Chapter 33

If the city guard had not intervened, Gret's treatment would most likely have been to be thrown into the dungeon, accompanied by a bamboo shoot stir-fry package or some other kind of package.

As for when he could see the light of day again, it would depend on whether Captain Karen could persuade the city guard to intervene and bail him out.

If the War God Temple had not intervened, Gret's treatment would most likely have been to be thrown into some side hall, where a priest would interrogate him harshly. If he was lucky, he might get to confront Knight Roman for a few words.

According to tradition, among equal ranks, spellcasters have a higher status than warriors. The high priest of the Spring Goddess Temple could sit on equal footing with the lord of Hartland City, while the city guard was subordinate to the lord's mansion. Even though Captain Nolan was a seventh-level knight, equal in rank to the high priest, he was still one step below.

But now, the bald bishop was smiling and walking beside the high priest. Regardless of rank or combat power, the leaders of two different temples were nominally of equal status. The bald bishop insisted on observing, so the high priest could only lead them to the main hall and arrange seats while pinching his nose.

The high priest stood high on the pulpit, with several low-ranking priests standing in a row behind him. Knight Nolan sat on the right side of the main hall, and the bald bishop, after much insistence, only sat in the audience seats for the believers. As for Gret's position, he looked around—oh, the defendant's stand.

And it was the defendant's stand for a criminal trial.

So disrespectful? Could he request a defense lawyer?

Unfortunately, there was no lawyer. Knight Nolan sat in the position of the defense, looking quite intimidating, but his defense skills were unknown.

What made Gret even more depressed was that Knight Roman's seat was on the left side of the temple, facing his own Captain Nolan. —That was the prosecutor's seat! He sat in the prosecutor's seat, why did he have to stand in the defendant's stand?!

I didn't commit a crime!

I really didn't commit a crime!

Gret was depressed. Knight Roman, summoned from the side hall, had flames in his eyes. Looking at the lazy and unafraid Gret standing below, he trembled all over, wanting to pounce and tear him apart.

"You! It's you! It's your fault! My hand, my hand!"

Gret was startled.

In just one day, Knight Roman looked completely different. His face was ashen, his cheeks sunken, and his strong jaw was covered with a thick beard. His neatly trimmed short hair was now lifeless and messy. Gret glanced at him and sighed inwardly.

He was all too familiar with this kind of change. In his previous life, in the hospital, patients who knew they had terminal illnesses, family members who received bad news, and those who couldn't afford treatment for themselves or their loved ones...

In just one night, or even a couple of hours, a person's spirit could collapse like this.

In comparison, Knight Roman still had some spirit. But that spirit quickly faded: he looked around, saw Knight Nolan of the city guard sitting opposite, and then saw the bishop of the War God Temple sitting below. His face changed, showing pain, unwillingness, and disbelief, and his whole body trembled.

After a while, he slowly sat down, his back gradually hunching.

Gret observed him calmly. Upon closer inspection, his right thumb was still as it was yesterday, not fully straight or bent. An experienced doctor could tell at a glance that it was unnatural.

It seems that even high-level healing potions are not omnipotent...

Gret lowered his eyes slightly. The high priest sighed at the sight of Knight Roman, turned his head to the left, and nodded. Behind him, a fifth-level priest stepped forward and spoke loudly:

"Gret Nordmark?"

"Yes."

"Knight Roman accuses you of colluding with a necromancer and severely injuring him. What do you have to say?"

Gret was surprised. He looked at the priest who asked the question, then at the completely collapsed Knight Roman, and slowly opened his mouth:

Bro, your reputation is that bad?

With several big shots present, the priest in charge of the questioning still asked like this. This isn't trying to get me killed, it's trying to get you killed!

After a moment of reflection, Gret still stood calmly. He raised his gaze and looked directly at the high priest, speaking loudly:

"I didn't!"

"Gret Nordmark!"

The fifth-level priest, speaking on behalf of the high priest, shouted loudly:

"Be honest! —Knight Roman is a noble temple knight. Would he falsely accuse you?"

What's so great about false accusations? There are plenty of people who complain about doctors right after being cured. Gret rolled his eyes inwardly and asked calmly:

"What does Priest Donald say?"

"Priest Donald is currently in solitary confinement for reflection. —Don't bring others into this, talk about yourself!"

Gret sighed at Knight Roman. To have Priest Donald confined in advance, it seems Knight Roman used a lot of connections to get revenge—why go to such lengths? Why bother? You're already ruined, wouldn't it be better to use these connections to arrange your future?

Besides, use your connections wisely! Look, at a critical moment, someone stabbed you in the back, didn't they?

His response was even more relaxed:

"My squad and I were on routine patrol when we were requisitioned by the temple guard to join the search operation. After we went to sleep last night, a temple guard discovered skeleton soldiers, and we all gathered to attack the castle's basement.

After Knight Roman killed the gargoyle and was about to open the inner door, the necromancer appeared and struck down everyone present—including me."

Gret paused, spreading his hands.

When I went down, the necromancer wasn't there; when the necromancer appeared, I was already down.

To accuse me of collusion, I would need time to collude!

He looked around, and the high priest stroked his beard, nodding silently. Captain Nolan smiled at him encouragingly, as if saying, "Don't be afraid, no one can falsely accuse you." As for behind...

He couldn't see the bald bishop's face, but he could hear his voice. His voice was still loud, and when he spoke, the whole hall buzzed:

"I heard the whole story from Little John. Oh, Little John is a new priest's apprentice who also participated in the search. What Gret said matches his report this afternoon exactly."

Gret took a long breath.

Thank you, Your Excellency the Bishop!

Thank you for supporting me and proving my innocence!

Thank you, Little John, for reporting the incident immediately!

With the War God Temple's intervention, my statement is much more credible, and I'm no longer afraid of them nitpicking!

Well, I'll write a full version of the battlefield first aid lesson I was giving tonight and give it to you!