Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king Chapter 449: Temple’s land

For a full week, Robert walked among the small group of priests and pupils, his heavy boots treading the sa dirt paths as theirs. He, a lord with lands and a castle, walked as if he were still a simple knight, just another traveler moving from village to village with nothing but the weight of his own armor and the road ahead.

His son had offered him guards—many tis. After all, they had retainers now, n sworn to their family, ready to ride at his word. But Robert refused. He always refused. He could not see himself as a lord, not truly. A man like him,a man of failure —what right did he have to command others that were only gained through shaful betrayal?

And so, he traveled as he had in his younger days with his father. His armor, old but well-kept, was strapped to his body with the sa familiarity as a second skin. At his side, a shortsword hung in its scabbard, its edge sharp, its grip worn from years of use. A mace rested against on his hip . And tucked within easy reach was his rcy-bringer—a small dagger, thin and pointed, its blade slender enough to slip between the gaps of any armor, to offer a swift end when the battlefield demanded it.

Yet despire the horse, he walked as they walked, refusing the privilege of riding while the rest of the group moved on foot.

The priest had smiled upon seeing Robert fall into step beside them, saying nothing but clearly pleased.

As they journeyed together, Elios took it upon himself to converse with Robert, filling the quiet stretches of their walk with stories of the land where they had settled. He spoke of the villages under the temple’s protection—simple places, where the people worked the land with calloused hands and lived by the cycles of the seasons. The temple did not rely offer them spiritual guidance; it provided aid where it could, ensuring that no child went hungry, that the sick found care, and that the weary had a place to rest.

Yet their efforts did not stop at their own flock. Elios explained that the temple’s mission extended beyond its imdiate reach, helping even those outside its protection. Whether through charity, diation, or simply offering shelter to those in need, they did not turn away any who sought their aid.

But not all struggles could be t with kindness alone.

While Elios had found the southern lands of the princedom surprisingly free of bandits, the sa could not be said for the north. There, the roads were far less safe, and the rule of law wavered in the face of desperate n who had turned to brigandry. The temple, alongside those willing to aid them, had made it their mission to root out these dangers. Much of their ti and resources had been poured into eradicating the threat—whether through diplomacy, offering these n a different path, or, when all else failed, through force.

It was a never-ending task, one that tested both faith and steel. But Elios spoke of it with a quiet determination, as though it were simply another duty placed upon them by the gods. A task that must be done, no matter how long it took.

After a full week of walking, Robert finally laid eyes upon the so-called temple’s lands. At first glance, it appeared no different from any other settlent—simple houses of wood , thatched roofs dotting the landscape, nestled among fields where peasants toiled under the afternoon sun.

Yet, at the heart of it all, standing taller than any other structure, was the temple. It was not an opulent thing, not like the grand cathedrals of the capital, but it held a quiet dignity.

From the sheer number of hos and the bustle of people, he estimated that no more than nineteen hundred peasants lived here—perhaps a little more, but not by much. It was larger than three villages put together, but not quite a town.

Elios, walking beside him, gestured toward the land before them. "This is where we settled," he said, his voice carrying a note of pride. "But we are not alone. Many villages have entered our protection—scattered places, so farther than others, but all under the watchful eye of the temple."

As they walked further into the settlent, the people took notice. It did not matter whether they were humble peasants with dirt-streaked hands or n ard with steel at their hips—each one, upon seeing Elios, bowed deeply. So placed their hands over their hearts in reverence, others whispered quiet prayers under their breath.

Robert watched them, his brow furrowing slightly.

There were hundreds of them, scattered throughout the settlent. They did not bear the banners of any lord, yet they carried themselves with discipline. Their armor was not uniform, nor were their weapons.

As Robert walked through the settlent, his eyes flicked over the ard n once more, their presence gnawing at his thoughts. He turned to Elios, his voice low but firm.

"Why are there so many with weapons?" he asked.

’’Have you never heard of us?’’ Elios asked as he turned to Robert

The answer ca from a shake of his head

Elios chuckled softly, though there was no humor in it. "We co from the Empire, Robert. I was once just a wandering priest, a simple man carrying nothing but the words of the gods. I went from village to village, offering prayer, holding mass wherever there was no temple, speaking to those who would listen.And praying for those that were sick"

Robert watched him closely, saying nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"At first, I was alone," Elios went on. "But then, as the days passed, so chose to follow . A farr here, a craftsman there. They wished to do more than just listen—they wished to act." His expression grew distant, as if recalling sothing both fond and painful. "It started small. We held mass, but we also helped rebuild hos that had fallen to storms, tilled fields for widows, tended to the sick. People began to rely on us, not just for guidance, but for aid."

He paused, glancing at Robert. "And then, more ca. Not just the poor, not just those in need, but n who could fight. So were forr soldiers, others were just n tired of seeing their hos burned and their families butchered by bandits. They offered their swords, and with ti... we accepted."

Robert raised a brow. "You beca more than just priests, then."

Elios sighed. "We did what was necessary. Banditry is a plague, one that spreads where lords grow indifferent and roads are left unguarded. We tried, Robert—we tried to make them see the light, to turn them away from their path. So listened. Most did not." His voice was quieter now, tinged with sothing between regret and resolve. "And when they would not change, when they still chose to prey on the weak... we spilled blood. More tis than I would have liked."

Robert studied him, noting the weight in his words. He had t many n who killed and spoke of it lightly, as if it were as natural as breathing. Elios was not one of them. He carried the burden of it, even if he believed it necessary.

Robert exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "So you beca executioners."

Elios t his gaze, unwavering. "We beca shepherds. And sotis, a shepherd must drive out the wolves, to safeguard the sheeps.There is a lot of evil in the world, Robert," he said. "It festers in the shadows, in the forgotten corners of the land, where no one dares to look. But it is our duty to stop it—to bring light where there is darkness."

As he spoke, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. A man in armor strode toward them, his movents steady but carrying the weariness of long travel. His mail was dusted with the gri of the road, his sword resting at his side, the hilt worn from use. He ca to a stop before Elios and bowed his head in respect.

Elios’ face brightened with a warm smile. "Ah, sir Joshen," he said, calling the man by na. "It has been so ti. How fare you?"

Joshen straightened, offering a small smile of his own. "I fare as well as a man can in these tis, Father," he said, then tilted his head slightly. "How went your eting with the princess?"

Elios’ smile widened. "Very well. We are to organize a preacher to build a temple in the south and instruct the faithless in the ways of the gods. A great step forward."

Joshen nodded but did not seem entirely at ease. His smile was tinged with sorrow. "Good," he said, though his tone held a weariness deeper than just travel. "We could use so good news. These lands are infested with bandits. We have been marching day and night, chasing shadows in the woods, but there is always another den, another pack of wolves waiting in the dark."

As he spoke, his eyes shifted, landing on Robert. His gaze flicked over the man’s armor, noting the well-worn steel, the weapons at his side, the way he carried himself. Joshen’s brow furrowed slightly, and Elios, realizing his lapse, let out a small chuckle.

"Ah, I have yet to introduce him," the priest said. He turned to Robert and gestured toward him. "This is Robert. He is..."—Elios paused for the briefest mont, then continued—"soone looking for guidance."

Joshen studied Robert a mont longer, eyes narrowing slightly as they lingered on the knightly armor. "As everybody here is,Father. ’’

’’You are a knight,right?" he finally asked, though it was more statent than question.

Robert nodded once.

Joshen exhaled, his expression shifting into sothing considering. "Then perhaps you would be willing to help the sheep by culling the wolves," he said. "We have word of another camp, deep in the forest. A bandit stronghold. We are to ride out in a few days, once our n have rested and our stores have been replenished. Another hunt, another cleansing."

Robert turned his gaze to Elios, his expression thoughtful. Around him, the settlent was alive with purpose. In the fields, n and won toiled under the sun, their hands calloused from work but steady with the knowledge that their labor sustained the flock. In the distance, ard n stood watch, their presence a silent promise of protection. Each person had a role, each played their part in sothing greater than themselves.

"Everyone here is doing sothing," Robert said at last. "The peasants till the earth, bringing food to the table. The n with weapons guard them, ensuring that their labor is not stolen, that their lives are not snuffed out by bandits and worse." He exhaled, glancing down at his own hands—hands that had spent a lifeti holding weapons, taking lives. "Each is a noble job... if done for the right reasons."

Elios gave him a knowing smile, nodding gently. "All I can do is set you on the road, Robert,you are here looking for guidance" he said, his voice warm, understanding. "But you are the one who must walk it."

For a mont, Robert said nothing. He let the words settle within him, their weight pressing against the hollow in his chest. Then, slowly, he turned to Joshen.

"I am willing to help," he said’’ It’s been a bit since I used the sword’’