Chapter 253: 004: Entrust

After concluding Gerald’s funeral, Lynch made his usual detour to visit Jamie. Mortal lives are far too fleeting—while he still had the chance to see his friends in the Human World, he’d savor every meeting he could.

A few days later, Saladin Kingdom, Flower City.

Following years of painstaking development, Flower City had grown into an impressive settlement. Its roads interconnected seamlessly, and its variety of quaint buildings lined the streets one after another. Shops, taverns, artisan workshops—all were readily available, with comprehensive facilities throughout.

The convenience of its amenities and its increasingly complete order attracted more residents to the city. Flower City’s permanent population now exceeded 100,000, making it one of Saladin’s largest cities.

“Want to have a look at these apples? Picked fresh today.”

“Burp~ Wine, where’s my wine?”

“Show some mercy, please! Give me something to eat; I haven’t had food for three days…”

The streets bustled with traffic and pedestrians coming and going.

Vendors stood at their stalls, tirelessly shouting to promote their wares. A drunken reveler staggered out of a tavern, collapsing in a nearby alley where a vagrant swiftly stripped him of everything he carried. Meanwhile, beggars in tattered clothes wandered about.

Lynch and Jamie strolled along the roadside, chatting idly as they took their time.

Deep down, Lynch had assumed that Jamie, after all these years, would have degenerated further due to his lack of restraint—his figure bloated to the size of a pig, spending his days eating, sleeping, and chasing women with little else to show.

But upon actually meeting him, Lynch discovered that his assumptions couldn’t have been more wrong.

Jamie had surprisingly managed to control his weight. Though he hadn’t quite regained the physique of his youth, his figure was now relatively balanced, with none of the previous signs of excess and obesity.

Even more surprising, over these years, he’d stopped indulging in his fixation on women. Walking this stretch, Lynch couldn’t spot even a single female companion with Jamie—not even a stray dog.

At this moment, Jamie strode beside Lynch, dressed in an elegant double-breasted coat, complemented by the Cross Sword hanging from his waist. It was as if the handsome and skillful Knight of Hundred Flowers from Lynch’s memories had come back to life right before him.

Startled, Lynch remarked, “I expected you’d turn into a lustful pig, lying bloated atop a woman’s belly again.”

Jamie laughed heartily and confidently: “Hahaha!”

“My friend, after all these years, you’ve finally learned humor instead of simply being so rigid.”

Lynch shrugged: “Time changes everything.”

Jamie nodded in agreement: “Indeed, time changes everything.”

After a brief pause, he began explaining: “Over these years, some things happened… My sons led chaotic lives; my eldest son’s wife slept with my youngest son’s wife…”

“And even my once-favorite youngest daughter…”

He paused as anguish flickered across his face: “Sarina has become the kingdom’s infamous harlot. Just walking the ten meters from the castle gate to the hall, I can come across nine men who’ve had their way with her…”

Lynch was utterly stunned.

This…

He had no idea how to respond or evaluate the situation.

Jamie said, “These events made me realize I needed to change… I’d been too arrogant. Years of smooth sailing led me to mistakenly believe it was all thanks to me, neglecting the original order and rules.”

“So, I cast away my lovers, banished every harlot from the city, started controlling my weight, and picked up the Cross Sword once more. I want to reestablish an example to follow, though I can’t be sure if it’s already too late…”

Lynch nodded: “Change is never too late.”

After a moment’s pause, he asked, “So, shall we test ourselves at the training grounds again?”

A faint light—long absent—sparked in Jamie’s eyes.

But soon, the spark was extinguished by hesitation.

“No.”

Jamie shook his head: “Things are different now. I’m an Earl. Solving problems can no longer rely solely on the Cross Sword.”

Lynch shrugged: “What a pity.”

Jamie turned to look at him: “How envious I am of you, my friend. Look at yourself—you’re still as young as the day we first met. You haven’t changed one bit, while I… I’m but an old man now.”

Lynch replied, “Wizards do indeed live longer.”

Jamie responded, “I’m not referring to age.”

Lynch glanced at him in confusion.

Jamie elaborated: “Knighthood.”

“As a Knight, the world felt so simple—all I needed was to follow the faith in my heart. If I encountered anything I despised or disapproved of, I didn’t need to think; I simply drew my sword, struck forward, and all troubles and frustrations would vanish like smoke.”

“Now I appear to have much greater authority, but in reality, I can accomplish less. I can no longer casually draw my sword as I once did.”

Lynch smirked: “Is that your excuse for backing down?”

“Hahaha!” Jamie burst into laughter.

He shrugged helplessly: “Alright, you’re blunt as ever. I admit—I’m no match for you now. You must’ve advanced to become a Great Knight by now, haven’t you?”

Lynch hesitated for a moment, choosing not to tell the truth: “Not yet.”

Advancing to become a Great Knight was once Jamie’s dream, his lifelong ambition.

Jamie said, “I’m sure you’ll achieve it someday. You’re so disciplined, with so much time on your side, unlike me… gifted but arrogant, never persevering long enough…”

“But forget it; talking about this now means nothing. Keep working hard, my friend—carry my share along the way.”

“This life of mine remains set as it is. I can only place my hopes and spirit in you. May you carry my expectations and dreams forward, striving for that strength. I’ll offer my sincerest blessings as your friend.”

“May you.”

“Always remain a Knight—meeting hardships, setbacks, and troubles without worry or distress, and instead—”

“Simply draw your sword.”

Lynch nodded: “I accept.”

Jamie continued, “Oh, by the way, there’s something I want to entrust to you.”

Lynch asked in confusion, “What is it?”

Jamie furrowed his brows: “Lately… the kingdom’s situation has been worrying. My friend on the throne has lost his sanity. He’s fallen for rumors claiming eating infants grants eternal life… and has already executed two ministers who tried to stop him.”

“Those two ministers were actual Earls—the Lords of River Valley and Forest Land. Their children are vying to prove their inheritance rights and won’t relent easily… I’ve heard they’ve already recruited many blacksmiths…”

“His claim to the throne was flawed from the start, and now unrest pervades many regions. The surface calm is only maintained because of me being here.”

“But I’ve grown old.”

“These years, I’ve felt the passage of time more vividly. I know my remaining time is limited…”

Indeed.

Lynch could see the numbers ticking above Jamie’s head—only a few years remained…

Jamie said, “Once I’m gone, the schemers will show no hesitation. The entire kingdom will be swept into chaos. My children lack the talent to weather the storm, and the Stock family is unlikely to survive…”

Lynch asked, “Are you hoping I’ll intervene when the time comes?”

Jamie shook his head: “No.”

“Everything in this world has its destined fate. If the Stock family falls, then it’s simply their time. Using power not meant for us to forcibly change fate is not a wise decision.”

After a pause, he unbuckled the Cross Sword from his waist and handed it to Lynch: “The favor I ask of you is to keep this safe for me.”

“This sword is called Faith. It’s been passed down since the Stock family’s founding—it’s vital to our lineage’s continuity.”

“None of my children can protect it during the storm, so I entrust it to you. Once the storm passes, return it to the family, choosing someone worthy among the Stocks… As long as Faith persists, the Stock family will endure.”

“And if the Stocks are gone… then do with it as you see fit.”

Lynch nodded and accepted the Cross Sword: “I promise.”

“Dong! Dong! Dong!”

At that moment, majestic chimes echoed, resonating across Flower City.

Lynch was slightly startled.

He suddenly noticed traces of spiritual power woven into the sound.

He asked in puzzlement: “What’s this?”

Jamie responded, “The Church’s bell—it’s time for service. I’ll take you to see.”

Following Jamie, Lynch soon arrived before a newly constructed building—its colorful stained-glass windows and soaring obelisk tower clearly marked it as a church.

Lynch asked in confusion: “What is this?”

Jamie explained, “It’s the Freemasonry Church. They’ve only started spreading their gospel here in recent years, so you wouldn’t know it.”

At that moment, an elder emerged wearing a white robe and a mitre, his face radiating kindness. One hand held a brass vessel of water, while the other carried olive branches.

A crowd had gathered in front of the church entrance; they seemed to lose their senses, rushing forward and kneeling before the elder.

“Bishop!”

“Bishop!”

Their voices were filled with devotion.

Jamie said, “He’s distributing Holy Water—Lynch, excuse me for a moment.”

With that, he left Lynch behind and walked forward.

Watching the scene ahead, Lynch couldn’t shake a sense of unease, as if something ominous was brewing in the air.

His brow furrowed slightly without him realizing.

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