Chapter 221

  The Temple of Saint Lorena

  Connie did not hide her displeasure as she let out a loud grunt. “Very well. Let us follow this damnable advice.”

  “In that case, milady. I’ll take them and the rest of our men to our lodgings.”

  “Um, we have prepared the Duchess and her companions a place to stay.”

  “And I suppose this place is also not Beastfolk-friendly, is it?” Connie scoffed sarcastically.

  “Well, um,” Matilda slightly panicked, seeing the rising temper of the lady in Centipede Robe. Matilda, who had lived most of her life inside the Temple had only interacted with a few Nobles in her life. This was the first time had met a person with such overwhelming presence. And that person was getting more irate by the minute. “I-it’s a good house with a garden in the middle! The Maiden of Water chose it because she wanted to express her thanks.”

  “Alright. Calm down, Mistress. You are scaring the young Cleric,” Lihua said with a gentle voice. “Such things are out of her power.”

  “Madame Sui is right, Milady,” Nick scratched his stubble with a thin smile. “Tell you what, we’ll instead get some drinks and food in a tavern nearby. Junnaveil knows we need them right now. I’ll keep everyone out of trouble.”

  “You? Keeping them out of trouble?” Connie laughed; her mood visibly became better. “I think that kind of thing is more up Martell’s alley. Alright. Do as you please.”

  Connie threw a bag of Coins at Nick. “The drink’s on me today. Get the men proper meat and drinks. They’ve done good work so far.”

  Nick weighed the bag. To him, food and drinks on his employer’s expense are always worthy of celebration. “Will do.”

  As they were leaving, Illumca was about to walk away when Connie grabbed her by the wrist. “You are coming with me,” she turned to Matilda. “I trust…Dark Elves are fine?”

  Matilda bowed, inwardly thankful that this did not escalate further. “I will lead you in. But before that, I need to ask you to leave all your weapons at the front gate,” she gestured at a small guard post where a Church Knight was yawning.

  “Do we have to?” Illumca asked with a great reluctance.

  “Let’s get this over with, Illumca,” Connie shrugged.

  “If you say so.” She obliged and started putting all types of sharp implements from various parts of her clothing. First the two daggers on her hips, then the needles hidden on her under her skirt. Small, palm sized throwing knives strapped to her feet. The increasingly tall pile of sharp, pointy things eliciting a fearful expression from both the Church Knight and Matilda.

  “My turn then,” Connie then produced Crimson Serpentbane from her sleeve. Its sharp, sinister claws clanking against each other as she dangled the weapon in front of the Cleric, who was flabbergasted by the evil-looking weapon; far removed from the impression the young Duchess gave her. She dropped the weapon onto the table with an aplomb. “Take care not to touch the tips. They’ve been doused in so many of my victims’ body liquids that I can’t promise you’ll not get disease from it.”

  Matilda turned her body around and took three increasingly deep breath and a silent prayer to Junnaveil before facing Connie and Illumca and forced herself to smile. “L-let’s go in.”

  The three entered the temple through the large arch, and were greeted with a magnificent statue of Junnaveil at the end of the large hall, her arms stretched downwards, as if welcoming the faithful into her embrace.

  The ceilings were tall and majestic, with frescoes of saints among the clouds. The smell of incense wafting from the censers placed on the sides of the statue had a smoky, slight bitterness to the palate. The incense smoke rising to the ceiling gave the illusion that the clouds were moving.

  Rows of old, wooden chairs filled the hall. Some of them had started to warm due to age. The newer ones were of lighter colors.

  Oddly enough, though the sun was high in the sky, the air inside the temple was cool.

  “I thought Archdeacon Babblebrook said that he was leading a worship,” Illumca commented.

  “Oh, he went to the Second Prayer Hall. The Temple had four in total. We are in the Main Prayer Hall. It is only used for End of Month Services. Daily Services are held in one of the other Prayer Halls,” Matilda, who had recovered from her earlier panic as she had entered a familiar place, answered in detail.

  “A beautiful statue,” Illumca commented as her eyes fell onto the statue of Junnaveil.

  Connie inspected the magnificent marble sculpture more closely. The craftsmanship was incredible; every crease of clothing expertly carved, every feminine detail meticulously shaped. The motherly expression upon her flawless visage was testament of the sculptor’s understanding of what made Junnaveil a Goddess of Love.

  A Goddess of Love, one that betrayed her own mother for fear of her own end. How two-faced.

  Hiding her urge to scoff, Connie spoke. “The Sculptor is a true genius.”

  “The title is the Goddess of Love and the Sea. The Sculptor, Guine Schmidt formed the arms so that they were directed toward the people than towards the heavens, to symbolize Junnaveil’s love to her people,” Matilda explained. “This way through the small door. We shall pass through the small garden and to the meeting room.”

  As they walk through the garden, the aroma of spring flowers tickled Illumca’s nose. At the end of it, was a large door decorated with shells made of silver. On either side of it were Church Knights who stood to attention upon seeing them.

  “What are you doing here, Matilda? Is today not the day of your vacation?” the Church Knight on the left asked, his poise straight and still.

  “I am here with guests of the Maiden of Water. They are being expected.”

  “Understood. Unfortunately, the Maiden of Water is currently still in a meeting which ran long. Please wait in the waiting room,” the other Church Knight walked them to another room where comfortable cushioned seats were lined in a row alongside the walls.

  When they entered the room, a painting placed on the wall caught her eye. It was a painting depicting a familiar sword and the godly man who wielded it. And before the man was the shape of a dragon that she knew well. A disdainful scorn flashed across her face. “Cavenjaal.”

  “Oh, I see that the painting caught your attention?” Matilda excitedly hopped in front of the large painting and explained. “This one is a replica of the one in the Chamber of Licai. Have you seen the real painting, Duchess? They said it was painted over the whole wall of the chamber and took ten years to finish.”

  “Hmm? No. I didn’t notice, I was too busy being on trial.”

  Only when she heard her say that did Matilda remember the news that were talked about a few months ago. She forgot that this unfathomable young woman before her was at the center of the trial that caused the breaking of the Alliance.

  “O-oh! A thousand pardon, Duchess. I-!”

  “I’m just teasing you. It’s already in the past,” Connie waved it off with a hearty shrug. “It was an experience, isn’t it, Illumca?”

  “Yes. Yes, it is,” The Dark Elf replied nonchalantly.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Continue, please.”

  “Are you sure?” Matilda asked, upon being reassured with a gentle gesture from Connie’s hand, the young Cleric continued her explanation. “Um…this painting depicted the event when the First King beseeched the Dragon Lord of Water for his help, and was offered his son’s help instead. Cavenjaal, the first son of the Dragon Lord of Water rebelled against his father and wagered his service against the First King’s life, and lost. Thus, he was sealed inside the sword held by the First King, Grunford as punishment for his disobedience,” Matilda nodded vigorously, by now forgetting her earlier despondence. “With the sword in hand, the First King defeated Demons after Demons. Becoming a legendary figure that we knew now. And now, that very same sword had been found by our Hero. Surely it is a sign from our Goddess, that he would be the one to end the war with Demons!!”

  Illumca and Connie glanced at each other after hearing her remark. The Dark Elf quickly raised her scarf up to her nose to hide lips that were trembling from holding back a laugh.

  “Indeed, indeed. It is surely the guidance of the Goddess Junnaveil,” Connie agreed with a dramatic gesture.

  Just then, the door opened and the man they previously met called out to them. “Duchess Steelheart. The Maiden of Water will see you now.”

  When they exited the room, Connie saw a figure walk past them in a huff. A bald man who hurried after the figure paused when they see them.

  “Duchess Steelheart?” the bald man greeted her with a bow. “And Lady Illumca as well? Good tidings. Good tidings indeed!”

  Connie narrowed her eyes, trying to remember the name of the person before her. Illumca whispered his name into her ear.

  “Oh. Sir Donovan, is it? Are you not with the Hero?”

  “The Hero is…away for urgent business at this time,” he said, trying to not use the word ‘voluntarily being kidnapped to Goddess knows where’. “So, I am currently escorting Marquess Greenwell for military matters.”

  “Donovan, what are you stopping for?!” the person called out with a stern tone, waltzing back with a definite heft in her steps.

  Connie had seen a lot of fat woman in her life, but the woman walking towards them with such purpose and authority was an outstanding specimen. One that she had never seen before. She seemed to have made herself comfortable in the boundary between fat and attractive.

  “And this person is…?” Connie asked.

  “Duchess, may I introduce to you, Marquess Elfriede Greennwell. One of our most decorated Archmage,” Donovan said. “This is Duchess Cornelia Asterium Steelheart and her companion, Lady Illumca Fir liban.”

  “Cornelia Asterium Steelheart. Duchess of Arlaine,” Connie offered her hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

  Archmage Elfriede saw her offering her hand and was mildly surprised. Court etiquette dictated that a lower-ranked Lady would curtsy before a high-ranked one. To outright do such masculine act of offering a handshake was unheard of.

  “Ah. Of course. I know of you,” the woman said as she took her hand. “I fought alongside your father during his service in the Frontline for a few years. He was a good Knight. And judging by the rumors I’ve heard of you; I’d say the apple does not fall far from the tree.”

  When Elfriede shook Conie’s hand, she felt not the rough hand of a swordsman, but the soft and supple hand of a lady who had never once held anything sharper than a steak knife. She should not be wary of her due to this, but for a reason she could not fathom, the feeling she got from the young blonde before her was of danger. That, and the glare that the Dark Elf was shooting her way.

  “You know my father?” Connie blinked. Then it means she’s quite advanced in age, yet she looked barely forty.

  “Ah, it seems that you have a pressing business to attend to. It would be great if we could have a talk while I’m here.”

  “Perhaps we can arrange a time?”

  “That would be excellent.”

  After they parted, Connie and Illumca were guided to the Main Office. Upon their entrance, Allenca Viandros greeted them excitedly. “Weelcooome…my friends. Duchess Cornelia, and Illumca.”

  The voluptuous Maiden Of Water took Connie’s hands and squeezed them with a smile. “It haas been…so long.”

  “It has been indeed. It feels like years since we’ve last met,” Connie said.

  Allenca smiled as she threw her gaze at Matilda. “Matilda, dear…you are free to go. Don’t…fooorget your evening prayer…”. Like a frightened rabbit, Matilda excused herself and disappeared behind the door.

  A polite cough came from behind Allenca. The woman who had been standing dutifully next to a desk piled high with documents scolded her. “Please behave yourself, Maiden. Think of your image.”

  “Phoeey…this is Duchess Cornelia…, my savior. There is…no need for such…formality with her.”

  “I see. Please forgive me, I’m a bit on edge these days,” The woman looked at Connie critically and saw that beside her extraordinary appearance, she felt no pressure from her. In fact, the Dark Elf next to her seemed to be more dangerous.

  The woman, who had been rather tense since the beginning bowed in apology.

  “Thiiis is…Lieutenant Millicent Von Weltraum. A…longtime friend…ooof mine.”

  “Weltraum?” Illumca spoke. “That name is -?”

  “Yes. One of the First King’s companions’s name. I am her descendant.” The woman made a face that subtly told of how often she had to deal with people reacting to her last name. “My family had been in service of the Church for generations.”

  The woman wore a simple white shirt adorned with golden trimmings on the lapels and a modest grey skirt that reached below her knees. She wore her dark wheat hair in a tight bun. The pointy nose and the sharp hazel eyes she had reminded one of a strict teacher.

  “Is it because of Marquess Greenwell?” Connie asked.

  “Oh, you saw her, did you?” Lieutenant Millicent said. “We just had a bit of a tense discussion. That’s all.”

  Connie saw the reluctance in her eyes and saw no need to inquire any further.

  “Speaaaking of…where are…yooour….other companions?”

  Connie explained what transpired a about an hour ago and the words that Babblebrook left them with. After hearing it, Allenca glanced meaningfully at her wheat-haired friend and let out an audible sigh.

  “Do you…haave some time to spare…?” Allenca asked.

  “Yes…? Why?”

  “Millicent?”

  The woman looked at the clock by the desk and nodded solemnly. “Just for a bit. You still have to finish your lot of today’s work.”

  “Coome…with me…please…I’ll take you…for a tour of the Temple.”

  As the Maiden of Water took them through the Temple, they saw many visiting believers and Clerics on the way. They all bowed reverentially as they went past. At some point, she took them up to the third floor, where a balcony jutting out of a shell-like construction was. She said that it was built for the musicians. The construction was to allow the sound to travel all around the Main Hall.

  After awhile she asked the two of them. “Did yooou…notice something…about the people we saw?”

  “…they are all…of the human race,” Illumca said. Outside on the street, she saw a few of the other Races. But inside the temple, all who were there were humans.

  “…correct. This…was all…becaaause of the Teemple’s unspoken rules…as Junnaveil’s gift, at the beginning…was giiiven to the human race. Soo…most of the clergy…thinks that…only humans…may achieve a position…within the Faith. Buuut…we cannot continue…this…outdated way of thinking…” Allenca said as she led them along the narrow walkway of the third floor. “A Monopoly…causes….stagnation. And stagnation…causes rot. Without new blood…no new way…ooof thinking…the Faith…will nooot last.”

  “This reform is something that Allenca and her Predecessor had fought for. Many of the young ones are pushing for it too. However, the oppositions are strong, and they protect each other vigorously,” Millicent added. “And despite what he said to you. Babblebrook is a supporter of Allenca’s reform. Unfortunately, due to a recent misstep, he is currently being pressured by the other Archdeacons.”

  “Why…are you telling me all this?” Connie asked.

  “Because…yooou are one of the few…in the Nobility, one of the highest ranking at that…who sees other Races…as equal…” Allenca paused. “I…am asking…fooor your support.”

  “Don’t you think that’s a bit selfish?” Illumca interjected. “We come here for a visit and suddenly you are pushing this agenda on Connie?”

  “Now, now. Illumca,” Connie stopped her before facing the blue-haired girl in earnest. “Allenca. I am not a religious person. I don’t go to Churches, and I don’t pray. And you know why? Because the Faith, has been tainted by secularism. It no longer offers the peace of mind and purity of faith that it once did. So, unless you can take that rot out, any change you make, will not stick,” Connie spoke the uncomfortable truth which caused Millicent to go red in the face. “But…listen. I have some things to do in Grottenstadt. If you help me with some of it, I’ll consider your proposal.”

  “That’s…more than I can…ask,” Allenca smiled weakly. Her face clearly relieved that the blonde did not reject her outright.

  “But…what is it…specifically?”

  “Well for one, I am looking for a place called Seasong Grotto. Have you heard of it?”

  “How did you know that place?” Millicent blurted out.

  “From…my father’s diary,” Connie told a bare-faced lie.

  Allenca was silent for a few moment before answering. “Leeet…me get back to you…tomorrow. Why…the interest…if I may…aask?”

  “I just…want to retrace my father’s steps,” Connie said, with as pitiful an expression as she could muster, causing Illumca to bit her lips trying to contain her laughter.

  “I understand…” she started when she suddenly heard the shuffle of partiture echoing from down below. “Oh, the…children’s choir…aaare about to start their…training.”

  Connie looked down and saw at the feet of Junnaveil’s statue, three rows of young children in white gowns and blue cloths around their waists and hanging off their right shoulders. Among them, there were two children with distinctive furry ears on their heads. As the Cleric raised both his hands, the children’s voice began to rise. Soon, a song of worship that praised the Goddess of Love filled every pore of the magnificent temple.

  “Wait, those are…Beastfolk?” Illumca said.

  “Results of the changes Allenca brought,” Millicent said with a solemn smile. “It is still a bud, but I believe that it will eventually bloom.”

  “Akula would have loved this,” Connie said, a smile appeared on her lips. She might be unimpressed by Junnaveil, but the innocent love contained within the song made her tremble inside.

  “It is beautiful,” Illumca agreed. She tried to hide her expression, but it was clear that she thoroughly enjoyed the song.

  The two let themselves be lost in it, before returning to the real world when they heard the sound of Matilda running towards them.

  "No running on the hall, Cleric," Millicent whispered angrily.

  "I-I'm sorry, Lieutenant Millicent. But I have urgent news for the Duchess."

  "Urgent news? What is it?"

  Matilda took a deep breath. "Your men had been taken prisoners by the guards!"

  "..." Connie slapped her face and cursed. "There it is! You think I'm cursed to always have some kind of trouble every time I come to a new city for the first time, Illumca? Because it sure feels like that!"

  Illumca's answer was only a shrug and a cock of her neck.