Is it interesting?
Does it amuse you?
Lying lifeless by the door, the Giant Gale War Saint’s innermost heart cried out a protest, wanting to weep but finding no tears.
But that was all he could do.
The Giant Gale War Saint, whose name was Gale, dared not speak, fearing he might anger this true deity. He racked his brains, trying to remember why he, an ordinary War Saint, had attracted a god’s attention.
Perhaps in the minds of others, they believed Andrew Han was a War God.
But Gale, well-traveled and knowledgeable, had set foot in nearly half of War-Armor Continent, seen much, learned much, and understood far better how terrifying Andrew Han truly was.
Andrew Han was absolutely not a War God!
He was a terrifying existence above the War God—likely equivalent to the true deities worshipped and believed in by the Ten Great Churches!
"I heard everything just now."
"This young man... no, this deity came to question me." Gale gazed weakly at the bright sky, thinking to himself, "Though I’m usually a bit arrogant, I always stick to the principle of bullying the weak and fearing the strong, never provoking true powerhouses."
What’s wrong with bullying the weak and fearing the strong? On the contrary, it helps one live longer—this is Gale’s way of handling things.
Turn big problems into small ones, and small problems into nothing—judging the situation is the true path.
That’s why, as a regular War Saint, Gale could travel across War-Armor Continent unharmed… In the eyes of ordinary people, a War Saint could fight a nation alone and roam freely across the continent. Gale did not agree with this view.
He was just a regular War Saint.
Above him were the peak War Saints—the true top-tier powerhouses! But even so, what did it matter? The Ten Great Churches stood above all beings, wielding irresistible power!
No matter how strong a War Saint was, it meant nothing.
A God’s War King, baptized by the church, could easily defeat—or even kill—a peak War Saint.
In short—the Ten Great Churches, who worship true deities, rule over the fate of all beings and govern War-Armor Continent. Only the churches can resist the Nightfall Monsters!
Without the churches, the world would have long since been destroyed.
Without the protection of the deities, the Nightfall Monsters would run rampant, slaughtering and ultimately bringing endless catastrophic death.
The Ten Great Churches are worthy of worship, worthy of trust.
So.
Faced with a true deity... Gale’s soul trembled. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Andrew Han sitting down to eat, and also saw that little girl Raindrop cheerfully bite off half a Lamb-Bird egg, exclaiming how sweet and delicious it was, insisting on sharing half with Andrew.
"Madness, this world has gone mad."
Gale’s mood collapsed; nervous and uneasy, he waited for the deity’s verdict.
In the courtyard at dawn, the light was bright, a gentle breeze drifted through, and a pleasant atmosphere filled the air.
Chirp, chirp.
Two or three one-eyed birds circled overhead.
Gulp, gulp. Raindrop ate her food with satisfaction, taking tiny bites and cherishing every morsel. Andrew Han sat beside her, calmly watching.
"What a vivid illusion."
Andrew Han sighed inwardly, watching Raindrop’s ponytail swaying from side to side.
Breakfast continued in the courtyard.
Outside the courtyard, the small town was shrouded in an indescribable, eerie silence.
Some sharp-eyed townsfolk recognized Andrew Han; awe took over, and no one dared approach. They quietly shared the earth-shattering news with others.
As the rumors spread.
The town grew even quieter.
Everyone exchanged nervous glances, not daring to speak loudly... The children who were playing and chasing each other were all brought home by their elders... Those who had planned to go out and sell food and water stayed home instead.
"What’s going on? What’s really happening?"
"Shh, keep your voice down. Yesterday, Hidd mistook him for a young amnesiac noble, but he’s probably a powerhouse far above a War Saint."
"What? That lord?"
Such a situation was already beyond the townsfolk’s imagination.
This was just an ordinary town in Tutz Principality. Even kings and princes would show utmost respect to a War Saint, let alone someone stronger than a War Saint.
After awe came a sense of regret and unwillingness.
If only they’d known sooner—they would have imitated Hidd.
But there’s no such thing as ‘if only.’ The townsfolk all turned to look at Hidd’s house, where Fireblaze Beasts had gathered at the door, making not a sound.
Even—
Those warriors and War Kings who usually rode Fireblaze Beasts stood solemnly by the door, their cautious expressions leaving the townsfolk dumbstruck, as if trapped in a dream.
Even the Second Prince jumped out of his carriage and stood by the door.
"Gale War Saint was too impulsive."
The Second Prince shook his head, holding a snow-white crown smeared with dirt. His fearful expression was impossible to hide.
He shook it twice.
The crown was a bit cleaner.
The Second Prince did not put on the crown, but held it in his left hand, gazing at the battered wooden door before him.
"Are you sure this is the place?"
"Reporting to the prince, I’m certain—I saw it clearly just now. But, Gale War Saint should be fine... right?"
"Wait. Stay quiet. We’ll wait patiently."
At dawn in the town, the Second Prince and the crowd lined up in two or three rows, waiting quietly by the door.
......
Inside the courtyard, breakfast was over.
The Giant Gale War Saint stood up, his expression tense as he looked at Andrew Han.
"Wuu, wuu."
Raindrop finished the last bit of lamb-bird egg, hugged Andrew Han’s leg, and glanced up at Gale.
"Gale, right? I have some questions for you." Andrew Han patted Raindrop’s head and asked directly, "What are Nightfall Monsters? What powers do the Ten Great Churches have? Describe them clearly."
"Yes."
Gale hurried to answer.
He thought for a moment, then said with difficulty, "Although I’m a War Saint, I’ve never actually encountered Nightfall Monsters. Every time Disaster Day arrives, the Ten Great Churches announce in advance where Nightfall will descend. War Saints and great nobles always know, but ordinary people aren’t qualified to learn. For someone like me—a regular War Saint—I usually avoid Nightfall Monsters altogether."
"The Ten Great Churches protect the vast majority of people."
"Kindness, mercy, tolerance—the churches’ radiance covers all beings. Wherever Nightfall descends, the churches do their best to save lives."
Gale answered meticulously, even at the cost of his own dignity.
"Oh?" Andrew Han frowned. "The churches can predict where Nightfall Monsters will descend, and have enough time to notify you all?"
Gale replied repeatedly, "Yes, yes. They notify us three months in advance. The Ten Great Churches say it’s a prophecy from the gods."
Andrew Han sat down, understanding: as long as he found a church, he could uncover the truth about the Nightfall Monsters, or head to the nearest place where they would descend.
He looked at Gale, "Why don’t you join a church?"
"I can’t join."
Gale’s face turned bitter.
"The entrance exam is very difficult." He recalled and added, "Besides strength, the churches have strict requirements for character. Anyone who joins must cut off all outside ties and cultivate in seclusion within the church. When Nightfall comes, these people leave the church and travel across the continent."
Andrew Han continued to ask, and Gale continued to answer.
Having personally experienced Andrew Han’s terrifying power, Gale dared not hide a single detail and answered everything thoroughly.
So it really was just a question!
Just for a few questions, was it really necessary to make such a grand display of divine power...? Deep inside, Gale felt as if ten thousand Fireblaze Beasts were thundering past.
Beside them—
As the father of the little girl, and owner of the house, Hidd—dressed in simple battle armor—watched Andrew Han and the Giant Gale War Saint’s exchange, feeling as if his head might explode.
"So this is the Giant Gale War Saint..."
"It really is the Giant Gale War Saint..."
Hidd’s expression kept shifting, unsure what to feel.
He’d thought Andrew Han was a wandering, amnesiac noble, but Andrew’s true identity was even more shocking than any noble’s son he could imagine.
Suddenly, Hidd’s face changed slightly: "In the time it took Raindrop to eat a lamb-bird egg, Andrew Han had already captured a real War Saint... Wait! Raindrop’s disrespectful behavior!"
Such disrespect!
Such a grave offense!
If Andrew Han got angry, the whole town might be wiped out!
A chill ran down his spine. Hidd turned to look at his daughter Raindrop, who was wandering around Andrew Han, occasionally flicking her ponytail, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Wuu, wuu." The little girl leaned against Andrew Han’s leg, rubbing against him, generating warmth. She squinted contentedly, looking like a little white kitten.
Hidd: "..."