Chapter 833: The Church of Falling Star’s Song
After leaving the bustling heart of the Empire, Lolan Hill and Ye Ling headed west. They eventually boarded a ship at a port in the Southern Empire and sailed towards another port in Clancia.
Half a month later, in the Glass Province of Clancia, the city of Backdraft Port.
In the bustling harbor filled with seagulls circling overhead, ships from distant lands docked one after another. Among them were a few ironclad warships emitting smoke, their mechanical sounds echoing through the air. These ships stopped again to restock food, water, and fuel, or engage in trade. This was a newly built port city, bustling with life despite its relatively short existence.
Carrying a light wicker box, a black-haired girl in a white dress descended the gangway slowly. In front of her was another girl wearing a blue-and-white dress, slightly smaller in stature.
“Be careful, Ye Ling.”
Facing the gentle sea breeze, Lolan Hill held down her hat brim and whispered a reminder.
“I know~” Ye Ling spread her arms and lightly leaped down the steps, landing in front of the stone pavement at the dock.
“Is this Clancia? It seems not much different from the Empire, but it looks more prosperous.”
Arriving in a new environment, Ye Ling felt somewhat excited, her steps becoming lighter as she looked around the surroundings, watching the people walking on the streets.
“It might not be obvious here, but further west, the changes become more noticeable,” the girl said softly, shaking her head slightly as she stood steady by the dock, observing the surroundings with a hint of satisfaction.
The streets were very clean, and the people had a vibrant energy, unlike the Southern Empire where many seemed rather apathetic. She took a deep breath and continued walking towards the center of the city with Ye Ling.
In the bustling central street of the city, a white statue stood tall, surrounded by circular flower beds.
“This…”
Looking at the statue of a maiden spreading her wings, seemingly ready to soar on the wind, Lolan Hill was momentarily at a loss. Especially below the statue, there were clear carvings of artistic inscriptions.
“Flying Lolan Hill, My Lady”
Around the inscriptions were bouquets of flowers, seemingly freshly placed that morning.
Seeing the two standing there motionless, a priest in a white robe with gold edges approached.
“Are you here to worship the wise and beautiful Lady Lolan Hill?” A delicate face peeked out from under the white hood, while the slight bulge on the hood revealed that this was not a human, but a rabbit-eared member of the rabbit folk.
“Lady Lolan Hill?” Ye Ling blinked, turning to look at the statue and then at the girl beside her.
Her slender fingers pressed gently on Ye Ling’s shoulder to prevent her from speaking out of turn. The girl smiled and asked softly,
“Hello, we come from the Southern Islands and don’t know much about Clancia. Could you introduce it to us?”
“Of course, please follow me, let’s sit over here.”
The white-robed priest nodded happily, and the ears inside the hood swayed slightly.
“We belong to the Church of Falling Star’s Song, a branch of the Holy Land Church. Currently, it is the most widespread church in Clancia.”
“As for the origins of our church, it is inseparable from the origins of Clancia, the great Star Witch, the sage who revealed miracles, the original angel of the winds, the princess of fire, Lady Lolan Hill.”
She began to recount one legendary story after another.
From the obscure Tixil Mountains to the fierce revolution sparked by the blazing uprising, from the cold and barren northern grasslands to the now fertile lands, from the conservative and divided Black Rock Mountains to the land of mountains and lakes where swords have been turned into plows, from the remote desert nation to the current oil-producing region, from the independent coastal cities to the current commercial union, from the misguided mage kingdom to the beautiful and enlightened academic tower, this princess has brought about many changes.
Many tranquil and gentle words conveyed firm and powerful strength during her narration. As the priest spoke, a crowd gradually gathered around. Many of these people were local residents, who had heard these stories countless times yet still found joy in listening to them.
“How wonderful, every time I hear it, I feel so invigorated.”
“Indeed, it feels like a warm iron is smoothing out wrinkles, gradually calming everything.”
“Unsurprisingly, Lady Lolan Hill is so beautiful and noble.”
“Indeed.”
Voices from nearby occasionally reached the girl’s ears, and she covered her face with one hand, trying hard not to show her embarrassed expression.
Why are they all so attentive, remembering everything so clearly? When I just said those things, it was off the cuff, but now it feels like famous quotes. Lolan Hill lowered her eyelashes, looking down, too shy to lift her head. Only when the priest finished did the surrounding crowd gradually disperse.
“How is it? Do you understand more about Lady Lolan Hill now?” The priest smiled faintly and then closed the book she had been holding.
“But words are weak. If you stay in Clancia for a long time and visit the various statues and cities within, you will realize that what I have described is only a small part. The greatness of the Lady is far beyond this.”
“This is Backdraft Port in the Glass Province, one of Lady Lolan Hill’s statues. There are over three hundred and sixty statues in other places, each with unique forms and attire, crafted by masters from various races. Each statue in different locations has distinct clothing and postures, worth seeing.”
“For example, in my hometown, Zeguo City in the Tixil Mountains, the statue depicts a maiden carrying a basket. Inside the basket are wheat, oranges, mushrooms, and so on, with two rabbit-eared girls surrounding her.”
“As for the northern grasslands, the statues wear flowing long dresses with flames swirling around them. Some are gently singing, others playing flutes.”
“Some people travel all over Clancia just to see all of Lady Lolan Hill’s statues, which has also boosted the economy in some remote areas, hehe.” The rabbit-eared priest happily introduced.
She didn’t force them to believe anything, but simply showed her admiration for this beauty and narrated true and touching stories.
“Lastly, this is for you. I’ve kept you for so long, listening to my words.”
The rabbit-eared priest took out a small pendant, containing a tiny sachet and two differently sized star pendants.
“The sachet can repel insects, very useful in the South. The two pendants are made from stones I polished myself. I hope you like them.”
She held out her hands, showing the two pendants.
“Thank you, Rabbit Sister~” Ye Ling happily accepted it and nodded in gratitude.
“Well then, wish you a pleasant journey~” The priest smiled again and waved goodbye.
Lolan Hill covered her face with a sun hat and walked with Ye Ling on the streets, her eyes glancing around nervously for a while before gradually calming down.
Phew, if my true identity is discovered, that would be quite troublesome.
At this moment, Ye Ling held up the pendant, shaking it in front of the girl.
“Lolan-nee, the statue looks like you. Are you sisters, or do you have a blood relation?” Ye Ling opened her curious eyes wide, staring directly at the slightly evasive Lolan Hill.
This is bad, how should I explain this? The girl found herself in a difficult situation.
(End of Chapter)
