Sunset Warrior Chant - Novelbike -

At the front entrance of the church, a group of clergy members appeared. Several of them ascended the platform and stood before the Holy Monument, with an elderly man in red robes and a red hat, holding a bible, standing in the front.

Lu Wei whispered, “This is the Cardinal. In the Holy Church, the Cardinal’s rank is second only to the High Priest, a figure of immense authority, one below only the High Priest himself. There are very few Cardinals throughout the entire Holy Church. Due to the presence of Yan Mountain Academy, the Holy Church pays great attention to Kur City. The construction of the Disya Cathedral began hundreds of years ago, and now, more than half of the Kur City residents have converted to the Holy Church, including the Deputy City Lord. Yan Mountain Academy is also deeply influenced by it. This Cardinal is named Tomkinson, from the Manleiden Empire, and his name is well-known throughout the Roland Kingdom.”

As soon as Tomkinson and others stood on the platform, the Deputy City Lord, Master Wang, Master Fang, and Fang Xiaoman, sitting in the stands, all stood up. The vast square fell silent in an instant, with tens of thousands of people quiet, only the occasional neighing of horses ridden by people like the Deputy City Lord could be heard from the edge of the square.

Fu Qiruo thought about what he was going to say, but Tomkinson, looking straight ahead, remained silent, seemingly waiting for something. A few minutes later, a voice finally rose from one side of the square, “The mages from Yan Mountain Academy have arrived.”

A group of individuals clad in black Magic Robes, each embroidered with a golden goose in flight, majestic and lifelike, walked onto the platform and positioned themselves around its edge. The leader of the group, a man in his fifties, stood next to Tomkinson and bowed slightly, saying, “My Lord is merciful. Yan Mountain Academy is late; please forgive us!”

Tomkinson returned the bow and said, “Lord Song Sipin, the esteemed presence of Yan Mountain Academy is a blessing for Kur City and fulfills the Lord’s wishes.” Tomkinson looked towards the east, where the red sun was just appearing above the horizon. He stood upright, his gaze lowered, and spread his right hand, touching his forehead, chest, left shoulder, and right shoulder in succession, uttering a soft chant. A deep, robust voice emanated from beneath the Holy Monument, enveloping the entire Saier Square and flowing through the streets and alleys of Kur City.

As Fu Qiruo heard Tomkinson’s voice, it seemed like it was the only sound left between heaven and earth. He felt his heart stir, moved inexplicably, as if he were about to shed tears. Tomkinson recited:

“My loving Heavenly Father, the people of Kur City are Your children. You have granted us the continuation of life, yet we have never fully understood Your mercy. Our despicable acts have cursed Your great spirit. You have looked after Kur City for many years, blessing us with favorable weather, but we have not offered a shred of gratitude in return. Many among us live in lavish excess, eating and drinking greatly, not cherishing the grace You have bestowed upon us. Our wicked deeds have deeply wounded Your heart…

“Please open Your eyes and see, lend Your ears and listen. Kur City is suffering. Have mercy on our pleas, forgive our shallow sins. Guide us in the name of truth, free us from the bonds of sin, and clear the fog before our eyes. In Your name, drive away the locusts, the plagues, and the droughts. Send down sweet dew to moisten the earth, enrich the fields, and bring happiness and health to the residents of Kur City…”

Amidst Tomkinson’s prayer, sixteen strong Kur City soldiers approached the platform, carrying a massive creature. This creature, over twenty meters long and ten meters tall, its bulging flesh quivering, was bound tightly in chains thick as a man’s arm, lying on a large board made of unknown material.

Fu Qiruo recognized the creature from his master’s description. It was a Fire-storing Beast, a level 7 magical beast skilled in fire magic, capable of spitting a fire tongue several meters long that could cook any living animal in front of it into a delectable meal, whether it be human or beast. However, it was now securely bound, unable to move even slightly, appearing barely alive.

Fu Qiruo wondered, “Why bring a fire magic beast here? Could it be intended as a sacrifice for God to consume?”

“In the name of Kur City, I offer the devoted heart of Kur City!…” Tomkinson’s words still echoed across Saier Square.

Tomkinson stood beside Song Siping, a leading mage from Yan Mountain Academy, who pulled out a magic wand over a foot long. Pointing the wand at the Fire-storing Beast, a crystal on the handle lit up, emitting a black energy wave. Fu Qiruo thought to himself, “That’s dark magic.”

Song Siping shouted at the Fire-storing Beast, “Awaken, vile Fire-storing Beast, you who have made Kur City hot and dry, causing its residents to suffer in the scorching heat. I want you to pray devoutly to the heavens, to abandon your stubborn heart, to experience the pain of the Kur City residents, to turn towards the light, and to recognize the depth of your sins…”

The mouth of the Fire-storing Beast was tied shut, unable to open, but it snorted twice through its nose as a sign of submission. Fu Qiruo thought to himself, “A level 7 fire magic beast being this obedient, Song Siping’s mastery of dark magic is impressive. However, the words he’s reciting must be the incantation of Hypnosis, not an account of the beast’s sins.”

After a long recitation, Song Siping finally finished and ordered the soldiers, “Untie the ropes from this beast, it has now come to its senses.” A dozen soldiers unchained the beast, which then opened its mouth and let out a howl, shakily standing up and revealing its robust limbs, each several meters thick. Standing beneath it, the soldiers appeared so small that Fu Qiruo was reminded of little Alixin, thinking, “If Alixin were to climb on the Fire-storing Beast, I wonder if it would even feel the itch.”

The Fire-storing Beast moved its stiff limbs around, turning its fierce head from side to side, then looked up at Song Siping on the platform. Song continued, “You are a beast of fire magic, the natural enemy of water magic, the devil of rain, and a sinner of Kur City. Do you comprehend the depth of your sins? Are you willing to confess your past wrongdoings to God, to start anew? Oh, my mistake, you are but a beast, not a man. So, since you are not a human, would you give up your innate talent in fire magic to become a docile animal? Are you willing to joyfully bow at the feet of God and become his good child?…”

Upon hearing Song Siping’s words, the Fire-storing Beast drew in its limbs, lying prostrate beneath the platform, nodding continuously as if it had converted to the Holy Church and become a devout follower.

Song Siping then said, “In the name of God, I grant you eternal life; go forth in peace.” Upon hearing this, the Fire-storing Beast stretched its limbs in a comfortable posture and lay back down, then closed its eyes. The soldiers approached, securing it tightly with iron chains and carrying it out of Saier Square.

Tomkinson recited a prayer and everyone bowed their heads in prayer, silently mouthing the words. Suddenly, Fu Qiruo felt a cool breeze and a few small drops of water fell on his face. To his surprise, a light drizzle began to fall over Saier Square. He sneakily looked around and saw the crowd bathed in a refreshing coolness, many with excited, deeply moved expressions on their faces. Turning his head towards the platform where Tomkinson stood, he saw over thirty mages from Yan Mountain Academy forming a circle around the Holy Monument. Each mage waved their robe sleeves towards the sky in a solemn and sacred manner, as if guiding blessings from heaven.

Fu Qiruo felt a nudge and turned to find Lu Xiner whispering, “Isn’t this water magic? Such powerful water magic that it’s causing a gentle rain to fall over the entire Kur City. Master said that thirty-six water mages can form a strong magic formation.”

Fu Qiruo glanced at the platform; about a dozen mages stood on his side, with roughly the same number behind them. By his estimate, there were exactly thirty-six in total. It seemed his senior sister was right.

As the light rain fell from the sky, people at Saier Square knelt one by one, lowering like the tide. Though Fu Qiruo initially had no intention of kneeling, Lu Xiner pulled at him, and he followed suit, kneeling with the others. He sneakily looked around and saw the Deputy City Lord, Master Wang, Master Fang, Fang Xiaoman, Chen Xianlin’s personal guard unit, and the soldiers of Kur City, all kneeling as well. For a moment, aside from a few individuals on the platform, there was no one left standing at Saier Square.

The rain continued for a quarter of an hour, and the mages of Yan Mountain Academy’s magic formation did not cease their efforts. The power they wielded seemed to grow stronger, and Fu Qiruo saw a faint green halo envelop the entire platform. Through this aura, the clergy from the church and the mages from Yan Mountain Academy appeared under a green halo, with the Holy Monument standing sacred and inviolable among them.

Kur City was remarkably cool, with Saier Square maintaining a solemn atmosphere, while the rest of the city’s streets and alleys buzzed with excitement. Fu Qiruo listened to the voices chanting from the platform, where the glow intensified as the mages transferred the energy of their water magic beyond Kur City. Thunder roared over the outskirts, and a torrential rain began, lasting for half an hour before it ceased.

Having kneeled for a long time, Fu Qiruo’s legs had numbed, thinking it was about time to end. The mages from Yan Mountain Academy ceased their casting, each breathing heavily with chests heaving, seemingly drained of their magical powers after the half-hour effort. The crowd rose to their feet, faces breaking into smiles, filling Saier Square with joy.

Tomkinson proclaimed loudly, “In the name of Kur City, I offer eternal praise to the Lord!”

As Tomkinson’s words faded, beautiful harp music filled the air, and a group of graceful young girls danced into the center of the square. Each girl was athletically built, with exceptional beauty and skin fairer than snow, dressed in long white gowns like pure angels. Lu Xiner noticed that these girls were about her age, each vibrant and blooming like flowers of the cathedral, exuding the beauty and elegance of a prosperous sacred land.

Amid the captivating melody, clergy from the Holy Church and the mages from Yan Mountain Academy slowly descended from the platform. Tomkinson and Song Siping ascended to the viewing platform, where Chen Xianlin stood up to welcome them with courtesy, and they exchanged pleasantries before taking their seats.

Chen Xianlin instructed his guards, who led several horse-drawn carts filled with daily necessities under the platform. The carts carried purified water, grains, fabrics, and some boxes. The guards opened the lids to reveal boxes filled with gold and silver coins.

Chen Xianlin announced loudly, “As the official caretaker of Kur City, I express our humble gesture. This includes intentions from the Great Lord and myself, but mostly it’s the enthusiasm of Lord Wang and Master Fang. Though they are among the wealthiest in Kur City, they never forget the poor and God’s grace. On behalf of the residents of Kur City, I extend our deepest thanks to both lords.” Wang and Fang modestly responded with “We dare not,” and seeing their good deeds, Tomkinson made the sign of the cross and bowed his head in prayer.

Soldiers began distributing the supplies to the poor, while Wang Chenghong’s eyes were drawn to a girl dancing near the Holy Monument. The young women moved with the grace of boats on gentle waters, their light garments fluttering with the breeze, resembling butterflies. Among them, a woman in green stood out with her tall, graceful figure, lightly made up and strikingly beautiful-she was Fang Xiaoman.