Arrival

"Ria, time to go!"

"All right, Meli! I'll be right there." Ria hurriedly packed up the things in her room, then rushed downstairs.

Today was the day the Holy Church relocated to Corona City. Early that morning, the Holy Light Clerics had begun loading bags, equipment, and supplies onto wagons for the journey to the big city. Mules and carriages filled the main road through Huayu Town.

Some townspeople helped the Holy Light Clerics carry things, while others cleaned up the animals' droppings. Everything was cheerful and orderly.

"Ertai, take good care of yourself in the big city. These eggs came from our old hen. Grandma brought them all for you, so make sure you eat plenty!"

"I will, Grandma! By the time I come back, I'll be a high-ranking Knight!" Laden with bags, Ertai took the basket and smiled.

"Yes! Grandma believes in you. Our Ertai is going places! I've always believed in you!" The stooped old woman straightened her departing grandson's clothes, her expression loving.

"Grandma, you must take care of yourself at home!" Ertai said, gazing worriedly at his elderly grandmother.

"Don't worry! Your father's still here. We made it through the hard times before, and now we have the holy light and the Holy Church!"

"Ertai, time to go!"

"Goodbye, Grandma!" Ertai glanced back at his grandmother, then rode his Holy Light Wolf after his companions to join the main group.

"May the holy light keep my grandson safe and sound!" the old woman prayed sincerely.

"Yui, Huayu Town will be in your hands from now on!"

"Don't worry, Ria! I'll do my best to manage everything in Huayu Town!" Yui said confidently.

"Good. I believe in you! If anything comes up, talk it over with Rich!" Ria said with a smile.

"I will. It's just... I'm going to miss you, Ria!" Yui said, looking a little sad.

"A short farewell now will make our reunion all the sweeter." Ria reached out and patted Yui, who had grown quite a bit taller.

"All right! I understand, Ria!"

As everyone said goodbye to their families, the main group set off on a new journey at Ria's command.

At noon in Corona City, a fine rain still filled the sky. Holy Knights stood in two neat rows along either side of the road, forming a human wall. Every one of them held his head high and stood tall, ready to welcome Archbishop Ria into the city.

Axel stood atop the gate tower, glancing into the distance from time to time. Ever since a Holy Light Cleric had arrived that morning to report that the main group was beginning its move to Corona City, he had been waiting there.

Watching his commander pace back and forth, Kumata could not resist teasing him. "Well, well! Our esteemed commander is missing his big sister again!" He nudged Shishu with his arm.

Shishu tried to maintain a composed expression, but the sight of Kumata clowning around finally made him break into laughter.

"Ha ha! Ha ha!"

Flushing bright red at his two subordinates' teasing, Axel snapped, "Well, look at you two! Now you're bold enough to make fun of your commander!" He smacked each of them on the helmet.

Kumata hastily straightened his helmet and continued with a cheeky grin. "The commander's hitting people! That's abuse of his subordinates! When Bishop Ria gets here, I'm reporting you! Right, Shishu?"

"Don't drag me into this, Kumata. I'm the commander's loyal little fan! But if you really want to go, I can't stop you." Shishu waved his hands and backed away, holding back his laughter.

Seeing that Kumata was still grinning cheekily, Axel said in exasperation, "Kumata, don't think I haven't noticed you sneaking looks at Muzawa Nako in the Priest corps! If you annoy me one day, I might just tell her some big oaf has a crush on her!"

"Please don't, Commander! My dear big brother!" Kumata immediately wailed. "I just thought you must be tired from all that pacing. I wanted to make a little joke to cheer you up."

"Oh! So our Kumata has his eye on the beauty of the Priest corps! You know, unless you treat your little brother to a meal, keeping this quiet might be difficult!" Shishu looked at the nervous Kumata with a faint smile.

Kumata helplessly looked at their smiling faces. He had only meant to tease his commander, but now he had landed himself in trouble. Spreading his hands, he said, "Fine! Tell me what you want to eat!"

"Grilled meat and fruit juice, of course! The perfect combination!" Shishu answered first.

Axel thought it over, decided Shishu had a point, and nodded as well.

"All right, then!" Kumata answered listlessly. It looked like his wallet was going to take another beating.

"Commander, look! That's... that's the main group!" a Holy Light Cleric on duty shouted from the tower.

The three immediately regained their serious expressions. Axel shouted, "All Holy Knights, follow me out of the city to meet them!"

The towering gate was slowly raised by its mechanism, and the repaired drawbridge was gradually lowered. Axel rode out first, with the Holy Knights close behind.

"Ria, that's Axel and the others." Meli pointed ahead and spoke softly to Ria.

"Yes, I see them! Time flies. In the blink of an eye, Axel has become the commander of a regiment!" Ria said, pleased.

He had not risen to that position through his connection to Ria. Among the Holy Light Clerics, strength and ability were what counted! Thinking of Axel, who always got up before dawn to train hard, never neglected his studies of the holy light knowledge base, and remained unwavering in his faith in the Holy Light.

"Yes, that boy works hard enough. The holy light won't let those who work hard down!" Meli replied with a smile.

"Ria, Arch... Archbishop Ria! The First Holy Light Regiment has come to escort you!" Axel had meant to call her Boss as he always did, but quickly corrected himself to preserve his sister's dignity on this formal occasion.

"Commander Axel, please maintain order in the procession as we enter the city."

"Yes!"

Axel waved his hand, and the Holy Knights behind him swiftly separated into two orderly columns to escort the main group into the city.

The townspeople stared in astonishment at the procession stretching beyond sight, its long train of supplies, its neatly arranged equipment, and its orderly movement. Apart from the rumble of wheels and the occasional cries of livestock, the Holy Light Clerics marched in silence.

"Yahiko, is this the organization that stormed the city a few days ago, the one that worships an evil god?" Konan asked in surprise.

Yahiko nodded silently. "Nagato, what do you think?"

"These aren't ordinary evil god worshippers! After listening to what their missionaries have been saying these past few days, even I'm feeling drawn to them," Nagato said quietly.

"But Master Jiraiya said the world can only become peaceful when people understand one another. And what they're doing... maybe I just don't understand it yet!" Yahiko said uncertainly.

"Let's keep watching. If anything seems wrong, we'll leave the city as soon as possible and head to Amegakure!" Nagato said hesitantly.

"All right!" Yahiko and Konan nodded together.

"Boss, thanks for making the long journey!" Axel smiled at Ria, whom he had not seen for several days.

"You brat! Your boss hasn't been working as hard as you. You've done well in the city lately!" Ria praised him.

"Oh, Boss, when are we going to deal with those nobles?" Axel could not help asking.

"As soon as possible! Preferably before the Holy Church is established here. Give them as fair a trial as possible. All we want is to avoid wronging a single good person or letting a single bad person escape!"

"Then I'll send people out tomorrow to notify everyone in the city that we're holding a public trial in the city center!"

"There's no need to go to all that trouble! The Holy Armored Ones recently developed the Multifunctional Magic Tower. Once they're installed in every district, we can use electromagnetic force to broadcast announcements throughout the city!"

"That's so convenient! Think how much time and manpower it'll save. We can broadcast new policies repeatedly, too. We'll never have to go door to door to notify everyone again!" Axel grew more excited as he spoke.

"All of this is the blessing of the holy light!" Ria said devoutly, watching her excited younger brother.

"Praise the Holy Light!" Axel hurriedly joined her in prayer.

"All right, go show the Holy Armored Ones around the city! Get the magic towers installed as soon as possible!"

"Yes, Boss!" Axel turned and went off to work.

Watching her younger brother, who would not waste even a moment, Ria nodded in amusement.

The next morning, early risers saw armored Holy Knights leading strange Holy Light Clerics who wore the same armor and carried great hammers on their backs. They were gesturing at various spots in several districts. Although the townspeople could not understand what they were doing, they had grown familiar with the Holy Light Clerics and gathered around, eager to watch the excitement.

As a Holy Knight nodded, the Holy Light Cleric behind him took the great hammer off his back, made a few gestures over the level ground, and suddenly struck its center. A six-pointed magic circle flashed, and a white stone pillar with wing patterns carved on either side and a glowing orb atop it slowly rose from the center of the circle. Everyone stared, dumbfounded!

They crowded forward to ask the young Holy Knight what it was.

"Quiet, everyone! I'll explain right away!" At the Holy Knight's words, the townspeople closed their mouths and listened quietly to his explanation.

"This is a Multifunctional Magic Tower. It has three main functions. First, within a radius of fifty meters, it can use Detect Malice to identify and attack enemies. From now on, if you run into bad people or ninja, you can run to the tower!

Second, it can heal injuries. Anyone who gets hurt can pray to the holy light beneath the tower to recover! Of course, this function isn't very powerful. It can only heal minor external injuries and mild illnesses. If it's serious, you'll still need to see a Priest.

Third, and this is the function we'll be using soon, it can broadcast announcements! It can carry voices a very, very long way. Whenever the Holy Church introduces new policies, we'll use it to notify everyone. Also, don't deliberately damage it. If it comes under a serious attack, it will fight back, so make sure you remember that!"

Even after the Holy Knight finished, the townspeople still seemed somewhat doubtful. Then a burly man took a small knife and lightly cut his hand before slowly holding it toward the magic tower. He recited a prayer to the holy light, and something miraculous happened: the wound on his hand rapidly healed!

"It's... it's real! Everyone, it's real! Praise the holy light!" The man clasped his hands and began bowing toward the magic tower.

Seeing this miraculous sight, the other townspeople began praying as well.

The Holy Knight beside them was left utterly speechless. He had talked until his mouth was nearly dry, and they still had not believed him. Apparently, they needed to cut themselves before they could be satisfied.

As the Holy Armored Ones swiftly finished constructing the magic towers throughout the city, a single voice rang out across Corona City that day.

"Hello, everyone! I am Miss Orville, a warrior of the holy light and a Holy Cantor. I am here to announce an important piece of news. At noon on the fifteenth, a public trial of the former nobles will be held at the newly established Judgment Hall in the center of Corona City. Anyone who has suffered an injustice should report it to one of our offices. Reports will be accepted for two days.

Before the holy light arrived, evil might have been free to do as it pleased. But the holy light is great. Justice will come, and evil will finally be held to account! So, people, speak boldly of the wrongs you have suffered! No one cared before, but now that the holy light is here, those Carnivores who once lorded over you and treated you like filth will receive the punishment they deserve! Let those who treated your lives as worthless learn to fear fairness and justice!"