As the sermon ends, Korven is left in shock, along with a select few members of the city government and the CA cult itself. Up until now, Korven has known the most about the Chosen Angels. Yet for some reason, this piece of public information has slipped past her. If the chosen angels succeed in becoming an official religion, who knows how powerful their reach may become. In the depressing era the citizens of Kilder live in, Religion has grown powerful; more than 80% of people living in Kilder claim to actively practice some form of religion. 55% of those people are committed Agorists, 25% are Thaolists, with the last 20% being split between many different other religions.
Korven spent much of her childhood learning about the great accomplishments of Agor, a hero who turned into a god because of the worship of those he saved. It is said that his powers stem from the faith that believers have in him.
Korven grew up believing this, yet she no longer does. Her faith in Agor left her when she realized how cruel her believers could be. Korven waits for the church attendants to stumble out of the limestone building; the church's ovular shape slows them as they try to go about their day. Korven steps up on the stage where Father Runhuld is reading an unobridged copy of the Ehelm. The holy book's pages are curled from all the notating and editing he has done in the past.
Korven patiently watches Runhuld, noting reactions to his sermon and making several comments on how agreeable the crowd was when the cult was brought up. Waiting for Runhuld to notice him, Korven keeps watching as Runhuld opens the Agorian Priest and Pastor's Sermon Handbook, a book written by the high father of Agorianism himself.
Hylnrer Yewlin, Direct ancestor of Kilder and the former royal family of Yewlin. After Abdicating power 300 years earlier (each year divided into 13 months), Kilder the Third decided to donate all his wealth and dedicate his family name to Agor. Two and a half centuries after the fall of the Yewlin family, Hylnrer, Kilder's direct descendant, was elected High Father of Agorism to protect the powerful lineage. The council of Agor allowed Hylnrer to pass on his genetics, even though High Fathers have historically been kinless.
Although originally disliked by the politically left, Hylnrer has been able to gain political support after decannonizing the historical shunning of gay people.
Just five years ago, Hylnrer shunned the use of guns and other modern weaponry, including but not limited to nuclear weapons, automated drones, and heavy explosives. Hylnrer's proclamation worked in banning the use of handguns in civilian hands and halted the construction of new nuclear weapons. This decision drastically decreased gun-related deaths all over Yewlin, except, of course, in Kilder. With the legal gun market coming to a close, the weapons cartel of Kilder reformed. With the cartel controlling the flow of arms, smaller criminal organizations took control over Kilder. Gurun was divided into constant shoot-offs and turf wars. Most small gangs were defeated by the blaze miracle Arune, leaving Gurun divided into three gangs. Yewlin and other Agorist nations had successfully adapted to the gun laws, bringing people to forget about Gurun and the gang wars.
As Korven reflects on the Yewlin gun laws, Runhuld notices Korven's expression and starts the conversation,
"My child, what troubles you?"
Korven stutters at first before remembering why she came up to him,
"Oh, sorry, sir, my name is Korven, I just wanted to ask a question."
The rising sun shines through the window behind Father Runhuld, illuminating him with the light of Agor. The silver in his outfit shines bright, each thread telling its own story.
"Of course, my child, what is your query?"
"Is everything you said today true?" Korven asks
"You do know Agor forbids misstruths in holy places."
Runhuld's manner of speaking reminds Korven of her childhood, growing up in the church and how she was punished for saying even half-truths.
"Of course, Father, sorry, but there is no way that actually happens, right?"
"By 'that', you mean the Chosen Angels becoming an official religion?"
Korven nods as Runhuld continue.s
"Sadly enough, that is what's happening; soon enough, their numbers will grow, a cult like the Angels has nothing to lose because their leader doesn't have any faith, they just use the power of other people's faith for their power to grow."
"Oh my," Korven says as her eyes grow wide from shock, thinking about how much unchecked power Aldrick can gain.
"Without faith, they have nothing to lose, and with nothing to lose, nothing is stopping them from using the title of official religion for whatever twisted ideas they have. Their lack of morals will allow them to grow powerful."
"Well, is it true that they sacrifice children?" Korven acts unknowingly, remembering that the ritual sacrifices aren't public knowledge
"By the four covens, Im tired of your disbelief. Agor forbids untruths in holy places."
"Sorry, father, it's just, it's so hard to believe. How did you find out?"
"How does anyone find anything out?"
Runhuld's philosophical answer annoys Korven, and she rolls her eyes
"I mean like, who told you, or like uhm, why did you say that?"
"It was revealed to me by Agor himself; he told me to look into it, and as you may know, my brother Frino is an investigative reporter. I asked him to look into it, and truly, Agor was right."
Korven doubts that Agor sent this to Runhuld, but doesn't know the source of the speculation.
The grey limestone of the church is illuminated by the rising sun as the city wakes up. After the conversation between the two concludes, Korven starts to exit the church, but stops before the door and turns back,
"Don't worry, Father Runhuld, I am Korven, I see through the secrets of Kilder, and it is up to me to cut through them."
After leaving the church, Korven squints at the bright outdoors. She fumbles through her satchel and picks out her green notebook. She opens it up to the first empty page she can find and notes down everything she learnt from Runhuld.
Truthfully, Korven didn't come to the church to reconnect with 'lost faith'; she knew about Runhuld, more specifically, Korven knew of Runhuld's brother, a renowned investigative journalist who used to go undercover in the gangs of Gurun. Korven came here only to talk to Runhuld, not just to talk to him but…
"Lying might be forbidden by Agor, but is stealing?" Korven says to herself
As she reaches back into her satchel and takes out a copy of Tynro Runhuld's notebook, a copy that Tynro sent to his brother Wulkin, aka father Runhuld.
After Korven's apartment was ransacked, she kept revisiting her memories, transcribing everything so she could start again. Her weeks off were not for reflection, but for recovery, and now with Tynro's notebook, she knows more than ever before. Now, not only does she have more information than when she started, but she also has a time limit, and no more hunters.
"Aldrick has lost all interest in me, but Im not done with him."