What is an offensive priest?

Chapter 38 The Harpists' Alliance!

The next morning.

There is only one day left until the deadline given by the goblins.

In preparation for the coming war against the army of the Supreme God, Blackrock Town began intensive pre-battle preparations.

On the towering walls, there were no longer only guards.

Throughout the town, every villager who was physically able to move around.

They all rushed to the vicinity of the wall, contributing in any way they could to the battle to defend their homeland tomorrow.

Strong men used simple pulleys made of thick hemp ropes and logs to hoist rocks weighing hundreds of kilograms onto the wall.

These rocks were neatly stacked behind the battlements, and when the goblins launched their attack, they would become the most lethal defensive weapon.

Several experienced hunters carefully carried several buckets of viscous lubricating oil up the fence.

These lubricants are made by boiling a mixture of animal fat and pine resin. When the local savages climb the wall, a whole bunch of them are poured down, leaving them like rats falling into a vat of oil, unable to find any foothold and falling off the high wall.

Blacksmith Gron personally took off his shirt and, with several apprentices, moved out all the weapons in the blacksmith shop's inventory free of charge.

This is not all.

Groon's true masterpiece was the two giant spiked pendulums that hung inside the city gate.

He collected useless ironware from the town and chained it, designing it into a mechanism hidden in the walls.

Once the city gates are breached and the goblins rush in, pull the lever, and two spiked hammers will swing horizontally from both sides like pendulums.

It is the first line of defense against the goblins!

The village women were also busy at the foot of the wall.

They set up more than a dozen large iron pots in the open space behind them.

Potatoes, carrots, cured meat, and a thick stew made from couscous were simmering in the pot.

Although the ingredients were simple, the portions were generous, and the steaming aroma filled the air, bringing a touch of warmth to the tense atmosphere.

Several older women also brought out their own cellar's treasured wines, which they placed in wooden barrels next to the stew pot.

Chief of Staff Weiss stood atop the highest point of the wall, overlooking the scene before him.

His gaze swept over the busy crowd, and seeing the villagers' united determination, the last trace of gloom in his heart completely dissipated at that moment.

And all of this is thanks to one man.

Chief of Staff Weiss turned his head and looked at the figure who was directing the deployment not far away.

No matter what threats they face, Blackrock Town will never yield as long as Pastor Richard is there.

Sister Sharon had somehow walked up the wall, carrying an intricately woven willow basket filled with freshly picked wild fruit.

She distributed wild berries to each passing guard, her movements as natural as tending to flowers and plants in a church garden.

"The people of Blackrock Town are more resolute than anyone can imagine. Even the Flying Dragon Rock Fortress, guarded by the Flame Fist Mercenary Group, has never shown such a spirit."

The noble paladin from Baldur's Gate couldn't help but sigh at the sight before him.

Upon hearing Crowe's words, the thief Maurice gave an inappropriate sneer.

"If Blackrock Town were guarded by the Flame Fist mercenaries, the goblins probably wouldn't dare to attack."

"What's the point of comparing them?"

Richard stood to the side, shook his head slightly, and did not argue.

He also gazed at the villagers of Heishui Town, watching their busy figures with a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

This is not a capital city or fortress, but just a remote border town.

Here, there was no elite armed army, only a group of civilians carrying farm tools and a dozen or so wounded young guards.

"Achieving this much is already very good!"

Just as the defensive fortifications were being carried out in full swing.

Blackrock Town welcomed an unexpected guest.

"Hello!"

"I'm Gron's cousin, please open the city gate!"

A bard dressed in bright green, exquisitely tailored clothes stood beneath the wall and shouted loudly.

A feather was stuck in his wide-brimmed hat, a rapier hung at his waist, and the lute in his hand was extremely conspicuous.

The commotion attracted the attention of the blacksmith Gron, who had set up the trap nearby.

He lay on the edge of the wall, peering down. When he saw the person's face clearly, his face was filled with ecstasy and excitement.

"It's my cousin!"

"Chief of Staff, please open the city gates!"

"He's a member of the Harpists' League; he's here to help us!"

Chief of Staff Weiss looked at Richard, and after receiving a signal, ordered the guards to open the city gates.

creak-

The wooden bridge slowly lowered.

The bard Omir walked onto the wooden bridge with light, dance-like steps.

When he saw the trench under the bridge, filled with sharpened wooden stakes, he couldn't help but click his tongue and exclaim in an exaggerated, theatrical tone.

"Tsk tsk..."

"If this falls, it'll probably become Mr. Hedgehog's relative, won't it?"

His tone was relaxed, as if he were merely commenting on a past scene.

After the bard Omir safely set foot on the land inside the walls.

"Cousin—!"

Blacksmith Gronn charged forward like a cannonball, opening his arms to give the bard a solid hug.

But the problem is...

The blacksmith Gronn, being a dwarf, was only a little over four feet tall.

The bard Omir was estimated to be at least six feet tall.

So this heartwarming hug turned into a comical scene where Grom was hanging on Omir's knees.

Let me introduce you.

"This is my cousin, Omir."

"He's a member of the Harpists' League!"

This is the third time he has mentioned Omir's identity, and it is clear that he is truly proud of it.

Avel stood beside Richard, his crimson eyes filled with undisguised curiosity.

Looking at her cousins, whose height difference was like that of two different species, she finally couldn't help but speak up.

"You're his cousin?!"

Upon hearing this, Omir gracefully removed his wide-brimmed hat and bowed to the crowd in a very gentlemanly manner.

"As you can see, it's the real deal!"

Their movements were fluid and their posture elegant, as if they were not under the tense walls before a battle, but on the stage of a noble banquet.

Seeing everyone's confusion, the blacksmith Gron explained.

"Omir's father was born to my grandfather's fourth wife, who was an elf."

Although it sounds incredible, it doesn't seem unacceptable in the racially diverse continent of Faerûn.

Kro looked at Omir and asked.

"Isn't the road to Blackrock Town blocked?"

"How did you get here?"

Upon hearing this, the bard Omir gave a mysterious smile.

He reached out and lifted the lining of his emerald green coat, revealing at least ten pockets of varying sizes, stuffed with rolled-up parchment scrolls.

"Thanks to my mage companion, he prepared some scrolls for me in advance, including a spell for the Shadow Step."

"But unfortunately, all the gifts I prepared for Timmy were left outside."

Chief of Staff Weiss walked up to Omir, a scarred veteran who had lived in the town for many years and knew the bard.

"Although your timing was unfortunate, Blackrock Town welcomes you back nonetheless."

Omir glanced at Chief of Staff Vess's mutilated arm and the guards busily defending the walls, his cynical smile fading.

"What happened here?"

"Even outside the walls, such heavy defenses were deployed."

Richard had been silently observing him, and after confirming his identity, he finally spoke.

"As you can see, the army of the Supreme God will attack Blackrock Town tomorrow, and we are preparing our defenses."

"You can leave anytime you want; don't get involved in this mess!"

The bard remained silent for only a moment.

Then, he slowly raised the lute in his hand and gently plucked the strings with his fingers.

A string of clear, spring-like notes flowed out under the midday sun.

The bard Omir raised his head, and a rare solemnity appeared in his emerald eyes.

"The Harpists' Alliance Omir".

"Request to join the defense!"