“Things are quite expensive in Montpelier. I’ve prepared some money in your suitcase: twenty sous in small change, two ten-pound Hearn notes, and one five-pound note. Make sure to keep it safe. There are also some copper pennies in case you need to tip the waitstaff when dining out,” Father Andre said with care to his only student, Olovice, as he was about to leave. After all, it was Olovice’s first time traveling far from home. “Bishop Ulrich wants you to arrive at the church by August 27th. Get there two days early to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and meet some people.”

Olovice carried his suitcase, knowing that Sister Hiran and Brother Martin had also given him some money earlier that morning. Like his teacher, they were worried he might not have enough to spend in the big city.

Olovice accepted everyone’s concern gratefully and said, “Teacher, the soft armor I made for you is in the Spiritual Room in the basement. Remember to wear it.”

Father Andre felt a mix of joy and sadness, touched by his student’s thoughtfulness. He then looked at the red-haired witch standing behind Olovice and sighed. Because of her, the original plan had to change a bit. “Once you get to Montpelier, don’t stay in the church’s guest room. Find a nearby hotel. The first thing you need to do is report your identity to the church deacon and register the witch apprentice you brought along. If you don’t, you might get detained.”

“The church will use a forbidden item to copy the witch’s magic and submit it to the Tribunal for registration.”

“I want to go to Montpelier too,” Grace said, unwilling to give up. She had tried to persuade Father Andre for a long time but to no avail, leaving her quite frustrated.

Father Andre ignored Grace and continued, “Once registered, you can’t just wander around as you please. You can’t go wherever you want like before. When you go to another city, the first thing you must do is report to the Tribunal. Only after receiving a safety card can you move around the city. You also need to report when leaving.”

“If you violate the safety regulations and get caught by the Tribunal, I won’t be able to save you,” Father Andre said sternly.

“I will abide by the safety regulations. I’ve never committed a crime or harmed anyone,” Lily said, half-hidden behind the deacon, feeling a bit shy about appearing in public.

“Teacher, I’ll keep an eye on her,” Olovice promised.

“Then go and come back soon,” Father Andre said.

Grace watched Olovice and Lily leave in the morning mist, feeling particularly aggrieved.

Father Andre’s heart softened, and he advised, “Grace, wouldn’t it be nice to stay in the Black Swamp Forest? Your mother will surely come looking for you. Staying in the forest, with me watching over you, you can be free, safe, and happy. Once you’re outside, there are many restrictions and dangers.”

“Do you think those lunatics at the Tribunal will treat witches well? The Tribunal won’t do anything to Lily because Olovice is a fellow member of the Radiant Church. Without someone from the church to vouch for her, even a registered witch would be sent by the Tribunal’s Black Cross and the Inquisition’s Black Knights to handle various forbidden items and powerful, dangerous demons,” Father Andre wanted to dissuade Grace from leaving.

Grace bit her lip, her eyes red, and ran off.

Father Andre sighed heavily. Mr. Briel came over and said, “Old friend, you’re too harsh on the little witch.”

Father Andre smiled wryly and, after a moment, said, “When I was young, under my teacher’s guidance, I witnessed members of the Black Knights handling a B-level forbidden item. That forbidden item was called a wedding dress, a white, beautiful wedding dress. It melted the bride’s skin, flesh, and bones, turning her into a humanoid mass of blood threads. When the wedding dress started moving, anyone or any animal within five meters of it would have their flesh automatically melt, becoming nourishment for the dress, extending its hem.”

“The conditions for triggering the wedding dress, its range of influence, and its sealing method were discovered and resolved by death row inmates, heretics, external members of the Tribunal, witches, demons, magical creatures, and knights.”

“So, I can’t bear to let Grace go outside,” Father Andre admitted his selfishness. He just wanted to protect Grace. He was getting old and now felt that after graduation, returning to his hometown to be an ordinary, peaceful church priest was quite nice.

Mr. Briel said nothing more. He smiled and said, “I’ve been bothering you for so long. It’s time for me to embark on a new journey. Olovice has connected me with the Violet family, and I must work hard to spread the Natural God Religion in the big city.”

“May the Holy Light bless you with success,” Father Andre said.

Mr. Briel waved to him, slung his accordion over his shoulder, leaned on his cane, and left with his suitcase.

After Mr. Briel caught up, Olovice took his suitcase, and they waited by the roadside for the mayor’s unicorn carriage and the noble young ladies who were fashionably late.

Lily didn’t bring her magic hound this time. It was left in the Black Swamp Forest. In the big city, only those with the right qualifications could keep magical creatures under the eyes of the official church, and she, a wandering witch, certainly wasn’t one of them.

Lily sneaked a glance at the elderly man beside the deacon, her body tense. There was no doubt he was a powerful cleric. From the totem on his hand, he seemed to be from the Lawful Good Neutral Natural God Religion.

The sun had just risen when Mayor Thomas arrived with his people.

“Mr. Olovice, please ride in my carriage,” Emile said first.

Olovice looked over and saw that Emile’s luxurious carriage was actually open-topped. The two strong, tall, and spotless unicorns were clearly of excellent breed. The carriage had wide seats, and the folding ladder for getting on and off was already on the ground. Emile and Susan sat together, each holding a delicate parasol, looking leisurely and relaxed as if they were on a spring outing.

Having money is really nice.

Olovice felt genuine envy and then got on the carriage. Mr. Briel, with his luggage and the young witch, went to the mayor’s carriage behind them.

The thick leather cushions and backrest significantly reduced the carriage’s bumps. With the gentle breeze blowing, Olovice’s fear of riding in carriages lessened considerably. His smile became more gentle and polite. He wore the church-issued deacon’s white robe, with a cross, the symbol of the Radiant Church clergy, under his shirt collar. Holding a copy of the “Holy Light Canon,” he elegantly greeted the noble young ladies opposite him.

“Good day, lovely ladies.”

“Good day, Deacon Olovice,” Emile and Susan said in unison, then laughed together.

The carriage traveled along the road into the distance.