Chapter 65
The Corrupted Holy City
The royal carriage rolled to a gentle stop before the massive white gates of the Holy Capital. Tall marble walls rose high like a shining crown around the city, their smooth surfaces glowing softly under the bright afternoon sun as if the stones themselves carried a quiet blessing. Golden banners of the Church fluttered proudly from the towers, each one stitched with the sacred symbol of the Goddess of Light — a radiant sun rising over gentle hills.
Alex opened the carriage door and stepped down onto the smooth stone road. The air felt different here, warmer and sweeter, carrying the faint scent of incense and blooming white lilies drifting from hidden monastery gardens tucked between the cathedral streets.
"Hm. That's good," he said calmly, looking around the enormous city with quiet eyes that missed nothing. "First, rent a hotel. We will observe the city for a while before heading to the cathedral."
Max nodded at once, his strong hand resting naturally on the hilt of his sword like a loyal guardian who never truly relaxed. "Understood, Your Highness."
Leon jumped down from the carriage next, his small face bright with excitement as he gazed at the bustling streets. The Holy City felt alive in a special way — like a place where prayers and everyday life danced together beneath the open sky.
The streets were full of color and gentle noise. Merchants called out in cheerful voices from colorful stalls, offering fresh fruits piled high in woven baskets, sparkling jewelry that caught the sunlight like scattered diamonds, warm loaves of bread that smelled like home, soft cloths dyed in brilliant colors, and tiny magical trinkets that hummed faintly with quiet enchantment.
Children laughed as they ran between the crowds, their footsteps light and carefree, while soft music from wandering street musicians floated on the breeze like a joyful melody drifting through the marketplace.
But one thing stood out more than anything else.
Alchemy shops.
Rows and rows of them lined the main streets like proud guardians of knowledge and wealth. Their windows glowed with glass bottles filled with liquids of every beautiful color — deep red like rubies, bright blue like summer skies, soft green like forest leaves, and warm golden like sunrise itself. Shelves inside were stacked high with potions that shimmered and sparkled in the sunlight like bottled stars.
This was the true heart of the Holy City.
Alchemy.
Long ago, when the Church began losing its pure divine power, the wise scholars searched desperately for a new way to help the people and keep their influence strong. They eventually discovered that by mixing special herbs with even the smallest trace of holy magic, they could create potions that healed wounds and eased sickness.
The potions worked wonderfully.
Even when the old prayers grew weaker.
Soon the Church built a grand Alchemy Institution right in the heart of the Holy Capital. From that day forward, anyone in the empire who wished to become a true alchemist had to study there and receive the Church's sacred approval.
In other words, the Church had quietly created a complete and powerful monopoly.
Their potions were stronger than any others because they blended rare herbs with holy energy. Because of this advantage — and because no one else was allowed to produce them — the Church could demand extremely high prices.
Even the simplest healing balm cost more than many families earned in an entire month.
Alex walked quietly through the lively marketplace, his cloak swaying gently behind him like a shadow following its master. He eventually stopped in front of one of the larger alchemy shops.
Rows of glowing bottles glittered behind the wooden counter like captured fragments of rainbow light.
He reached out and picked up a small red bottle, turning it slowly between his fingers.
"Hm."
The shopkeeper, an older man with a round face and sharp eyes, looked at him lazily at first.
But the moment he noticed Alex's fine noble clothing and the quiet authority in the boy's gaze, his entire expression changed instantly.
His eyes lit up with greedy excitement.
He rubbed his hands together with a wide, overly friendly smile.
"Young master! What an excellent choice!" the man said enthusiastically, his voice dripping with exaggerated sweetness. "This is an E-rank healing potion. It can close wounds and restore the body almost back to its original strength in moments."
Alex glanced at the bottle again, his golden eyes calm and unreadable.
"And the price?" he asked softly.
"Oh, nothing much at all!" the shopkeeper replied quickly, leaning closer with eager anticipation. "Just thirty gold coins."
Alex's eyebrow twitched slightly.
Thirty gold coins.
For a simple E-rank potion that barely did anything special.
Huh…
Thirty gold coins for something so weak.
I can get a much stronger B-rank potion from the system for only five thousand coins.
At that moment, a familiar cheerful voice sounded inside his mind.
System:
"Well, the system is almighty, Host. You should thank me more often."
Alex sighed quietly, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Well… thank you, system," he replied in a completely sarcastic tone.
The system stayed proudly silent, as if it had just won a small argument.
Alex placed the potion back onto the shelf with gentle care.
"Well," he said calmly while turning around, "let's go back, Max."
Max frowned slightly, his loyal eyes filled with concern.
"Is something wrong, Your Highness?"
Alex looked around the busy marketplace one last time.
The laughter of children, the shouting of merchants, and the sparkle of colorful potions blended together like a bright painting full of life.
But beneath those shining colors…
He could feel something darker.
The quiet weight of greed hiding beneath the city's holy image.
"This city is already deeply corrupted," he said quietly, his voice soft yet firm.
"If I want to save this world… I will have to clean this city first."
His golden eyes narrowed slightly, shining with calm determination.
"And eventually… take control of the Church."
Max blinked but said nothing.
He simply nodded once, his hand tightening slightly around the hilt of his sword.
He trusted Alex completely.
Alex turned his gaze toward the distant cathedral.
Its enormous white towers pierced the sky like divine spears reaching toward the heavens. Golden sunlight reflected off the stained-glass windows, painting the streets below in soft rainbow colors.
"Well then," he said softly, almost to himself.
"It's time to meet the Goddess."
---
The group soon arrived at the Grand Cathedral of the Holy City.
The building stood like a mountain of pure white marble, so tall and grand that it seemed to brush against the drifting clouds themselves. Its towering spires rose proudly toward the heavens, shining softly in the afternoon light as if blessed by the gods of old. Massive doors carved with ancient divine symbols stood open like welcoming arms, their surfaces etched with stories of saints, miracles, and sacred battles fought long ago.
Tall stained-glass windows arched high above the cathedral walls, their vibrant colors glowing like jewels in the sunlight. Rays of golden light streamed through them, painting the marble floors below in beautiful patterns of red, blue, and gold that shifted slowly like living paintings.
Inside, the air felt cool and peaceful, almost sacred. The quiet sound of gentle chanting echoed softly through the massive halls, carried by the vaulted ceilings far above. The sweet and calming scent of burning incense drifted through the air like invisible ribbons of prayer rising toward the sky.
Alex approached one of the priests standing near the entrance.
The man wore long white robes trimmed with fine gold thread, and a gentle, practiced smile rested on his face. A small silver pendant shaped like the sacred sun of the Goddess of Light hung around his neck, glinting softly under the colored light of the stained glass.
"Hello," Alex said politely. "I would like to pray to the Goddess. May I have a private prayer room?"
The priest studied him calmly for a brief moment, his eyes quickly scanning Alex's noble clothing and quiet noble presence. Then he answered with a polite nod.
"Yes, of course. You may use a private prayer chamber."
Then he added with the same gentle smile, his voice smooth and careful.
"But it will cost one hundred gold coins."
Max nearly exploded on the spot.
"One hundred gold coins for a single prayer?!" he shouted, his voice echoing slightly through the grand cathedral hall like a sudden thunderclap.
Several nearby priests turned their heads in surprise.
But Alex quickly raised his hand.
"Max."
Max stopped immediately, though his face still showed clear anger. His jaw tightened slightly, and his hand clenched into a fist at his side.
Alex sighed quietly and pulled a small pouch from inside his coat.
"Give him the one hundred coins."
Max reluctantly handed the heavy pouch to the priest.
The priest accepted it calmly and counted the gold quickly with practiced fingers. His gentle smile never faded for even a moment.
Once finished, he gave a small satisfied nod.
"Follow me."
They walked through long, silent corridors hidden deeper within the cathedral.
The marble floors gleamed like polished mirrors beneath their feet. The tall walls were decorated with beautiful paintings of past saints performing miracles—healing the sick, blessing the poor, and standing bravely against monsters born from darkness.
Rows of glowing candles lined the halls, their flames burning steadily as if protected by unseen magic. None of them seemed to flicker or melt away.
Soft chanting from distant prayer halls floated through the air like a peaceful lullaby, wrapping the entire cathedral in a quiet, holy atmosphere.
Finally, the priest stopped before a small wooden door hidden deep within the inner sanctuary.
"You may pray here," he said, opening the door with a soft creak.
Then he stepped aside and left without another word.
The door closed quietly behind Alex.
The small chamber fell into silence.
The room itself was simple but peaceful. Soft candlelight flickered along the stone walls, casting gentle shadows that danced slowly like quiet spirits watching over the prayer.
At the center of the chamber stood a beautiful statue of the Goddess of Light.
It had been carved from pure white stone so smooth that it almost seemed alive. A faint golden glow surrounded the statue, as if the divine presence it represented still lingered within the marble.
The Goddess's expression looked both kind and powerful. Her long flowing robes cascaded like frozen waves of light, and her raised hands were lifted in a blessing that seemed to radiate warmth and protection.
Alex stared at the statue for a long moment.
Then he sighed softly.
"Huh…"
He rubbed the back of his neck casually.
Then he spoke into the empty room as if greeting someone he already knew.
"Would you come out yourself…"
"…or do I need to call you?"
For a moment, nothing happened.
The candles flickered gently.
The statue remained perfectly still.
The quiet room felt frozen in time.
Then suddenly—
BOOM!
A brilliant burst of golden light erupted from the statue, exploding outward like the blazing heart of the sun itself.
Warm, divine power flooded the chamber.
The world around Alex melted away in an instant.
The cathedral walls vanished.
The stone floor disappeared.
Even the distant chanting faded into silence.
Everything dissolved into pure white light.
When Alex opened his eyes again, he found himself standing inside an endless white space that stretched forever in every direction.
There were no walls.
No ceiling.
No horizon.
The ground beneath his boots felt soft and warm, like walking upon clouds made of sunlight itself.
A voice echoed across the empty world.
Clear.
Powerful.
And strangely familiar.
"You stupid child."
The voice carried the regal authority of a goddess… yet also held a hint of playful annoyance, like an older sister scolding a younger brother who had once again caused trouble.
---
End of Chapter 64