Chapter Seventy: Night Raid

The next day, beneath a sky filled with scenery, Aedis set out with his retinue.

On the journey, Bill knelt before Aedis and said, “Your Highness, I have some acquaintances among the priests in the town. Please allow me to contact them so that the army may proceed smoothly.”

Aedis nodded in agreement, permitting him to take some men and go ahead.

But just after Bill departed, Bazel, the guard standing at Aedis’s side, suddenly dropped to his knee and hesitated, “Your Highness, the power of these priests seems to have grown too great.”

In these recent days, he had witnessed firsthand the influence wielded by Bill and his fellow priests. With the faith of the God of Nature spreading, their reach had expanded into nearly every aspect of life.

Such influence was truly terrifying. Should these priests choose to support another, nearly half the people of the territory would turn traitor.

This was especially true within the army. With Aedis having promoted the worship of the God of Nature among the troops, almost all soldiers were now devotees. Should anything happen to these faithful, Aedis’s rule itself would be shaken.

Moreover, as Aedis’s policies continued, every village would come to have its own chapel, making the situation ever more grave.

In truth, even Bazel himself had come to believe in the God of Nature and could perform divine arts—though he was not of the same faction as these priests.

However, hearing his words, Aedis smiled and nodded. “Bazel, you’re not wrong,” he said.

“At present, in our country, at least half the people worship the God of Nature. To stand against Him would be to abandon the people themselves.”

“But the light of the God of Nature only shines upon the priests; the priests themselves do not embody the God of Nature.”

He paused, gazing at Bazel, and asked, “Bazel, are you a true follower of the God of Nature?”

Bazel was taken aback, not expecting such a question. He looked at Aedis and answered gravely, “Of course!”

As he spoke, a faint, pure white glow of faith shimmered lightly above his head—not mere words, but a mark of true devotion.

Seeing this light, Aedis smiled gently. “Then, if a priest leads a rebellion and claims that I am the enemy of Nature, would you believe him?”

“Of course not!” Bazel replied, firm and decisive.

“Precisely…” Aedis smiled. “Though the influence of these priests is strong, they do not represent all the faithful.”

Hearing this, Bazel hesitated but said no more.

By this time, the army had halted for rest. Under the guidance of some priests and officers, the soldiers knelt in sincere prayer.

As they prayed, faint, pure white lights of faith appeared, then converged into a great divine domain, driving away all ill fortune in the vicinity. Within this domain, the power of faith flowed continuously, returning as divine strength.

Witnessing this scene, Aedis stood quietly. Surrounded by the awe of countless priests, a trace of noble divinity emanated from him, making him seem as grand as the figure sensed in the depths of prayer.

Elsewhere, Bill arrived early at the town with several attendants. Guided by a subtle sense, they entered a rather humble tavern.

Bill gazed at the tavern, sensing a comforting aura within.

Feeling this presence, he led several priests inside.

“Greetings! May the great God of Nature bless you. What can I get for you?” An old man, carving wooden statues and emblems, called out without turning.

Bill responded with a knowing smile, “May the God of Nature bless us both.”

As he spoke, a gentle aura of nature spread from him, clearing the minds of all present.

Sensing this, the old man’s body stiffened. Startled, he looked up at Bill and his companions.

He first scrutinized Bill’s attendants, noting their white priestly robes and divine badges, then turned to Bill himself.

In that moment, feeling the deep power of nature within Bill, the old man was quietly amazed. He stepped forward and offered the ritual greeting of a lesser priest to a higher one—revealing himself as a priest from the northern lands, traveling south to spread the faith.

“My lord, is there anything you require of me?” the old man asked after the salute.

Bill nodded. “His Highness, King of Aedis, has arrived. I need you to rally the faithful here in response.”

“The King of Aedis…” the old man repeated, puzzled at first, then his eyes widened in shock and excitement. “Could it be…!”

Bill nodded with a smile.

At once, the old man was overcome with emotion, tears streaming down his face. “After so many years! At last, the day has come!”

“Rest assured, my lord,” he declared firmly. “There are many priests in this town. Give me but one night, and I will gather our strength to serve our God!”

“You have my thanks,” Bill replied, gazing at the old man.

“For our God!” the old man cried with fervor.

That night, Bill accompanied the old man as they visited the priests scattered throughout the town.

These priests were tailors, common folk, even guards in the local lord’s service.

Bill was not surprised.

Divine arts, unlike martial skills, did not require talent or strength—only sincere faith. With enough devotion, anyone could wield divine power and become a priest. The universality of faith meant priests could be found in any walk of life; even a beggar by the roadside might secretly be one.

During the years that Aedis slumbered, as the priests journeyed south to spread the faith, the God of Nature’s worship had already become widespread in the neighboring northern city-states. Though suppressed by some kings and nobles because of the ancestral gods, the faith had still accumulated great strength.

In this small town alone, within a single night, dozens responded to Bill’s call—including several high-ranking red-robed priests.

Such power, with a capable leader, would be enough to overwhelm even the lord’s own guard.

After all, dozens of priests were equivalent to dozens of true knights, with several great knights among them.

Such strength was rare even in all the Duchy of Brook, more than enough to sustain the prosperity of a noble house.

Once assembled, Bill sent scouts to locate the lord and assess the strength of the town, then quietly awaited Aedis’s arrival.

Several days later, Aedis and his men reached the outskirts of the town.

With the priests’ assistance, and to avoid detection, Aedis chose to march at night.

“We’ve reached the point where, any further, and the enemy will surely discover us,” Aedis said, gazing at the faintly glowing manor ahead.

“Nadir, what news from Bill?” he asked the man beside him.

“According to Lord Bill, they are prepared in town and will respond the moment we attack,” Nadir replied.

Aedis nodded. “Nadir, take three thousand men and secure the town. Make sure no one escapes.”

“The rest, follow me,” he commanded.

At his order, Nadir departed, leading three thousand men swiftly into the town.

The remainder gathered around Aedis, waiting quietly for his command.

“Priests! Bestow your blessings!” he called out.

At once, the priests in their colored robes stepped forward, casting divine spells that bathed the soldiers in blue light.

Under this radiance, each soldier felt lighter, a comforting power coursing through their bodies.

Meanwhile, the prayers of the priests conjured a divine domain of nature, blending the army and the environment into one.

When all was prepared, Aedis looked ahead at the tranquil manor, a cold glint flickering in his eyes.

“Charge!”

With a single command, thousands surged forward in utter silence.

In the unseen realm, strands of purple fortune condensed into the shape of a tree, its branches trembling gently, as a crimson aura of slaughter swept forward.