Praise the Light (I)

Under Ryan's orders, Brandt personally led these Dragonkin Warrior to the Wilds.

Their lifespan is not long. Out of more than a hundred, only a few can eventually become Dragonkin Warrior, and even then, they don't live more than ten days.

Ryan did this on purpose. He wanted everyone to see the birth of these Dragonkin Warrior and to understand that this ritual was no different from the past. Since the people of Nidhogg needed this tradition, then he would grant them the tradition.

The people of Nidhogg should be very familiar with Dragonkin Warrior.

They therefore firmly believed in Ryan's existence.

After leaving the Purple Potato City, Ryan traveled to more than a dozen other cities in the southern lands of Nidhogg. The birth of the Dragonkin Warrior in full view of everyone awakened everyone's fear and also made Ryan's control over the population of this world more perfect.

His orders were carried out with unwavering resolve.

"Hurry up and dig!"

"This is Lord Ryan's order; we must dig down to the base of that tree by this evening!"

The foreman shouted loudly, then turned and went into the shade, grabbed a gourd ladle from the wooden bucket, scooped water into his mouth, and drank it down his throat.

It's so hot! This awful weather is getting hotter every day.

Fortunately, he was the overseer, and those who died during this period were all slaves digging the river.

In the distance, knights were galloping on their warhorses, but the Northern Warhorse environment of Nidhogg was still causing them great discomfort.

They preferred the cold of the Northlands to the sweltering summer heat, so after their brief patrol, the cavalry headed straight for the shade.

Digging river channels is something that almost everyone in Nidhogg is doing right now.

Although Ryan resolved the issue of the people's worship of the Dragon Monarch, alleviating the problems of faith and customs, the scorching sun could not be put an end.

Furthermore, as we approach July, the temperature is getting higher and higher.

The solution is actually quite simple: have the people of Nidhogg worship the Lord of Dawn, or the God of Light. Given the circumstances surrounding Ryan, he is highly likely to become a follower of the God of Light.

Ryan refused to do so, wondering what would happen if becoming a follower of the Light led to being used by the Empire's Grand Cathedral of Light.

What if we use it against Lord Ryan?

Not only are they shooting themselves in the foot, but they're also supporting other people's followers.

The cost of not doing so would be the death of many people, but Ryan was willing to pay the price.

This is the price of becoming king.

The invisible call of the Dragons echoed in my ears once more.

In his mind, the power of the Dragons amplified his desires once again. Before him, it seemed as if a Dragons, lying on a golden mountain, was whispering to him, tempting him to fall into an endless Abyss.

"You really want to corrupt me, don't you?"

Ryan touched his chest, the Dragon Heart of the Legendary Dragons. He hadn't even refined a tenth of it yet. It was dead, but it continued to influence Ryan.

It could even be said that it has succeeded to some extent. In the past, Ryan would never have wanted these people to die because of digging the river.

These people are his spiritual subjects; they will have children, their children will have children, and their children's children's children will all be sources of spirituality for Ryan.

Now that he's dead, none of the others will survive.

The losses were devastating.

But things have already come to this.

Ryan needed water to Dispel the summer heat. He dug canals to moisten the land and prevent more crops from drying up. In addition, he also planned to bring groundwater into the city.

Entering the city's underground.

Don't forget, in the land of Nidhogg, because of the Dragon Chosen and the Dragon Monarch, every city has a huge hollow beneath it.

Those hollows were the safe houses where humans first lived. Later, in the era of the Dragon Monarch, they became the refuge of the Dragon Chosen. Beneath each city, the Dragon Chosen Dragon Chosen hide until they grew up to be able to fight against the Dragons.

In a few places, the weapons and armor of the Dragon Chosen Dragon Chosen are buried, as well as the power that accelerates their growth.

How much groundwater can be poured into such a vast underground space?

With groundwater, humans gained a primal ability to avoid heat and cold. Groundwater is warm in winter and cool in summer, providing warmth even in the Northlands winter.

All Ryan had to do was pour the water in.

The storage of groundwater, coupled with the fact that farmland surrounds the city, further reduces the probability of crops dying.

"Is there a widespread drought?"

Ryan looked up at the Sun in the sky. Even a severe drought depends on the environment. Nidhogg, the land where humans live, is surrounded by oceans on all sides. If you're so capable, try burning the ocean dry.

Ryan didn't say it aloud because he was worried that this guy could actually do it.

"Praise the light."

Ryan smiled and said that he, Lord Ryan, was blessed by the Sun Divine Blessing.

He is related to the Lord of Dawn and the God of Light.

"We are all believers in the light."

"Praise be to His Majesty Emperor Flor and His Grand Pope of Light who have brought us the guidance of light."

Ryan returned to Rhino Horn Mountain because people from the South of the empire had arrived.

He evaded the invitation of Elector Volvo, but could not escape the priests of the Imperial Grand Cathedral of Light.

Looking at the noble and aristocratic missionary in front of him, Ryan didn't know whether to address him as Baron or Missionary.

Why is this guy in the Frozen Earth Territory? It's obvious he dislikes the lands of the Northlands.

The reason, of course, lies with Ryan.

Previously, in order to avoid the invitation from Elector Volvo to serve as a naval commander on the West Coast with no benefits and only endless troubles, Ryan went to the Northlands with the help of Archangel Samir, and then took a trip to the two kingdoms in the east.

The Elector's invitation, coupled with the Empire's major war, meant Ryan had to provide a reason to go.

This reason was originally intended to be used to cover things up, but the cost would be affecting the relationship with the Elector. Then Samir appeared, so it became a natural solution.

Ryan betrayed Archangel Samir.

So today, Baron Angelbert, the missionary of light, has come to the Northlands in person, followed by a ceremonial guard of three hundred men to welcome Samir.

"As nobles of the Empire, the Church of Dawn is undoubtedly our enemy."

"Even in the far Northlands, I, Baron Ryan, have provided military equipment worth millions of Gold Coin for the war in the South without hesitation. Furthermore, on the South lands, the nobles of the Northwind Province have also supported the nobles of the Path of Dawn in their fight against those damned the Church fanatics."

"But Baron Angelbert..."

Call me a missionary.

"Mr. Missionary Angelbert, we are all believers in the light, but I really cannot do what you are asking of me."

"That archangel has left my territory. I found her in Otherworld. At that time, she was frozen in the Northlands. I saved her, no, I should say I helped her break the seal of the Northlands. Perhaps that archangel participated in the terrible Pan-Planar War, fighting on behalf of the immortal light."

Ryan's expression was one of regret and disappointment, as if he was saddened by not being able to get closer to the archangel.

"She went to the Northlands, but I don't know exactly where she went, since I'm not qualified to ask that esteemed Apostle."

After Ryan finished speaking, he asked the pale-faced missionary:

"Preacher Angelbert, do you have a way to call upon her response? As a devout believer of the God of Light, a noble preacher, and a priest of the faith in spreading light, perhaps you can invoke her appearance through faith."

"As far as I know, she needs the Power of Faith to heal herself."

"Faith belongs to the great and immortal light; how can I invoke it?"

The missionary looked at Ryan with ill intent, feeling as if the Northern Baron was mocking him.

"That's a pity. As far as I know, some people in the Church can use their faith. What if they manage to track down Apostle Samir..."

This was Angelbert's mission, and if the Church beat him to it, he didn't know if the enraged His Majesty the Emperor would sentence him to death.

As Baron without any territory, Angelbert was terrified of this.

"It seems that I can only turn to faith. My Lord forgives, and praise be to the light."

"Praise the light."

Ryan also spoke up, then stood not far away, watching the golden light emanating from the Baron missionary.

He actually mastered the methods of the clergy?

The Empire's Grand Cathedral of Light was not a makeshift operation?

Ryan thought that the Grand Cathedral of Light was just a means for the Empire to counter the faith of the Church of Dawn, but now it seems... His Majesty the Emperor has really established a new church.

Under one belief, two sects...

Almost predictably, Ryan foresaw the outbreak of a future world war.

The two countries may not necessarily break out into a terrible war, but the two churches certainly will.

The golden holy light emanating from the Baron missionary grew increasingly dazzling. Finally, through the unique means of the clergy, he saw the burning faith in the Northlands.

In the far Northlands, Archangel Samir raised her head, seemingly sensing the gaze of the Baron Missionary. The next moment, numerous snow-white, holy wings sprouted from behind her.

"Honorable Apostle..."

Just as Angelbert was about to speak, he suddenly felt darkness envelop him.

He opened his eyes, and Ryan saw that his face was pale, and couldn't help but ask with concern:

"What happened?"

"She took away my faith."

The Baron missionary was somewhat desperate, his face pale. Ryan, fearing he would die on his own territory, could only have someone bring him precious Magic Potion, which he reluctantly fed to the man.

Then... the missionary started smoking.

He was fuming with rage and berated Ryan.

"I am a missionary, a child of the God of Light, how could I take Magic Potion?!"

He was furious, and in a moment of carelessness, he forgot that these nobles didn't have any good stuff at all.

If he hadn't lost all his faith power, he might have died this time for betraying his own people and daring to let Magic Power enter his body as a servant of the God of Light.

Your faith is quite devout?

Ryan was surprised. Although the clergy of the Church of Dawn had never taken Magic Potion before, they had never heard of such trouble.

"Why don't you call upon the Grand Cathedral of Light and summon more believers?"

"As I said, that apostle came for the sake of faith."

What do you think faith is?

The Baron missionary was not good with words; he had lost too much and had no mood to play the noble game with Ryan.

"That apostle seems quite easy to talk to."

Ryan said this, and the missionary remained silent, only thinking about the scene he had just witnessed.

He didn't even realize the archangel's status before all his faith was taken away.

Easy to talk to? The other party didn't even speak to him.

He was tired and didn't want to talk to Northlands noble like Ryan.

"She has left that place and come to the South. She may go to the Imperial Capital herself to pay homage to His Your Majesty the Pope."

Ryan, standing nearby, said thoughtfully:

"It is also possible to go to the Holy Mountain further south, where there is an even stronger power of faith."

"You!"

The missionary, already pale and steaming just moments before, was now coughing up blood. Ryan was struck by how devout these people were; they were so desperate when their faith was taken away.

The missionary stared at Ryan, his nostrils flared, making Ryan worry that he was really going to die. Fortunately, a priest of light came up and calmed the Baron missionary down.

"I need to get back quickly and ask His Your Majesty to find a solution, such as keeping the Archangel in the Empire, otherwise..."

Otherwise, the Empire would suffer a great loss on the battlefields in the South where war is raging. Even the rebellious nobles of the Path of Dawn might back down or even betray His Highness the Elector Floyd.

Ultimately, the responsibility for all of this will not lie with the emperor, but rather with Baron Angelbert, the missionary who came to the Northlands to invite the archangel in order to represent the light, but failed.

He was naturally anxious, extremely worried.

"I suggest that you, sir missionary, not go back yet."

Ryan spoke again at this moment, but his tone had lost its previous naivety and now possessed the dignity of a nobleman.

"You want to hurt me."

Angelbert looked at Ryan, inexplicably angry, but when she met Ryan's gaze, she felt awkward and didn't know what to do.

The South already possessed the formidable reputation of Baron Ryan of the Northlands, and only now did he truly feel it.

"How could I harm you? As a nobleman, I'd be more than happy to help you."

"Baron Angelbert, think about it carefully. Do you really think you'll get away with this now?"

"You have failed. Invite the archangel into the empire to pay homage to His Majesty Emperor Flor, Your Majesty Grand Pope of Light."

"But if the archangel didn't appear in the Imperial Capital but instead appeared on the Holy Mountain, do you think the nobles in the South might speculate that it's because the archangel doesn't recognize our esteemed His Majesty the Emperor's other identity—the identity of the Grand Pope of Light?"

"This is a serious problem."

"I've heard that in the war in the south, the armies of sixteen Marquis have already been assembled in the Thousand Lakes Province. If the war is lost, the anger of the nobles will likely force His Majesty the Emperor to feign illness in the Imperial Capital."

"Baron Angelbert, perhaps you don't understand war, but I do. I once personally killed Silvermoon Wolf King, one of the six Monarch the Werewolves."

"I know war too well. Once the archangel appears on the Holy Mountain, the Empire and the Church will definitely lose the war in the Thousand Lakes Province."

"Then, it came down to politics."

"You must be familiar with politics, Baron, right? I heard you're a member of the Council of Elders in the Imperial Capital."

"It truly is an ancient and noble bloodline."

Ryan glanced meaningfully at the badge on Angelbert's chest, which was a flower.

Among the nobles of the Florian Empire, only the most original and oldest nobles have a flower emblem.

With noble blood and a prestigious status, Angelbert before him was qualified to bear a terrible responsibility.

As Baron Angelbert, who lived in the Imperial Capital, how could he not understand political disputes? Listening to Ryan's words, which were exactly what he feared, his face turned even paler in an instant.

"Unless..."

Ryan's words were like a lifeline to the Baron, who pressed on, asking:

"Unless what?"

"Unless... our missionary, Mr. Angelbert, never saw Apostle Samir at all."

Ryan said with a smile.

"Let me think, what exactly did I say in the message I gave His Your Majesty?"

"You said that after the archangel brought you to the Northlands of Norris, he went straight to the depths of the Northlands. If your army hadn't found you in the vast snowstorm, you would have been killed by the monsters of the Northlands."

Angelbert spoke directly, saying that he remembered Ryan's letter clearly at this moment.

"Yes, that's what I said. I almost died in that damned Northlands, Baron Angelbert. You have no idea how cold Northlands..."

Ryan started talking non-stop, which made the Baron a little impatient, so he interrupted him.

"Baron Ryan, just say it."

Ryan shut up and pointed the North, saying:

"It's very simple. Our missionary, Mr. Angelbert, is currently searching for the esteemed Archangel Samir in the vast Northlands, but he has yet to find any trace of her."

Angelbert's eyes lit up, but he quickly hesitated.

Ryan smiled and put his hand on the Baron's shoulder.

"Baron, that Apostle Samir is very easy to talk to. She certainly won't expose the well-intentioned lies of a devout follower of the God of Light."

Thinking back to what had just happened, Angelbert finally felt relieved.

Yes, how could that archangel apostle possibly gossip about him because of Angelbert?

She didn't even want to speak.

It's good to not talk, it's good to not talk.

"Yes, Your Excellency the Apostle is a very approachable archangel."

"Praise the light."

"Praise the light."

Angelbert has gone to the Northlands and is unlikely to return anytime soon.

Ryan watched his retreating figure with a look of regret for his friend's departure, his face full of reluctance.

"Mr. Angelbert, the Frozen Earth Territory many fine fresh fruits."

The emperor could find no leverage against him, but now, the only one who could still reveal this leverage was Baron Ryan.

Deceiving the emperor, disregarding the Deities, and rejecting the orders of the Grand Pope of Light... what kind of crime is this?

(End of this chapter)