Magical Girl's Knight Brother

Chapter 613 The Storm Church Visits

"A herald from the Church of Storms?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Zijun was not surprised at all; instead, a knowing smile slowly appeared on her lips.

He put down the quill pen, leaned back in the wide chair, his posture relaxed yet resolute.

"It's finally here."

Seeing Tang Zijun's reaction, Grelando paused slightly, then seemed to realize something, a look of understanding appearing on her face. "My lord, you let Qin Nan take that girl Heli for a ride over Black City before, precisely so that everyone could see it." Tang Zijun replied with a smile, a shrewd glint in her eyes. "Heli's unique wings are the most conspicuous beacon in the sunlight. The Feather Clan are the legendary messengers of the Storm Church, extremely important figures in their belief system. If a living orphan with pure Feather Clan bloodline appears in Black City, it would be strange if the Storm Church could remain indifferent." "The Riverfront is in chaos right now. Rather than sending us there, it's better to let them come to us voluntarily, so as not to provoke those nobles on the Riverfront." As she spoke, Tang Zijun stood up and slightly straightened her slightly disheveled clothes.

"Now, it's time to resolve this matter."

Gloria nodded knowingly, but then frowned, a hint of helplessness in her eyes. "According to the arrangement, Qin Nan should have been in charge of receiving the church personnel. She is good at negotiation and her image and temperament are also suitable. But I just sent people to her residence to look for her, and they couldn't find her at all. Everyone I asked said they didn't know where she went."

She added, somewhat annoyed, "I wonder where she went. She's the person in charge at Herri now."

Upon hearing this, Tang Zijun's expression instantly became extremely...interesting.

A hint of embarrassment and guilt flashed across his face, and his ears seemed to be burning slightly.

He coughed twice suddenly, then picked up the other teacup that had survived and took a big gulp of the already cold tea.

Qin Nan?

Thinking about that girl's tireless madness last night, it's no wonder she can't get out of bed now!

"...This...Qin Nan, she..." Tang Zijun's eyes darted around, trying to find a reasonable excuse. "She...she probably stayed up very late last night researching wind magic, um...yes, she was too exhausted and needs to rest more. I'll take care of the reception."

His tone carried an unquestionable "consideration," and he quickly ended the topic. "Let's go, don't keep the guests waiting." Although Gloria found Tang Zijun's reaction a bit strange, she didn't say anything more and nodded in agreement.

Scáthach watched the entire time with her arms crossed, her dark purple eyes scanning back and forth between Tang Zijun's stiff back and Reglando's confused face. A very faint, mischievous chuckle seemed to escape from beneath her mask. The three left the office, walked through the deserted corridors of the city lord's mansion, passed through the industrial area and met Heri, and soon arrived at the door of the reception room reserved for VIPs. Reglando stepped forward and pushed open the heavy oak door.

The reception room was brightly lit and simply yet dignifiedly decorated.

At this moment, three people dressed in identical clothing were standing inside.

The leader was a woman who looked to be around thirty years old with a serious and rigid face. She wore a well-tailored dark blue robe, the edges of which were embroidered with fine storm vortexes and lightning patterns in silver thread. On her left breast was a badge composed of intertwined lightning and wings.

She stood ramrod straight, like a javelin, her hands tucked into her sleeves, her eyes sharp as an eagle's, exuding an inhuman coldness and dogmatic rigor—the typical temperament of a lawman in the Storm Church responsible for enforcing church rules and handling external affairs.

Behind her stood two young guards, also dressed in dark blue outfits, with long swords at their waists and composed demeanor; they were clearly her attendants.

However, when Tang Zijun and her companions entered the reception room, especially when Gloria stepped aside to reveal Little Heri, who was following behind, curiously peeking out, her white wings, still radiating a soft glow in the indoor light, gently fluttering behind her...

The Herrscher, with her gentle demeanor and icy aura, instantly changed her expression.

Her gaze was fixed on Heri, and her breathing became rapid.

Then, before anyone could react...

The Herrscher representing the Church of Storms did not hesitate to kneel before the still somewhat bewildered Heri, bending down on one knee. The movement was fluid and devout, imbued with a reverence that came from the depths of her soul.

The two guards behind her followed suit, kneeling down without hesitation, heads bowed, their posture extremely respectful.

The Herrscher raised her head, gazing up at the bewildered Heri. Her voice, slightly trembling with excitement and awe, held for the first time an intense, almost impenetrable, fervor and devotion. "By the Lord of Storms! We have finally... we have finally found the bloodline of the divine messenger who had been lost to the mortal realm!"

Startled by this sudden gesture, Heri shrank back, hiding behind Tang Zijun's legs, only her small head and her large, bewildered eyes peeking out. Tang Zijun, observing this scene, calmly stepped forward, gently shielding Heri behind him, his gaze meeting that of the kneeling Herrscher, whose eyes burned with intensity. "Your Excellency Herrscher, it's been a long time since we last met. It seems... we have many things to 'discuss'." His voice, though not loud, resonated clearly in the quiet reception room, carrying a sense of composure. Gloria stood to the side, looking at the kneeling members of the Church of Storms, then at the bewildered Heri protected behind Tang Zijun, her gaze finally settling on Tang Zijun's unfathomable profile, her heart churning with complex emotions. Scáthach, leaning against the doorframe, swept her dark purple eyes over the kneeling Herrscher, then over Tang Zijun. Her fingertips twirled a pure white feather that had drifted in from nowhere, playing with it with great interest, completely oblivious to the people around her.

The last time Tang Zijun met this Herrscher was when he first went to the Riverfront Market. At that time, he was trying to investigate the source of the power of shadow. Later, with the help of this Herrscher, he finally found out about the Shadow Cult, so Tang Zijun had a good impression of her.

Her gaze swept over Scáthach not far away—in the empty mirror where there was no shadow. Yes, there was none. When Scáthach came to the dream world, she didn't bring her divinity with her. Or rather, she was the Frost Goddess at the time, and she left the authority of the Shadow Queen in the real world.

"Let's talk," Tang Zijun said, breaking the silence.

So what if the Feathered Clan are messengers of the Church of Storms?

After he rescued and sheltered Heri, her fate was left to her to decide, or... to be weighed by him, her protector. The doctrines of the Storm Church could not supersede the will of Black City and his promise to Heri.

The cold-faced Herrscher took a deep breath, seemingly calming the huge turmoil in her heart, and slowly stood up. Her eyes regained some of their calmness, but the fanaticism and awe for the Holy Wing bloodline were still deeply hidden in them. The two guards behind her also stood up, but their gazes were still awe-inspiring, occasionally glancing at Heli behind Tang Zijun.

"Lord of the City." The Herrscher's voice returned to its usual coldness, but upon closer listening, one could detect a subtle tension. "To find traces of the Holy Wing bloodline here is truly due to the guidance and supreme grace of the Lord of Storms. Thank you for protecting the descendants of the divine messengers."

She nodded slightly, her movements precise and rigid.

"It's just my duty. After all, as you said before, nature and storms share the same origin, don't they?" Tang Zijun replied flawlessly. "Heri is living well and safely in Black City." He looked directly at her, waiting for her reaction.

To Tang Zijun's surprise, the Herrscher didn't immediately respond. Her eyes swept over Heli, who was being protected behind Tang Zijun, with only half her face and white wings visible. A complex emotion flickered in her eyes—a fervent faith, the excitement of finding a sacred object, but more than anything, a sober sense of helplessness and a heavy feeling of reality. "The gods are in chaos, the world is collapsing." The Herrscher's voice lowered, carrying a heavy sigh. "The Holy City is tarnished, and the Holy Land is no longer a pure land." She raised her head, her gaze meeting Tang Zijun's scrutinizing eyes with honesty.

"Lord of the city, although our Storm Church regards Holy Wing as a divine messenger, we are not ignorant of the truth. In this chaotic world, Black City, under your protection, is the only place where the bloodline of the divine messenger can truly grow safely. We are simply powerless to provide Holy Wing with a more solid sanctuary than Black City in the battlefield of the gods."

These words caused a flicker of surprise in Gloria's eyes. She hadn't expected the other party to be so clear-headed, so directly acknowledging their predicament and powerlessness. "Oh?" Tang Zijun raised an eyebrow slightly. This Herrscher was quite pragmatic. He leaned back in his chair, relaxing his posture, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. "So, what is the purpose of Your Excellency's visit?"

The Lawyer straightened his back, and the solemnity and determination that belonged to a Law Enforcer returned to his face.

She took a deep breath and spoke earnestly.

"Lord, on behalf of the Storm Church on the front lines of the River Basin, I humbly request that a new Storm Sanctuary be established within your Black City."