Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System

Chapter 410: Chapter 87: A Tale of Mortals

"Yes." Knight Davies bowed and withdrew.

...

On the rest of the journey, as they drew ever closer to the heart of the Continent’s faith and power, similar visits and chance encounters became more frequent.

As one of the few Legendary Powerhouses on the Continent, the carriage of Melfield, the "Thunder Sword," was like a magnet, attracting the gazes of all powers along their route.

For the vast majority of nobles, Lords, and even some within the Church, the inclinations and attitude of a Legend—even a vaguely expressed one—could influence their judgment of the future situation.

Thus, every so often, groups with different Heraldic Banners would "coincidentally" meet them at crossroads, or "happen" to be encamped next to them at post stations or campsites.

Some were Great Nobles of high status and power, like the Duke of Orleans, who came with probing and networking intentions.

Others were heads of delegations from some duchy or Kingdom, their words laced with interest in the Northern Territory’s Fine Steel Trade and compliments on the governance of the Monte Territory.

There were even a few Bishops from different dioceses who came to offer greetings with beaming smiles, the conversation always subtly drifting toward expectations for the "new atmosphere" in the Holy City.

Murphy’s attitude remained consistent: he neither made easy promises nor gave clear rejections, maintaining a detached posture.

To the more blatant inquiries or attempts at recruitment, he often just deftly brushed them aside with a few platitudes about "the peace of the territory" and "respect for tradition."

Meanwhile, guards like Davis and Luke had their nerves stretched taut. They had to ensure their lord’s safety and tranquility while also upholding the dignity and authority of the Monte Territory, and they grew increasingly adept at handling it all.

Finally, on the twenty-third day after leaving the Monte Territory, the silhouette of the Holy City appeared on the distant horizon.

It was a magnificent, multi-layered marvel built against the mountains.

On three sides, towering, unbroken ranges of gray-white mountains shrouded in mist acted as a natural barrier and foundation, cradling the entire Holy City within them.

The sun-facing side overlooked the distant, glittering, and boundless azure of the Jade Sea.

The road to the Holy City narrowed between the mountains and the sea, eventually forming a single, wide passage—the Saints’ Gate.

A towering white marble arch spanned the road, its surface carved with countless reliefs of Saints and angels, shimmering with a sacred and solemn luster in the afternoon sun.

Only after passing through this gate did one truly set foot within the domain of the Holy City.

The carriage proceeded along a gradually ascending slope, the view growing ever wider.

The full panorama of the Holy City slowly unfolded before them.

The city spread upwards along the mountain slope, its white stone buildings glittering under the sun, like treasures scattered upon the mortal world by Oriane.

The higher one looked, the more magnificent and solemn the architecture became. Great domes, soaring spires, and continuous arcades intertwined, tracing a complex yet harmonious skyline.

At the very peak, the pure gold dome of Chenxi Hall shone like a second Sun. Even from a great distance, one could feel the invisible, majestic aura where faith and power converged.

The streets were wide and clean, paved with white flagstones. Though foot traffic and carriages were denser and busier than anywhere else on their journey, everything was orderly.

Clergy in various styles of Monk’s Robes, Knights and nobles in Hooded Robes of every heraldic color, merchants from all over the Continent, and numerous foreign envoys and their retinues who were clearly there for the ceremony... all sorts of people flowed in an endless stream, yet there was none of the chaos and panic seen in the outside world.

A unique scent—a mixture of incense, fresh flowers, sea salt, and stone—filled the air. Occasionally, the ethereal and haunting song of a distant choir could be heard, along with the deep, resounding toll of a great clock tower marking the hour.

"So that’s the Holy City..." Luke reined in his horse, his young face etched with shock as he gazed up at the Mountain City bathed in Holy Light.

Even he, who hailed from the Northern Territory and had witnessed the peace and prosperity of the Monte Territory, had never imagined that such a grand and orderly metropolis could exist in the world.

Knight Davies was calmer, but his gaze also revealed a deep sense of awe. "Yes. The Holy City, the center of faith on the Continent."

He subconsciously straightened his Armor and Hooded Robe. In a place like this, the dignity of the Monte Territory could not be compromised in the slightest.

Besides, regardless of their political stance, they were still devout believers.

Murphy sat quietly inside the carriage, looking out the window at the legendary city.

A trace of shock flickered in his eyes as well.

’To be honest, in an era of such low productivity, to have a city this magnificent...’

’No, it’s wrong to measure productivity solely by the living standards of the common people.’

’This world possesses supernatural power, after all.’

According to the Holy Scripture of Truth, at the end of the Dark Ages, when the first light of Dawn appeared, the First Pope wielded the Morning Star Bell. With supreme power, he moved mountains and filled the sea, forcibly transforming a shallow bay into solid land and tiered terraces. It was on this ground that he laid the foundation for this holy city of faith.

The convoy passed slowly through the Saints’ Gate, where several Deacons in formal attire were already waiting. They wore the insignia of High-tier Clergy on their chests.

The one in the lead was a white-haired, kind-faced old Cultivator. He hurried forward and bowed respectfully before the carriage. "Welcome, Your Excellency, Thunder Sword. May the glory of Oriane be with you. The Holy Throne and the College of Cardinals have arranged suitable lodging for you. Please, follow me."

Guided by the Deacon, the convoy traveled up a relatively quiet, winding mountain road.

Finally, they stopped before a secluded, independent courtyard in a tranquil area on the upper level of the mountainside.