The journey back lasted several days, peaceful and uneventful.
Riding their Pegasuses, Lei Luo and his group returned to Blackstone Town.
Before they even entered the town, a solemn atmosphere, starkly different from usual, washed over them.
At some point, a simple temporary camp had been set up outside the town, with a dozen uniformly white tents neatly arranged, dotting the early spring grassland like snow-white mushrooms.
Between the tents, soldiers in silver chainmail, armed with spears or crossbows, patrolled steadily, their gazes fixed straight ahead.
Most striking was an open space specifically cleared in one corner of the camp, where nearly a hundred magnificent Pegasuses leisurely groomed their feathers or lowered their heads to nibble on special feed.
Their snow-white wings were folded at their sides, occasionally flapping to create a gentle breeze.
Beside each Pegasus stood a knight, also clad in silver armor, which gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting the Pegasuses' wings and exuding a sacred yet powerful sense of oppression.
Lei Luo's brow furrowed slightly.
With a Pegasus Knight group of such a scale, he roughly knew the identity of the newcomers.
To his knowledge, the only force with a large-scale deployment of Pegasuses was the Light Church.
"My Lord, you're back."
Bolin, who had been left in charge of the territory, hurried forward, his expression a mix of solemnity and unease.
"A very important person... is waiting for you in your castle."
Lei Luo nodded, dismounted, and handed the reins to an attendant beside him.
"An important person?"
"It's Bishop Augustus of the Light Church. He arrived in Blackstone Territory yesterday, saying he would stay here for a few days to rest and regroup."
Inside the castle hall, the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.
An old man, dressed in a simple yet dignified white linen robe, sat on the guest seat beside the main one.
A large, pure gold holy emblem hung on his chest, with a pigeon-egg-sized ruby set in its center, radiating a warm luster.
The old man had a lean face with high cheekbones, and a pair of sharp, gray-blue eyes like an eagle's, as if they could see into people's hearts.
His grizzled hair was meticulously combed, and a neatly trimmed silver goatee hung down to his chest.
In his hand, he held a thick, leather-bound scripture, his fingers bony yet strong.
This person was indeed one of the Bishops of the Light Church, Saint Augustus.
This Bishop was known within the Light Church for his extreme devotion to doctrine and his iron-fisted methods.
It was said that he once, by himself, in three days, made all the residents of a small border town, which had been misled by heretical theories, kneel again before the holy emblem of the God of Light; his methods were unfathomable, yet no one dared to question his piety and power.
Rumor had it that he had also personally purified a Count possessed by a demon; that purification ritual lasted seven days and seven nights, and ultimately the Count's soul was saved, but his body turned into a handful of sacred ashes.
Bishop Augustus was thus respectfully called "The Unyielding Holy Hammer" and "Purifier of Heretics" by believers.
He had a widely circulated saying.
"Only ashes can guarantee sanctity."
When Lei Luo entered the hall, Bishop Augustus's gaze fell upon him, a scrutinizing look.
"Baron Lei Luo, good day."
Augustus's voice was calm and unruffled, yet it carried an unsettling power.
It was said that this Bishop possessed the strength of a peak Fifth-Rank Domain Knight, having defeated opponents of the same rank multiple times.
"Your Grace, you have come a long way, and I failed to greet you properly. I hope you will forgive me."
Lei Luo bowed slightly, his manners impeccable, no hint of abnormality on his face.
He knew that a religious leader of this caliber would never bring a hundred-strong Pegasus Knight group to his remote, newly established territory without a reason.
"No need for such formalities, Baron."
Bishop Augustus closed the scripture in his hand and placed it on his lap.
"The will of the God of Light has guided me to this place."
"Blackstone Territory, as a newly established frontier territory, should be bathed in the glory of our Lord, ensuring that every inch of land is pure and unblemished."
Lei Luo's heart tightened.
These words sounded grand, but combined with Augustus's style of action, it was likely that he meant no good.
He didn't think there was anything in his territory that needed "purification."
Nor did he want to prove his sanctity to this iron-fisted Bishop.
After all, to prove "sanctity" to him, one could only turn into ashes.
"What does Your Grace mean?" Lei Luo asked calmly.
Bishop Augustus's gaze sharpened again, like two unsheathed swords.
"Our Lord's glory illuminates all things, but it also absolutely forbids any shadows from breeding. I have come to ensure the purity of faith in Blackstone Territory, to ensure that everything here conforms to the guidance of the Holy Scriptures of Light."
The air in the hall seemed to solidify.
Sweat beaded on the foreheads of the knights nearby.
They could feel the invisible pressure emanating from the Bishop, a kind of absolute confidence stemming from faith and power.
Lei Luo's eyes also grew cold.
He disliked being scrutinized and questioned, especially on his own turf.
Recently, fierce conflicts and wars had erupted in multiple territories bordering the Thunder Dragon Principality and the Blazing Sun Kingdom, which was likely the result of the Light Church's attempt to exert influence over the Thunder Dragon Principality.
"Your Grace, every resident of Blackstone Territory is hardworking and law-abiding. We respect the God of Light, but we also believe in effort and sweat."
Lei Luo's tone was flat, revealing no emotion.
"How does Your Grace intend to 'ensure the purity of faith' in my territory?"
Bishop Augustus smiled slightly, but the smile brought no warmth.
"Baron, as I traveled, I saw Blackstone Territory flourishing, and its people living in peace and contentment. My heart is greatly comforted."
He picked up the clear water served by an attendant and took a small sip.
"It's just that..."
He changed the subject, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone in the hall.
"On such a vast land, there isn't a single temple for our Lord. Where do the people pray? Where do they seek solace for their souls? If this continues, without the guidance of the light of faith, evil seeds will quietly sprout in the shadows. Baron, don't you think this is an oversight?"
Lei Luo's heart sank; this old man was indeed here for this.
Yet, he remained calm, even showing a hint of appropriate guilt and helplessness.
"Your Grace, Blackstone Territory is newly established, and everything is in ruins awaiting reconstruction. I have only taken over this place for a short time, and many matters have not yet been fully sorted out. In recent days, the Magic Snake Claws have invaded multiple times, and bandits have repeatedly attacked the town. My impoverished territory can barely secure its own survival, how can I dare to hope for spiritual solace?"
He turned slightly, gesturing towards the main structure of the castle, which had just been topped off and had not yet been plastered or decorated.
"You see, even this castle has just had its framework built; many of the internal halls are still bare, and even decent furniture has not been fully acquired."
Lei Luo sighed, his tone tinged with embarrassment.
"To be honest, Your Grace, Blackstone Territory's finances are currently tight; we wish we could split every copper coin in half. Building a temple is indeed a great honor to the Lord God of Light, but it is extremely costly. Given Blackstone Territory's current situation, it is truly... willing but unable. If the livelihood of the people were to be delayed due to the construction of a temple, I fear it would not be what the Lord God wishes to see."