Overwhelming Firepower

The boy who named himself Rhod and his little sister Anna were now guiding Lucen towards the Temple of Varkun. It didn’t take too long to reach the temple of Varkun, which was near one of the barracks.

Each temple was situated in places related to its deities. Of course, the Temple of Varkun, the God of War and Honor, would be placed near areas with a lot of soldiers.

This wasn’t the grand temple at the capital, but even here in Ironhold, the branch temple of Varkun stood with quiet authority. Built with the same dark granite as the city’s outer walls, it looked more like a disciplined outpost than a place of worship.

Modest in size but solid in construction, its exterior bore no unnecessary ornamentation. Just a worn banner above the entrance, stitched with Varkun’s sigil, a sword raised upright, framed by twin broken chains and a crown of iron thorns.

’In the end, I came to the temple of Varkun, the God of War and Honor, first. Is this some kind of divine intervention?...’

Lucen, alongside the siblings, approached the Temple. When they got near enough, Lucen could hear the familiar sound of some people training, and it wasn’t from the barracks but from within the temple.

Just as Lucen raised his hand to knock, hurried footsteps approached. He instinctively pulled the siblings back as the door burst open.

A man and a woman appeared before them both wearing the distinct vestments of Varkun’s clergy.

They were wearing long, formal vestments of deep crimson and ashen gray, trimmed with silver thread. The fabric was thick and ceremonial, draping in layered folds that gave them an imposing presence. Embroidered on the hems and sleeves were ancient symbols of Varkun: upright swords, broken shackles, and iron crowns woven with reverence and precision.

Yet unlike priests of gentler gods, these robes were split at the sides and reinforced at key points for movement. Beneath the flowing fabric, one could glimpse the gleam of plate armor, steel vambraces along their forearms, a fitted cuirass beneath the outer robe, and greaves beneath the hem. They were not just servants of faith but soldiers of it.

The Priest with dark brown hair and brown eyes was surprisingly as big as Sir Thalos, but his muscles were more tamed. The Priestess with blond hair and blue eyes was a beautiful woman, and despite her garments, you could see that she had a great figure.

Rhod instinctively moved closer to Anna, who was still in Lucen’s arms, wrapped snug in his coat. Both clerics visibly relaxed when they saw them.

The priest stepped forward and gave a formal knight’s salute. The priestess followed, her posture equally respectful despite her relief. Then the priest spoke, his voice calm but laced with concern.

”Thank you for bringing them back. They’ve been gone for hours, we were beginning to fear the worst.”

Lucen put down Anna and saluted back with a knight’s salute, his eyes studying the two adults. ”They wandered pretty far. I found them near the market.”

The priestess knelt beside Rhod and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. ”Rhod, we told you to stay within the temple grounds. Why did you take Anna with you? You scared us.”

Rhod lowered his head, ashamed. ”I-I just wanted to look for our dad again... I thought maybe... maybe if I asked around the market, someone would’ve seen him.”

The priest looked pained but didn’t scold. ”Rhod... we’ve talked about this. We’ve already asked the city garrison, the outer watch, and the war registry. There’s been no word. If he were alive, he would have come back to you by now.”

”He’s not dead!” Rhod snapped, but his voice cracked near the end. ”He’s the greatest soldier, and he promised he’d come back!”

Anna clung to her brother, her small fingers curled into the coat fabric. The priestess looked up at Lucen, her expression soft.

”I’m sorry you had to see this. We’ve been caring for them ever since they arrived, but... It’s hard when they still believe he’s out there.”

Lucen shrugged, but his voice was steady. ”Honestly, I thought you were mistreating them or something different.”

The priest and priestess show stunned expressions as the priest replied, ” We would never do that! Varkun teaches that honor includes protecting those left behind. Still... we worry every time they disappear. Rhod’s stubborn, just like his father.”

”I think instead of doing what you’re doing, how about giving the kids hope. They told me that you’ve been looking for a family that would take them in, but how about pausing that for a few more months? I’m sure they just need a little more time to accept the truth.”

The priestess blinked, momentarily taken aback by Lucen’s bluntness, but then her gaze softened. The priest nodded his head, stepped forward, and placed a fist over his chest.

”My name is Geir,” he said formally. ”War Priest of Varkun, and temporary guardian of these two brave souls. Once again, I thank you for bringing them back.”

Lucen nodded. ”Lucen Thornehart.”

Geir gave a short bow of respect upon hearing the name, but Lucen could tell the man wasn’t bowing to nobility, just recognizing a fellow warrior.

”...You may be right,” Geir continued after a pause, his voice quieter now. ”We’ve been trying to prepare them for reality, but perhaps... What they need isn’t closure. It’s time. Even the most hardened have different ways of mourning fallen comrades.”

”We’ll hold off on any adoption arrangements for now,” the priestess added gently. ”And we’ll make sure they know we’re not giving up on their father... Not yet.”

Lucen gave a small nod. ”Good. Let them hold onto hope a little longer. Who knows, maybe a miracle might happen.”

Geir exhaled deeply and nodded with sincerity. ”Wise words, young Thornehart. You have our gratitude.”

”Now that’s settled, can I go in? I wish to pray.”

Geir stepped aside immediately, his expression firm yet respectful. ”Of course. All are welcome in Varkun’s house, especially those who walk the warrior’s path.”

The priestess rose from her place beside Rhod, gave Anna’s hair a reassuring pat, and gestured toward the doors. ”Please, come in. I’ll look after the children.”

Lucen approached the siblings. ”You guys be good and try not to sneak out again.”

Rhod gave a grudging nod. Anna smiled softly, still wrapped in Lucen’s coat. With that, Lucen turned and stepped into the Temple of Varkun.

Inside, the scent of oiled steel, old incense, and faint sweat lingered in the air. Unlike most temples filled with candles and soft light, this place was dim and utilitarian. The walls were adorned not with murals or golden idols, but with polished weapons, swords, axes, and spears, each one meticulously maintained and displayed like relics. Banners of faded battles hung high along the stone columns, each telling tales of glory, sacrifice, and honor.

Lucen stepped forward to the altar, a simple stone slab with various weapons and armor stuck into it. This was the first time Lucen got to enter a temple he wasn’t even able to this in the game.

When you visit a temple in the game, it simply asks you if you wish to worship a certain deity, and it won’t show the inside; a loading screen would appear instead.

Lucen felt a little nervous about what he was about to do. Even though he had already tried preparing himself in his mind when it was actually happening, he was nervous. In this world, it was almost certain that there were deities, and what he was about to do might offend them.

’What’s there to be afraid of? I already died once before...’ Lucen strengthened his resolve. ’Yeah, I just need to be sincere.’

Lucen stepped forward until he was directly in front of the altar. The light filtering in from high, narrow windows caught the edge of the weapons displayed, casting long, sharp shadows over the stone floor. The air was still; he could hear only the distant clang of training from deeper within the temple and the quiet beat of his own heart.

’So should I kneel in prayer like back on earth? No... This is God of War, then there’s only one way to do it.’

Lucen unsheathed his sword, held it in both hands, and knelt on one knee, its tip resting on the ground. He bowed his head in silence. Then, with a deep breath, he began to pray.