Chapter 47: Completely Subduing the Two Barons

Inside Oak Castle’s main hall.

The air froze for a moment.

A flicker of shock and disbelief surfaced on Gregor’s slightly distorted face.

To cast pure Holy Light without chanting or using any external aid?

How could that be possible?!

“Oh~ gods above!” Old John was the first to break the silence.

His plump face was filled with astonishment, and his shrewd eyes went round as saucers.

The scene before him—

Was by no means some alchemist’s trick!

Because he had seen no use of any alchemical device!

“Priest Colin.”

“Is this the power of the Holy Light, the grace of the Angel?”

He rubbed his hands together like a merchant who had just spotted a rare treasure, mixed with the reverence of a believer.

Colin slowly withdrew his right hand, the halo in his palm fading away.

He pushed up the bridge of his glasses. “Yes, Lord John.”

“This is but a small portion of the Angel’s bestowed power, meant to spread mercy, soothe pain, and safeguard faith.”

Gregor barely regained his composure.

With his usual arrogance, he began to argue, “Hmph! Just a glow of light.”

“I’ve seen plenty of tricks like this!”

“There’s also that so-called Holy Light Town in the Mistwood.”

“Who knows if it’s just a bunch of desperate refugees, relying on luck and illusion to gather together!”

“Spreading faith, with just you?” His chin remained slightly raised, as he tried to reclaim that air of superiority belonging to the old nobility.

Seeing this, Old John quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

He knew full well that Gregor was only putting up a front, unable to step down with dignity.

“Ah, Gregor, my old friend, you can’t say that.”

“Priest Colin came from afar, bearing the Angel’s mission. As hosts, we should at least hear the teachings of the Holy Light, no?”

He turned to Colin with a broad smile. “Please don’t mind him, Priest.”

“Baron Gregor is just… well, a rather practical man.”

Colin nodded slightly, maintaining his humble and gentle smile.

“It’s fine, Lord John, Lord Gregor.”

“The Angel’s radiance needs no words to prove it; His might reveals itself naturally.”

“My purpose here is to bring this shelter and hope to all who dwell in darkness and long for the light.”

“To see is to believe, to hear is to doubt—this is but common sense.”

He paused, then continued calmly, “If the two lords still harbor doubts, why not experience the mercy of the Holy Light yourselves?”

“The Angel once said, His grace shall first be granted to those willing to heed His voice.”

Old John’s eyes lit up.

His merchant’s intuition told him—

This was the perfect opportunity to test the goods, and it didn’t seem to require any cost.

“Oh? Priest Colin, you’re willing to demonstrate a true miracle?”

He asked eagerly, completely ignoring Gregor’s disapproving glare.

Gregor wanted to sneer again, but the words stuck in his throat.

Lately—

He had indeed been plagued by… certain unspeakable troubles.

Ever since his territory fell, the hardship of wandering, coupled with the immense mental strain—

His manly vigor had… well, gods above, he was only fifty!

It was even more humiliating and terrifying than losing his land.

Perhaps… just perhaps…

This priest might actually have some real ability?

Gregor forced a scoff. “I’ll see what tricks you can pull off this time!”

Colin smiled and took a step forward, first approaching Old John.

“Lord John, do you often feel a ringing in your ears, like the chirping of cicadas that never fades?”

“And a lack of appetite, even fine delicacies tasting bland?”

Old John was startled and instinctively touched his ear. “How did you know?”

That problem had bothered him for quite some time.

He had consulted several doctors, all of whom said it was just old age and required rest.

Colin did not answer. He merely extended his right hand.

He softly chanted, “Heal.”

A gentle white light glowed from his palm, more restrained than before.

He lightly pressed his hand over Old John’s temple.

A warm current flowed into Old John’s mind, dispelling that annoying hum.

At the same time—

That warmth soothed his stomach.

A long-lost hunger for food quietly stirred within him.

He squinted his eyes in comfort.

“By the Holy Light…”

After a long moment—

Old John opened his eyes, utterly stunned.

“It’s gone! That damned buzzing is gone!”

“And I feel like I could eat an entire roast pig!”

He looked at Colin, filled with excitement. “A miracle! This is truly a miracle!”

“Thank you, Priest Colin! Thank you, merciful Angel!”

“……”

Witnessing this, Gregor’s heart skipped a beat. He barely managed to keep a calm expression.

Having stayed in Oak Castle for some time, he naturally knew about Old John’s long-standing ailment, and he also knew there was no way they could have colluded to trick him.

So this man… really had power?!

Then—

Colin turned toward Gregor, his expression calm and unruffled.

“Lord Gregor, do you often feel weak and powerless?”

“Your limbs heavy, your energy hard to sustain?”

“Especially when it comes to certain… demonstrations of manhood?”

As soon as those words fell—

Gregor’s expression became wonderfully complex!

His face flushed red, then pale.

Such a private matter being revealed publicly, especially in front of Old John—was more unbearable than death itself!

Gregor clenched his fists, his lips trembling.

He wanted to roar at Colin for his insolence, yet those cursed words, “weak and powerless,” pinned him in place.

He glared fiercely at Colin, but his gaze was full of conflicting emotions—

Shame, doubt, fear—

And a faint, unspeakable yearning.

Colin did not wait for an answer, nor did he need one.

He raised his hand again, Holy Light gathering in his palm.

He pressed it gently over Gregor’s abdomen.

A surge of vibrant life energy flowed into Gregor’s cold, exhausted body.

A feeling of strength arose from every limb and bone, as if a parched riverbed had been blessed with rainfall.

The place that had long been his private torment suddenly felt a warm, tingling revival!

Gregor’s entire body shuddered, as if struck by lightning.

He took a deep breath.

His previously tense body relaxed uncontrollably.

The forced arrogance on his face collapsed completely— replaced by a mixture of shock, elation, and disbelief!

He instinctively straightened his back, feeling more vigorous than he had in years!

“Th-this…” Gregor’s voice trembled noticeably.

His gaze toward Colin changed completely.

All previous disdain vanished, replaced by reverence—and a hint of flattery.

“Priest Colin, you… you truly are the Angel’s messenger! I—I…”

He was so overwhelmed that he nearly spoke incoherently.

He even wanted to step forward and grasp Colin’s hand— but was stopped by Colin’s calm and detached gaze.

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