Daeniste's emotions were both sincere and enthusiastic. In fact, he was a bit too sincere and a bit too enthusiastic. People on the main road were already looking towards them, and the sand leopard cub, whose hand was held by Xu Jun, was fuming with anger: although he did not know why, he really hated the smell of this pretty boy who was hugging Xu Jun!
At the same time, this effeminate person rested his head on Xu Jun's shoulder, and looked over in Ti Na's direction: "Eh? Beastman?"
–Not only was he a beastman, but a beastman who could awaken as a beastman shaman?
The beastman was still so young that a small accident would turn him into dead meat…
Holy Son Daeniste instinctively thought back to the Church's internal power dispute. The Elder's Circle advocated the removal of nonconformists and for all intelligent creatures to solely worship the Bright God. However, the Pope believed that tolerance was extremely important. It would be impossible for everyone in the world to recognize the Bright God as the only god. Both sides refused to give, each relying on a vast number of supporters within the Church. There was also a third power, the Judgement Party. This party was known for its righteousness and neutrality. It held a general disregard for everyone.
Daeniste knew very well, whether it was expelling nonconformists or propagating tolerance, the main purpose was not to uphold justice. Everyone simply had their own positions, their own interests, and their own ties; thus, they decided to walk different routes.
Even faith wasn't sincere at the higher levels of the Church.
Xu Jun felt Ti Na's small paw, which were pinching Xu Jun's finger, immediately clench. Ti Na's claws accidentally sprung out and they drew across Xu Jun's glove without leaving a trace. He comfortingly pinched this sand leopard cub's small paw: "Yeah, a beastman who lived around the Dark Swamp. He was brought out by some people." Saying that he was 'brought out' made it sound trivial, but Daeniste immediately understood: "And then you saved him?"
Xu Jun nodded his head.
Ti Na subconsciously felt that danger seemed to have passed, and that this strange man's gaze towards him seemed to have softened—so disgusting! Not only did he look feminine, but he also looked at this uncle with such a disgusting attitude!
Ti Na hid behind Xu Jun.
Nar examined their surroundings, using his gaze to drive away the masses who were secretly observing them: "Gentlemen, perhaps it would be better to find a quiet place before reminiscing about the past."
Holy Son Daeniste accepted the advice: "Right, right. Xu Jun, let's talk inside."
Guardian Knight Nar felt exhausted: "… Your Highness! Please look closely at where you are going before anything else!"
The place that Daeniste had already taken a step into—was of course the gambling house's entrance!
However! His Highness the Holy Son definitely did not want to go to such a place himself! It must be that he was too excited about meeting a friend that he did not read the door sign properly! How could His Highness the Holy Son possibly go to a gambling house?!
Holy Son Daeniste blinked: "Nar, we finally managed to get outside for once…"—and this was even a small city in the middle of nowhere. As long as they don't tell others their identities, no one would even know who they are…
Nar: …
No, no, even if it was like this, this definitely was not the esteemed Holy Son's original intention!
Nar looked towards Xu Jun, giving him a sharp and blaming glare: Hero! It must've been you who has changed His Highness the Holy Son for the worse! Our Holy Son wasn't like this before!
Xu Jun cursed in his heart: Geh, you're blaming me?!
Still, a person under another's roof must bow their heads1, and taking a high-level priest, such as the Holy Son, to a gambling house didn't seem like they were there to play. Instead, it seemed as if they were there to crack down on an illegal operation. It felt much too unlucky.
"Let's go find a pub. After finding a pub, we can talk freely." Xu Jun, holding hands with both Ti Na and Daeniste, went to the backyard to find Man Tou.
Although Man Tou was disguised as a normal horse by Xu Jun, his handsome looks were impossible to hide. It was a bit hard to tell when he was with ordinary horses, but when compared to the Bright God Church's white horses, his looks easily suppressed the two white horses'. This was indeed quite the achievement.
The two horses brought by Holy Son Daeniste and his Guardian Knight Nar felt ashamed of their ungainly appearance. However, who knows what kind of training the Bright God Church gave to these horses, but after a brief moment of inferiority, the two white horses actually shamelessly approached Man Tou. They sandwiched Man Tou between them, seeming like two punks trying to take advantage of a female goddess. Xu Jun chased away the two indecent horses. Man Tou quickly ran to Xu Jun's side, getting as close as he could.
It seems the perverted unicorn beastman from a few days ago had cast a severe shadow over Man Tou's psyche.
Xu Jun patted him comfortingly, while Nar lectured the two punk horses: "What happened to morality! Once we get back, I'll have both of you castrated!"
The two white horses mourned in succession. It seemed they knew how cruel and terrifying it was to get "castrated."
Not to mention them, even Xu Jun felt his thing go cold when he heard this. However, Holy Son Daeniste didn't know what it meant, but felt that it sounded powerful, and so turned his head to ask: "Nar, what does castrate mean?"
Eh, wasn't this like an elementary schooler asking his mom and dad "how was I born?" The kind of situation that made people not want to tell the truth for fear of destroying his purity. As expected, Nar didn't know how to answer. He was older than Holy Son Daeniste by five years, and was usually a reliable and experienced golden knight. Yet, ever since he was assigned as His Highness the Holy Son's guardian knight, he would often find himself at a loss for words. For example, what was happening right now.
Daeniste: "Isn't Nar so cute =w="
Xu Jun: "…Oh."
Daeniste pouted, his face looking much more charming than when he was unhappy: "Right? So in times like these, I always feel like teasing him. ~(≧▽≦)/~"
Within his heart, Xu Jun… silently lit a row of candles for the loyal Golden Knight Nar.
As for Ti Na, he sneakily examined this dubious character called His Highness, and just felt that this guy's laughter had become even more revolting_(:зゝ∠)_
They walked through a commercial district, going by three meat vendors butchering pigs and cattle, as well as a master blacksmith who was cursing and hitting his students in front of the blacksmith shop. Their expressions did not change, nor did their hearts jump. Even the esteemed Holy Son of the Bright God Church, hailed as holy and compassionate, did not express much emotion.
"Before, I once thought that things would change after I became the Holy Son." Daeniste suddenly spoke up.
Xu Jun also said with a hint of lament: "But the world's true nature won't change just because an individual changed."
After entering the bar, Nar went off to settle down the horses, and ensure that the two punk, white horses would not disturb the pitiful Man Tou. The honest and reliable Golden Knight Nar really didn't understand why the elite white horses of the Bright God Church, which should've been influenced by the teachings of the Bright God Church every day, would turn so unseemly after leaving the Church. It really made one blush with shame.
Inside the bar, there weren't many people, as it was still the morning. After Xu Jun confirmed that Daeniste could drink alcohol, he ordered a light fruit wine for him. The surrounding drinkers secretly examined Daeniste, and the two could even hear words along the line of "I wonder who could afford accompanying this kind of girl." The corner of Daeniste's mouth twitched as he thought, are your eyes fucking blind.
But he isn't that angry or maybe just isn't very fussy. Perhaps he would have been angered by this sort of small stuff three years ago, but not anymore.
As for Xu Jun…he was busy coaxing Ti Na. This child was being extremely stubborn. Hearing that Xu Jun would bring him to the City Lord's mansion, he thought that it would be fun. Now, however, he could only stay in a bar that slightly resembled the gambling house. It was as if a needle had been placed under his rear; Ti Na couldn't sit still.
The Author has something to say:
Nar: My Holy Son becoming like this is all the fault of the Hero!
Xu Jun: So…what exactly do you mean by "my Holy Son?!"
Nar: …This represents my sincerity towards His Highness, en.
Translator's Niche:
[1] In more modern terms, don't piss off higher ups who can make things difficult for you. In this case, XJ is trying to avoid offending Nar. Tried making it somewhat intelligible even in English form. Return