Someone certainly had to stay behind, but whoever stayed was bound to suffer.
If the Apostle was real, those who failed to witness him in person would suffer. If this was an utterly convincing trap, those who went would likely never return, and those left behind would suffer all the same.
So no one wanted to stay. But faced with the unavoidable need to leave someone behind, everyone except the oldest believer and the two Raven Messengers, whose attendance was taken for granted, used the fairest method to decide who would go: drawing lots.
The old man prepared a sealed box containing slips of paper marked with the results. "I got one!" "Me too!" "And me!"
Some held their slips and let out long breaths of relief, while others clenched theirs in silence. Whatever the outcome, everyone had to accept it.
And because time was short, those chosen began preparing that very night. Before dawn, they were already setting off in separate groups.
Whether the Raven Church believers were stewards to nobles, dockworkers, factory workers, schoolteachers, or inn servants, they all found excuses to take leave or simply departed.
Some took trains, others boats, and some even airships. Having made their resolve, the Raven Church believers reached towns, villages, roads, and wilderness around the Blue Moon Forest by their own means, then resolutely entered the vast forest.
Crows appeared in the sky, one after another. Under the Raven Messengers' control, they guided believers arriving from every direction toward the appointed, mysterious location.
For the past few days, Mulan and the four Silent Knights had been camping near the spot they had previously selected. "How many do you think will come?"
"I'd guess at least twenty or thirty." "I doubt it. This is risky, after all." "Let's bet on it. I