Night hung like thick ink, heavily splashed across the rugged mountains of the Bayan Mining Area.
Even the clamor of the daytime wind seemed to be holding its breath. Only the occasional cold gust drifting from deep within the mine pits, carrying the stench of sulfur and rust, wailed as it swept past jagged rocks, stirring a few dead leaves before they fell again, adding to the desolation.
Flickering ghostly flames glimmered between the entrances of collapsed mine shafts and abandoned slag heaps like countless watchful eyes.
Beneath the shadow of a towering cliff on the eastern side of the Bayan Mining Area, a pure faint glow dispelled the deep darkness.
Saintess Daili stood quietly, her plain white robe utterly still in the night wind, like a sacred jade statue.
Her clear eyes, bright as morning stars, pierced through the night as she gazed at the sparsely lit mining camp below.
Behind her stood the Light Church's knights and Mages in neat formation, numbering several hundred in all.
Knight Henry wore heavy armor, and beneath his visor, only a pair of eyes burning with unwavering fighting spirit could be seen.
Meanwhile, deep within a denser, twisted dead forest on the western side of the mining area, the forces of the Four Gods Church lay in ambush like ghosts. They clearly outnumbered the Light Church, and their formation was far looser.
The Four Gods Church had always been like this. Though they had far more people than the Light Church, they were divided into no fewer than four major factions, and their internal struggles were extremely fierce.
They also knew the Light Church was coming. Both sides had communicated beforehand, intending to deal with the Shadow Council together.
As for who would claim this mining area after the Shadow Council was