Green Monster Epic

Chapter 624 Old Friend

In the southern inner city of Mansha, the Temple of the Oak Creed has undergone some changes over the years, and even the glazed tiles on the roof seem to have dimmed.

The once-continuous stream of believers coming and going has become sparse, and only a few ragged natives from the wilderness occasionally enter the temple seeking help or praying.

Oscar had just emerged from secluded cultivation, his hair was disheveled, and his clothes emanated a sour odor. He was planning to find a place to wash up when a friend unexpectedly called.

"Why are you here?"

Oscar was a little surprised. The visitor was Homier, the troll legendary high priest, an old friend from Thornsburg.

Since the church's temple in Thornsburg was expelled by the elves, Homier began a long journey of cultivation, until he mastered several legendary specializations and truly possessed the lethality matching the legendary rank, he then began to accept the church's assigned tasks again.

Because the church was short of legendary rank powerhouses, not only did Homier have to constantly travel around the wilderness, but even druids like Oscar, who preferred tranquility and solitary contemplation, were forced to rush about in the wilderness.

For the sake of the Oak Father's glimmer of hope, the Theocracy has been working hard to maintain the number of church believers in these years. As long as the believers' power of faith does not disappear, then the slumbering Oak Father will have a day to awaken.

The Church of Nature is constantly expanding its sphere of influence. Although it has calmed down a bit in recent years, the number of affiliated forces of the Oak Theocracy, which bears the brunt, has still lost at least 1/3, and many of the remaining ones have also begun to waver. Therefore, in order to appease these tribal forces, the legendary powerhouses of the Oak Theocracy naturally have to transform into coolies, running around in the wilderness, solving their problems, and constantly spreading the glory of the Oak Father, so that believers can feel His existence.

"Why can't I come?? Is it because we haven't seen each other for too long that you've forgotten your old friend?"

Homier grinned and joked.

"That's impossible. I'm just curious. Didn't I hear that you were touring in the north? Is the tour over so quickly?"

Oscar shook his head seriously.

"Something happened in the north recently. I wanted to come back and report to His Eminence and discuss countermeasures."

"The matter that made you rush back to report must be very important!"

"Speaking of which, this matter is also related to you."

"… …"

Hearing this, Oscar suddenly fell silent. Since breaking with Allen, Oscar had rarely been involved in northern affairs. When receiving tasks, he deliberately sought affairs in the central or southern regions in order to avoid too much contact with the bearmen.

Thinking of Allen, Oscar's heart was actually very complicated. He had been very optimistic about this bearmen. He had the means and ability to take care of the tribe's development wholeheartedly, which was very different from most tribal leaders in the wilderness.

However, his character was ultimately too different from his own philosophy. The bearmen's practices violated his beliefs in many things, but because of the Theocracy's rules or the Theocracy's own interests, Oscar could not give too much correction. He also knew that the bearmen could not listen to his persuasion and change his style because of their relationship. The actions and choices of a mature leader are often very helpless and cruel.

Since this is the case, it is better to sever their connection. He may still be able to deceive himself and pretend not to know the other party's future path, and he does not have to have contradictory and complex emotions in his heart because of the conflict between their ideas and his expectations for the other party.

Of course, Oscar did not deny that he was still a little jealous of this bearmen junior. When they first met, the other party was just a mid-level combatant who had just activated his rage. Now his strength has far surpassed his own, which makes the elf, who is more than a hundred years older than the bearmen, feel a little embarrassed.

He no longer has any knowledge to impart to the bearmen, or from the perspective of strength and vision, the other party is now more qualified to be his teacher. Under this contrasting contrast, Oscar does not think he can maintain a normal heart and maintain a good relationship with the bearmen.

"Looking at you like this, should I not have told you these things?"

Homier noticed Oscar's somewhat chaotic mood and asked considerately.

"It's up to you whether you say it or not. I don't really care about the things you're talking about."

"But I still hope you can understand this matter, it is related to the interests of our Oak Theocracy after all."

"… … Then I have no choice. What's the point of you asking for my opinion."

Oscar became more convinced that this matter was probably related to the bearmen Allen, and helplessly glared at his old friend.

"Hahaha, doesn't this make me seem very considerate!!"

In fact, when Homier heard this news, he was also a little confused. After bringing this information back to report to Pope Felix, Knight Commander Nordin and others, Commander Nordin found Homier. After the two chatted in detail, they had this scene of visiting their old friend.

"Boring!!"

"More than a month ago, Allen, Yarel, Zolf and others went to explore a relic. When they came out of the plane passage, they were attacked by the drow. In the end, Allen, Zolf and others escaped the encirclement, and Chief Yarel of Snow Mi was captured alive by the drow."

"Is there such a thing?"

When I am in secluded training, the news must be blocked. Oscar has not had time to go outside to move around, so naturally he does not know about this matter.

"Half a month ago, the drow reached an agreement with Yarel, and Philemon of the Church of Nature intervened. Then a group of more than a dozen legendary figures collectively appeared in Nasir Fortress, wanting to put pressure on the three tribes of the Cato Mountains to complete the drow's goal of controlling Nasir Fortress."

"… …"

Oscar's mood suddenly became heavy when he heard this. First, he was worried that the church's interests would be damaged, and second, he still couldn't let go of his friendship with this bearmen Allen.

"At that time, fortunately, Allen, Maggot Eye and others responded properly, and the major tribes around the Northern Border also arrived in time to support and sit down. Finally, after a contest between the two sides, they sat down again to negotiate."

"… … Isn't that very good?"

Oscar secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"The problem is that the drow at that time was led by the most powerful demigod in their five city-states. When the two sides fought, the strong men on the wilderness side were initially only able to have Allen, this bearmen, contain the opponent because of the difference in numbers."

"It wasn't until later that the strong men of other tribes in the Northern Border arrived that another legendary dragon vein warlock, Yogg, helped Allen withstand the pressure from the demigod matriarch."

… …

Although it was only a few words, Oscar could still feel the immense danger and heavy pressure within them. After all, they were facing a demigod-level powerhouse, whose strength was vastly different from that of a Legend. Allen being able to contend with such an opponent in a short period already surpassed his former teacher, himself, in too many ways.

At least, with Oscar's current strength, which was still some distance from the high-tier of Legend, it was impossible to achieve such feats.

"According to Ivinnie's detailed description of Allen's sudden burst of powerful combat strength during actual combat, we unanimously believe that Allen is very likely to have crossed the threshold of demigod. Perhaps before long, the wilderness will welcome its fifth native demigod powerhouse."

"What??"

Oscar's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Are you sure your judgment isn't mistaken?"

"Many secret techniques can unleash powerful combat strength in a short period. Could it be that Allen also mastered relevant secret techniques, or that he took some potions with significant side effects, leading you to have such an illusion?"

If Allen had truly broken through the demigod bottleneck, then Oscar himself would truly feel ashamed. He had advanced to Legend earlier than Allen, yet he was still stuck at the peak of the mid-tier of Legend, and it was unknown whether he could even break through to the high-tier.

"We have not ruled out this possibility, but after the great battle, Allen had no time to rest and directly sat down with the Drow for negotiations. Ivinnie has been secretly observing him and has not noticed any signs of weakness in his aura, nor any backlash from using secret techniques or potions."

"Moreover, don't forget that there is still a trace of weak divine power from the Oakheart Fruit remaining in his body. Although Ivinnie cannot openly examine Allen's body, she can roughly sense the changes in Allen's body through subtle probing divine arts."

"Heh heh, I almost forgot that he completed the manifestation of his internal strength level through our Church's sacrifice."

Oscar gave a self-deprecating wry smile, no longer doubting Holme's and the others' judgment.

"If it's really as we judged, then the balance of the Mansa Alliance for the past few decades will be broken, which may also be an opportunity for us."

"Chieftain Snowme was captured alive by the Drow. Later, under Philemon's persuasion, the two sides should have reached a secret agreement. The troll tribes may lean towards the Church of Nature in the future, and we will lose an important source of faith."

"However, if Allen, this hobgoblin, advances to demigod, then he will inevitably become a pivotal figure in the alliance. At least the six tribes of the Northern Territory will be influenced by him. Given the relationship between our Church and him, we should interact more and be more intimate at this time, and we will definitely be able to take advantage of his influence to win over other tribal believers to join us in the future."

"Even if we can't win over more believers, at least we can stabilize the current decline of the Church, don't you think?"

"Since you've all thought of these things, then take action. I have no other opinions."

"His Holiness has discussed with us that, in view of the development prospects of the Greenwild Tribe and Allen's strength improvement, we want to expand the church building in Muer Fortress or based on the Maple Leaf Church in Green Lake Town, towards the direction of the Grand Chapel."

"In this way, we will need a Legend-level High Priest or Elder to be stationed there for a long time, but we still don't have a suitable candidate for this High Priest or Elder."

"..."

"You don't want me to go to the Greenwild Tribe to be stationed there, do you??"

Oscar frowned and said unhappily, revealing the true purpose of Holme's words.

"Hahaha, we really can't find a more suitable candidate!!"

Holme did not deny it, but explained with an apologetic look: "Your relationship with Allen will not become estranged because you haven't interacted in recent years. Allen won't forget your guidance, teaching, and care back then, otherwise he wouldn't send people to send you Greenwild's special jam and calming tea drinks every Blooming Moon."

"As long as you can go to the Greenwild Tribe to be stationed there, then Allen will not be moved by outsiders and break away from our camp, relying on the relationship between the two of you in the early years."

"Hmph!! This hobgoblin's decisions on killing and cutting are never influenced by external things and emotions. I'm afraid you've made a wrong calculation!!"

"If you don't believe me, you should believe Commander Nodin's judgment!! Commander Nodin, like you, has always paid close attention to the situation of Allen, this hobgoblin, and also understands his personality."

"Originally, in the Church, besides you, the most suitable one would be Commander Nodin. After all, the Commander also helped Allen out of trouble and took care of him back then."

"However, firstly, Commander Nodin's identity is important and he cannot leave Mansa City Headquarters for a long time. Secondly, Commander Nodin's actions back then were too utilitarian. Allen's mind is delicate, and he must be able to feel the difference. Therefore, Allen's attitude towards you and Commander Nodin is completely different."

"But, if you send me to the Greenwild Tribe to be stationed there, wouldn't Allen think I'm coercing him?"

"It's worth it for us to exchange the stability of the Church for the affection you have accumulated in your early years!! Oscar, don't be so stubborn. We don't need you to go against your heart and deliberately curry favor with Allen. You just need to treat him as an ordinary believer!!"

"Oscar, think about the Great Oakheart Fruit that has fallen into slumber for the sake of our Feyman World. Don't you hope that He can reignite the divine fire? Don't you hope that the glory of the Oakheart Fruit can continue to shine on this myriad of worlds?…"

"…Let me think about it."

Holme and Oscar both enrolled in the seminary affiliated with the Thornburg branch of the Church since they were young, and joined the Church as official clergy members one after the other. After a long period of time, it was natural for them to become close friends.

It was precisely because of the friendship between Holme and Oscar that Nodin asked Holme to persuade Oscar, instead of having the Church come forward and force Oscar to submit with orders.

The Church is now short of talents. In the past thirty years, no Legend has advanced, and with the retirement of two old members and one encountering danger at the front line, even Legend powerhouses are somewhat stretched. Nodin also knows that Oscar's faith is firm and that he is loyal enough to the Church, but this is not a reason for the Church to use force to make him do something against his will.

Every Legend powerhouse is a valuable asset and a companion worth cherishing, not a consumable that can be replaced by those at the bottom.

"Actually, in addition to this consideration, the Church has another intention. I heard that the Greenwild Tribe has been digging into the mountains in the western Mansa Mountains, wanting to open up…"

…