Chapter 5: Commandments · Toward Life

“…Afterwards, we went to the back room to rest,” Lain whispered.

Corleon was bestowing blessings upon each of the militiamen, while Lain stood nearby, recounting the events of the previous night to Knight Borien.

“Compared to old Henry, this Priest Corleon has something,” Knight Borien chuckled.

Old Henry was the priest who had adopted Corleon.

When Knight Borien was young, he had participated in a war. At that time, he and the old knight he served brought conscripted militiamen here to receive blessings.

However, that knight was far more formidable than he was now, holding two villages as fiefs and conscripting twenty-two militiamen.

Back then, old Henry merely mumbled a lot, then forcefully patted the militiamen on their heads.

Then he shouted, “Honor above all!”

The blessing was thus concluded.

Even though Knight Borien was younger than Lain is now, he understood that for these militiamen forcibly conscripted from the fields, speaking of honor was less effective than telling them that winning the war would earn them a silver coin as a reward.

Of course, that was just a manner of speaking; Lord Knight Borien would never consider such things.

In his eyes, not taxing these militiamen further was already an act of mercy.

And those blessed militiamen still fled on the battlefield or were executed.

He didn’t believe Henry’s blessings were effective.

He had once consulted the knight he served, and that old knight merely told him, “It is tradition.”

Knight Borien didn’t understand it then, nor does he understand it now.

But he knew that adhering to tradition was good.

Just as he had followed tradition until now, being conferred the title of knight, and even though he had never been to his fief, when he declared his knightly status and announced that the small village would become his fief, the people there dared not resist him.

So, no matter how much he disregarded it, when it was time to go to war, he still chose to come here and have the priest bestow blessings upon these militiamen.

Now it seemed that this Priest Corleon was doing well, having begun the blessings yesterday.

Indeed, Knight Borien had noticed that last night’s prayers were preparations for today’s blessings.

However, while Knight Borien felt that these elaborate procedures exuded a certain mysterious noble flavor,

He didn’t believe they could truly affect the combat effectiveness of these militiamen.

If blessings could truly enhance combat power, then what was the point of their knightly training?

“Uncle Borien, is this Priest Corleon really the illegitimate child of some great noble?” Lain asked softly.

“Whether he is or not, at least the qualities and knowledge he displays are worthy of your respect. Also, outside, you should address me as Knight Borien,” Knight Borien said.

“Yes, Uncle Borien,” Lain replied, then added, “I feel he is more elegant than Sir Michaele.”

“Fool!” Knight Borien knocked Lain on the head.

“When Lord Helvin passes away, Sir Michaele will succeed him, and at that time, he will become my lord. If you become a knight in the future, Sir Michaele will also be your lord.”

“Do not disrespect Sir Michaele.”

Although Borien also felt that what Lain said was true, he was a knight, and a knight must defend the honor of his lord.

Even if Sir Michaele was not yet his lord.

“All right, boy, in this war, remember to stay close to me. Although Lord Lundex currently has no formal knights, the lord himself was once a knight, even though he is now old.”

“An old knight is still a knight. With a squire following, he can still easily tear your body apart.”

Lord Lundex was originally a knight, but due to his merits in the wars between principalities, he was granted noble status, transforming from Knight Lundex to Lord Lundex.

Although they were now enemies, Lord Lundex was still someone Knight Borien admired.

He also hoped to one day become Lord Borien.

“Yes, Uncle Borien, I won’t disgrace you. I will prove with my sword that I am worthy of becoming your squire,” Lain declared earnestly.

Although he was already Knight Borien’s squire, it was arranged by the family.

Rather than this appointed method, he preferred to be recognized through his own sword.

“I’ve told you many times, outside, you should call me Knight Borien.”

…

Placing the emblem into the hands of the last militiaman, Corleon stood at the forefront.

“The Lord of Hosts bestows blessings upon His followers. When you return triumphantly, you shall tread upon a path paved with flowers, welcoming the baptism given by the Lord,” he said.

“May the Lord of Hosts be with you,” he added, bowing slightly and making the sign of the cross with his fingers.

The blessing process concluded.

Observing those who either closed their eyes and bowed slightly, tightly grasped the emblem, trembled and wept, or appeared dazed,

Corleon didn’t know if the threads on the light sphere had increased, nor how many of those blessed would return to the church to receive baptism.

Approaching Knight Borien, he said, “Knight Borien, the blessings for them are complete.”

“I saw it. Priest Corleon’s blessings,” Knight Borien stood up and said with a smile, “made me want to receive blessings myself.”

“If Knight Borien doesn’t mind waiting half a day,” Corleon replied.

“Hahaha, that won’t do. My lance already thirsts to drink the enemy’s blood,” Knight Borien said, then looked at Lain.

“Lain, go gather them. It’s time for us to depart,” he said.

“Yes, Uncle Borien.”

“I’ve told you…”

…

Watching Knight Borien lead the team away, Corleon suddenly had a feeling.

Returning to the church’s back room, he closed his eyes.

In the world of light, Corleon could see five threads connected to the light sphere, four of which were dim, with only one being clearer than the others.

As Corleon appeared in this world, the light sphere suddenly began to squirm, then spat out a light dot.

A very tiny light dot, transparent in color. If it weren’t in this world of light, it would likely be easily overlooked.

Reaching out, the light dot floated towards Corleon.

[Commandment · Toward Life]

For the one under the commandment, when desiring survival, the probability of illness decreases, and minor physical constitution is enhanced.

For the one under the commandment, when despising survival, the probability of illness increases, and physical constitution is greatly reduced.

Judging by this description, it seemed to be someone longing to be free from illness.

Corleon looked at the clearest thread connected to the light sphere.

He could feel that this commandment wasn’t particularly powerful, at least not enough to grant Corleon the strength to not fear the lord.

However, in terms of preaching, this commandment was extremely powerful.

For lower-class civilians who relied solely on their constitution to resist illness, even a slight increase in physical constitution after receiving the commandment could significantly enhance their survival chances.

Moreover, although the essence of the Commandment · Toward Life wasn’t strong, the more the recipient adhered to the commandment, the stronger the blessing it provided.

Theoretically, a person who received the Commandment · Toward Life, as long as their desire to survive was strong enough, could even achieve immortality.

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