Chapter 87

The paladin squeezed through the tables filled with drunkards, her well-toned thighs drawing the attention of everyone present, yet not a single person dared to touch her. The barmaid looked at her with envy; at that moment, she was the greatest aspiration for all the young girls.

"Hello, I am Hyaor, the paladin of Iomedae. Are you the druid who arrived in town today?"

Zhao Mai had already politely stood up as she approached. He then pointed to the seat left empty after the dwarf Sock's departure, "Please sit, Knight Hyaor. My name is Mike, and I am indeed a druid."

When the paladin entered, the noise in the tavern had already quieted down, and most people's attention was focused on Zhao Mai's table. Hyaor attracted a lot of gazes, but when the name "Mike" was mentioned, everyone in the room drew in a sharp breath. "That's Mike? The teacher of the dwarf Sock?" "The catapult destroyer?" "The hero of Nep Town?"

When the siege of Nep Town ended, and everyone was cleaning up the battlefield, they discovered the blood altar of Lamashtu, realizing they had narrowly escaped death. If Mike hadn't timely destroyed the catapult and led the adventurers' counterattack, the defensive line on which everyone relied would have certainly collapsed by nightfall. Everyone wanted to express their gratitude, but Mike did not appear at the victory banquet. He left quietly, leaving behind many legends.

"Mr. Mike, please accept our salute!" "Yes, a toast to you!" The atmosphere in the tavern livened up, and everyone raised their glasses, as did Zhao Mai, drinking with them.

"By the way, can you get the dwarf blacksmith to sell some weapons? Even if not firearms, swords and knives would be fine! We're all looking forward to it!" After finishing their drinks, many people expressed this sentiment.

"I'll try, I'll try," Zhao Mai could only promise.

Hyaor's eyebrows lifted slightly, and she smiled, "It seems you are quite famous in town! Could you tell me why?"

"Please sit, ma'am. I don't think you came here just to hear me brag." Zhao Mai moved the dwarves' stacked glasses to one side and asked earnestly, "What would you like to drink? Ale, fruit wine, or spirits?"

"Milking would be fine, goat's milk is also good. Thank you for your hospitality." Hyaor was not shy and answered straightforwardly, "I've already eaten, so no need to trouble yourself with food."

"Alright, that's fine." Zhao Mai carefully examined the paladin's face, trying to find any signs of plastic surgery. This was a face with distinct features, exuding a refined, harmonious, and unique beauty, far from the artificial beauty one might find in "Spot the Difference" or "Find the Mistake." Besides her beauty, her body language was also comfortable, neither coldly distant nor overly flattering. Perhaps it could be summed up as comfortable, or like a gentle spring breeze.

Zhao Mai felt as if he was basking in a spring breeze, wishing he could spend more time with Paladin Hyaor. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Oh, it's like this. We are a group of seven, and upon hearing that the evil priest of the Mother of Monsters, Lamashtu, was disrupting the peace and tranquility of the northern region, we came to eliminate it. The goddess instructed us that we need the assistance of a high druid to better achieve our goal. We have been inquiring in nearby towns and villages for a long time and only know that there is a druid community called the Unceasing Walker in Farmer's Forest. We were at a loss about how to get there. Just then, we heard that a druid had entered Nep Town, so I specially came to seek your wisdom."

"To be honest, I don't know much about the northern situation, and the druid elders I know are limited to those in Farmer's Forest," Zhao Mai said. "I am actually a member of the Unceasing Walker community, but I left temporarily for personal reasons. I only recently heard about what happened in Farmer's Forest and am also at a loss about how to return. I really want to help you, these expeditionary knights, but it's very unfortunate."

"How do you know about the expeditionary knights? How much do you know about my goddess?" Hyaor blinked and asked.

"Uh... The paladins of Iomedae have an advanced class called the Successor's Expeditionary Knight. Doesn't everyone know this?" Zhao Mai looked at Green, who shook his head, sincerely expressing his ignorance. "Actually, I don't know much. Iomedae was once a mortal, born in Cheliax, and was once a paladin of Arazni. Later, during the Starstone Trial, she completed the task outstandingly, ignited the divine fire, and succeeded the deceased Arazni to become the right-hand of the great god Aroden. After that, Aroden suddenly died, and Iomedae inherited most of Aroden's..."

As Zhao Mai spoke, he noticed the room had become quiet. He then realized that Green and Hyaor were staring at him with wide eyes. "What's wrong?" Zhao Mai was puzzled. "I didn't say anything wrong, did I?"

Green shook his head vigorously and said, "I... I don't know if what you said is right or wrong, but that's not the issue, is it?"

Hyaor nodded in agreement, "What you said, I've only heard part of it, and definitely not as detailed and certain as you. And can you be sure that the great god Aroden is dead?"

"Yes, he should be dead. But it's not impossible for him to resurrect." Zhao Mai gradually realized what he had done.

To him, this knowledge was just background material of the Golarion world, printed in books or spread on the internet. It involved many stories of deities, even including many secrets of the deities, which were secrets among secrets to the natives of Golarion. Perhaps some high-ranking priests could inquire about this information, or some scholars might have collected knowledge about history and deities, but it certainly should not be something a low-level druid could access.

"Have you been to our temple?" Hyaor leaned closer to Zhao Mai, her vitality different from natural forces but still making him feel a sense of closeness and attraction.

Zhao Mai shook his head, and Hyaor continued, "Let me test you. What is the battle cry of our knights?"

"Towards victory, towards the heart?"

"What special abilities do we have that are different from other paladins?"

"Are you talking about the Successor's Smite spell or the Sword of Judgment ability?" Zhao Mai answered without hesitation.

Green sensed something was amiss and kicked Zhao Mai under the table. Zhao Mai scratched his head, still not quite understanding. Hyaor, noticing the actions under the table, smiled and explained to Green, "Please don't worry, I haven't cast any harmful spells on your friend."

"Then why is he so dazed, answering everything?" Green's hand quietly reached for the hidden firearm at his waist.

Zhao Mai held him back and shook his head. "I'm sure, Lady Hyaor hasn't cast any spells. Her paladin level is 7, which is not enough to allow her to omit the casting actions and verbal components. She just has a high charisma, making people feel naturally close. The goddess Iomedae is the most righteous of all deities and would not allow her paladins to control or modify the will of others. You can rest assured."

Paladin Hyaor spread her hands and said, "I didn't ask Mr. Mike about his own secrets. I was just confirming something."

Green frowned, still on high alert. "What are you confirming?" he asked.

"Who the high druid is."

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