Translator: CinderTL
"Truly... astonishing!"
Gazing up at the colossal stone statue that nearly blotted out the sky, Galvis let out a sharp whistle. His fingers unconsciously brushed across the strings of his lute, releasing a few scattered notes.
"The Lord of a Trillion Lights... I never imagined the Blazing Sun Church would worship Lothander."
"Lothander?" Roland's eyes narrowed slightly at the name. He recalled reading about this deity in ancient texts: the god of the sun, dawn, and rebirth. According to those texts, his followers revered each sunrise as a sacred symbol of darkness retreating and hope blossoming.
It seemed the Blazing Sun Church might not be the kind of fanatical organization that exploits faith for personal gain and manipulates its followers. Instead, it appeared to be a positive force promoting hope, mutual aid, and growth.
Of course, all this depended on whether the church's members still adhered to their original doctrines and their faith hadn't become corrupted.
As his thoughts swirled, Roland shifted his gaze from the magnificent statue and began to carefully survey the interior of the Corona Lands.
This sacred site, hidden deep within the canyon, was far larger than he had anticipated, resembling a fully functional small settlement.
At a glance, there were several hundred Followers gathered here, dressed in two distinct styles of attire.
One group wore simple white or beige robes, appearing to be scholars or priests.
The other group wore practical leather or metal armor, clearly combat personnel.
Regardless of their clothing, all bore a common emblem embroidered on their backs or breastplates:
A stylized sun, its rays radiating outward in bursts of light.
This emblem...
Roland's gaze lingered on the Blazing Sun Crest for a moment.
It was identical to the one worn by the Blazing Sun Church Followers he had encountered in the Blackwater Territory's forest, battling goblins.
The Corona Lands gave him the impression of a tightly knit, self-sufficient community rather than a mere religious site.
Terraced fields cultivated with crops stretched into the distance, while nearby, artisans hammered and repaired under makeshift shelters. Further away, the clang of metal on metal echoed from what seemed to be a training ground.
Every structure and facility here prioritized practicality above all else, built simply from local stone and timber. Sturdy yet utterly devoid of unnecessary ornamentation, there was no trace of luxury or indulgence, only a stark simplicity and tranquility rooted in faith and survival.
The sudden arrival of Roland's group naturally drew the attention and wariness of the Followers in the Corona Lands.
"Don't worry," Gloria reassured them, noticing the tension in their bodies under the Followers' scrutiny. "Don't be intimidated by their appearance. Most of them have struggled to survive on this land for so long that they've grown accustomed to using a hardened exterior to protect their inner selves. The Blazing Sun Church prioritizes selecting and training resilient warriors and diligent artisans, not smooth-talking socialites."
She pointed to a distant warrior who was guiding a young man in adjusting the angle of his crossbow.
The warrior's face was stern, his words terse, almost brusque, yet his movements were precise and patient.
"They may not smile often, and their words can be blunt to the point of discomfort, but they live by the principle that 'deeds speak louder than words.' They share their last loaf of bread, keep vigil over wounded comrades, and shield you from blades without hesitation. These are how they express their faith and kindness."
Her gaze swept over the figures silently toiling in the fields, neatly stacking the plumpest fruits into the communal granary. Her voice carried a resolute warmth.
"So, rest assured here. They may seem aloof, but they are not malicious. Beneath their strict adherence to the law lies the unwavering hope and spirit of mutual aid that Lothander envisioned."
"Holy Maiden?"
An elderly man, who had been meticulously recording inventory lists, set down his quill and slowly approached them. His steps were steady, and an undeniable aura of authority radiated from him.
The surrounding Followers paused their work, bowing their heads slightly in reverence, their leader's status self-evident.
Yet the elder's appearance stood in stark contrast to his position.
His hair and beard were snow-white, his face rugged and weathered, his skin a deep tan etched with wrinkles as deep as if carved by a knife or chisel.
Beneath his outer robes, he wore a faded, well-worn linen tunic. His slightly hunched posture made him resemble a taciturn old farmer rather than a leader.
But his eyes told a different story.
They were sharp, piercing eyes that had weathered countless storms and seen through the world's deceptions.
As he approached Gloria, his gaze swept swiftly over Roland and the others, an instinctive and undisguised assessment of potential risks or threats.
There was no welcome in his eyes, only a calm, duty-bound vigilance.
"Why have you come at this hour?" the elder's voice was deep and raspy, his question direct and devoid of pleasantries. "The Day of the Corona is still nearly a month away."
"Mr. Bodo..." Gloria stepped forward slightly, as if to shield the others from his scrutinizing gaze.
She cast a reassuring glance at Roland and the others before lowering her voice and swiftly recounting recent events, including the attack and the duke's conspiracy.
"What?!"
As Gloria spoke, the old man named Bodo's brow furrowed deeply. The initial scrutiny in his eyes rapidly transformed into shock and fury, and he let out a disbelieving growl.
"The mastermind behind the suffering of the eastern commoners is none other than our own duke? And... he dares to meddle with the power of the abyss?"
His gray beard trembled slightly with rage as he paced back and forth anxiously. He abruptly stopped, his gaze locking onto Gloria with unwavering sharpness and resolve. His voice rang with ironclad conviction.
"Holy Maiden, we cannot stand idly by! The Blazing Sun Church's duty is to incinerate corruption and safeguard new life. Whatever you require..."
He turned and gestured forcefully toward the entire Corona Lands.
"Every soul here will heed your command."
"Thank you, Mr. Bodo."
Gloria seemed to have anticipated the old man's attitude and reaction, showing little surprise on her face.
"But before that..."
She gestured to Roland beside her.
"Allow me to introduce Mr. Roland."
Bodo's anger subsided slightly, but his inherent scrutinizing gaze returned.
Following protocol, he gave Roland a formal, stiff bow.
"The Blazing Sun Church will forever remember your righteous deed, Mr. Roland. By protecting the Holy Maiden, you have safeguarded our hope."
"If you require anything that does not violate our doctrines, please do not hesitate to ask."
The old man's words of gratitude sounded more like a cold declaration of debt.
However, the moment he straightened up and his gaze swept across Roland's face again, the practiced solemnity on his face froze.
His eyes widened slightly as all traces of wariness, scrutiny, and even his earlier anger vanished, replaced by overwhelming shock followed by an uncontrollable fervor.
"Hmm?"
Roland was about to offer a simple greeting when Bodo's sudden change in expression startled him.
Before Roland could speak, Bodo abruptly stepped forward, abandoning his earlier reserved demeanor. He seized Roland's hands in a nearly frantic grip, his sharp, cautious eyes now gleaming with the fervor of discovering a priceless treasure.
"Perfect! This is... a divine revelation from Lothander himself!"
His voice trembled with excitement as he appraised Roland from head to toe, as if admiring a work of art beyond mortal comprehension.
After a moment, Bodo seemed to regain a sliver of composure, though his voice still shook violently with emotion.
All traces of his previous aloofness had vanished, replaced by an almost pleading fervor.
"Roland... no! Your Excellency! Would you... would you consider embracing the faith of the great Lord of a Billion Lights and deigning to become the Holy Son of our Blazing Sun Church?"
(End of the Chapter)
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