266,

After experiencing a fierce battle, the Water Church priest, Forcia, was criticized by the villagers and recalled to the Holy City, along with his true nature exposed. Immediately, a new priest arrived within a day. Unlike the previous one who left, this time it was an older priest, personally escorted by the village chief of another village. Despite the villagers' indifference and lack of trust towards the new priest, they learned from the novice nuns that he still dedicated himself to helping every troubled and confused seeker who came to seek divine guidance.

Though there were very few people seeking confession, the old priest remained kind. The legacy of the Water Church continued, only with a change in personnel. Of course, whether it was Cyclone or anyone else, it was unjust to judge a religious system solely based on one person's greed. However, Cyclone felt that this old priest might need more time to change the villagers' perspectives on the Water Church.

Several days passed, and it seemed as if nothing had changed. Cyclone's body finally fully recovered. "Come on, Cyclone, my friend! This meal is a celebration from big brother for your recovery!" "When did you become my big brother..." With a cold sweat, Cyclone was led by Mathews to a bar in Riverbranch. The outermost room on the ground floor was unexpectedly booked by Cabellus. "I am older than you, so naturally, I am your big brother~" "Pah! I almost died by your hands! You want to be my big brother?!" "Oh, I didn't expect Allen the hero to be so petty~" As if nothing had happened, Cabellus picked up his glass. "Here! Once we drink this, we will be good brothers!" In reality, Cyclone didn't mind. At the end of his memory, Cyclone remembered Cabellus crying very ugly. Yes, Cyclone broke the reality and involved the villagers in troubles that had nothing to do with them, challenging the magic-wielding priest with the power of a commoner. But if no one sought help from the villagers back then, after berating the Water Church priest, they might not have remembered to extinguish the fire and save lives. Cyclone acted cool, and Cabellus acted pitiable. They shared the work equally. Seeing Cyclone drink a glass of wine, Cabellus happily said, "Then we are good brothers from now on!" "Good!" "Talking behind my back won't work..." In place of Cyclone, Mathews hid behind Cyclone and shouted. "Tsk! Cyclone, can't you read the atmosphere?" "Damn it! It's not related to the atmosphere!" Seeing Cyclone unwilling to back down, it seemed that Cabellus' good intentions would be in vain when Cyclone suddenly said, "Let's skip the brotherhood and just be friends." Hearing this, the two of them immediately started dancing. "See, I knew it! How could Allen the hero be so petty, hehehe~" It was clearly flattery, but Cyclone enjoyed it very much. After all, having a few more friends couldn't hurt. However, as Cyclone watched Cabellus dancing, he couldn't help but feel something deep within him.

"Cabellus, you'd better not be a poet anymore, you should become an actor instead~"

"La la la~ Cyclone, my friend, you probably don't understand poets, so it's okay for you to say that. I don't blame you~"

"Oh~"

Cabellus put down his glass and became serious.

"As a poet, our noble mission is not something ordinary people can comprehend."

"What?! Tell me more!"

Cabellus paused for a moment, blushed slightly, and said,

"It's about promoting ourselves!"

In an instant, Cyclone clapped his right hand over his eyes, while giving a thumbs up with his left hand.

"For fame, the battle of poets can be quite intense, you know~"

"You win! You win!!"

***