Chapter 305 Church of the Dead Word
Lorinc, the capital of the Mess Marquisate and the glittering pearl of the kingdom’s southern border, was experiencing unease due to the recent spread of dangerous rumors and the presence of armored knights on patrol. However, driven by the pursuit of profit, merchant caravans carrying expensive goods such as silk and glass continued to arrive in the Southern Territory’s Commercial Hub.
Under the dazzling sunlight, a long street stretched across the entire city, lined with various shops. Besides attracting wealthy merchants in robes embroidered with gold-leaf lines and luxurious carriages carrying noble ladies adorned with exquisite decorations, adventurers equipped with swords and shields, staffs, and longbows also frequented the area.
However, amidst the pedestrians and vehicles, two young girls, whose appearances and temperaments were vastly different yet both exceptionally beautiful and graceful, captured the attention of many.
“Hmm… is this the Senan Long Street you were talking about, Shiel? So many people… it looks truly prosperous!” Verafia’s small boots stepped onto the thick marble floor in front of her. Her flawless, delicate face, unadorned by makeup, was slightly tilted upwards, and her eyes, with their gorgeously colorful and elegant pupils, scanned her surroundings with great interest.
“Although my father said that Lorinc hasn’t been very stable recently, as long as everyone has needs, this place can naturally maintain its former prosperity. After all, Lorinc has the highest quality iron ore in the entire kingdom. Both weapons and agricultural tools used by mercenaries and farmers cannot be without pig iron.” Shiel, with her beautiful silver-gold hair, followed Verafia. Her tilted face was young and exquisite, but she couldn’t help but reveal a hint of pride.
Verafia continued to gaze around with her big eyes. She already knew Lorinc’s reputation as the “City on Iron Ore,” so she didn’t pay much attention to Shiel’s words. While the rich deposits and quite high quality of iron ore could bring Eggesti financial revenues that surpassed the entire southern region, Verafia didn’t care much. What interested Verafia more was the “Church of the Dead Word” she had heard about earlier.
Of course, although she had guided the noble lady beside her through more than half of the city, the expected heretics hadn’t taken the bait. Apart from the patrolling knights, there wasn’t the slightest sign of them, not even a clue. This made Verafia a little displeased, wondering if someone knew she had deliberately instructed her subordinates. However, she only thought this to herself. Verafia wouldn’t attribute such a low probability event to her own complaining.
“Miss Vera, are you looking for something?” Shiel, beside her, seemed to sense something and asked the girl.
“Oh, I’m just a little curious about what this Church of the Dead Word is that someone in your family mentioned.” Verafia had no reason to hide anything and spoke quite cheerfully. The girl’s eyes, as if dyed with the blazing golden fire, flickered with curiosity. “Do you know, Shiel?”
“Church of the Dead Word? Hmm, I heard my father talk about it a few days ago, but I haven’t been back for long and haven’t encountered them.” Shiel tilted her small face in thought, and a strand of delicate and smooth silver-gold hair slid across her slender shoulder. “According to my father… these people seem to belong to a very strict organization. Although their name sounds very dark, according to several knights who have fought them, the strength of these people doesn’t seem to be eroded by heresy. Instead, it still seems to be in the light faction.”
Light faction and dark faction were classifications of different power attributes by humans, the meaning of which could be understood from the literal words.
“Did the knights of your family fight with these people from the Church of the Dead Word?” Verafia said with some surprise. “If so, didn’t you capture any alive?”
“No. Before these people from the Church of the Dead Word were captured, they would sacrifice themselves without hesitation to attack, or they would simply burn their demonic power to completely incinerate themselves.” Shiel shook her head and said, “Moreover, their self-immolation spell formulas are quite strange. I heard that once, several Platinum Rank mages from the family ambushed them, but they couldn’t suppress the self-immolation fire of just one Platinum Rank follower, and could only watch as all traces of him were burned away.”
“Is that so?” Verafia rested her snowy cheek on her hand, tilting her small face slightly. Her long eyelashes blinked over her gorgeously burning golden eyes. “According to you, are these people all brainwashed into fanatical believers? Hmm, and it seems the mastermind behind the Church of the Dead Word doesn’t want their information known. So, what do they want?”
“It’s definitely not anything good. I just hope these guys can be dealt with quickly.” Shiel naturally didn’t have a good opinion of these heretics who were causing trouble in her family’s territory and said unhappily. The girl then lightly lifted her face, thought for a moment, and turned her gaze to Verafia.
“However, Miss Vera, you seem very interested in them?”
“Of course! Because this Church of the Dead Word, at first glance, is full of secrets. Perhaps I can find a lot of useful things from them.” Verafia’s delicate face brightened, and she let out a cheerful sound. She then turned her face back to Shiel, showing an excited expression. “Since coming to this kingdom, I’ve encountered this many times… Although the process is usually a bit bumpy, that’s what adventure is all about!”
Shiel watched the girl, who didn’t look much older than herself, count on her fair and jade-like slender fingers. Her clear blue pupils trembled, and her expression showed a hint of hesitation. However, she still tried to speak, “The adventures Miss Vera is talking about… are they with your brother?”
“You mean Eggesti, that guy? Tsk, of course! But, do you have a problem?” The girl’s delicate, jade-like fingertips drew a strand of her soft, silk-like hair. Her fair, snowy face turned, her big eyes, adorned with magnificent colors, looked with interest at the girl who was walking closer to her. Although Verafia guessed that Shiel’s spontaneous act of accompanying her shopping was likely due to Eggesti, it was slightly beyond Verafia’s expectation that this little one could remain so calm and only ask her first question now.
Shiel couldn’t help but purse her tender lips. The snow deer velvet boots on her petite leather shoes, worn under her magnificent dress, couldn’t help but take a step towards Verafia. Her exquisite little face forced a rather reluctant smile.
“I want to know about your brother’s experiences in his adventures… Miss Vera, can you tell me?”
