Chapter 13: Embracing Eternity
Night had fallen, within the Flower Church.
The dim candlelight flickered softly.
The refugees were all huddled together, appearing quite cramped.
Not long ago, the church had the same scene, only back then it was militiamen who could wield spears, whereas now it was merely a group of refugees deemed useless by the officials.
They could no longer serve as labor; their bodies were frail, and some were even physically disabled.
Because of that, Corleon actually had room to kneel.
He held the cross in both hands, head slightly bowed, with the oak shield by his side and the oak spear placed before him.
Suddenly, it sounded like the wind had risen outside, like a beast’s claws scraping past, or perhaps some heavy object was moving.
The refugees’ eyes filled with terror, their bodies trembling in fear, pressing together as if that might offer them a shred of safety.
“Merciful Heavenly Father, Almighty Lord, I bow down and worship before you.”
“You have set your throne in the Most Holy Place, making this temple the gateway to Heaven on Earth.”
“O Church, you are the Lord’s tabernacle among men, a refuge in the storm that shall never fall.”
Corleon raised his voice in prayer, which echoed within the church.
As if it could be heard, with a 'bang', the church door was struck by something.
But the door did not budge.
A church built outside the town walls naturally had its doors specially reinforced.
Made from sturdy oak, with a stone block behind it and a wooden bolt across the frame—these were enough to repel beasts.
If even that wasn’t sufficient, the two stone platforms on either side could be pushed to block the entrance completely, sealing the doors shut.
In a sense, during wartime the Flower Church could even function as a small fortress.
The only drawback was that it could be sealed too tightly—leading to suffocation and lack of airflow over time.
Just like now, Corleon could already smell the stench emanating from the refugees.
Of course, if siege engines were available, such a small fortress would easily be destroyed.
But clearly, the creatures outside didn’t have the ability to construct siege engines on the spot.
“The fire of this altar has never gone out, the light of this cross has never dimmed. You said, ‘Whoever calls on my name shall be saved.’ Now we prostrate before your Holy Throne, your servant prays to you.”
“May your rebuke drive away fear, your word like a cornerstone, strengthen our wavering souls.”
“Let every brick become a mark of your faithfulness, every window reflect the glory of your truth, and shelter the souls kneeling before you.”
The creatures outside seemed provoked, the crashing sounds grew louder, like vicious winds or claws viciously tearing at the wooden door.
The refugees couldn’t help but utter suppressed cries of terror, whispering words from their trembling mouths, some echoing Corleon’s prayers, others just unconscious murmurs.
The banging outside gradually ceased, as if realizing that the door was beyond its ability to breach.
“May this church become the holy place where you meet your followers, a refuge for the weak, for you love all mankind. Be it sickness, sharp blades, or evil forces—we are under the protection of your Holy Throne.”
“May glory be yours, forever and ever.”
Corleon’s prayer came to an end, and the commotion outside the church quieted down.
The refugees let out a sigh of relief, the tense atmosphere easing.
Corleon also relaxed a little—he had been ready to draw George’s Commandment at the moment the church door was breached, and apply it to himself.
But since the presence outside had retreated, that wasn’t necessary.
Moreover, risk and opportunity often went hand in hand.
Corleon could sense that several threads were connected to the Light Orb, and a certain Commandment was being nurtured within it.
…
In a hidden cave, four people draped in black robes sat in a circle, their faces obscured.
At the center was a stone emitting a bluish glow, about the size of a human head.
“That idiot Odo actually got distracted by the refugees at the church,” one of them cursed.
“Werewolves are greedy and stupid creatures,” another responded.
“Use the pact to warn it. The church is not far from York Town—might alert the guards,” said the leader, whose black robe had white trim at the collar.
“Oh, my brother, do we still need to care about alarming the people of York Town now?” the first speaker said.
“When the Morning Star rises, they’ll discover that four villages have been destroyed. Two were already wiped out yesterday. If they still cower behind their strong walls, the Elbert Family may only last to the seventh generation.”
Despite saying this, he still took out a piece of beast hide, spreading it out with a wolf head drawn in blood.
He pulled a dark yellow beast fang from his robe and stabbed it into the hide.
‘Awooo~’ A faint wail echoed out.
“If we’re caught using necromancy, at worst it’ll just be us who die. Lundex can still walk away,” the robed leader said.
“But if evidence is found of using Dark Creatures, no noble will care whether Lundex was involved or not. The iron hooves of their knights will crush Lundex’s lands.”
Necromancers and Dark Creatures were both considered entities that must be exterminated.
But the difference was that necromancy was a power humans could wield, while Dark Creatures drew strength from dark bloodlines.
Nobles feared necromancers’ powers, but didn’t mind using them themselves.
“Alright, you’ve made your point. But can we not die? I haven’t had enough of this life,” one said nonchalantly.
“Only if you’re willing to abandon the Empire’s Honor.”
“Alright, forget I said anything.”
“Wait—what’s this?” Suddenly, the one who had been silent spoke, surprised.
“Is something wrong?”
“Lori—I remember it being the fief of Knight Borien, who was captured. But now why is there still a knight there? No—he’s even stronger than a knight.”
“Is he from the Elbert Family?”
“Uncertain, but probably not. He’s only wearing ordinary leather armor and wielding a wooden stick.”
“Can he still cause major damage?”
“Of course. Only the area where that knight is has been held back. The other gate had long since been breached—the defenders fled as soon as they saw the children.”
“In that case, stall him…”
“Can’t stall him anymore. The knight I controlled is already dead,” he interrupted the leader.
“In that case, have all the little dogs retreat. Leave no trace behind.”
“Before the Morning Star rises, kill all living things.”
“Then, tomorrow night, launch a full assault into York’s domain.”
“And finally, embrace the eternity that belongs to us!”
“Embrace eternity!” The other three shouted fervently, their voices echoing in the cave.