Chapter 48: Revealing the Truth, Gregor’s Hatred

“Merely a trifling divine art, not worth mentioning.”

Colin withdrew his hand as the Holy Light faded away.

“This was the mercy of the Angel to the lost lamb.”

“May the Holy Light guide Baron Wells to regain his strength and faith.”

“Of course! Of course!” Gregor nodded repeatedly.

At this moment, in his eyes, Colin seemed even more sacred than the archbishop of the royal capital!

“By the Holy Light above, I, Gregor Wells, shall engrave the Angel’s grace upon my heart! Never to forget it through all ages!”

He even bent slightly, performing a perfect noble salute—completely unlike his previous arrogance.

Old John, standing beside him, clicked his tongue in astonishment.

In his heart, his estimation of Colin and that Angel had risen several more levels.

He hurriedly called for servants to bring out the best wine and pastries, his attitude full of eagerness and respect.

Colin only took a sip, then set the cup down.

Realizing the timing was right, he began to get to the point.

After all, Baron Gregor was a blacklisted figure in Holy Light Town, with no goodwill attached.

If Colin had chosen to help him, it was, of course, with a purpose.

“Lord John, the Holy Light is merciful and shelters all living beings.”

“My visit to Oak Town today is to seek your permission.”

“Under the guidance of Lynn Church, I wish to establish a small preaching station here in Oak Town—to spread the Angel’s gospel, so that more lost souls may find their way home.”

Old John stroked his beard, his eyes glinting. “A preaching station, to spread the gospel?”

“That’s certainly no problem!”

“Oak Town welcomes any faith that brings peace and hope.”

“As long as the town’s rules are respected, and a small, symbolic… ahem, management fee is paid regularly, I, Old John, will absolutely support it!”

He agreed readily.

It was common for multiple sects to set up preaching sites in town—and he could even collect some tax from them.

Colin nodded, then continued, “In addition, if any residents of Oak Town are moved by the Holy Light and their hearts turn toward the radiance—”

“If they wish to move to Holy Light Town to serve the Angel, I hope Lord John will allow their departure, without hindrance.”

“Ah? Move away?”

The smile on Old John’s face froze slightly.

Population was one of the foundations of a lord’s power.

But after thinking for a moment—

Those willing to be swayed by such intangible faith, giving up their relatively stable lives in Oak Town to go clear land in the forest—

Were most likely the poor and destitute, those unable to pay taxes, or even the potential troublemakers that endangered public order!

Their departure would save him from spending grain on relief and reduce the cost of maintaining order—

That might be worth more than their meager taxes!

As for the citizens and merchants who owned property, possessed skills, and contributed stable tax revenue to Oak Town?

Old John believed they were far too shrewd to abandon their current lives so easily!

“Haha, easily done, easily done!”

Old John’s smile quickly returned, even carrying a trace of generosity.

“Freedom of faith, of course~”

“If the Angel calls to them, that’s their blessing!”

“As long as they leave voluntarily, I, Old John, will not stop them!”

“The gates of Oak Town are forever open to those who pursue faith!”

Inwardly, he was already doing his sums.

Not only could he drive away burdens, but he might even attract more merchant caravans who, upon hearing of Holy Light Town’s miracles, would come to Oak Town to trade!

This business deal was no loss!

Colin saw right through Old John’s little schemes but didn’t expose them.

So long as his purpose was achieved, that was enough.

Besides, the Angel’s call was something beyond the man’s imagination…

Then—

Colin turned toward Gregor, who seemed to have regained his vitality.

“Lord Gregor.”

His tone deepened slightly, carrying a trace of gravity.

“Regarding the fall of Florence, the Angel once bestowed a revelation—unveiling the truth behind that disaster.”

“It was not a natural calamity, but a man-made one.”

Gregor’s joyful expression froze in an instant. “A man-made one? What do you mean?”

“Was it not because that damned ghoul army was too strong?”

“The ghoul army was indeed powerful,” Colin said slowly.

“But for them to break through Florence’s sturdy gates so easily, launching a surprise attack on the very night of Baron Gregor’s birthday banquet—executed with such precision, as if rehearsed…”

“All of it happened because someone betrayed humanity and handed the blade to the Undead!”

“What? Who?!” Gregor abruptly stood up, eyes bloodshot.

A violent aura spread from him.

Florence was his foundation! His glory! His family!

And also his deepest pain and shame!

Colin met Gregor’s furious gaze and said word by word, “It was Baron Cassius Morgan—the Lord of Williams.”

“He made a deal with the Undead, selling them the defense map of Florence.”

“He was the true culprit behind Florence’s fall and the death of forty thousand people!”

“Ca—Cassius?!!”

Gregor was struck as if by lightning, his body swaying as his face turned deathly pale.

Then, it flushed crimson, ignited by overwhelming fury.

“That—That damned traitor! That mongrel!”

“He was my marriage ally!”

“His eldest grandson married my beloved youngest daughter!”

“The gods—the gods will curse him!!”

Gregor roared in rage.

He grabbed the silver wine cup from the table and hurled it to the ground.

Expensive wine splattered everywhere.

Never in his worst nightmares had he imagined—

That the very man who caused him to lose everything, to become a dog with no home,

Was his supposed ally—his own in-law!

Old John gasped sharply, his fat face filled with horror. “Cassius? He colluded with the Undead?”

“T-That’s outrageous! Betraying humanity—he deserves to die a thousand deaths!”

Alarm bells rang in his mind.

Williams Territory wasn’t far from Oak Town!

If Cassius could sell out Florence, who knew whether he would turn his eyes toward Oak Town next?

“Where’s the proof?!” Gregor panted heavily, like a cornered beast glaring at Colin.

“The Angel’s revelation is the proof.”

Colin replied calmly.

Though the truth was something he and Liz had deduced—

It did not make the Angel’s knowledge of the truth any less possible, nor that it was revealed to them through the McKinley incident.

After all—

No one could yet explain who that mysterious Holy Light warrior who appeared outside the town that day truly was!

If it was the Angel’s messenger…

Without that one saving McKinley, they would never have known about the temporary camp’s massacre—

Nor guessed that Lord Williams was the true culprit behind it all!

“The Holy Light perceives all darkness.”

“Furthermore, the tragedy at the temporary camp outside Williams City—where refugees were lured and then handed to ghouls for slaughter—was also Cassius’s doing.”

“Such acts, how are they any different from those of demons?”

Colin had no worldly proof to offer—

But his calm and unwavering tone, combined with the miracle he had just displayed,

Left Gregor and Old John with no room for doubt.

Gregor’s chest heaved violently, hatred burning in his eyes like living flame.

Though he had lost his lands, he still retained a loyal and powerful personal guard.

That was his last capital—for revenge and resurgence.

He had once hesitated, even considered seeking refuge with Williams and Cassius…

But now, that would have been walking straight into the tiger’s jaws!

“Cassius Morgan!”

Gregor squeezed the name out from between his teeth. “I will make him pay! Blood for blood!”

He suddenly turned toward Old John. “John! Lend me your study and a carrier pigeon!”

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