Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Old and Shrewd, Intelligence Sharing

Just a moment ago, as Geoffrey began kowtowing and confessing his sins, a notification popped up on Jon’s panel!

—

[Act of Justice (Rare - Limited-Time Random Quest), Completed]

[You have guided and exposed the true face of a malevolent individual within Po Ao’s Domain.]

[Completion Rate: A, Reward Multiplier: 3.0]

[Completion Reward: 4500 general Experience Points (1500 base x 3.0), 60 Sun Church Reputation (20 x 3.0), Draw 1 Random "Justice" Domain Skill (Minimum Rarity: Excellent)]

—

The Experience Points were decent, but the reputation wasn’t much. That was to be expected.

The bigger the faction, the harder it is to grind reputation. Raising one’s standing with a power like the Sun Church, whose influence spanned the entire continent, was even more difficult.

And a guaranteed Excellent-grade Skill was a fitting reward for a Rare Level quest.

What truly made Jon uneasy was the question of how the quest had triggered in the first place.

’I’m sure I didn’t act out of the ordinary just now...’

’Could it be...’

His gaze drifted subtly toward the Sun God Statue.

’No, that’s unlikely... If the old man himself made a move, he wouldn’t be so stingy...’

’Then it must be him...’

Jon retracted his gaze, and his eyes met those of Ingram Rich, who was standing to the side with a faint smile.

Seeing the kind smile on the old man’s gaunt face, Jon instantly understood.

’Age brings wisdom. As I thought, he saw right through me.’

’Worthy of the man who will one day become the Golden-robed Bishop in charge of the Harvia Empire’s Sun Church.’

That’s right. This was another major figure who would become renowned among the player community in the future.

After the [Holy War of Faith] concluded and the Harvia Empire made peace with the Matia Religious Country, this old man—who had discovered the Saintess, the [Flame-haired Princess], and remained steadfast in his faith throughout the war—logically became the number one figure of the Sun Church within the Harvia Empire.

On a personal level, he was a pragmatic and shrewd old man, yet one who always adhered to his principles.

However, Jon wasn’t a divine-class Professional, so he hadn’t had much interaction with him.

But now that they’d met, there was no harm in building a connection.

Knowing more people was never a bad thing.

So, Jon took two steps to the side, subtly clearing a path for the furious Sun devotees to join the [Sun Knight] in denouncing the heinous Geoffrey Newman. He then discreetly faded into the background, sidling up to Ingram to greet him.

"Good day, Mr. Priest. My name is Jon. I’m an Adventurer."

He didn’t say more. After all, the methods he’d just used to induce Geoffrey’s confession weren’t exactly upright; they bordered on sophistry. If a truly righteous Sun devotee found out, he might get an earful.

But Ingram was clearly not that kind of pedantic person. He simply smiled in response to Jon and offered a blessing.

"Good day, Mr. Jon. May the sunlight illuminate the path before you."

With that, a flash of light emanated from his hand, and a warm, faint glow enveloped Jon.

A cozy warmth instantly began to spread from deep within his bones, invigorating Jon’s Spirit.

He subconsciously glanced at his status bar and saw that the portion of his Life Value he had consumed that morning creating his own skill had been fully restored. And below his health bar, a new buff had appeared!

[Sun’s Blessing LV.10: Life Natural Recovery Speed +5/second, Stamina Natural Recovery Speed +5/second, Willpower Natural Recovery Speed +5/second, Damage Taken -10%, Remaining Time: 11 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds]

It was none other than the signature buff Skill of an Official Level Sun Priest, capable of greatly increasing his endurance and lasting a full twelve hours!

’With this, I think I can use Dragon Flame Dance without holding back. Getting a high-level buff at a low level is awesome!’

So, after feeling the sense of relief wash over his body, Jon couldn’t help but be more sincere in his thanks to the old man.

"Thank you, Mr. Priest. I feel much better."

"No thanks are needed. The justice in your heart is the most precious thing you have brought here."

Ingram smiled and nodded, adding a word of praise for Jon that seemed to refer to what he had just done.

"Justice?"

Jon was slightly taken aback, then let out a chuckle.

His motives could hardly be called just.

But since Ingram had put it that way, he decided to play along.

"I was only doing my duty. By the way, what will be done with this man?"

He said, gesturing vaguely toward Geoffrey, who was kneeling amid the crowd and endlessly repenting, and added fuel to the fire.

"He has committed so many crimes, but he’s a noble. Is it possible he’ll escape punishment?"

Ingram smiled without a word, but from Jon’s side came the deep, solemn voice of Royce Aston.

"Sir, you need not worry."

Jon turned his head and, for the first time, felt what it was like to be on the receiving end of a "Mount Tai crushing down" gaze. It was usually others looking up to him; today, it was his turn to look up at someone else.

"Before our Lord Po Ao, every sinner will receive the judgment they deserve."

"This man has committed numerous crimes, including capital offenses such as murder, theft, and fraud. Even the Noble Council has no grounds to interfere with our judgment of him."

The towering Sun Knight lowered his head slightly and gave Jon a gentle nod, fully displaying the earnest attitude of a Sun Devotee.

"Therefore, please do not worry about him escaping his due punishment and causing you any trouble."

The Elder Priest at his side also chimed in.

"Yes, with Knight Aston here, we need not worry about these matters."

Jon blinked, his mind starting to whirl again.

He had originally thought that, given Ingram’s shrewd nature, he would advise Royce to leave the Harvia Empire’s noble system some face and avoid escalating the already delicate relationship between the various churches and the Empire.

But he hadn’t expected them to be so resolute.

Still, this outcome was within his expectations.

Sun devotees were usually easygoing, but they wouldn’t back down on certain matters of principle.

So he didn’t ask any more questions, simply offering Royce Aston a bow.

"In that case, I’m relieved."

"However, I have one more proposal."

Royce had been about to deal with the aftermath of Geoffrey’s situation, but he wasn’t annoyed at being stopped by Jon. He remained polite and earnest.

"Please, speak."

Jon, however, didn’t stand on ceremony and stated his request directly.

"It’s like this. The existence of this man and the forces behind him pose a tangible threat to the safety of Miss Reya Xavier and the Heta County Noble Union Chamber of Commerce."

"I hope that afterward, you will share the intelligence confessed by this man with the Golden Maple Leaf Trading House so that we can be prepared."

This wasn’t a difficult request on the surface, but any major power has strict controls over information sharing and wouldn’t relax its rules easily.

However, after exchanging a look with Ingram, Royce nodded in agreement as if they had reached a consensus.

"Naturally. Afterward, I will ask Mr. Priest to deliver the intelligence to you."

"As for now, I will take my leave."

"Please."

After watching the Sun Knight and several other clergy members lead Geoffrey away, Jon turned back to Ingram, preparing to make some more small talk. However, Evans, who had been guarding Reya’s prayer room, had approached them at some point.

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