Grand (Part 2)

Three days later.

His Majesty, the Chen King, couldn't bear his worry any longer. He decided to accompany Red Cardinal Claire to Red Ridge in Dubit Province!

Red Ridge already had its own Air Port route. The Red Cardinal refused the Chen King's proposal to travel by balloon airship. He preferred to honor tradition, enjoying the faithful's cheers and adoration along the way as he preached the Greatness of the Lord on their journey to their destination.

So the Chen King could only follow the Red Cardinal, making his way there at a snail's pace.

The journey took nearly half a month.

Claire's expression grew darker by the day.

Contrary to his expectations of throngs of Light followers singing as they escorted him along the way, the farther they traveled into northwestern Grand, the fewer faithful came to pay their respects.

Especially once they reached Dubit Province.

Apart from a handful of elderly people, everyone here was lounging in taverns, looking down on the Holy See's Light Knight Order as it passed—as though they were watching a troupe of performers.

Sensing Claire's mood, the Chen King said, "This area was once under the jurisdiction of the Temple of the Goddess of Wisdom. Later, when the great Goddess of Wisdom's divine radiance faded, the people here lost their faith. Now that the duchy is investing heavily in poverty alleviation and developing the northwest, everyone here has their eyes on money. Don't take offense, Cardinal. Heh."

"Mm."

Claire replied coldly and led the Light Knight Order onward.

Eight hundred years ago, this little town would have been judged and reduced to ashes by now.

People's hearts had changed.

After a brief silence, he said calmly, "Let's first visit the place where the miracles of the God of Light were displayed."

The place