Gold Coins

“Francis, are you interceding for him?” Godfather Ferdinand inquired. “You are a kind soul, but Frith has committed a crime, and he must face punishment. This is the Holy Church’s law, and none may defy it!”

“But, but I heard there was redemption money!” Du Chen timidly revealed his true intention!

“Indeed, Article Thirteen of the Holy Church’s Scripture of Redemption stipulates that Titled Battle God Scions can atone with gold coins for any crime except treason or blasphemy against the Holy Church. However, Frith is not a Titled Battle God Scion!”

Du Chen eagerly interjected, “Yet, Article Sixteen also states that if I choose to forgive Frith, he can atone through other means!”

Godfather Ferdinand smiled, nodding slightly. “You are well-versed in the scriptures, that is commendable! Kind child, do you truly choose to forgive Frith?”

“Yes!” Du Chen declared firmly. His mind, however, was already racing with calculations. Frith was the son of the Minister of Finance! The *Minister* of Finance! Could the redemption money possibly be anything less than a fortune!?

At that moment, Frith also saw a glimmer of hope for survival and shouted, “I am willing to pay the redemption money, any amount! My father is the Minister of Finance! He can even divert Imperial military funds to atone for me!”

Poor child, in his panic, he blurted out the truth!

“Frith, if you dare utter such words again, I shall send your father to the execution pyre alongside you!” Godfather Ferdinand was visibly displeased, shooting a frigid glance at Frith. “Guards, take him away and detain him. Inform his father after the Imperial banquet concludes!”

Frith was led away, yet a look of pure relief spread across his face; regardless of what lay ahead, to save his hide was a blessing.

“Thank you for upholding justice for me, esteemed Godfather!” Du Chen bowed in thanks.

“To protect humanity is the duty of every Battle God, and as the Godfather of the Lanning Empire’s diocese, my responsibility is undeniable. Moreover, you are a scion of Sigurd Saint-Shine, Battle God; our ancestors were once the closest of comrades-in-arms!” The old priest was quite fond of Du Chen’s proper etiquette and his amiable, kind disposition. He stroked Du Chen’s forehead. “My name is Ferdinand, and I bless you, Francis Sigurd Cain!”

Francis didn’t grasp the precise significance of the old priest’s blessing, but considering he was the Lanning Empire’s religious leader, his blessing surely held some benefit! With this thought, Du Chen respectfully bowed once more, saying, “Thank you for your blessing, Godfather!”

“For every effort expended, there is a reward to be reaped; do not thank me, for it is your due!” Ferdinand removed his hand from Du Chen’s forehead, then clasped his hands within his voluminous sleeves and chuckled, “Many have recently told me that you are a kind child, one who has helped many impoverished people. The folk of South City now refer to you as ‘the Virtue of Saint John City’!”

“I thank the people for their praise! Yet, I believe, Godfather, that this esteemed title is far more fitting for you!”

Ferdinand simply smiled, unswayed by Francis’s flattery.

“Very well, you may return home. However, you must come to me tomorrow morning for two matters: first, to discuss the amount of the redemption money; second, though that masked Battle God saved you, he did, after all, steal the sacred artifact of the Crimson family. I will require your assistance in tracking him down!”

“Understood, I will be there precisely on time!”

Du Chen walked out of the grand cathedral, chuckling inwardly all the way. That ‘masked Battle God’ was utter nonsense, a complete fabrication of his own making.

It was already the early morning of Divine Peace Day. He had spent most of the night dealing with Frith, but the payout was quite good, much faster than stealing. Taking advantage of the empty streets, Du Chen reached a hand into his breeches and pulled out the sacred artifact, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I knew it; no one in the church would ask me to take off my underwear. Ah, hiding the stolen goods in my crotch is indeed foolproof!”

Upon returning home, Du Chen suddenly noticed a large crowd had gathered in the plaza before the estate gates: his father Anges, his second brother Charles, and many family warriors, even Steve, who had been out carousing last night.

They were kneeling around the statue, performing prayers.

Steve, who was craning his neck and looking around, was the first to spot Du Chen and happily shouted, “Francis, you’re finally back! What were you doing all night? Come quickly and worship our ancestor!”

Anges shot a cold glance at Du Chen and barked, “Come here, kneel, and beg forgiveness from our ancestor!”

Today was the 13th day of the ninth month, 1277, Fallen Gods Era—Divine Peace Day. It was said that this day was established to commemorate the Battle Gods who fell fighting for humanity over a thousand years ago, during a great war concerning the very survival of humanity. Each year, when the sun rises on Divine Peace Day, people pray and offer reverence, asking the heroic spirits to rest in peace.

Sigurd, the ancestor of the Saint Sigurd Cain family, died in that very battle. Thus, Divine Peace Day was both a festival and a grand day for ancestor worship for the Saint Sigurd Cain family.

Du Chen quickly rushed over, respectfully kneeling behind his father, facing Sigurd’s statue.

At this moment, Charles said coldly, “To be late for ancestor worship on Divine Peace Day—is there anything you wouldn’t dare do, Francis?”

“Now, now, little brother returned just in time, didn’t he!” Steve tried to smooth things over.

Du Chen shot a sidelong glance at Charles. His tolerance for his second brother had reached its limit. If not for Charles last night, Du Chen wouldn't have encountered danger. Had Francis not possessed the Lotus Internal Force, Charles might have indirectly caused his death. “Second Brother, the reason I returned late is all because of you!”

“Me? What nonsense are you spouting?” Charles retorted, angered.

“Last night, you refused to bring me back, and as a result, Frith…”

Du Chen recounted his *modified* version of events, then looked at Anges, awaiting his judgment.

Anges looked at his three sons and said indifferently, “The sun has risen. Let us first worship ancestor Sigurd!” With that, he was the first to kowtow.

After three bows and nine kowtows, the Saint Sigurd Cain family then recited a prayer in unison, the content of which was none other than extolling Sigurd’s accomplishments: how a thousand years ago, humanity faced the threat of annihilation, and then powerful Battle Gods united to resist the formidable Fiendkind, with ancestor Sigurd heroically sacrificing himself in a battle, standing resolute even in death.

Once the prayer was finished, Anges ordered the others back into the estate, then addressed his three remaining sons, “Last night, Charles acted improperly!”

Upon hearing this, Du Chen’s heart warmed slightly. Though distant, his father was still reasonable.

But Anges’s next words made Francis absolutely furious. “Steve, you are also at fault; you should not have taken Francis to the banquet! Francis, try to stay indoors as much as possible in the future, lest you bring shame upon the family! And as for Frith, let him pursue his own whims; why interfere in such trifles!? Do you realize that last night’s incident could very well cause the Ministry of Finance and Imperial High Command to come to blows, and the military funds for my legions might very well be cut!”

“So I was wrong to save a life?” Du Chen stared defiantly at Anges, raging, “I am no politician, nor do I concern myself with military funds or trivial matters of finance. All I know is that saving a life is never wrong!”

“You dare talk back?” A cold glint flashed in Anges’s eyes. *Smack!* He slapped Francis across the face.