Overlord: Start from the Goblin Lair.

Chapter 348 Judge Aaron

"What difference does it make?"

"There is a huge difference: deciding not to tell the church members the truth may lead to condemnation and punishment, while not deciding whether to tell them is a reasonable judgment based on the actual situation," Evander said. "Miss Victoria, do you think it is necessary for you to tell them everything you have experienced since birth?"

"What do you eat every day, how long do you sleep, and how long is each candle when you pray?"

"This..." Victoria knew that this was a sophistry, but if she wanted to get through this safely, she needed such rhetoric.

"It seems that you agree," Evander turned to Ron, "My Lord, Miss Victoria is indeed as reasonable as you said. If you also agree with this approach, Miss Victoria, you may need some training in the next few days - but please rest assured that these are all very decent, appropriate and reasonable words."

"Are you sure?" Victoria still felt something was wrong.

"On the honor of a nobleman."

In the following days, merchants and travelers passing by noticed that the gateway leading to the city-state alliance had become unusually busy, with many things being moved in and out, and the flow of people more frequent than before. There were some rumors claiming that this was to welcome a certain delegation, but no one could tell who this so-called "delegation" was and what they were doing.

It wasn't until a week later, on a hot afternoon, that a fully armed team of four riding horses and pack animals slowly approached the checkpoint south of the trading post.

"Old Lei, I think we have reached our destination," Perglen sat on the broad back of the beast of burden, rising and falling rhythmically with the movement of the mount below him. "It really deserves to be the frontier of the frontier. Look at these simple buildings. I am afraid that the glory of civilization and order can only go no further here."

Sister Pelgrand is already thirty-six years old this year, but as an unmarried woman she still maintains a good physical condition. The nun's uniform, which is mainly black and white, rises and falls with the iron armor that binds her. On the pack animal she rides, the heavy lead-filled staff sways from time to time.

"You cannot address people by their names when performing official duties, Priest Perglen." The man riding a strong brown horse in the lead did not turn his head and remained upright. His beloved horse also moved in a methodical manner, with its four iron hooves stepping on the solid dirt road. Although the horse was not wearing armor, anyone who saw it could feel that this horse was completely different from ordinary domestic horses, slaughter horses, and racehorses - it was a battle-hardened warhorse.

"Also, don't replace objective facts with your own subjective assumptions: the lords here have transformed the wild swamps into trading posts and towns, which is undoubtedly a meritorious service in spreading order. As for those hearsays, they should not be factors that affect your judgment."

"Okay, okay, Judge Aaron, I'll learn from your mistakes," Perglen shrugged. "In fact, it didn't affect my judgment. Look at the lord here. I did the same thing, but the process was different."

"Be serious, priest," said a bearded dwarf sitting upright on a pack animal to Perglan's right, "We represent the Molten Iron Fortress, how can we be so lax!"

"Although we have just withdrawn from the battlefield, official business is official business. I advise you to put aside your decadent thoughts of sightseeing." The companion on Perglan's left hand side also spoke up. Judging from his slightly pointed ears, he should be a half-elf. He was only wearing a coarse cloth robe and a scabbard more than one meter long was slung around his waist.

"Speaking of which, I have always felt that you seem to have strayed from the teachings, but it is strange that you can pass every test."

"There is a reason why I was nominated as a bishop for seven consecutive years on the battlefield, monk," Perglen snorted coldly, "Well, since our Lord the Chief Judge has spoken, I will naturally follow his instructions - everyone cheer up, the lord here has been waiting for us for a long time." As a veteran soldier, Perglen's perception is far more acute than that of ordinary people. Although Ron was not nearby at this time, but used magic to observe the four uninvited guests from a distance, he still could not escape her eyes.

"They are undoubtedly experienced warriors," Kalade sat next to Ron, leaning on his halberd. Behind him were two hundred goblins and three bear goblins. In addition, Driver and Sylvia were also hidden in the team. "Are you sure you don't need us to cheer you up? Soldiers and adventurers are very different."

"Your presence may lead the situation directly to war," Ron waved his hands repeatedly, "Let's stick to the original plan. From this position, you can observe the place where we will meet later and watch my signal. If something goes wrong, you will naturally be of use."

"Victoria, Ivy, Sera, Quest and Andre, you all come with me. Evander, you lead the way, and you answer questions for Victoria when necessary."

"Yes, sir." Evander was ordered to have a good night's rest yesterday, so he seemed particularly energetic these days.

Victoria clenched her fists unconsciously. She had been thinking about it day and night these days and had prepared for the worst. But... I hope things won't come to that.

After their masters submitted documents to the guards, the brown warhorse and the three pack animals slowly walked into the trading post. This place, once a den of robbers, no longer had any trace of banditry. The smell of gold, silver and copper coins mixed with the smell of various goods filled the air, hitting the noses that were accustomed to the smell of blood and filth.

"Every 'vacation' is a redemption," said the bearded dwarf wearing a horned helmet in a voice that only he could hear. "Only by returning to civilization can we realize the meaning of survival and not degenerate into demons who only know how to kill."

"Are you here to do business or to stay in the hotel?" A courageous hotel waiter stepped forward and tried to lead the head of the judge's horse. Aaron seemed to be willing to hand the reins to him, but the warhorse under him just bared its teeth, and an indescribable breath made the waiter feel chilled from head to toe. He screamed in fear, jumped backwards like a rabbit, and fled into the hotel without looking back.

Seeing this, how could anyone who wanted to strike up a conversation or solicit customers dare to step forward? Everyone dispersed, leaving the most spacious space in the trading station for these four people and four beasts.

Aaron pulled back the reins, as if he was already used to this. He slightly narrowed his eyes, which were the same color as the warhorse's coat, and stared at a group of people approaching against the crowd.

Five humans and a half-elf, nothing seemed wrong except for the tiefling.

"That's a warrior monk," the monk carrying a long sword sheath naturally knew what his colleagues were thinking, "Judging from the way he walks, he must have been trained in the Shadow Sect."

That's easy. When the priest of Heim and the practitioner of Shadow Sect are together, either both of them have problems or neither of them has problems. There is no third possibility.

Aaron nodded slightly to indicate that he heard it. When Ron and the others approached a few meters closer, the chief judge raised the hand holding the whip high: "Everyone - dismount and line up!"

"The Third Parish of the Molten Iron Rampart, Chief Inquisitor Raymond Aron, has come here under the orders of the Grand Inquisitor and the Archbishop to perform our religious order's duty of examining the relevant clergy!"

(End of this chapter)