Handover

Across the five ages, civilization originated in the Old Continent, flourished across Middle Earth, and expanded onto the New Lande continent. Aside from the perpetually frozen Lost Lands, the footprints of civilization were etched across all three continents.

Five great nations and seventy-four states were spread throughout the regions under civilization's domain, jointly shaping this world steeped in bizarre phenomena and mystery.

The academic world unanimously considered the Old Continent in the east of the globe to be the birthplace of the world's five ages of civilization. Yet it was the vaster Middle Earth that carried civilization toward its greatest splendor; four of the five great nations had their homelands here, and the Kingdom of Lande was one of them.

As an ancient realm passed down since the Fourth Age, the Kingdom of Lande controlled the peninsula in the northwest of Middle Earth, facing its arch-rival, the Kingdom of Friedman, across Gale Bay. Since the start of the Fifth Age, intermittent conflicts between the two had raged for over a millennium. Over the past century or so, through the mediation of the Rose family, they had entered a rare period of truce, though undercurrents still surged beneath the surface.

Dominating the peninsula, the Kingdom of Lande controlled 870,000 square kilometers of territory and a population of over eighty million, making it undeniably one of the world's great powers. Its capital, Norin, sat in the northwest of the peninsula, while Rhine lay in the southeast, the two major cities facing each other across the Carlos Mountain Range that spanned east to west.

The Lande River, one of the three most important waterways in the Kingdom of Lande, flowed from west to east across the Carlos Mountain Range, running straight from Norin to Rhine. After cutting through Rhine City, it emptied into Gale Bay through the estuary in the Twin Towers District.

Renowned for its two giant lighthouses, the Twin Towers District was the confluence of inland and maritime shipping in Rhine City. Cross District had even laid a dedicated short-distance railway directly to this point to facilitate commerce.

Consequently, water transport along the Lande River became one of the vital arteries of inland shipping in the Kingdom of Lande, prompting the exaggerated claim that the entire national railway network couldn't rival a single Lande River.

Just past nine in the morning, a convoy departed from the Black Night Cathedral in Crown Square.

Composed of four carriages, the convoy was constructed entirely of light yet sturdy black steel wood. Moisture-resistant, insect-proof, and naturally breathable, this wood was the premier material for carriage-making. Unfortunately, due to its steep price and meager yield, money alone was not enough to acquire it; only noble houses with profound heritage were entitled to its use.

The Churches of the Major Gods naturally possessed such entitlement, easily fielding four carriages at once—not because they only possessed four, but because four were all that was needed.

The carriages were richly emblazoned with the motifs of the Black Night: golden stars on a black field, hung with the holy emblem of the Scepter of the Black Night, and even the coachmen wore black priestly robes, making their affiliation evident at a glance.

Lynch sat inside the second carriage, feeling in exceptionally good spirits.

It was not because of the majestic scenery of the Lande River surging toward the sea, nor the bustling vitality unique to the harbor area that steadily surrounded them, but because Archbishop Trinlais had personally invited him to take part in today's event. At long last, he would lay eyes upon the long-awaited Red Moon Memories.

Lynch had risen early that morning, reluctantly eating a piping-hot breakfast amid heartwarming nagging before stepping out the door in full formal attire.

According to plan, he had hurried over to the Hall of Order and burned through half a box of ammunition in target practice.

The bad news was that only one shot hit the target today; the good news was that today's instructor had once again escaped without getting shot, surviving to the end of the session—truly a cause for celebration.

And so, feeling rather regretful, Lynch departed the firing range and headed straight for the Black Night Cathedral.

The believers arriving to pray and listen to the sermon were already numerous, and the donation box by the entrance was half-full. This wasn't merely a matter of tossing in a few copper pennies; Lynch saw with his own eyes that at least a third of what went in consisted of silver shillings and even paper Lande pounds.

The church actually makes this much money? Neighbor, how about before I finish walking the path of immortality, I start a church in your name first?

【Heh.】

Dammit, by the neighbor, did that person just slip in a five-pound note? Oh, my dear neighbor, I think my eyes are deceiving me. How about I make a sacrifice and open their donation box to double-check for them?

Fortunately, two one-star priests clad in Black Night holy robes returned just in time, averting Lynch's shameful conspiracy and escorting him into the reception room to meet Archbishop Trinlais. Before they could even speak in detail, Trinlais whisked him aboard the church's carriage.

Only then did Lynch learn what had been inconvenient to write in yesterday's letter: the Red Moon Memories were aboard a Church of the Black Night supply ship, transported alongside other vital goods by dedicated escorts. The ship had already entered the Rhine City stretch of the river and was adjusting its speed as it queued downstream to dock.

To guarantee the safety of such important cargo, the headquarters of the Church of the Black Night had deliberately replaced the three-star priest normally assigned to the escort with a six-star priest.

Below His Holiness the Pope, only the most exalted Cardinals were entitled to wear holy robes adorned with nine golden stars. A regional archbishop like Trinlais wore eight stars on his robe. As for those permitted to wear six-star holy robes, aside from bishops wielding real authority, they were exclusively battle-hardened Soul Severers whose strength had reached the mid-tier. Dispatching an expert of that caliber solely to escort a single holy memory was proof enough of the importance the church placed on this transaction.

At the same time, the church had also made a request: they wanted Lynch to accompany the receiving convoy and complete the handover directly on the spot. That was why they had hurriedly invited Lynch, with Trinlais himself escorting him in person.

“Wait, are you saying that instead of you taking delivery from headquarters, I'm the one who directly completes the handover?” The carriage had already stopped at the docks, but neither had stepped out yet. Lynch furrowed his brows, asking with confusion, “And once the handover is complete, the item belongs to me?”

“Yes. It won't be paid after you finish the commission, but as an upfront advance.”

“Why?”

While this was certainly a boon for Lynch, it put him on guard instead. A behemoth like the Churches of the Major Gods should never adopt such a humble posture; not only was it contrary to custom, it was practically beneath their dignity.

The archbishop smiled, shook his head, and silently pointed a finger upward.

“Above? An order from your Pope? Even then, it doesn't make sense... Wait, don't tell me you mean...”

Lynch swallowed hard and, with a strange expression, pointed upward as well. Trinlais nodded in confirmation, wearing an equally peculiar look.

It was actually an oracle from the Goddess of the Night. In that case, rules and protocol were irrelevant; the word of a deity was the rule. The question was, why would she do this?

Trinlais explained solemnly, “A Soul Severer of the Crimson Moon has revealed himself to the world. Followers of the Black Night must honor the agreement of the Mythological Era and render whatever assistance is within their power to the followers of the red moon. The holy memory originally belonged to the Crimson Lady, and it is only right that it be returned promptly.”

‘Hiss? So it’s because of you.’

Lynch hadn't felt much tangible weight behind it before, but now he truly realized that his neighbor genuinely possessed an extraordinary identity.

【Mm.】

‘What was the agreement from the Mythological Era? Why is she helping you?’

Silence answered him; not a single word came through.

‘Fine, the reason doesn't matter, but at least tell me this: should I accept it?’

【You may accept the assistance, but...】 Lady Luna fell silent for a moment. 【Do not place your complete trust in them.】

‘Them?’

【Yes. Them.】

That answer doesn't sound good at all.

Nevertheless, Lynch took a deep breath and offered a wide smile. “The follower of the Crimson Moon extends his gratitude for the gift of the night.”

Wearing equally complex and peculiar smiles, the two stepped down from the carriage. Out across the distant water, a two-masted sailing ship was slowly gliding toward the dock.