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That was an extremely magnificent great Church.
Vertical pointed arches soared into the clouds, and the stained glass windows and flying buttresses were ornately decorated.
The pilgrims coming and going were mostly dressed in bright and beautiful clothes.
They were the nobles in the city.
Facing everything around them, they all wore appropriate smiles to varying degrees, but at the same time, they couldn't help but reveal a hint of subtle arrogance that they themselves might not have even noticed. Yet, putting all that aside, you could sense the unintentional reveal of their proper elegance just from their gait.
It was noon, and the light was optimally exploited by the excellent Gothic architectural structure of the great Church; both inside and outside the Church were bright and clear.
The spacious main entrance avenue was the same; the nobles walked on this golden-lit avenue as if they were heading to heaven.
As expected, no matter how many times one visits, it is always breathtaking.
Yulian tilted his head up, and like everyone else around him, took steps towards the Church hall.
Entering the Church, what came into view was an extremely vast space; the view was so open that the entire hall could be seen at a glance.
The hall was empty, with no seats, no podium, and no unnecessary miscellaneous facilities.
The hall was crowded; the beautiful, towering statue of the Goddess, wearing a wreath and holding her hands together in prayer, firmly attracted everyone's attention, making people forget the emptiness the hall should have had.
I don't know if it was the effect of Magic or the reason for the artistic structure.
The Goddess, just by standing there, was enough to make people can't help but like her from the bottom of their hearts.
Hah, Lilian, this fellow.
Yulian's lips curved into a smile.
"Hurry and pray, pray that your Magic can break through."
"Hurry and pray, let the Goddess protect your healthy growth."
"Hurry and pray, pray that the Count can be released from prison."
"May the Goddess bless..."
People came to the Church naturally as pilgrims, but it didn't prevent them from making small requests to the Goddess.
Parents brought their children, gently urging them to make wishes.
Slightly older noble youths mostly came alone to make their sincere wishes.
Yulian also slowly clasped his hands together.
Don't misunderstand, this wasn't making a wish, but communication.
[Lilian, long time no see.]
Yulian closed his eyes, calling out softly in his heart.
[Yes.]
A gentle female voice seemed to come from the stone statue.
[Lilian, I'm almost ready.]
Yulian's voice was different from usual, unexpectedly a bit heavy.
[War?]
He couldn't see Lilian's appearance, but from her voice, he could tell she should be slightly frowning.
[Yes, perhaps it's a war.]
Yulian's tone carried helplessness.
[No.]
Lilian seemed a bit anxious, but also as if she couldn't say too many words.
[It's not necessarily war,]
Yulian comforted her.
[What if it develops in a good direction?]
[...]
[Lilian?]
[Mm.]
Lilian was silent for a short while before responding softly.
[Mm.]
Yulian sighed softly, preparing to end this brief exchange.
Unlike when he first arrived in Frieren's world, ever since Yulian slightly mastered his own power, his conversations with the Goddess had changed.
They became brief and empty.
Just like an NPC after completing a newbie guide task, gradually fading out of sight.
But Yulian knew that Lilian was the Goddess, not just some ordinary NPC.
Perhaps there were some restrictions.
Yulian lowered his clasped hands, his brow lost in thought.
It was another destined fruitless trip; he had thought he might receive some useful advice.
[Goddess, I beg you]
The girl's low voice of request entered his ears.
Yulian looked towards the source of the sound, and what came into view was a noble Miss wearing a blue and white dress with long golden hair.
Her lips weren't moving, she was just silently praying with her hands clasped together.
It was clear under the light; at this moment, her fair skin had a youthful pinkness, and she looked nervous and helpless.
[Is it a blessing similar to mind-reading, Lilian?]
Every time his communication with the Goddess ended, Yulian would receive a gift from Lilian.
Perhaps it was thanks for asking Yulian to travel thousands of miles to help.
[Yes.]
He didn't need to clasp his hands; as long as he was near a Goddess statue that held faith, Yulian could communicate with Lilian.
Yulian's previous action of clasping his hands in a praying posture was just to fit in.
[Goddess...]
Emilia's eyelashes trembled slightly; at this moment, she was still praying devoutly, and at this moment, she could only pray powerlessly.
A batch of holy relics from the Church were ambushed by bandits on the way to the Holy Capital, and after the City Lord's Mansion's investigation, they actually said that her father had sent people there!
How could her father be the real culprit!
Although the holy relics were indeed found at home, how could her father have done it!
Father!
Emilia blinked her tear-filled eyes, trying hard not to let them fall.
Slander, this must be slander!
But what could she do?
It was hard to imagine what she and her mother would do if her father were really executed...
It sounded miserable, but what did it have to do with him?
Yulian listened to every word of Emilia's inner thoughts.
But this did not shake the steps Yulian had already taken.
[Help.]
Lilian spoke.
Yulian stopped.
The great Church was quiet.
After Lilian's words sounded again in Yulian's ear, it was immediately followed by all of Emilia's muttering.
[Can't help.]
Yulian had just tried listening in on others' prayers, but unfortunately, there was nothing.
It seemed that being able to hear the inner voice of this golden-haired noble Miss was mostly just Lilian acting as a mouthpiece.
[Help!]
Lilian said stubbornly, but unfortunately, Yulian had already left the Church hall.
His own matters were still a mess, why meddle in others' affairs?
Besides, he hadn't settled the score with that rude fellow from before.
Outside the Church, dozens of carriages of various sizes were parked; the coachmen were currently dozing, waiting for the nobles to finish praying.
Yulian just glanced and was about to go around these people.
However, things are unpredictable; just as Yulian had taken a detour and was preparing to leave, he unintentionally discovered something interesting.
"Miss Emilia, what a coincidence you're here too!"
A man dressed in luxurious clothes, with a somewhat villainous face, currently had an aggressive gaze and reached out to stop Emilia, who was troubled after finishing her prayer and preparing to go home.
"Young Master Druhand, please move aside."
Emilia felt a surge of fear in her heart, couldn't help but tense up, and while reprimanding the man, subconsciously moved away from him.
"Miss Emilia, before you is the eldest young master of the Viscount's family!"
"Watch your tone!"
"Miss Emilia!"
"Wouldn't it be better to be sensible?"
"It is your honor to gain Young Master Druhand's affection!"
Four men who looked like servants revealed lewd smiles, their words full of provocation, and slowly surrounded Emilia.
"You!"
Emilia panicked, and looking at herself caught in the encirclement, a sense of desperate powerlessness arose in her heart.
"What's wrong, Miss Emilia?"
Druhand's lips curved into a smug smile; in his aggressive manner, he was about to reach out and grab Emilia's slender, fair hand.
"Now you can come with me, right?"
"Crack!"
The crisp sound interrupted the man's offensive action.
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