Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Winters's headache worsened.

The image of the lion holds special significance in both the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.

Firstly, the lion is a symbol of King David and also one of the twelve tribal emblems of the descendants who wrestled with God, as there are numerous metaphors and images of lions in the scriptures.

The Winged Lion is the symbol of Sea Blue's patron Saint, Saint Marco, and this image is depicted on the banners of the Vineta army.

Another Saint, Jerome, has an even closer connection to lions. Legend has it that he once removed a thorn from a lion's paw, and from then on, the lion stayed by his side, which was considered a miracle.

There are also stories of two other Saints who were accompanied by lions.

It was precisely because of Saint Jerome's precedent that the fact that Reed, a mendicant monk, had a lion by his side was readily accepted by the vast majority of believers without any difficulty.

"The Little Lion is... is..." Winters struggled to find the words, and after a lengthy pause, he still couldn't pinpoint exactly what the Little Lion was.

He resignedly gave up: "It's definitely not a miracle; I'd rather raise it myself than hand it over to the Roman Catholic Church."

"In fact, you already have the answer," the old monk said leisurely, "Can you stand to separate the two little fellows? Can you bear to part with this little one? Even nurturing a potted plant can breed affection, let alone such a spiritual creature. Just keep it for now, no one's stopping you. Don't worry, you can wait until it matures and then train it to return to the forest."

Winters thought it over and found no better solution.

Release it into the wilderness?

Unsafe.

Sell it to the Church or some other big shot?

Unethical.

The main issue, separating Bell and the Little Lion?

He couldn't bear it.

The little Hunter and the Little Lion were inseparably close, and although the Little Lion was still far from adulthood, the occasional glimpse of wildness and power it displayed made Winters tense.

Only with Bell, no matter how they frolicked and played, the boy and the lion never had a single incident.

Winters vaguely felt that in the Little Lion's eyes, he and the old conjurer were still "people," while Bell was regarded by the Little Lion as "one of its own."

Perhaps the old monk's method was the only way: first ensure that the Little Lion could fend for itself, then let it return to the forest.

"A lion raised by humans?" Winters hesitated, "Can it learn to hunt?"

Of course it can, the old monk said with certainty, "Don't understand, do you? Look at the cats kept by nobles, they're well-fed and never hungry. But they still catch mice because it's instinct. Tsk, tsk, tsk… Young man, you lack experience and have much to learn."

Winters was at a loss for words, his own experience told him that the Great General ignored mice completely, but the young generals indeed sometimes brought mice home, always eliciting screams.

With the Little Lion's issue temporarily set aside, Winters casually mentioned to the old cleric about how "Samuqingen" would rather freeze than wear dead men's clothes," as if it were a funny anecdote.

To his surprise, Monk Reed showed interest.

Stroking his beard and feigning seriousness, he said, "It seems that he's not the only one with such concerns, which might affect the combat effectiveness of the troops. After all, once fingers are frostbitten, soldiers can no longer fight."

Upon hearing this, Winters also grew worried, "What should we do then?"

"I have a method that should resolve this very well."

"What method?"

"Simple," Reed smirked, "Next time we have Mass, I'll use some Holy Water to bless Hurd's robes, and that'll take care of it."

Winters was silent for a long time before asking the old man, half in admiration and half in sarcasm, "If... I mean if you and your group of fanatics said cow dung tasted good, would they eat it?"

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The old cleric Reed slowly transformed from "The Saint of Jeska's Squad" to "The Saint of the entire Paratu Army."

Even senior officers like Sekler and Alpad did not dare to slight the old cleric, repeatedly inviting him to stay in the more comfortable central army camp, but he declined time after time.

Hence, Winters witnessed the generals and staff officers' attitude shift from "not daring to slight" to "admiring and venerating."

When the old monk preached, people from other squads, regardless of whether they were Protestants, Catholics, officers, or soldiers, all came to listen.

When the old monk gave out cookies, those taking communion lined up all the way from the west wall to the east wall of the camp.

The existence of the Little Lion far from diminishing the old monk's sanctity, actually came to be seen by believers as a miracle.

Seeing a real lion lying at the old monks' feet as docile as a puppy, many faithful wept and revered the old man even more as a living Saint.

When the rumor that someone "self-proclaimed sanctity" spread, another devout follower, Lieutenant Varga, was outraged.

With his religious fervor clouding his mind, Lieutenant Varga drew his sword and barged into Jeska's camp, swearing to kill the heretics.

Upon learning of the incident, Winters rushed to save the old man without even having time to put on his shirt or boots, clutching a steel nail as he ran.

By the time a bare-chested and barefoot Winters arrived at the scene, it was too late... Varga was kissing the hem of the old monk's robe.

As Lieutenant Varga left Jeska's camp, he had been "called again" and became one of the old cleric's most fervent supporters.

…

After hearing Winters's "cow dung" question, Monk Reed wasn't the least bit angry.

Monk Reed looked straight into Winters's eyes.

His gaze was intense, his expression solemn, he earnestly said to Winters, "They are devout, not intellectually deficient. Even if the Pope said cow dung tasted good, no one would eat it. Among those around you, aside from you cultivators, everyone else is a believer. You should maintain a shred of respect, at the very least you should not show disdain. If you continue like this, one day you won't be able to hide your contempt. Then how will you coexist with this religious society?"