Chapter 54 Arriving in Beidi (2)

  The argument at dinner didn't continue, Lancelot who was about to slam his hand on the table was pulled aside by Udis, and Johnny who was humming a cold laugh was glared at by Oda. When they started eating again, both of them behaved themselves. Occasionally their gazes met in mid-air, sparking off each other, but neither spoke up again. The two people who were still feeling depressed in their hearts turned their sorrow into appetite, devouring the mutton on the table fiercely.

  The Ludwig family was no exception. The Ossetians were originally a rough and unrestrained people, and they would not be restrained in the face of food. Even if the king came, they would still devour their food like wolves.

  Only Astrid still maintained her good habit of savoring her food slowly, standing out like a crane among chickens in this table of wolves. This wild girl who had some reputation in Tabriz City seemed to be the most noble lady at this table.

  Fortunately, this young lady's appetite is not particularly big, otherwise tonight would be hungry.

  "Uncle Odara." Seeing that the war on the dinner table had come to an end, Astrid asked with some concern, "Will meals always be like this from now on?"

  After living in the south for many years, Odala recalled how his original form was exposed and his glorious image was ruined all at once, and he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed: "Ah, this, this... The people of Osaydin are indeed quite fierce... But don't worry, I won't force it, I won't force it."

  Lancelot seems to have an inexplicable fondness for Astra, she wiped her greasy mouth with her sleeve and said loudly: "Sister, eating like this is the most delicious! And in the future when we go to war, it's necessary to eat quickly. We must prepare well in peacetime!"

  Not good, use your sleeve to wipe your mouth! This girl is too disgusting! Joanie watched Lanselot's movements and silently ridiculed him. Then she wiped her own mouth with her sleeve.

  "But...” Astrid recalled the aristocratic etiquette she had learned since childhood, and said somewhat awkwardly, "My dad says girls should eat elegantly and have rules. He also says that as a well-educated child, you must eat slowly and chew at least twenty times before swallowing!"

  What a joke?! When did you ever eat so elegantly when we went out to dinner? Looking at Aisley who seemed quite shy, Joanie continued to mock. Who would have thought that this little girl could pretend so well.

  "Don't listen to your dad's nonsense!" Lanselot waved his small hand, "If I see him, I'll definitely criticize his wrong idea. Who says girls have to eat like that? Girls are no worse than boys!

  "My father is already dead..." Astrid said, tears falling.

  Udis's rebuke, Lancelot's apology, and Stefan's consolation to the crowd. Amidst the chaos, Astrid finally stopped crying.

  What a sentimental girl! Almost everyone thinks so.

  Except Johnny.

  For this person he likes, this designated wife, Joni still has some understanding. Why did she suddenly become so obedient today? Why did she suddenly mention the noble education of Isatis today? Why did she suddenly shed tears when mentioning her father today? —— Shedding tears is natural and forgivable, after all, it's only been a month since the incident. But I didn't see her behave like this on the way here!

  Is she that understanding? Looking at Odara who was comforting Astrid beside her, Jony felt a little unbelievable.

  It seems she still gives her old man face in front of these elders.

  "Odara, you said this was entrusted to you by your friend before he died? Tell me, how did Astrid's father die." Stefan asked after everything had calmed down.

  In Odara's account, the Sun God Church, which boasts of being orderly and good, became the root of everything. They raised the wild wolves, plotted the battle between Count Lycoris and Count Delas, and had the wolves do evil in the name of Lycoris to cultivate hatred among the citizens. Finally, the church would step in to clean up the mess.

  As part of the plan, all the nobles in Tabriz were killed except for Odara.

  "Those damned fools!" Old Stefan muttered, consoling the despondent Odara. "You have done your duty; your contract with Count Darius was automatically annulled before you left, and Odin will forgive you."

  Estelle shed tears again as she listened to this historical review. Johnny comforted her on the side, secretly gazing at Estelle's still innocent and beautiful face. A natural outpouring of emotions? This wasn't the Estelle he knew.

  "Estelle, sister." Lancelot's eyes were somewhat sorrowful after hearing Odara's story. "Don't be sad, those bastards from the Solar God Church, those hypocrites, will one day pay their debts!"

  Joni furrowed his brow.

  "But, but I've heard that the Sun God Church is very powerful..." Astra sniffled and said weakly.

  Lancelot snorted in his nose: "Even if you are stronger, can't we, the brave warriors of Oseadin, stop you at the border? Those were the elite of Tania. Like the weak church in your hometown, hum, destroying them is like stepping on an ant!"

  "Lancelot!" Stefan exclaimed, "Have you forgotten what Grandfather told you? Never underestimate your enemies and never belittle them! Were the scoundrels of Tanias weak? You are insulting the brave warriors who died in the Western Army!"

  Lancelot put away his previously arrogant expression, lowered his head and said softly: "Sorry, Grandpa, I was wrong."

  "Steven nodded and said to Astrid, "I'm sorry about your father. He wasn't the first person to die at the hands of the Sun Temple, nor will he be the last. Unfortunately, his revenge is now beyond your power."

  "Astrid suddenly lifted her head: 'Can you help me, sir? Can you help me avenge?' "

  As expected! Joanie shouted in her heart. She was indeed holding this purpose, and just now she was pretending to be pitiful!

  Alright, maybe it's not all pretend. But little girl, aren't you being too impatient?

  Stefan's brow furrowed, and Udai and Odara's did as well. Indeed, the mortal agents of Solari De'rynis were quite detestable, and indeed the second greatest foes of the Ossetinians after the Northern Barbarians, but...

  "Little girl, do you think that just because I'm an old man who runs a small chapel, I can help you get your revenge?" Stephen forced out a faint smile.

  "Astaire has now fully entered a state of frenzy, saying whatever comes to mind: 'Yes! Sir! When we were outside the village, when Eral Heinrich that despicable minstrel heard your name, his reverence was extremely evident! I know he's the son of the Northern Army Commander here, and someone who can make him afraid is definitely not simple!'"

  This time even Joanie's eyebrows furrowed. Technique, classmate, technique! Such a clumsy request can only add to the other person's disgust!

  "Oh? The second son of the Heinrich family?" The old man didn't seem to mind his identity being pointed out at all, and was more interested in Eral, "You met that softie? And brought him back with you too? Odara, I've never heard you mention him before."

  "This, I can explain..." Odara glared at Astrid with a fierce stare. Johnny remembered this was the first time.

  Stephen leaned back in his chair, gazing at Ondara with a faint smile.

  "It's like this..."

  Audela recounted the story of how they met Eral to each other. Out of consideration for his compatriots, he escorted Eral, who had offended the nobles, back into Osadin's territory. This reflects Audela's noble patriotism cultivated during his long wandering life...

  "Honestly, kiddo," Stefan said with a chuckle, "don't make me give myself a lie detector test."

  "Odala's face showed a look of being insulted: 'What? I didn't... how did you find out?'"

  "You've been rubbing your nose all along. You little rascal, you've loved to rub your own nose since childhood." Steven said with a self-satisfied smile.

  Damn it! Odala cursed and reluctantly told the truth.

  After securing a commission of two hundred gold coins, Odara brought that useless piece of trash back to Osedin with great difficulty. The money will be sent home soon. Although the payment was made, it still reflects...

  "Honestly, Odara, honestly." Stefan said with some impatience.

  Alright, after securing a commission of three hundred gold coins, Odara took that persecuted child...

  "Udis, are you ready to debunk lies today?" Stefan asked his eldest son beside him.

  "Yes, Father."

  Audley finally collapsed. He shouted with an expression of being ready to die generously: "Alright, I have some things that I haven't said out, I admit it! But I won't say!"

  Joni stared in amazement at one side. He certainly knew what Odara was hiding, but this guy... wasn't it a bit too much?!

  Stephen stood up and walked slowly to Odara's face with a sad expression, accompanied by a strong atmosphere that pressed towards Odara.

  "What could make my second son so serious?" Stefan suddenly smiled and turned to Udis, "What do you think?"

  Udis's expression was colorful. After hesitating for a moment, he opened his mouth and said: "Gold coins..."

  Johnny was eager to jump out of his chair. He thought this was the only way to vividly express his feelings. As for the two little girls, they were staring at the three adults with their eyes wide open and mouths agape.

  "So many years have passed, do you still remember your father's hobby?" Stefan laughed even harder. His gaze fell on Odara's waist.

  Joni was being very wickedly corrupt for a moment. But he knew things were definitely not that restricted.

  After Odara's pouch was confiscated, he finally revealed the truth, including the seventy gold coins as hush money and the reason why Elarl was being hunted. Watching Stefan toss the pouch up and down in his hand, Johnny recalled that vague premonition of his own.

  This money is really irretrievable.

  "I didn't think Heinrich's kid would be so useless, it's really embarrassing for us Oserdians. But Odara, since you couldn't keep this secret, I'll help you take care of this money." Stefan laughed heartily, "Astrid, as for your question, although we don't get along with those Sun God Cult bastards and feel like cutting them down whenever we meet, Velsa in the south? Don't even dream about it. If you really want to avenge your father, you should improve your strength. The Oserdian army doesn't reject strong women."

  Estelle's eyes, which had been somewhat dull, lit up again. Johnny felt a powerful aura emanating from the lovely figure in front of him, shooting straight into the sky.

  Good grief, he thought to himself, rubbing his temples. He had been telling too many stories these past two days and was starting to have cartoon-like hallucinations.

  "Sister, I'll teach you martial skills next time!" Lancelot was delighted.

  "Alright, it's getting late, Udis, you arrange the rooms for our guests. Tomorrow we'll all get up early, there are many things that need to be taken care of regarding Osedin and myself." Stefan said, then got up and went out the door.

  A disheartened Odala and a shocked Johnny each retired to their own rooms, while an energetic Astrid was dragged by Lancelot to his own room for the night.

  That girl with a wild beauty, wouldn't she be a lesbian? Johnny thought of this sultry question before falling asleep.

  Repeating those words over and over again, Joanie gradually fell asleep.

  The next morning, Udis came to wake them up and brought them before his father. Seeing that Astrid didn't seem to have any unusual feelings, Johnny's heart, which had been hanging in suspense all night, finally relaxed a little.

  It's just like that, how could it be possible, I was indeed thinking too much.

  Stephen Ludwig was already seated in the main seat in the living room. He had two people move chairs to sit in front of him, and the old man said: "You are now within the borders of the Kingdom of Ossedin, and for a long time to come...

  You'll be living here for a while. As Odara has requested, I will give you the proper guidance. Since that's the case, there are some things that should be made clear today so you won't keep bothering me later on. Alright, first of all, do any of you have questions about me or the Kingdom of Osadin?

  Jony wanted to exchange a glance with Astrid, but unfortunately Astrid was very uncooperative. She spoke out directly: "Sir, who are you?"

  Joni could only see a profile full of curiosity. Feeling very uninterested, he turned his head back, looking at Stefan, who was also quite curious.

  "As for me, I am Stefan Ludwig, Odal's father. You can call me Grandfather from now on, it's about right in terms of generation. As for my identity, you've all seen that I'm the pastor of this Odin Church."

  Neither of them was very satisfied with this answer.

  "I mean, Grandfather, what's so scary about your name that it can intimidate that little brat Eral?" Astrid persisted.

  Stephen's expression suddenly turned serious, which made the two people waiting for an answer feel a bit tense.

  "That must be the awe he felt for Odin!"

  Jony felt that he could only express his grief and indignation by slamming down the chair.

  "Alright, no more joking around." Stefan chuckled, clearly pleased with the atmosphere he had just created. "I won't say it, but that wooden guy Udis would have said it too, so I might as well tell you guys anyway."

  Joni didn't know whether he should trust this old man again or not, but Astrid maintained a serious expression.

  "I am the Archbishop of Asgard, the Odinist Church of the North. Formerly a prodigy pastor apprentice, now the First Battle Pastor. In Asgard, I am known as Odin's War Sword; in the North, those barbarians call me the Reaper!"

  A very impressive statement, but the two listeners didn't have much of a reaction.

  "Cough, let's put it this way, according to the standards of your mercenary alliance or whatever, the northern barbarians are probably around level 8, and the chieftain's guards are around level 10, only higher not lower."

  Joni and Astrid nodded.

  "I once infiltrated the enemy's position alone and killed the leader of a tribal alliance."

  Just nodded.

  "There were more than 40 guards beside him."

  The two exchanged admiring glances.

  "I killed them all."

  At this moment, Stefan finally received the adoring gaze.

  "But." Astrid was impolite, "Why are you here..."

  "Ah, because I'm tired."

  Tired?

  "Geniuses are always tired." Stephfen sighed, looking up at the sky, and then opened his mouth. (Sorry everyone, I was dragged out to go shopping with my mom today and came back late, please forgive me, please forgive me. Also, according to the voting results, I changed the cover.)