Chapter 65: Grand Knight Reynold

The Relief Association was about to face a crackdown and encirclement by the Holy Order. If nothing was done, annihilation was certain. Li Nanke’s goal, in a sense, was beneficial to the Relief Association.

If the commander of the Penalty Army could be killed, it might delay the Holy Order’s plans for an assault—though, naturally, Li Nanke would not speak so plainly to President Edel of the Relief Association.

Li Nanke had expected this meeting to proceed smoothly, but reality proved otherwise.

“Many years ago, a mother wept in anguish because her child was injured. She licked the child’s wounds and prayed to the Great Presence, hoping her child would be healed.”

“The Great Presence answered her prayers, and the child’s wounds healed completely. But everything comes at a price—the pain from the wounds transferred to the mother.”

“Many witnessed this divine grace of suffering. Compassionate souls began to emulate the mother, licking wounds and healing others, while bearing the pain themselves.”

Edel was a kindly, benevolent old man, dressed in a patched, plain gray robe just like any other Licker.

Li Nanke hoped Edel would dispatch one of the Relief Association’s great knights to accompany him in gathering intelligence and attempting to reach out to the Penalty Army, seeking a chance to save the village and the association.

But the old man gave no direct answer. Instead, he began to recount the Relief Association’s origins.

“As time passed, the world grew ever more chaotic. People’s understanding of the divine grace of suffering became increasingly twisted. As a result, the blessings grew fewer and fewer; even when they descended, they did so in distorted forms. The monsters outside the village are the best example.”

“We Lickers lost our former ability to heal wounds, retaining only sporadic powers to soothe pain and transfer suffering.”

“But in times such as these, it is even more vital to keep the original intention, praying for the Great Presence to bestow divine grace. I believe that blessing will surely come in the final hour.”

“Young Mourner, I do not mind your escape with Robert. In the future, please refrain from senseless fighting—join our Relief Association and become a Licker. There are too many sick in the village, and many await our healing.”

Li Nanke stared into the old man’s eyes, as if searching his soul. “So, your intention is simply to wait here and die?”

“How can you say that? I believe the Great Presence will treat its faithful children kindly.”

“Then I wish you luck.” Li Nanke turned to leave.

Outside, Robert had waited for a long time. Seeing him emerge, he hurried forward. “How did it go? Will the president help?”

“Let’s talk outside.”

They walked out of the church. Li Nanke, frowning, pressed Robert. “You’d better explain yourself. Edel isn’t worried about any crackdown. So where did you hear that the Holy Order intends to blockade and sweep through here?”

Edward was among the most powerful in the Mourner’s Benevolent Society, while Robert was merely a straggler. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so delighted to see Li Nanke and immediately invite him to flee together.

Facing Li Nanke’s questioning, Robert hurried to explain.

It turned out that Edel’s eldest son, Reno—the strongest knight in the Relief Association—had in earlier years trained within the Penalty Army of the Holy Order, even serving as a chief instructor. His power was formidable.

Later, due to irreconcilable differences in faith, he clashed with the Holy Order, and the two sides became mortal enemies. Eventually, he returned to the Relief Association as a Licker.

Robert had overheard an argument between Edel and Reno a couple days ago.

Reno had received reliable information about the Holy Order’s plan to annihilate the village. He advocated for appropriate action, while Edel opposed him. Their disagreement was sharp, and in their exchange, they vaguely mentioned terms such as “Lady of Eternal Pain,” “sister,” and “refuge mark.”

Li Nanke sensed the scent of hidden nodes among these words. After further questioning Robert about Reno, he decisively said, “Take me to him.”

Li Nanke had just spoken with Edel, who clearly felt secure, as if convinced that even if the Holy Order came to purge the village, it would do nothing to the Relief Association. Thus, he dared remain.

Li Nanke did not know what Edel relied on, and suspected the old man might have struck some secret deal with the Holy Order.

But Reno, since he favored action rather than passive waiting, was clearly a more useful contact.

Reno did not stay in the Relief Association. His dilapidated house stood at the corner of the village, with a patch of ground for training.

When Li Nanke arrived, he saw a blond middle-aged man, bare-chested and upright as a spear, swinging a heavy two-handed cross sword in the glow of the setting sun.

For ordinary folk, this sword would be difficult even to lift, but in Reno’s grasp, it was as light as a willow leaf, tracing silver arcs through the air.

Each swing seemed to tear the air, whistling, and every step shook the ground, leaving deep prints in the earth.

Reno chanted mysterious prayers as he wielded his sword. Crimson flames appeared to be summoned, igniting at the blade’s guard and spreading, until the entire cross sword was engulfed in blazing tongues of fire.

The sword’s light carved a fiery curtain across the dusk, dividing heaven and earth.

After a long while, Reno finished his training, wiped sweat, and dressed.

Robert hurried forward to introduce them.

“Mourner Edward?” Reno smiled and gently shook his head, his tone indifferent. “The true Mourners have all laid down their lives. The rest are just deserters. If you seek survival, go to President Edel. Why come to me?”

Robert’s face turned awkward, unable to reply.

Li Nanke raised an eyebrow, detecting deeper meaning in Reno’s words, and said with displeasure, “Reno, the divine grace of suffering brought me back from death. I haven’t come here for your sarcasm.”

Reno glanced at Robert, then looked at Li Nanke and smirked. “Your story is remarkably consistent. When Robert joined the Relief Association, he also claimed he wasn’t a deserter, but was resurrected by divine grace.”

Robert’s embarrassment deepened. He nudged Li Nanke, hinting to drop the pretense; their desertion was already known.

Li Nanke ignored him. This fellow had ruined the Mourners’ reputation. What could have been resolved with a few words would now require proof to convince Reno.

“I have a question for you, Reno. Your experience and insight will surely help me.”

“Go ahead.”

“I heard the Holy Order possesses a kind of thorn that can be wrapped around weapons to enhance their strength and power?”

Reno’s eyes showed surprised confusion. Having served as chief instructor of the Penalty Army, he naturally knew what these entwining thorns were.

“That is something bestowed by the Holy Order upon its most devout, most fanatical followers. Those who gain the ‘Crimson Thorn’ are either powerful monsters or elite members of the Penalty Army… How did you know of this?”

“After my resurrection, I encountered a huge monster and obtained what was called a Crimson Thorn, but I don’t know how to use it. So I came to ask for your guidance.”

Li Nanke produced the ‘Crimson Thorn Branch.’

Reno examined the thorn and Li Nanke himself, his gaze thoughtful. He said, “Robert, return to the Relief Association. I have matters to discuss with Edward.”

Reno led Li Nanke inside and shut the door. “I misjudged you. To kill the master of the Crimson Thorn and claim it proves your strength and courage. You could not be a deserter. Where is your weapon?”

Li Nanke understood, handing over both the chainsaw sword and the Crimson Thorn Branch.

“The weapon is quite unusual… Watch closely. I’ll teach you the knotting method only once.”

The sword’s hilt was about two fingers thick, and the Crimson Thorn Branch was as long as an arm. Reno wrapped it around several times, tying a different knot with each loop—three types of knots, repeated.

When he finished, the upper part of the chainsaw sword’s hilt was covered with fierce thorns.

With the addition, the chainsaw sword’s quality and rating changed.

[Slayer’s Chainsaw Sword]
[Type: Weapon/Blade]
[Quality: Common → Superior]
[Rating: 16 → 18]
[Details: An unusual blade weapon, essentially driven by a rotating mechanism along the edge, with gears moving the teeth like a chainsaw. The weapon now bears the embedded item ‘Crimson Thorn Branch.’ Unless you actively trigger the embedded item, the weapon’s power will not significantly increase compared to before. But once triggered, the weapon’s power will leap, surpassing its previous quality and rating.]
[Embedded Item: Crimson Thorn Branch]