I Started My Redemption by Raising Believers in the Wasteland-Chapter 25 : The Old Fox Reed and His Tricks

Chapter 25: The Old Fox Reed and His Tricks
“Holy Water!”
Reed lifted his head high, his voice loud and powerful.
“This is the Holy Water bestowed by the Angel, pure beyond compare!”
“It was thanks to this that my brothers and I made it out of that damned forest alive!”
“This stuff can purify corruption, heal wounds, and drive away plagues!”
“It’s a hundred times better than those lousy potions brewed by alchemists!”
The entire tavern fell silent.
The laughter and chatter from moments ago were as if cut off by an invisible hand.
Everyone turned their heads.
Their burning gazes fixed on the small water pouch in Reed’s hand.
That aura—it was too unique, too pure!
In an age when the Holy Light Church had collapsed, and Holy Water had become nothing more than a legend, even vanished from the world—
That little pouch of water—
Was more dazzling than gold of equal weight!
“My god, is… is that really Holy Water?”
The tall, thin mercenary’s voice trembled.
His eyes were filled with greed and disbelief.
“The purity…”
“I once saw the bishop’s blessed Holy Water in the Grand Cathedral of the Royal Capital—it didn’t feel nearly as pure as this!”
A well-traveled old mercenary muttered, his voice shaking.
“Brother—no, big brother! My good big brother! Are you selling that Holy Water? Name your price!”
Someone immediately shouted, reacting faster than the others.
“Yeah! Just sell a bit! Just a little bit!”
The tavern exploded into chaos.
The earlier doubts and mockery vanished without a trace.
In their place—fanaticism, shock, and naked desire.
Holy Water!
In the face of the current Undead Scourge, this thing was practically a second life!
Something that could save you at a critical moment!
Seeing all those faces flushed red from excitement and greed,
Reed chuckled inwardly, though his face remained taut and stern.
He wore the expression of “I’m very angry, and the consequences will be severe.”
He carefully corked the pouch, solemnly tucked it into his chest pocket, and pressed his hand over it.
“Sell?” Reed snorted coldly, sweeping his gaze across the crowd.
“Don’t even think about it! This is my lifesaving treasure!”
“I showed it to you just to prove I wasn’t bragging!”
“That Holy Light Town truly is protected by the Angel!”
“It’s just a few miles outside the Mistwood—not far! Believe it or not!”
He paused for a moment.
Seeing that everyone’s eyes were still burning with desire,
He shifted his tone, adding a hint of mystery and persuasion.
“But…”
“Lady Liz said they welcome those who have nowhere else to go.”
“As long as you have a kind heart and are willing to believe in the Angel, you can receive protection!”
“Isn’t that better than staying in this city, trembling in fear every day?”
“At least, you won’t have to worry about ghouls sneaking into your house at midnight!”
At those words—
Some people’s eyes flickered with temptation.
Some were doubtful, thinking Reed was just trying to recruit for that so-called Holy Light Town.
And some, driven purely by greed, wondered if there really were treasures hidden in that place.
While the crowd murmured and debated,
Reed lowered his voice again, as if sharing a great secret,
Leaning toward a few nearby tables and whispering, “Do you know why Florence fell so quickly?”
“You really think it was because the Ghoul Legion was too strong?”
He deliberately paused, letting suspense build.
Then, with a face full of disdain and anger, continued, “Pah!”
“I just came from the Williams Territory and heard the truth.”
“It was that dog-born Baron Gregor Wells!”
“The moment the ghouls broke through the city gate, that bastard panicked and sent away every knight and valuable magician in the city!”
“All just to protect himself and his family of cowards as they fled!”
“Over forty thousand citizens—he tossed them all to the ghouls like snacks!”
“Otherwise, with Florence’s walls and defenses, it could’ve held out for quite some time!”
“What?!”
This revelation—
Was even more shocking, infuriating, and terrifying than the Holy Water.
“Damn! Is that true?”
“Where’s that bastard now?”
“Where else?”
Reed jerked his chin toward the center of town, where the lord’s castle stood.
A sneer spread across his face. “He’s a guest at our good Lord Old John’s castle!”
“Nobles, huh? Always wearing the same pair of pants!”
“We peasants might grind our teeth in hatred—but what can we do?”
“Just drink in silence and curse their mothers!”
The tavern erupted in curses.
All anger turned toward the fleeing baron.
The black hearts of the nobles once again became the best topic to drink to.
Watching the uproarious scene,
Reed nodded in satisfaction.
Lady Liz had given him two tasks: spread word of Holy Light Town, and purchase supplies.
As for spreading word—
Tonight’s little act of “Drunken Holy Water Revelation” and “Exposing Noble Scandal” was doing quite nicely.
As for those who might covet his Holy Water?
Reed sneered inwardly.
He wasn’t stupid—most of the Holy Water had already been discreetly sent through a reliable channel to the largest auction house in Oak Town.
What he carried now was just bait—for luring and proving.
And if anyone got foolish enough to go looking for trouble in Holy Light Town?
Reed wasn’t the least bit worried.
What a joke!
That was a place guarded by a true Angel!
Would mere mercenaries dare provoke it?
That would be like an old man hanging himself—just asking for death!
He wished more people would hear about it, more would spread it—so that the name of Holy Light Town would resound far and wide!
Reed raised his glass and took a long, satisfying drink.
The cold liquor slid down his throat.
Listening to the lively chatter about Holy Light Town, the Angel, the Holy Water, and the noble scandal,
He couldn’t help but feel that this trip to Oak Town was truly worth it!
Next—he would get a good night’s sleep.
And at first light tomorrow,
He would buy up all the nails, ropes, salt, needles, and thread Lady Liz had requested—
Along with as many weapons as he could find!