The Light Had Not Yet Fallen

"Is that the cannon that bombarded the Lesser Evil Spirit?" From the moment the girl boarded the Baisha Ship, her attention had been drawn to the long metal square tube on the bow deck—it looked so unusual that, rather than a cannon barrel, it resembled a steel pillar meant for building machines.

"That's right." Xia Fan nodded.

"Can I see what it looks like inside?"

"I'm afraid not... It's Jinxia's highest secret. Only officials from the Mechanical Bureau are qualified to handle it."

"Is that so? What a pity." Taxisis smiled with faint regret.

Compared to the high-spirited figure she had cut when she first entered the city, she was clearly far more worn down now. Her arm was wrapped in bandages, her hair had lost some of its luster, and dark circles had appeared beneath her eyes. It was clear that the Inquisition's cleanup work had not gone well. Combined with the public's changing view of The Church, the situation had only grown more complicated.

Instead of taking her to the captain's cabin in the sterncastle, Xia Fan led her onto the Baisha Ship's foredeck. The view was wide open, and the entire bustling Harbor District lay spread out beneath their eyes. Compared to a cup of refined rock-sugar black tea, he felt that the sea breeze was better at easing one's mind.

"How are your subordinates?"

"Not well." Taxisis held the railing and gazed toward the sea. "Six members of the Inquisition died, and four were seriously wounded. I've entrusted the Lieya Family with sending the injured to Hila for treatment, but I don't know whether they can hold on until then."

"What about that Guardian Knight?"

She shook her head.

As expected, Xia Fan thought. Even a Dragon's thick hide and tough flesh could not escape misfortune