The Black Knights had surrounded the entire manor. The Black Knight Commander, leading a small team of elite knights, halted his horse precisely ten meters from where Rowan Kai stood.
The crowd looked on nervously, hearts pounding in their chests. The reputation of the Black Knights preceded them—merciless enforcers of the Holy Light Church, whose mere name could strike terror. Falling into their hands meant a fate worse than death, a cruel journey of torment from which no one returned unscathed.
In the Kingdom of Estoria, where the Holy Light Church reigned supreme as the state religion, the Black Knights held power even above the royal guards. They could arrest nobles of the highest rank without hesitation. Standing next to Rowan Kai, with a demon like Lilith in plain sight, only added fuel to the fire.
Though many in the manor wanted to speak up for Rowan Kai, who had just saved their lives, the weight of the Black Knights' presence silenced them. Aiding a fugitive openly sought by the church would lead to exile not just in Estoria but across the entire continent.
While the tension mounted, and fear immobilized the witnesses, something completely unexpected happened.
The Black Knight Commander dismounted with a heavy thud, followed by his knights. Then, they knelt on one knee before Rowan Kai.
“Your Highness, we apologize for arriving late. Please forgive us!”
Their gesture left everyone utterly stunned, including Vera. Even the presence of Lilith, the demon by Rowan Kai’s side, was entirely ignored, as if she didn’t exist.
The commander kept his voice low but grave as he continued, “Your Highness, something terrible has happened in the Holy City. Saint Joanna was assassinated half a month ago. A progenitor-level vampire escaped from the Black Iron Prison and attacked the Papal Palace. His Holiness the Pope has been gravely ill ever since. The city is in chaos, and infighting among the church factions is escalating rapidly. With the Holy Light Festival approaching, His Holiness has named you specifically. Your presence is essential.”
He hesitated, his tone darkening further. “The death of Saint Joanna has triggered a devastating internal divide. This is no longer just a power struggle—it reeks of a larger conspiracy. Your Highness, you must personally address this.”
Rowan Kai’s expression hardened as he processed the weight of the news.
“What? Impossible! That lunatic woman…” His voice trailed off in disbelief.
Saint Joanna was not just anyone; she was one of the five candidates for the Holy Saintess, a position equal in standing to Rowan Kai himself and the other four candidates. Even if not chosen as Saintess, her future would have been no less than that of a Grand Archbishop.
These ten candidates, including Saint Joanna, were considered the backbone of the next generation within the Holy Light Church, the future leaders who would guide its direction.
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Among them, Saint Joanna was a prominent favorite for the title of Holy Saintess. Crowned with the honor of summoning pure, untainted Holy Light since the age of twelve, she had earned the respect and reverence of countless believers.
Moreover, Saint Joanna was a formidable force, known for her sharp mind and unrivaled strength. As Rowan Kai’s senior and the first disciple of His Holiness the Pope, her assassination was a matter of grave significance—second only to the death of the Pope himself.
Rowan Kai found it difficult to believe, but the Commander’s somber expression suggested otherwise. He frowned deeply.
“Though I find this hard to accept, tell me the details.”
“Your Highness, ever since you left the Holy City three years ago, the Holy Light Church has undergone drastic changes. New factions have risen rapidly, shattering the old order. The entire city has turned into a boiling cauldron of conflict.
“With the Holy Light Festival drawing near, tensions have only intensified.
“Half a month ago, a progenitor-level vampire managed to escape the Black Iron Prison and launched a direct assault on the Papal Palace. Saint Joanna gave her life to protect His Holiness.”
“Bullshit!” Rowan Kai cut him off sharply. “Do you think I’m an idiot? A progenitor vampire escaping the Black Iron Prison? That prison has stood for over a millennium without a single breakout!
“Even if, for some ridiculous reason, the vampire did escape, why in the world would it go after the Papal Palace instead of running for its life? What’s this, a death wish for style points?”
His tone turned even more incredulous. “And don’t tell me the Pope needed her protection. He’s supposed to be the most powerful being in the entire church!”
The Commander lowered his head and explained, “After the last Holy Light Festival, His Holiness’s health began deteriorating significantly. Over the past year, the candidates, including Saint Joanna, took turns guarding the Papal Palace to share the burden.”
Rowan Kai momentarily fell silent, trying to process the information. The Holy Light Church was in a far worse state than he had imagined.
Still, he couldn’t shake the suspicion. “Is that lunatic woman faking her death? Could this be one of her ridiculous schemes?”
“Your Highness,” the Commander urged, “please return with us. His Holiness made it clear—your presence at the Holy Light Festival is non-negotiable. Given the current situation, there’s no telling what might happen without you.”
“...Fine.” Rowan Kai finally relented, his voice colder than before. “If the old man’s condition is that bad, I’ll go back and take a look. But these fools, stirring up chaos for a damn chair—clearly, they’re asking for punishment.”
The Commander shuddered at his words, though relief flooded his heart.
“Shall we depart immediately, Your Highness?”
“Not yet,” Rowan Kai said with a casual wave of his hand. “Get a carriage ready and bring along that dazed noblewoman over there.” His lips curled into a smirk. “She’s my most significant find from these three years of wandering.”
The Commander’s eyes lit up in sudden understanding. “Ah, I see, Your Highness. I completely understand!”
The Holy Light District lay cloaked in the soft veil of morning mist. The air carried an almost imperceptible glow, as if tiny motes of light danced within the cool breeze.
A towering watchtower stood at the center of the district, its structure inscribed with intricate Holy Light runes. These glowing carvings wove an elegant, slow-moving current of light that rippled occasionally like the surface of a serene pond. Warm and dignified, the radiance of the runes seemed to extend a gentle blessing to all who walked below.
Atop the tower, a Holy Light crest shone faintly, resembling a watchful eye guarding over the multitude of lives below. Its steady, unwavering presence was both reassuring and humbling, a silent reminder of the divine order it symbolized.