Volume 1 Chapter 604

Chapter 604: At Dusk, Peaceful and Calm

Dusk was approaching.

In Hillenbrand Town, the half-plane channel of Ruins of Sand slowly opened, and the space trembled with intense waves.

Because this was a permanent passage, even with the entire power of the half-plane called upon by the Five Colors,

this process would not be very fast.

In the sky on the side of the torture tower, the light and shadows of "magic refraction" caused by the drastic changes in the space structure swayed like the aurora, creating a strange picture at the horizon.

This was a phenomenon that occurred when the Dimensional Barrier between the main plane and Ruins of Sand was reduced, allowing the magic of both planes to exchange and react naturally.

It looked very beautiful.

After receiving orders from Master Lolth, Tina and Isabella in Hillenbrand Town had already informed all the townspeople about the "upcoming opening of the half-plane channel."

Therefore, although this scene was new, no one was shocked by it.

Everyone just felt…

As expected of the lord!

As long as it was related to Lord Lolth, no matter how strange the scene was, it became reasonable.

Even Tina and Isabella thought so.

"Master Lolth has actually accepted a half-plane?"

"But what does it mean for us to take care of that girl called ‘Five Colors’… Why is there suddenly more trouble?"

"Could this be the girl from the video?"

Tina thought, quite angry.

Although Isabella did not notice the obviously strange "part" in the half-plane that Master Lolth mentioned as sharply as Tina did,

she still had a feeling…

"Even though this half-plane is also Lolthlinda’s ‘territory,’ why does it always make me feel uneasy…?"

After all, Master Lolth had left behind a pile of notices and documents at City Hall before disappearing…

This feeling, Isabella thought, felt a bit like guilt!

But anyway…

Before the half-plane channel, which still needed a few days to fully stabilize, completely opened…

everything was still a mystery for Isabella and Tina!

Meanwhile, Master Lolth…

indeed returned to the territory of The Church of Light after drafting these documents.

Under the same sunset, Master Lolth didn’t know why…

returning to the Holy Capital Eden Palace felt, in a certain way, more comforting than being in her own territory.

The side hall belonging to the Heretic Tribunal was empty; neither Patricia nor Dorothy had returned yet.

She took a moment to feel her surroundings.

It seemed that the two of them were still moving around the Holy Capital, and their presence felt very steady and safe.

Lolth felt relieved.

"They really are busy at work, aren’t they…"

Lolth sighed with this thought and no longer worried.

She lay down on the bed and began to relax.

After taking a large circle back to Hillenbrand Town…

In the end, it was only inside the Holy Capital Eden Palace of The Church of Light that she found a moment to catch her breath and rest.

Lolth couldn’t help but sigh.

"It turns out it’s with The Church of Light, so there will be much fewer problems…"

However, she also thought that this seemed reasonable.

After all, The Church of Light had made many arrangements recently, and after meeting with the Pope, they could almost say they had no worries.

Plus, they had obtained a large amount of information from the Director of the Heretic Tribunal through "interrogation."

Lolth suddenly realized that life here was indeed a bit easier.

"At least… in the recent Holy Capital of The Church of Light, there are no sudden events, and it seems there won’t be any either."

She began to reflect.

The Pope’s election and the empire’s succession were filled with hidden dangers, but at such critical moments, everyone became more careful.

Especially after she, the "Director of the Heretic Tribunal," joined in, no one would want to be the one to stand out.

So, it seemed that the Holy Capital was actually quite peaceful right now!

Unless someone from outside came to cause trouble… but who would be bold enough to stir up conflict when all the top forces of The Church of Light were gathered in the Holy Capital?

Just as Lolth was thinking this…

Inside the Holy Capital, outside Eden Palace.

As the capital of the Papal State and the heart of The Church of Light, the Holy Capital, besides Eden Palace and a few small towns nearby, also had a vast outer area.

This circular outer area was simply divided into four parts, directly governed by the Privy Council.

It was home to many new believers and the families of church members who had just arrived in the Holy Capital, and it also contained properties of young masters and Paladins, along with some estates belonging to nobles of the Holy Lieto Empire.

At the same time, there were some less holy "buildings" that should not appear within the Holy Capital, such as marketplaces for the production, processing, and trading of food and daily necessities, workshops and taverns for brewing drinks, centers for disposing of garbage and magical materials, and the execution grounds of the Heretic Tribunal. All of these were found in these areas.

At this time, Patricia and Dorothy wandered around the Holy Capital for a day, pretending to be "impostors of the Lady of Light and Holy Light believers," chatting kindly with the faithful and occasionally using the Rod of Eden’s pure Holy Light power to help the people heal their ailments, showing the mercy and approachability of the Lady of Light.

Gradually, they moved from the Holy Capital’s Eden Palace to these areas, which, though not as sacred, breathed more life.

They had reached a marketplace, acting like the true Lady of Light and the newly appointed Cardinal, asking whether the food in the market was fresh and if the people could afford it.

The people and merchants proudly and happily answered them.

"Your Holiness need not worry; the food here is clean and sanitary!"

"Yes, every day, those who pray at the church receive holy meal vouchers. On days when no holy meal is served, they can come here to exchange the vouchers for food… Nobody has ever run out of holy meal vouchers!"

"Besides this, the Council also distributes general currency each month…"

"Everyone has plenty of rations and money, more than enough to spend!"

Everyone’s face was filled with happy expressions.

Patricia and Dorothy were not surprised either…

This is the Holy Capital of The Church of Light.

As long as the people here have enough to eat and wear warmly, and even enjoy good food and drinks, The Church of Light can surely provide that.

These followers only needed to pray every day and do some assigned work at the church to earn a lot of common coins and supplies.

Even if they did nothing, they would not starve.

They were the happiest people on the whole continent.

However, the conditions to enter the Holy Capital were quite strict…

First, one had to be very devout and free of sins, and only then could they qualify to be "selected" or "recommended."

Those who were recommended must naturally contribute to The Church of Light.

Either by donating all their wealth to the church, or by having children with exceptional gifts of Holy Light, or by having parents or siblings who had become high-ranking Superoperators, or by having friends and family who had sacrificed themselves for the glory of the church and Holy Light…

Of course, it was unknown whether there were any "hidden agendas" in this.

But in any case, apart from the recommended ones…

There was also a completely fair "drawing."

Whenever someone who had come to live in the Holy Capital passed away without leaving behind any descendants, and there were no suitable candidates recommended…

A person would be randomly chosen from among the devout, noble yet ordinary pilgrims to gain the right to permanently reside here.

This was a reflection of the Lord’s mercy.

Living in the Holy Capital was also the ultimate dream of all believers.

Of course, these were all just the promotions of The Church of Light…

For a long time, Patricia and Dorothy, who belonged to other forces, had doubted if the Holy Capital was truly as "wonderful" as it seemed.

But today, it turned out that The Church of Light had not exaggerated or made any false claims!

"This is really nice…"

Even Patricia, who had always been somewhat critical of The Church of Light, couldn’t help but express her admiration.

"Yes, it’s almost as good as the teacher’s territory."

Dorothy felt the same way.

While the two were strolling through the market…

Suddenly, both Dorothy and Patricia felt a strange wave of Holy Light.

"Epic."

Patricia made a judgment in her heart.

But because she did not dare to use her true power, she could not confirm the identity of the visitor.

Soon, a ray of light appeared in front of the two of them…

A letter, wrapped in the power of Holy Light and invisible to the faithful, fell from mid-air.

After Patricia held the letter, she discovered it was an invitation letter sealed with wax.

"Her Holiness, Archbishop Valentina."

"Recently, it has been heard that Her Holiness has escaped from danger and returned safely. We have also heard that Bishop Hume Valentina has been appointed as the new Cardinal, favored by Holy Light, and kindly invites both of you to a private dinner at ‘Bennett Clan Manor’ south of the ‘Loyalty District’ in the Holy Capital, to admire your grace."

Looking at this invitation letter, Patricia gazed at Dorothy.

"Oh dear… the invitation letter from the Bennett family looks… not very friendly."

Patricia said lightly.

Clearly, the name "Dena Bennett" was familiar to both of them, even though they were not true members of The Church of Light.

Dorothy nodded slightly.

"If I remember correctly, he should be one of the most powerful Holy Light warriors in the Holy Lieto Empire and a former leader of the Empire’s expeditionary knights… His brother and nephew are a red-clad bishop who served as a deacon in the Holy Empire and the leader of the ‘Judgment’ knight group, whom we have seen before."

"He himself is also very close with His Excellency, Privy Bishop ‘Yu Guang.’"

As the princess of the Golden Peacock, even though she had no power… Dorothy still remembered quite a few "important people."

"Yes, he is a rare hardliner in the Empire, always advocating to strengthen the Empire’s own authority, to support the Church and Holy Light… The Bennett family is also an old family, traditionally responsible for taking on the Church’s challenges…"

Thinking of this, Patricia said seriously to Dorothy.

"If you go, be ready to be killed by the duke’s executioners, okay?"

Hearing this, Dorothy knew Patricia was just trying to scare her.

"Yes, I will be ready to face death."

She smiled and took the invitation letter.

"But… as ‘Her Holiness’, whether real or fake, I cannot back down at this moment."

Saying this, it was clear that she intended to go.

Anyway… considering the time, Teacher Lolth would probably be back soon.

Just thinking of Teacher Lolth made Dorothy feel there was nothing to be afraid of.

And similarly…

On the other side of the outer area of the Holy Capital, inside the "Friendly" district.

In a small "Meat Processing Workshop," Kanor sat in front of a workbench filled with a bloody smell.

The workbench, usually used for slaughtering and cutting animals, was now bound and restricted by the moving shackles of "Versatile Kitchenware."

There were three seemingly ordinary, kind-hearted, honest followers, dressed in work clothes with the "Meat Processing" logo, sitting on a cold, blood-stained table.

However, from time to time, a powerful wave of Holy Light arose from them, only to be suppressed by Versatile Kitchenware, indicating that they were not just ordinary followers here for slaughtering and processing work.

At least, they were not only doing those jobs.

Kanor watched them while sitting on a stool in front of the table.

Behind her, Lalea was searching for something in the cabinet where the meat was categorized.

"Hello, members of the Heretic Tribunal."

"Let me introduce myself, my name is Kanor Fuen, and I am an adventurer learning extraordinary skills from the demon race."

"The main reason I came here is to ask all of you… Is there anything notable happening in the Holy Capital lately?"

She said this sincerely, looking at the three people whose faces were filled with anger and fear.

These three are, of course, members of the ‘Heretic Tribunal’ base that Kanor discovered after her investigation.

Just as Lolth said… this world is too dependent on ‘extraordinary powers.’

Whether it is hiding or disguising, the first priority is to conceal extraordinary energy and to use covered extraordinary energy to complete the rest of the disguise.

As for other aspects, hiding one’s movements and identity…

While it cannot be said that there is absolutely none, it can still be described as extremely rough.

And Kanor, taught by Lolth, can naturally see through the ‘disguise’ from places beyond extraordinary energy.

No… even Kanor herself could understand these skills.

When facing Kanor’s self-introduction, the leader of the Heretic Tribunal, a middle-aged man who looked honest and simple, sneered.

"We have seen many betrayers who try to deceive us like you… but trying to frame the demon race is quite creative."

"Even though there are ancient alchemical creations that hide their identities, the Lord Director will not let you go!"

"You betrayers and impure-minded heretics within the church… truly fear the Lord Director taking the Pope’s position!"

"You will not get any information from us!"

Saying this, Kanor nodded her head.

"Oh, so I can’t get any information from you?"

The little girl asked softly in reply.