Chapter 218: Taking Action
City of the Extremis
As one of the few major human cities in the north, it possessed a mighty legion, a defensive barrier that covered the entire city, and even a magnificent temple. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to establish a city in this monster-infested north and exist for hundreds of years.
Sunlight streamed onto the city's tallest building, illuminating the temple's white spire and massive arched windows with a dazzling array of colors, hinting at a sacred aura.
This was where humans worshipped the goddess and learned sacred magic; all who served here were priests who had mastered various forms of holy incantation.
Flamme carried Frieren on her back. The girl's body was cold, and her breathing was like a candle flickering in the wind.
It was as if the weight on her back was constantly getting lighter, though it might just be her imagination. Flamme understood that Frieren needed treatment as soon as possible.
Ayla followed closely behind, observing the magnificent human architecture with some curiosity, though her attention mainly remained focused on the injured girl ahead.
Although Flamme's magical healing had barely stopped the bleeding from the wound on Frieren's abdomen, the corrosive magic remaining from Balzac was not eliminated.
This magic was still slowly destroying her life force. No herbs or elemental healing magic could address it; only the highest level of holy magic could completely purify it.
"Frieren, hang in there," Flamme whispered to the girl on her back, but received no response.
The temple doors were tightly shut. Two guards in silver armor stood solemnly before them. As Flamme and Ayla approached, the guards' eyes instantly turned wary.
"Halt!" one guard commanded, stepping forward and raising his longsword to block their path. "This is sacred ground; entry is prohibited!"
His gaze swept over Flamme and Ayla, finding the combination of a human and an elf somewhat unusual. When he looked at Frieren, whose white hair was stained with blood, his brows furrowed.
"We come from a border village and were attacked by demons," Flamme explained quickly. "This elven girl is seriously injured and requires high-level holy magic to heal her. We beg the holy clerics of the temple to help us."
The guard remained unmoved, his tone icy: "The temple only provides healing to human believers who follow the light; that's the rule. As for the elf? An elf injured by dark magic at that? You should go find the elven priests and leave immediately!"
Since Kurtz had opened up the sacred magic of the Skywing race a thousand years ago, holy magic was no longer exclusive to them. Any race with the corresponding talent could learn it and become a priest.
However, thanks to their reproductive advantage, humans had quickly gained the first-mover advantage in researching holy magic, becoming the race most skilled in it and possessing the most priests.
But beneath this radiant surface lay a hidden reality. Whether holy or ordinary magic, only a small fraction of humanity could access and learn it.
Magic academies seemed to admit to teach to any human with talent, but only a tiny percentage actually had access and could afford to study.
Yet even this small group continued to drive magical development forward.
It was simply still a little short of the great magical era that Kurtz had dreamed of.
Upon hearing the guard's undeniable refusal, Ayla's eyes blazed with anger. She instinctively reached for her magic, her hands trembling with barely contained rage.
Although humans had begun to believe in the Goddess of Life, the goddess's teachings surely wouldn't allow a life to pass away unchecked. These people had completely forgotten the true purpose of their Holy magic!
Flamme quickly stopped her, placing a hand on Ayla's shoulder.
She suppressed her own anger and anxiety, taking a deep breath before pleading again: "Goddess above, isn't the Goddess's teaching one of redemption and mercy? She is just a pitiful victim. Please let us in to see a high-ranking priest."
'If only I had spent more time learning holy magic back then,' Flamme thought bitterly.
Unfortunately, to master offensive magic first, she had slightly delayed her study of holy magic. After all, it was challenging to get started with, complex to progress, and even more difficult to achieve mastery.
Although Flamme was very talented, she couldn't learn all the magic in just a few years. Advanced spells in holy magic, especially, require time to accumulate.
"Rules are rules." Another guard stepped forward, his attitude firm. "No one may enter without an introduction. Moreover, this involves injuries caused by dark magic, which must be decided by His Holiness the Bishop himself. His Holiness is very busy; you can't just see him whenever you want! Get out of here! Otherwise, don't blame us for being impolite!"
Flamme wanted to say something more, but was forcibly interrupted by the guards once again.
"You!" Flamme trembled with anger, opening her mouth to respond.
However, before she could finish speaking, the figure beside her moved.
It was Ayla.
The suppressed rage in the elven girl's eyes erupted instantly. She had long since reached her limit with the arrogance and indifference of the human temple. Such an existence was simply a defilement of the goddess's faith.
"Why waste words with these bastards!"
Ayla unleashed her magic without hesitation, not killing magic, but pure, targeted offense.
"Aaghh!?" A sharp cry rang out as the two guards felt sudden pain in their wrists. Their longswords flew from their hands. Ayla was so fast that the guards didn't even see her casting the spell.
The next attack struck them squarely.
Thump!
The two guards, who were acting big and holy, imposing just moments before, were instantly sent flying backward.
They crashed into the gate and collapsed to the ground, unable to stand for a moment. Their faces were filled with disbelief; they had never expected this seemingly gentle elven woman to be a magician.
"Sister Ayla!" Flamme exclaimed in surprise.
She had never expected Ayla to take such direct action. This was going to be troublesome.
Sure enough, the next second, an alarm sounded from inside the temple, a loud, wailing cry that echoed across the courtyard. Clearly, the area was covered by detection magic that had sensed Ayla's magical fluctuations.
Before long, dozens of fully armed temple guards rushed out of the open gate, wielding longswords and shields. They swiftly surrounded Flamme and Ayla, their weapons pointed outward in a unified wall of steel.
Based on the alarm and the two guards lying nearby, it was clear to them that these two women were attempting to force their way into the temple.
Without hesitation, one of the guards, the captain, identifiable by his bearing, issued an order: "Take them down! If they resist, kill them on sight!"
Dozens of guards responded in unison, their formation tightening steadily around the two women.
[End of Chapter]
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