There was a church in the Lun Mine, too.
Although the Holy Lord Church had come under the Pure Rite Sect's control following the Empire's harsh crackdown, it still needed a church or two. After all, what kind of religion didn't even have a church?
Naturally, there was also a church inside a cavern on the upper levels of the Lun Mine. Unlike churches elsewhere, however, its cavern setting left the entire building shrouded in darkness. Only burning torches and braziers illuminated the vast sanctuary.
At that moment, Li Wei stood at the back of the church, watching Elizabeth ahead of him.
She was still dressed in her black nun's habit, kneeling on the floor with her eyes closed and both hands clasped around the All-Seeing Eye. In front of Elizabeth stood a fat, big-eared priest who looked as though he had eaten so much he could barely walk. Even his red robes stretched tight across his body.
He was holding both hands high, muttering quietly before the altar. Then he picked up the incense candle beside him and began moving it in circles.
"Great and all-knowing Holy Lord, I beseech Your blessing and yearn for Your grace. Please bring down Your boundless power and cleanse our souls and bodies..."
As he spoke, the priest swung the incense candle and prayed in a low voice. Elizabeth merely knelt behind him, murmuring something too quietly to make out.
A moment later, the priest set the incense candle down again, breathed a sigh of relief, and turned to nod at Elizabeth.
"The blessing is complete, Sister Elizabeth."
"Thank you, Father."
Elizabeth rose and gave the priest a religious salute.
"You're welcome. It is my duty. Only..."
At that, the priest couldn't help glancing back at the altar.
"Will this really work?"
"All