Chapter 41. Hugging Her Thigh
Ortlinde's position in the church was rather astounding.
If the Judgement Church had a saintess, it would most likely be her. However, this saintess would be a physical saintness, not responsible for the prayers or rituals but to deal with the monsters that the Paladins and Priests failed to.
That would be an understatement.
Saintesses didn't have any real power, they were just a mascot. However, Ortlinde wasn't just a mascot. The holy sword in her hands could be said to be the church's ultimate killing weapon. It was a secret weapon like the Eternity Spear. To be recognized by this thing meant that she had a high position.
With the two added together, even though she was only a level 50 hero, her status was not much lower than that of a Holy See.
She would not be stopped by anyone in the church with her status, even when some higher-ups forbid irrelevant personals' entry to a certain location. Even with the Holy See giving the order, she could still break through if she wanted.
That was why when Rosswealth used training as an excuse to hide in Koala County, the people in the church were in full support of her decision. The Holy See aside, Frey didn't care about such matters at all back then, and the dozen Bishops and various Paladins under him couldn't wait for such a righteous and ignorant brat to stay far away from them.
Now, this devilish brat has returned!
The two followers of the Paladins took advantage of her position and flaunted their status.
Now that the two factions of the church were clearly divided, there was nothing more delightful than being able to ride on the head of the Priest faction as a member of the Paladin faction.
Soon, the two of them led Ortlinde to the entrance of a sinkhole.
From afar, she saw a row of old men in red and white priest robes standing at the door. Their average age was in their fifties, and each of them had a very friendly and kind smile. Just this smile alone could win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Opposite them was a team of tall and handsome knights, who were on par with the group of old men in terms of aura.
However, one person was missing from the formation.
It was Norman, who was sleeping soundly.
Seeing the two groups of people lined up to welcome her, the girl realized something.
As expected, the news had already reached their ears.
The girl put her hands behind her back and waved discreetly, signaling Char to hide. After all, these people's perception was no joke.
Then, she felt someone scratching her palm.
Ortlinde knew that Char was responding to her. She looked calm on the surface, but her heart was as happy as if it was coated with honey. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, and she had to use a lot of effort to keep herself from chuckling.
"Lady Valkyrie."
The leading Priest took a step forward and glanced at his two followers with an imposing manner.
"You've finally come!"
The old man was so excited that his eyes were filled with tears. His deep eye sockets were filled with kindness. If not for his respectful attitude, people would have thought that he was Ortlinde's grandfather.
"The Holy See told us long ago that you would come and preside over the overall situation!"
He was trying to warn the Knights that the Valkyrie was on their side—and they shouldn't think about taking advantage of her.
The moment he opened his mouth, the Paladins opposite him was unhappy.
"Lord Mobis, this doesn't seem right…"
A blond man with a single ponytail took half a step forward and almost sent the half-dead old man flying with his butt. He knelt down respectfully on one knee to the Valkyrie.
"Lord Laurentia told us long ago that you would come in secret. Now, we don't have to wait anymore."
"Lord Sean, are you trying to pick a fight with us?" Mobis glanced at the blonde man.
"We're just stating the facts." Sean didn't back down.
Seeing that both sides were about to start a fight, Ortlinde couldn't help but cough.
One of her subordinates immediately said, "Why don't you ask Lady Valkyrie?"
Everyone turned to look at Ortlinde, anticipation filled their eyes.
Anticipation?
What were they expecting?
Expecting her to speak up for them?
The young girl's gaze swept across the ground at the entrance of the sinkhole.
Now that she had learned how to observe the details, it was not difficult for her to see the depth of the wheel marks and the long string of footprints left on the soft mud-most of them went in, and few went out.
There were indeed people being continuously sent in, and then things were being carried out continuously.
"Lord Mobis," Ortlinde suddenly spoke, pointing at the mark she saw.
"The letters from the Holy See and Lord Laurentia only mentioned that you're here to 'purify the plague'. How's the progress? "
Hearing her question, the old priest was not surprised at all. He showed a compassionate expression.
"This matter is very tricky, and we can't do anything about it. We can only temporarily isolate the infected people. Oh, this way." He took half a step back to make way for the entrance to the sinkhole.
"This is the entrance to the quarantine area for patients."
After that, he glanced at Sean and deliberately laughed. "These two are the personal guards of Lord Norman, I thought he had already briefed you about all this."
He was trying to hint at Norman failing at his duty.
"Why didn't I see Lord Norman? I thought he would personally escort the Valkyrie here. Where is he? I heard that there was a conflict in the South, but I don't know if he's in charge," the priest said.
Paladin Sean, who was standing opposite Mobis, wanted to go up and tear the old man's mouth apart.
It was obvious that they already knew why the fight in the South happened and where Norman had gone. That was why they did not mention it on purpose, but the other party was so shameless.
With this in mind, he simply shed all pretenses of cordiality and coldly snorted, "Why did this matter develop to this point? This is a serious matter, and we've always acted in secret. We secretly brought the infected tribes here to prevent a huge panic. Who is secretly sabotaging the operation to the point that the Poison Gangrene Tribe knew this and plotted an attack against us? I believe you should be aware of that, Lord Mobis"
"How come I don't understand what you're saying?"
"Do you really not understand or are you deaf?"
"Hehe…"
Seeing the two of them fighting openly and secretly, Ortlinde felt a sense of disgust for no reason.
"I want to go down and see the people who are infected with the plague," she said.
As soon as these words came out, the people on both sides were terrified and actually united for a moment.
"My Lady I'm afraid that's not possible," Mobis comforted her.
"Most of the people infected by the disease are too horrible to look at, and those who are seriously ill are worse than dead. We have to end their lives early. With your kindness and compassion, you can't simply look away from this, so it's better not to see them."
"Lord Mobis is right. Moreover, it's dark and damp down there, and the circulation is blocked. How can someone of your status go down there in person?" Sean also looked serious.
"More importantly, the news of the epidemic is spreading like wildfire. We're facing even greater trouble. Once Zin'rokh's spies hear about it, they'll definitely find a way to invade this place. That's the reason you're here!"
Ortlinde shook her head and said firmly, "I still want to go down and take a look. With the holy sword's protection, I will definitely not be infected with the disease. You can rest assured about this."
"Please forgive me, I can't do that," Mobis said, shaking his head.
"Yes, that won't do," Sean agreed.
Ortlinde frowned. Just as she was about to make another request, there was a commotion behind her.
"I want to see the Valkyrie! Let me see Ortlinde! She knows me! Don't stop me!"
"Who's making so much noise here? And you dare to call the Valkyrie by her name!?"
Sean couldn't help but fly into a rage as he stepped forward and chided.
At this moment, a figure rushed in like a wild horse, followed by a group of guards who were desperately chasing after him.
When Ortlinde saw this, she almost laughed in surprise.
"C…It's you! Why are you here?"
"Lady Valkyrie, you know him?" Mobis asked.
"Yes, I know him..."
As the words reached her mouth, Ortlinde suddenly felt awkward.
What should she say next?
Damn it! If it was her, she would probably be able to put on an act with him very tacitly.
Even though the silly girl was a little cowardly, she was not stupid. She knew that Char had been eavesdropping on them and had suddenly appeared when she saw that things were not going well.
Obviously, the next step would be to find a way to get him in.
So what should she say?
Ortlinde's hesitation seemed like a girl's shyness to Mobis, and it infuriated him.
Where did this bastard come from! How dare he lay a finger on the prestigious Valkyrie of Judgement Church?
The Priest's silver-gray eyebrows twisted together, and his hands started to move.
On the other side, Char had already barged in within a few seconds. Sean reached out to stop him, but Char dodged his grab as if he had predicted it. This made Sean feel very embarrassed as a Paladin, and he drew his sword!
"Don't! Don't! Spare me! I really do know the Valkyrie!"
Char did a beautiful sliding kneel and hugged her thigh as she crawled under the Valkyrie's skirt armor, his two hands tightly hugging her plump thighs.
"I'm not hostile!" he shouted.
"Let go!"
The row of Paladins shouted at the same time. Char then stood up and stood behind Ortlinde.
"Quickly tell them that we know each other! I'm your savior outside Golden Butterfly City!"
Eh?
Ortlinde suddenly understood!
"Right! That's right, he's right!"
"Outside Golden Butterfly City? Is it the time you went missing?" Sean exclaimed.
"Yes, it was that time."
Char continued and explained, "Hello everyone, my name is Nice. As you can see, I'm a wandering Witch Doctor. When I was in Golden Butterfly City, I ran into a wanted criminal who had kidnapped the Valkyrie. I drugged him and saved Ms. Ortlinde."
"Yes, yes, yes. That's right. He's right," Ortlinde nodded frantically.
No matter how one looked at it, this reaction seemed to have been made up at the last minute!
Mobis and Sean looked at each other, unsure about Char's background.
Although some of them had accompanied the Holy See to retrieve the body of the Holy Spirit in Elfheim, Char was a completely different person from Dr. Nice, and it had been so long since then, so it was normal that they didn't recognize him.
"You're just an ordinary Witch Doctor. How can you break in under so many guards?" Sean asked.
"I don't know much, but I'm good at escaping." Char chuckled.
"The Annapula Golden Butterfly City, even a normal monkey might not be as fast as me. I was there when your people wiped out the demons. I also saw two hundred or so naked Paladins…"
Sean's expression changed, and he snorted without saying anything.
Even though he wasn't part of the operation, it was a disgrace to the Paladins.
Sean was taken aback, but Mobis' attitude towards Char eased a little. He smiled, and said, "Mr. Nice, is there something urgent that you need from the Valkyrie?"
Char nodded vigorously. "There is! It's like this. I found the plague after I returned to the grassland. I heard that you were treating the plague here, so I came to inform you guys…"
"Tell what?" the Priest asked curiously.
"The plague is extremely contagious, and even the Valkyrie can't go down there to investigate. I hope everyone will be careful!" Char said seriously.
Eh?
Ortlinde was dumbfounded, and she turned to look at Char.
Sean and Mobis were also stunned.