Chapter 135: Meeting the Goddess (1/2)

”Meet the goddess...” Bruce audibly whispered.

Ashlynn was also visibly shocked, while James Branzuela couldn't believe what he just heard.

”Captain... If we did that...”

”Yeah...”

James Branzuela didn't need to explain any further for everyone in this room, possibly apart from Calvin knew what would happen if someone suspected to be still under the control of an evil entity entered the presence of a goddess.

Apart from destruction, nothing good would come out of it.

But the fact that Ron Samuel was trying to do this for Calvin meant that he still was unconvinced that Calvin was an evil man. After he heard what Charlotte had to say earlier, Ron Samuel was convinced that Calvin had something inherently good within him.

Ron Samuel didn't want to repeat the mistakes that he had done in the past, so he was willing to give Calvin a chance and at the same time, let him undergo a trial by fire.

Out of the three orthodox churches, the Goddess of Compassion and Light had the most followers. But it was simply because the Goddess was far lenient, less aloof and more willing to help than the others.

What's more, she personally benedicts each and every member of the Cavaliers through the Profession Bestowal Ritual, but this ritual itself was actually quite dangerous.

Meeting a god as a mortal wasn't unheard of these days, but if one's heart wasn't sincere enough then destruction was the only path.

Furthermore, requesting the benediction of a god was expensive.

James Branzuela didn't want to waste precious resources into someone whose heart wasn't clear nor steadfast enough if they were indeed willing to serve the goddess and work for her. This was why the Profession Bestowal Ritual was dangerous, entering the ritual meant that one would be under the mercy of that particular god.

”It's fine... Let's just think of this as a gamble... If his heart is sincere enough and he has no evil within him, then it would be a blessing for us.”

”And if not...”

”Let's just say that I did a mistake...”

”I'll take all the responsibility for that mistake and I will make sure that none of you guys will be implicated by my choice.”

Ron Samuel swept his gaze across Bruce, Ashlynn, and James Branzuela.

”I object!”

James Branzuela suddenly cried out, ”I object, Captain! We must not let you shoulder such an unnecessary risk for the sake of a nobody.”

Bruce also stepped forward and glared at Calvin, ”That's right, Captain... I don't think anyone here knows more than what you do when it comes to how the Church punishes those that are corrupt and selfish. If you do such a ritual arbitrarily and it ends up horribly, then you'll be punished according to the Cavalier's Way!”

Punishment according to the Cavalier's way meant the destruction of a Predator's Origin.

In other words, it was becoming a cripple.

Considering Calvin's situation, Ron Samuel's actions were indeed taking an unnecessary risk.

”Stop it... I've already made a decision.” Ron Samuel shook his head dismissively.

Bruce and James Branzuela wanted to argue, but Ashlynn stopped them before they could even say anything.

”Ashlynn! What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?”

”Nope... My mind is as clear as ever... How long have you known the Captain, James?”

”What?” James Branzuela replied in annoyance, ”Why are you trying to stop us from convincing the Captain to not take such a risk for a nobody? If the ritual fails and this bastard dies under the presence of the goddess, then the Captain will be punished and crippled by the church! Can't you understand my feelings?! It's the Captain that we are talking about!”

”I know... But can't you also understand the Captain's feelings?” Ashlynn said with a tired look on her face.

”What?” James Branzuela looked visibly confused.

Ashlynn let out a sigh and explained, ”James, you sure are smart but you're too blind to see...”

”Look!” Ashlynn glanced at Ron Samuel, ”The Captain has already made his decision a few minutes ago. If you still can't understand what I mean, then I suggest you take a moment to calm down and think about the Captain's feelings that led to his decision.”

James Branzuela went silent.

”How about you? Are you still going to try and convince the Captain?” Ashlynn turned to Bruce.

Bruce shook his head, ”No... I don't dare to do so... But it's just that... What if...”

”I just need to pass, right?”

Calvin suddenly interrupted.

Bruce, Ashlynn, and James turned to look at Calvin.

”To save the Captain from being summarily executed by the church, I just need to pass through the trial, right?”

”You...” Calvin's nonchalant attitude annoyed Bruce, ”Do you think that passing through the Goddess's trial is that easy?! I've suffered through it and couldn't even wake up for an entire month even after I have completed that trial! How can you be so easygoing? The trial is not a walk in the park!”

”Yes, I know...” Calvin didn't deny Bruce's words, ”But in the end, what matters is that I pass, right?”

James Branzuela stared right at Calvin's eyes and for some reason, he could see that Calvin was incredibly confident of the odds of him surviving the trial.

”You... Why are you so confident? Just what is the reason why you are so confident?” James Branzuela found it unbelievable that a cripple could remain so calm and confident in the face of the prospects of meeting a literal goddess.

Bruce and Ashlynn also stared at Calvin.

Calvin let out a sigh and shook his head.

”I don't know... To be honest, I don't know... Something inside me is telling me that I will be able to get all the answers that I needed once I've met the Goddess... This is probably the reason why I am so calm, it should be because I am excited. Instead of being nervous, I feel that I can't wait to see the Goddess... But I don't know why...”