The wastelands of the Northland seem to have been deserted a lot lately. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

Walking through the tribes, you will see mostly women and old people sitting idly, or Saatchi children carrying wooden sticks and fighting. Adult males, as well as some able-bodied adult females, left the village and went to join the coalition formed by the Violet Empire. The rest of the population was also provided with enough food to survive the winter, and they were not yet in the season for farming, and they were not good at hunting, so they naturally became idle.

Hylanthia parted ways with her a few days ago, saying that she was going back to the south to investigate some things. This time, Elena didn't have the same sentimentality as last time, perhaps because she was sure that if she continued this trip, the two would definitely meet again in the near future.

But what she didn't expect was that things often turned out differently than expected.

On the third day of the seventh week of the winter month, she was checking an elderly woman for symptoms of an unpleasant appetite when a beam of holy light passed through the roof of grass and trees, enveloping her body. Then, the voice that did not have a source, but which convinced her without doubt, rang in her ears.

"I, Oswald, in the name of St. Leonos, make a message to the Templars, the Traveling Monks, and the Nuns. Please be sure to return to your original temple or head to the City of Radiance shortly. The Holy War is about to begin. ”

She stopped what she was doing and looked up at the old woman, "Aunt Hiba, you ...... Did you hear the voice? ”

"What sound?" The old lady looked at her suspiciously, apparently unaware of the light, "I didn't hear anything. ”

This should be normal, Elena thought. She had read in the Church's texts that one of the few great magic that was still one of the few remaining was this spell called 'Oracle'. The Pope is the only one who can use it, and his role is to use the power of the "Lord of Light" to send a message in the minds of all the friars, nuns and believers who have registered with the Church.

As long as the "Lord of Light" is covered by the magic network, the content of this spell can be received. Therefore, this is also a rare ultra-long-distance teleportation spell after the Astral Plane is closed.

She looked down at these things, and continued to examine the old woman in her hands. After a few moments, she picked out some sun-dried herbs from her backpack, divided them into four groups, and placed them on a wooden table beside her.

"It's not a big deal, you had some cold the other day and ate something unclean. Cook these herbs with grain to make porridge, and you should be fine after eating. She smiled and said to the old woman, "Also, Aunt Sheba, I'm leaving." ”

"Oh, where are you going this time?" The old lady asked with concern, "It's not peaceful in the north." Especially the Black Fox Tribe, there are few good people, you don't want to go to that kind of place, it will be dangerous. ”

Over the years, Elena has made a name for herself in the Northlands. During the more than ten days spent in this tribe, many residents also fell in love with this diligent and kind little girl. She felt a slight warmth in her heart, this was not a polite word, the old woman's concern was indeed sincere.

So she smiled and shook her head, and replied, "The church is calling us, so I'm going back to the south." ”

"Oh, oh." The old lady nodded as if she didn't understand, "Is that the Lord of Light you believe in?" ”

"yes." Elena sighed softly. She still didn't quite understand why the Pope suddenly issued a holy war order, maybe this question could only be answered when she saw Teacher Karan or Sister Yinyue, "You guys also take care, this continent ...... Maybe it's not going to be peaceful. ”

She said goodbye to everyone she knew well, leaving most of the herbs she had accumulated over the years in the tribe, and briefly explained the use of each herb. Afterwards, she mounted a wildebeest given to her by the tribesmen, one of the most common mounts in the wasteland, and set out lightly for the south.

The return journey was fairly smooth. She passed through the territory of the Violet Empire, and as a long-term ally of the Cult, the Empire naturally did not bother the traveling nun too much. The only twist and turn was when she left the empire and crossed the wasteland beyond the borders of the Church - she was confronted by a heavily armed, Fritzian army.

These 'fishmen' are not as rude and savage as the legends suggest. Their leader stopped her, asked her some questions, and let her go. During the whole time, the army stood quietly and solemnly, without any noise.

They can just live in water, have cheeks on their faces, and have slightly different skin and hair color from us. Elena was convinced.

She returned to her home in Dawning City, and instead of reporting to the church first, she walked through the streets and alleys to a modest hut and knocked on the door. A familiar answer came from inside, and she turned the doorknob and sat down at the neat and unpretentious wooden table, where she had a direct view of the avenue of light, as she had done so many times before her journey.

There was a teacup of her on the table, and Karan seemed to have expected her coming. She lifted the teapot and poured herself a cup of fruit tea, sipping on the familiar taste. The warm sunlight dispelled the winter chill, and she looked at the teacher's face and asked questions that had lingered in her mind for days.

"Teacher Karan. We...... Is it time to go to war with the Oren Empire? ”

"That's right." The man replied lightly, "The Empire has allowed the cult of Edda to spread widely, even to the borders of the Cult. As a subject of St. Leonos, the Church has the duty and right to impose armed sanctions against any cult and its supporters who attempt to endanger the mainland. Kahlan pursed his lips and smiled faintly, "That's the public statement given by the Church. ”

"That'...... What is the actual reason, believing in Edda, is it really a cult? Elena tilted her head, "And why do you have to use war to solve it?" Wouldn't it be okay to sit down and talk? ”

The middle-aged man in the white robe put down the teacup, sat up straight, and looked at the girl opposite with a calm gaze. The winter sun shines through the window, as if to drape him with a solemn halo.

"Differences between people can be resolved through conversation. Some differences between nations, between sects, between races, may not. Kahlan said slowly, "Of course that's my understanding. Your own point of view needs to be found and confirmed by yourself, my dear disciple. ”

"I still don't understand...... Perhaps, as you said, only by seeing Edda's sect with your own eyes can you make a judgment that is close to the truth~" The girl pursed her lips, "Teacher Karan, will you participate in this holy war?" ”

The white-robed man shook his head. "As Bishop, I will continue to keep the city and the church running smoothly, so I will not join the first army to go on the march."

He looked at Elena, who responded with a calm gaze, relaying the thought to him - she would find her answer, and return safely as before.

"You've grown, my disciple." The man smiled with satisfaction, "Speaking of which, have you met your expectations when you left?" ”

"Hmm...... What I said at the time was, not to disgrace the Silver Birch family, not to disappoint those who taught me, and...... Not disgusted by yourself, right? The girl tilted her head and recalled the letter she had written at that time, "Probably, we still need to continue to work hard." ”

"Exactly. This last point, in particular, may take your entire life to achieve. Karan said softly, "Still, as one of those who taught you, you did not disappoint me. He gently stroked the top of the girl's head, "Go, my disciple." Your path will always be accompanied by light. ”

The warmth spreads throughout the body, dispelling away the fatigue left over from the journey. She knew that it was a gift from her teacher at her parting. As an excellent white-robed bishop, Kahran's blessing can last for ten days, or more. Unlike most divine arts, the blessing of the Lord of Light does not have a specific function, but rather makes it easier for the recipient to achieve better results in whatever she does—as if to enhance her 'luck'.

"I'm leaving, teacher." She waved to Kahlan and left the hut to report for duty in the side hall of the Great Sanctuary.