Dozens of days since the demon execution incident, Velvet has been traveling to cities in Durcia. Right now, she was in the carriage, sitting in silence.
"You are getting pathetic day by day, Vel." Sitting across from that woman, Candice closed the book she was reading and sighed. "Cheer up a little bit."
Velvet was silent for a mont before answering. "What are we actually doing, Candice?"
"Aren't we doing your duty as servants of the holy god?"
The prophet stared outside, looking at the soldiers who were walking. So of them were mages who cleared snowy roads. "But, we didn't do anything significant in the cities we visited. There is nothing in those places. No sign of them worshiping Vorn."
"Maybe the demon lord's influence isn't as far-reaching as we thought. We just haven't found a city like that yet."
A bitter chuckle left Velvet's mouth. "But we saw Vorn's followers in the capital. What if Vorn's influence is actually ingrained in the hearts of the residents? And maybe they get orders to hide it until a certain point. If that is true, then the condition of this country is dire…."
"It could be that Vron's followers in the capital are paid people." Candice interrupted.
"Co on, Candice. You see that woman I executed? She was really willing to die for the leader of darkness. And to scream and throw at when there are a lot of soldiers is just too crazy. They wouldn't be doing those things if they weren't a strong belief in what they were following."
Candice rubbed her face. "I was going to say that the lectures you gave in those cities might help, but you will definitely argue with again."
"Yeah, I wouldn't believe it would help…."
"Rember who you are, Velvet Byrne." Candice held her best friend's hand. "What do you usually do when faced with a situation like this?"
Velvet lowered her head, and one tear fell from her eye. "Even praying can't give peace anymore, can't give the spirit to keep going. I'm starting to feel…. I feel God has abandoned ."
Candice hugged her best friend's body. As a non-believer in God, this is the right ti for Candice to say God is just a support system. That God is not the answer to anything.
However, Candice wouldn't say that to Velvet. Not when the prophet is in a fragile condition like this.
"I'm afraid that people in this kingdom are too deep in the dark." Velvet tried desperately to hold back her tears. As the leader of this holy march, she must always look strong.
Or the morale of the soldiers accompanying her will drop.
"Therefore, you must subdue the demon lord, and gradually its influence will disappear." Candice sighed.
There was a knock on the door just as the carriage stopped.
"Let answer that," Candice whispered. "Looks like we've arrived at a city. Maybe a hot bath and warm food will calm you down."
Because they brought a huge army, not all soldiers could enter the city. So, only Velvet, Candice, and a few soldiers did it. The people will feel intimidated if too many troops roam the town.
One of the keys to successful religious lectures is relaxed citizens.
Candice then opened the door and said to a soldier who had knocked.
"Does miss prophet want to enter the city?" the soldier asked.
Candice nodded. "Yes, please."
***
It was late at night, and two n rode horses through the city's snowy streets, carrying torches.
Once they got to a two-story building, they all got off. One of them took care of the horses while the other ca to the building's door guarded by two soldiers.
"Excuse , gentleman. We are ssengers from one of the villages in the north. We want to et the prophet." The man pleaded with trembling lips, more out of nervousness than cold. "It's about what's in our village."
One of the guard soldiers snorted. "It's already midnight. The prophet is resting."
"But this is really important." The man gets tensed. "In our place, there are people we suspect to be demons!"
The two guard soldiers looked unfazed. One of them even said while yawning. "Look, we both just had a long trip and haven't had a good rest. We don't want to make a fuss. Co back tomorrow morning. Maybe the prophet will hear you."
The male ssenger looked desperate but didn't continue the argunt. He returned to his friend and started whispering.
"Hey, you better get out of here, or we'll kick you out." One of the guards was getting annoyed.
anwhile, his partner frowned. He shouted as the ssenger's friend took out a magic staff. "What are you doing!?
The magic staff wielder cast a spell, causing the device to shoot a light that flew into the male ssenger's throat.
The two guard soldiers had already run to the three people, and the ssenger man shouted with all his might. "Miss Prophet, there might be Demons in our village!!! Can you step outside to hear us for a second, please!!??
The sound was so loud it made everyone around the man cover their ears, even his own friend.
"Shit!" One of the soldiers was still covering one ear with his hand and staggered from the effect of the magic amplified sound. "This is practically an assault on state workers! We have the right to kill you!!!"
People in nearby buildings started coming out to check what was going on. The ssenger man raised both hands. "Trust , gentlen. I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't an ergency."
The two guard soldiers looked even angrier and grabbed the man, then pushed him down. His friend protested.
However, before any further commotion could occur, Velvet looked out the window of her bedroom on the second floor.
"Stop, soldiers!" She gave an order. "I will hear them."
The guard soldiers snorted in annoyance, but a prophet's orders were absolute. They released the ssenger man, who stood up and bowed to the prophet.
"Co in. Wait for downstairs." The prophet then pulled her head and walked out of the room.
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