-- Knowledge is equivalent to gold. Pen Fun Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 ｉｎfo

These words were engraved by the wizards of Ebotden on the top of the city gates, so that every traveler who walked through them could see them. In the simplest but clearest way, it tells everyone the essence of the city.

Ebolden is a vibrant and all-encompassing city, a seaport city south of the Misty Sea and north of the Sakran Empire, which not only controls the most important foreign trade port of the empire, has the largest ocean-going fleet, but is also the second largest city and financial source in the entire empire, and the population is second only to the imperial capital Golovin.

It has the most knowledgeable scholars and the largest number of wizards - the Nine-Pointed Star Wizard Tower is the most important and unique wizarding academy in the Empire, and next to it sits the most well-stocked relic library in the Empire, storing a large number of unique secrets that have long been lost.

The latest ideas, the most incredible creations, the most incredible discoveries...... The presence of wizards keeps the whole city alive with a thirst for knowledge at all times, pursuing the pace of truth and wisdom, ready to open your eyes at any time and place.

At the same time, it's important to remember that it's also an important commercial port – you can buy everything you can and don't even imagine at Ebotden. No matter where it is in the world, foreign fleets, merchants, travelers, nobles...... More fresh blood is being injected into the city all the time.

Ancient mysteries and new knowledge, the wealth that flows through all corners of the city, when the two come together, form this city of wealth and wizards, and at the same time the weakest place of the Holy Cross faith.

A chaotic but vibrant city—said Loren, who stood under the proverb-engraved gates.

Of course, even though the church at Ebolden is so powerless that it can almost be considered non-existent, some of the necessary processes and formalities still exist. After all, it's not Lothair's country anymore.

If you want to have a legal status as a wizard in the city, you must go to the nearest church to register and get a badge to symbolize the status of a wizard, otherwise all library towers and institutions related to wizards will not be open to wilderness wizards who do not have status.

As for some of the more advanced institutions, they must be approved by the Nine-Pointed Star Wizard Tower.

"Do I have to register?"

"It's just a formality, so that the Holy Cross can say the past on his face. The chubby caravan leader heard what he meant: "Don't worry, I'll accompany you to the nearest church after I've set up the caravan - those priests won't dare to embarrass it with Corona's guarantee!"

"That's so much appreciated. ”

With a somewhat formulaic smile, Loren thanked him very "sincerely".

What he worries about is not whether the people of the church will embarrass him, but what will be the attitude of the Holy Cross Church towards the night watchman if his identity is revealed?

Although Rut Infinit claims to be a night watchman in the service of the Empire, there should be no "sincere friendship" between him and the upright Holy Cross Church.

And judging from his attitude, his identity cannot be exposed for the time being.

"Leave it to me, uncle, I know where the nearest church is. A soft voice came from the carriage.

"Ariel?!" The leader of the caravan suddenly panicked: "This is absolutely not good, the head of the family has given an order, and I want you to ......"

"Father will understand. ”

The emaciated girl stepped out of the carriage, her long gray hair and a misty gaze on the black-haired wizard: "Is it okay, Your Excellency Loren Turin?"

Surprised, Loren hesitated for a moment, then humbly bent down and saluted the girl in front of him: "It's an honor, Miss Ariel Corona." ”

.................. Priest Dom felt that he had been unlucky lately.

Ever since the genius alchemist Aalto of the Bellini family came out and invented an alchemical potion that could cure all diseases, fewer and fewer wealthy families were willing to come to church to pray.

At the same time, the damned wizards from out of town are pouring into the city like locusts, making Dom annoyed with registering them every day, as if just seeing them wasn't enough for him!

But then again, it's bad enough to be in a "locust nest" like Ebolden, and it's impossible to develop devout believers in such a place. The rich and powerful aristocrats would rather spend a lot of gold and silver coins to fund the study of desecration than take out a copper plate to repair the leaky church on all sides.

Great Holy Cross, if you really see this damned place, send down thunder and blow up this blasphemous locust nest into the sky!

Dom's imagination, which was lying on the main altar of the church, was of course only a conjecture, for Dom was a native and a member of this "locust nest" - all the complaints came only from the envy and jealousy of his "peers" from other places.

Wouldn't it be nice if Eberden could one day have a strong bishop who could enjoy himself in front of the wizards......

The creaking sound of the doorway interrupted Priest Dom's "fantasy", and there were two more figures in the dilapidated church, a man and a woman.

"Children of the Holy Cross, have you come to pray to God?"

"Uh...... Not. Loren showed a smile of "some regret" and took the initiative to step forward: "I'm sorry, it's a wizard who just came to Ebolden, I hope I can register with you." ”

It's this damn locust again, can't you just get together in another place?!

Priest Dom, who was careful that his liver was pierced again, was bleeding from his heart, and his face still maintained a sad expression: "It's a pity kid, you're late, today's quota has been exhausted, you have to wait until tomorrow." ”

"Oh, I see. Loren showed a look of "disappointment": "Then may I ask, when can I come again tomorrow?"

"Then I won't be able to tell you until tomorrow. Priest Dom resisted the disgust in his heart and waved his hand at Loren: "You go back first, just remember to come early tomorrow." ”

Obviously, even tomorrow the priest would not easily agree.

"Could you please give me an exact time? Sorry, I'm really in a hurry, I can pay some more silver coins if you need it......"

"Holy Cross, do you think I'm that greedy villain?!" Priest Dom waved his hand and raised a cold eyebrow: "Please don't defile the soul of a servant of the Holy Cross with these filthy things!"

Holy Cross above, how much money can you have, a poor jingle wandering wizard, and count on sending me away with a few silver coins?

"Excuse me. ”

The girl who was standing behind Loren suddenly spoke, "If you can do this gentleman a small favor, the Corona family will be grateful to you." ”

"I said, you have to wait until ...... Wait!" Priest Dom, who heard the surname, immediately froze, staring at the weak little girl in front of him, and even stammered: "Please, may I ask you, your name is ......"

"Ariel, Ariel Corona. A slight smile appeared on the girl's bloodless cheeks, and then she bowed slightly to the black-haired wizard beside her, "I'll wait for you outside, sir." ”

Smiling and watching the girl leave the church, the priest Dom in front of Loren, who turned around, still had the same stunned expression: "Do you have any questions?"

"No, no problem...... Ahem, ahem!" Priest Dom, who quickly regained his face, stared at him: "The Holy Cross is protecting you, there is still the last place left today, what is your name?"

After a moment's hesitation, the black-haired wizard curled the corners of his mouth and said, "Ain, Ain Rand." ”

"Very well, Lord Ain Rand, from now on you are a wizard in Ebolden. The bored Dom handed him a bronze nine-pointed star badge: "According to the rules, you have to hand over two silver coins." ”

“...... Otherwise, I'll give you twenty silver coins. Casually lifting a small money bag from his waist and placing it on the table, the black-haired wizard smiled playfully at him: "You just forget about seeing me today, and then just find a place to register my name." ”

Slowly untying the purse, looking at the full amount of silver coins inside, Priest Dom swallowed hard.

"So, deal?"