Ren looked at the man standing on the cliff.
The man was dressed in white with golden lines, holding a bow and arrow, aiming straight at Ren.
Ren didn't even blink.
They stared at each other, neither of them breaking eye contact.
Then Sam jumped down.
People around him surrounded the merchants.
Sam walked straight toward them and said, "Brat… come here."
Tian was frightened.
Elder Shah stepped forward and said, "Young man, don't hurt this kid."
Sam replied, "You dare oppose an apostle's words? You, the kid, and all of you will come with me. No one is going to escape this time."
Ren thought to himself, Yes… I will come. I'm really interested in that Holy Master… I guess I'll go with him.
Ren and the others started moving with them.
Sam gave Ren a sharp look, as if he sensed something unusual, and asked, "What is your name?"
Elder Shah replied, "That gentleman's name is Patrick. He is not one of my people… at least let him go."
Ren thought to himself, You idiot old man… stop it.
Sam said, "No one is escaping. All of you are coming with me. You will meet the Holy Master."
They entered the eastern village.
The people saw Tian arriving with Sam and gave him disgusted looks.
All of them were taken to the cathedral, where Holy Master Dargah was praying.
Sam went near him, knelt down, and said, "Master, I got the kid."
Dargah finished his prayer and opened his eyes. He turned back and looked at them.
Ren saw him and thought, So he is one of the main figures among humans… but I have to maintain my identity.
Dargah began speaking, "Child… you have committed a grave sin. By opposing the well of forgiveness, you have committed a crime that cannot be forgiven."
He then ordered, "Bring them here."
Soon, Tian's parents were brought out.
"The well of forgiveness does not accept those who run away," Dargah continued. "So now… you must die a cruel death."
Elder Shah stepped forward and said, "Oh Master, I am grateful to meet you in person. I am from the southern village."
Dargah replied, "Oh, the south… so you are from Marona's village?"
Elder Shah nodded. "Yes, Master… please forgive that family."
Dargah replied, "Marona… I never understood what that woman is thinking. But since you are from her village, I am willing to forgive all of you."
He paused.
"But you cannot save that family. They committed a grave sin. They sheltered a demon… and betrayed us all."
"So I cannot forgive them. It is not my decision… the Lord will not forgive them."
Ren stepped forward and said, "What is the difference between you and demons? Both of you are doing the same thing."
Sam snapped, "You fool! Speaking against the Holy Master—and with such disrespect!"
Dargah raised his hand slightly. "State your name."
Ren replied calmly, "Patrick."
"Patrick…" Dargah repeated. "By asking such a foolish question, you have committed a crime as well."
"So it does not matter what Marona thinks now… all of you will be punished."
He let out a strange laugh.
"Unfortunately, the well of forgiveness will not open until the next full moon… so you will have to face death in some other manner."
Sam stepped forward. "Master, if you allow me, I have a suggestion."
Dargah replied, "Go ahead."
Sam said, "Since next week is the Federal Lord's birthday, we can celebrate it with a tournament. Tian's family and his new friends will face us in one-on-one matches."
He smiled slightly.
"At least their deaths will be entertaining… and perhaps that will allow them to earn a place in heaven."
Dargah nodded. "That's a good plan. We will hold a tournament—my students against the sinners. That will indeed be entertaining."
Ren smiled and thought to himself, A tournament, you say… I'm ready.
Elder Shah stepped forward and asked, "If we win… will you forgive and release Tian's family?"
Sam laughed. "Old man, do you really think you stand a chance against the Holy Master's students? You have some nerve asking such an absurd question."
Dargah raised his hand. "Wait, Sam…"
He looked at them calmly.
"Very well. If you win the tournament, I shall grant your wish… but only if you win."
News of the tournament spread throughout the village, and everyone was excited to see it.
Many people started talking among themselves.
"Master Dargah is such a kind man… he gave them a chance even after their unforgivable crime."
Some others agreed with them.
Preparations for the tournament began.
Sam explained the rules to the merchants. "It will be a five-on-five match. Four of you will face four of the Holy Master's assistants… and lastly, both Tian and Wuan must compete in at least one match."
He paused.
"And even if you somehow win and reach the final… forget about victory. You will be facing me."
With that, he left.
Ren thought to himself, I can't wait for it.
The people gathered in the arena, and the tournament began.
Holy Master Dargah arrived, followed by Sam and his students.
He slowly climbed the steps, turned toward the crowd, and raised his hand. Everyone bowed their heads.
Then he sat down, while Sam stood behind him.
The announcer, a man named Uro, stepped forward and began speaking.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the tournament!"
"I ask all of you to bow once again for our Holy Master, Dargah."
Everyone bowed again.
"Now, let's begin the first match!"
"The man standing there is Donge, one of Master Sam's students… and his challenger will be that merchant—what was his name…"
"Oh yes… Will."
Donge was a skilled swordsman, while Will was only an average fighter. But after hearing Tian's story, he chose to stand and fight.
He raised his sword against Donge.
Both of them closed in.
Will launched a straight attack, but Donge blocked it easily and pushed him back. Will fell to the ground.
Donge said, "Pick up your sword."
Will picked it up and rushed forward again. This time, he swung slightly to the right—but Donge blocked it again and struck back with a powerful blow. Will was forced back.
Now Donge moved toward him.
He attacked with a series of strikes—straight, left, then right—forcing Will on the defensive. To the crowd, it looked one-sided. All they could see was Will struggling to keep up.
Then, in the final clash, Will's sword broke.
Donge stepped in to finish him.
But suddenly—Will blocked the attack with the broken blade and used the other half to strike back.
The crowd shouted, "Cheater!"
Donge was surprised, but he smirked. "Nice move… for a merchant. Where did you learn that?"
Will replied, "I was once trained to join the army… but I became a merchant and lost my skills. Still… I'm starting to remember them during this fight."
Donge said, "No matter what you remember… you will still lose."
Both stepped back, raised their swords, and moved toward each other again.
This time, Will managed to defend Donge's attacks—but he still couldn't land a hit.
Donge grew frustrated.
The fight continued, neither of them backing down.
Then Donge stepped back and began to pray.
His sword started glowing with a blue light.
Will rushed toward him.
Donge charged forward—and they crossed each other in a single strike.
Donge's sword dripped with blood.
Behind him, Will collapsed.
The announcer declared, "That's it! Donge, Master Sam's student, has defeated Will… the merchant!"
Donge stepped forward, bowed to Dargah, and left the arena.
The announcer said, "What a fantastic match! Who would have thought a simple merchant could last that long?"
"Anyway… let's begin our next match!"
"The man entering the arena now is Master Odsa—a large warrior who uses a hammer."
"And his opponents will be… Wuan and Tian."
"Let's see who wins!"
Odsa stood in the center, holding his massive hammer.
The soldiers forced Tian and Wuan into the arena.
Wuan wanted to save his son, so he stepped forward, even knowing he had no chance.
Tian followed his father.
The father and son duo—forced into this match by Sam—stood ready to face Odsa
- to be continued -