As the busiest commercial port and cargo distribution center in Erune, and indeed the entire Southern Kruz, from the early morning when the dim, swaying light hung from the lampposts begins, until the sea resembles the rising moon, the port never rests. Merchants and dock workers are busy all day, accumulating astonishing wealth for this giant port, only during the storm season visiting the Sea of Shining does this golden route quiet down, allowing the city’s residents some time off.

Wood dressed in a white robe trimmed with red, standing under the White Stone Lighthouse, is the type of figure dispatched by the Holy Temple to serve as the Church Leader of the Ambeser Diocese, and the spiritual leader of the entire Erune Flame Temple. If he remains in this position for fifteen more years, he will qualify to enter the core of the Holy Temple, becoming one of the eleven Great Priests, and at that point, the position of High Priest of the Holy Temple would only be a step away.

It’s hard for ordinary people to imagine what someone of his status would still pursue—Wood has a gaunt face with sunken cheeks, although he is not even eighty years old, he looks like a man who has weathered many storms, only his deep-set eyes are bright and commanding, making ordinary people timid at first sight—the Lord of Priest pressed his lips together, appearing calm but internally as restless as the Nobles of varying status in Erune of late.

"The Lion-men of Tuokui Ning are stirring, there must be support from the Earth Temple behind them." Wood stood on the hillside, watching the variety of sailboats coming and going in the harbor, leaving long trails in the azure bay. The sails like clouds form a spectacle in the waters of the pier, each waterway filled with seasoned Navigators waiting to enter and exit, the wealth contained within these ceaseless flows was enough to make even this high-ranking figure sigh, "Erune is the frontline against the Earth Temple, we cannot allow this internal chaos to last too long, time is running out for us."

Beside him, his friend Ican Priest nodded in agreement. The two have partnered in this position for many years, and although neither are originally from Erune, they are well-versed with this ancient kingdom. "But the Lion-men are stirring, even if they intend to invade, it probably won’t be until next year, especially since this year’s autumn harvest hasn’t been gathered, the Earth Temple wouldn’t dare to act rashly either."

Wood gave his companion a glance.

"Do you know how many years of history this White Stone Lighthouse has, Ican?"

Priest Ican glanced at the lighthouse beside them, which was once the symbol of Ambeser. Back when Former King Eck established the port here, Ambeser was not yet as large nor regarded as a trading port, this lighthouse once guided Former King Eck’s navy to combat with the Flame Temple’s navy on the nearby seas, the White Stone Lighthouse has always been regarded as a symbol of Erune, symbolizing perseverance in the Dark.

"Unfortunately, the lighthouse was destroyed by a fire fifty years ago, and its historical value went up in flames too. The new lighthouse has been rebuilt, but after all, it’s not the original one." Ican understood his companion’s meaning, he appreciated the Royalist and the Princess because they held the same insistence on glory as he did, but history is history, Wood was clearly reminding him to look upon everything justly.

"This Kingdom is the same, no matter how many years of history it has, the glory it persists is abandoned by its descendants, what remains is just a shell. In comparison, being given a new mission, like this lighthouse, is where its true value lies."

"I understand, Lord of Priest," Ican humbly responded. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Wood nodded, the Holy Temple has always been impartial, not interfering easily in the internal affairs of its subordinate countries, thus ensuring its authority. He appreciated his assistant’s persistence for justice and glory, but times are different now, he would never allow his assistant to meddle in Erune’s internal affairs, favoring the Princess’s side.

Thinking of this, the Lord of Priest couldn’t help but glance back toward the city. Ambeser is one of the largest Southern cities, the port connecting to the vast array of rooftops stretching like an anthill to the horizon, the tallest building in the city is undoubtedly the Flame Temple’s temple, the temple barely visible in the mist, he couldn’t help recalling what the young girl Magdal mentioned to him, shaking his head faintly.