What is an offensive priest?

Chapter 23 Green Woodland

Entrance to Heishi Town.

Chief of Staff Weiss led the still-mobile guards in a night-long emergency repair effort, using stones dug out of the ruins, logs felled from the edge of the forest, and hard soil adhesive stored in the warehouse.

They forcefully plugged back the hole that had been blown open by the gunpowder barrel.

Sharpened wooden spikes were added outside the wall, and a simple arrow tower was set up every few dozen steps. Although it was rudimentary, it at least provided basic defense.

"Sir Richard, are you alright?"

Kro was somewhat worried about Richard's condition. After all, even a paladin would have difficulty recovering quickly from a head-on attack by a goblin.

"It's all right now."

Richard's complexion had improved significantly, and although he still felt a slight ache in his shoulder, it didn't seem to have a major impact.

He looked at the two of them and gave them instructions.

"I'll leave Blackrock Town in your care. We're heading to Greenwoods, and regardless of whether our request for help is successful or not, we'll return as quickly as possible."

Kro patted his chest armor, his eyes revealing determination, and said solemnly.

"In the name of the Sterme family's honor, I will absolutely not allow goblins to set foot in Blackrock Town!"

Behind them, the guards of Blackrock Town, under the command of Chief of Staff Weiss, stood in a neat row, their fists clenched at their chests, their expressions solemn and dignified.

We extend our sincerest respect to this pastor who, despite his injuries, tirelessly worked for the safety of Blackrock Town.

Richard nodded: "I'm leaving Blackrock Town in your care!"

……

Southeast of the Howling Mountains, a winding path through the coniferous forest.

There are still scattered gnolls guarding the crossroads.

These monsters, controlled by the forces of the Underdark, roam the forest like hunting dogs, searching for any prey that might escape their encirclement.

"Thirty paces to the left front, three birds."

Avel lowered his voice, his staff already raised.

Richard also sensed it; the priest's extraordinary perception allowed him to detect the lurking threat in advance. He clenched his fists, preparing to get up and fight.

But Avel pressed his hand down.

"Your injuries haven't fully healed yet," she said, her voice carrying an undeniable firmness. "Leave these rabble to me."

As soon as she finished speaking, she had completed the incantation.

"Magic Missile!"

Three fist-sized, dark purple missiles made entirely of arcane energy shot out from the top of the staff!

The missile traced three intersecting arcs in the air, precisely avoiding the trees along its path, as if it had eyes, and shot towards the gnolls.

boom! boom! boom!

The missile struck the heads of three gnolls simultaneously.

Arcane Missiles are not as explosive as Fireballs, but each one has the property of penetrating magic.

Before the three gnolls could even raise an alarm, their heads were smashed by missiles, oozing white fluid, their neck bones cracking with a crisp sound, and their bodies slumped to the ground.

Clean, efficient, and without the slightest delay.

The two continued on their way.

To ease the awkwardness of the silence and to distract himself from the pain in his shoulder, Richard suddenly spoke.

"Are you familiar with that druid camp?"

Avel was taken aback.

She remained silent for a moment, seemingly considering her words, but ultimately decided to tell the truth.

"I have never seen them, but I know... Master Halsin of the Green Garden."

Richard paused slightly in his steps.

Halsin.

This name is well-known even in the most remote town in the northern part of Sword Bay.

A powerful Moon Society druid and leader of Greenwood, with a strong sense of justice.

More importantly, he does not reject humans.

Although Richard already knew that Avir's drow elf identity was a disguise, he didn't expect that he would know the archdruid Halsin, which suggests that his identity is also extraordinary.

Avel seemed to sense Richard's surprise and explained softly.

"Grand Druid Halsin visited my father many years ago, when I was very young."

"When he left, he gave me a badge that would guide me to the nearby green woodland."

"No matter where I am, I can always ask the druids nearby for help whenever I need it."

She carefully took out a badge from the dimensional pouch at her waist.

It was a round badge carved from oak, only the size of a palm.

The front of the badge features a design of intertwined vines and a crescent moon, a symbol of the Society of the Moon, while the back is inscribed with a line of small Druidic words.

"The forest will live on forever, and the sanctuary will endure."

Richard could keenly sense the powerful natural magic contained within, and even a faint resonance with the surrounding forest.

Looking at the badge in her hand, Richard felt more confident about his mission to seek help.

"Aren't you going to ask me about my identity anymore?"

Looking at Richard's calm profile, Avel couldn't help but ask curiously.

Richard shook his head.

His gaze remained fixed on the path ahead, his voice calm and indifferent.

"Having gone through these battles, you've at least proven your attitude."

"By choosing to entrust my back to you, I have already demonstrated my trust in you!"

"As for your identity, you will tell us yourself when the time comes."

Avel stared blankly at Richard.

Those golden eyes, which were always as calm as a lake, now reflected the dappled light and shadow in the forest, as well as her own somewhat bewildered face.

She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end she just lowered her head and whispered.

"Thanks……"

The sound was so soft that it was almost blown away by the wind.

It lasted half a day.

It was already dusk when the two arrived at the entrance to Emerald Valley.

The afterglow of the setting sun painted the western sky with a gradient of orange-red.

The entrance to Emerald Valley is hidden in a precipitous mountain pass.

On both sides are towering granite cliffs hundreds of feet high, covered with dark green moss and hanging vines.

At the mouth of the valley, a 15-foot-high earthen wall stands like the arm of a giant, completely isolating the valley from the outside world.

On the wall, the faint light of torches flickered in the wind, and the suspended wooden gate remained tightly closed.

Richard and his companion arrived at the outer wall, but before Avel could call out,

call out--!

An arrow, with a sharp whistling sound, came hurtling down from the wall!

It wasn't aimed at a vital point, but rather a warning shot.

The arrow landed precisely three inches in front of Richard's feet, embedding itself in the ground with a thud, its green fletching still trembling slightly.

"Watch out!"

Richard raised his hand to stop Avel from stepping forward, his sharp gaze fixed on the direction from which the arrow had come.

An elf druid peeked out from the shadows of the watchtower.

He had typical elven features: pointed ears, a slender figure, and long, silvery-white hair that fell behind his head.

He wore simple armor made of animal hides and leaves, and held a yew longbow in his hand, the bowstring still vibrating slightly.

"Stop, human."

"This is not a place for you! Emerald Valley does not welcome outsiders!"

Avel stepped forward, looked up, and stated the purpose of his visit.

"We mean no harm; we are requesting assistance!"

"Blackrock Town is besieged by goblins and creatures from the Underdark. We hope Green Garden can provide assistance."

The druid elf seemed uninterested, his voice cold and distant.

That's your problem.

"You should have expected this day when you wantonly destroyed the forests!"

A typical Druidic response.

In the doctrine of natural balance, human towns are themselves an invasion of nature.

Seeing the druid's attitude, Richard and Avel exchanged a glance.

Avel displays the emblem of the verdant woodland.

"Master Halsin sent me!"

When the druid elf saw the badge in his hand, he reluctantly smacked his lips, but eventually changed his attitude.

"Damn it, fine!"

"Stand back a bit. If you get crushed by the falling city gate, that's none of my business."

crunch--

The heavy sound of a winch turning came from inside the wall.

The two iron chains hanging the wooden door began to loosen slowly, and the door panel slowly descended under the influence of gravity.

Bang-!

The heavy impact made the ground tremble slightly.

Amidst the rising dust, the gates leading to Emerald Valley opened.

Richard and Avel exchanged a glance, both seeing the same judgment in each other's eyes.

Judging from this druid's attitude, this request for help is unlikely to go too smoothly.