Chapter 96
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At the forefront of the hall, the bright red lines on the graph soared high, catching everyone's attention.
On both sides and below the hall, nobles, knights, merchants, craftsmen, and others fell silent.
Under the command of the bald archbishop, a piece of armrest snapped off with a crisp sound.
He stood up abruptly, saying, "What should we do? Tell us, and we'll cooperate with you!"
It was a tremendous trust and an immense responsibility. Despite Garrett Nordmark's dual roles as a priest and a mage, combining two level-one professions, he was still far less powerful than the bald archbishop. Yet, Garrett showed no fear. He extended his right hand, fingers ticking off one by one as he spoke:
"First, gather all the patients in one place, separate them based on severity. Assign people to take care of the mild cases, and let the priests treat the severe ones"
Before he could finish his sentence, the hall erupted in uproar. Lord Joane Vaughn jumped up, exclaiming:
"How can we allow that! My family should not be placed with those commoners!"
"Do you know how to take care of them? Do you know how to treat them? If someone falls ill, do you know what to do to prevent others from getting sick?" Garrett bombarded Lord Vaughn with three questions. With each question, Lord Vaughn's arrogance diminished, and after the third question, he blinked his eyes in bewilderment:
"But"
"No buts," Elder Elwin Wilkinson coldly stated, "If you don't obey orders and refuse to help, the Divine Magic Temple won't have time to heal you."
"The Temple of War won't have time either," added the bald archbishop.
With all three major churches closing their doors, the Radiant Church, God of War, and God of Nature, they practically monopolized all healing resources. United, they could command the entire city. Lord Vaughn fell silent, listening as Garrett calmly issued orders:
"Retrieve maps and census data for the entire city, divide it by regions, and search for patients house by house. Transport all patients to one location for treatment."
"I'll send my men!" Captain Nolan immediately agreed. Elder Elwin added, "Just take them to the Lord of Radiance's temple; it's empty there anyway."
"Thank you for your kindness," Garrett nodded slightly. Turning to the official recording the orders, he asked, "Note it down as a donation to the temple?"
He looked at his teacher. Elder Elwin nodded, and immediately, Mr. Hogan, who had previously given him paper and pen, jumped up, his belly buttons trembling:
"I donate ten gold coins!"
"Thank you for your generosity," Garrett bowed slightly. Turning to the official, he said, "Record it as a donation to the temple."
He looked around, and Mr. Hogan's initiative prompted others:
"I'll donate ten too!"
The grandest structure in Hartland City, the Temple of Radiance, stood in the central square, facing the city lord's mansion from a distance. From above, it resembled a standard cross shape, with a tall spire towering at the intersection, surpassing even the city lord's mansion in height.
Surrounded by a wall, the temple had a large military camp marked out around it. Three years ago, the Knights of Radiance, the most formidable and ruthless force in Hartland City, was unmatched.
Even with their influence waning and being expelled from Hartland City three years ago, the vacant temple still stood there, imposing and untouched. If not for the epidemic, holding a righteous reason, Elder Elwin wouldn't have wanted to intervene with their church.
But now, circumstances were different. Following Elder Elwin, Garrett entered the Temple of Radiance. A cacophony hit them immediatelycrying and chaos filled the hall. Wives clung to husbands, mothers held their sons, crying as if it were a farewell
"Damon! Damon! Don't take him away, please, don't take him to that place"
"Priest, please, save us"
"Lord of War, have mercy on your faithful"
"Run! They want to lock us up and wait to die"
Garrett stood still. In the midst of it, a small, soft thing collided with him, grabbing onto his leg. Not far away, a woman's voice exclaimed, "Eva"
Garrett lowered his head. It was Little Eva, the girl he had given a piece of bread to, thanked him with flowers, and was almost hit by a carriage but saved by his teacher. Now, the girl with slender hands clutched his robe, speaking timidly:
"Big brother, please help my mom. Don't lock her up, okay? I can take care of her... I don't want her to die waiting..."
Waiting to die... yes, concentrating critically ill patients seemed like making them wait to dieand this was a common method in this world!
This won't work!
It will cause chaos!
Without time to discuss with his teacher, Garrett lifted
the girl onto a table, shouting loudly:
"Not locking them up to die! You'll have food, care, and treatment! You'll get better!"
He didn't notice the abnormal magical fluctuations or how loud his voice was, rolling through the hall. The commotion fell silent, and someone shouted:
"How do we trust you?!"
"I am Garrett Nordmark!" Garrett shouted back, "During the midsummer trampling incident, I led the rescue, and not one person was abandoned, not one person died!
This time, concentrating patients for treatment was also my idea! I'll be with you until the last person is healed, won't abandon you! No one will be abandoned!"
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