Chapter 53: Church Of Destiny ( Bonus Chapter )

The cold wind of the valley danced through the rustling of withered grass. The sky, gray and heavy, cast a deadly shadow over the scene.

In the middle of the valley, a girl around seventeen or eighteen lay on the ground with her hands bound. Dirt had stained her knees, and a few fresh drops of blood dripped from the corner of her lips.

Her dark brown hair was tangled, and her cheeks were thin and sunburned. But even in that miserable state, her eyes—fiery amber eyes—burned with rage.

Surrounding her, knights in white and gold armor stood in a tight circle. Swords drawn, eyes merciless. Right in front of her stood a middle-aged man in a long white robe with golden embroidery on the edges. His gray eyes glinted like cold steel.

"How... how the hell did you bastards find me?!"Eva’s scream echoed through the silence of the valley.

"It wasn’t easy, girl. But thankfully, the Great Cardinal and the Council approved the use of the Mirror of Fate to find you." A faint smile tugged at the bishop’s lips.

The Mirror of Fate—one of the holiest relics of the Church of Destiny. It could see endless possibilities. Nothing was hidden from it.

"Where is the book?" Orlin’s voice slid across the skin like a blade.

"Even if I die right here, I won’t tell you." Eva clenched her teeth.

"Don’t be stupid, girl. Give us the book. Maybe... we’ll let you live." Orlin let out a rough laugh.

"You slaughtered my family for that fucking thing! You think I’m stupid enough to believe your lies? You filthy scum! Holy traitors!" Eva’s eyes narrowed.

A loud slap tore through the cold air of the valley.

Eva was thrown to the side, the taste of blood filling her mouth.

"Now listen carefully. If you don’t give us the book, those stupid villagers who’ve been clinging to you like parasites all these years—one by one, they’ll be butchered. Their blood will soak the earth of this valley." Orlin said.

Eva’s face suddenly turned pale. Those villagers meant everything to her. They had saved her from death and raised her as their own over the years.

But the book... she knew if it fell into the hands of the Church, millions of innocent people would suffer. Her family had died to keep it hidden.

"No..." her lips trembled.

"Just like that stubborn father of yours. We have no choice. We’ll take you to the Church. I’m sure the Judge will make you talk." Orlin furrowed his brows.

"Take her." He motioned to the knights.

Without delay, the knights stepped forward, grabbed Eva’s arms, and dragged her toward Orlin.

"Oh right, about the villagers. The orcs attac kwas our doing. By now, the villagers should all be slaughtered," the bishop suddenly said.

"What?" Eva’s eyes lost all life, and tears began to stream down her cheeks.

It was her fault. All those innocent people were dead because of her.

From within his robe, the bishop pulled out a scroll. The magic within it pulsed, and a glowing circle of light opened in the air—a teleportation portal.

Everything was set to take Eva away... until—

"Kidnapping in broad daylight? Seriously?"

A calm, sarcastic voice broke through the air.

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice.

At the edge of the valley, standing on a tall rock, was a boy around eighteen or nineteen. Tall, fit, with white hair blowing in the wind. His eyes watched the scene below with a sharp, indifferent gaze.

Beside him sat a tiger-like beast, the size of a warhorse, with purple fur and blue-black stripes. It sat silently, like a statue.

"Who are you?" Orlin scowled.

"Just someone passing through." Daniel shrugged.

"You should’ve kept walking." Orlin said coldly. This was a barren zone—he was sure no one would just happen to be passing by. Was this idiot trying to play him?

"But, you know, my kind heart just won’t let me look away when someone’s in danger." Daniel placed a hand dramatically on his chest.

"Then your kind heart’s gonna get you killed today." The bishop’s voice was icy.

"End him. No witnesses." He nodded to one of the knights.

This mission was highly sensitive. They couldn’t let any witnesses survive.

"Sorry, kid. But you’ve only got yourself to blame." The knight stepped forward, lifting a massive sword with one hand. His voice echoed in the silence.

"Alright. But hey, don’t blame me. Blame the middle-aged guy who gave the order." Daniel laughed.

The knight didn’t care. He raised the heavy sword high, ready to cut Daniel in half—but just then, Daniel caught the blade with his bare hand.

The sound of shattering metal rang through the air.

The knight’s eyes widened in shock. Before he could react, Daniel drove the same sword straight through his chest in a flash.

Blood splattered across the ground.

The valley fell into a deathly silence.

The knight collapsed, lifeless.

The bishop and the remaining knights stared at Daniel in shock—and with a hint of fear. Killing a knight that easily? Who the hell was this bastard?

"Who are you? What do you want?" Orlin furrowed his brows.

"That girl." Daniel pointed his thumb at Eva.

"...Who are you?" Eva’s eyes widened in disbelief. She didn’t know this boy—why would he want to save her?

"Why do you want her?" The bishop stared coldly at Daniel.

"You know, humans are arrogant creatures. But when someone’s willing to throw away their pride to protect someone else, I respect that. I can’t ignore it." Daniel gave a faint smile.

"That’s stupid. I’m tired of this nonsense. How much do you want to walk away?" Orlin scoffed.

In his mind, he suspected this boy had been hired by his enemies in the Church to steal Eva. Such an act could destroy his reputation and cost him his position.

"Are you an idiot? I said give me the girl. Either you do it yourself... or I’ll take her by force." Daniel raised an eyebrow.

"Do you even know who I am? I’m a bishop of the Church of Destiny! You’d better leave, or they won’t even find your corpse." Orlin’s eyes narrowed.

"Church of Destiny? What is that?" Daniel looked genuinely confused.

"You don’t know? Don’t tell me—you’re an Otherworldly Climber?" Orlin raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. That obvious?" Daniel smirked.

"Now everything makes sense. That’s why you’re so ignorant. You don’t know who you’re dealing with. The Church of Destiny is the backbone of this continent. We write the fate of the world. Kings, emperors, even heroes kneel before us. Even your breath is at our mercy." Orlin laughed.

Daniel narrowed his eyes. His mind turned. From the way it sounded, it was a terrifying power—but when it came out of this bishop’s mouth, it just sounded ridiculous.

Fighting against such a force... definitely sounded like a bad idea. But he’d made a promise—and a man doesn’t go back on his word.

"Well then, if you die here, you think that power behind you will even notice?" Daniel asked seriously.

"You know who you’re up against, and you’re still this arrogant?" the bishop growled.

Daniel calmly shook his head with a cold smile.

"You are to arrogant for your own sake and that’s not good for you" Orlin gave a chilling grin.

"I’m only arrogant in front of bastards like you who are weaker than me. When I face someone stronger? I stay neutral. As long as they don’t mess with me, I don’t mess with them." Daniel burst out laughing.