Chapter 213-3: Child, When You Grow Up, You Will Fight for Dawn City (Part 3)
The church was immediately filled with respectful greetings.
Nilo, the Holy Priest whose status in the Dawn Order was second only to Li De, appeared tonight in a pure white priest's robe. Beneath the flowing garment, her graceful figure stirred the imagination.
Her long black hair draped over her back like that of a goddess, her bearing noble and serene.
But what prevented any thoughts of blasphemy was her exquisitely beautiful face and those golden-tinged eyes radiating dignity.
That sacred light added a divine majesty to her youthful beauty. Even the most impure hearts would involuntarily grow solemn upon meeting her gaze.
She was the only Holy Maiden of the Dawn Order - Nilo.
"Good evening, citizens who believe in our god."
Nilo offered a faint smile, nodding gently to those around her. Every evening before the cathedral closed, she would come down personally to speak with the congregation.
This too was a form of spreading the faith, helping solidify the devotion of the believers.
To be entrusted with managing the Dawn Order for His Majesty was her greatest honor.
From the moment she and her sister were rescued by the Saintlight Vampires, she had already resolved to dedicate her entire life and soul to His Majesty Kachar.
No one else could understand how beautiful it was to be enveloped in hope at the moment of greatest despair.
Nilo's belief in Li De transcended good and evil, transcended race. She was the one Li De could trust the most, his closest follower.
Just as Nilo was about to speak, a commotion and burst of joyous surprise erupted at the cathedral entrance.
"Our God!"
"Your Majesty!"
"Lord Kachar!"
Hearing those titles, the faithful within the cathedral erupted in excitement.
There was only one being worthy of such names, the god they believed in: the great Lord Kachar.
Li De walked in with a faint smile on his lips, nodding as believers around him bowed deeply in reverence. His heart was quite pleased.
Though he still hadn't fully gotten used to being worshipped like a deity, as a pragmatist, this wasn't a big issue for him.
"Your Majesty Kachar, your most devoted believers welcome your arrival!"
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty!"
Although believers occasionally saw Li De's figure around Dawn City, meeting him in the sacred halls of the church felt entirely different.
Li De didn't leave immediately. Instead, he smiled and responded to the bows of the believers, calmly walking deeper into the cathedral under their fervent gazes.
As he stepped through the white, sacred archway, he immediately spotted the most dazzling figure in the crowd.
A wide smile spread across his face.
"Nilo."
"Good evening, Your Majesty." Nilo stepped forward with delighted surprise, bowing respectfully.
Seeing those golden-tinged eyes, Li De nodded with satisfaction.
"I heard you went to City Hall looking for me? Let's talk upstairs."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and glanced at the worshipful believers around them.
With a slight smile, he took two steps forward, standing at the center of the hall, and raised his voice.
"My people, my believers. I am the Lord of Dawn, the one you pray to day and night.
The Dawn Order is the faith that will lead you toward hope.
As long as you carry hope in your hearts, I can feel your prayers no matter where you are. Return to your homes. Living well is the greatest offering you can give me.
Remember, you are never alone. I am always with you.
Praise the Dawn!"
Simple words, yet brimming with emotional power, his speech instantly stirred the believers.
Some were even moved to tears.
His Majesty's magnanimity was always so admirable. His Majesty's vision was always so grand.
Had Li De checked his attribute panel at that moment, he would've seen a dozen new devout believers added to his stats.
After all, what resistance could believers possibly have in the presence of their god?
Under the reverent gaze of the faithful, Li De and Nilo ascended to the second floor.
Once Li De disappeared from view, many believers began to disperse, but Patril remained.
He was still trying to suppress the surge of emotion in his heart. Turning to the six-year-old Little Pat beside him, he spoke with heartfelt weight.
"Child, do you know who that man just now was?"
Little Pat, now fully awake, tilted his little head and answered innocently, "Was that His Majesty Kachar?"
Patril nodded in satisfaction, ruffling the boy's golden hair.
"That's right. That was His Majesty Kachar." He knelt down slightly, looking into Little Pat's curious eyes, and spoke earnestly.
"His Majesty Kachar saved us. He saved everyone in Eric Town. That's why he is our hero.
Remember this child, you are a citizen of Dawn City.
In the future, His Majesty Kachar will be the one you pledge your loyalty to. When you grow up, you will fight for Dawn City. You will protect this land that gave us safety and hope."
Little Pat's eyes lit up with excitement. "I know! Just like Uncle Rekel!
Uncle Rekel is a strong warrior. Father, I'll become a powerful warrior too!"
Patril chuckled warmly. "No, you might become a mage instead. One of the Saintlight Vampires said you have a talent for casting spells."
His eyes were full of gratitude.
That his child might one day become a mage, what an incredible honor.
Before, he wouldn't have even dared to dream of such a thing. Not even the son of Eric Town's baron, an actual noble, had been able to become a noble mage.
But now, as a commoner, a humble farmer, his own son could receive magical education from the esteemed Saintlight Vampires in the Mage Tower.
It was an unfathomable turn of events.
And all of it was granted to him by the one being he would gladly die to honor, that great existence.
Patril would never forget that moment when he arrived at Dawn City, and that handsome figure stood on Dawn Square, making a solemn promise:
"I will assign you land. I will build a Mage Tower. I will build schools.
Here, you will live the life you've always dreamed of."
Now, that great promise had been fulfilled by His Majesty.
Praise His Majesty Kachar. Praise the Saintlight Vampires.
The light in Patril's eyes etched a deep impression into Little Pat's heart.
A father's words and actions are often the most powerful form of education.
The seeds planted today, will one day bloom into brilliant flowers.