Chapter 1444: Chapter 1444

Instead of fetching the spare folding ladder from the warehouse, Jenkins leaped from the deck onto the lake's surface. The moment his feet touched the water, a thin sheet of ice materialized beneath them, rapidly extending toward the shore. In just a few breaths, it formed a solid path connecting the airship to the bank.

Father Follett nimbly jumped down from the airship as well. Behind him, Captain Zot, the head of security for the trip, directed his men to prepare ropes for the others to disembark.

“Your ice-shaping ability is truly remarkable. In terms of sheer precision, most Enchanters who command frost could never compare... If I recall correctly, legend has it that an ancestor of the Stuart royal family was a renowned Enchanter skilled in this very art. It seems you truly learned a thing or two during your time in Ruen.”

He offered Jenkins this small compliment. Once all the guards were on the ground, they formed a protective circle around Jenkins and escorted him to the shore. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ Novᴇl_Fire(.)net

The men waiting on the bank were the local Gravediggers from the Church of Death and End. They were all Enchanters, though none of them were particularly high-level.

The lake where the airship had landed sat at the edge of a forest, and the only nearby human settlement was Black Town, where the church was located. It was such a minuscule town that the Church of Death and End was the only one present. If the group wanted to contact Bel Diran to report their situation, they would have to rely on supernatural means.

Although there was no local branch of the Sage Church, the Gravediggers understood the significance of an airship's arrival and were more than willing to host the newcomers in their town for a few nights.

The airship required another inspection and repairs after its forced landing, and the current weather was clearly unsuitable for another takeoff. Thus, apart from the essential guards, engineers, and clergy who remained with the vessel, most of the passengers followed the Gravediggers toward the town.

Jenkins was, of course, among them. As they walked through the forest, he wondered about the nature of Black Town. It wasn't until they reached the church that he learned they were still within the borders of the Hamparvo Kingdom, though very close to the frontier. To be more precise, they were in a northern spur of the towering Sebek Mountain Range. Just beyond the sky-piercing peaks to the south of the forest lay the lands of the Fidektri Kingdom.

“If the weather holds, we should be able to depart the day after tomorrow. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Father Follett, the man in charge of the escort mission, conferred with the priest from the Church of Death, confirming their current position and thanking the old clergyman for his welcome.

The old priest chuckled, telling them it was rare for such a remote town to receive so many Enchanters from an Orthodox Church. He insisted they could stay for a few more days if necessary, as most of the church's rooms were vacant. A town this small had no need for a large number of clergy.

By the time the commotion had settled and Jenkins had been shown to his room, the sun was already setting. The townsfolk ate early, so the group found themselves seated at the dinner table before nightfall.

The worldly-wise old bishop could tell there was something unusual about the young man. After all, he was the only one with a cat, and everyone, without exception, spoke to him with immense respect.

He didn't mention his observation or inquire about Jenkins's identity. He simply told him that while the town was small, it had all the necessary amenities. Should he feel the need, he was welcome to explore. The prices in a country town were low, and he might find something to his liking.

That evening, Father Follett finally managed to contact the Holy See in Bel Diran through a ritual and explain the problem they had encountered. Though their landing had been harrowing, they had come through unscathed but were now temporarily stranded.

The Holy See inquired about their current location and informed them that the nearest Sage Church was at least a week's walk away, a journey that would take them through a dangerous jungle. Their only option was to remain in the town and wait for the airship to be inspected and cleared for departure.

“Bel Diran says that if you have any other requests, we can alter our itinerary and continue the journey by train,” Father Follett told Jenkins.

“No, I have no other requests. Let’s stay here for a couple of days. I have a feeling the weather will clear up soon.”

The sky on Sunday morning did not clear as Jenkins had predicted, but at least the weather hadn't worsened.

He pushed open the window, and the air of the country town, veiled in a fine drizzle, carried the unique, fragrant scent of damp earth. Being so close to the forest, the air was exceptionally clean—a stark contrast to Nolan, thousands of miles away.

The inspection of the airship was proceeding smoothly, but it was certain they wouldn't be leaving today. Bored with waiting in the church, Jenkins decided to take his cat into town to experience the rustic charm of a foreign village.

Father Follett had wanted to assign some men to accompany him, but Jenkins pointed out that most of the guards provided by the Holy See were no match for him in a fight.

“It may sound harsh, but it’s the truth,” he said. “I am a Saint, after all. If I need protection just to take a walk, wouldn’t that be a disgrace to the Church?”

During dinner the previous night, he had listened to the old priest from the Church of Death speak of Black Town's history. Though remote, the town was ancient. There was evidence it had existed since the dawn of the current epoch, and vague descriptions of it had appeared in texts from the sixteenth and seventeenth epochs. Its history might stretch back even further.

But there were no ruins near the town, and aside from the ancient forest, it boasted no special products or scenic views. Nestled against the mountains and woods, the townspeople had their own unique ways of making a living. Correspondingly, the adoption of steam machinery here lagged far behind that of major cities like Ruen.

Even within the church, only a few of the most important rooms were fitted with gaslights; the rest still relied on candles and kerosene lamps for illumination.

It felt as though the town existed apart from the bustling, steam-powered age. But Jenkins thought such a life had its appeal. At least the residents here didn't have to live in constant fear, startled by some new terror every few days like the people of Nolan.

The town wasn't large, and with the rain falling, Jenkins had no intention of venturing into the forest alone. He left the church and strolled down the street for a while until he spotted the sign of a bookstore. With Chocolate in his arms, he stepped inside.