Beyond the Gray Fog Lay the Twelve Defense Zones

After a long, bumpy journey, the Blackpine convoy finally reached the outskirts of Tear Knight City.

The streets outside the gate were still under repair. The guard captain in charge of entry checks sat behind a wooden desk, with a city-entry register designed by the Reconstruction Institute spread before him.

When he saw the Blackpine banner, he asked several other convoys waiting to enter to hold back and registered Blackpine first.

Everyone's eyes turned to the Blackpine banner. Someone in a nearby convoy recognized Shien and whispered to the person beside him, "Is that Vice Envoy Graywood from the Graymist Defense Zone?"

The other person nodded. "That's him."

The man pointed at the enormous group in the Blackpine convoy. Besides nearly a hundred knight guards, there were hundreds of recorders, craftsmen, and other personnel wearing identification tags.

Behind them came one sealed heavy weapons wagon after another, loaded with newly designed arms from the Blackpine Workshop.

"That's quite an entourage."

"Of course. If you'd achieved what he has, you'd have one too. They say the governor's going to give him an important appointment this year. Next time we meet him, we might have to call him Bishop."

Shien rode near the front of the convoy in a pale Church Knight uniform and a black cloak, giving off a solemn, almost sacred air. He heard every word of the discussion, but his expression did not change.

Because the convoy had priority, the inspection was soon finished. The guard captain stepped forward and saluted. Shien accepted the entry token, thanked him, and led his people straight into the city.

Victor sat in the second heavy wagon. The carriage was dim. He lifted a corner of the rear curtain, and the Holy Light outside shone through the gap into his single eye.

Victor