In two days, Olovice bought quite a few things in Montpelier from an old John’s shop. The name John is really common in this world; even the grandson of the owner of the Bright Hotel where he stayed is named John, and Uncle Ramon’s youngest son in town is also named John. Luckily, when his teacher found him, he didn’t name him John.

As the godfather of baptism for many children in the small town, Olovice thoughtfully bought many beautiful hair clips and sturdy, though not very bright, dolls. The knight-shaped dolls were particularly popular. Of course, he didn’t forget the adorable Eufra and the others at the orphanage; every child got something.

He also applied in advance to Bishop Ulrich for the Christmas candles for Letania Church. These aren’t ordinary candles; they’re huge and filled with precious essential oils and various potions. Each Christmas candle is enhanced with various buffs by the Cardinal, allowing it to burn all night and protect the town’s peace. It’s a rare good thing for the grassroots.

Last year, his teacher couldn’t get one and had been thinking about it for a long time, so Olovice remembered it. Bishop Ulrich took a while before he finally agreed.

He also bought some gifts for his teacher, Sister Hiran, and Brother Martin, and sent them back to Letania. It was hard work for Lily, who followed him around and helped with the packing.

“Olovice.”

Olovice looked down at Lily, who was tugging at his robe. Today, the little witch was wearing a newly bought light yellow lace dress with a cloak-like white robe over it, though it didn’t have any elements of light.

Although various skirts, round felt hats, vests, and shirts have become mainstream daily wear, you can still see clothes from the last century on the market, like various robes, cloaks, and long or short waistcoats. Olovice suspected that these outfits hadn’t exited the stage of history entirely because of the various clergy of the true god religions wearing them.

They are quite fond of these outfits. The deacon’s white robe of the Radiant Church is a modified version of a noble-style long waistcoat. The biggest difference between the priest’s attire and the deacon’s is the color of their robes and the sashes on their shoulders, as well as the mass vestments that appear on major occasions. The Cardinal also has a bishop’s crown and various items representing status.

Olovice had never seen such a big figure as the Cardinal. Bishop Ulrich’s shoulder sash is red, and he’s probably still a long way from becoming a Cardinal.

“What’s wrong, Lily?” Olovice bent down and asked. They were already waiting for the steam train to head to the Black Tower Baron’s territory, Morito City. Because there were many people and they needed to escort a forbidden item taken from the Black Cross Tribunal, the bishop directly booked the VIP carriage of the steam train. They were now waiting in the VIP lounge.

No one spoke in the entire waiting room. From the bishop to the black knights and the accompanying Black Cross Tribunal members, everyone’s face was as cold as ice.

“Something, something touched my leg.” Lily was almost in tears. Among a group of Radiant Church members, she only felt a lot of pressure and fear, and some of them even had demons with them.

Olovice couldn’t help but look around the waiting room. A tall black knight was sitting on a chair, with his demon servant standing beside him. Perhaps, more appropriately described, it was a demon servant, a ghoul.

If Bishop Ulrich wanted a demon servant, he could certainly have one, but generally, bishops are outward-facing, and bringing a demon isn’t very appropriate. So, most of these external personnel, like demons, are used by the enforcers of the Radiant Lord.

Ghouls are a type of demon born and appearing in cemeteries, about one and a half meters tall. Their skin is barely clean; at least Olovice didn’t find any fungal robes or lichens on its exposed skin, though the dark gray skin looked sticky, as if touching it would make your hands sticky.

It stood on two legs, with feet similar to hooves, and its legs were bent, so its actual height should be higher. Its facial bones protruded and mutated, resembling a dog, with a pointed snout and uneven teeth. Surprisingly, it had human-like hair, most of which was messy and covered the demon’s face. With a hooded black cloak, it could be disguised and hidden among people.

Demons have some intelligence. It immediately looked in Olovice’s direction, opening its mouth as if to roar, but its master stopped it.

“Quiet.”

The ghoul hunched over and remained motionless.

It was as if it was under the spell of a high-level witch, obediently standing by its master’s side.

Olovice withdrew his gaze and lifted a corner of the little witch’s robe to take a look. Only then did Lily have the courage to glance at her feet, where there was a white snail about twenty centimeters tall.

“Sorry, my magical pet accidentally got out.”

A black knight, clad in armor, clanked over and picked up his snail. There were six black knights in total, and two of them had demons or magical pets. It seemed that quite a few people within the black knights kept things.

“Alright, sit down.” Olovice let Lily sit on the long sofa, and he sat down as well. Ever since Lily learned that her sister was still alive, she wanted to enter Morito City with him. Olovice asked her to be obedient, which is why she was following him.

At the same time, Olovice wanted to use Lily’s sister to learn more about the Black Tower demons. High-level demons have intelligence comparable to humans, and those who have lived long can be very cunning and sly. Famous big demons like it even have a special code name. If he could figure out its attack methods and personality traits, he could at least protect himself.

The steam train arrived at the platform with a loud rumble and puffs of white steam. Olovice led Lily to follow the bishop and the others into the VIP carriage of the train.

The VIP carriage, carpeted and with two seats per row, had a long table in the middle, back-to-back style. Naturally, Olovice sat with Lily. Ever since she saw the black knights, the little witch had been like a startled bird, wearing her safety charm as a necklace around her neck.

In the other row of seats, six members of the Black Cross Tribunal were escorting a forbidden item, which seemed to be some kind of mirror. It was covered with a black cloth and held upright by one of the Black Cross Tribunal members, while the other black knights either stood or sat beside that person, fully focused on guarding against any accidents.

Bishop Ulrich and his secretary sat opposite Olovice.

The train staff routinely brought snacks and coffee to the VIP carriage. Olovice, enjoying the VIP treatment for once, got himself a cup of Blue Mountain coffee from the Blue Mountain Range in Hearn.

Lily had a plate of cute-shaped children’s cookies and a cup of milk. She nibbled on them, wanting to look up but not daring to.

During the train ride, Olovice alternated between reading and gazing out the window at the scenery—vast farm plains, ribbon-like rivers, and small villages and towns.

From Montpelier to Morito City, the steam train takes about six hours. If there’s a thunderstorm or snowstorm, the time is uncertain. The steam train is naturally a masterpiece of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom. No wonder this new true god religion could rise and grow; they are indeed very powerful.

Throughout the journey, there was no dramatic attempt to seize the forbidden item, no ambush on the Radiant Church members, nor any sudden rain causing the train to stop. It was very uneventful, so uneventful that Olovice yawned under the midday sun.

After Bishop Ulrich and his secretary went to the lounge in the front carriage, Lily became lively. On the way to see her sister, she was filled with joy and happiness.

“Olovice, we’re almost at the mining town,” Lily whispered, her pink butterfly hair clip bobbing as she ran to the opposite seat, pressing her face against the train window to look at the scenery outside.

Olovice also looked outside, where the distant, shadowy black mountains came into view, seemingly shrouded in a grayish hue.

“Are all these the Black Tower Baron’s properties?” Olovice asked. Although he learned from books that Morito City developed through mining and industry, and the Black Tower Baron owned vast mining lands, making him a true mining tycoon, Olovice remembered that only half of the six-hour journey had passed.

Could the remaining route all be within the Black Tower Baron’s territory?

Chug, chug, chug.

The steam train’s chimney puffed white steam into the sky as it sped forward, entering a tunnel.

“From here on, it’s all his,” Lily’s words made Olovice feel a chill.

“Originally, Montpelier didn’t have a steam track, nor was it covered by Morito City’s train. Later, the mayor and Bishop Ulrich went to see the baron together, and he agreed,” a black knight said. “With the steam train, travel has become much more convenient for everyone.”

“Regarding the mission to eliminate the Black Tower demon, I will personally lead everyone to fight it until we defeat it.”

The black knight removed his helmet, revealing an ordinary middle-aged man’s face, and looked at Olovice. “I’m Prine, the captain of the Holy Wing stationed in Morito City by the Black Knight Tribunal. Since you’re new, I’ll say a few words before we reach Morito City. Demons are one of the eternal enemies of the Radiant Church. Remember, always be suspicious, always be vigilant.”

“Eternal light, eternal humanity,” Prine said solemnly.

Is this a pre-battle pep talk? Just as Olovice had this thought, several pairs of eyes turned to him in unison.

Uh, alright.

“Eternal light, eternal humanity,” Olovice said seriously.

The light and shadow outside the window were mottled, and the young priest deacon had a gentle and determined expression, his golden hair shimmering like flowing gold.

Prine suddenly looked at the red-haired mixed-blood little witch, and Lily sat up stiffly.

“Is she your potion apprentice?”

Olovice nodded. It should be fine, right? You black knights even have demons with you.

“Being a pharmaceutical scholar is pretty good.”

Prine concluded.