Chapter 46

At noon, outside the city of Holier.

Francis had indeed dispatched a considerable number of cavalry to make a final "struggle" outside the city, but for this largest central city in the Aiveta territory, unless the number of troops exceeded a thousand, it was difficult to intercept and inspect all those entering the city from the outskirts—daring to block the city gates was out of the question, as Francis lacked the courage and authority.

Thus, Rody easily led Sally around a few patrol cavalry units and strolled into this city, which he had long believed to be destroyed.

The scenes of the city's fall and the raging fires seemed vividly etched in his mind, but the peaceful sight before him contrasted sharply with his memories. He gazed up at the more than ten-meter-high city walls, feeling a sense of nostalgia.

Sally thought this was his surprise at seeing the grand city for the first time, but little did she know that at this moment, he was pondering the players' discussions about the city's defense facilities, recalling those contents and comparing them with what he saw, thinking that if he were in charge of the defense, it would be much more efficient.

Walking through this city, which was once a significant player area, Rody's understanding of it was far deeper than Sally imagined. As the capital of the Aiveta territory, this city was the political and economic center of the northwest of the empire, with the largest auction house, the most blacksmith shops, and the most precious materials—everything one could think of. However, for Rody at this moment, coming to Holier City was not entirely appropriate.

According to the level distribution, border villages like Nolan, Wick, and Finks were the activity areas for players from level 1 to 5. After that, players would receive a series of quests guiding them to areas like Kig Town, where they would level up from 5 to 10. Upon reaching level 10, they would change their professions and, based on their mentors' advice, head to fortresses and cities. Among these, the Condon Fortress was a task area for players from level 10 to 15, while the highest-level city, Holier City, had most of its quests available only to players level 20 and above.

In other words, Rody would find it difficult to gain much in Holier City, although some low-level quests were available, they were of little help to him.

Unconsciously, they entered the city, and this winding journey was nearing its end. Although it was said that all good things must come to an end, Rody thought that this great escape could hardly be called a "feast." He finally stopped, turned around, and softly said, as he usually did to Sally, "The disguise can be washed off with hot water, and the hair color needs more soaking. Actually... I think I've done all I can."

He wanted to say something fitting the occasion, but in the end, Rody didn't say anything else. He scratched his head, and for some reason, he couldn't quite meet Sally's eyes.

"Um... I understand. And... you said you would meet me one last time before you leave?"

Sally tried to control her emotions. Her lips trembled slightly, but her words seemed normal.

Rody nodded, just nodded, without mentioning the time or place.

Before Sally could say anything else, he took a step back, smiled at the girl who had traveled so far from home for the first time, and whispered, "I've fulfilled my duty. Francis didn't take your life, and now... it's up to you."

Sally wanted to say something in response, but at that moment, someone accidentally bumped into her shoulder. The frail girl stumbled, and when she looked up again, Rody was nowhere to be seen.

A sense of loss filled her heart. Sally looked around helplessly, trying to find the figure that brought her security, but in the end, she saw the pure white roof not far away.

That was the "Rose Cross" convent, the largest religious institution in Holier City.

Sally took a deep breath, recalling the hardships and dangers they had faced on their journey, and the inevitable death of Old Gerson and others. Her face gradually turned grim.

Her fingers tightened, and the rational and confident Sally seemed to reappear at that moment.

She gently removed her hood and walked straight toward the "Rose Cross" convent. She stopped in front of the tall, white cathedral, washed off the disguise on her face with the clear water from the wishing pool, and then, under the surprised gaze of the guards, walked into the rear hall, which was accessible only to the convent's clergy.

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Rody, walking down another street, felt a bit melancholic, but this feeling was similar to the sadness he felt when parting with his drill instructor after more than ten days of military training as a child. He was sad, but not overly attached.

The saying "destined to be alone for life" was sometimes not just a joke. Rody's "rational" side was so strong that the original emotional side in his mind was almost completely suppressed within five to six minutes after Sally left.

Reflecting on the initial plan, Rody felt he had achieved the basic goal of "saving Sally." Although the journey had been perilous, the rewards were substantial.

As a player for so many years, he understood the most profound point: "relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself." He didn't place all his hopes on Sally. Enhancing his status and power was the "right path" Rody adhered to.

To put it bluntly... if he had the title of Duke or the position of Grand Bishop of the "Rose Cross" Cathedral, would he need to take such risks as he had in the past few days?

Of course, it was easy to say, but to gain any power, one had to work hard. Rody knew that to have a say in this land, he first needed to level up—leveling up was a must; second, he needed equipment to increase his chances of survival in this chaotic world; and third, he needed to plan his career. Should he choose the military path, the noble path, the wanderer path, or the church path?

"Rift" was not a game where one could dominate with just a high level and top-tier equipment. Every player who wanted to become powerful had to understand what forces they needed to rely on.

Rody had once served in the military system of Luciferon and later, as a life player, earned a living by tanning and bow-making for a viscount in Holier City. After becoming a PVP ranger, he wandered the world alone for a long time, and upon returning to his homeland, he joined the "Rebellion Army" and fought until the end.

He had many titles, such as "Legion Captain," "Lone Walker," "Master Tanner," "Master Bowmaker," and the highest being "Shadow Hunter," which gave him three active skills, two passive skills, and a 15% increase in agility and strength.

A player could "activate" three titles at a time, using their effects to assist in various situations, with a 24-hour cooldown for changing titles.

Rody clearly understood the significant impact different career paths and "titles" had on a player. For example, the safest way for him would have been to continue serving in the Luciferon scout unit, gradually climbing the ranks through merit. When he reached the "Major" title, the benefits would allow him to command a "cavalry squad," a skill that would be highly attractive to a ranger in certain situations.

However, these thoughts were not very realistic now. Titles were something to consider after level 10, and Rody's most urgent needs were levels and equipment. So, he immediately went to a leather shop in Holier City, sold several blue-headed Chimera scales, and received a generous reward of 3 gold coins and 24 silver coins.

This was a windfall, as at this stage, Rody wouldn't need a gold coin to buy a set of green equipment. However, he quickly spent two of the gold coins.

These two gold coins were used to purchase many materials and tools—high-quality enchanted cotton thread, mithril ingots, a set of tanning tools, various types of wood, and colorful potions.

Rody intended to make a full set of armor, and the number of Chimera scales required was enormous. He knew that if he entrusted these precious materials to unreliable tanners, not only might they be embezzled, but if the news leaked, he would become the focus of the city. Therefore, he had to complete these steps independently.

Fortunately, Rody, who had once been a tanner, was not troubled. His former title was "Master Tanner," and he was naturally adept at this kind of work.

This was another advantage for Rody. Although his secondary profession was not activated, his memory allowed him to retain most of the skills of his former ranger.

After finding a secluded inn, Rody gave the owner 15 silver coins, locked himself in the room, and quietly began making his leather armor.

Once he immersed himself in this work, Rody felt as if he had returned to the days when he had to perform tedious and monotonous labor to make a living. For 15 consecutive days, Rody hardly left the room, even eating his three meals a day inside. During this time, he sent a letter to Nolan Village, informing his comrades of his safety, but the letter contained no extra information, not even the date of his return.

During these 15 days, a few significant events occurred in Holier City.

The first event happened the day after Rody entered the inn and secluded himself.

The guards of the "Rose Cross Cathedral" suddenly mobilized over a hundred temple guards, armed with blessed swords, and stood along the main road of Holier City, creating a direct path to the city square. The subsequent appearance of a person caused all the nobles and commoners in the city to come out, showing no sign of negligence.

Bishop Benjamin walked out of the cathedral and personally came to the city square, delivering his second passionate speech of the year.

His reputation in the northwest of the kingdom was so high that the ground he walked on was kissed by believers. No one expected that the bishop, who was supposed to deliver his sermon in the fall, would do so early and, at the end of his speech, personally announce that the daughter of Duke Angmar—Sally Luciferon—had been chosen as the new "Candidate Priest" of the "Rose Cross" sect in Holier City.

This was explosive news for the nobles and commoners of Holier City, as the cathedral had always chosen "nuns" or "monks," i.e., young people with a talent for holy magic. Sally's entry into the sect was almost certain, but no one expected it to be so high-profile.

A "Priest" is the next level above a "monk," and in a sense, this level marks the beginning of a formal clergy position. The leap from a "monk" to a "Priest" is extremely difficult, even one in a hundred. Many people spend their entire lives serving loyally in the cathedral without advancing further. However, the bishop's sudden announcement that Sally had become a "Candidate Priest" meant that her future position in the "Rose Cross" would be unprecedented.

With the protection of the "Rose Cross" Cathedral, Sally's status in the Luciferon family instantly equaled that of her "Elementalist" brother, and in some ways, even surpassed it. The resulting deterrent would be a significant bargaining chip in future negotiations.

With this, Sally also gained the right to enter the cathedral system for study and advancement.

This was the first event. The second event was the entry of Count Francis into the city.

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