Night.
The sea looked even darker in the blackness. Weird moaning sounds drifted from the sea fog, as if terrifying giant beasts lurked within.
Several pairs of steel boots slammed down onto the shoreline, and a few pitch-black figures slowly descended from the sea's surface.
"I borrowed my Lord's power — by coming this way, we can evade the monitoring of the enemy's
A figure wrapped in a grey cloak spoke softly.
"Tch! A false god's territory — one day, I'll raze it to the ground!"
A burly man among them sneered.
"Watch your tongue, Mal!"
Their leader turned around. He wore exquisite chainmail, and the center of the cloak on his back bore a massive single-eye emblem — the holy symbol of Helm, the Guardian God.
"Our mission is to hunt down the remnants of the heretic church! Affairs on the South Coast are none of our concern. Unless the church and our God issue a direct decree, we should avoid provoking other factions!"
"Understood, Bishop Morland!"
The burly man called Mal grumbled reluctantly but ultimately fell silent.
"Does everyone understand our mission this time?"
Bishop Morland looked at his subordinates, his expression growing solemn. "The target is a heretic god's descendant, protected by remnant church forces. They could become a vessel for the heretic god's resurrection at any moment — so they must be 'purged'!"
"According to our intelligence, they intend to flee to Bankzy Island. We absolutely cannot let them succeed!"
"Bankzy Island… that land where giant serpents coil… a hell of endless death and fear…"
A low voice murmured from within the group, and Morland's face darkened further.
Leilin's name had long since appeared on Helm's wanted list. He was a false god who had once resisted a purge and even slain a large number of clergy.
Unfortunately, his stronghold was on Bankzy Island, where he controlled the native empire. He had a sizable following of subordinates and underlings, and even had another false god as an accomplice.
Although Helm's church had dispatched several adventure squads with high hopes, every single one had failed to return. Some had even been turned.
After several such disasters, the island had become forbidden ground for Helm's church — even casual mention of it drew hostility.
"Move out! This time, we swear to subdue the false god!"
Bishop Morland's face was resolute as he led his subordinates into the darkness of night.
…
"My Lord… you are the star in the heavens, your wings shroud the entire world, shielding your faithful and bringing us the power of healing. Slaughter is the blade in your hand. Your eyes shine brighter than the sun…"
Inside Faolan Port, in a hidden chamber, a priest wearing the robes of the Feathered Serpent led other faithful in prayer.
Since Leilin was not yet a true god, his church was not recognized by all deities. Once they appeared openly, they would certainly invite attack, so their missionary work could only be conducted in secret.
After the daily prayers concluded, the bishop retired to an adjacent office, where several fierce-looking faithful were already waiting.
Among them, remarkably, were several natives.
Though they were slightly shorter, the fanaticism in their eyes and the cold killing intent radiating from their bodies actually surpassed that of the others.
"Good day, everyone! Under the gaze of the Feathered Serpent God
The bishop nodded to the assembled faithful.
"Under our God's gaze!" everyone immediately responded in unison, and the natives' eyes blazed with an even more fervent light.
Whether in strength or faith, these natives had already proven themselves. The bishop certainly would not show any contempt.
"Hearsay has it that the church headquarters on Bankzy Island has already welcomed a large number of native bishops, and that the next candidate for pontiff — a native holy maiden — has strong support…"
The bishop suddenly recalled this.
But then he gripped the holy symbol at his chest and began an internal confession: "Everything is our God's will! We have only to obey. God… please forgive my earlier wavering…"
Of course, regardless of what turmoil churned within the bishop, those who had been summoned only saw him clench his holy symbol before sitting down behind the desk.
"According to intelligence from the Town Hall and the Wizard Tower, an extraordinary figure has entered our territory!"
The Serpent bishop tapped the table and produced a letter sealed with wax, distributing it for the others to examine.
"The Scorpion Church?"
A subordinate scanned it and cried out in surprise.
"Yes… it is the church of a demigod, devoted to some ancient scorpion deity. They developed in secret for a time… but when that demigod attempted to ascend to godhood, Helm's church discovered and disbanded them. In the end, it is said the demigod perished…"
The bishop relayed the intelligence, a mocking expression on his face.
"Normally we wouldn't bother with such a minor church, but according to high-ranking mage
"This is quite troublesome… it could spark a war if we're not careful, and our current directive is to maintain peace with mainland powers and focus on development…"
A subordinate frowned.
"Of course, I'm aware of that. But we cannot simply let them run roughshod over our rules!"
The bishop studied his subordinates with secret frustration. Under normal circumstances, situations like this — where he couldn't maintain control — would never arise.
Unfortunately, he had only recently taken office, and this was the former headquarters of the Faolan Family — a position of great importance. Those who had remained behind held considerable power.
Of course, when it came to Leilin's divine oracle, they obeyed without question.
But beyond that, achieving true unity of purpose was another matter entirely.
The main elites were all present, though. Without convincing them, no plan could move forward.
Just as the bishop was wrestling with the problem, his expression changed abruptly.
A tremendous will had suddenly descended. Flames burned in the void, tracing out the image of a winged serpent.
"Our Lord descends!"
The bishop was the first to drop to his knees, chanting a prayer. The others followed suit immediately.
"My faithful, I need you…"
Soon, a burst of thought传递ed from the serpent deity's image, bringing a trace of joy to the bishop's face.
"Well? Did everyone understand our Lord's oracle?"
"Of course! Since it is our Lord's will, we will accomplish this even at the cost of our lives!"
The same subordinate who had spoken earlier stood up, his expression determined.
"Good." The bishop nodded with satisfaction.
…
The master and two servants who had just arrived had no idea that a grave crisis was already descending upon them.
In a small inn, the young master — who had slipped out earlier for a quick look around — was installed in a clean upper room. The man acting as a steward went to the window, peered out cautiously, then drew the curtains tight.
A knight stood at the door like a sculpture, the most loyal of guards.
"Young Master! Please be mindful of your words and actions — how could you run out just on a whim of curiosity? Don't you know that Helm's church has pursuers on our heels? If they get the chance, they will absolutely not let us go…"
The steward's face was shrouded in a dark haze.
The youth shrank back. "I'm sorry… Lord Bishop, I… I just really wanted to see that lord's Wizard Tower…"
"Sigh… after all, he's still just a child. The burden we've placed on him is far too heavy…"
The bishop, disguised as a steward, sighed inwardly at the sight of the youth, and his expression softened.
"Please bear with it a little longer. Once we reach Bankzy Island, we'll be completely safe…"
"Bankzy Island?"
A rare look of joy crossed the youth's face. "That rumored native empire, and the land where the great serpent coils… once we're there, we won't have to worry about Helm's church anymore?"
"Yes. As long as you receive that one's protection!"
A gentle, benevolent smile spread across the steward's face.
"Our Lord once had dealings with the Feathered Serpent Church, and they are quite willing to help us persecuted innocents. Most importantly, we have brought gifts that are more than sufficient to earn their favor!"
At the mention of gifts, the knight's eyes involuntarily drifted to the youth's neck.
There, a crystal pendant radiated a soft glow.
"A divine artifact! Only such a price is enough to secure their protection for you!"
The steward stroked the youth's hair. "Please don't grieve. This was our Lord's unexpected windfall. If it can buy us breathing room and secure the opportunity for the church to grow strong again in the future, I believe even our Lord would agree…"
What the youth failed to notice, however, was that the steward's eyes still held a trace of… pity.
A divine child was, naturally, the offspring of a god — the descendants of a demigod could be called by this title as well, though only just.
In truth, the youth had many siblings, all children of that demigod, kept as contingency against misfortune.
Sadly, under Helm's church's purge, only this one still survived.
"If it were a true god, even after perishing, as long as their faithful still called upon their true name with devout belief, the deity could walk forth from the river of time once more. But a demigod was different… they required additional conditions, far more stringent ones, and resurrection was far more difficult…"
Though pity stirred within him, fervent faith ultimately prevailed, restoring the steward's composure.