As mentioned before, the 【Holy Spirit Trail】 isn’t very long. At a normal caravan speed, it could be traversed in half a day, but this is under the condition of continuous movement without any stops.

 

Since the third incident, the screams from outside have become increasingly frequent, starting with one person, then two or three, and eventually several people being attacked simultaneously. Occasionally, the sounds of weapon clashes and magical explosions, as well as roars, would mix in.

 

However, regardless of the noise, it would quickly fall silent within a short time, with the dragging sounds fading into the distance, leaving behind a cacophony of startled cries and hurried footsteps.

 

What was happening was already evident.

 

Thus, shortly after the seventh attack, the servant from the White Dove Merchant Guild, who was responsible for driving, approached the carriage with a hint of uncontrollable fear on his face and lifted the curtain.

 

“Everyone, Mr. Avery… wants to see you. He’s waiting outside.”

 

The white fox girl, casually flipping through her book, glanced up at him. Her eyes lingered momentarily on the white-winged emblem hanging around his neck, which indicated he was a low-level follower of the temple, before nodding slightly.

 

“Alright, we’ll head out right away.”

 

……………………………

 

When they met Avery again, he had lost the calm demeanor and confidence he previously displayed. He now looked bewildered, mixed with astonishment and a fear of the unknown and mysterious. Even his once-straight posture seemed to have become slightly hunched.

 

This was inevitable, as faith is the most steadfast support for a believer. Avery’s decision to traverse the 【Holy Spirit Trail】, despite knowing the legends, indicated his strong faith in both his caravan and his deity.

 

But now, that faith had been shattered by the continuous attacks and the overwhelming mysterious forces.

 

“Nice to see you again, Mr. Avery. It looks like you’ve come to some realization?”

 

“Why is this happening… The legend of the 【Holy Spirit Trail】… Could it be false? Why would the Spirit attack someone who faithfully worships the Goddess…”

 

In response to the young merchant’s incredulous murmurs, Dawn simply shook her head.

 

“Whether it’s a false spirit or a true monster, it’s hard for me to agree with the notion of true faith. Protection by the divine always comes with a cost, divine blessings are never free.”

 

With that, the white fox girl changed the subject.

 

“How many people are missing now?”

 

It seemed that Dawn’s earlier words had convinced Avery, or perhaps he was simply desperate and looking for any solution. Without much hesitation, the caravan leader laid out the details of their losses.

 

“Twenty-seven people, including 9 passengers and 18 of our Dove Merchant Guild staff and guards. They were all alone or unnoticed when something suddenly dragged them into the bushes. When we went to search for them… there was no trace left.”

 

Nodding slightly in acknowledgment, Dawn then asked, in a tone that sounded more like stating a fact than inquiring:

 

“All of them were followers of the Goddess?”

 

Avery looked slightly surprised but quickly confirmed.

 

“I’m not sure about the outside passengers, but the 18 members of the Merchant Guild who were taken are indeed followers. Our White Dove Merchant Guild is a local firm in the Holy Empire, and our members are mostly locals. In the Holy Empire, joining the church is a very natural and necessary action. Only by doing so can one better serve the Goddess and achieve redemption.”

 

From behind the mask, a soft laugh from the fox girl could be heard.

 

“Achieve redemption? Or perhaps receive benefits? As far as I know, the temple provides quite a few benefits: discounts on certain fees, priority for housing purchases, allowances, and subsidies. These are only available to those who join the temple and become official followers of the Goddess. And most importantly… faith-based magic. Although the doctrine claims that it is obtained through prayer, ultimately, it still requires communication through the temple as a medium, doesn’t it?”

 

“With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that most people across the country are eager to join the temple, even if it’s just as nominal followers~”

 

Upon hearing this, Avery’s expression suddenly changed.

 

“Miss Dawn, I would prefer to ignore what you just said. Faith-based magic is a gift from the Goddess to devout followers, and the benefits are acts of kindness from the church on behalf of the Goddess. Such blasphemous remarks against faith should not be made again, or you might be judged as a heretic.”

 

“Alright, alright, I won’t say it again~”

 

Not angered by the reprimand, Violet turned away nonchalantly. At the edge of her vision, the young half-beastman servant who had previously followed the wealthy merchant Pierre was still standing by the carriage. Dressed in worn clothes with patched-up marks, he was cautiously looking around, seemingly fearful that a terrible monster might suddenly appear and drag him away.

 

He, however, had not become a target of the attacks.

 

As she walked towards her waiting companions, the fox girl left her final piece of advice.

 

“You stay here, gather the people, and keep an eye on each other. This should be relatively safe for now. As for that thing… I suspect it has certain reservations and cannot appear openly among people. That’s probably why it’s using such methods to launch attacks.”

 

“……”

 

As the figures of the young girls disappeared into the underbrush and deeper into the forest, Avery’s previously resolute expression finally relaxed. He then showed a wry smile, as if his previous anxiety and distress had been feigned. He sighed and spoke to himself:

 

“I know… Many people’s faith in the church is not pure, including my own. I can’t claim to be willing to give up everything for the Goddess, but I do genuinely revere Her…”

 

“Everyone born in the Holy Empire must conform to its rules to survive, and here, the church control everything… Oh, Goddess, please forgive my presumptuous words and blasphemy…”

 

…………………………………

 

“Miss Dawn, what should we do next?”

 

After walking for a long time and no longer hearing any noises from the merchant caravan, Dawn looked back at Leila, who had asked the question. The corner of her mouth curved into a slight smile beneath her mask.

 

“Isn’t it obvious? Of course, we need to find that thing that’s been attacking the caravan and see what exactly it is.”

 

“Um, I understand your point, but the issue is…”

 

Without needing Leila to explain further, the white fox girl immediately smiled and said:

 

“There are many methods, but if we’re talking about the simplest one… Think about it: under what circumstances and conditions were the people led by Avery attacked before?”

 

Not letting her companions continue guessing blindly, Dawn gave clear instructions.

 

“Everyone, close your eyes.”

 

Although some of the slower individuals still seemed a bit confused, those who had always trusted the priestess, including the little dragon girl, quickly complied as instructed.

 

Then, a clear and loud high-pitched shout rang out, like a silver bell.

 

“Goddess of Light, you are nothing but a cowardly fool, a big idiot!!!”

 

“Idiot~ Idiot~ Idiot…”

 

The echo lingered in the forest, resounding continuously like firecrackers exploding in a serene space, creating large ripples of disturbance.

 

“Whoosh!”

 

A peculiar wind surged from the depths of the trees, carrying with it a chilling, skin-prickling aura of killing intent that collided head-on with the echoes of the girl’s shout.