The "The Place Abandoned by Gods" region of Monsa.
Old Neil was nearly fifty years old, and in the poorly sanitized Monsa, he was definitely considered exceptionally long-lived.
He had never drunk the divine water, yet his lifespan was longer than many priests who had. This offended a passing priest.
That priest believed that since his own father had died of an incurable illness at forty-five, how could someone who hadn't even tasted divine water live longer than a priest favored by God?
Thus, the priest delivered punishment on God's behalf, sending him to this region and warning him never to return.
After arriving here, some kind-hearted people heard his story and brought him into an organization formed specifically to shelter those driven here by priests for ridiculous reasons.
In "The Place Abandoned by Gods," there were those who had been wronged and those who were truly being punished for their crimes. The two factions were like fire and water, frequently clashing.
The reason Una had been sent here was so terrifying that the High Priest was enraged. In the eyes of these people, the High Priest was still good; it was just the regular priests who were wicked.
With half the people opposing it, Una did not join them. Similarly, those who had truly committed crimes did not accept her either. Because she was just a little girl, she might not have survived a single day if she had actually gone in.
One day, as Old Neil finished his work and was about to head back to his house to rest, one of his few friends here stopped him.
"Old Neil, don't go back yet. Administrator wants us to gather in the clearing; he says there's a big announcement," Lyle shouted to him.
Old Neil found it strange. What could possibly be important in this place? The criminals wouldn't launch a collective attack on them because it wasn't worth the cost.
"What's happened?"
"I don't know. I only saw Una following Administrator. You know, I think Administrator is..."
Old Neil understood. Could Administrator be planning to ignore everyone else's objections and forcibly take in poor Una?
"That little girl is quite pitiful. If Administrator really plans to do this, I'll support him."
Lyle added. He truly couldn't understand why the others opposed accepting Una. Was it for that bullshit High Priest?
Old Neil remained silent. He walked quietly behind Lyle without saying a word.
Although he emotionally pitied Una and felt the girl should indeed be accepted, the opposition from many within the organization held him back. He was nearly fifty and wanted to live a bit longer; he didn't want to see the organization split, so he had remained silent that day.
When the two arrived, the situation was beyond their expectations.
There was a temporary stage set up, with a figure in yellow robes standing in the center. In front of her was a large cauldron, and in her hand, she held a tattered book.
There was nothing special about the scene itself, and the two barely gave it a second glance. However, there were two others behind the yellow-robed figure whose appearances made it impossible for them to look away.
They possessed features of magical beasts; their bodies were covered in scales, and one of them had long claws. What shocked them even more was that Administrator was right beside them, chatting with them quite casually.
"Una!" Lyle recognized one of them and cried out in surprise. Una turned, said a few words, and then jogged over.
"Brother Lyle, you've come at the right time. Come up."
As she spoke, Una tried her best not to let her claws hurt him, pulling him upward with her palm. Lyle was completely unable to resist Una's strength.
"Una, why have you become like this? You were wearing a cloak this morning. Were you like this then?"
Watching the two walk onto the stage, Old Neil didn't rush to follow. Seeing the scene before him, he knew something big was about to happen, so he chose to wait and see.
After a while, he noticed that many people from the organization had arrived. What struck him as odd was that they were all faces of those who had agreed when discussing whether to accept Una.
These sights made Old Neil a bit afraid. He feared that Administrator would announce the organization's split at any moment, and his peaceful days would come to an end, yet he was powerless to stop it.
"Everyone, welcome."
Furan clapped her hands, drawing the attention of everyone below. She continued:
"First, I want to congratulate you. Your sentence in 'The Place Abandoned by Gods' is over."
The crowd immediately broke into a flurry of discussion. Although those present weren't particularly loyal, they knew they had been punished and sent here by the priests. Since she wasn't wearing the priests' robes, what was the point of her announcement?
"Additionally, I have one more thing to announce," Furan paused before continuing. "The god enshrined in the center of Monsa is a False God. Naturally, those priests worship a False God."
"And I shall bring you the revelation of the True God."
The audience below suddenly fell silent, not daring to say a word.
In Monsa, faith in the gods was higher than any other matter. Even if those present didn't agree with the priests, they rarely denied the gods themselves.
While they were happy to hear this person say their sentence was over, they didn't even dare to think about anything regarding the gods.
Furan looked around at the crowd. Seeing that they had all bowed their heads, some even covering their ears and eyes, she chuckled:
"Now, you can see what the True God has bestowed upon you." Having said that, she waved her right hand, signaling those behind her to come forward.
Lyle and Administrator stepped forward, each holding an empty bowl. Administrator was calm and composed, while Lyle was somewhat flustered, not quite understanding what was happening.
Two streams of water emerged from the gaps in the cauldron, flying into their bowls without a single drop being spilled.
Following the instructions, the two showed their bowls to the spectators, revealing the orange liquid inside.
"That's... divine water!" Old Neil cried out. He felt as if his brain had been struck by lightning, and the words escaped him without a second thought.
The reason Old Neil was so long-lived was also due to his wealthy background. Since childhood, he had been able to watch others drink divine water from up close.
He was absolutely certain. Although the color was different, that was divine water.
His hands couldn't stop trembling, unable to believe what he was seeing.
At the same time, the two drank the liquid in their hands.
With a soft "thud," the wooden bowls fell to the ground. As the crowd watched the changes in the people on stage, they couldn't help but gasp.
Lyle's transformation was the most significant. His clothes were torn open as a pair of dragon wings unfurled, the wings spreading out and reflecting in everyone's eyes.
"That False God stole my God's power. True divine water should be like this, and every one of you present can receive it."
The crowd below erupted in cheers, their eyes fixed intently on the wooden bowls left on the stage.
Lyle slightly retracted his dragon wings, looked down at the crowd, and roared:
"Down with the False God! Kill the heretics!"
"Down with the False God! Kill the heretics!" The crowd below fiercely repeated Lyle's words.
Just then, the tattered book in Furan's hand actually began to slowly repair itself, its cover emitting a faint golden light.
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