Chapter 11: Swear by the True God You Believe In

  Holding Odara's sword, Johnny was full of vertical lines on his head.

  When he was still an otaku, with a young and restless heart, and a boy's love for war, Johnny often went to the forum to read posts about ancient wars. Johnny had once seen a post about German Zweih?nder, which looked exactly like this sword in front of him. The text even claimed it was the pinnacle of two-handed swords?

  I didn't expect it here either. It's really a case of different paths leading to the same destination.

  "A good sword is half a warrior's life." Odara said from the side, "I see your physical quality isn't bad, and you can even wield a two-handed sword with dedication. I heard your combat skills are all self-taught? That doesn't matter. For Ais Wallenstein's sake, you'll stay under me for now, and I'll teach you the techniques of wielding a two-handed sword. There's no rush to go into battle anyway."

  So I'm accepted? I passed? Johnny looked up at O'Dara in surprise.

  "However, if you are not diligent enough, or your innate talent for martial arts is too low, or your conduct is improper, I will dismiss you at any time. Do you understand?"

  "I understand, sir." Johnny bowed solemnly, his right hand on his chest.

  "Which deity do you worship?" Odara asked.

  "What?" Johnny didn't react.

  "Which deity do you worship? I need you to swear fealty to me by your faith. A knight needs the protection of his retinue on the battlefield."

  "Yes, I understand, but faith...I..." Johnny stuttered.

  "What? Are you an unbeliever? Has no priest guided you to the faith? Don't you know that the soul of an unbeliever will have no resting place after death, and will be scattered by time?" Odara's tone clearly showed her distaste for unbelievers, and she was even more shocked that Jony had no faith in a true god, her voice rising unconsciously.

  I also know that on some planes of existence, the souls of unbelievers are used to plaster walls (the setting of Ferelden). Jowan is unimpressed by Oghren's enthusiasm.

  It's not that there weren't any pastors coming to preach. Although the Solar Church in Tabri City had already fallen from a preaching group to a profit-making organization, they didn't dare to abandon the most basic and important thing of developing believers. No matter how corrupt an organization is, it will always have a vibrant grassroots level. The grassroots pastor of the Solar Church had once visited Smith's blacksmith shop, trying to spread the glory of the Sun God on young Johnny.

  Joni was when he first knew the existence of the true god, and it was also at that time that he mistakenly thought he had devoted himself to a world he understood. The pastor explained with a gentle smile, explaining the divine duties of the sun god, explaining the justice of the church, explaining how the sun god Darenis bravely defeated the evil gods in the war of the gods.

  But if it were another child, upon hearing that the Sun God was so mighty, they would have sparkled with starry eyes and vowed to struggle for him their whole life. But Jony wasn't a child. Although his atheism had disappeared without a trace not long after crossing over, he wouldn't easily believe in a god either. Moreover, whether it was in the games he used to play or watch, this church representing light was often incredibly dark. This made Jony look down on the Sun God Church from the depths of his soul.

  "Cut, without the Sun God, Brother has also bathed in over 20 years of sunlight." Of course, he didn't dare say it out loud.

  Finally, Jonyi refused the pastor's proselytizing in the name of Ora, the god of ironworking. In a world where true gods exist, no church can oppress followers of other faiths at will. Seeing the child's eyes shining with stars indicating his desire to believe in Ora, the pastor gave up and bid farewell politely, heading towards the next residence.

  As for the god of forging, Ora, Jonyi forgot about him as soon as he turned his head. Probably because Ora had to deal with all sorts of prayers every day, so he didn't notice this little kid's insincerity - he was originally a chaotic neutral god anyway.

  Joni has remained an unbeliever up until today.

  "In the past, a priest of the Sun God came to preach, but at that time I thought I was a descendant of blacksmiths and should believe in the god of forging, so I refused. Later, when I grew up a bit, I felt that men should fight, so I didn't pray to the god of forging either. And since I didn't know any other gods, it ended up like this." Jony explained with gestures, fearing that Oudara in front of him would get angry and drive him away.

  When Odara heard Johnny say that, her wide eyes gradually returned to normal, and the short hair on her head seemed to become softer. Johnny was a bit embarrassed: Was it necessary to go that far?

  It's really being blessed without knowing it. If this were in medieval Europe, a heretic like Joanie would be burned at the stake as if it were child's play.

  Audrey grasped the pendant on her chest: "Although emotions are understandable, one must have faith and reverence for the true god. Alright, since you don't have a god to believe in and happen to be my attendant, let's believe in the war god Odin together."

  Is Odin the God of War? Isn't the God of War Pashetan?

  "God of War is not..."

  "Pastan? That's your war god here." Here? Jony was a bit confused. Odara continued, "I am from the north, traveling."

  Then comes the preaching - evangelism is not about collecting votes, just ticking a box and saying I choose you. Even if it's an election, you have to make a speech, let alone something as serious as faith.

  Firstly, on the same plane, divine positions cannot be repeated. This is what Jony knows, and Odala's words also prove this point from the side. Pasutan is in charge of mercenaries, adventures - no wonder he opened a mercenary alliance with the business god; Odin is in charge of infantry battles. As for the "war" position of the war god, it is controlled by Alexander, the god of war. Ordinary people don't understand what mercenaries, adventurers, and infantry are, they're all just gods of war. So they're all called war gods.

  "Pretty detailed," Johnny muttered to himself, "and the name sounds familiar too."

  The division of gods, represents the difference in what is being prayed for. Adventurers pray to Pasutan for good luck, foot soldiers pray to Odin for mastery of martial arts, and commanders and soldiers pray to Alexander for victory. Jyone thinks that logically speaking, this prayer doesn't make sense... if both sides are praying...

  Of course, the reason why the gods of the combat profession can stand out is still a very practical priest team.

  But Audla didn't say much more, and even if she did, it wouldn't have mattered, Odin's priests were still holed up in the north.

  After listening to the introduction, Joanie felt that this god of war was not bad, and looking at today's momentum, if she expressed her distrust, the job of following would definitely be gone.

  Then just believe it, faith is this kind of thing...

  "I am willing to believe in the war god Odin."

  It can be cultivated anyway.

  Odin's emblem, may Odin protect you."

  Joni took the pendant and looked at it, only to find that it was a model of a two-handed great sword similar to his own, but with a more ancient and even somewhat crude design.

  "This is the weapon used by God of War Odin before he became a god." Odala saw Geoni staring at the pendant and explained, "He grew up in my hometown, relying on a deliberately made larger long sword to fight his way through, and finally became a god in the war of the gods. There was no dual-handed sword back then. In memory of his struggles back then, the Temple of War God took this sword as the symbol of the church. When the congregation touches it, they will feel an unyielding strong will, inspiring themselves to move forward!"

  Audra said here, and was somewhat excited again.

  What a devout follower, Johnny thought.

  Following the ritual of Othala, Jonnie grasped the pendant in his right hand and pressed his fist to his chest: "Great God of War Odin, I, Jonnie Smith, a humble warrior, offer you my highest reverence. I will worship you, revere you, and serve you for life. I will strive to master the art of combat, sparing no effort for your glory."

  After finishing this passage, Johnny felt that his soul was a little strange, as if it was connected to some unknown existence. Was it an illusion? Or the legendary Faith Line?

  Estelle listened intently as Odessa told the story of Odin, and then watched with a serious face as Jowy made contact with the gods. That was pretty good entertainment in this world where it's hard to come by.

  Of course, she wouldn't say it out loud.

  (Feedback to readers, two updates today, next update will be delivered in six hours)