It was the unique feeling that the gaze of the Avalon God bestowed upon the faithful.

But as if an invisible line separated the surroundings, this tranquil area was limited only to the plot of land Murphy allocated for the Avalon Sanctuary. Once crossing the boundary by even a step, this attention would disappear.

This unique phenomenon immediately set Natalie’s thoughts racing.

“My God’s blessings exist only here and stop here. Marianne and I have tried repeatedly, and only in this place can we feel my God’s gaze and solace.”

Carrying a hunting sword yet only wearing a plain priest’s robe, the devout Old Eugene saw Natalie’s arrival and immediately stepped forward to greet her. He then said with some regret:

“For now, we cannot confirm what caused this, but it’s a perfect start. Once the Avalon Sanctuary stands here, perhaps my God’s power will spread.”

“No, it probably won’t.”

Natalie looked thoughtfully toward the spiral staircase leading to the Blood Vulture Halls and said softly:

“Perhaps because the Avalon God has made some agreement with the lord of this land? Or perhaps my God has constrained his power within this sanctuary to express some kind of friendliness or expectation? As if a pair of divine eyes has been placed here.

He wishes to patiently and calmly observe the future changes of this city and even this land.”

“Why would my God make an agreement with vampires? Your words make no sense! They’re vampires! Eternal Sin Descendants!”

Old Eugene was very dissatisfied with Natalie’s guess, but Natalie then shook her head and said:

“No, Murphy is different from other vampires, a point my father also acknowledged. Otherwise, he would not have asked Murphy to accept us on his deathbed. Perhaps my father received some revelation from the divine?

You also know that during these ten years, my father was the only human believer who could maintain limited contact with the Avalon God. But this is not what we should be discussing now, Master Eugene.”

Natalie took the initiative to end this topic.

She informed the Master Witch Hunter of her earlier conversation with Murphy on the way, telling him:

“I came early not only to confirm my God’s miracle but also to discuss an important matter with you and Grandma Marianne, where to house our brethren.”

“Not sending them into Crimson Citadel?”

Grandma Marianne, dressed in a plain long robe with her head covered in a long shawl, appearing to have “switched professions” from a seasoned Veteran to a nun, appeared behind Natalie carrying a basket of freshly picked berries.

She said:

“I just took a tour of the outer city area, where large-scale cleanup is underway in preparation for later reconstruction. It’s evident that Lord Murphy has a plan for his city. Unfortunately, even walking on the ground, I could sense the dreadful presence emanating from the sewer area below the city.

A ghoul nest and a spirit tomb of a scale that even terrifies me are forming.”

“This is exactly what I wanted to say.”

Natalie sat on a wooden stump, casually picking up and tossing berries into her mouth as she said to the two Master Witch Hunters:

“I actually don’t mind our brethren participating in the city’s reconstruction and clearing the demonic creatures from the sewers. However, what they need most now is rest and recuperation, and the environment around Crimson Citadel can hardly provide them with a safe and relaxing atmosphere.

Moreover, as you both know, we’ve been at war for ten years and need time to adapt to a peaceful life to avoid excessive conflicts with the locals.

So my idea is that we could perhaps house our brethren in the villages around Crimson Citadel.

For instance, I mentioned Morland Village to you before. There’s a medium-sized ghoul nest there that has been sealed off, created by the sins of our fallen comrades. We should deal with that threat to this land.

That village is located near the trade route of Transia and, if properly restored, could accommodate at least 300 people. With expansion, it could even house all our brethren.

Most importantly, there’s a large wooded area near Morland Village where we once camped, and the natural spirit energy there is more abundant than in Crimson Citadel.

This would be more conducive to the recovery of our brethren.

Finally, Morland Village is only a day’s journey from Crimson Citadel, making travel very convenient.”

“This is indeed a good idea!”

Old Eugene nodded and said:

“But will that vampire lord agree?”

“Lord Murphy should not mind these things. As I said, he is a very peculiar vampire. If not for his midnight blessing appearance, I would think he’s just a cunning human.”

Natalie answered:

“However, Morland Village is the fief of Baroness Miriam. So we may also need to obtain the baroness’s permission and official documents issued. I’ll take care of that.

I have some connections with her.

Then there’s the second matter, concerning the ‘Adventurer’s Guild.’

Don’t make that face, Master Eugene. I know you’re reluctant to give up the three-hundred-year legacy of the White Oak Battalion’s name, but we must change now.

Lord Murphy’s intention is to see the Adventurer’s Guild start operating as soon as possible, preferably established tomorrow. He seems to hope that we will handle the interfacing and coordination with his warriors on certain matters.

I contemplated this on the way here.

I’ve decided to reassign some of the disabled veteran soldiers who can no longer take to the battlefield to become trainers in various professions. They will help Murphy’s warriors better master their powers and skills and impart combat experience.”

Natalie organized her words and expounded to the two Master Witch Hunters:

“Additionally, we need to reassign some quick-witted youngsters to actively participate in the reconstruction of Crimson Citadel. If possible, strive for basic management positions. Finally, find some articulate brethren to become our ‘quartermasters.’

Murphy has agreed that we can sell the Computation Bead attachments originally intended as gifts to the lord at a reasonable price to his warriors.

This will become an important source of funding for the sanctuary’s construction.

Lastly, and most importantly, we no longer need to engage in large-scale combat. Thus, our trained demon-hunting warhorses have become a usable resource.

I plan to sell 500 of our 800 warhorses to the official Crimson Citadel, retaining only 300. A small but elite cavalry force of that size will be entirely sufficient.”

“That’s a great idea!”

Grandma Marianne agreed wholeheartedly:

“We can reassign instructors specifically to train the demon-hunting warhorses. After the collapse of the Avalon Church, we are the only ones who have preserved the training methods for these warhorses.

This may become our brethren’s true means of making a living in Transia. I’ve observed that both the Anderma Hills and the lands near the Ice Bay region under Count of Seicob have vast, flat grasslands.

Those areas could be used to establish ranches.”

“I feel like we’re discussing selling ourselves!”

Old Eugene grimaced.

Clearly, he disliked Natalie’s current discussion of these overly “mercantile” matters for a believer. But he was an experienced old man, and the elderly are always full of wisdom.

Although he disliked it, he knew it was absolutely necessary. So after grumbling a bit, he got up, found some wood, and took up an axe and woodworking tools, swiftly making a rather distinctive signboard for the Adventurer’s Guild.

However, out of nostalgia for the old days, this stubborn old fellow insisted on making the signboard identical to the one at the White Oak Battalion headquarters on Glamo Island.

This made Natalie and Grandma Marianne shake their heads helplessly, but everyone has their way of cherishing the past, so let him be.

Early the next morning, just before the sleep mode was about to force a logout, Meow King came swaggering again with his Four Heavenly Kings and old buddy, strolling through this part of the city. He already knew that two Master Witch Hunters of the White Oak Battalion were staying here, though that ill-tempered old man was not easy to deal with.

Meow King came to try his luck, seeing if he could get an opportunity to advance his profession.

As the six of them roamed the streets, they immediately noticed a huge military tent had been erected amidst the cleared ruins.

A conspicuous signboard stood in front.

“Adventurer’s Guild? Damn! Such a classic otherworldly adventure institution has finally appeared, and it even has that flavor!”

Black Stockings cried out excitedly.

Just as he was about to approach and check it out, a gray shadow suddenly shot down like lightning, startling him.

Upon closer inspection, it was a petite, cute yet ferocious and proud hunting falcon, similar to the gyrfalcons of the real world but with sharper talons and a more beautiful beak.

“Isn’t this Lady Natalie’s pet?”

The Electronic Succubus immediately recognized this distinctive hunting falcon.

As a hunter, he dreamed of having such a lifelike feathered companion as an assistant.

Previously, Meow King had convinced him to convert to the old profession system using this as a temptation. Further away, atop the tent, there was an even larger and fiercer horned owl, its naturally sharp talons fitted with exquisite oak claw guards.

That was Old Eugene’s hunting partner, “Thunderstorm.”

Grandma Marianne also once had a magnificent hunting falcon, but unfortunately lost it during a dangerous reconnaissance mission in the Ten-Year War. The grandma was very saddened and did not train any similar companions after that.

“Warriors, you have finally come to this sacred ground at the summons of my God.”

Natalie, busy inside the tent, came out upon hearing the noise and smiled when she saw the six players who were already members of the Avalon Church.

The gray-haired Witch Hunter beckoned to them.

As these six entered the sanctuary area, they immediately felt the “power of nature.” Their perceptions were greatly enhanced within this area, and the embrace and shelter of the natural aura brought great solace to their souls.

However, soon Natalie sensed a peculiar aura from the leading Meow King. After careful discernment, she frowned and asked:

“Warrior Meow, have you recently received an oracle from my God?”

“Yes! Avalon the Great, cough cough, I mean, Avalon of Nature has conveyed his will to me. He hopes we can spread the faith of nature across the land of Transia!”

Meow King immediately struck a “saint” pose and embellished the details of the Hidden Quest he had triggered, recounting the Avalon God’s oracle about spreading the faith. Upon hearing this clear objective, Natalie raised an eyebrow.

Was the divine hoping to see a new Avalon Church established in Transia?

Such a clear goal and direct instruction were rarely obtained, even when the old religion existed.

“We yearn to spread the divine’s majesty, yet we are limited by our weakness of power.”

Seeing Natalie’s silence, Meow King took the opportunity to make his request. Leaning on the sacred Huntsman’s Sword that once belonged to Natalie’s mother, he said:

“As you can see, I have passed the Black Iron Trial, and my brothers are preparing for that trial. But we urgently need the secret knowledge from the Avalon Church to enhance our authority as preachers of the divine.”

“My God does not care about authority. My God only compassionately shelters all beings that revere nature. You must not use violence to preach the faith, for that would be blasphemy in our tradition!”

Natalie shook her head, intending to educate this “impostor believer” Meow King on the teachings of the Avalon God. However, as she began, she noticed certain “inconsistencies” about Meow King.

After sniffing and carefully discerning, the White Oak Battalion’s expression changed.

She sternly rebuked:

“You! Did you just perform a war sacrifice?”

“Ah? Oh yes, previously when I was rescuing you all, I sacrificed four heretics in the forest to my God!”

Meow King proudly took out three Bloodwood Seeds from his hand, boasting to Lady Natalie.

But there was no joy on Natalie’s face.

She looked at the “ignorant and fearless” Meow King with a complicated gaze, then sighed:

“You actually don’t know what a ‘war sacrifice’ means, do you? You’ve even heard this term for the first time, right?”

“It was for the majesty of my God!”

Meow King kept spouting nonsense, unwilling to reveal his true nature as a “superficial believer.” However, at that moment, Grandma Marianne’s voice rang out from the tent entrance:

“You have raised the blade of nature under the divine’s gaze, not for protection or arbitration. This means the path of guardianship and neutrality will no longer welcome you. Warrior, you can only continue down the path of conquest, ultimately becoming a ‘Red Knight’ who brings war and destruction.

That is a terrible fate.”

“Whoa! What’s a Red Knight?”

The nearby Don’t Need Hands to Show Off exclaimed with wide eyes:

“Sounds super cool!”

“That is the power of bloodshed, the power of conquest. It represents the most ruthless, most brutal, and most furious side of wild nature. Red Knights have always been symbols of calamity, not only to others but also to themselves.”

Grandma Marianne took out a handbook from her bosom and handed it to Meow King, softly saying:

“When you reach the end of the Oak Path, you must accept your destined fate. From then on, there will be no more peace or happiness for you. Your life will be filled with misfortune and thorns. You can no longer become an Oak Sage like others. Seek out the enemies of nature and embark on your path of war, Calamity Knight of Avalon.”

“Ding”

A light note sound rang in Meow King’s ears, and a note appeared on his character interface:

?You have acquired the special profession advancement item ?Conquest Book – Handwritten Copy?, unlocking the advanced profession ‘Oak Knight’!

The Avalon Power System’s special profession ‘Red Knight’ advancement path has been identified:

Oak Apprentice ? Oak Knight ? Nature – Punishment Spear ? Red Knight.

The Avalon Church’s standard advancement path has been identified:

Oak Apprentice ? Oak Sage ? Nature – Guardian Blade/Druid ? White Knight/Archdruid.

Apprentice Witch Hunter ? Witch Hunter ? Master Witch Hunter/Nature – Arbiter Blade ? White Knight/Gray Knight.?

“Wow, I feel like I’ve discovered something incredible!”

Meow King exclaimed:

“Has the dev team already made this system so comprehensive? Let me quickly post it on the forums to attract those power gamers to join in and share the glory of my God, while also completing the missionary quest.”