Chapter 50: Chapter 42: Krimms Cathedral (2)
Before long, the two of them arrived in the Church District.
A team of Guards in the Knight Armor of the Dawn Church stood watch at the entrance, their gazes sweeping seriously over every believer.
When they saw the two of them approach, they uniformly raised their right index and middle fingers to their foreheads and bowed slightly. "Praise the Dawn."
Kali returned the salute. "Praise the Dawn."
"Praise the Dawn."
Wei’en also bowed his head in a salute, muttering to himself, ’Are the Dawn Church’s Guards always this polite?’
The head Guard pointed at Wei’en and looked to Kali. "And who might this be...?"
A warm smile spread across Kali’s face. "A new believer. I will be his guide, leading him to embrace the Dawn."
"Praise the Dawn. You truly are..." The Guard trailed off, then gestured with his hand for them to pass.
’Truly what?’
Wei’en couldn’t help but feel these Guards were a bit strange. Their attitude toward Kali was different from how they treated others.
Once the two of them had entered the plaza before the Cathedral, Wei’en couldn’t help but ask, "Sister Kali, why do I get the feeling they were being very, very respectful toward you?"
"Were they?"
Kali seed to think of sothing, and her face flushed. "Maybe it’s because I’m a student at the Church School... perhaps?"
Wei’en gave her a suspicious look. "Is that right?"
"Of course! The people of the Dawn Church are all wonderful and kind. You’re a kind person too, aren’t you?"
"...Of course I’m a kind person."
Wei’en offered a perfunctory reply and didn’t press the matter further.
His priority right now was to finish his mission and get out of here quickly.
He only had an hour. If he missed his window, he’d be in big trouble.
After they walked a little farther, Wei’en felt so of the pressure on him ease.
But he didn’t let go of Kali’s hand. He even leaned in closer, muttering under his breath, "So dizzy..."
"Just hang on a little longer, Wei’en. We’re almost at the Cathedral."
Kali let go of his hand and, instead of just supporting his arm, wrapped hers around his shoulder to let him lean on her more comfortably.
"Sorry to trouble you, Sister Kali."
’This must be the power of the Dawn Radiance, right?’
’So soft... no, I an, such a warm feeling.’
"It’s no trouble. When we get to the Cathedral, if you’re still not feeling well, I’ll ask the Lord Bishop to heal you..."
"Heal ?"
Wei’en imdiately straightened up, pulling away from her. "Hey, I think I’m all better now."
To prove he was better, he even casually did a backflip.
"Wei. En."
If Kali still hadn’t realized she’d been tricked, she’d be a complete fool. She glared at him and said, "Under the illumination of the Dawn Radiance, liars will be punished."
"Praise the Dawn. I trust the great Lord of Dawn will forgive a new believer for his unintentional slip-up."
Wei’en faced the Cathedral at the far end of the plaza and perford a pious salute.
’If you’re going to lie, it’s better to admit it upfront than get caught later.’
’As long as he didn’t feel awkward, the awkwardness was all on them.’
Kali let out a snort of laughter.
Seeing his gesture, Kali couldn’t help but smile. "Wei’en, you should raise your hand a little higher, and your fingers should be pressed together."
"Like this?" Wei’en adjusted his pose according to her instructions.
"That’s perfect," Kali said, nodding in satisfaction like a strict teacher watching a promising student. "Co on, I’ll give you a tour of the Cathedral."
’A tour?’
Wei’en couldn’t have asked for anything better. The device for detecting fluctuations from forbidden items had a limited range; he needed to search around more anyway.
"That would be great, of course. But I don’t have much ti today; I have to get to work later..."
He made sure to add the reminder, laying the groundwork for his escape from the Cathedral before the Magic Potion wore off.
Kali took him at his word. "Then let’s hurry. The Cathedral grounds are huge."
Krimms Cathedral, located in the heart of the Caster City State, was a magnificent and sacred edifice.
The outer walls were made of black stone blocks, each one carefully placed to create highly artistic ornantal patterns, forming a series of mystical designs.
Its spires glittered with a holy light under the sun, while its archways, set at varying heights, hinted at an ancient and mysterious past.
Kali stood below the Cathedral and gazed upward, her face filled with pride and reverence. "It’s spectacular, isn’t it?"
Wei’en nodded. "It certainly is."
A cathedral this majestic could only have been built in a world as full of the Extraordinary and the mystical as this one.
"Krimms has a long history. It’s said to have been completed back in the Third Era. It’s endured the flas of war but has always remained standing. It’s one of the Dawn Church’s most special cathedrals in all of Shetland."
"The Third Era?" Wei’en’s expression shifted. "Sister Kali, do you know how long ago the Third Era was?"
"Um... I’m not too sure about that," Kali said hesitantly. "We’re a little short on ti, so let’s hurry inside."
With that, she took Wei’en’s hand and, following the other believers, headed into the Cathedral.
’She doesn’t know?’
Wei’en followed her into the Cathedral, lost in thought. Beyond the great doors lay a wide, open nave.
The sight that unfolded before him left him stunned.
A massive hall stretched as far as the eye could see. Towering stone pillars supported an imnse vaulted ceiling, like giant swords proclaiming their majesty and power.
The walls of the hall were inlaid with reliefs depicting mysterious and ancient stories, each carving imbued with the weight of ages.
Light filtered through stained-glass windows, casting colorful tapestries upon the floor. The interplay of light and shadow filled the space with a sacred aura.
On the enormous vaulted ceiling were painted murals. A "figure" whose face was indistinct held a scepter aloft.
Winged Angels knelt at his side, their faces filled with piety and awe.
’That must be the Lord of Dawn.’
In the center of the great hall stood a massive altar, upon which rested several peculiar sculptures.
’A scepter? Or a Magic Staff?’
’And a book?’
’Normally, shouldn’t there be a statue of the Lord of Dawn himself on the altar?’
Wei’en’s footsteps echoed on the marble floor. He glanced down. "This place..."
"Shh," Kali whispered. "Wei’en, you have to be quiet in here. It’s written in the Holy Covenant of the Dawn that He dislikes noise and trivial sounds."
"Oh."
Wei’en nodded, seeing no problem with that. ’Gods have to maintain a certain image to seem special, after all.’
With that in mind, he began to look around curiously.
Opportunities to enter Krimms Cathedral were rare, especially since it wouldn’t be long before his na appeared on the Dawn Church’s blacklist.
All around him were devout believers of the Dawn Church, just like Kali.
Since entering the hall, they had kept their heads bowed, walking silently toward the altar at the far end with solemn and reverent expressions.
Lining the great hall were dozens of clergy in Golden Robes, standing as still as statues on either side, seemingly welcoming the arriving believers.
But Wei’en knew these people were the Cathedral’s Guardians. Lisi had specifically warned him to avoid any conflict with them at all costs.
"Co with . We’re going to the side chapel."
Before he could investigate further, Kali pulled him through an adjacent doorway.
Wei’en followed close behind her and, seeing that not many people were around, quietly activated the detection device around his neck.
Just then, a notification appeared in his mind.
[You have entered a place where an unknown entity harvests faith. As your Spirit level is greater than 20, you have successfully resisted the corrosion of the Power of Dawn Faith. Evaluation: That was a close call. Well done. Special Reward: Survival Points
3, Spirit Level
1.]
’A close call?’
Wei’en rolled his eyes. ’It must still be talking about
taking the Dawn Radiance Potion.’
Still, he agreed with the description of it being a "place where an entity harvests faith."
Compared to the Despair Sect’s sacrificial site, the Dawn Church was clearly far more open and aboveboard.
HUMMM!
Hm?
’A fluctuation detected?!’
P.S. Extra Chapter tomorrow! I hope all you aweso readers will continue to show your support. The update pace is about to pick up!
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