Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 166: Chapter 164: Friend of the Sun, Two Little Followers

The warm sunlight scattered the lingering clouds, casting its rays upon the dome of the Sun Church. Its light and warmth selflessly enveloped everyone within the church grounds.

Such a change naturally alerted the Sun God’s believers inside the Sun Church, as well as the refugees who were temporarily sheltered there.

Although the scale of this miracle was grand, the believers had witnessed several over the past few days and remained relatively calm, simply beginning to pray as prescribed.

But for the refugees from other towns, who had never witnessed such a spectacle, it was a genuine shock.

”Good heavens... Is this—is this a miracle?”

Feeling the warmth spread over their bodies and a sense of peace—like being held in a mother’s embrace—rise in their hearts, many of the refugees who had been panicking over the strange phenomenon began to relax. Some even broke down and cried on the spot.

They had left their homes with nowhere to go; they were terrified and unsettled by the turmoil. But under the light of the Sun God, all their suffering was soothed.

The Sun God’s believers immediately seized this opportunity to preach His doctrines to the refugees.

Although it might have seemed like taking advantage of their vulnerability, it was not necessarily a bad thing for the refugees; once their hearts found something to believe in, their minds naturally settled.

Watching this scene, Ingram and Reed exchanged a glance, and both saw a hint of relief in the other’s eyes.

For days, they had tirelessly treated the sick and injured and taken in refugees. To put it simply, they were following the Sun God’s creed to let His light shine upon all and were lending a helping hand to others.

On a larger scale, it was an effort to mend the rift between the secular world and the world of faith within the Harvia Empire, and to prove to the radicals in the Religious Country that the Empire was not a land devoid of faith, thereby discouraging any thoughts of launching a holy war.

Now, it seemed their many efforts had not been in vain.

”The appearance of two Divine Favored should be enough to make those people back down a bit.”

”And after this incident, the upper echelons of the Harvia Empire should also be able to see the positive impact of faith.”

Ingram remarked with a sigh, stepping aside to clear the path to the main hall of the church so the refugees could pray before the statue of Po Ao.

Standing beside him, the stern-faced Reed also nodded and sighed lightly.

”Let’s hope so. No one likes war.”

After waiting a short while for the light to dim, they both headed for the infirmary.

Ingram and Jon were already well-acquainted, but Reed, who had brought the Defender Army to Birch Town to protect the Divine Favored, had not yet formally met Jon.

As the Official Level Priest who would be stationed in Birch Town and in charge of the Defender Army’s affairs, it was necessary for him to formally introduce himself to Jon.

Along the way, they ran into two little ones: Xia and Xina.

Seeing the two sisters creeping furtively along the wall, one behind the other, Ingram couldn’t help but laugh.

”What are you two up to?”

”Eek!”

The older sister, Xia, was startled by the sudden voice. When she turned to see the kind-faced Ingram and the expressionless Reed, her little face fell.

”Grandpa Ingram, Pastor Reed... We...”

”We wanted to go see Mr. Jon.”

Seeing her faltering sister stammering without managing a complete sentence, the younger sister, Xina, immediately cut in.

”The miracle that just appeared in the church—that was caused by Mr. Jon, wasn’t it?”

”As monks tasked with protecting the Divine Favored, we have to confirm his condition.”

Xia, who had been crestfallen a moment ago, immediately perked up.

”Yes, yes! That’s it!”

Compared to the simple and straightforward Xia, Xina was more serious and cautious. But being the smarter of the two, she was usually the one who came up with the ideas for the sisters’ little ”adventures.”

The excuse she found was practically flawless. Even someone as serious as Reed couldn’t help but look resigned. He could only intentionally keep a straight face and toss out a single sentence.

”Then let’s all go and see.”

With that, he strode forward, not sparing the sisters another glance.

Having escaped punishment, Xia quietly stuck out her tongue and scurried on small, inconspicuous steps to hide behind Ingram.

Xina, on the other hand, calmly walked back to the middle of the corridor as if nothing had happened.

But after only a few steps, the thick-skinned Xia had already forgotten her minor embarrassment and turned her attention to something else.

She quietly tugged on the corner of Ingram’s robe and asked in a low voice.

”Grandpa Ingram, I heard Mr. Jon say he hasn’t joined our Sun Sect? Why is that? Isn’t he a Divine Favored of our Lord?”

The Elder Priest blinked, a faint smile on his face.

”Xia, you must understand, even if people do not believe in our Lord, as long as they walk the path of righteousness, our Lord will still joyfully bestow His grace upon them.”

”Besides, everyone has their own goals to pursue, and Mr. Jon is no exception. As his own work is not yet finished, he naturally will not walk the same path as us. That is something that cannot be forced.”

”Oh...”

Xia still seemed to only half-understand, but she didn’t ask any more questions, as the group had arrived at the infirmary door.

But unexpectedly, just as Ingram was about to step forward and knock, the sound of steady, powerful footsteps came from within.

The door swung open, and Jon appeared before them, dressed in a simple white cloth robe, his complexion ruddy and his breathing strong.

Surprise immediately appeared on the faces of all four.

They had all seen his previous injuries—his heart and lungs pierced, his spine damaged. It was a miracle he hadn’t died on the spot. Even after being treated with Holy Water and the Life Praise Ceremony, he should have needed a long period of bed rest to recuperate.