The Record of Unusual Creature

A group of urban sculptures had recently been erected in the church square of the Royal City’s outer district. The sculptures were of the heroes, who had died in the battle of Dragonspine Ridge two months ago.

In order to calm the people and strengthen their cohesive belief in the goddess, the Disciples of Glory had painted the events in Dragonspine Ridge as a miracle. In order to give this miracle a stronger appeal, the priests and soldiers who had died or disappeared in the one-day “Holy War” were proclaimed as martyrs. Of course, they included Bishop Gelton who sacrificed himself to divine power, and also a group of northern mercenaries who shone in the war. Hao Ren and his team were very active in the evacuation operation. Lily especially got a lot of attention when she appeared in her giant form. Those who escaped the ​​Beinz area had a very deep impression of these “mercenaries”. So, the upper echolens of the Church met and discussed with Ophra, deciding to declare the martyrdom in the end.

That was how the group of sculptures came about. Hao Ren looked out from the window of the carriage and saw the sculptures standing on the square outside. There was a scupture of him and Gelton battling the tentacles…

However, those who designed the sculptures seemed to have also taken into consideration the specificities of Hao Ren and his group. Except for the sculptures of Gelton and several others bishops that appeared lifelike, the sculptures of Hao Ren and his group members were intentionally changed to look more handsome and unlike their actual selves.

“Shouldn’t you first obtain our consent before carving sculptures?” Hao Ren looked at Ophra with a forced smile. “Aside from the sculptures, why the martyrdom?”

“It was my suggestion,” said Ophra, smiling as she explained. “Are you prepared to lose your privacy as a hero?”

Hao Ren managed a, “Mhmm…”

“Anyone who comes out from the Holy War alive will inevitably become the focal point. The image of you killing your way out and leading the refugees in their escape is well-known. If official narrative says that you are still alive, do you know how many people will come to see you?” said Ophra, shaking her head with a smile. “Since you ascended to heaven that day, how could the Church find someone to stand in for you? So, the only proper option was to declare you guys martyrs.”

Nangong Wuyue stuck her tongue out and said, “That sounds reasonable, but still weird.”

Hao Ren waved his hand and said, “It’s alright. I’m okay with that. To be honest, this isn’t the first time; the Aerymian elves even got me a sculture that looked like a bull’s eye. At least you guys left me with a better posture…”

Although it was a bit weird to hear himself declared dead, Hao Ren was impressed by Ophra’s explanation. The last thing he wanted was to attract too much attention to himself while on a mission there. But Becky looked a bit frustrated: she was realistic. Her greatest goals in life were to get rich and get famous. Now, the Church had proclaimed her as a martyr. She was famous, but the problem was, she was also “dead”. She could not show off anymore; there was no point of being famous when she could not even enjoy the fame. Hence, Becky talked to Ophra very nicely, “Marshal Ophra, I would very much appreciate it if you could let the pope change the narrative by saying that the legendary mercenary, Becky fought her way out and came back alive; she isn’t dead.”

Ophra looked at Becky, feeling puzzled. “What’s the point?”

Becky smacked her thigh and said, “Do you know how cool it is to to brag in person?”

Hao Ren pushed Becky and asked, “Why did you smack my thigh?”

“Oh, I smacked the wrong one, you’re sitting too close.”

Ophra looked at the weird saviors of the world, stone-faced. She had been alive for hundreds of years, and she had seen all sorts of great characters. The relics of heroes, tyrants, and good soldiers could occupy an entire wall in her loot room, but she had never seen a style like this. She was astonished for a moment, but began to smile after that. “Well, I’ll discuss with the pope and the king. You guys are really interesting.”

“Don’t bother. She’s a bit crazy. She’ll be okay after a while,” said Hao Ren hurriedly. “You already have so many things on your plate…”

“Not at all,” replied Ophra, smiling at Becky. Ophra’s expression seemed to have taken a sudden change; she had changed from being straight-faced to being approachable. “Really, you guys really are interesting. I remember when I was an adventurer myself, hundreds of years ago. I was exactly like this girl. Hah, so many years putting on a deadpan face, I almost forgot all the bad habits mercenaries and adventurers had. Now it’s all coming back.”

The carriage jolted suddenly. Hao Ren noticed that the noise from the streets outside was far behind them as they had come to a more secluded place. After a while, the driver in front gently knocked on the partition and said, “Marshal, we’ve arrived.”

They alighted and found that the carriage had stopped in front of a large villa. The surrounding area was very quiet, and luxury houses could be seen everywhere. Fabric banners embroidered with family emblems were hung on the side walls of the houses. Obviously, these houses belonged to some prominent familes. There was no doubt that this was an elite district. Those family emblems on the outer walls with huge silk banners indicated that they were of Royal Family lineage or elites of more than six generations entitled to such privilges.

These elites had their own manor estates and castle in various parts of the country. Their families lived basically outside the royal city. However, there were regulations in the Holletta royal family that required the head of the nobility and their heirs to live in the royal city for a certain period of time each year. These elite areas looked luxurious and very close to the palace. On the surface, it was an honour; in reality, it was a kind of monitoring and deterrence. Several large-scale rebellions and repressions since Holleta’s founding had contributed to the establishment and consolidation of this system.

The only exception was Ophra; no aristocrat was more senior and prestigious than her. Her status in Holleta had even surpassed the notion of nobility. She was almost a symbol. The royalty did not need to monitor a veteran who had almost single-handedly created the current empire. In fact, there was no way to monitor her: from the Pope to the King and down to the Crown Prince and officers, no one had not been caned by her as a child.

The only reason Ophra lived in this place was that it was closer to the palace and it was more convenient to go to work.

Of course Hao Ren had not a clue about all these things, he just thought that the houses in this place were all stylish; much better than his house.

Servants came out to meet Ophra. She nodded to one of the middle-aged, butler-looked men. “They are my guests. Prepare the best rooms for them to rest. And arrange Bossem to send words to the red-robe Cardinal John: guests of the foreign land have come. Ask them to prepare the dinner.”

Hao Ren followed Ophra into the marshal’s official residence. This extravagant building was typical upper-class Holletta style, with an open vestibule garden and a stone slab path extending from the main building to the gate. The path was roofed and meticulously-maintained flower beds were on both sides. However, what planted in the flower beds was simple; it was a light purple flower.

“I heard that Marshal Ophra loved purple brassica flower,” Becky had never thought that she would actually walk in the hallway of Ophra’s mansion one day, and every step she took was accompanied by a pilgrimage look on her face. While walking, she murmured, “So it’s true.”

“Purple brassica flower is the best flower in the world.” Ophra laughed. “It’s cold-resistant, drought-tolerant, and not afraid of wind and rain. Unless they are cut off, they will bloom for full 30 days a year, as punctual as a clock. More importantly, this species of flower is only edible, but also a painkiller and anti-inflammatory. It was like a flower of luck to mercenaries and adventurers of hundreds of years ago. This thing grows in the wilderness and near the ruins. It had saved don’t-know-how-many lives.”

As the servants stepped forward to open the door, Ophra led everyone into the hall on the first floor of the villa. “Please make yourselves at home. I’ll let my mento prepare a refreshment, but don’t eat too much; it’s not that you can dine with the king and the Pope everyday.”

Hao Ren looked curiously at the grand but not luxurious furnishings in the hall. Suddenly a row of portraits came into view on the wall not far away. “Who are they?”

“Various kings Holletta,” said Ophra as she gestured with her mouth. “Beginning from the time of King Geddon III right up to the father of the current king.”

When Ophra mentioned King Geddon III, Becky realized that she finally had the opportunity to solve a mystery that had been circulating in the gossiping circle of mercenary—the truth of the story that was told by innumerable playwrights and single maids was standing right in front of her!

Becky eyeballed with glow in her eyes. “Marshal Ophra! How did you meet Prince Geddon? Why did you promise to help him guard the kingdom for more than four hundred years?”

Ophra was silent for a moment and her face suddenly softened up. “Because the pay in Holletta was high…”