When the patrol team returned to the stronghold again, it immediately caused a considerable commotion.
Almost everyone in the stronghold knew what the patrol team was going to do.
After all, many of them had received Liam's invitation, but due to various concerns, they ultimately chose to refuse and give up.
After all, in their opinion, it was too dangerous to send a patrol team to clean up the surrounding monsters in the Underdark, and the leader was actually a young mercenary in his early twenties. According to everyone's opinion, the end of this unlucky patrol team was either to abandon their armor and flee, or to disappear forever in the labyrinth of the Underdark like the previous patrol teams.
As for the possibility of completing the mission and returning, in their opinion, it was probably less than 1%.
However, the fact that the patrol team returned with a bountiful harvest gave them a hard slap in the face. It would be fine if they came back by themselves, but looking at the mercenaries and guards happily waving necklaces made of Fire Lizard teeth, bloodstained claws, and even daunting skulls, these spoils of war were enough to shut everyone's mouths.
Therefore, the mercenaries who were glad that they didn't follow the Temple of Light to do something stupid were dumbfounded this time. They began to blame themselves for being stupid and losing such a good opportunity for nothing.
Looking at the mercenaries' hands and clothes, one could imagine how many people would compliment them when they returned to the surface after leaving the Underdark.
The mercenaries in the stronghold were extremely envious of them. One had to know that mercenaries were originally a profession that depended on their lives, and they came to the Underdark for wealth and fame.
In the end, the monsters in the Underdark were a hundred times more ferocious than the animals on the surface. After such a long time, the mercenaries suffered heavy casualties, but only a few monsters were killed.
Now, this group of people had returned from a trip with spoils of war all over their bodies. There was even a mercenary who skinned a few Fire Lizards and said that he wanted to make leather armor. This made the others jealous and envious. They were speechless.
Especially when they heard that there were hundreds of Fire Lizard corpses in the depths of the Underdark that hadn't been dealt with in time, many mercenaries were instantly tempted. If it weren't for the fact that they didn't know the exact location, perhaps they would have rushed out themselves.
Of course, there were also some clever mercenaries who went to find the people who participated in this adventure and promised them a large sum of money, hoping that they would bring them to the Fire Lizard's nest to get some leftovers.
However, those who survived the battle against the Fire Salamanders weren't fools. They knew very well that without Jenn's guidance, they wouldn't have survived even if they had ten times the number of people.
Therefore, when faced with these invitations, the mercenaries flatly refused.
Although the rewards were very tempting, they wouldn't do something that would cost them their lives.
With the help of these mercenaries, Jenn's name quickly spread throughout the entire Stronghold. Now, almost everyone knew that there was a powerful person who was very familiar with the Underdark. Not only was he familiar with the various situations in the Underdark, but he even dared to lead a few dozen people to face the attack of hundreds and thousands of Fire Salamanders.
No one would believe these words if they came from the mouth of a mercenary.
After all, mercenaries loved to brag. Even if they defeated a few Goblin Thieves on the street, they could brag about it as though they had saved the world.
But after Liam and the other paladins confirmed that it wasn't an exaggeration, Jenn's reputation instantly rose to another level.
At least in the Stronghold, everyone knew about him.
Just when everyone in the Stronghold was in an uproar because of the patrol team's victorious return, Locus also met the 'legendary man'.
"I've heard from Liam about the situation of this mission. You did very well."
Locus sat behind the desk and stared at the young man in front of him.
He was still wearing that luxurious and even a little dazzling noble attire. He leaned against the back of the chair and fiddled with a black, inconspicuous cane in his hand.
Upon hearing Locus's words, Jenn lifted his head and swept a glance at him, but he didn't speak. Perhaps Locus would never have thought that the reason why he ended up in this state was largely due to this man in front of him.
Elise, on the other hand, sat quietly behind Zayen as usual. She was obviously a little nervous in front of a Paladin, but fortunately, out of courtesy, Locus did not pay too much attention to her. He only carefully sized up the girl in front of him when Elise took off her hood, and then quickly withdrew his gaze.
Locus wasn't surprised by Jenn's attitude. In fact, when Liam and Ralph reported to him, they had both mentioned that Jenn's most troublesome trait was his arrogance.
Of course, a capable person would naturally have a bad temper. Zayen had clearly demonstrated the power and wisdom he possessed, so it was understandable for him to have a little arrogance that surfaced as a result.
"You've eliminated the threats around the Stronghold and defeated so many underground monsters. Of course, the temple won't turn a blind eye to this.
We'll also pay enough rewards for this. "
Looking at Zayen's expression, Locus decisively decided to give up on the pleasantries and get straight to the point. Judging from Zayen's expression, he obviously did not like the other nobles who liked to be polite with words.
"If Mr. Jenn has anything that you need the temple's help with, you can naturally mention it. As long as it's within our capabilities, the temple will definitely solve these problems for you."
Tsk, it sounds better than a song.
Upon hearing Locus's words, Jenn snorted coldly in his heart.
Clearly, I'm the one who solved their problems. These guys should be crying and kneeling down to praise my greatness, and at the same time, willingly offering everything to express their gratitude.
But after hearing Locus's words, it became as though the rewards they gave him were a gift to him, and he should instead be grateful and kneeling down to express his gratitude and loyalty.
"In fact, I do have something that I need the church's assistance with."
Jenn decisively used the word 'assistance', which could be considered as turning the tables in the dark.
"Holy Knight Leader Locus, the Barxianon Mens Family has always shouldered the mission of fighting against the monsters of the Underdark.
Our ancestors once paid a heavy price for this. Moreover, they once responded to the Holy Church's call and participated in the Holy War against the Underdark. "
Locus' expression stiffened. That Holy War was an eternal pain in the hearts of the believers of the War God Temple. The fall of a true god could be said to be unprecedented, and probably would not be repeated in the future.
The news of the War God Maca's death spread across the entire continent. Whether it was the believers of other temples, the evil cultists who wanted to destroy the god, or even the scholars and mages who studied history, they would mention this matter from time to time to prove that gods were not omnipotent and immortal.
The War God Maca's death spread across the entire continent. Whether it was the believers of other temples, the evil cultists who wanted to replace the god, or even the scholars and mages who studied history, they would mention this matter from time to time to prove that gods were not omnipotent and immortal.
As for the War God Temple, they would always be dragged into this matter. As a result, on the Klein Continent, even though the War God Temple was already weak, it was still the most famous of all the temples.
As the saying went, 'Good things never go out the door, bad things go a thousand miles.'
"In that Holy War, my family paid a heavy price, and because of this, we were unable to recover and gradually declined."
As he spoke, Jenn raised his head and stared straight at Locus.
"I have always hoped to restore the glory of my family and obtain the glory and dignity that we deserve … Therefore, I hope to receive the Medal of Honor from the Holy Church."
"Medal of Honor?!"
Hearing this, Locus frowned. As soon as Zayen spoke, he knew that things would not be so easy to handle.
And now, it seemed that Jenn had indeed given him a huge problem!
The Medal of Honor was the highest honor that the Holy Church could give to non-members. Only those who had made outstanding contributions to the Holy Church had the right to receive this medal.
Although the Medal of Honor itself was not worth much, the political significance it contained was greater than the wealth that could be seen with the naked eye.
Those who possessed the Medal of Honor had the right to draw the symbol of the Holy Church on their family emblem.
In other words, as long as one obtained the Medal of Honor, it was equivalent to having the Holy Church's huge backing.
Of course, if the holder of the Medal of Honor used this opportunity to commit crimes, the Holy Church would naturally not let them off.
But as long as it did not violate the doctrines and laws, the Holy Church would give them special privileges and convenience to a certain extent.
Considering the Holy Church's influence in the Klein Continent, it could even be said that as long as one had this Medal of Honor, they could do whatever they wanted in the Klein Continent.
And the status of families with the Medal of Honor would also rise. In some small countries, their status could even be compared to the royal family.
As for the family history that Zayen mentioned, Locus did not think that Zayen was lying to him. This was because everyone in the Temple of Light knew very well that when they first attacked the Underdark, many families had indeed responded to the Church of Holy Light's call to enter the Underdark. After that tragic battle, less than one in ten of them could return alive. Many ancient families with glorious histories were thus obliterated in the dust of history.
Since the Holy Church had also suffered heavy losses at that time, they didn't have the time to care about those noble families anymore. Many noble families also declined because of this, and there were actually quite a few examples like the Barxianon Mens family.
"This is a very difficult matter, Mr. Jenn."
Thinking of this, Locus restrained his expression and stared at Zayen.
"You should be clear that the Medal of Honor is the highest honor that the Holy Church gives out. Not everyone has the right to receive it."
"Indeed."
Jenn nodded at Locus' answer.
"But, I think I have the right."
Locus was taken aback by Jenn's answer.
"Why?"
"Why?"
Jenn sneered and stood up.
"Because I come from the Barxianon Mens Family, Holy Knight Locus.
My ancestors, my ancestors answered the call of the Holy Church and entered the Dark Territory. For the sake of light and justice, they fought against the evil, cunning, and vicious monsters of the Dark Territory as well as the dark magical creatures.
They sacrificed everything for this, but what did the Holy Church give them?
No, they didn't give us anything. They only cared about licking their wounds and didn't care about outsiders like us, allowing us to decline and perish.
My ancestors sacrificed so much for their faith, but the Holy Church couldn't even be bothered to shed a tear! "
At this point, Zayen suddenly waved his hands, and his voice became louder and louder.
"You have to get back up from where you fell!
My family sacrificed everything for the Holy Church, but we didn't receive the fair treatment that we deserved!
And I came here to take back everything that my family should have gotten!
What my family couldn't get last time, this time, I must get it! "
Jenn clenched his fists and tears welled up in his eyes. He bit his lips and stared at Locus.
Under his gaze, Locus revealed an uncomfortable expression.
As a member of the Holy Church, of course he knew the mess that was left behind after the last Holy War.
If he didn't see it with his own eyes, it would be fine. But now …
"I think you should be aware of my strength, Sir Locus.
Of course, I can serve a royal family and obtain the identity of a knight.
But I won't do that because my ancestors were devout in their faith in the Nine Saints. I am the same.
That's why I came here to fight for the Holy Church.
But I hope to receive a fair and just response. This shouldn't be a difficult task, right, Holy Knight Locus? "
Having said that, Zayen looked at Locus again. The expression on his face was so sincere and solemn.
If the Klein Continent had an Oscar, Jenn would be able to compete for the Best Actor Award.
"… This …"
Under Zayen's gaze, Locus could not help but lower his head with a troubled expression.
He thought for a moment and sighed.
"Let me think about it."