Nol wasn't particularly worried about how they might be treated by these few players.
Based on the professions and equipment of the players in front of him, he could estimate their attributes. Even if he and Teest were numerically lower in level than the players, both of their attributes were genuinely monster-level. Even if a Level 50 dragon was lower than a Level 80 swordsman, it could still easily beat a hundred swordsmen.
Not to mention, they had a shadow wolf hidden in their shadows.
After leaving the instance, the shadow wolf retained the attributes from inside the instance. If it were smart enough, its combat power would be higher than both of theirs combined.
Unfortunately, it was a super cautious fool. If it really came to fighting, its overall strength would only equal one Teest.
Even so, the combined strength of the three of them was quite formidable.
The issue was the exposure of information, which would lead to endless troubles. Not to mention, the identity leak of the "Mad Monk" alone would bring them a whole kettle of problems.
Nol nervously clutched Teest.
[So that's how it is. It's my first time seeing such a magical item. It seems to have no consumption.]
Teest glanced at the tuning fork in the priestess's hand. [Which means… it must have significant limitations.]
[Yes,] Nol confirmed. [It can only detect 'absolute lies'. In other words, you can choose not to answer or answer irrelevantly. As long as you're not lying in response to the question, it's fine. And when in use, the tuning fork must be displayed in front of the target.]
This was a common problem with sacred attribute items. They have oddly high moral requirements, and they tend to be very specific and peculiar about it.
[So, no problems then. Let me confirm once again: you don't intend to confront them, right?] Teest asked.
[Mm.]
Their telepathic communication was as fast as lightning. Teest inhaled lightly, holding Nol tighter.
"What the hell are you trying to do? What's that in your hand? Don't come any closer!" Teest shouted, sounding both terrified and pitiable.
Nol wondered if Teest learned this from one of his victims.
The priestess stopped and looked at them gently. "It's okay, I won't come closer. I just want to ask you both a few questions."
Her voice was melodious, and her words were slow and clear. "… Are you two 'players'?"
"What's 'players'?" Teest feigned confusion for a second, as if he didn't understand her question.
The priestess frowned slightly; the tuning fork lay quietly in her hand.
"Why are you both so defensive against us?" She changed her question.
"We've encountered people like you before," Teest said tightly. "His earring was exactly like yours, and he tried to kill me and my brother! God, he nearly succeeded."
The players quickly exchanged glances. The priestess spoke faster. "Are you sure the earring was exactly the same?"
"No, no, his earring was covered in blood. But so what? They looked exactly the same!" Teest shouted accusingly.
The tuning fork remained silent.
"You encountered a 'Demon' from the Eternal Church. Rest assured, we are 'Saints' from the Temple of Life," the priestess said softly. "If you encounter someone with a blood-stained earring again, run away as fast as you can… What happened to the Demon who wanted to kill you?"
Out of the corner of his eye, Nol saw the mage take out a communication crystal, and the knight's hand went to his sword hilt.
These players seemed very wary of anything related to the Eternal Church. If this question wasn't answered correctly…
"A man who looked like an assassin killed him," Nol interrupted before Teest could speak.
He leaned forward slightly, turning his face to Teest's shoulder, his voice trembling. "I didn't see the details. I just heard he died…"
The tuning fork remained silent.
"It seems these two really aren't players," the knight whispered to the mage. "As for the guy from the Eternal Church, who knows if he's really dead or not…"
Success. Relief washed over Nol.
"Alright, I just have one more question," the priestess continued gently. "Are you two really brothers?"
'…Isn't it rude to ask about private matters?!' Nol thought, choking on his relief. Could these players be treating them as rare NPCs, trying to get some quest?
"He's not my real brother if that's what you're asking," Teest responded without hesitation, the determination in his voice just right. "Even though we have different mothers, I swear in the Goddess' name that our bond is close. I won't let anyone question that."
The tuning fork was silent, as if it were dead.
The priestesses stopped speaking, lowering her hand. Then, her smile became even brighter. "I heard from the merchants that you plan to visit your relatives in Silver Windmill Village. That village is a bit far from Grape Collar. Why don't we escort you there?"
Nol: "…" So persistent. Typical of players. Should they start wearing masks next time?
Teest obviously had the same thought. "How could we? We are mere commoners. How could we trouble such noble Saints like you—"
"It's no trouble. We were heading there anyway," the priestess said with a smile.
Alright, he was wrong. Nol thought this was becoming a real problem now.
"Going to Silver Windmill Village to visit relatives" was Teest's excuse to decline the job offer. The Mad Monk talked nonsense all the time. It would be surprising if Silver Windmill Village even existed. How would he fabricate relatives out of thin air?
"But…" Teest hesitated beside Nol.
"It's fine, as long as your relatives haven't joined any heretical sects, we won't do anything." The priestess paused meaningfully. "Or do you have other concerns?"
"No." Teest lowered his head, placing his hands together in the shape of a wheat stalk. "I just didn't expect the Saints to be so kind… May the Goddess' glory shine throughout the land."
...
[What do we do now?] Nol sat in the players' open carriage, looking grave.
The beautiful priestess with a youthful appearance sat beside them. Her light flaxen hair draped over her shoulders, her green eyes slightly closed, looking serene and holy.
Having gone through the baptism of Barto in the novice village, Nol wondered about the gender of the player controlling the character, just like he was unsure about the gender of the young-looking paladin.
Better to remain silent, Nol decided, communicating only with his "elder brother" Teest.
[What will we do when we reach our destination? Use an illusion spell? "Dream manipulation" can't cover such a big lie.]
[Don't worry, I have a plan,] Teest replied confidently.
Trusting Teest's assurance, Nol didn't ask further. He stealthily reached into his shadow to stroke some wolf fur for comfort.
The problem was if they remained silent, the players would initiate conversation.
"So, what happened to you two? I heard from Billy that he found you in the forest."
The white mage, sitting opposite Nol, inquired. Nol glanced at the handsome mage and found that, in an inconspicuous corner, the mage was holding a golden tuning fork.
…So you're playing this game? You have a magical item, but so do I. Since Teest was playing the good cop, now it was his turn to play the bad*.
*One sings with a red face, the other with a white face (一个唱红脸一个唱白脸). Idiom referring to one person acting as the "bad guy" while the other acts as the "good guy" or the mediator (aka good cop, bad cop).
Nol spun the brooch on his chest. "We were harassed by that earring-wearing weirdo… the Eternal Church cultist. Didn't my brother tell you?"
"Do you want to hear the details? I moved everyone's corpses to the side of the cabin, letting them rest in the flames. So many bodies… Do you want to know more, like how he talked about dismembering us? Or the sound of everyone's necks being snapped?"
Nol continued, trying to look and sound as "traumatized" as possible.
The white mage was taken aback and quickly put away his tuning fork. "No, no, I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry for making you recall such horrifying memories. I was just curious how you both escaped, and well, I felt magical energy from you…"
"We do have magical items," Nol said. "I'm learning magic. I thought Mr. Billy told you all."
"Hey, calm down." Teest, playing the caring older brother, gently patted Nol's back. "I know you're upset, but remember, these are Saints. Be respectful."
After that performance, thankfully, the players didn't ask him any more questions.
'I'm sorry, my fellow players… If I can be sure you're all trustworthy, I will definitely make it up to you,' Nol thought silently.
The players' carriage moved swiftly. By sunset, they had reached Silver Windmill Village.
The beautiful and prosperous village was surrounded by grape fields. From there, one could see the spire of the Temple of Life and the white windmill in the fields.
"Thank you all for escorting us. We can manage on our own from here." Teest bowed politely, his temporary black hair loosely braided over one shoulder.
Nol nodded solemnly in agreement.
"Why would we escort you halfway? Tell us, where do your relatives live?" asked the blonde, blue-eyed paladin.
Teest hesitated for a moment, finally managing a smile. "Please follow me."
Nol was bewildered as he followed Teest. The group headed toward a farmhouse at the edge of the village. The farmhouse appeared to be quite affluent; the building was large, and its walls were covered in well-maintained rose vines. The garden in front of the house was wild yet ordered, exuding a rustic charm.
"Aunt Sophie, it's me! Ross and I are back!" Teest called out from the entrance.
Only a few seconds after his shout, a chubby middle-aged woman with an apron dashed out from the doorway. Though her figure had changed over the years, her face still retained the beauty of her youth.
"By the Goddess, my little Landus, little Ross—!" She embraced both Teest and Nol, planting passionate kisses on the tops of their heads. "Five years, right? You've grown into young men. Why did it take you so long to visit me?"
Nol: "…?!" Seriously, this works too…?!
He stiffened in "Aunt Sophie's" embrace, not daring to move.
"Let's talk inside, Auntie. Something happened at home." Teest's voice took on a melancholic tone. "Oh, these people here are from the temple. They're the ones who brought us back."
"Oh my, people from the temple!" Aunt Sophie exclaimed loudly, attracting the attention of several neighbors. "Please come in. Would you like to stay for dinner? I make delicious honey cakes. I can prepare them in no time!"
"Thank you for your kindness. We've brought our own food, so we won't trouble you," the players exchanged glances. The priestess stepped forward and bowed in gratitude.
Finally, the wooden door closed, blocking the players from view.
Stretching and yawning, Teest carelessly plopped down on the couch. "I'm exhausted. I originally wanted to visit Grape Collar first."
The affectionate expression on Aunt Sophie's face faded. She approached Teest, who deftly took out his wallet and counted out twenty gold coins for her.
She accepted the money skillfully. "I thought you were dead."
"Likewise." Teest grunted. "I was worried someone else might have taken this place. That would've been awkward."
Aunt Sophie gave him a sidelong glance. "If it weren't for the sake of the 'General', I wouldn't bother taking your money. Why did you bring people this time? Ah, such a handsome lad. No wonder you never showed interest in girls before…"
Teest turned away, clearly not interested in chatting. Aunt Sophie didn't seem offended and shot a smile at Nol before disappearing with the coins.
"Occasionally, I need a trustworthy identity. Aunt Sophie's nephew 'Landus' is one of them," Teest explained, suppressing another yawn. "If 'Landus' is accompanied by 'Ross', it implies I also have a male companion. Sophie's clever; she knows how to keep up with the lie."
[Does she know you're the Mad Monk…?] Nol communicated telepathically with Teest.
"Only you know that, honey," Teest said sweetly, turning to face Nol. "She firmly believes I'm a lowlife criminal."
"Are you not? If you had ambition, the 'General' would've recruited you long ago."
Aunt Sophie emerged with a plate of honey cakes, their aroma filling the room. "Here, young man, try my cooking… You seem like a good lad; don't let this guy deceive you. He's only good-looking. If he had any sense, he wouldn't be hiding out here."
The married Mr. Nol gave a wry smile and quietly thanked her before taking a bite. The cake was soft, sweet, and milky—like biting into a cloud. Nol handed a piece to Teest.
Teest hesitated but eventually opened his mouth, taking a bite. "Not bad."
"My heavens, he's finally eating something I made? Young man, what magic did you use?" Ms. Sophie was taken aback.
"The magic of love," Teest quipped. He sat up from the sofa and stretched out his hand, reaching for another piece. "One more!"
Nol didn't bother correcting Teest's nonsense. He walked over to the window, admiring the beautiful flowers outside.
The players' figures had completely vanished.
They seemed even more cautious than he'd imagined. The situation on the players' side must be tense.
He must not reveal his identity before finding trustworthy players. But as a mere NPC, how could he ensure contact with players, much less gather inside information?
He needed a plan.
Looking at his fingers, Nol noticed they still smelled of milk and honey.
Thinking about it, a magical apprentice living in a secluded forest village, whose homeland was almost completely destroyed by cultists. Only his elder brother survived, the two depended on each other and headed to the big city to seek refuge with relatives… Perhaps this was a good beginning for a story.
In his setting, "Dragon Blood Hero Drake" was a faithful companion to the players and an important NPC in the main storyline. Drake, with his tragic past, was a core character who grew with the progression of the story. Players should witness his growth set against the backdrop of the era.
Maybe he could also become such a "growing main storyline NPC".
In that case, player groups would actively approach him. Even if players couldn't receive missions from him, they wouldn't be suspicious, and they might even help in rescuing his neighbors…
The problem was that the current era was dominated by unknown religions. The Temple of Life and the Eternal Church had taken most of the players, so he couldn't replicate Drake's heroic leader route.
He wanted to discover the truth of the world, shelter his scattered neighbors, establish a stable relationship with the players, and maintain the initiative…
Got it.
Nol tucked away his fingers, revealing a slightly bitter smile.
It didn't matter if he couldn't become a hero; he believed his character wasn't suited for it. Considering his situation, "swaying between good and evil, a seeming antagonist who's both enemy and ally" might be more appropriate.
[Teest.]
[Hmm?]
[Interested in doing some bad things with me?] Nol asked.
[What kind of bad things? By your moral standards… let me think, stealing Aunt Sophie's honey cakes?]
[No.]
Nol turned around, his back facing the window. The blood-red sunset sank behind him, and the sky gradually darkened.
[I want to openly establish a monster organization.]
The honey cake in Teest's mouth almost dropped, but he bit it in time. ["What?"]
[I don't want to act in secret anymore. I need more information,] Nol said. [But this will carry certain risks. If you mind, you can leave—]
Before Nol could finish, he swallowed his words. He took a deep breath and spoke again.
[You once said, 'I am yours.' I hope you are still mine.] Nol smiled at Teest. [I really, really need you, Teest.]
[Since you've put it that way, I have no choice but to obey, Lord Nol,] Teest replied with a smile.
Aunt Sophie hadn't lit the lamps yet. As the sun set, the things in the room were quickly engulfed in shadows.
"Now that we've come this far, I genuinely want to ask you," Nol began, "I don't believe I could persuade you with just a few words… Why are you staying by my side? What do you really want?"
Teest finally stood up from the sofa and walked to the window, leaning against the opposite side of the sill. The afterglow of the sunset came in, casting long shadows of both.
"I want the 'truth' of this world," Teest said with a smile, leaning closer to Nol. "It just so happens we're on the same path. What a coincidence."
Nol suddenly recalled the horrified and desperate expression of the Whitebird City Lord before he died and the skill with which this man interrogated Liang Guanghui.
Despite the Mad Monk's erratic behavior, the Teest he knew didn't seem to be a mere sadist. Could it be that he wasn't just hunting high-ranking cultists for fun but…
"Could it be that before our arrival, you killed to get more faith—"
"Shh."
Teest raised a finger to his lips.
"It's nothing unusual. As long as one is alive, one always seeks an answer—if not, how can one go on living, right?"
"At least that's how I am," he said.
The author has something to say:
Teest: Even though we have different mothers (actually, their fathers are also different), I swear in the Goddess' name that our bond is close (do you think the Goddess dare not recognize it when we got certified before her?). I won't let anyone question that (truth).
Nol: .........…Indeed.
Kinky Thoughts:
End of second arc.