Chapter 626: Set Out
Sun Church, East Borough, Holy City.
It was around 8 A.M.
A young person, possessing an intricate blend of fair shades in their complexion, entered the Sun Church with a sense of purpose. Passing through the narthex, a welcoming entrance, he continued into the foyer, a transitional space that bridged the church's exterior world and the inner sanctum. With determined steps, the youth finally arrived at the heart of the church, known as the nave. Here, he beheld a scene where only a small gathering of individuals stood before the commanding pulpit, attentively listening to the eloquent words of a middle-aged man dressed in a vibrant red robe.
Taking a closer look at the red-robed man, one would notice his striking physical features. Standing at an impressive height of approximately 190 centimeters, he possessed a commanding presence. His long, flowing blonde hair cascaded gracefully around his face, framing a countenance defined by a round nose and meticulously groomed short eyebrows. His skin, a shade of olive, exuded full of vitality. However, what truly captivated the gaze was his eyes, which shimmered with a pure, golden hue resembling precious orbs of sunlit splendor.
Upon noticing the young boy's arrival, the middle-aged man stopped speaking and smiled.
"Greetings, Mr. Zephyr," He paused momentarily and soon asked him telepathically.
'Or should I say 'Greetings, Charles Nightwind?"
'Oh? This guy is not simple at all. He can see through my shapeshifting skill and discern my identity with a simple gaze.'
Charles sharpened his gaze at the middle-aged man and soon nodded.
"Just call me 'Zephyr,' Mr. Damian."
"Haha, I'll do it then." He said with a booming laugh and started walking down from the pulpit.
He soon walked through the group of young priests and arrived before him in a few seconds.
"I'm honored to meet you." He cupped his hand together and bowed his head.
'He is purposefully doing this.' He sighed deeply and changed the topic.
"Who are all going to enter the Star Tombs?" Charles asked while glancing at the group of young priests.
"No, they are here to send me off. The ones who will enter the Dungeon with us are those." Damian said while pointing his finger at the group of eight people who were lazing sitting in the middle pew of the nave.
Damian pointed the finger at the eight individuals reclining in the middle of the nave and started walking toward them. Among them, the two people caught Charles' attention, exuding an air of refined elegance reminiscent of a Victorian-era gentleman.
Their formal attire was a sight to behold, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. With their dignified poise, they donned tailored suits in rich shades of burgundy, adorned with intricate golden embroidery that traced elegant patterns along the lapels and cuffs. The fabric, a fine blend of silk and velvet, caught the light, shimmering with brilliance. A monocle rested delicately upon one of the men's right eye, adding an air of sophistication to his already striking appearance.
"The one wearing the monocle is Tucker, while the other is Jett. Both are Fire Mages and rarely wear the old-fashioned mage robes." Damian introduced the duo first and turned his gaze toward Charles.
"He is the one I mentioned before. His name is Zephyr, the newly appointed First Order Holy Knight."
"Oh? He won't be a bother during this mission, right?" The one who was wearing the monocle said while arching his long eyebrows. At that moment, his unique reddish-brown eyes palpitated and seemed to be scanning his body to see if anything was unique about him.
"Even I'm unsure if I can hold off against any legendary beast." The other guy named Jett also muttered with a nod and put on the newsboy cap to cover his messy brown hair.
At that moment, another voice came from Jett's left side.
"This brat isn't simple, Jeff. He is hiding his strength." Said the middle-aged man, wearing golden attire.
Another two members sat beside him in the same golden attire, their regal presence commanding reverence.
'They must be Archbishops!' Charles guessed.
The Archbishops radiated an aura of divine authority in their golden vestments. Their dresses were adorned with ornate brocade, woven with shimmering gold and silver threads. Elaborate patterns depicted sacred symbols and religious motifs, serving as a testament to their esteemed positions within the church hierarchy.
"As you can see, they are Archbishops of Sun Church and only have the strength of an average Rank-4 Mystic. But with the grace of our Eternal Light, they will have the power to go on even par with multiple Pseudo-Legendary Beings or even a Legend Rank Powerhouse. So, don't take them lightly." Damian said and then looked towards the Head Deacons sitting further ahead.
Contrasting the opulence of the Archbishops, the Head Deacons stood cloaked in hooded black robes that obscured their features, lending an enigmatic air to their presence. The fabric, of the highest quality, flowed gracefully around their forms, hinting at a concealed elegance within. Embroidered in silver thread along the edges of their robes were runic symbols, whispered to hold mystical significance, marking their roles as custodians of ancient knowledge and secrets.
"They are Head Deacons and could be considered as our main force. All of them are Legend Rank Powerhouse and have considerable battle experiences. Although another Cardinal was supposed to accompany us this time, a random variable appeared and caused quite a damage to our Holy See. So, he had no choice but to take a step back and focus on capturing that culprit." Damian said while turning his face solemnly.
"An unexpected variable?" Charles raised his eyebrows and probed.
"We don't know who this culprit is, but he seems to be attacking all the Sun churches in Azure Federation and even managed to kill quite a dozen bishops. So, Cardinal Blake decided to take this problem into his own hands and withdrew from this mission."
"I understand," Charles said with a nod.
Meanwhile, Damian clapped his hands to gather the other members' attention and spoke.
"It's almost time for the Star Tombs' gate to materialize, guys. Let's not waste any time and proceed."
"Yeah, I'm also tired of waiting," Tucker said, standing up while adjusting his monocle.
Following him, Jett, three Archbishops, and the other three Deacons also stood up from their seats and started walking toward the aisle.
Exiting the Sun Church, ten individuals emerged into the bright sunlight that bathed the East Borough. Their purposeful strides carried them towards the waiting carriages stationed just outside the church's imposing entrance.
The carriages, adorned with intricate carvings and gilded accents, exuded an air of luxury and elegance. The polished wood gleamed under the sunlight, and the ornate detailing hinted at the craftsmanship that had gone into their creation. The horses harnessed to the carriages were not normal but appeared magical creatures, their coats shimmering with a healthy sheen, ready to transport the group on their sacred quest.
With practiced efficiency, Charles and others embarked on the carriages, finding their designated seats. The spacious interiors of the carriages offered comfort and respite, a brief respite before they faced the challenges ahead. While embroidered with delicate patterns, the lush upholstery provided a touch of luxury.
As the carriages began to move, the rhythmic sound of hooves against the cobblestone streets filled the air. The Holy City slowly passed, its bustling streets and awe-inspiring structures serving as a backdrop to their departure. The passersby, catching glimpses of the distinguished occupants within the carriages, paused momentarily, their expressions filled with curiosity and reverence.
The procession continued its journey, making its way towards the Southern Gate.
Before long, the two carriages finally reached their destination and soon stopped near the City's entrance gate.
Afterward, Charles and others slowly stepped down from the carriages and gathered outside the city gate.
But what shocked Charles was the number of well-armored Holy Knights ahead.
'The Churches brought hundreds of thousands of soldiers just to protect this city from the magical beast wave, huh.' He muttered inwardly and turned his gaze towards the other groups.
Like them, eleven different groups also stood at the entrance and looked imposing. Among the eleven groups, seven belonged to different Churches like Order Church, Amber Church, Life Church, and others, while the remaining five belonged to the five powerful families. The members of the churches wore different unique robes and emitted fierce auras. Meanwhile, the people from five powerful families wore formal attires and didn't carry swords or weapons.
"Their formal attires aren't simple ones but magically enchanted equipment. So, don't underestimate them." Cardinal Damian arrived beside Charles and spoke.
"Okay. But who are they?" Acting ignorant, Charles showed a curious look and asked.
"They are five powerful families in this whole world. They are Hawthorne, Pentagon, True Lords, Fairchild, and Holmes."
Upon hearing those words, Charles couldn't help but smirk inwardly.
At that moment, Cardinal Damian sharpened his gaze toward one particular group and spoke gravely.
"If we get any chance, we must eliminate the True Lords at all costs."
"Oh? Do you also have an enmity with them? Don't worry about the grudges and focus on surviving the upcoming disaster." Charles looked up at the southern blue sky and spoke.
Unknowingly, one of his eyes suddenly turned crystalline, showing him multiple future visions.
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