Chapter 11: A New Mission in Dawn City

Naya, Leon, and Ael departed from Roaring Mountain Town. After traversing Lion Mountain, their carriage journeyed for an entire day before finally reaching Dawn City.

Dawn City, located in the west, was the closest metropolis to the continent’s heart, ruled by the Silver Lion King.

Its grandeur and prosperity far surpassed that of a small settlement like Roaring Mountain Town.

Every building was adorned in a predominant silver-white hue, precisely the shade of Ael’s armor – a clear indication that Aio’s order had drawn inspiration from this very aesthetic.

Leon, in particular, found Naya, with her white hair and attire, to be perfectly in harmony with the city’s aesthetic.

“Uncle, could you tell us more about Dawn City?” Naya asked the carriage driver.

“Would you like to hear about the history of this continent?”

“Yes, please.”

“Five hundred years ago, this continent was governed by four kingdoms: the Silver Lion King, the Goat King of Highgarden, the Sand Serpent King, and the Blazing Dragon King.

One day, a group of mages suddenly landed. The four kingdoms united to wage war against them, yet they were utterly decimated by magic.

Most of their territories were seized by the mages, forcing the remnants of the kingdoms to hide in their last small fiefdoms, fearing to emerge.

The mages mockingly named them the Chimera Alliance, implying that their combined territories were smaller than a single kingdom once was.

The mages then ruled this continent for over five centuries, until the Calamity a decade ago…”

“After the Calamity, did the four kingdoms not consider reclaiming their lost lands?” Leon inquired.

“They’re already preparing,” Ael interjected.

At that moment, the carriage traversed a peculiar stretch of road. On one side stood the silver-hued Dawn City, while the other was a desolate expanse of ruins.

Leon observed the figures of commoners amidst the rubble, alongside several strange individuals wearing bird-head masks.

“What’s going on over there?”

“That was a mage’s floating city that fell during the Calamity,” the uncle replied. “Now, it’s occupied by the Angelic Church. They say it’s where the god Mercury descended, so it’s revered as a holy city by their followers.”

“You actually believe such nonsense about Mercury descending, Uncle?” Ael scoffed.

“Heh heh, I know you’re Aio’s followers, but I’m not afraid to say it—that’s a belief for royalty and nobles. The Angelic Church is for the common folk—”

“I’ll get off here! I need to report to the palace. We’ll meet back at the monastery later!” Ael declared, leaping from the carriage and striding off in a huff.

“She seems genuinely upset. She can’t stand anyone speaking ill of Aio. By the way, Naya, why aren’t you reacting?” Leon asked.

“I just think… Aio wouldn’t care.”

“That’s quite a spirited statement. It feels like Aio’s prestige just skyrocketed.”

As they spoke, the carriage suddenly lurched to a halt. Six or seven individuals, all wearing bird-head masks, had stopped them.

“Strangers? Get out of the carriage immediately for inspection!” the masked figures clamored.

“I am a devout follower of Mercury!” the carriage driver exclaimed, immediately pressing his palms together in a gesture of piety.

“You say you are? If there are any heretical items in this carriage, you’ll be subjected to interrogation!”

“Heretical items” referred to anything associated with mages. The Angelic Church harbored extreme animosity towards mages, a sentiment deeply embedded in their doctrines.

This hatred garnered widespread support, as many felt a sense of vindication, having finally overthrown the mages who once oppressed them.

Without Aio’s order, the power dynamic would have been completely one-sided.

“I am a priestess of Aio! What do you want?” Naya declared, stepping forward bravely.

The “bird-faced” figures stared at Naya for a moment.

“We won’t interfere with your affairs, and I advise you to stay out of ours.” With that warning, they dispersed. After all, Aio’s order enjoyed the backing of the Second Prince, so they dared not cause trouble openly.

It had been a false alarm. Leon’s hand, which had instinctively reached for his Roaring Light Sword, now relaxed.

The carriage passed through the ruins without further incident.

Naya let out a sigh of relief. “It’s a good thing Ael wasn’t here.”

‘Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable…’

“My first impression of the Angelic Church isn’t particularly favorable,” Leon remarked.

“They never dared to act like this before. What exactly happened while I was away from Dawn City?”

“Mercury will ascend to heaven, taking his followers with him,” the uncle stated with profound reverence.

“Huh—?”

Both Naya and Leon found this utterly incredible.

Soon after, the carriage arrived at Aio’s monastery. Naya paid the driver nine silver coins, a sum calculated by the number of passengers.

Numerous children were present at the monastery, some from noble families, others orphans like Naya herself. This impartial approach felt far more reliable than the Angelic Church’s methods.

Leon observed Naya distributing candies to the children, a thought forming in his mind.

Naya had grown up here too! Her parents were mages, and if she had encountered the mage-hating Angelic Church instead of Aio, her fate might have been entirely different.

Leon sensed that Naya, both in appearance and in spirit, was a true “priestess.” She genuinely possessed a heartwarming quality. Being with her made one feel deeply comforted.

Ael, on the other hand, was somewhat more fervent than Naya. Yet, she wasn’t truly bad; her conviction in what she believed was right remained unwavering, marking her as a girl brimming with a sense of justice.

In short, both girls were exceptional.

At that moment, Father Mans, his hair streaked with white, stood on the steps, gazing benignly at Naya.

“Teacher Mans—”

“It’s been a long time. Have you been praying to Aio regularly?”

“Every day,” Naya replied with a smile. Before him, she seemed almost childlike.

Father Mans nodded, a gentle smile gracing his lips.

“Teacher, I wish to seek your guidance in learning priestess skills.”

“Child, all priestess skills are miracles bestowed by Aio, not taught by me. However, I can guide you in praying to Aio. Come with me—”

“Leon, please wait for me here for a moment.”

“Understood,” Leon replied.

***

Meanwhile, Ael, having already reached the palace, was speaking privately with His Royal Highness, the Second Prince.

“Ael, I didn’t expect you to complete the mission so quickly. It seems it went smoothly, didn’t it?”

His Royal Highness, the Second Prince, was a handsome blonde man. Though he appeared only a few years Ael’s senior, he had successfully supported Aio’s order, proving himself truly remarkable.

“I nearly died,” Ael stated nonchalantly, her arms crossed.

“Are you serious!?” The Second Prince’s expression instantly shifted upon hearing this.

“Just kidding. When I returned today, I overheard some heretics slandering Aio, and it was quite annoying.”

“What happened?”

“They claimed Aio is only worshipped by royalty and nobles. Have you allowed the order to become too detached from the common people?

I believe you should take some measures to win back those commoners who have been swayed by the Angelic Church…”

“Ael,” the Second Prince said solemnly,

“The Lord does not care. The Lord grants true power to believers and then reveals it to the world; slander cannot change the fact of the Lord’s true existence. The order has always taken in orphans who have lost their families. You know this.”

“Mm! Alright! I understand! ‘The Lord does not care’—that’s well said. It seems I won’t bother with them next time.” As Ael spoke, something suddenly occurred to her. “Oh, right, how much does a mithril sword cost?”

“Mithril is weighed by the gram, and it’s not something you can simply buy with money. Your mithril shield, for instance, couldn’t be exchanged for a chest full of gold coins.”

‘Alas, it seems Leon won’t be able to afford one,’ Ael murmured to herself.

“Could you get one for me?”

“You want one?”

“If it’s too difficult, then never mind—”

“No, no,” the Second Prince said, smiling at her. “Since it’s something you desire, I will make sure to procure it for you, no matter what.”

“Thank you, then.”

“I also happen to have another mission for you.”

“—!?”

“It concerns the Angelic Church,” the Second Prince revealed mysteriously.