“Yes, I am the new priest deacon at Letania Church.”

Olovice stopped in his tracks, standing nonchalantly in the middle of the gravel path, letting the last rays of the sun fall on him as much as possible. He lowered his gaze to look at the tiny figure that, even with all its effort, could only reach his chin when flapping its wings. Or rather, it was a fairy.

Olovice’s eyes showed surprise. Having been in this other world for so long, it was his first time seeing a magical creature recorded in books, the “Twilight Fairy.”

Just a moment ago, as he was walking, he suddenly heard a rustling sound. Then, a pale yellow ball of light darted out from the dense forest beside him, almost crashing into his chest before stopping abruptly. The little creature inside the light ball was dizzy for a while before flapping its wings to steady itself, asking him a strange question in a buzzing, tiny voice.

The Twilight Fairy asked Olovice if he was the new deacon at the church, as if it had heard about him before.

Olovice elaborated on the Twilight Fairy’s question, explaining that he was a properly ordained clergy member of the Holy Rite of the Light Cross.

Olovice observed the magical creature in front of him. The Twilight Fairy was only the size of an adult’s finger, with slender limbs, a humanoid shape, a face covered in light white fuzz, two antennae on its forehead, and its entire body covered in pale yellow scales. Its upper body had two pairs of arms, and when its small wings fluttered, glowing yellow powder would fall.

Olovice didn’t know what it wanted.

The “Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures” described the Twilight Fairy as a mischievous little fairy belonging to the Joyful Court faction within the fairy system. They often appeared deep in forests, liked to come out at twilight, and enjoyed playing tricks on solitary people.

They liked to steal things from travelers’ backpacks, mislead lost travelers, or tie people’s hair and vines together while they slept.

Interestingly, the article ended with a note: harmless pranks are meant to get your attention, as Twilight Fairies are affectionate yet timid magical creatures.

Compared to the Sorrowful Court faction, the Joyful Court faction fairies were already considered friendly to humans. This was why Olovice, though cautious, could stand there and observe and talk to it. If he had encountered the notoriously malicious and dangerous Sorrowful Court fairies, he would have run away immediately.

“Wow, human, you’re really tall, taller than any human I’ve ever met,” the Twilight Fairy flapped its wings hard to reach Olovice’s eye level, complaining in its tiny voice.

Olovice smiled at it, “Thank you for the compliment.”

The Twilight Fairy laughed, its voice even tinier, “Human, what’s your name?”

“Olovice,” he replied, engaging in conversation with it, “And you?”

“I’m called Springwater,” the Twilight Fairy circled around Olovice, exclaiming, “Olovice, can you give me a few strands of your hair? I want to weave a small blanket with it and the star grass in the forest.”

Olovice shook his head, “Sorry, I can’t.”

The Twilight Fairy looked enviously at the deacon’s shining golden hair. It had wanted a shiny blanket for a long time. If Olovice gave it a few strands, it would surely bask in the sun with the blanket every day, preserving the golden glow forever.

“Have you heard of me?” Olovice leaned down towards the Twilight Fairy, his voice gentle, his long hair falling down.

The Twilight Fairy felt a bit dizzy because this human actually placed it in his palm. The human’s palm was so warm, it felt like its wings were about to melt. It replied lightly, “Yes, I know. Grace specifically told us not to approach the new…”

Before Springwater could finish, two more Twilight Fairies rushed out from the forest, one covering its mouth, the other pulling its wings, stopping it from speaking.

Olovice looked at the three flustered Twilight Fairies in his palm, smiled, and let them leave his palm smoothly.

Springwater seemed to realize it had said something wrong, didn’t dare to look back, and disappeared into the forest with its companions.

Olovice watched them leave, thinking about the Black Swamp Witch Grace. Father Andre had said that his first appearance was in the territory of the Black Swamp Witch Grace, and he indeed had this memory. From the moment he opened his eyes and woke up in this strange world, he had been searching for an exit in the rainy, eerie forest until he met Father Andre.

But he couldn’t recall the previous memories of this body.

In any case, Olovice was actually quite wary of the witch Grace in the forest. However, why did she warn the Twilight Fairies not to approach him?

Olovice suppressed his doubts and continued walking back to the church. This time, nothing unexpected happened.

In the town of Letania, there was only one Red Beard Tavern and Inn, which had already lit its lights early. An old wandering singer sat cross-legged not far from the tavern’s entrance, playing an accordion and singing unknown ballads from distant lands.

Olovice listened for a while. Since he couldn’t understand the lyrics, he could only listen to the singer’s melody, which was actually quite pleasant and light. Compared to the heavy metal music inside the tavern, his music wasn’t very attractive. Perhaps later at night, when people won money, they might give him some copper pennies.

Olovice approached him, bent down, and gave him three copper pennies.

“This song is beautiful. What’s its name?” Olovice asked. Today, he had earned a tip of one gold pound, so three copper pennies were insignificant to him.

He liked to pay for things he enjoyed.

The ragged, half-white-haired wandering singer looked up, his face full of wrinkles, but his eyes were exceptionally bright. Olovice then noticed that the old man’s eyes were deep green, the color of nature, the color of life.

“It’s called ‘Great Life,’ from the country of Abizanin in the Northern Continent,” the singer replied with a smile, putting the three copper pennies into his pocket. “Thank you, kind-hearted deacon of the Light. Tonight’s dinner is secured.”

“Are you a follower of the Natural God Religion?” Olovice noticed the dark green tattoo on the back of the old man’s hand, depicting the life tree totem of the Natural God Religion.

“Yes,” the old man replied without hesitation. “In Abizanin, our state religion is the Natural God Religion.”

“Then why did you come to Hearn?” Olovice asked, looking at the frail, hunched old man. As far as he knew, the Northern Continent was far from Hearn, requiring one to cross the vast, turbulent sea and face numerous dangers to reach the Kingdom of Hearn.

“I came to Hearn to spread naturalism,” the old man said with a spirited look.

Olovice observed the old man, who didn’t seem wealthy enough to build a church. He was still wandering himself, let alone…

“Letania already has a church of the Goddess of Fertility,” Olovice had to burst the old man’s bubble.

The authority of the Goddess of Fertility in the Kingdom of Hearn was somewhat similar to that of the Natural God Religion in the Northern Continent, both protecting plants, crops, and livestock prosperity. The Church of the Goddess of Fertility, like the Holy Rite of the Light Cross, was an orthodox true god church in the Kingdom of Hearn.

The wandering old man looked a bit embarrassed, shifting his position and coughing, “Then I’ll go to another place to preach after a while.”

“If you don’t have anywhere to go for now, there’s an empty prayer room at the Holy Rite of the Light Cross church. At least it’s a place to shelter from the wind and rain,” Olovice said, noticing the old man’s predicament.

“Young man, you’re truly a natural fit for the Holy Rite of the Light Cross. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a pure saint,” the wandering old man said, standing up with his accordion. Olovice then noticed that the old man’s left leg seemed disabled, dragging weakly on the ground, making it difficult for him to move. Olovice supported the old man, twitching his mouth.

A disabled old man traveling thousands of miles to another country to preach, the power of faith was indeed immense.

He certainly couldn’t do such a thing.

The townspeople who saw Deacon Olovice greeted him with smiles, and Olovice responded to each one.

“Young man, would you like to learn about the Natural God Religion?” the old man asked tentatively. “It originated from the Druid Religion, advocating harmony between humans and nature. The Natural God Religion’s doctrine is that all things have spirits…”

Olovice had to interrupt the old man, “Sir, I am a deacon of the Holy Rite of the Light Cross.” Isn’t it inappropriate for you to openly poach like this?

If the Natural God Religion could be as dominant in the Kingdom of Hearn as the Holy Rite of the Light Cross, Olovice might consider it.

His current identity was his biggest golden thigh, and he couldn’t let go of it no matter what.

“Oh, oh,” the old man chuckled awkwardly, adding, “The Holy Rite of the Light Cross is great too. I see you as very bright.”

What was that supposed to mean? Olovice was amused.

Back at the church, Brother Martin, upon learning that the old man was a follower of the Natural God Religion from a distant land, immediately arranged accommodation for him. Sister Hiran went to the second floor to report to Father Andre.

Meanwhile, Olovice had one more important task to complete.

That was to prepare the holy water for tomorrow.

In the church basement, Olovice entered the innermost spiritual room, where the scent of herbs and essential oils instantly filled his senses.

The countryside holy water baptism was simple. First, prepare three sunflowers representing the Lord of Light, and some fire salt crystal fragments from Atobes, grind them into powder, and sprinkle them into the water to mix. The most crucial step was the Light of the Holy Spirit.

Olovice looked at his hand, long and strong, with distinct joints. Most importantly, his fingertips were emitting a soft white glow.

“Holy Light,” Olovice murmured softly.

He dipped his fingertips into the basin of water, creating ripples, and the holy water was successfully made.

Olovice used a wooden ladle to fill the glass bottles with the water from the basin, sealing them with corks. Making holy water once could fill fifteen small glass bottles. Holy water had many uses, not only for baptizing infants but also for weddings or carrying it to ward off evil…

Finally, Olovice looked at the row of wholesale holy water and nodded in satisfaction.