On the Cadro-Qixing Highway, a young priest sat by the window of a carriage provided by the Church of Life in Cadro Province, watching the passing pedestrians and merchant caravans with interest.
"More than fifty years ago, this place was synonymous with desolation and backwardness."
"In such a short time, it has become this prosperous. Velin truly deserves the title of God-Bestowed Count."
All of a sudden, the carriage came to a stop.
A Silver High-Tier Temple Knight approached the carriage and bowed. "Lord Alva, there is a woman kneeling in the middle of the road ahead, blocking the way."
Hearing this, the young priest rose, opened the carriage door, and stepped down.
Looking ahead, he saw a gaunt woman kneeling in the middle of the road, making muffled whimpering sounds.
Beside her stood two Temple Knights with swords in hand, staring coldly at the woman before them.
When he shifted his gaze to the crowds on either side, he noticed several people watching the woman the entire time. One fair-skinned youth even had undisguised killing intent in his eyes.
"Once those Inquisitor Knights leave, I'll..."
"Master, mind your words."
The burly man standing beside the fair-skinned youth reminded him in a low voice.
Remembering that the Inquisitor Knights were nearby, the fair-skinned youth immediately shut his mouth.
Having overheard those faint words, Alva could not help frowning.
Seeing that the young priest had yet to act, the Silver High-Tier Temple Knight asked, "Lord Alva, shall we administer the ten-whip punishment?"
"The rules cannot be broken."
"Yes."
The Silver High-Tier Temple Knight acknowledged the order, then directed his subordinates to drag the woman to the roadside and whip her.
The Church of Life decreed, with the kingdom's endorsement, that anyone who publicly obstructed Inquisitor Knights, regardless of status, would first