"…"
Looking at the girl squatting down while hugging her head, Fangzheng was momentarily at a loss for words. After some thought, he finally sighed helplessly and reached out his hand. After all, he couldn't just watch her squat on the ground.
"Are you okay?"
"Ah …"
Hearing Fangzheng's voice, the girl trembled again. Then, she carefully looked at Fangzheng's outstretched hand. After hesitating for a moment, she trembled and reached out to hold his hand. Then, Fangzheng pulled her to her feet.
"Fei-Sorry, I made a fool of myself in front of you …"
"No, it's nothing …"
"T-Then … please wait a moment …"
After taking a deep breath, the girl put on her hood again, which seemed to make her relax a lot. Then, she went to the bookshelf again and took out a thick book and spread it open on the table. She picked up a quill and drew something in front of the crystal ball. Then, Fangzheng saw a mysterious azure energy emerging from the crystal ball. Then, under the guidance of the quill in her hand, the energy fell into the book. Then, a strange and mysterious symbol appeared on the blank page. Its shape was in the shape of a cross-shaped star with a circle on the periphery. On top of the circle, there was a circle of strange words that looked like oracle bone inscriptions. However, Fangzheng couldn't understand what was written on it. From his memory, he knew that this was the so-called 'language of the stars' in this world. Rumor had it that when the Goddess of Order created this world, in order to stabilize it, she gave each star a special meaning. But this language, other than the gods, no one could understand it.
"Land of Desolation … Star of Reappearance …"
The girl whispered to herself. Even Fangzheng couldn't understand what she was saying. But soon, the girl closed the book in her hand. Then, she took out a silver badge from the drawer and placed it in front of her. Once again, she lifted the quill and tapped on the crystal ball. Soon, the same energy was drawn out and absorbed into the silver badge. Then, the crystal ball in front of the girl dimmed again.
"Alright, mister, please keep this badge. It has already absorbed your Star Mark."
Unsure if it was because her true face was exposed, this time, the girl's voice was no longer as low as before. Instead, it was very pleasing to the ear. However, Fangzheng understood why she deliberately pretended to be like that. In fact, this girl's original voice didn't have any deterrence at all. No matter how he listened to it, it sounded like a soft pleading.
Although such a voice coupled with the girl's cute appearance made her seem like the best candidate to act cute, as a government worker, her appearance was obviously not enough to hold the fort.
"Thank you."
As Fangzheng spoke, he took the badge and closed his eyes, injecting his power into it. Soon, a pitch-black starry sky appeared before his eyes. There were a large number of twinkling stars, and the star in the center was the most dazzling one.
This is my Star of Destiny. But …
Fangzheng compared it to the star pattern that belonged to Williams in his memory and nodded in satisfaction. Although he wasn't an astrologer and couldn't understand star maps, Fangzheng was still able to compare the differences between two star maps. It was apparent that these two stars were in completely different positions. At least in Fangzheng's opinion, they didn't have anything in common.
Alright then, I can continue.
Thinking until here, Fangzheng smiled and put away the badge. Then, he looked at the girl again.
"Miss, I have a small request."
"What request?"
Hearing Fangzheng's inquiry, the girl tilted her head curiously. Then, as though realizing something, she hurriedly waved her hand.
"T-That, Teacher said that I can't just go out and eat with strange men …"
"…"
Although Fangzheng wanted to tell this girl that she was thinking too much, on second thought, if it weren't for the fact that he didn't have such troublesome matters to deal with, perhaps he would have invited her out for a meal or something … But forget it, I'll leave this matter for another time.
"It's like this …"
Fangzheng coughed and threw these strange thoughts to the back of his head.
"I would like to make a trip to the temple. I hope that you can write a letter for me."
"Temple? Letter? "
Hearing Fangzheng's words, the girl was taken aback for a moment. Then, she reacted.
"Sir, are you intending to join the temple?"
"Yes."
Hearing until here, Fangzheng finally let out a sigh of relief. Although this young lady seemed muddle-headed, at least she was still a normal person. Ordinary people certainly didn't need a letter to enter the temple to pray, and Fangzheng naturally wasn't going to the temple to pray to the Goddess of Order for forgiveness or to visit the scenic spots. And that was the literal meaning, he wanted to join the Temple.
Of course, any strict religious organization would have their own set of strict procedures for accepting people. A country like the Nation of the Holy Church would naturally not be an exception. For an outsider like Fangzheng to join the temple, the first thing he would have to do was to apply to become an apprentice guardian knight.
But, don't think that this was a good title. Although the title of a knight was indeed a very high and mighty title, apprentice guardian knights were no different from the intellectuals of Fangzheng's previous world. They were required to carry the sacred mission of going to the most difficult and poorest places to protect the people and fight against evil. At the same time, they would have to face all kinds of enemies. There were natives like gnolls and goblins. There were also bandits and robbers that ran amok. Not to mention, there were also cultists, undead and all kinds of Chaos monsters.
Of course, dangers were also opportunities. If those apprentice guardian knights were able to return alive and successfully complete their mission, they would be recognized as knights by the temple. And, if those apprentices were able to establish some sort of enormous meritorious service in the process, they might even be conferred the title of grand knight or even grand knight and possess their own territory and army.
As for the children of nobles, even if they didn't establish any great meritorious service, as long as they didn't commit any heinous mistakes in the process, it would be equivalent to gilding their qualifications with a layer of luxurious gold. It would also be very beneficial for their future promotion.
But, generally speaking, only lower class nobles and minor nobles would choose this path. After all, 'going to the mountains and countryside' was a very difficult process. Those fellows who would be unable to sleep without beautiful women and warm blankets would not be able to adapt to the dangerous life in the wilderness.
Fangzheng watched as the young woman before him picked up a piece of paper and wrote something on it. Then, she lifted the huge ivory seal with both hands and stamped it with some difficulty. Then, she sealed it and handed it back to Fangzheng.
"Please keep it well, mister."
"Thank you, young miss."
Fangzheng extended his hand and placed the letter into his bosom. Then, he smiled at the young woman.
"If you are free, let's have a meal together sometime."
After saying this, Fangzheng didn't wait for the young woman's reply. Instead, he turned around and left with a smile.
The most dangerous place was the safest place.
When Fangzheng left the city hall and entered the holy palace without any hindrance, he couldn't help but lament deep down that this sentence was indeed an eternal truth.
Compared to the city hall which was deserted, the holy palace's security was much tighter. Although it wasn't to the extent where there were sentries every few steps, there were still plenty of fully armed holy palace soldiers patrolling the area. But even so, they still didn't pay any attention to Fangzheng even though they were armed with spears and sharp swords. They were as focused as stone statues. Perhaps these people didn't think that an evil cult member who was wanted by the holy palace would strut into the holy palace.
It seemed that no matter which world one was in, the commonality of intelligent beings was the same.
"I'm from the Silver Duchy."
Fangzheng found a bishop and briefly explained his purpose of visit. At the same time, he handed over the letter he received from the young woman.
"I'm here to seek guidance and enlightenment from Order."
"I understand."
This bishop was an old man with white hair and beard. It was apparent that this wasn't the first time he received a noble child like Fangzheng. The old bishop first opened the letter and read it carefully. Then, he observed the seal and signature. Then, he nodded to Fangzheng without batting an eyelid.
"Follow me, child."
After saying this, the old man turned around and walked into the inner court. Fangzheng followed behind him silently. The two of them passed through the corridor and entered the inner court. Then, the old man stopped in front of a sacred emblem paved with round marble slabs. He turned around and looked at Fangzheng.
"Stand on it, young man."
"Okay."
Fangzheng pressed his hand on the sword hilt gently. He could even feel the cold sweat oozing out of his palms. This was the last and most important step. He had made sufficient preparations to face this test.
He knew what this was. Everyone on this continent knew. The cultists were also deeply ingrained in their hearts.
Everyone had to be responsible for everything they did. Their actions would extend to the top of the line of fate, just like how the ink recorded on a sheepskin scroll would leave its own handwriting. No one could reverse everything that had happened. Not even the dust of history could cover up all the truth.
Order was eternal.
Fangzheng knew that as long as he stood on this platform, the brilliance of Order would begin to search for him. Just like anti-virus software, it would determine if he was a virus — an enemy of Order.
Or rather, if he was a group of damn cultists who believed in Chaos.
And everything was determined by Fangzheng's Spiritual Star.
Although Fangzheng was absolutely certain that he wasn't a cultist, who knew how accurate this thing was?
One had to know that even anti-virus software could mistakenly kill system files.
Now, he could only hope that this firewall's accuracy was higher — at least better than Cabal.
At this thought, Fangzheng took in a deep breath and stepped onto the platform.
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