Chapter 1 Chassic, a Knifemaking Town on the Northern Frontier

[Chassic, a knifemaking town on the northern frontier, renowned for its blades.]

[Before the Empress ascended the throne, this town suffered greatly from the ravages of war, and countless others were trampled upon in this conflict.]

"Get down!"

A roar erupted in his ear.

More violent than the shout was the thunder of artillery. A broad figure blocked the view as the wall began to crumble.

Something was hurtling toward them.

A big something.

The whistle could be heard even tens of meters away.

Then—

"Boom."

Flames and heat shattered the wall, engulfing the man with outstretched arms in light.

The boundless light tore through the night, stirring up countless storms.

Engulfing the girl.

"Hah!"

The dream shattered. A slender figure sat bolt upright.

The coarse linen shirt on the girl's body was soaked with sweat.

All around was silence, only the faint howling of wind and snow outside the window. There were no shells, no war. This was no longer Chassic. She had escaped the nightmare town, but no matter how far she ran, she couldn't escape the war sweeping across the Northern Continent.

"Xiao Qiu... you're awake?"

The girl's sudden movement startled the light-sleeping woman beside her.

"Aunt Ai..."

The girl murmured, "I had that dream again..."

Aunt Ai sat up as well, gently pulling the little girl's head into her embrace. Her voice was soft, like warm sunshine: "Xiao Qiu, the war is almost over. The legions that are fighting the Red Emperor have already reached the Central City. The Lin family is about to win."

The girl's eyes were dazed.

She felt the warmth of the embrace, looking out the window. The cold wind howled, and a faint light spilled from the thick clouds in the sky, but dawn had not yet arrived, and the whole earth was still shrouded in darkness.

"The Lin family is about to win."

This sentence had been circulating in the northern frontier for many years.

The war had lasted for six years.

From the first year, the people of the Northern Continent had heard this "good news"... only the Red Emperor's legions were retreating steadily in the northern hinterland, but they were holding fast to their fortresses. The Lin family had the upper hand, but the fighting was extremely difficult.

"Aunt Ai..."

The girl's vision was a little blurry. She said softly, "I saw my father... is he still in Chassic..."

The two embraced.

But they couldn't find sleep.

After a long time, Aunt Ai gently hummed.

"The Lin family's three major legions have already besieged the hinterland. The war is in its final stages... Chassic has been 'liberated.'"

She gently patted the girl's back, her movements slow and gentle. "Aren't we about to go back?"

The girl asked nervously, "Then when we go back... will we still be able to see him?"

"Who knows?"

Aunt Ai smiled. "Remember what your father said? After liberation, he wants to be a 'traveler', so he might not be in Chassic anymore... Okay, we have to hit the road at dawn. There's still half a month's journey south from Deepscale. You need to rest well."

The girl obediently lay down.

Aunt Ai kept patting her back gently, humming a soft tune, until she fell asleep again.

She turned over, got out of bed, covered the girl with a thin quilt, and then straightened her clothes, carefully pushing open the wooden door.

Their resting place was located outside an old, dilapidated church.

Not far away on the snow-covered trees perched crows, one after another. The long night was coming to an end. They hid in the deepest darkness, watching the "Gospel" church with its sacred cross at the top.

The war between the Lin family and the Red Emperor had lasted for six years.

In these six years, only a very few places in the Northern Continent were safe... one of them was the "Holy Church," which followed the doctrines of the Light. Neither the Red Emperor nor the Lin family wanted to offend the City of Light in the Western Continent.

Being able to live in the church was a great stroke of luck.

"Brother Virgil."

Aunt Ai put on a black cloak and found the kind missionary, Virgil, who was reading a book in the attic. He was a person from the Central Continent, and being from the Central Continent was the second protective talisman in this war.

According to Virgil, he was born into an aristocratic family in the Upper City of the Central Continent. He accidentally heard the Gospel of Light and decided to join the church, eventually traveling to the Northern Continent to preach... Unfortunately, he encountered the war not long after he arrived. He could have chosen to leave, and returning to the City of Light or the Upper City would have been good choices, but in the end, he chose to stay and witness the changes in the history of this continent.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating a solemn face devoid of worldly desires.

Virgil closed his book and slowly raised his head.

"I've come to say goodbye to you." Aunt Ai said sincerely, "Thank you for taking care of us these days, and for being willing to take in me and Xiao Qiu. I don't have anything valuable on me... I want to use 'this' as a reward. I hope you won't dislike it."

She took something out of her cloak.

A gold necklace, not of great quality, the kind that wealthy people wouldn't wear.

Virgil only glanced at it before looking away. He pushed the necklace back and asked gently, "Are you leaving already? Why so suddenly?"

"It is a bit sudden."

A smile appeared at the corner of Aunt Ai's eyes.

She shared her joy with the gentlemanly and kind priest, "I heard that General Rustbone has defeated the 'Red Emperor's' southern line of defense and completely liberated the southern frontier... so I want to take Xiao Qiu back to Chassic to take a look."

"Chassic?"

Virgil remembered the town. The knives produced in this town were the best of the best, worth their weight in gold. Because of this, at the beginning of this anti-Red Emperor war, the town was heavily plundered. After the legions under the Red Emperor emptied Chassic's reserves, they carried out a cruel massacre before the Lin family's punitive expedition arrived.

"When the war is over and prices return to normal, this gold necklace should be able to be pawned for a lot of money."

Aunt Ai pushed the necklace back again. She said seriously, "I know that with your noble character, you must regard money as dirt, but this is still a token of my appreciation... Please accept it."

Virgil pushed up his glasses. He didn't push the necklace back again, nor did he agree or refuse, but instead smiled and asked, "You've been here for two months, and I only just found out... so Xiao Qiu is from Chassic."

"Being born there isn't something to be proud of."

Aunt Ai's expression was a little dazed, and she forced a smile. "We've been traveling around since the beginning of the war. It's been six years now, constantly moving from place to place. Now we've finally ushered in the liberation of the southern line... If you have the opportunity, you're welcome to visit Chassic in the future."

"May the Light be with you."

Virgil nodded and said softly, "It's a long journey from here to Chassic. Although the southern line is liberated, you'll inevitably encounter 'fortress troops'. Winter is coming soon... Are you sure you want to go south at this time? Aren't you being a little too hasty?"

Aunt Ai was slightly stunned.

"I think, since the war is about to end, you might as well wait a little longer... When spring comes and the flowers bloom, perhaps your journey back will be much smoother."

Virgil asked, "What do you think?"

Aunt Ai hesitated.

"Of course, this is just my suggestion."

Virgil took a map from the drawer, spread it out, and moved his fingers slowly, saying thoughtfully, "However, a delegation will arrive tonight. They are all pastors spreading the doctrines of the Gospel. I heard... they are also heading south. If you are in a hurry to leave, they might be willing to give you a ride, at least as far as Deepscale City. Once you get there, you can choose to leave on your own by waterway."

"Tonight?"

Aunt Ai hesitated.

"I don't remember very well. Perhaps they will arrive early, maybe in the evening, maybe at noon." Virgil looked outside and asked with a smile, "Are you planning to leave now?"

"Thank you, Your Excellency," Aunt Ai said softly. "Then Xiao Qiu and I will wait a little longer."

"I'll accept this necklace. I'll give it to the pastors of the Gospel Church..." Virgil stood up, his eyes sincere. "In times of war, without some benefit, who would be willing to be a good person?"

Aunt Ai smiled, placed her hand on her chest inside the cloak, and bowed slowly: "May the Light be with you."

"May the Light be with you."

...

...

The attic returned to silence. Virgil took out a communicator and looked out the window.

The solemnity and piety on his face now turned sinister.

"Caw, caw!"

The black crows nesting in the snow-covered trees symbolized darkness and misfortune, but they seemed to sense an even darker and more ominous gaze... beating their wings and flying away in the howling wind.

"The goods are leaving. Hurry up and arrange manpower."

"Why so suddenly?" The other side of the communicator rasped. "Wasn't it expected to be a long time yet?"

"Who knows why they're leaving early... some fools always think the war is over. Will the war really end?" Virgil said expressionlessly, "I've been hearing this for six years. Stop talking nonsense and bring enough manpower."

"Two women and a child... what kind of manpower do you need?"

Laughter came from the other side of the communicator. "Virgil, it's not easy to come all the way here. Why don't you help us do it? We'll give you an extra 10% commission on this deal."

"..."

Virgil was silent for a moment, and then said, "I am a missionary of the Church of Light. I came to the Northern Continent to spread the Gospel... Unless, you add money."

The laughter on the other side of the communicator grew louder.

After a burst of laughter.

"We won't add a single cent." A cold voice sounded. "We'll be over there before noon. You find a way to stall them."

Hearing this voice, the greed in Virgil's eyes dissipated a lot.

He hummed.

"These days, the garrison troops, known as the 'Lin Family's Fourth Legion,' are patrolling nearby. You need to know that things that are outside the plan must have benefits that exceed expectations." The owner of the cold voice asked in a deep voice, "We don't want to waste time. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Understood, of course I understand."

Virgil laughed softly, "That woman is very beautiful. Also... I know she carries a 'valuable' jade talisman with her. That should be something you'd be interested in."

"Oh?" The owner of the cold voice said faintly, "Are you sure?"

"We've cooperated so many times, and I've never been wrong." Virgil said seriously, "Mr. Zuo, you must trust the 'sight' that the Light God bestows upon me."

"Heh..."

Mr. Zuo asked faintly, "If I remember correctly, you said earlier that there was another girl who could be sold for a high price, besides that woman?"

"Huff..."

Virgil was stunned.

Recalling that tender face, like a flower, his breathing couldn't help but become rapid.

One hand held the communicator.

The other hand crumpled the paper of the Light scripture.

"Yes."

The candlelight flickered, bathing in the light, the thin man in the holy robe said softly and slowly, "Believe me, Mr. Zuo. This girl is worth you making the trip yourself."

...

...

Just as Aunt Ai tiptoed, pushed open the wooden door, and prepared to rest for a while.

She saw a shocking scene in the room—

"Chī chī chī..."

A sound like steam burning swirled around the room.

The girl was curled up on the bed. The surface of her fair skin was surrounded by团又一团(tuán yòu yī tuán) of black mist... Those black mists, like demons, actually condensed into human form. Her tender and pitiful face was now full of pain, as if trapped in a nightmare.

Visible mist swirled on the bed.

In this bright church.

It seemed that some kind of "catastrophe" was spreading... In the distance, the sound of crows screeching and taking flight rose up.

This was not the first time.

These six years.

The two had moved from place to place, not only to "escape the war," but also to "avoid disaster."

Xiao Qiu was a lucky, but also unfortunate, child.

She had the beauty, kindness, and all the other wonderful talents bestowed by heaven...

But unfortunately.

She carried a true "disaster" and "curse" with her.

Wherever she went, misfortune would follow.

Fortunately, this church seemed to have the protection of a blessing. She had lived here for two months, and so far it was safe.

But disaster had finally arrived—

"Xiao Qiu!"

Seeing the团(tuán) of black mist, Aunt Ai subconsciously shouted. She realized that this might be heard by Brother Virgil, so she quickly silenced herself and quickly locked the wooden door.

She brought a basin of hot water, soaked a towel, and wrung it dry.

Then she took out the jade talisman from her arms...

Holding the talisman in her left hand and clutching the towel in her right hand, Aunt Ai sat down in front of the bed.

Mu Wanqiu's petite body was chillingly cold.

Aunt Ai took a deep breath, squeezed the towel, and extended her hand into the shadows shrouded in black mist.

With this jade talisman.

The团(tuán) of black mist was dispelled in a very small area.

She wiped Xiao Qiu's sweat over and over again, repeating until dawn, when the mist that was wrapped around Xiao Qiu... gradually dissipated.

Aunt Ai's eyes were full of heartache.

But apart from these small things, she, an "ordinary person," couldn't do much more.

Originally, she was still hesitating whether to wait a little longer.

In these two months, Mu Wanqiu's condition had been very good.

So she thought that perhaps the ominous disease had disappeared.

Should they take this opportunity to go south and return home?

But now it seemed that the disease was not cured, but had only temporarily disappeared...

Brother Virgil's previous suggestion was not without merit.

Aunt Ai looked at the painful, tired sleeping girl, and she couldn't bear to see Mu Wanqiu receive this kind of torment, so a helpless thought floated into her mind.

"Living in this church, Xiao Qiu's 'illness' hasn't flared up for two whole months."

"Perhaps... Brother Virgil, who spreads the Gospel, and that group of pastors, have some way to alleviate Xiao Qiu's 'symptoms'?"

...

...

(ps: Mu Wanqiu is a character with flesh and blood, I don't want to subdue the [Apostle] to become a hastily ended interlude. Therefore, this [Apostle] dream, Panda spent a lot of thought conceiving, this is an independent story with a complete framework. It is also a writing style that Panda has always wanted to try, which is not the same as the mainstream, and some readers may not want to watch content that is not related to the main line, so I will finish it in one breath tonight to ensure a smooth reading experience.)