It took the entire night—up to the following morning—before Legion and Luca finally neared their destination.
At this point, Luca had already fallen asleep and was practically snoring while clinging to Legion. The Death Knight didn't know whether to consider his behavior a shameless display, or a sign of camaraderie and trust.
What they did know was that it had to end.
"Wake up." Legion shrugged Luca off his back, causing the sleeping young man to fall off his back without any resistance.
The result of that was a loud thud that instantly brought Luca back to the realm of consciousness.
"Ack! Gahhh!" He yelled, feeling the stinging sensation of pain course through his body.
"T-THAT HURTS!"
"Be quiet. We're close to the designated spot." Legion spoke calmly, folding the map that was previously spread out before them.
"B-but…"
Lucius noticed how bright everywhere had gotten and slowly fell silent, realizing at that exact moment that Legion had carried him on their back through the night. That alone made him keep shut and nod slowly.
"Thank you."
"There's no need for that." Legion threw aside the precious sincerity that Luca displayed in that moment, turning away to look at the cathedral that stood firmly atop a hill in the distance.
Luca didn't even have time to focus on his bruised emotions, as he too slowly rose from the dirty ground and followed Legion's gaze. He could spot the bare field that excised beyond the reach of the dry woods.
The bare field had lush grass—almost as if it belonged in a different world from the dry, twisted woods that ended where the two stood. They were currently atop a small cliff, so the vantage point gave them the much needed perspective to get a proper outline on the environment laid bare to them.
"I think I see the lake in a far distance, but that Cathedral… it's obstructing my vision." Luca said, squinting his eyes.
The massive building—designed like a church cathedral—was firmly seated atop a hill that was slightly taller than the cliff that they stood on. It was within walking distance, as long as they followed the grassy plains and traversed the slope that led to the top of the hill. Beyond that was the lake that Lili described, which meant—without a shadow of doubt—they had definitely arrived at their destination.
"That is the base of the Cathars." Legion spoke, beating Luca to the declaration by just a split second.
"Y-yeah…"
"We should advance now, since our destination is in sight. Or would you like to have a small break first? Maybe to eat… or drink something."
The way Legion asked the question didn't seem to ooze concern. It was more like an obligatory gesture than anything else. Luca didn't want to burden the Knight or delay the mission any more than he already had, so he shook his head.
"No, I'm fi—"
At that moment, his stomach grumbled, giving his current physical state away.
"...."
For the next few seconds, the two looked at each other in silence. Luca felt his cheeks turn pink, and Luca simply stared with a blank expression.
After a while, Luca finally spoke—his head facing the ground to hide his embarrassed face.
"I'd like a few minutes to eat and drink something, please."
"Okay."
************
The Cathars' Sanctuary
It was a cathedral that stood over fifteen meters tall, and had the kind of glorious luster associated with purity and wealth—with a colorful garden surrounding it, and a large compound that housed much smaller structures around it.
From living quarters, to small workshops, to even playgrounds for the children—it felt like a small community for the people who isolated themselves in this remote part of the territory for the same reason that they left everything they used to have behind.
They were branded as a Cult by the Church for their differing doctrines, and so they chose a prosperous, quiet life in the countryside.
However, these people were unaware of the storm that was approaching them… all of which would begin from the visit of the two figures who steadily neared the pristine premises of the Sanctuary.
"Halt!" One of the two guards who stood at the entrance of the compound gates stretched out his open palm and declared loudly.
He had a spear on one hand, with armor that resembled the kind that the church soldiers wore. It even had the emblem of a cross on it—albeit with a crown of flowery thorns adorning the head of the cross.
His partner was also garbed in a similar outfit, but he wielded a shield and sword as his weapon.
The two guards already had apprehensive thoughts which showed in their expressions once they laid eyes on the two strange individuals who approached the sanctuary they deemed to be holy ground.
One resembled a beggar—with his ragged clothes and pitch-black cloak. As for the other, he was a hulking giant whose dark and crimson armor put theirs to shame many times over. The Knight had a pale androgynous face, but possessed the build of a man.
No… merely calling it the body of a man wouldn't do it justice.
The dark knight's build was magnificent—akin to that of a cardinal or bishop… perhaps a Paladin of the Holy Army.
However, their dark armor gave off a dangerous feel, and their threatening appearance made them dangerous. The soldiers couldn't help but leak out animosity, glaring at the two strangers—their hands tightly gripping the weapons they wielded.
"We are from the Heresy Cult and have come to see the leader of this place."
Legion spoke plainly, their deep voice lacking reverence or caution. Their crimson eyes glowed within its dark sockets as they stared at the much smaller men before themselves and Luca, who stuck close beside them.
"W-what? The Heresy Cult?"
"What does a Cult like that want with us? And do you think it's that simple to see our leader?"
"Isn't the Cathars a Cult as well?" Legion responded to their questions with a question of his own, causing the animosity of the guards to increase triple-fold.
"WE ARE NOT A CULT!"
"HOW DARE YOU?! WE ADHERE TO THE TRUE DOCTRINE LEFT BEHIND BY THE SAINTS WHO WITNESSED OUR LORD AND SAVIOR—!"
"Whatever…" Legion cut them off with a slight shrug. "Our great Lord has sent us to have an audience with your leader. You should be sprawling on the ground in gratitude, yet you dare treat a messenger of his glorious message with such disrespect?"
"Y-YOU…!"
"Do you even know where you are? Who you're talking to? How dare a small Cult like the Heresy Cult come here and act like this?"
At this point, the soldiers began to brandish their weapons and take fight stances.
Legion watched them and didn't back down.
It was certain that this confrontation was not going to end in a mere exchange of words, as the tension in the air only seemed to be rising at an astronomical degree.
Then… at that decisive moment… someone stepped forward.
And, with a loud voice—much louder than the commotion that was currently brewing—he declared at the top of his lungs.
"DANGER! THE CATHARS IS IN SEVERE DANGEEEEERRRR!!!"