[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing":3,"chapter-the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-chapter-12":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Holy Church Begins with Bestowal of Blessings",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1688723,2156,"Chapter 12 : I Will Aid the Weak","the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-chapter-12",12,"\u003Cp>Chapter 12: I Will Aid the Weak\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He informed the families that the militiamen had died, but these family members were not particularly saddened; in fact, two of the militiamen's wives even expressed willingness to marry him and rebuild their families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although such occurrences were common, George had already decided to dedicate the rest of his life to the Lord, so he firmly rejected them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After conveying the news and seeing that the families did not appear so grief-stricken as to need his assistance, George prepared to return to the church.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he walked briskly, he might catch Priest Corleon's evening prayers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He yearned to hear the Lord's teachings through Corleon's prayers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, before he could leave the village, Yara, with her long hair tied up, approached him accompanied by two guards clad in leather armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"George, right?\" Yara scrutinized George from head to toe and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you're from our Lori Village, I now inform you, as the acting captain of the guards, that you have been conscripted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Until the alert is lifted, you will serve as a guard to defend Lori.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Has the village encountered danger?\" George asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, two villages were destroyed yesterday, resulting in over three hundred deaths. The lord's messenger has issued an order requiring all villages to enforce martial law and implement wartime strategies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because George appeared relatively clean and his overall demeanor was far superior to the rough men in the village, coupled with his strong physique, he was deemed a good warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, if George had not lied and truly returned from the battlefield, he would be considered an elite veteran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Yara patiently explained the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rafama, George is assigned under your command; take him to collect his equipment,\" Yara instructed one of the guards accompanying her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From now on, follow Rafama's orders; he is my deputy.\" With that, she turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her patience was limited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, you're quite robust. How come I haven't heard of you in the village before?\" After Yara left, Rafama became lively, giving George a hearty slap on the shoulder and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps because I've experienced war,\" George replied without elaborating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Yara's tone was commanding, George had no intention of refusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'When encountering the weak, one must help them' was his commandment, and it was evident that the people of Lori needed assistance now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then you should be considered elite,\" Rafama remarked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of Lori's guards had never experienced war; taking down three bandits with over ten men was already a rare occurrence in three years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Follow me; I'll get you some excellent equipment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elites naturally deserved elite treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A half-body leather armor with an iron heart-guard on the chest, a shield wrapped in iron, a somewhat rusty longsword, three short spears, and an oak spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to being conscripted as a militiaman, where only a regular wooden spear was issued, this was considered fully armed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, your body is truly strong,\" Rafama couldn't help but praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after donning the full set of equipment, George's movements were unaffected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weighing the spear in his hand, he noted it was made of oak, though it had aged somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If danger truly arises, please assign me to the most perilous position,\" George said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, you are a true warrior,\" Rafama praised. \"If it weren't for your slight limp, I would definitely recommend you to Lady Yara as her personal guard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, while I admire your courage, I must tell you in advance, I've been pursuing Lady Yara for a long time and am determined to win her over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wish you success in becoming Lady Yara's husband,\" George offered his blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, damn, you're now my good brother,\" Rafama immediately draped his arm over George's shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on, as good brothers, before the battle, I must take you to relax properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rafama led George to a secluded place where several women had gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rafama laughed heartily, embracing a woman who swayed her hips as she approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was evident that this place was for adult transactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>George declined the women who tried to approach him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rafama, intent on relaxing, paid no mind to George and carried a woman into a small room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Rafama emerged, his leather armor loosely hanging on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother George, didn't you go to relax?\" he glanced at George, who was still fully equipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not interested in such matters,\" George replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, you're really no fun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aren't we supposed to be building defenses?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, Brother George, we are guards, meant to fight. Building defenses is naturally for the civilians,\" Rafama said, clearly not considering himself a civilian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so?\" George looked at Rafama. \"If possible, I'd like to join them in constructing the fortifications.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, such menial tasks...\" Rafama looked into George's serious eyes and said no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you're determined to do it, then let's head to the south gate; that's where my men are stationed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Lori's south gate, villagers were digging trenches, erecting watchtowers with wood, and making chevaux-de-frise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most wore coarse linen that hadn't been washed in a long time, emitting a noticeable odor up close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>George felt as if he were looking at his past self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you wish to help, suit yourself. If you get tired, come to the guard post; my brothers and I will be there,\" Rafama said, less enthusiastic than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps you could act as a supervisor; your longsword could serve as a whip,\" he added with a hint of mockery before leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring Rafama's words, George removed his weapons and shield, hoisted a wooden stake, and walked over to the wood processing area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His strength commanded respect from the civilians, but upon seeing his leather armor, their respect turned to fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he, during his time living in the village, ever fear this leather armor as they did?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>George questioned himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt his memories of life as a civilian in Lori had become somewhat blurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am George from the Flower Church, following the Lord's teachings and Priest Corleon's instructions, here to assist you,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there anything I can help with?\" he asked, looking at an elderly man holding an axe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, the oldest there, wore the newest-looking linen, and others occasionally glanced at him when they feared George.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear the elder was the leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sir guard, you can rest; we can handle this labor,\" the elder bowed his head and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not a guard here, just temporarily conscripted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>George raised his hand to grasp the cross hanging from his neck, indicating the elder to look at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I come from the Flower Church, a monk serving the Lord. 'When encountering the weak, one must help them' is the commandment I strictly follow, so I will help you because you are the weak,\" George said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder and others looked at each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They understood every word George said but couldn't grasp the meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they knew George was determined to help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the elder helplessly said, \"If you insist on helping, sir guard, please move the timber over there for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright,\" George replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked over and hoisted the timber, and despite his slight limp, the wood on his shoulder remained steady.\u003C\u002Fp>",1204,"2026-06-06T13:52:13.653Z",1,"novelbin.me","974bfa5706122d725bde8afaaeb323105300ca6204bae2f89402a5f0ac4b6c17","the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-chapter-362","the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-chapter-361",373,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-cover.jpg"]