Norton's life had returned to tranquility once more. It seemed that confirmation that the werewolves weren't specifically targeting Rino City had caused the atmosphere within the city to ease somewhat.
Although for safety considerations, Rino City's gates remained unopened and merchant caravans still hadn't resumed their journeys, activities within the city had returned to normal.
The werewolves' arrival had given Rino City's residents fresh conversation topics. Whether they were laborers carrying heavy loads, merchants conducting business, or even slaves, their leisure time discussions had shifted from domestic trivialities to werewolf matters during this period.
"My God! I heard Holy Lord City is on the verge of falling! Those werewolves have gathered together and nearly completely occupied Holy Lord City."
"What are you afraid of? Do you think The Church is just for show?"
"You're not afraid? How many people from the outer city have been eaten by werewolves these past days? If you're not afraid, why aren't you continuing your business? Why aren't you going out?"
"I'm just taking a break! After working hard for half my lifetime, can't I rest a little?"
"Then why didn't you rest before?"
"None of your business! I've never met someone as disgusting as you!"
"Hey, you old Norton should be careful too! Still squatting here every day—watch out lest the werewolves come and snatch you away one night!"The two wealthy men who had nearly started arguing found their conversation going nowhere. Angrily, they headed toward their respective homes—one going left, the other right. The one passing by Norton even vented at him too, words that sounded like well-intentioned advice but carried clear frustration in their tone.
Norton had been squatting here so long that everyone had grown accustomed to having this old beggar stationed here. This aligned perfectly with Norton's initial plan.
He knew that only by staying in one place long enough for everyone to adapt to his presence could true infiltration be achieved!
Now it seemed his strategy was producing results.
Rino City's management appeared to be growing increasingly relaxed, even showing subtle signs of returning to its previous state.
But silence often heralds greater storms.
The peaceful period lasted merely a month before news began spreading throughout Rino City.
"Holy Lord City has fallen! Heavens, even the wise and great Church has been overrun by werewolves! I heard even the bishop there sacrificed himself for the nation and died in battle! How can common folk like us possibly survive?"
"So the werewolves went to Holy Lord City! No wonder the werewolves outside Rino City disappeared before—they were gathering with purpose? Are these even werewolves?"
"Too terrifying! How can beasts like werewolves gather spontaneously?"
Norton squatted in his familiar spot, using his superhuman hearing to listen to the various hushed discussions on the streets.
Holy Lord City fallen?
Damn it, what kind of terrifying apocalyptic outcome was this?
Norton remembered clearly that when he left Holy Lord City, the werewolf population outside numbered at most around a hundred, while Holy Lord City, despite suffering brutal casualties, still had tens of thousands of people remaining. Moreover, there was still the Holy Lord Cathedral—how could it just fall like that?
How large had the werewolf population grown in just these few short years?
What about his old acquaintance Father Mia? Could he have died too?
That couldn't be! Norton hadn't even returned to visit old Mia yet!
Norton grew anxious. Here he was still working hard to develop himself, and his old enemy had died at the hands of his new enemies? Wouldn't that deprive Norton of the pleasure of revenge?
However, the situation's development far exceeded Norton's expectations.
Less than a week after news of Holy Lord City's fall reached Rino City.
The entire city was placed under complete lockdown.
All streets were fully guarded by Rino City's Church Knights, shops and production entered a semi-shutdown state, and even Norton had to conceal his presence, hiding in the city's shadows to gather the latest information through observation.
Within two days of Rino City's lockdown, the Golden Saints that Norton had seen once before—the Holy Knights—appeared in Rino City.
The massive city of Rino was completely controlled by Church Knights.
Perhaps additional Church Knights had been transferred from elsewhere, as their numbers in Rino City now significantly exceeded those in Holy Lord City.
One by one, Church Knights clad in pristine steel armor stood with swords planted before them, moving with near AI-mechanical uniformity as they followed behind a purple-clad cardinal who appeared elderly but still physically robust.
Countless petals were scattered along the road by numerous missionaries, creating a holy path for Bishop Doxia to prevent the city's filth from contaminating his pure form.
Behind him followed nearly a hundred Church Knights arranged in two rows, each holding great swords with arms crossed, maintaining an peculiar posture with bodies ramrod straight and swords pointing vertically upward as they slowly advanced along the petal-strewn path.
The entire scene could be described as dignified, solemn, holy, and flawless!
This was Norton's first time seeing this unorthodox Bishop Doxia.
Although they were far apart—one near the city entrance, the other hiding in the tall clock tower marking the boundary between the slums and wealthy district at the city center—Norton could still make out every detail of Bishop Doxia thanks to his keen vision.
This however confirmed one thing for him: the reason he had been located last time was indeed due to the God depiction on the wall. Otherwise, with all the city's Church Knights gathered here now, and having even spotted Holy Knights from afar, none showed any reaction to his presence.
The only difference between now and then was that he had been exposed to God's holy radiance before! The prickling pain like direct sunlight on bare skin still made Norton certain, upon recollection, that it had indeed caused him physical damage.
Actually, the Holy Inquisition Tribunal's arrival didn't require a bishop of Bishop Doxia's status to personally receive them.
But times had changed. Back then, Holy Lord City had been the old Pope's test for His Holiness Adam, so the entire Holy Inquisition Tribunal team lacked intelligent leadership. Now the situation was completely different—the Holy Inquisition Tribunal had come to eliminate werewolves, so His Holiness Adam had sent his trusted aide bearing papal edicts to command the Tribunal. This trusted aide of His Holiness Adam was the reason for Bishop Doxia's presence.
This was equivalent to a chief eunuch arriving with imperial guards to a region, requiring even a provincial governor to personally receive them.
"Bishop Doxia, how dare we trouble you to come personally!" His Holiness Adam's trusted aide Wayne still knew how to behave properly, at least not using his position to immediately assert dominance over Bishop Doxia.
"His Holiness Adam's will should flow unimpeded throughout our Papal States. My Rino City has been fully secured. The remaining matters shall be coordinated by you, Mr. Wayne." Bishop Doxia's elderly face appeared kindly and amiable.
Actually, it was precisely this face that had enabled him to attain his current position.
Though this wasn't modern times, the current system similarly valued appearance. Someone like Bishop Rosen, who gave off sinister vibes at first glance, couldn't rise to high positions because it conflicted with The Church's holy and compassionate image, and didn't please the Pope either.
Hearing these words, His Excellency Wayne's face blossomed into a satisfied smile.