The Sinful Young Master

Chapter 423: Messing with Jolthar, again

Temple Courtyard

After the meal concluded, the group moved to one of the temple’s courtyards to take in fresh air and escape the increasingly stifling atmosphere inside. The courtyard was beautiful—manicured gardens, fountains with crystal-clear water, and marble pathways that wound between flowering trees.

Jolthar stood with Milan, Andrion, and Elmesona, discussing the bizarre turn the afternoon had taken, when the sound of approaching footsteps made them all turn.

A group of men was walking toward them with a clear purpose. There were perhaps a dozen of them, led by a young man in his late twenties who wore the distinctive armor of a temple knight—polished steel with holy symbols etched into the breastplate, a sword at his hip, and the bearing of someone who had dedicated his life to martial and spiritual discipline.

Behind him were other temple knights and several priests, their expressions ranging from disapproval to outright hostility.

”Baron Jolthar Kaezhlar,” the lead knight said, his voice carrying formal authority.

”I am Viroas, Knight-Commander of the Temple Guard. I need to speak with you about your conduct during the ceremony.”

Milan and others frowned seeing these men. Just a while ago, the chief preist itself had said that he had no problem with Jolthar and asked him to stay, but now, the knights have temple have come to meet them to trouble them.

Milan looked around, as he couldn’t find the chief priest or Veltaris. But he did see that merchant standing behind them.

”Of course,” Jolthar replied calmly, though he was already assessing the situation. This wasn’t going to be a friendly conversation.

Viroas stopped a few paces away, his group fanning out behind him.

”Your words during the feast were deeply offensive to many faithful servants of Lord Inadrys. You showed blatant disrespect to our Deity King, questioned the value of divine worship, and essentially declared your contempt for the faith that sustains this temple.”

”Again with the same drama.” Jolthar shook his head.

”I expressed honest skepticism,” Jolthar corrected.

”There’s a difference.”

”Not to us,” another priest spoke up, his voice sharp.

”You insulted our deity in his own temple. That cannot be tolerated.”

”Chief priest may have let it slide, but we can’t do that. You have hurt the true devotion of many people who have come here.”

”What exactly do you want?” Milan asked, stepping slightly forward.

”Baron Kaezhlar is my guest, and I won’t stand by while he’s harassed for expressing his views.”

Milan had had enough, and these people were intentionally messing with him. So he had to step in.

”With respect, Prince Milan, this is a matter of faith and honor,” Viroas replied.

”Your guest has given grave offense. We’re asking him to apologize — publicly, sincerely — and show proper reverence to the Deity King.”

”And if I refuse?” Jolthar asked, already knowing the answer.

”Then we will make you,” Viroas said simply. His hand didn’t go to his sword, but his stance shifted subtly into something more combative.

”One way or another, you will show proper respect.”

The courtyard had started attracting attention. Other temple attendees were gathering at the edges, sensing confrontation. Servants and lesser priests watched from doorways and balconies.

”You’re threatening me,” Jolthar observed.

”In the temple you claim to honor. Does that seem wise?”

”We’re defending our deity’s honor,” Viroas replied.

”By any means necessary.”

Andrion muttered under his breath, ”This is escalating quickly.”

Elmesona had moved closer to Jolthar, her expression concerned.

She whispered to him, ”Perhaps you should just apologize. It’s not worth fighting over—”

”It’s worth exactly what I decide it’s worth,” Jolthar interrupted gently.

He looked at Viroas directly and said in a cold tone, ”You want me to bow and apologize for speaking my mind. I won’t. If that’s unacceptable to you, then we have a problem.”

”Then let us resolve it through trial by combat,” Viroas declared, loud enough for the gathering crowd to hear.

”You and I, here in this courtyard. If you win, we leave you alone and accept that your skepticism is your right. If I win, you prostrate yourself before the statue of the Deity King Inadrys and offer a public apology.”

The challenge hung in the air. Andrion and Milan looked at each other; they clearly wanted to insult Jolthar and damage his image by showing that he hated gods in public.

Milan looked like he wanted to object, but Jolthar spoke first.

”With a modification,” Jolthar said.

”No swords. No weapons. Just you and me. A clash of pure will and power. The first one to yield or be forced to their knees loses.”

Viroas’s eyes narrowed, clearly not expecting the counter proposal.

”You want to face a Tier 9 temple knight in an aura battle? That’s... bold.”

”That’s the offer,” Jolthar replied calmly.

”Pure aura, no tricks, no weapons. You win, I bow to your deity. I win, you and your people leave me alone about my lack of faith. Do we have a deal?”

Viroas studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly.

”Agreed. But know this—I’ve trained my entire life to channel divine energy. My aura is blessed by the Lord Inadrys himself. You’re making a mistake.”

”Wouldn’t be the first time,” Jolthar said with a slight smile.

The word spread rapidly through the courtyard and into the temple.

Within minutes, people were pouring out to watch. The courtyard was transforming into an impromptu arena, with spectators forming a loose circle around the space where Jolthar and Viroas stood.

Milan pulled Jolthar aside briefly. ”Are you sure about this? Aura battles can cause serious damage, and he’s not exaggerating about his training. Temple knights spend decades refining their spiritual power.”

”I know what I’m doing,” Jolthar assured him.

”Do you? Because from where I’m standing, you’re about to face someone whose entire purpose in life has been channeling divine energy, and he is in the same tier as you, and you’re doing it to defend your right not to believe in that deity. The irony is almost painful.”

”That’s what makes it perfect,” Jolthar replied with a grin.

Elmesona touched his arm.

”Please be careful. This isn’t worth getting hurt over.”

Jolthar looked at her, and his expression softened slightly.

”Yes, it is. If I back down now, it tells everyone in this city that I can be bullied into submission through threats of violence. I won’t live like that.”

”I have a feeling that they wouldn’t let me be if I just leave.”