"Fire! Run!"
"It's hot!"
"Bring water!"
"Anyone who can use Water magic, hurry and put out the flames!"
"Leave the belongings, just go!"
...
The entire house was suddenly and unexpectedly engulfed in a sea of flames.
The terrified cries of nearby residents mixed with the shouts of the Light Church members surrounding the building.
The crashing sounds of collapsing debris inside the burning house blended with the pounding footsteps of people fleeing.
Together, they created a scene of utter chaos.
Then, from within the blazing house, a group of figures rushed out—the very first team from the Light Church who had entered earlier.
Though their faces and clothes were covered in ash, not a single one of them was injured.
After all, those chosen for today's mission were strong, and they had only just stepped inside, never venturing deep into the building. A brief exposure to fire and smoke was not enough to harm them.
For the rest of the Light Church members outside, even though they trusted the strength of the vanguard, seeing them escape unharmed brought relief and joy.
But the next unexpected event froze the smiles on their faces.
"THE LIGHT CHURCH HAS BURNED DOWN THE WHITE CHURCH'S HEADQUARTERS!"
"MURDER! THEY'VE KILLED PEOPLE!"
"THE LIGHT CHURCH SLAUGHTERED EVERYONE FROM THE WHITE CHURCH, BURNING THEM ALIVE IN THEIR OWN HEADQUARTERS!"
"THE FOOD MEANT FOR THE POOR HAS BEEN SEIZED BY THE LIGHT CHURCH!"
"THE WHITE CHURCH'S HEADQUARTERS IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED!"
...
Countless terrified screams echoed throughout the city, rising again and again from different places.
All carried the same message: the Light Church had cruelly harmed and destroyed the White Church.
These cries immediately sparked endless whispers and rumors across Aldor.
For members of the Light Church who remained at the cathedral and did not directly participate in the raid, those voices struck hardest.
In recent days, even the lowest-ranking clerics had heard rumors that the higher-ups were targeting the White Church.
Bishop Draven's march with a powerful force could hardly be hidden from public eyes.
Thus, both clergy and citizens knew the Light Church's attack on the White Church was real. This made the screams even more convincing, easier to believe as truth.
The problem was that no one knew how far the leaders of the Light Church in the city were willing to go.
Most assumed today's action would stop at a forced investigation, even if it reeked of suppression and hostility. But hearing claims of burning down a rival's headquarters, killing everyone, and seizing all supplies shocked everyone.
Even if it was meant to purge heresy, the sheer brutality and haste of the act felt improper, raising questions about the leaders' judgment.
A silent wave of suspicion and fear spread across all of Aldor.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Slander, all of it—slander, lies, baseless accusations!"
A priest of the Light Church, standing not far from where the White Church's headquarters once stood, shouted angrily.
The building had burned down so quickly that now only rubble and ashes remained.
All efforts to extinguish the fire had failed; the Light Church members had only managed to prevent the flames from spreading further.
"When we entered earlier, we smelled heavy oil," reported a holy knight.
"There were also traces of Fire magic used," another added.
"Clearly, they had prepared to burn the building themselves and place the blame on us."
"The problem is, no one else knows that. Try explaining that the White Church burned their own headquarters—who would believe it?"
"We stormed in, and soon after, the building went up in flames. None of us was harmed, while the White Church suffered all the losses. That's what people see."
The Light Church members spoke in anger and frustration.
Days earlier, the White Church had been slandered by rumors; now the Light Church was suffering the same attack.
Realizing this was retaliation, their faces grew bitter.
Worse, the timing made it more effective: when the White Church was defamed, they were still doing charity work and distributing food. But now, the Light Church was accused of visibly surrounding the White Church's headquarters.
This made the slander far more convincing in the eyes of the people. Even with explanations, without solid proof, suspicions would linger.
Draven: "How goes the investigation?"
The Bishop spoke with a calm voice, easing those around him and softening their anger and frustration.
Yet hidden beneath the long sleeve of his robe, Draven's hand was clenched tightly, veins bulging. It revealed that in truth, he was far from as composed as he appeared on the surface.
Reports came quickly: "We haven't identified who spread those lies—they vanished swiftly."
"Sir, beneath the rubble we found human bones."
"They truly burned their own people alive?" a priest exclaimed in shock.
Draven replied: "They wanted to make the slander more convincing."
"Should we dispose of the bodies?" someone asked.
Draven: "Too many eyes are watching this place. If we try to do that at this moment, it will only look as though we are attempting to erase evidence."
"Then what should we do, sir?"
Draven: "Obviously, the leaders wouldn't have killed themselves inside that building. What we need to do is find them.
Two of you—one stays here, the other returns to the cathedral to stabilize the situation, while also continuing to secretly track down those spreading the rumors and capture them for questioning.
The rest of you, quickly split up and advance…"
At that moment, a holy knight rushed in, breathless, interrupting Draven's words:
"We've just received reports that three young, beautiful women in white garments were seen leaving through the southern gate not long ago."
Draven: "They left openly, without even attempting to conceal themselves?"
Though still suspicious of the true intentions of the White Church and wary of possible traps, Draven knew he could not simply sit idle and allow them to leave unchecked.
Thus, he personally led a team of twenty elite members and swiftly set out in pursuit.