Chapter 296: See You in the Hall of Heroes
Priest Agamemnon let out a laugh and said, “What do you think the Northland has that is useful to the Church? Is it the frozen tundra? Or the sacred relics? Or the mysteries? Or the ores and gold of the Northland? Or those northern beasts? Or perhaps the people of the Northland themselves?”
“The Kingdom of Greenwood alone produces more grain in three marquisates in one year than the entire Northland does; the Church possesses at least ten sacred relics and mysteries, and can even allow someone stripped of knighthood to wield a holy relic; ores from the Northland will be sold to merchants, and for the Church, gold coins are simply a matter of demand; those beasts, like the ores, will be sold as well, and without the hunters needing to risk their lives hunting them; as for the people of the Northland...”
At the end, Priest Agamemnon only smiled, saying no more.
Cooper said, “Although I’ve spent my whole life in the North and only know its traditions, at the very least I understand that trade must be equal. Since we cannot offer the price you ask for, then perhaps this transaction does not need to continue.”
He finished speaking, seized the dazed Hode, and left immediately.
After the two left, Puniel, whose body had been tense, finally relaxed and said, “As expected of your wisdom. I had never realized that the Northland was so barren. Since they are of no use, and have even offended the Church, I will have them expelled from Greenwood.”
Priest Agamemnon said, “Although the Northland is barren, it still has some value.”
Puniel was stunned.
Priest Agamemnon looked at Puniel and said, “That value lies in the people of the Northland.”
Puniel hesitated, then said, “But the traditions of the Northland run deep. From nobles to commoners, under the influence of the North, they live more for fighting than for ordinary life. They care even less about the value of human life.”
Priest Agamemnon said, “Once, the nobles of Greenwood also never saw commoners as human beings. No gentry thought commoners were free. No knight believed that commoners could not be slain at will.”
Puniel’s face remained calm as he said, “I understand. But perhaps this matter will require the help of Bishop Marl and Dean Oscar.”
Priest Agamemnon said, “Since it was Marl who stirred this matter, he must naturally take responsibility. As for Oscar, he would never refuse such a matter.”
…
Cooper dragged Hode back to the inn where they were staying.
Looking at Hode’s heavy expression, Cooper nearly burst with rage.
He had just resolved to continue following, yet Hode had fallen into this state.
Cooper slapped Hode hard across the face twice, gritted his teeth, and said, “You are Hode Hoover, of the bloodline of the Hoover Family! How can you be frightened by a mere child? You must trust the Master. He will certainly complete the final trial and become the Supreme King. Under the Supreme King’s command, the armies of the Lords of Annihilation will become but a record of his glory. By then, the Supreme King will lead the warriors of the North southward—whether it be Greenwood or the Altlinsmann Empire, both will tremble under the roar of the Northland’s warriors!”
Hode, still dizzy, lifted his head to look at Cooper. “That is the center of the Exile Lands—bone-piercing cold, savage tribesmen, and unknown dangers. Moreover, the most renowned seer of the Northland has said that my brother is already dead. Her divinations have never once erred. It was for this reason that the warriors who left refused to heed my summons. They believe the Hoover Family has perished.”
“And he said that the Fiends are so strong. For a priest of the Church, it is forbidden to lie. He has already declared the Northland’s destruction. And you have never witnessed the radiance of the Pope—you do not understand the Pope’s power and mystery. I once had my organs torn out by a werewolf and went nearly a year without food, yet still I survived. Can you imagine such a miracle?”
“It is meaningless. Even if I could summon warriors, when the Northland falls, the Hoover Family—though a noble house of the Northland—even if some survive, we will only be objects of ridicule.”
Cooper slapped Hode once more, even harder, and said, “I don’t know how powerful the Church may be, but I know this—the warriors of the Northland never retreat from danger. Every Northland warrior must roar into battle even when he knows death awaits. That is the warrior of the Northland.”
“Look at yourself—you resemble not a warrior of the North, but a coward of Greenwood!”
“And you believe the words of a mere whore? You won’t even believe in your brother, the mighty Marquis Beo! That whore even said that the Lords of Annihilation are not to be feared. Do you believe that whore, or do you believe a child?”
“And if the Master truly is dead, then as the last bloodline of the Hoover Family, is it not even more your duty to restore the family’s honor? Even if the Northland must perish, even if the Hoover Family must perish, the world must know—the Hoover Family are true warriors!”
Suddenly, a knock came at the door.
Cooper shouted, “Get lost!”
But the visitor did not leave—instead, the door was pushed open.
“Though I may not be welcome, I agree with your words. Only those who fight for their fate to the death are true warriors,” Puniel said with a smile, looking at the enraged Cooper.
Cooper dropped Hode and lunged at Puniel, cursing, “Greenwood coward, you’re not—”
Before he could finish, he collided with Puniel, who had met him head-on without fear. It was like crashing into a wall. Cooper staggered back two steps, but before he could steady himself, Puniel seized his arm, hoisted him up, and slammed him onto the table. The sturdy table shattered beneath the impact.
Cooper, his vision dazed from Puniel’s brutal counter, struggled to climb up, spitting a mouthful of blood as he glared at Puniel.
“Though I am a senator, I have never neglected my training. At the very least, when the time comes for me to lead an army, I will be the one charging with the knights—not like Julian, who merely watches them charge,” Puniel said, straightening his wrinkled clothes.
He looked at Cooper and said, “Though the rules of the Northland do not apply in Greenwood, I trust that at least now you can remain calm and speak with me.”
Cooper, like a lean old wolf, glared viciously at Puniel. “Why have you come? Did that child not already refuse the deal?”
Puniel said, “That was the priest I most respect, Priest Agamemnon. So I hope you will respect him as I do.”
Cooper sneered.
Puniel ignored it and continued, “Only Hode’s request was refused. I never rejected this transaction. After the previous terms, we may yet continue negotiations.”
Cooper sneered again. “Do you dare defy his will?”
Puniel said, “Perhaps it was only because Hode was once of the Church that he came here, and because his final request concerned the Church that Priest Agamemnon intervened. But the Church has never interfered with our internal decisions. Thus, our transaction continues.”
In his heart, Puniel added, After all, when the Church requires us to work, they issue direct orders. Why would they need to interfere in our decisions?
Cooper looked at him with growing suspicion.
Puniel glanced at Hode and sighed. “It’s a pity. Looking at him now, it seems our transaction may not succeed after all.”
Cooper retorted sharply, “You should thank that child. If not for him, Hode would not be like this.”
“I told you, show respect to Priest Agamemnon,” Puniel said. Then, almost casually, he added, “But with a will like his, he could never become a Punishing Knight. And yet even should a Punishing Knight fall in battle, he would enter the Hall of Heroes. His deeds would be recorded, his name remembered by all, remembered forever.”
He cast another glance at Hode and let out a heavy sigh. “Such a pity… ah…”
Curious, Cooper asked, “The Hall of Heroes?”
Puniel praised him in his heart, then spoke with a trace of reminiscence on his face. “It is the hall of the brave. Those who fall in battle fighting valiantly enter the Hall of Heroes.”
Though Puniel knew the hall primarily honored those like Nyx, whose deeds had lasting impact on the Church or the future, it also received Temple Warriors who died in battle. These, too, were hailed as heroes.
Besides, most outside the Church had never even heard of the Hall of Heroes. Even among nobles, only a few were permitted to enter.
And Hode, who had long since left the Church, certainly would not know of it.
But as for Priest Agamemnon...
Puniel reassured himself—surely Agamemnon would not blame him for this.
A glimmer of respect crossed Cooper’s face as he said, “To fall bravely in battle—what a noble death. But my body is already aged. More likely than that, I will die quietly one night.”
Puniel tried to comfort him. “No, you are a true warrior. At least…”
He gave an obvious glance at Hode.
It was so obvious that Cooper noticed it immediately. Embarrassed, he tried to shield Hode from view.
After all, just earlier he had called Puniel a Greenwood coward, only to be thrown down by him—and now Hode’s pathetic state was being seen.
Yet, with his age and frail body, Cooper could not possibly shield the burly Hode.
Puniel, understanding, did not mention Hode, and said instead, “You are a true warrior of the Northland. After death, you will surely enter the Hall of Heroes.”
Cooper froze and asked, “I am no believer of the Church. How could I possibly enter the Hall of Heroes?”
Puniel laughed heartily. “Hahaha, the Lord does not deny the right to enter the Hall of Heroes simply because you are no believer. Hode was once a knight of the Church—he knows well how great the Lord is.”
“The Hall of Heroes welcomes every warrior who falls bravely in battle. There, their deeds will be sung and remembered by the living. There, they will dwell with past and future heroes, drinking fine wine, feasting, and praising the victors. There, they will remain forever in their most powerful state.”
Cooper scoffed, saying, “Impossible. When men die, they should return to the embrace of Mother Earth, to become nourishment for the future. What Hall of Heroes…”
Yet even as he spoke, his eyes betrayed a spark of longing.
Puniel saw it clearly and laughed. “It’s only a pity that, as a senator, I must handle affairs. But if one day I return to the battlefield, then perhaps I too will enter the Hall of Heroes. When that time comes, perhaps we shall meet again in the Hall of Heroes. And then, I will not be wearing these fine clothes. I will wear sturdy armor—and knock out every last tooth of yours, you old fool who dares disrespect Priest Agamemnon.”
Cooper sneered. “Don’t forget—if in the Hall of Heroes everyone is in their strongest state, then I will be as I was in my youth. Forget armor—though you may wield a sword, I could beat you to your knees with my bare fists, arrogant Greenwood coward.”
Puniel only shook his head. “Arrogant Northland barbarian.”
Then, looking past Cooper at Hode, he said, “It seems this deal may not be reached after all.”
Turning back to Cooper, he added, “Then I won’t disturb you further. If there is a chance, we shall meet again in the Hall of Heroes, arrogant Northland barbarian.”
With that, he turned to leave.
Cooper raised his voice and shouted, “Then we’ll meet in the Hall of Heroes, arrogant Greenwood coward!”
Puniel did not look back, only lifted his hand.
The room fell silent. Cooper kicked aside a broken piece of wood, sat heavily in a chair, and sighed as he looked at the still-downcast Hode.
He no longer knew what to do.
Should the two of them return to the Northland alone? Or should he go back by himself?
But according to their words, returning meant death in battle.
And even if what they said was false, going back likely still meant death—either at the hands of nobles, or bandits along the road.
As he thought, Cooper could not help but ask Hode, “Hode, that Lord of the Sanctuary’s master…”