Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 531 - 530: The Days of Departure

"Did she only say these things to you?"

Inside the feudal lord’s mansion, Gawain looked at Wright before him, and asked curiously.

"Yes," Wright nodded, "She inquired about the teachings of the New Church, and throughout the process, she showed no excitement, no opposition, and certainly no support—I couldn’t discern her intentions at all."

Gawain stroked his chin and shook his head slightly: "Her intentions have always been deeply hidden."

Amber hovered nearby, curiously playing with the pen holder on Gawain’s desk, then suddenly turned her head: "That sister was surrounded by light."

Amber possessed a strong Holy Light Affinity Talent, which was even more pronounced after becoming a Spirit Body Creature, so Gawain did not overlook the girl’s casual remark: "What kind of light? Is it the same as the Holy Light on Wright?"

Amber tilted her head to think and shook it: "Not quite the same—uncle’s light is pure white, but hers is pale gold."

Gawain furrowed his brow: "Pale gold Holy Light..."

He couldn’t help but recall the report from Kamel.

As a former senior researcher of the defied Plan, who had personally engaged with the power of the gods, Kamel sensed an unusual aura in the "Saint Princess". He deduced that Veronica either had a connection to the divine or had visited the Divine Realm...

The so-called "visited the Divine Realm" certainly doesn’t mean that a mortal has actually set foot in the kingdom of the gods. This refers to a concept in theology: scholars believe that the realm of the gods is not directly connected to the mortal’s world. There are layers of obstructions beyond mortal comprehension in between. Ordinarily, mortals cannot reach the kingdom, but on certain special levels, the power of the kingdom of the gods can radiate and extend to the vicinity of the mortal world. Parts of a mortal’s being—such as soul perception, dreams, and extrasensory perception—then have a chance to contact these extended domains of the godly realm.

In most cases, such contact leads to dire consequences. A mortal’s mind cannot endure the vast influx of information from the Divine Realm; the contact is almost instantly overwhelmed by endless illusions and memories, and their physical entity in the material world may also be twisted into an indescribable state. Only a few who return alive bring back knowledge of the gods.

This rare "contact" has occurred more than once in history, and those fortunate to return safely after encountering the Divine Realm while retaining their human intellect have generally become saints and prophets in the legends of various religions.

As far as Gawain knew, the Holy Light, the most powerful among the orthodox religions, had various special divine grace rituals, some of which involved "contact with the Divine Realm." However, the ability to truly enter the God Kingdom and return safely is exceedingly rare, so these rituals are essentially more like "catalysts," meant to temporarily amplify one’s spiritual gifts through the power of Holy Artifacts, allowing them to hear a trace of communication from the Divine Realm.

Veronica, as the "living saint" of the Holy Light, may have undergone such a special rite.

Did she successfully contact the actual domains of the Divine Realm during the ritual? Did she see "that world"?

If this is true, then Veronica must be the most devout believer of the Holy Light. Even if she was not previously, upon entering "that world" and facing the Holy Light, she undoubtedly became one.

Yet, why would a profoundly devout believer in the Holy Light... calmly listen to Wright’s recounting of the heretical teachings of the New Church?

"She said she wants to witness the Holy Light on this land with her own eyes," Gawain slowly spoke, watching Amber weave around the desk, the Holy Light emanating from her covering the entire table with a faint glow, "If this is her way of witnessing... then it truly surprised me."

Then he turned his head to Amber standing behind him and asked, "What has Veronica been doing these days?"

"Most of the time just wandering around the territory—constantly accompanied by our assigned attendants. She bought several souvenirs, some newspapers, and printed books, just like an ordinary visitor to a city. The only time she did something out of the ordinary was when she went to the cathedral to meet Wright, but we can’t rule out the possibility of her using some advanced disguise Spell for secretive actions elsewhere. Yet, we have comprehensive surveillance in all key departments with you and Kamel overseeing the administrative and research areas personally, so the likelihood is low."

Gawain stroked his chin: "Strolling, shopping, reading, praying... This isn’t what I initially expected."

The Saint Princess’s demeanor and conduct eluded easy interpretation. Gawain had previously made elaborate arrangements for the visit of the Holy Light’s emissaries, ranging from co-opting to coercing, and from aggressive opposition to sowing discord, considering all possibilities—except for the opponent being a leisurely tourist. Now, after many days, Veronica hadn’t sought him out again, nor had she brought up issues concerning the split between the northern and southern churches, doctrinal orthodoxy, or the reconstruction of the southern parish. This left Gawain with a sense of anticlimax.

Nonetheless, the Saint Princess continued her "normal" activities, strolling through streets, shopping, and acting like any regular visitor with the company of attendants arranged by Gawain. It persisted until Gawain and Victoria had finalized all trade details, and until the delegation from the royal capital prepared for their departure.

On the 40th day of the Fog Month, it was time to return to the royal capital.

No matter how many questions Victoria had about the southern borders, or whatever the northern church emissary Veronica’s true intentions were, they both had to return to the royal capital.

At the farewell banquet in the feudal lord’s mansion, Duchess Victoria approached Gawain, the northern ruler bowing gently, her voice calm: "Thank you for your hospitality over these days. This journey to the southern borders was truly memorable—what I’ve seen here greatly surpassed my expectations."

Gawain smiled: "Actually, you both could stay here for a few more days—the north has seen snow again recently; the road won’t be easy."

"The Wilder Clan pays no mind to the wind and snow," Victoria said indifferently, "Besides, I must return to St. Soniel promptly to preside over affairs and complete our trade—the winter will end eventually. We need to get the warriors armed before the Eastern Territory Rebels launch their offensive again."

"Very well, I will ensure the military supplies are loaded onto ships and sent to the Duoergong river mouth by the rocky ridges fortress," Gawain nodded, taking a glass of red wine from the tray held by a nearby Attendant, offering a toast to Victoria, "It’s a good beginning."

"Your assistance is crucial to the Anzu Kingdom’s military; this kingdom will improve," the duchess likewise raised her glass and gently clinked it against Gawain’s, "But would you truly not consider a trip to St. Soniel? The Cecil Clan is once again at the heart of kingdom power, and the Guardian Duke’s council table deserves your presence."

It was evident that the Duchess was sincerely inviting him, yet Gawain only smiled calmly and shook his head, "Rather than going to the royal capital for your meeting to discuss many things unfamiliar to me, I have more important matters to attend to here."

Victoria wanted to say more, but she noticed the direction Gawain was looking: due south, where the Dark Mountain Range was located.

Her expression turned serious, "You are still concerned about the wasteland?"

"I have never been at ease—don’t think that just because it’s been calm for seven hundred years, it will remain so," Gawain looked into Victoria’s eyes, "Victoria, now I ask you as a peer, not as an elder: do you really think that once the civil war ends, once Wales ascends to the throne, Anzu’s aristocrats can fend off Typhon in the east and the wasteland in the south?"

Victoria wanted to blurt out a definite answer, but before she could speak, she fell silent.

During the dozen or so days at the Cecil Clan, she observed many things, and through this observation, she confirmed one thing.

Duke Gawain Cecil has been making preparations, readying for a war, even many wars.

He has taken over the entire southern borders; his army can easily crush an allied force of over forty nobles, yet he has not stopped. He created a steel fortress at rocky ridges, but he has invested even more energy into the Dark Mountain Range. Anzu’s civil war has dragged countless nobles into the mire, but the newly reborn founding ancestor does not care about this civil war—his enemies pose a greater threat.

If the nobles of the royal capital saw all this, they would likely think this founding Grand Duke was neurotic, believing he was still trapped in the battlefields of seven hundred years ago, hence blindly and obstinately engaging in warfare like a spirit, even at the cost of pushing the newborn duchy to the brink of financial collapse. But after personally seeing the records of two Cecil defense battles and hearing the recollections of the witnesses, she couldn’t make such a rash conclusion.

And even if the Gondor wasteland can be considered an intangible threat, what about the Typhon, which is close at hand?

Anzu has had the sword’s edge of that Empire pressed against its throat more than once.

"Anzu’s aristocrats have many issues," the Duchess finally broke the silence, responding to Gawain’s gaze with firm eyes, "But even if we need to reform them, we must first have a unified Anzu."

"...Not an outstanding answer, but it suits your title," Gawain exhaled slightly and then seemingly casually said, "By the way, I have a request for you. Don’t worry, it’s not difficult."

"Please feel free to ask."

Gawain nodded, "I have a group of craftsmen and mages hired from the royal capital, and they wish to bring their families over—but I heard the royal capital is already under martial law."

He hadn’t forgotten his promise to Cohen—the young mage from the royal capital who requested to bring his family to the Cecil Clan before pressing the button on the Holy Light Inversion Circle. Gawain always remembered it, but if he brought it up to Victoria at the outset, it would certainly lead to unnecessary speculation. Now, mentioning it after finishing the ’big business’ makes the matter seem less abrupt.

"That’s not a difficult matter," Victoria indeed didn’t overthink it, "Just give me the list. I will personally issue passage permits for them."

Victoria left, and watching this Duchess’s slightly lean and lonely figure, Gawain sighed softly.

"Reform them... I never intended to reform them."

A warm and gentle presence approached from the side, and Gawain turned to see Veronica Moen with a serene smile.

"You’re leaving today as well," Gawain nodded to the Saint Princess, "Is there anything you wish to say?"

"I am merely the eye sent by the main sect; my mission is to observe, not to speak."

"Is that all?" Gawain raised an eyebrow, his tone becoming serious, "Honestly, as an emissary of the Holy Light Church, you don’t seem to be very diligent—were you truly sent because of the downfall of the southern border church and Lu’an City changing hands?"

Veronica did not speak; she merely looked quietly into Gawain’s eyes. Her gaze was deep and tranquil, like an unfathomable spring. For a fleeting moment, Gawain felt he wasn’t just facing a pair of human eyes—it seemed more like a tool or medium for observing the world, a soulless object, while a true soul hid deeper within, peering through this medium.

"What happened in Lu’an City was an unfortunate accident—a deviation among the grand cathedral priests, who abandoned the Lord’s teachings and thus faced expulsion by the people. Now the southern populace has chosen the order they recognize. Under Duke Cecil’s guidance, a new order is established, and Lu’an Grand Cathedral is repaired; the Holy Light still illuminates this land—nothing happened in the southern borders."

As Veronica finished speaking, Gawain couldn’t help but frown in disbelief, "Are you serious?"

Veronica smiled faintly, "Isn’t this the ’reality’ accepted by everyone in the southern borders?"

"What’s the benefit for you in doing this?" Gawain asked directly, "Is it for your faith?"

Veronica was silent for a moment; suddenly, the perpetual smile on her face faded, "Yes, it is for my faith."

A long silence lingered between them before Gawain broke it, "Will the Northern Church accept all this?"

"They will—because this civil war will continue, and on the Plains of the Holy Spirits, there is an even larger whirlpool than the southern borders."