The headquarters chosen by the White Church in the city of Aldor was located within the slum district.
To secure enough space for their headquarters, they purchased an entire section of the area.
Naturally, some people who had built shabby houses there were compensated with a suitable amount of money to give up their land and move elsewhere.
Compared to other religious headquarters, the plot they acquired was extremely small.
For example, the church of the Light in Aldor easily occupied more than 3,000m², while the White Church's site was only about 150m². Thus, if one had to describe it, it was more like they bought a piece of land to build a slightly larger house rather than a true religious headquarters.
After the land was purchased, the old houses were quickly erased with magic.
Once the initial clearing was done, a special seed was planted right in the middle of the empty plot that very night.
And before the surrounding slum dwellers even realized it, a simple wooden house had been erected there. Everything was completed swiftly in a single night, while the people were still asleep after a long day of toil.
Of course, the members of the White Church did not simply use that miraculously built wooden house as their headquarters, given its simplicity.
The poor nearby often saw groups of muscular, rough-looking men dressed in the church's attire going in and out of the wooden house.
Their job was to carry materials and continue construction to make the wooden house more presentable as a headquarters. For instance, building platforms or long wooden benches was part of their work.
This renovation continued constantly, even during the days when charity work and food distribution were carried out.
However, today, though construction was still incomplete, a new directive was issued to them—the reluctant laborers of the White Church.
"Those I name will stay. The rest may return to rest." So declared a beautiful girl with white hair.
Normally, with such a beautiful girl before them, the thugs and criminals would have been unable to restrain themselves from attempting vile acts.
Yet now, dressed in the White Church's garb, they all bowed respectfully, obeyed orders, and did not even dare to look directly at her face.
They knew far too well what fate awaited anyone foolish enough to try something against these beautiful-faced demons.
In fact, one of the strongest among them had once dared to gaze at her with lustful eyes. Very soon after, one of his eyes was gouged out.
Had the demons not wanted to keep him alive for labor, it would not have stopped at just an eye—his life would have ended, or worse.
As the group departed one by one, whispers spread among them.
"What's going on? Those demons actually let us rest instead of working."
"Keep your voice down, unless you want to drag us all to death."
Another quickly warned in fear.
"But did you notice who was chosen to stay?"
"What about them?"
"I did. They're all the dirtiest hands from the gangs."
"The worst criminals? What are those girls planning to gather them for?"
"I'm sure it's not for hauling or building anymore."
"Maybe they'll use them for some filthy task instead?"
"If I were you, I wouldn't pry into things that aren't our business. We've been given rest—take it."
"Exactly. I'm exhausted after days of nonstop work. I just want to sleep."
And so, the group happily left. In contrast, those chosen to remain were filled with fear, anxiously awaiting what they would be ordered to do.
It felt like standing on sharp spikes—every passing second was torture.
"Your task is to clean the entire interior of this building. Your tools are over there." The beautiful white-haired girl instructed.
The group moved toward the indicated supplies.
Opening the lids of the containers of 'water' meant for cleaning, they froze in shock.
"We have to use this to clean the whole building?" One of them hesitantly asked for confirmation.
"Yes. You should begin. Anyone who dares to slack off will be punished accordingly."
Hearing this, though still full of doubts, they kept silent and began the work assigned.
* * * * * * * * * *
Near the end of the same morning, people on the streets witnessed a truly remarkable scene.
A large number of priests and fully armed holy knights, led by none other than Bishop Draven himself, marched together toward the slums where the White Church had established its headquarters.
Faced with their imposing presence, many onlookers shrank back in fear.
Yet quite a few curious believers followed at a cautious distance.
After all, the chance to witness such a grand spectacle firsthand was rare enough to become a topic of conversation, something to boast about later.
It did not take long for the Light Church contingent to reach their destination—the current headquarters of the White Church.
Upon arrival, they immediately surrounded and sealed off the building.
"To use such a shabby place for preaching? They aren't even afraid of disgracing their own god," one priest sneered at the sight of the building.
Though unspoken, many around nodded in agreement.
If not for the sign outside bearing the Sacred Emblem of the White God, no passerby would ever imagine such a place to be a holy religious headquarters.
Even members of the Light Church themselves felt ashamed on behalf of the White Church. The sight before them was, in their eyes, a disgrace to all clergy.
Draven commanded: "Issue the proclamation."
The man he addressed nodded and stepped forward, declaring loudly:
"Members of the White Church, hear this. We suspect you are involved in vile acts such as performing sacrificial rituals on innocent people, including children. Open your doors and cooperate with our investigation to prove your innocence."
Silence followed. The doors of the White Church headquarters did not open, nor did anyone inside respond.
Seeing this, the man continued:
"Open your doors and cooperate immediately. Otherwise, to protect the safety of the residents here, we will be left with no choice but to investigate by force. This is your final warning."
Still, no reply came. At that, he gestured to the holy knights waiting nearby.
At once, they advanced and began breaking down the door.
The headquarters' door was nothing more than ordinary wood, without even a trace of protective magic. It shattered instantly under a simple strike.
And just moments after the first group from the Light Church entered, the entire building instantly erupted into a sea of flames.