The Fourth Volume: Withering in the Mortal World - City Within (Part One)

Torres City, the core city of the Torres Ecclesiastical Province, has long been under martial law. The Boundary Protection Saint Domain, a divine magical array built by the Holy See at great expense to protect the city, acts as a city wall, enveloping the main urban area like an inverted bowl. Although it was jointly created by Great Divine Art Master a thousand years ago and has been continuously improved by countless generations, it is still too difficult to completely protect such a huge city. The Boundary Protection Saint Domain can only completely cover the main urban area at most; if the entire city were to be enclosed within it, the strength of the shield would inevitably be affected.

However, the main urban area only occupies less than a quarter of the huge provincial capital Torres City, and a considerable part of it consists of religious buildings (administrative districts) and commercial areas, with not many places suitable for long-term residence. Most of the real residential areas are located in other urban areas.

This means that only a portion of the people can receive protection within the Boundary Protection Saint Domain, while the rest must live in fear and trembling outside the domain, constantly at risk of encountering the Blood Blade Knights, whom the Holy See describes as "monsters and raging floods."

As for who gets in and who gets left out—that's not determined by luck, but by sincerity.

Outside the Boundary Protection Saint Domain, in the outer city area --

"... That's it, Father. I'm fine, but my husband is sick, and my child hasn't had a proper meal in a long time, so, could you..."

"Oh, I see, my devout believer..."

The kind-faced priest, who was also the head of the area, closed his book and looked at the middle-aged woman and the little boy hiding behind her.

"So, your family is suffering, and the food allocated to you has been taken away, so you've come to me for help... is that right?"

"Yes! We're running out of food, and our children are starving! Please, even the cheapest rice or flour, please give us some rations!"

"Oh, what a poor child..."

The priest put down his book and gently stroked the little boy's head, but the little boy was trembling slightly.

"But, that won't work."

"Varied--"

"The Most High God teaches us to love people equally, to love every believer equally, so all food is distributed equally without bias."

The glimmer of hope that had just ignited in the woman's heart was instantly extinguished.

"Please wait a moment, Father! Just a little bit, enough to get through dinner tonight!"

"I'm also very sorry, but everyone is the same, so--"

"--You're lying!"

"...!"

The priest slightly opened his narrowed eyes and looked at the boy who had suddenly interrupted him. The woman was startled and quickly pulled the child back, but he just wouldn't stop talking.

"Equal distribution is all a lie! At the beginning of the war, many people in armor said they would concentrate the food, so they took everything from their homes! Not just rice and flour, but vegetables, meat, jam, and even butter were taken! But in the end, all we got was stale rice! And it was so little that it wasn't enough to eat at all!"

"... It's all because of those blasphemous Rebel Army. If they hadn't attacked—"

"Liar! I just saw it last week! Lots of trucks loaded with lots of delicious food were transported to the inner city! All that was left was—boohoo!"

"I'm sorry! This child is still young and doesn't understand! Please, please forgive him!"

"..."

The woman quickly covered the little boy's mouth and pulled him behind her, while the priest silently stood up, walked up to them, and gently lifted the little boy's chin.

"... Madam, how much 'Nakin' do you give to God each year?"

"Huh?"

"Is it diamonds? Jewelry? Gold? Or just a few ordinary Tong Coin?"

"I, I do it every year--"

"That's not enough at all!!!"

The priest's expression suddenly turned ferocious, and a large hand suddenly gripped the boy's face tightly with extraordinary force, making his cheekbones creak.

"Don't you understand unless I make myself clear? Is this your 'sincerity'? If you were truly sincere, I could open your granaries and distribute grain right now! With even more sincerity, I could even help you apply for a few days' stay in the main city! But what have you gotten? Just a poor, wretched commoner! No money, no power, not even a decent-looking body. How can you convey your 'sincerity' to me? So stop wasting my time and get back to work!!!"

"Hurry up, hurry up! Don't slack off! Build fortifications to defend against those blasphemous Rebel Army! This is God's will!"

Under the command of a paladin clad in silver armor, groups of simply dressed people marched forward, each carrying stones, steel, sandbags, and other building materials on their shoulders. The weight of the materials made them drenched in sweat, their faces pale, and their steps unsteady; clearly, they hadn't experienced a period of peace in a long time. The journey to the outer city's border, the very edge of the city and closest to the battlefield, was where a large contingent of paladins and young men temporarily selected from the citizens formed the city's defensive army, guarding all possible positions from which the Revolutionary Army might attack.

"Ah... Ooh!"

A man who was clearly over fifty years old suddenly swayed and sat down on the ground with a thud, scattering the stones he was carrying on his shoulder.

"Hey! What are you doing!"

"I'm so sorry, Sir Knight, I just... sprained my ankle..."

"Fool!"

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

The man struggled to sit up, only to find that he couldn't stand at all.

"I'm sorry, but... I really can't do it anymore. Could you please...?"

"What are you dawdling for? Get to work! Moving building materials is part of constructing fortifications, and fortifications are part of defeating those blasphemous Rebel Army! What you're doing now is Divine Speed! You should be proud of it!"

"But..."

"No! It's not your turn to work yet! The war is urgent right now, and the transportation is running out, which is why we lowly commoners are being asked to do the work. This opportunity to serve God is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for you, and you're telling me you want to slack off!?"

"I'm so sorry! I... I'll continue..."

The man gritted his teeth, stood up, and, enduring the excruciating pain, hoisted the stone back onto his shoulder and swayed as he walked forward.

The outer city has now become the first line of defense for the inner city. The Great Barrier and the Boundary Protection Saint Domain are not enough to put people at ease, so a large amount of building materials are being concentrated here to temporarily construct various defensive fortifications. The number of transport vehicles and Divine Spellcaster responsible for transporting building materials is simply not enough, so everyone, regardless of age or gender, who has the strength to work, is being forced to transport building materials. If there are strong superhumans, transporting building materials would be much easier—unfortunately, such superhumans have all been incorporated into the army that is standing guard outside the city.

Although Templar Knight Alan and over a thousand Papal Imperial Guard arrived not long ago, saving the Torres City from falling at the last minute, the construction progress has not slowed down in the slightest. After all, the scene of that dagger-like assault force traversing the entire outer city and nearly breaching the Boundary Protection Saint Domain with the help of traitors within the inner city was truly terrifying. Once something like this happens, it could happen again, so the construction of defensive fortifications absolutely cannot stop.

However, the paladins and priests in charge here were quite relaxed.

After all, now that the Cathedral of the True God has sent reinforcements, no one is worried about the outcome of this battle anymore.

The messenger of the Supreme God will not lose.

Torres Inner City, Center, Torres Cathedral --

Archbishop Valen was completely drunk. Although it was a drink he was used to, today it tasted like victory.

Good news arrived: Lord Alan, the Fifth Templar, led his troops to a great victory over the enemy and is now in the pursuit phase. When he first heard that the rebels were at the city gates, he was so frightened that he almost smashed his precious cross. But now, victory can be said to be assured. All that remains is to build up the outer city's defenses, both to show the Cathedral of True God that he is taking remedial measures and to find some psychological comfort for the future.

(Hmm... Now we just need to wait for Lord Alan's report of his victory in capturing and killing that damned Blood Blade Knights, and then we need to start planning the victory celebration...)

"Archbishop..."

Ouch!

Valen choked violently, but in the next instant he swiftly put away the bottle, straightened his clothes, and was completely sober. Most incredibly, there wasn't even a trace of alcohol left on him.

This is Valen's signature skill; no matter how drunk he is, he can sober up immediately and will never embarrass himself in front of others because of his love of drinking.

"So it's the Saintess Maiden! What brings you to my humble abode?"

The newcomer was a beautiful woman around twenty-five years old. She had long, light golden hair, and her features were delicate and refined. Her mature face was not without its charm, and there was a natural allure between her brows. The symbol of her Saintess status—a close-fitting, pure white robe—perfectly outlined her full curves. Her sexy body and chaste temperament created a strong contrast. Coupled with her innate charm and girlishly innocent eyes, she was enough to drive any man, or even any woman, crazy.

The 31st Torres Saintess – Lyca Torres.

"Actually... nothing's wrong, I just feel inexplicably uneasy... I'm sorry, did I disturb you--"

"How could that be! Please come in. I welcome you anytime. This must be the will of the Most High God."

Valen quickly invited her in. Firstly, although the Saintess had no real power and usually only presided over baptisms and blessings, she was indeed higher in rank than him. Secondly, no man would refuse such a stunning beauty into his room. Of course, Valen dared not have any improper thoughts. His status as Archbishop allowed him to freely play with any woman in the province, except for the Saintess. Daring to molest the Saintess would not be a matter of losing his head.

Please sit down.

"Thanks."

"What would you like to drink? Tea? Coffee?"

"Ordinary tea leaves are fine."

"OK..."

Valen immediately served the finest teas and exquisite snacks to accompany them, each one of considerable value.

"Wait... Archbishop Valen, isn't this tea and refreshments a bit... too extravagant? It's fine normally, but now we're in a time of war. According to the doctrine, 'When facing a great enemy, we should abstain from extravagance and practice frugality, not letting pleasure numb us, but uniting in our hatred of the enemy...'"

"Ah, don't worry, Your Saintess, the victory is already secured. Those filthy Blasphemers will surely be punished by the Supreme God."

"I see. Then the common people in both the main city and the outer city can rest assured."

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Min, I'm sorry, I had some things to do today and was short on time, so I didn't have time to proofread.