Chapter 11

Naya accompanied Leon and Aile as they left Roaring Mountain Town, crossed Lion Mountain, and reached Dawn City by carriage after a full day’s journey.

Dawn City—the westernmost city closest to the continent’s heart. Ruled by the Silver Lion King.

Its scale and splendor dwarfed tiny towns like Roaring Mountain Town. Every building gleamed in silvery-white, the same shade as Aile’s armor—proof that the Aeon Sect had borrowed this aesthetic.

Leon especially felt that Naya, with her white hair and robes, matched this city perfectly.

“Uncle, tell us more about Dawn City?” Naya asked the carriage driver.

“Want to hear this continent’s history?”

“Sure!”

“Five centuries ago, four kingdoms ruled this land: the Silver Lion King, the Ram King of Highcourt, the Sand Serpent King, and the Flame Dragon King. One day, Sorcerers suddenly landed here. The Four Great Kingdoms united against them but were utterly routed by magic. Broken and battered, they lost most of their territories to the Sorcerers, hiding in tiny fiefdoms. Mockingly, the Sorcerers named them the Chimera Alliance—implying their patchwork lands were smaller than one old kingdom. For over five hundred years, Sorcerers ruled, until the Calamity ten years ago…”

“After the Calamity, didn’t the Four Great Kingdoms try to reclaim their lands?” Leon asked.

“They’re preparing to,” Aile interjected.

Just then, the carriage passed a strange stretch of road—one side gleamed with silvery Dawn City, the other lay in ruins. Leon spotted civilians amid the rubble, plus odd figures wearing bird-headed masks.

“What’s over there—?”

“That’s a Sorcerer’s Skyward City. It crashed during the Calamity,” the driver replied. “Now the Angelic Faith occupies it. They say it’s where the Mercurial Deity descended, so they revere it as their holy city.”

“You actually believe that Mercurial descent nonsense, Uncle?” Aile said disdainfully.

“Heh—heh. I know you’re Aio’s followers, but I’ll say it plainly—Aio’s for nobles. The Angelic Faith is for common folk—”

“I’m getting off here! I’ve got palace duties. Meet me at the Monastery later!” Aile jumped off the carriage and stormed away angrily.

“She’s really furious—can’t stand anyone badmouthing Aio. Naya, why no reaction from you?” Leon asked.

“I just think… Aio doesn’t care.”

“What a bold take… Aio’s prestige just shot up.”

As he spoke, the carriage screeched to a halt—six or seven bird-masked figures blocked the way.

“Outsiders? Get down for inspection now!” one barked.

“I’m a follower of the Mercurial Deity!” The driver clasped his hands devoutly.

“Says you! If there’s heretical items aboard, you’ll face questioning!”

Heretical items meant anything Sorcerer-related. The Angelic Faith hated Sorcerers fiercely, per their doctrine. Most people supported them—it felt like shaking off old oppression.

Without the Aeon Sect, it’d be total domination.

“I’m a Priestess of Aio! What do you want?” Naya stepped forward bravely.

The masked “bird” faces stared at her a moment.

“We don’t cross paths. I advise you to mind your own business.” They dispersed—after all, the Aeon Sect had the Second Prince’s backing; they couldn’t risk open conflict.

False alarm. Leon’s hand, reaching for his Light Roar Sword, relaxed.

The carriage passed smoothly through the ruins.

Naya sighed in relief. “Good thing Aile wasn’t here.”

Otherwise, disaster loomed…

“My first impression of the Angelic Faith isn’t great,” Leon said.

“They never dared this before. What happened while I was away from Dawn City…?”

“The Mercurial Deity will fly to heaven, taking his believers with him,” the driver said worshipfully.

Hah—?

Both Naya and Leon found it unbelievable.

Soon, the carriage reached Aio’s Monastery. Naya paid the driver nine silver coins for their group.

Inside, many children played—some nobles’ kids, others orphans like Naya. This equal treatment felt more trustworthy than the Angelic Faith’s ways. Leon thought this as he watched Naya hand out candies.

Naya had grown up here too! Her parents were Sorcerers—if she’d met the Sorcerer-hating Angelic Faith instead of Aio, her fate might’ve been utterly different.

Leon sensed it: Naya, inside and out, was a true “Priestess.” She radiated a healing warmth. Being near her felt comforting.

Aile, though—more zealous than Naya. But not bad; fiercely loyal to her beliefs, a girl with strong justice.

All in all, both girls were great.

Just then—Father Mans, his hair silvered, stood kindly on the steps, gazing at Naya.

“Teacher Mans—”

“Long time no see. Do you pray to Aio daily?”

“Every day,” Naya smiled—acting like a child before him.

Father Mans nodded warmly.

“Teacher, I want to learn Priestess skills from you.”

“Child, all Priestess skills are miracles granted by Aio, not taught by me. But I’ll guide your prayers. Follow me—”

“Leon, wait here a moment, okay?”

“Sure.” Leon replied.

Meanwhile, at the palace, Aile spoke alone with His Highness the Second Prince.

“Aile, back so soon? Mission went smoothly?”

The Second Prince was a golden-haired handsome man, barely older than Aile, yet he upheld the Aeon Sect—a remarkable figure.

“Almost died,” Aile said casually, arms crossed.

“Seriously!?” His face instantly paled.

“Kidding. On my way back today, I heard heretics slander Aio. Really grating.”

“What happened?”

“They say Aio’s only for palace nobles—are you letting the Sect drift from commoners? You should do something… win back those tricked by the Angelic Faith…”

“Aile.” The Second Prince spoke gravely. “The Lord doesn’t care. He grants true power to believers, showing it to the world. Slander can’t change His reality. The Sect always shelters orphans—you know that.”

“Mm! Got it! The Lord doesn’t care—that’s perfect. Next time, I’ll ignore it.” Aile paused, remembering something. “Oh, how much for a Mystic Silver Sword?”

“Mystic Silver’s sold by the gram—and not bought with coin alone. Your Mystic Silver Shield’s worth a chest of gold.”

“Sigh… Leon can’t afford it then,” Aile muttered.

“Can you get one for me?”

“You want it?”

“If it’s hard, forget it—”

“No, no—” The Second Prince smiled. “For you, I’ll make it happen, no matter what.”

“Thanks then.”

“I have another task for you.”

“!?”

“It concerns the Angelic Faith.” The Second Prince said mysteriously.

To be continued.