Chapter17-Rejuvenation? Everyone is Convinced

As Thomas scanned the gathered people, Kevin and the others also focused their attention on him.

After all, in their previous memories, Thomas had been a white-haired old man.

But now, he appeared much younger, and it was clearly not a disguise—it was real!

The three of them had been peers and old friends, but now, standing together, Thomas looked like their junior.

From an age perspective, he was at least a generation, if not two, younger!

Was this the power and mystery of a deity?

Not only could he grant blessings of strength, but he also possessed the power to restore youth!

With these thoughts in mind, they immediately bowed to old John and Thomas.

"Thomas, Village Chief John, I am Kevin, the village chief of Colmar Village. This is Robert, the village chief of Reinham Village."

"The two of us have come with our villagers, not with any ill intentions, but to pay tribute to Deus Initium. Additionally, on behalf of Colmar Village, I wish to join Annasi!"

Kevin spoke straightforwardly and sincerely.

Beside him, Robert also nodded in agreement.

"I share Kevin's thoughts. We wish to become residents of Annasi and worship Deus Initium!"

Hearing the two village chiefs say this, Thomas and John smiled and nodded.

"Good, good! We truly welcome your arrival!"

"From now on, we are all part of the same village, supporting each other and worshiping Deus Initium together!"

Their hearts were filled with excitement. Annasi had been one of the four nearby villages for many years.

But now, because of Deus Initium, they were merging into one community.

Seeing Thomas and old John welcome them, Kevin and the others beamed with joy.

From this day forward, they, too, would be under the deity's protection, giving them confidence in this dangerous world!

No longer would they need to fear spellbeasts or strange disasters.

Immediately, a large number of villagers from Colmar Village and Reinham Village rushed eagerly toward Deus Initium's stone hall.

They were filled with reverence and hope for Deus Initium, eager to witness the divine presence.

Before long, the crowd arrived at the stone hall and beheld the stone statue radiating a faint golden light.

One by one, both the original Annasi villagers and the newcomers respectfully took out incense and began their prayers.

"All villagers of Annasi give thanks to Deus Initium. From now on, we shall no longer suffer the attacks of vampires!"

As the missionary, Thomas declared loudly.

Benjamin, John, Kevin, Robert, and the others all joined in.

Their voices gathered together, forming a grand and majestic chorus that seemed to shake the clouds above.

...

Inside the divine statue.

Owen surveyed the vast crowd of villagers before him and was extremely satisfied.

Seeing their devout expressions, he was confident that after today, he would gain many more devotees.

Furthermore, the levels of his existing devotees were steadily increasing.

The extermination of the Vampire Baron had caused a massive shock among the villagers.

It had eliminated the source of their fear,

and solidified their faith.

After all, most villagers' faith was rooted in a simple desire—to live a good life without the threat of spellbeasts.

And he had just fulfilled that desire!

Granting them power, curing their ailments, slaying spellbeasts…

A deity capable of such miracles was impossible not to believe in!

This world was far from peaceful.

Owen chuckled and then turned to check the devotee interface.

"822 devotees!"

"Now, my daily spice point earnings will significantly increase—about 3 divine points every two days."

Owen nodded slightly.

This rate of divine point accumulation was already quite fast.

He was steadily approaching the 1,500-devotee goal of his mission.

Moreover, aside from John, Thomas, and Frank, he noticed a new C-rank devotee!

"Henry!"

"This young man, who had only recently received a blessing, has already developed such devout faith. Young people truly are excellent targets…"

Owen had previously reviewed Henry's background.

He was a simple and honest man.

Still young, he had spent his days farming in the village, steady and diligent, the eldest in his family, caring for his younger siblings.

Life had been tough, but his family remained happy.

However, since his parents were older, many burdens fell on his shoulders, giving him an unusual sense of responsibility and perseverance.

Now that he had become an awakener, his family's fate would begin to change.

As a C-rank devotee, he had already surpassed most others.

Owen pondered for a moment and then checked the other D-rank devotees.

Among them, he found six troublemakers who had committed numerous misdeeds.

Although they had faith, Owen would not grant them awakening unless their faith deepened and they ceased their wrongdoings.

"Aside from the 10-plus D-rank devotees who have already been blessed, there are 46 more who can receive blessings."

"Most of them are elderly, children, and women. Only 13 are suitable middle-aged men and young adults."

Owen contemplated for a moment, then gathered light in his palm, summoning Awakening Scrolls.

A total of 18.

Since the divine majesty he had displayed in eliminating the Vampire Baron still lingered in the villagers' hearts, now was the perfect time to grant blessings, further solidifying their faith!

Most importantly, he needed more devotees to complete the fourth-phase mission.

Expansion was necessary, which meant more awakeners would be required.

Currently, Annasi and the merged villages had only 19 awakeners in total.

Three of them were elderly, and while still awakeners, their strength had significantly declined.

But this was not a problem for Owen—one Awakening Scroll would restore them to their prime.

At once, the 18 scrolls transformed into streams of light and flew out.

...

At that moment, Kevin was praying devoutly before the statue.

After witnessing divine miracles and the overwhelming power that had eradicated the Vampire Baron, he had developed immense reverence for Deus Initium.

In his youth, the Vampire Baron had revived, leading his vampires to abduct and drain his parents of their blood.

This had left Kevin with deep-seated hatred for vampires.

And self-loathing for his own weakness.

Had he been stronger, the Vampire Baron wouldn't have been able to take his parents.

When Thomas had claimed that Deus Initium would eradicate the vampires, Kevin had not believed it. After all, he had personally sought the help of Black Iron's Tier-3 awakeners before, even secretly aiding them.

But they had utterly failed!

From then on, vampires had haunted his nightmares.

An invincible presence.

Yet now, the Vampire Baron had been eradicated by Deus Initium!

His past fears transformed into deep faith and reverence.

"The Vampire Baron killed my parents. Thank you, Deus Initium, for avenging me!"

He knew that without Deus Initium, he would have never been able to get revenge in his lifetime.

Suddenly, a bright light shot from the statue, growing larger in his vision before merging into his body.

He faintly saw a golden scroll full of divine majesty fusing into him.

Then, his aging body visibly grew younger—his strength surged, and his heartbeat drummed like a war drum, making him feel as if he had returned to his prime!

He looked down at his hands. Once wrinkled and frail, they were now full of vitality, with taut veins and bronze skin, restored to their peak!

"I… I've grown young again! And stronger!"

Kevin's eyes widened in astonishment.

Not only that, but his level had risen from Tier-1 Mid to Tier-1 Advanced!

He quickly looked around and saw more than ten others in the crowd radiating powerful elemental energy.

They had all become awakeners!

"Is this the legendary blessing of a deity?"

Kevin was stunned, his reverence deepening to the core of his being.

At this moment, his once-aimless life had found its guiding light—his purpose to survive had never been clearer.