The three adventurers and Alphonse hired an open-top carriage, heading toward the heart of the Slane Theocracy's capital city.
Before reaching the city center, their eyes swept over the towering church spires and ornate eaves, catching sight of six massive statues in the distance. The statues stood back-to-back, faces outward, encircling one another—a monument to the Slane Theocracy's faith, the Six Great Gods.
EeDechi recalled that in the center of E-Rantel, there was also a giant statue of Ainz. Seems like these folks all had similar tastes. The only difference was that Ainz's statue was entirely golden, while the Six Great Gods' statues each bore a distinct color.
The God of Life was white, the God of Earth a earthy brown, the God of Water blue, the God of Fire red, and the God of Wind green. But the one that stole the show was a pitch-black statue, its dark face carved into the skull of an undead, grim and solemn.
"That black statue—why does it look like an undead?" EeDechi pointed at it from afar.
"Divine Envoy, you don't know?" Alphonse sounded surprised. "That's the statue of Surshana, the God of Death. Black is his favorite color, so it's his signature hue. Haven't you seen the God of Death's form in the divine realm?"
"Ahem, well," EeDechi looked away, "truth is, Surshana and I are pretty tight. This statue? You guys in the Slane Theocracy built it based on legends. It's not what Surshana really looks like."
"But…" Alphonse's eyes widened, "these six statues were built at the founding of the Slane Theocracy, under the direct supervision of the Six Great Gods themselves."
"Oh… is that so?" EeDechi's mind raced, and she quickly spun a story: "Up in the divine realm, Surshana told me he wanted a cooler look. So he sent me down to the mortal world to tell you guys to spruce up his statue—y'know, maybe slap on some makeup, dye his hair, that sort of thing."
"But the God of Death is a skeletal undead god… he doesn't have hair…" Alphonse's confusion deepened.
Barrett jumped in, cutting her off: "Sorry, Divine Commandant, our Divine Envoy just came down from the divine realm on a sun chariot pulled by flying horses. She's feeling a bit carsick, and her memory's kind of fuzzy. Hope you'll forgive her if she's not remembering everything clearly."
"I see…"
…
As they got closer to the massive statues of the Six Great Gods, the group stepped out of the carriage. At the base of the statues' stone steps, dozens of flowers were scattered haphazardly. Lilies, tulips, roses, hyacinths, and more—a chaotic mix of types.
"Are the flowers on the statues put there by the officials?" EeDechi asked.
"Not at all," Alphonse said. "The flowers are placed by the people and devotees themselves. We only have a few folks assigned to clear away the wilted ones. For over six hundred years, the flowers at the statues have never stopped coming."
As he spoke, a little girl with wobbly steps broke away from her mother's arms. She placed a single wild chrysanthemum on the stone platform beneath the statues, then clasped her chubby hands together, bowing in prayer to the six silent, towering figures.
Besides the flower-placing girl, a few white-robed monks knelt before the statues, softly chanting prayers. It was clear the Slane Theocracy was steeped in religion, its people bound by deep faith.
After the three adventurers took in the street sights for a bit, they followed Alphonse into a narrow alley at the corner. A young boy with pale golden hair was waiting for them. Dressed in casual clothes, his gentle green eyes were strikingly clear.
"Mr. Moreau, hello," the boy said, bowing to Alphonse. He glanced at the three adventurers, a hint of wariness in his eyes. "Who are they?"
"They're adventurers."
"Adventurers!" The boy's face lit up with excitement. "We don't get many adventurers in the Slane Theocracy."
Alphonse leaned down, whispering something in the boy's ear. The boy's gaze shifted back to EeDechi and the others, curiosity giving way to a mix of fear and reverence.
Alphonse pressed a large copper key into the boy's hand, then turned to EeDechi.
"This is my subordinate and student, Daniel Christian. He'll be your guide. The capital's been a hotbed of trouble lately—far less peaceful than it looks on the surface.
"Not only are the Sorcerer Kingdom's watchers lurking in the shadows, spying on everything, but some folks here are absolutely terrified by the power the Sorcerer Kingdom's flexing. So, for now, we've got to ask the Divine Envoy to lay low in an ordinary house."
"Mr. Moreau," the boy said, his face tight with nerves, "I might screw this up with the Divine Envoy. You know my faith's shaky, my resolve's weak. Bishop Josiah Carey said people like me? When the Great Judgment comes, I'll be the first one wiped out. If I piss off the Divine Envoy…"
"Don't worry, kid." Alphonse gently ruffled the boy's pale golden hair. "Your shaky faith is exactly why I picked you to deal with the Divine Envoy. She can purify your beliefs."
"Got it. Thank you, Mr. Moreau." The boy nodded firmly, turning to EeDechi. "Divine Envoy, please follow me."
Alphonse gave EeDechi a deep bow, then rubbed a ruby ring on his finger. In a flash, his tall, gaunt figure vanished—he'd teleported away.
…
The boy, Daniel Christian, led the way, and the group followed him into an old house.
This was the temporary hideout Alphonse had arranged for them in the Slane Theocracy's capital, supposedly once a secret base for the Clearwater Scripture.
The house was sparsely furnished, tucked in a quiet alley on the edge of the bustling downtown—secluded yet close to the action.
EeDechi pushed open the glass window facing the morning sun. Across the way, a church's spire pierced the sky, its eaves lined with copper statues of the Six Great Gods. A sweet, clear chorus of children's voices drifted in, light and lilting.
The tender, soaring harmonies of the choir tugged at EeDechi's heart. She leaned against the window, listening closely, feeling the knots in her chest gently unravel with the soft melody. Barrett and Franco stood quietly inside, also drawn to the childlike voices floating through the window like a breeze.
…
The next morning, Daniel Christian arrived right on time, knocking with a basket full of breakfast.
The meal was simple but hearty: hot milk mixed with oatmeal, sweetened with refined maple syrup, sprinkled with raisins and cranberries, and stirred into a soft, comforting mush.
White bread slices, soaked in freshly beaten egg, were fried golden on both sides in a skillet, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma. A bowl of noodles tossed in scallion oil came studded with chunks of tuna and fresh tomato. Each person got a big ceramic mug of black coffee, steam curling from the rim, its rich scent lingering.
"Divine Envoy, are you really from the divine realm?" Daniel asked timidly, eyeing EeDechi as she wolfed down a chunk of bread.
EeDechi swallowed the massive bite stuffing her cheeks, chased it with a big gulp of coffee, and quickly put on a dignified air. Otherwise, she was sure Daniel would ask: Is the food in the divine realm that bad?
Daniel's eyes sparkled with awe, his hands propping up his chin. "Why don't you look like the scriptures say? You know, draped in a flowing white robe, six pairs of pure white wings sprouting from your back, a crown of six-colored flowers on your head, eyes like dazzling blue stars. When you speak, every syllable sounds like a heavenly melody. In your left hand, a crystal vial; in your right, a holy sword. You bless the good and cut down the wicked without hesitation."
EeDechi took another swig of black coffee. "Uh… well… that's because… I haven't transformed yet. My magic wand's missing. Once I find it, I'll turn into a magical girl."
"Oh, I get it!" Daniel's face lit up with understanding.
Staring into his clear, innocent eyes, EeDechi's cheeks flushed with guilt. She felt like a total jerk for lying to such a pure, kind kid.
"Captain," Franco leaned forward, offering his own wand to EeDechi. "Use mine. Since Daniel's so eager to see your transformed self, grant the kid's wish."
EeDechi shot Franco a death glare. "You want me to snap your wand in half?"
"Divine Envoy, you get mad too?" Daniel asked, curious. "The Call of the Prophet scriptures say that those from the divine realm, even when judging the worst villains, always keep a smile."
"Hahaha," EeDechi forced a laugh, quickly changing the subject. "This breakfast you brought? It's awesome, tastes great."
"Thank you, Divine Envoy," Daniel said, eyeing her cautiously. "I've had this big question nagging at me for a long time, and I can't figure it out. Can I ask you something?"
"Spit it out," EeDechi said, stirring her oatmeal with a silver spoon.
Daniel's hands fidgeted nervously. "If I say something that offends the Six Great Gods, please don't get too mad."
EeDechi nodded, signaling she was cool with it.
"Divine Envoy, have the Six Great Gods abandoned us?" Daniel asked.