The Heretics of the City-State

“Name?”

“Arthur Haim.”

“What do you do?”

“Can’t you see the symbol on the ship?”

Arthur gestured emphatically towards the colossal ship docked behind him. A prominent sun emblem, the very symbol of the Holy Light, was clearly visible on its hull.

However, the port official merely adjusted their spectacles. They spoke with a chilling indifference, “That could easily be a forgery.”

Arthur couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. His gaze drifted around, sensing the heavy, somber atmosphere that permeated the entire port, as if a momentous event were on the verge of unfolding.

He adopted a pensive expression, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Tell me, you haven’t encountered a heretic here, have you? Heh, it’s quite common for such things to happen in places devoid of the Holy Church’s protection. So, who is this heretic?”

The official recorded the information with an impassive face. They slowly replied, “If you’re looking for a heretic, then go to the casino on East Street in the Upper City.”

Arthur’s eyes flickered, but the smile on his face did not diminish despite the other’s cold demeanor. “Oh? Does this heretic possess any special abilities?”

“He can control time. You can inquire about the specifics in the Lower City, but only after we confirm your intentions. Hmph, the Steward has arrived.”

Arthur looked up. An old, one-eyed man in a suit was approaching them. The man first glanced at the sun emblem on the ship’s hull, then met Arthur’s gaze, speaking in a gentle voice, “May I ask, what is your position within the Holy Church?”

Arthur observed Ark with interest. “Me? I am merely a Holy Knight. You, my friend… it seems you’ve been entangled by a heretic?”

Ark’s expression shifted subtly. The handsome young man with golden hair suddenly burst into laughter. “Don’t be nervous. The Holy Church only targets heretics. And you are not a heretic’s host, merely a poor soul ensnared by one. So, is the heretic that has entangled you from a casino in the Upper City?”

Ark’s eyes flickered slightly before he replied, “No, the one in the casino is different.”

Arthur’s smile instantly stiffened. He stared at Ark with a hint of disbelief. “Are you saying that two heretics exist simultaneously in this city-state?”

Ark did not answer the question directly. He looked Arthur in the eye and said, “Are you here to deal with the heretic from the casino?”

Arthur shook his head. “No, we have other important matters. Since you are the lord’s steward, would it be convenient for you to show us around?”

“My apologies, I don’t have that much time.”

“That’s perfectly fine. You may attend to your duties; simply allow us to follow. Rest assured, we will merely observe and not interfere with your normal work.”

“Then you may follow.”

Ark’s quick agreement was unexpected, giving Arthur a clearer understanding of the situation. It seemed the local lord did not harbor hostility towards the Holy Church, which suggested they had no involvement in Bishop Carlos’s death.

However, it was also possible this was merely an act.

He subtly signaled his team behind him with a hand gesture, then cheerfully followed Ark. After Ark boarded his carriage, Arthur casually jogged alongside it.

****

The carriage traveled all the way to the Lower City. Arthur surveyed the rows of dilapidated wooden houses, his eyes betraying no surprise.

Everywhere, there was always such a place, akin to a refuse heap. Even the imperial capital and the Holy Church’s sacred land were no exception.

He quickly noticed that the Lower City was completely sealed off, with knights even stationed nearby.

Arthur’s gaze fell upon one of the knights, and his expression suddenly froze. Simultaneously, Ark disembarked from the carriage and looked at Arthur. “I’m going in. Will the Holy Knight follow?”

“Those knights…”

“They are our family’s Blackwing Knights. Is there a problem?”

Arthur slowly withdrew his gaze, meeting Ark’s calm eyes. After a few moments of silence, he suddenly smiled again. “No, none at all.”

Wilson suddenly leaned forward from behind, lowering his voice. “Captain, those guys… could they be…?”

Arthur nodded almost imperceptibly, whispering, “There’s no mistake. They are Black Goat Spawn; that dark life aura is practically overflowing!”

A grave expression quietly appeared in his eyes. Black Goat Spawn would never stray far from their mother, which meant the Lust Witch’s true form was within this city-state!

Yet, the aura clinging to the one-eyed steward was not unique to the Lust Witch. This implied that three heretics existed simultaneously in this city-state!

He followed closely behind Ark, his expression unreadable. After passing a ruin ravaged by fire, he couldn’t help but ask, “What happened here?”

“Here? It was attacked by the Wrath Witch previously.”

“The Wrath… Witch?”

“Indeed. You don’t know who she is?”

“No, of course I do.”

Arthur said with a smile, though his smile grew increasingly false.

He suddenly stopped and said to Ark, who was ahead, “We’d like to explore on our own for a bit. Will that cause any trouble?”

Ark paused, turning to look at Arthur. After a brief silence, he shook his head. “As long as you don’t disrupt our work in sealing off this area, it’s fine. If you need to find me, ask any of the Blackwing Knights.”

Arthur watched Ark leave. Then, in a deserted alley corner, he gathered all his team members, speaking in a low voice, “There are at least four heretics present here!”

Wilson frowned deeply, his voice hushed. “Captain, could this be the reason for Bishop Carlos’s death?”

Arthur’s expression was solemn. “Perhaps. But four heretics gathering in a single city-state is quite rare. There must be something more sinister at play here!”

“Then, our mission here?”

“Victoria, forget the mission! I understand now; that old dog was just using us as pawns! Don’t hesitate, leave this place immediately!”

“But Captain…”

“Don’t hesitate! I will bear all the blame!”

“No, I was going to say… isn’t it too late to leave now?”

Arthur’s expression changed drastically. He stared intently at his subordinate, whose pupils now glowed with blue flames. “The Greed Witch! When did this happen! No! You couldn’t have usurped everything from him so quickly!”

Arthur rapidly sifted through his memories, only to discover with horror that in that single instant, his vice-captain had been completely usurped.

“You! Have you utterly abandoned your humanity!”

The old man before him slowly stretched his lips into a jagged grin. “Such a thing, I abandoned long ago. Now, let’s start with you all.”

Arthur’s pupils constricted sharply. He shrieked, “Everyone, run! Back to the ship!”