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"What’s happening over there?"

Hearing Urien’s question, Simon raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I don’t know. We’ll have to ask someone."

"I understand," Urien replied. He then calmly approached a middle-aged, bearded man standing at the back and asked, "Excuse me, could you spare a moment?"

"What do you want?"

Seeing the irritation on the man’s face, Urien quickly got to the point. "Why are you all waiting here?"

"Can’t you see?" The middle-aged man angrily pointed to the two guards at the entrance. "They’re not letting us in."

"Why?"

"They’re conducting strict inspections to prevent any spies from the Holy Mary Kingdom," the man whispered, trying not to draw attention.

Urien nodded and then asked out of curiosity, "Have there been incidents of espionage before?"

The man laughed. "Espionage? They’ve already screwed our country over, and they’re still messing with us."

The man swore with bitterness in his eyes. "From what I’ve heard, they’re now in a civil war."

"A civil war?!"

"You didn’t know?"

Urien shook his head in shock. What had happened in the kingdom in just a month? The string of bad news made Urien sigh deeply.

"Do you hate the kingdom?"

Hearing Urien’s question, the middle-aged man nodded fiercely.

"Those bastards can burn in hell," he said venomously. "They can tear each other apart, and we’ll watch it happen with joy."

Sensing the man’s nationalist fervor, Urien decided not to push him further.

"So, why are you here?"

"We—"

Urien froze, unsure of what to say. The middle-aged man glanced at the convoy behind them and squinted at Urien. "You planning to settle here too?"

"Yes-yes," Urien quickly confirmed. "We’ve been forced to move here."

"Well, good luck with that," the man paused, then looked over Simon and the villagers. "But they won’t let you in either, just like the rest of us."

The man sighed and glanced at the guards. Urien thanked him and walked back to the group.

"The news is bad."

"What happened?" Simon raised an eyebrow and looked at Urien with curiosity. Urien calmly pointed at the guards. "They’re not letting anyone in."

"Why?"

"The lord isn’t letting anyone in," Urien explained, "and there’s a civil war in the kingdom."

"What?!" Simon’s voice rose involuntarily, and he quickly covered his mouth. "Is that true?!"

"It seems so."

"In just one month…"

Like Urien, Simon was left in disbelief. So much bad news in such a short time. At least they had managed to escape the kingdom.

"This is quite unexpected," Simon whispered. "I hope peace returns soon."

Urien nodded in agreement, then asked, "How are we going to get in?"

"I’m not sure what we’ll do," Simon scratched his head, looking down thoughtfully. "We can’t force our way in, and bribing them is out of the question."

"What are you talking about?" George joined the conversation. Simon turned to George. "It seems getting into the city has become difficult for us."

"They’re not letting us in, huh?" George smirked. Compared to their situation a month ago, things were better now. At least he could smile about it.

"Racism?"

"I wish it were that simple, but no," Urien said politely, "The city lord doesn’t want any spies, saboteurs, or anyone from the Holy Mary Kingdom in his land."

"But aren’t these people from these lands?" Simon asked, glancing over the crowd waiting at the entrance. Unlike the central continent, people of all skin tones, appearances, and backgrounds were gathered here.

While black-haired and red-haired individuals were common, there were hardly any blondes. Simon’s eyes finally rested on Urien. "We need to find out what’s going on."

"How do we do that?"

Hearing George’s question, Simon paused. He didn’t know either.

"Everyone, look here!"

Simon’s gaze turned toward the city entrance, confused. Four lightly armored garrison soldiers surrounded a man.

One of these men stood out in particular. He wasn’t wearing the luxurious armor seen in the Holy Mary Kingdom, but it gave him a supernatural aura of sternness.

He had a sword scar over one eye, most of his hair had turned white, and his eyes were a rare shade of turquoise.

He was tall, muscular for his age, and unmistakably the city lord himself.

"Lord Wilfried is here! The announcement he will make is for everyone. Do not leave without hearing it!"

Simon’s eyes widened as he realized that the man dressed in military attire was the City Lord himself. He narrowed his eyes, staring at the Lord.

At that moment, a man who appeared to be the Lord’s aide placed the scroll he was holding aside, gave his Lord a slight nod, and stepped back.

Lord Wilfried stepped forward slightly. He looked at the people watching him, his eyes stern yet full of discipline. "Listen carefully, I will only make this announcement once."

As everyone tensed up, Lord Wilfried stood calmly. Those directly in front of him were too scared to speak or even make a sound.

"My daughter Veronica has contracted a disease that even the greatest scholars and the most powerful mages cannot cure." The Lord’s eyes held a trace of sorrow, yet he stood firmly, his posture disciplined. He continued, "As there is no other solution left, I make this proclamation."

As the crowd stood in a mixture of expectation and tension, the Lord calmly continued. "Whoever can cure my daughter will be allowed to live in my city for the rest of their life without paying taxes, rent, or even for food, and may ask me for any favor."

As the crowd held its breath in excitement, greed appeared in the eyes of many, including those who sought to win the Lord’s daughter.

"Simon!" Urien turned to Simon in excitement. He tugged at Simon’s arm and said, "This is it! This is our chance!"

"Wait!" Simon hurriedly stopped Urien. "What do you think you’re doing? How do you plan to cure the Lord’s daughter?"

Urien paused, looking at Simon in confusion. "I’m just going to pray, and it will happen."

As George smiled, Simon sighed. "That’s not how it works, Urien. A god won’t act just because we wish for something."

"We won’t know until we try." Urien remained confident, standing firm in his decision. He looked Simon in the eyes, wearing his most trustworthy expression. "Simon, trust me. Please. The God of Darkness is a merciful god."

Hearing this from anyone else would make you laugh, but neither Simon nor George laughed. After all, a god could easily take offense.

Swallowing his words, Simon reluctantly let go of Urien, allowing him to do as he pleased.

"Lord Wilfried, we can do what you ask."

Urien’s voice echoed through the crowd. As everyone curiously watched him, Urien made a small gesture, smiled, and looked at the Lord. "We can heal your daughter."

Lord Wilfried narrowed his eyes. Seeing Urien’s youthful face, he wasn’t inclined to believe him, but he didn’t immediately jump to conclusions.

"Are you telling the truth?" he asked calmly. "If my daughter isn’t cured, I will have your head and feed your body to the pigs."

Despite the Lord’s threat, Urien maintained a brave and kind expression on his face. He was clearly confident. The Lord scrutinized Urien for a moment longer.

"Urien is right, Lord Wilfried." George stepped forward slightly. His upright posture and strong presence easily drew everyone’s attention, especially the Lord’s, who admired George’s composure.

"We were guided here by the will of a god to help." As soon as George said this, a few people in the crowd laughed.

But under Lord Wilfried’s harsh glare, they quickly quieted down.

The Lord continued, calmly turning his gaze back to Urien. "So who are you? A prophet? A priest? Or an apprentice?"

"I am a High Priest." Urien said seriously, though the Lord’s expression twisted in disdain. Sharp words slipped from his lips. "You’re only fifteen. Is it that easy to become a High Priest where you’re from?"

Feeling the condescending stares directed at him, Urien pursed his lips. "In our belief, age, name, and title mean nothing. We see everyone as equals."

As the Lord acknowledged this, he continued. "So how am I supposed to believe you? Why would a god send a group of 30 peasants to my city?"

Urien quickly thought over the question, finding the best answer in a short time. "They were people in need. We took them in along the way."

Technically speaking the truth, Urien spoke with ease. Though the Lord remained suspicious, he still nodded and pressed on. "How will you convince me that a god has sent you?"

"If you don’t believe me, then I will show you," Urien said calmly. "The power of our god…"

Urien clasped his hands together and began to pray quietly under the curious and skeptical eyes of the crowd.

"Please, God, give us a sign! Or we’re going to be humiliated!" Urien recited every half-remembered prayer he knew and tried to repeat Frank’s words.

A minute passed, and when nothing more happened, the Lord frowned in disappointment.

"Where is it? Where’s the proof?" Lord Wilfried frowned, staring at Urien, who was still kneeling in prayer.

Thunder!

When a sudden clap of thunder roared, everyone froze in fear for a moment. Some small children screamed, while a smile spread across Urien’s lips.

"Incredible!"

"It’s real!"

As the thunder rumbled repeatedly, the sky above became terrifying, merging with dark, chaotic clouds. The lightning that flashed across the now-purple sky was not the usual color but violet.

As the rain soaked everyone, including Lord Wilfried, not a single person had a shred of doubt left.

"I told you," Urien said, maintaining his wise-man act with a smile he had learned from Frank. Lord Wilfried’s eyes were still wide in shock, unable to process what had just happened.

"Fine. As long as you heal my daughter, I will give you anything you want."

True to his word, the Lord spoke to Urien. As the sky returned to its normal state, many of the onlookers snapped out of their daze and sighed with regret when they heard the Lord’s words.

Yet, at least they had witnessed a miraculous event, and some even began to eye Urien curiously, wondering about his god.

As Lord Wilfried returned to the city with Urien and Simon, George stayed behind to continue helping the peasants.