Under Butler's watchful eye, everything proceeded smoothly, and the ritual to consecrate the carriage in which Demigra would reside until the journey's end was a success. That night, not a single word was exchanged.
Butler and Heseh let the hero rest while they spent the night gazing at the dark sky around a campfire, accompanied by the silence of the Haz plains and the two remaining coachmen, who were part of the church's trusted personnel.
The following morning, everyone prepared for departure. Although the Dome Church was not located in the Celestial Kingdom, there were still numerous chapels dedicated to the worship of the goddess. It was to one of these chapels, situated in the very heart of the kingdom's capital, that the hero and the Saint Paladins were headed.
While the hero was nowhere to be seen, Butler and Heseh stood before the carriage where Demigra was, engaging in prayer.
With them were Ad and Teka, two volunteers from the church who assisted the Inquisition. After entrusting the care of their families to others, they dedicated themselves to accompanying members of the Inquisition or the church on all kinds of religious missions.
Their devotion to the goddess was beyond question.
Following the precepts of her faith, before reciting a prayer, one first had to read a passage from the Codex of Commandments. This was done.
Butler led the prayer, and after everyone had finished, he continued to conclude:
— In silence, I stand alone.
I recognize the light within me and around me,
The energy that guides my steps,
The breath that nourishes my spirit.
— I am the master of my choices,
And by my will, I forge my path.
May my thoughts be clear and my actions just,
May my hands work with love and respect.
— I seek wisdom in every moment,
I strive to learn from life and its mysteries,
For there is no power above me but that of the goddess.
Within me resides strength and freedom.
— I bow before the universe and its order,
Recognizing that all things are connected under the goddess's watch,
In the balance and harmony
That nourish the human soul.
— May my path be illuminated by truth,
And may peace reign in my heart and in the hearts of others.
I commit to growing, to helping, to understanding,
Never forgetting that true strength resides within each of us.
— And may the hero, the anointed of the goddess, fulfill his duty
And comprehend the nature of his mission.
"So be it," he concluded.
In unison, the others responded, "So be it."
Not once had the goddess's name been mentioned in their prayer.
Ad and Teka withdrew to prepare for departure and to avoid being involved in the discussion that was about to take place.
"What's the verdict?" Butler asked.
"Apparently, those who crossed my path were supposed to be the main team sent to attack us. However, it seems that this team was already routed long before we intervened. It would be fair to say that we took the bait—
but a false one," Demigra's voice murmured from within the carriage.
"Hmm."
Heseh rubbed his head, disliking the feeling of being manipulated. It was an affront that Saint Paladins like them had been mobilized for a matter with such unclear outlines, and he held a grudge because of it.
The Inquisition was not a branch of the church that could be treated with disdain, and the rank of Saint Paladin within it was not to be taken lightly.
"We can deduce that the information was indeed leaked, confirming our suspicions. However, things did not unfold as expected," Heseh affirmed.
The hushed sound of footsteps announced the hero's return before he even appeared. Emerging from the shadow of a large tree, he approached the group with measured steps, his expression grave. His armor still bore the marks of the previous day, and his calm gaze betrayed deep contemplation.
"Are we leaving?" he asked simply.
Butler scrutinized him before nodding.
"Yes, it's time."
Ad and Teka had already prepared the carriage, and the horses grew slightly restless under the first rays of morning. Butler and Heseh climbed to the front of the vehicle, while Demigra remained inside, tending to his own condition. The hero chose to ride at the back, preferring the open air to the confinement of the consecrated carriage.
The convoy set off, leaving the Haz plains behind as they headed toward the capital. The journey was marked by a heavy atmosphere, each member lost in their own thoughts. The discussion with Demigra had not dispelled all doubts, and the idea that they had been manipulated still angered Heseh.
Several hours later, the imposing silhouette of the capital emerged on the horizon. Pristine white walls stood proudly beneath the clear sky, crowned by the towering spires of the royal palace. Yet their destination was neither the palace nor the center of power—it was a chapel, discreet yet of great significance to their mission.
The bustling streets of the city slowed their progress, forcing the coachmen to guide the horses carefully. The townspeople moved about, some casting curious glances at their passing convoy, while others ignored them entirely. The emblem of the Inquisition on their cloaks was enough to make some avert their gaze and others whisper among themselves.
At last, they arrived before a stone edifice with luminous stained glass windows depicting sacred scenes. The chapel was surrounded by a small garden, its tranquility a stark contrast to the city's liveliness. A priest in simple robes awaited them at the entrance, his hands clasped in a respectful gesture.
The chapel they entered was striking in its austerity. Unlike grand temples and cathedrals adorned with frescoes and statues, this sacred space bore no physical representation of the goddess or her servants. The walls, made of finely cut white stone, rose in absolute purity, without the slightest sculpted symbol. Only tall stained glass windows allowed external light to filter through, casting colorful reflections on the immaculate floor. Yet even these bore no holy figures—their patterns consisted solely of interwoven geometric shapes, evoking perfect balance, an immutable order.
At the center of the chapel, a vast dome opened to the sky, allowing sunlight to illuminate the marble altar. No throne, no icon stood upon it—only a codex Commandment rested on a pedestal, the sole object permitted as a vessel of divine knowledge. The air carried a faint scent of incense, with woody and purifying undertones, while the silence of the place inspired absolute reverence, an almost imposed meditation. Here, no one prayed before an image or effigy, for according to the faith's precepts, depicting the goddess was heresy—she had no form, no face, existing as a pure and omnipresent essence. Only her light guided the faithful, and any attempt to give her a physical appearance was seen as an act of presumption and corruption of the original message.
The hero surveyed the chapel's interior with a slight furrow of his brow before turning his gaze to Butler.
"I will never fully get used to this," he admitted pensively. "In so many religions, gods are depicted in various forms, serving as tangible guides. Here, all iconography is rejected. Why such strictness?"
Butler crossed his arms and responded calmly,
"Because giving the goddess a form would be to limit her. She is beyond our comprehension. Faith rests on the light she brings and the order she establishes, not on an image crafted by man."
Heseh nodded and added,
"The first believers held that divine representations always ended up being corrupted. Statues become idols, and idols become objects of worship that divert from the true message. We do not pray before a figure; we pray within ourselves, for it is within us that the goddess's presence resides."
The hero nodded thoughtfully.
"So everything relies on pure, abstract faith… That's demanding."
"Yes," Butler replied with a faint smile. "But that is how we remain free."
The priest inclined his head.
"Welcome, protectors of the faith."
Butler stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"We have matters to discuss."
The priest nodded and opened the chapel doors, revealing a dim light and an atmosphere steeped in serenity.
"Enter, you are safe here."
The group stepped inside, leaving the city behind, ready to hear what the sanctuary had to reveal.