"The village... the front of the village is already surrounded by Bishop Kalein. Are you really planning to just walk out like this? They won’t let you go! Those people aren’t part of the Goddess Church anymore—they’re Twilight Apostles! There’s no reasoning with them!"
Lessa stared at Xia Lun in disbelief. Did they really intend to stride out so boldly?
Even with Musen, there were only five of them... and Lessa didn’t consider Mo Lini much of a fighter.
"Twilight Apostles? What a coincidence," Xia Lun murmured.
"Don’t worry, Miss Lessa," Musen said, crossing his arms. "Everything will be fine. Captain Xia Lun is incredibly strong."
"No matter how strong he is, they’re a full squad of priests led by a bishop!" Lessa couldn’t help but argue again. "That’s not something one person can stand against!"
As a nun of the Goddess Church, Lessa knew better than anyone how terrifying a fully armed priest squad could be. The combat synergy between them wasn’t just additive—it was a qualitative leap in power.
Though the Goddess no longer bestowed blessings or divine artifacts, the Goddess Church remained one of the world’s top factions, even maintaining a chapel in a place like Nameless Village. Their strength and legacy were undeniable.
Musen, of all people, should have known this.
Yet Xia Lun and the others acted as if they hadn’t heard her.
Even Mo Lini showed no trace of concern.
Xia Lun pushed open the chapel doors and stepped outside first; Aina followed closely behind. Liyana went to the stable to fetch the earth dragon, tossing the Pious Scripture to Mo Lini, who stared curiously at the floating golden apparition before her.
"Oh, you’re not Mock," Musen suddenly remarked. "So you’re a lovely young lady... I was wondering, since I attended Mock’s funeral years ago."
"Mock... was my ancestor," Mo Lini replied softly. "My name is Mo Lini."
"Is that so? You look just like him." Musen’s gaze softened slightly as he regarded her.
"By the way, has Liyana been bothering you?"
"Yes."
"Ah, well, I figured. Typical Liyana."
"These people..." Lessa watched as the group walked away, then gritted her teeth and ran after them.
She wanted to see just how these few individuals planned to turn the tide.
......
After a long-awaited heavy rain yesterday, the lake’s water level had risen, revealing the village. Now, it was possible to enter directly.
That was why Kalein had chosen this moment to act—no need to use water magic to forcibly fill the lake to meet the entry conditions.
But simply walking in would still trigger the village’s barrier, forcibly ejecting intruders.
Kalein was preparing before the barrier.
The reason Lessa had been able to stay in Nameless Village for so long was due to the Pious Scripture’s power—it could control desires. By suppressing her "urge to explore," she no longer felt curiosity toward the strange village and thus avoided being expelled.
What Kalein and his group were doing now was similar: using magic to block certain senses, allowing them to remain in Nameless Village for a time.
This was a secret known only to the upper echelons of the Goddess Church.
Nuns like Sister Landa, selected to serve as anchors for reshaping the village, were ordinary people without magic. Before arriving, they were subjected to psychological conditioning by the Church, making it difficult for them to notice the village’s anomalies.
"Bishop Kalein, someone’s coming out of the village!"
Suddenly, a priest on watch approached and reported.
Kalein paused, then smiled. "Coming out voluntarily... Have they given up resisting?"
He knew exactly the level of the villagers’ strength. Though they possessed considerable power, comparable to warriors, their lack of combat experience made them little more than live targets against a trained priest squad.
Lessa was quite capable... but she was still too young. Once she matured, she’d be troublesome, but for now, she posed no real threat.
What surprised Kalein, however, was that the people emerging were clearly not villagers.
"Who are these people?" Kalein frowned.
They looked like adventurers.
Why would adventurers be in Nameless Village?
No matter the reason, what happened next couldn’t be allowed to spread.
If word got out that the Goddess Church had been infiltrated by Twilight Apostles, the Church would face severe backlash.
Kalein and his followers... hadn’t abandoned their identities as priests of the Goddess Church.
"Surround them. Not a single person from the village escapes!"
Xia Lun walked at the forefront, calm and composed as priests closed in from all sides.
"We’re just passing adventurers," Xia Lun said.
"A pity, adventurer. You’ll have to stay here," Kalein sighed, though his eyes held no compassion—only cold detachment.
Xia Lun studied Kalein. "You’re Twilight Apostles?"
Kalein had already changed into gray-yellow robes.
His attire was clearly high-quality, made of the same material as the one left behind after the manor attack.
It seemed the Twilight Apostles had a strict hierarchy.
"Well, well. Since you know our identity, we certainly can’t let you leave now... But consider it an honor. Your lives will serve as kindling for the Hero’s resurrection—a worthy fate for faithless souls." Kalein placed a hand over his chest, as if offering a mock prayer for them.
"I need to tell you something important. I hope you’ll believe me," Xia Lun suddenly said, his tone grave.
"Oh?" Kalein’s eyebrow twitched. "Last words? How unfortunate... Nothing here will ever reach the outside—"
"Your plan to resurrect the Hero is absurd. Like clowns in a circus." Xia Lun’s voice was flat.
Kalein chuckled. "Is that your idea of mockery? A shame. Our conviction is unshakable by such petty words."
Xia Lun continued, "Because... I am the Hero. I’ve already been resurrected."
Kalein’s smile froze. Then, visibly, his face flushed with rage.
"You... dare say such things? You dare impersonate the Hero? You dare defile our faith?" Kalein laughed, a sound thick with fury. "How regrettable. You’ll pay dearly for your words!"
Among the group, Mo Lini clamped her hands tightly over her ears.
She heard nothing. She knew nothing.