The next morning, just as the first rays of sunlight slipped through the cracks in the curtains, a knock echoed at the door.
Vayne, curled up in Duke's arms, gave a soft, displeased groan.
"Your little apprentice is here to wake you again."
"I know."
Duke opened his eyes and glanced at the woman beside him. Her smooth back was like the finest jade in the world. With a gentle motion, he pulled the blanket up over her and, slipping on some clothes, made his way to the door.
He cracked it open just enough to see Lux standing there, face brimming with impatience.
"Duke-nii!"
"What's the matter, Lux?" Duke tried to muster a smile. Last night, after releasing his drones, he'd been dragged into another round of "forced exercise." His body still hadn't fully recovered.
Even with a lifespan stretched into millennia, a soul tempered to the brink of transcendence, and a body nearly at the level of ascension, there were still limits. And some people knew all too well how to push him past them.
Even if you swapped him out with an iron man, he'd be rusting by now.
"Today we're supposed to attend the congregation at the Church of the Illuminators!"
"You forgot, didn't you?"
"Of course not!"
Shaking his head, Duke forced the drowsiness from his mind, though a yawn nearly betrayed him.
"Then hurry. Before the third bell of morning tolls, we need to be at the church. Otherwise, it would be considered blasphemy."
"I get it."
Another yawn escaped him. Through the door crack, Lux caught sight of Vayne still lying in bed and asked carefully, "Vayne-neesan isn't coming?"
"She?"
Duke turned to look, Vayne had already burrowed under the blankets, clearly unwilling to get involved.
"Five minutes. I'll get ready and go with you."
"Okay!"
After Lux went downstairs, Duke began his slow routine of washing up and dressing. Adjusting his tie, he glanced back at Vayne.
"You really won't come?"
"Not interested in dealing with those people."
Vayne gave a dismissive snort. "Last time I went to get holy silver from them, they cheated me out of a fortune."
"Alright then, if you don't want to go, I'll take the girl instead."
"Don't forget to buy groceries."
"Got it."
Moving quietly so as not to disturb her, Duke left the room and went downstairs. Outside, he found Lux grooming Ang, their husky.
Both heads fought for space under the brush, desperate not to be overlooked.
"Ahem."
Duke cleared his throat. Lux spun around, bright-eyed. "Duke-nii, you're ready!"
"All set. Let's head for the Church of the Illuminators."
"Right!"
Once they were seated in the cart, Duke lowered the canopy. The brown-eyed husky cast him a wounded look. Just moments ago, he'd been enjoying his grooming, and now, pulling duty again.
What about husky rights?
The blue-eyed one bit his partner's neck with a bark, urging him forward. Reluctantly, they set off toward the church.
Guided by Lux, Ang carried them eastward, out of the capital and toward the outskirts.
"The church is outside the city?"
Duke raised a brow. Lux explained, "Today is a Grand Sabbath. All believers gather at the Cathedral of the Illuminator outside the walls for the ceremony."
"The forest with the masked statue I mentioned yesterday is right behind the cathedral."
"Oh."
Duke nodded, half-understanding. Seeing crowds of faithful traveling the same way, he judged they still had time and leaned back in his seat. Folding his arms, he switched on the heater and closed his eyes for a short nap.
Might as well catch up on some sleep.
Time ticked by until the cart suddenly jolted. Lux's hand shook his arm.
"Duke-nii, wake up, we're here!"
"Hm?"
Opening his eyes, Duke beheld a grand temple shining brilliantly in the morning light.
The hundreds of steps leading up to its gates were already filled with believers. As he and Lux dismounted, Duke took a closer look.
Before the entrance stood a statue of the guardian deity.
The dawn cast a halo around the bowed head, golden motes glimmering across the white stone. Massive wings cloaked its shoulders, while two greatswords were held solemnly before its chest.
From beneath its helm, its expression was cold and severe, more flawless than any human face.
Dozens of candles, burned down to clumps of wax, littered the base of the statue.
"This place really is something," Duke muttered, brow raised.
Lux brushed Ang's fur one last time before telling him to wait at the entrance, then beckoned Duke toward the steps.
"Duke-nii, over here!"
"I'm coming."
Inside, the number of participants far exceeded Duke's expectations. He followed Lux up the white stairs into the cathedral.
The vaulted ceiling was painted with murals of the twin-winged guardian, each image part of a hymn to its glory. Giant crystal chandeliers descended from above, scattering radiant light.
The pews, bathed in morning sun, stretched in orderly rows. At the front stood a pulpit, its carvings depicting the guardian's embrace.
Duke smirked. If Kayle ever saw Morgana again, the two would probably tear this place apart.
In her case, "killing your sister to prove your path" wasn't a phrase, it was a verb.
"Perria-mama is preaching now. Let's sit quickly!"
Lux guided him to an open seat. As they settled in, the gentle yet commanding voice of an elderly nun echoed through the hall.
She spoke of the Illuminator's teachings, acts of charity among the faithful, exhortations to walk the path of virtue and avoid straying into darkness.
Her words carried a strange, soothing magic. The faces of the congregation glowed with serenity.
Duke arched a brow. In his left eye, the Divine Ocular, her true identity flickered into view.
"A mage? The one leading this sermon is a mage?"
That explained the calming tone. It wasn't just charisma; it was spellcraft.
Casting his gaze across the hall, Duke noted with growing surprise that nearly eighty percent of the worshippers were mages as well.
"So the Church of the Illuminators is basically a mage congregation?"
Then again, considering Lux's backstory, it made sense. The church sheltered and guided many mages, teaching them to control their power.
Duke sighed inwardly and decided to sit through the gathering. Leaving now would be far too discourteous.
The sermon lasted until mid-morning. When it ended, most of the faithful left with smiles of contentment, while a few approached the nun for counsel.
But Duke noticed something else, several people remained seated, all of them mages, clearly waiting for what came next.
"A special assembly just for mages?" he guessed. Not that he cared to stay.
"You want to go?" he asked Lux.
She glanced toward the pulpit and whispered, "Sensei, I'd like to stay. There's another gathering afterward, for people like me."
"I see. Then you stay. I'll look around and see if I can find that masked statue you mentioned."
"Alright."
Leaving her to her gathering, Duke rose and walked out of the cathedral.
Descending the steps, he scanned his surroundings. With nothing urgent on his plate, he decided to explore. Taking a small path behind the church, he soon reached dense woodland stretching far beyond sight.
Hesitating only a moment, he entered.
Within, the noise of the world faded, replaced by insects and birdsong. The soil beneath his feet was damp, the air cool and heavy with moss.
Deeper in, the trees grew closer together. Near noon, the sunlight barely pierced through, leaving scattered dots of light on the forest floor.
At last, he stopped before a moss-covered boulder. Brushing away the cobwebs, he realized it wasn't just a stone, but a ruined statue.
Time had ravaged it, yet its traces remained.
Its left arm was broken at the shoulder, while its right hand extended forward as though beckoning travelers nearer.
What had once been a delicate veil was now choked with vines.
From its shoulders jutted the remnants of feathered wings, withered and broken.
Half its face had been deliberately defaced, while the other half was marred by mud-filled sockets and an expression twisted with disgust, like someone forced to swallow spoiled milk.
"Hm. Doesn't look much like Morgana at all," Duke muttered, stroking his chin.
Suddenly, rustling.
From the thicket ahead, several figures emerged, cloaked and hooded, eyes alone glinting from the shadows.
"Out for a stroll in the woods too?" Duke shoved his hands in his pockets and looked them over.
The two in the lead exchanged a glance. Then, without warning, magic surged from them.
A whirlwind laced with gray mist tore toward Duke, and wherever it touched, plants withered into sludge.
"Guess not."
Shaking his head, Duke raised his hand. Light flickered in his eyes.
The Force erupted.
End of chapter....
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