This Heroine's Friend Has the Power of Botany

Chapter 48

Four Torments

The professor paused to think for a moment before he elaborated further.

“We are all going, and the institution indeed provides reward points for the work. The points you earn will also depend on your efforts,” Regan stated. Many students changed their expressions; some started to feel hopeful.

After experiencing institution’s missions, everyone knew that earning points wasn’t easy. Many had been injured, some still not fully recovered, some with only a few points earned, and with this speed, there was a real risk of not advancing past the first year.

So, when they heard about the institution offering points for this special case, many became interested. They listened attentively to what Regan was about to say next.

“As for the travel, the Settler family will sponsor 2 trips. We’ll use the valuable advanced transportation equipment to take you there and back, so you won’t get tired from traveling. However, it means you cannot return until the mission is completed.”

“The duration of the mission is uncertain; it could be more than 1-2 months, depending on when the priests can determine the source of the disease. In addition to helping the priests and apothecaries, you will be required to continue your studies in the mornings as usual. The basic knowledge is still crucial in your first year.”

At this point, many students groaned, tired of the routine morning lessons. It was indeed the basic knowledge they should learn, but 3 hours of listening to theories was monotonous.

“Next, regarding your accommodations, you will all be staying in large tents prepared by the priests. They won’t offer the comfort you desire unless some of you bring your own. I will not oppose that,”

Regan looked at the faces of the upper classes, aware that they would certainly have an advantage. They could use money to solve problems, and even some from the middle class could do the same. However, the resources each family possessed were already an advantage. Even if one day they became hunters, this advantage wouldn’t simply disappear. Thus, there was no need to be strict or to make all students start from the same baseline.

Students from poorer backgrounds or those with fewer resources would naturally have to try harder. This was normal...

"As for the risk of contracting the disease, it certainly is. However, the priests will especially provide you with a preventive medication. This medicine will prevent the Red Plague from infecting you, but it’s also limited in quantity. We do not have enough to give to every villager. Therefore, finding the source of the disease remains crucial."

With these words, many students felt relieved. Their only fear had been the possibility of contracting the disease. Hearing that they wouldn’t be at risk eased their minds.

“You have 2 days to prepare before the Settler family arrives to transport you. Please get ready because the place we’re going is very remote, a wilderness area where I think you won’t find anything to purchase.” After concluding, the professor closed his book and left, leaving the students in a rumpus.

Ellie pondered the situation regarding this matter. According to the story, the Red Plague originated from the power of a demonic beast that was injured and hiding nearby. Without the heroine’s cheating powers, it would have been impossible to deal with.

As a reader, Ellie certainly knew where the creature was hiding, but she wasn’t confident in her ability to handle it herself. Moreover, those who did manage to confront such a demonic beast would suffer severe repercussions, as the demonic beast’s spirit would infiltrate them.

Nara, who managed to defeat the demonic beast, was initially unaware of this consequence. It was only when she was about to advance to a mid-level light magician that the demonic beast’s spirit intervened, causing significant obstacles for the heroine. If it weren’t for the help of other main characters, she might not have survived.

Ellie had no interest in gaining fame for dealing with the source of the Red Plague, which was very dangerous. She preferred to let the heroine handle it and wanted only to avoid crossing paths with the demonic beast.

In fact, if there was an option to opt out of this mission, Ellie would have preferred that route. Unfortunately, such an option did not exist for first-year students, so she had to participate and perform her duties day by day.

However, not everyone thought like her. Once the others realized they would be part of the mission and could earn significant points, their gazes turned serious, including the heroine, who had not earned any points in the institution yet.

Even though she was a priestess, having no points meant failing the year!

In the 2 remaining days, Ellie contacted the Setter family to ask them to arrange magic devices for herself as well, including food and accommodation. She did not want to share a tent with others as she had secrets to keep. Besides contacting the Setter family, she also needed to arrange for her herb garden in the Botanic Building to be looked after by Professor Medik, although he had not yet returned to the institution. With no other choice, Ellie infused her own botanic power into the plants to accelerate their growth, lest they perish before the professor’s return. She left a letter in case he came back, so he would help taking care of them.

Ellie also spread spores to take root around to keep a constant watch on her planting plot, all for her own peace of mind.

By the time she had managed everything, the 2 days had passed quickly, and the Setter family had already brought large-scale magic equipment and magicians to the institution.

The head of the Setter family did not come in person but sent an important family member instead. Ellie recognized him from previous collaborations and was respected by him as someone familiar. The details of the Setter family’s share given to Ellie were confidential, yet all high-ranking members of the family were aware of it, that man thus know how importance of this scholarship student.

Aman and Koross joined as well. They were in other year groups, so they did not have the same responsibilities as Ellie and the first-year students to help the priests and apothecaries. Nonetheless, they would be part of the same magic circle for the journey.

"Scholarship student Ellie, it seems all the Setters are quite interested in you. For them...you must be very important, aren’t you?" Xeno, who was near Ellie, asked. Clearly, everyone had seen how the Setter family respected Ellie, so when they heard Xeno’s remark, all the first-year students in Ellie’s class, including Vida’s group, paid attention.

“..................” Ellie did not respond; she merely glanced sideways at the merchant’s son who was curious and often made her a topic of conversation. Xeno saw that look and pretended to laugh it off as if he didn’t understand.

"You’re really lucky, no! I mean, this year’s scholarship students are really fortunate.... One becomes a priestess, and another is significant to the Setter family," Xeno feigned envy. It seemed harmless enough, but his words attracted a lot of attention. Of course, Nara was one of the people who heard it.

Sensing that Nara was always trying to appear superior to Ellie, Xeno’s words suggesting that both Nara and Ellie were equally lucky certainly displeased those who overheard.

"What are you two discussing? I heard you mention me," Nara, who had been eavesdropping, interrupted, her arms crossed, looking displeased at Xeno but even more so at Ellie.

"It’s fine for you two to chat, but don’t talk about a priestess like me carelessly. A priestess’s status...are you really entitled to discuss it so freely?"

"Uh, I apologize, Reverend. I was just noting that you are a companion of scholarship student Ellie, so when I was talking to Ellie, I ended up mentioning you as well. If it has offended you, I truly apologize," Xeno quickly threw the conversation at Ellie, even though she hadn’t said a word. Nara glanced at her former best friend with displeasure.

"You too, Ellie. I might have been your friend before, but that was just my foolishness. After realizing that you could betray your friends for fame, I no longer consider myself your friend. Moreover, the Church has taught me to choose my companions wisely. Bad company leads to misfortune, while good company leads to God,"

Nara seized the opportunity to tarnish Ellie’s reputation. She used the opening Xeno had created to assert her accusations in one go, claiming that Ellie was essentially a bad person and maligning herself. For what actually happened that day, who would dare speak of it again? Now, she’s not just "Nara" the scholarship student from a rural area; she’s "Nara," the scholarship student who was a priestess!

Ellie heard Nara’s words that was trying to turn white into black. Of course, she didn’t try to defend herself against the accusations that she had destroyed a friend for fame. Everyone knew what had happened that day. Just because today, they couldn’t speak of it didn’t mean they were fools. However, Ellie had no intention of letting Nara laugh happily after bullying her.

"It’s good that the Reverend obeys the Church’s teachings because if a priestess doesn’t follow the Church’s commands or makes even the slightest mistake, the punishment is terribly severe. Even I, who am not a priestess, feel frightened by it."

"What are you talking about?" Nara raised her eyebrows in surprise. She had never heard of the harsh punishments for priests that Ellie mentioned. However, Ellie had been waiting for this opportunity. Ever since she knew Nara had become a priestess, Ellie had to find a way to protect herself too. How could she let herself be bullied without any recourse?

"You don’t know about the “Four Torments”?" Ellie raised her eyebrows in surprise. Certainly, that was only a feigned gesture and this gesture of her attracted even more attention.

"Four Torments?"

"Yes, Reverend. The Four Torments are no secret to the public. Despite the high status of the Sacred Church, there are 4 actions that God cannot tolerate, which are inscribed along with severe punishments."

"The first is when a priest disrespects God themselves, whether through mockery or by declaring disbelief in God, even resisting the Church’s commands. Such actions would lead to a punishment where they were nailed on the altar of God, allowing blood to slowly drip onto the altar until it is completely saturated and dry."

"The second is when a priest associates with another species, acknowledging them as equal disciples of God. Those individuals will be beheaded, and their heads would be displayed on the hand of God for one year."

"The third involves a priest harming another priest, whether physically or damaging their reputation. The guilty party will be chained and bound until life leaves them."

"The last, and most critical, to be cautious of is when a priest’s immoral actions displease more than 20,000 people. As long as 20,000 people rise up in opposition, the priest will be stripped of their status. Once no longer under the Church’s protection, those 20,000 signatories can do whatever they wish with that priest. Although these 4 events are rare, the 4th scenario occurs most frequently.""From historical records I’ve found in the library, it seems that 70 years ago, a priest displeased 2 major families. They gathered over 50,000 people who petitioned the Church to strip the priest’s status. From what I read, it seems this priest was mobbed and killed immediately following the announcement of their priesthood’s withdrawal."

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