180. Sister Angela
"May we all have a bright tomorrow. Greetings to you, Sister Angela."
A middle-aged woman with a serene smile clasped her hands reverently over her chest, making the gesture characteristic of the Silver Church.
"May the Lord be with you."
Angela, dressed in her colorful nun's habit, calmly nodded in response.
As dawn broke, people from the back alleys gradually gathered towards the Silver Church.
Their faces, for the most part, wore expressions of ease and joy as they chatted lightly. Only upon reaching the stone steps before the church did the noise gradually subside, transforming into a devout greeting similar to the one the woman had given before her.
Angela—this nun temporarily residing in the Silver Church—responded to each believer.
This was her duty, her first job in this unfamiliar world.
Yes, from that day on, aimlessly, she chose to join the Silver Church.
All of this was full of novelty for her.
For a long time, her world was confined to the cold walls of Lobotomy Corporation, never truly experiencing the vibrant life beyond those walls.
Responding to believers, listening to prayers, feeling the devotion she had once been unable to comprehend… all of this was reshaping her understanding.
Inside the church, the ancient clock's hands ticked steadily, pointing to the appointed hour. In the solemn atmosphere, the pianist quietly took his seat, his fingers gently touching the keys. A melodious and peaceful tune flowed like a stream through the prayer hall, intertwining with the deep chants of the believers, merging into the sacred flow of the ceremony.
Just then, a figure in a nun's habit, with white hair, entered the courtyard from a side aisle.
"Yo, Angela!" Kiana flashed a bright smile and waved vigorously.
"...Good morning, Kiana." Angela looked at that overly enthusiastic smile, a barely perceptible awkwardness rising within her.
She already knew how she had been rescued. It was those who had driven her out of the library who had later rescued her from the ruins—the girl before her was one of them, and even the gentle Sister Lemuen was one of their companions.
They were the ones who had helped her achieve her desire to break free from constraints and become human, yet facing them, Angela felt a complex mix of emotions: gratitude, confusion, a lingering resentment… a jumbled mess of emotions.
"But… perhaps this is what humanity is all about," she murmured, accepting the complexity of her feelings.
"Come on, let's go eat!" Kiana, without a word, put her arm around Angela's slightly thin shoulder and led her towards the cafeteria.
"It's too close," Angela almost blurted out, but ultimately yielded to Kiana's guidance.
The cafeteria was filled with the warm aroma of food. Angela sat down with her tray, gazing at the tempting dishes on her plate, a faint smile unconsciously playing on her lips.
Becoming human and venturing outside, being able to freely enjoy various cuisines, is indeed one of the many fortunate things.
"How have you been these past few days? Have you settled in? Are you feeling tired?" Kiana asked with concern, her cheeks bulging as she ate her meal.
"I'm alright," Angela nodded gently, scooping up a spoonful of soup. Her body was as frail as an ordinary young girl's; standing for long periods and the tedious rituals sometimes made her feel weary, but she wouldn't voice these feelings.
"Hehe, don't push yourself too hard. Our church is indeed short-handed right now; even I've been dragged into this by Sister Lemuen." Kiana blinked, muttering in a low voice, "Is she afraid I'll run away?"
"Run away?" Angela tilted her head, puzzled.
"Haha, no, nothing!" Kiana's face flushed quickly, and she waved her hand to change the subject.
"Oh, right! You probably don't know yet, but we've established Silver Churches in other nests! We have some free time today, how about I take you to see them?"
"Silver Churches…are there many of them?" Angela put down her spoon, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Well, about 43 churches," Kiana added vaguely, picking up a piece of stew and putting it in her mouth, "and I reckon we'll add a few more today."
This number surprised Angela.
"How about it? Want to go?" Kiana extended the invitation again, looking at her expectantly.
Finally, Angela nodded. She was indeed very interested in seeing the other Silver Churches. However, before leaving—
"I need to tell Sister Lemuen."
After breakfast, Angela entered the solemn and majestic prayer hall. At the center of the crowd, Lemuen's figure shone softly in the sunlight streaming through the skylight. Her eyes were slightly closed as she guided the congregation, her peaceful words carrying a soothing power.
Following her guidance, the believers murmured prayers in unison, their voices echoing beneath the dome of the hall, creating a resonant piety. Sunlight bathed her, gilding her with an almost sacred radiance.
Angela had more than once felt that Lemuen was like an angel walking among humans; the pure warmth and kindness emanating from her was almost her most direct definition of beauty.
Sensing Angela's approach, Lemuen slowly opened her eyes. A gentle smile lingered in her clear gaze.
When Angela was beside her, she leaned slightly forward and asked in a soft voice, audible only to the two of them, "What is it, Angela?"
"Kiana wants to take me to see the other Silver Churches in the other nests. I just wanted to inform you," Angela replied softly.
"I see," Lemuen's smile deepened slightly.
"Have fun, Angela. But remember to be careful. You're just an ordinary girl now, so remember to avoid dangerous places."
She gave her a concerned reminder. This tone, like that of someone caring for a little girl, made Angela feel inexplicably awkward and embarrassed.
"…Is it really okay for me to leave like this? The church has so many people…"
"Don't worry," Lemuen's tone was reassuringly playful.
"If we're really that short-handed, not only you, but Kiana won't be able to escape either."
"…Okay." Angela accepted this explanation.
Stepping out of the church's wooden doors, Kiana was waiting there, her lively aura barely concealed by her nun's habit.
"Let's go!" Kiana casually opened a portal in front of her and waved to Angela.
Angela was already used to this kind of magical ability that defied the laws of physics. These people all seemed to possess powers that she couldn't explain with her past understanding. The reason was unclear, so she decided not to delve into it further.
Following Kiana into the portal, the pungent stench of decay and garbage instantly assaulted Angela's nostrils. She instinctively covered her nose.
"Cough cough..." Kiana also frowned and covered her mouth and nose, explaining somewhat awkwardly, "Uh...sorry, sorry! I haven't been here many times, so I'm not very familiar with the location. Next time, I'll be more skilled and won't teleport me to this garbage dump! Hurry, hurry, the church is over there, just a few steps!" As she spoke, she naturally took Angela's hand and quickly walked towards the light at the alley entrance.
Angela helplessly let her be led. As they approached the alley entrance, a completely different sound gradually became clear—not chanting, not prayer, but some kind of...construction site sound? The clanging of shovels, the carrying of timber, and the shouts of the crowd mingled together.
"Aren't we going to church?" Angela looked at Kiana with a puzzled expression.
"Why does it sound like there's construction going on up ahead?"
Kiana held up a finger and shook it, smiling knowingly.
"Angela, a church can rise in a day, but winning hearts takes time and effort."
Looking at Kiana's obviously imitative preaching, Angela bluntly pointed out, "That guy taught you that, didn't he?"
That annoying guy named Xiling.
Kiana instantly deflated like a punctured balloon, scratching her head.
"Hey… more or less. How did you guess?"
"I can't think of any other person who would talk like that," Angela said matter-of-factly.
"Hey! Couldn't I have learned that from a book myself?" Kiana protested.
"How likely do you think that possibility is?" Angela asked calmly.
"Ha…haha…" Kiana chuckled dryly, quickly changing the subject, pointing to the alleyway entrance:
"That! We're here!"
When Angela, led by Kiana, finally emerged from the dark, narrow alley, the scene that greeted her wasn't the solemn, silvery church she had imagined. Instead, it was a breathtaking and vibrant picture.
Countless people were scattered across the open space. The sun shone unbearably on them, reflecting their sweat. They carried heavy cement bags and sturdy timbers on their shoulders and in their hands, chanting in unison, working together to build their new church, brick by brick, beam by beam.
The foundation was already solid, and the rough walls were slowly rising. This should have been a scene numbed by the weight of life, filled with hardship and helplessness.
However, everything before her was completely different. What appeared before Angela was a vibrant picture brimming with life and hope. On faces covered in dust and soaked with sweat, smiles were clearly visible! Smiles that came from the heart, brimming with anticipation and energy.
Why? Why were they smiling? Confusion was clearly reflected in Angela's azure eyes.
As if seeing through her question, Kiana's playful smile faded. She gazed at the working figures, her voice low and clear:
"Angela, this world has never been beautiful. It's terrible. In the eyes of many in this world, life is nothing but a consumable, a lab rat on an experimental table, a tool for arbitrary trading… Any cold name will do, but not—human." Kiana's words pierced the cruelest reality beneath The City's glamorous facade.
Angela remained silent.
"Do you know why they're smiling?" Kiana's gaze swept over the figures working in the sunlight, her voice rising again, but this time the coldness had vanished, replaced by a burning determination.
Angela remained silent, awaiting an answer.
"Because they saw a different tomorrow."
"Here, in the mud of this back alley, survival itself is a difficult trek. How many struggle on the brink of starvation, their daily earnings first filling the pockets of protection money extorted by gangs? Even if you grit your teeth and pay, what you gain isn't peace, but merely a reprieve from trouble. You pray, you fear, you pray in your daily numbness that misfortune won't befall you… But fear never truly leaves."
Kiana's voice wasn't loud, but every word carried immense weight, as if striking Angela's heart.
"But—" Her tone suddenly rose, filled with an undeniable determination.
"This must all end!" Kiana raised her hand, pressing it forcefully to her chest, where a flame seemed to burn.
"We will spread our wings and shelter the weak beneath us from the wind and rain!"
"We will wield our swords and utterly sever the thorns that dare to stand in our way!"
"We will become the deepest nightmare, making those blood-sucking insects lurking in the shadows forever fear the light! We…"
She took a deep breath, her voice resounding like a declaration across this land of hope under construction:
"We will personally sever this city's endless cycle of despair! We will become the pioneers of a new era!"
"Angela, what we must save is not just their present."
"We must save this world—starting from its very roots."
Angela gazed at Kiana's resolute profile, gently pressing her own pounding heart—is this what it feels like…?
"Want to go see it together?" Kiana's smile held an unprecedented seriousness.
"Look at the new world we're creating."
"...Hmm."
--------
"I've made sure the entire L Nest is empty. I'm disgusted. This place is clearly very problematic. These gang idiots are really courting death." The Tarnished grumbled and cursed.
"Hey, calm down, calm down. Why are you arguing with idiots?" Xiling comforted him from the side.
The Tarnished glanced at the guy beside him, who wasn't doing anything.
"Why don't you do it yourself? Wouldn't it be easier if you did?" Xiling laughed it off.
"I can't do everything. You should do your part too."
Looking at Xiling's embarrassed smile, the Faded One's eyes narrowed.
"This guy, there's definitely something wrong with him."
"Is it because of the Seed of Light?"
"Tsk, so he's been hiding something from us after all?"
Feeling the Tarnished's increasingly sharp gaze, Xiling's eyes darted away guiltily.
"I still have some other things to take care of at the library. I'll go take care of them first." With that, Xiling made her escape.
The Tarnished sighed.
"...As expected, still too weak..."
If he could help that guy, that guy would definitely ask him for help.
But power isn't so easily obtained. Even with daily study of magic and even with daily progress, he still couldn't compare to those two guys who were practically cheating. Even Lemuen, with the Gem of Desire and Athena's help, could unleash a strike that could pierce the stars.
And him...
The Tarnished raised his hand towards the sky.
At that moment, something seemed to change in the sky. Everyone in the city seemed to sense something and looked up at L Nest. And in this moment of intense attention, a silver-white sphere of light, like the sun, slowly rose.
"What is that?" someone asked, puzzled.
"That direction leads to L's Nest!" someone exclaimed in surprise.
"Wasn't that already ruined?" someone asked, puzzled.
As the sphere of light reached a critical point, it suddenly exploded, just as the Seed of Light had been launched, a silvery-white beam illuminating the entire city.
It proclaimed to the entire city: The existence of the new [World Wings], the Fire Moth.
The Tarnisehed, bathed in light, gazed at his masterpiece.
"As expected... It's still not enough."