Chapter 197: The Spirit Realm (1)
For a brief moment, the suspicion crossed her mind, but Karin shook her head firmly. Dragons were beings of immense power. Each one was like a natural disaster—so formidable that even she, a Hero, could not guarantee victory in a direct confrontation. Dragons were not like bears to be hunted for their hearts. She could not imagine Ketal treating them as prey, pursuing their hearts as mere trophies.
No, surely not. He wouldn’t do that. Surely, Karin thought. She forced herself to believe this, pushing away the odd premonition as she changed the subject. “Then, let’s begin preparations. Everything should be ready by tomorrow. Please wait just a little while. Arkemis, I’ll need your assistance.”
“Alright,” Arkemis replied.
“Thank you. Really, thank you so much,” Ketal replied with a broad, beaming smile. Anticipation radiated from his face, as if a long-cherished dream were finally about to come true.
***
Around the same time—while Ketal was waiting, practically buzzing with excitement at the prospect of entering the Spirit Realm—a group of worshippers from Ferderica church were arriving at the coastal city where Ketal had previously set foot.
“So this is the place. This is where the barbarian arrived,” Riltara muttered.
Having failed to uncover any leads at the holy land of Kalosia, the followers of Ferderica had scraped together what little intelligence they could find, eventually tracking Ketal’s trail to this port town. The journey had been a grueling one. Their clothes were caked in dust and sweat; their faces were smeared with grime. They looked every bit like weary travelers, far removed from their dignified reputations as an Inquisitor and holy knights.
“Let’s proceed,” Riltara ordered.
At the command of Inquisitor Riltara,[1] the holy knights gave a silent nod and followed her lead into the city. They formally presented themselves to the lord, requesting an audience. The city’s lord greeted Riltara with a polite—if tense—welcome, cold sweat beading on his brow.
W-why is an Inquisitor of the Federica Church here? In all my years, I’ve never seen one this far from their homeland! Lord Bulkan wondered
His anxiety surpassed even what he had felt when faced with Ketal’s group. That was only natural. The Church of Ferderica was despised throughout the land, not because of old scandals like the Church of Kalosia, but for their ongoing brutality. Many estates and lands had been ravaged under the Ferderica banner. The devastation was recent and all too real, so fear came instinctively.