Chapter 73: Planning To Leave Kilmir

Benjamin frowned as he looked toward Elias, clearly confused by his master’s sudden decision.

"What do you mean, my lord?" he asked.

Elias turned toward the basement door and walked toward it, his expression remaining calm as he considered the situation. He had originally intended to remain in Kilmir and slowly build his strength while keeping a low profile, but after what had happened tonight, staying here was becoming increasingly troublesome.

"If we stay here, Berlic would do anything he can to cause trouble for us," Elias said as he reached the door and placed his hand against it. "It would be better for us to leave before anything really troublesome happens."

Benjamin’s expression became thoughtful.

He understood what Elias meant.

Lord Berlic had already shown hostility toward his master, and the two members of the Outer Night Watch lying unconscious in the basement would only provide the City Lord with another excuse to make trouble.

Even though Elias had restored Trons’s arm, the fact remained that he had attacked two knights belonging to the City Lord’s forces.

If Berlic learned that the two men had been restrained and tortured inside Elias’s manor, there was no telling how far he would go.

"What about the clan...?" Benjamin asked cautiously.

Elias’s fingers tightened around the door handle.

For a brief moment, his expression became distant as thoughts of the Crimson Ducal Clan crossed his mind. He had spent most of his life being treated as an insignificant bastard, and although he possessed a connection to the clan through blood, he had never truly considered it his home.

He always wanted to be recognized as a true crimson by them, but that never happened.

His wives were different.

They were his responsibility.

They were people he had chosen to protect, and unlike the distant clan, they were waiting for him inside this manor.

"Right now I have my wives to care for," Elias said.

Benjamin remained silent.

Elias opened the door and stepped outside without saying anything more.

The cool air of early morning greeted him as he left the basement behind, and the faint light of dawn had already begun spreading across the manor’s corridors and windows. The night had passed far more quickly than Elias had realized, and after everything that had happened in the rift and the basement, his body should have been exhausted.

Yet thanks to the increase in his Stamina and Endurance, he felt considerably better than he expected.

As he walked through the manor, Elias’s thoughts returned to the problem of leaving Kilmir.

He needed somewhere outside Berlic’s immediate influence, preferably a place where he could sell the monster corpses and Riftstone he had stored in his Inventory without attracting unnecessary attention. More importantly, leaving would allow him to develop his strength without constantly looking over his shoulder.

He eventually reached the main hall, where two maids were already awake and preparing for the morning.

The moment they noticed Elias, both maids stopped what they were doing and quickly bowed.

"My lord," one of them greeted.

Elias nodded in acknowledgment before continuing toward the entrance.

"Continue with your work," he said.

"Yes, my lord," the maid answered.

Elias passed through the doors and stepped onto the street.

The city was slowly waking.

Merchants were beginning to open their shops, workers were moving through the streets, and guards could be seen changing shifts as the first rays of sunlight appeared above the buildings. Elias walked through the familiar streets without attracting much attention, although his thoughts remained focused on what he needed to do next.

If he was going to leave Kilmir, he needed a safe way to do so, and there were few people he trusted enough to ask.

The church stood at the center of the city, its enormous white structure rising above the surrounding buildings, with golden symbols carved into its walls and a towering statue of the Sun standing before the main entrance.

Elias had nearly reached it when a familiar figure appeared among the morning crowd.

The man was wearing the robes of a deacon, and his golden-trimmed clothing immediately caught Elias’s attention.

Bram.

Elias recognized him almost immediately and changed his direction slightly before approaching.

He allowed Bram to walk a few steps ahead before calling out from behind.

"Deacon Bram," Elias called.

Bram stopped and turned around, and the moment his eyes landed on Elias, they shone with recognition.

He immediately performed the traditional greeting of the Sun Church, placing one hand against his chest and the index and middle fingers of the other hand on his lips.

"May the Sun shine on us forever, Sire Elias," Bram said respectfully.

"May the Sun shine on us forever," Elias replied.

Bram looked at him curiously.

"Are you going to the church?" he inquired.

Elias nodded.

"I want to meet Priest Mekah for something important," he said.

Bram’s expression became slightly more serious.

"Something important?"

Elias nodded again but didn’t elaborate.

"There are some matters I wish to discuss with him privately," Elias answered.

Bram studied Elias for a moment before deciding not to question him further.

"Let us not delay it any further then," Bram suggested.

Elias nodded.

"Agreed."

The two entered the church together.

The moment Elias crossed the threshold, the atmosphere around him changed. The sounds of the city faded behind the thick doors, replaced by a quiet stillness that filled the enormous hall.

Morning sunlight streamed through the tall stained-glass windows, casting golden patterns across the polished floor, while several believers moved quietly through the building.

Elias glanced around as he walked beside Bram.

He had visited the Sun Church before, but this time he paid closer attention to the surroundings. The walls were decorated with countless depictions of the Sun, with scenes of knights receiving blessings, priests healing wounded soldiers, and followers praying beneath enormous golden symbols.

Bram led him deeper into the church.

They passed through several corridors before eventually arriving at a quieter section reserved for the clergy.

"Priest Mekah’s room is ahead," Bram said as he stopped before a wooden door.

Elias nodded.

"Thank you."

Bram gave him a small smile before stepping aside.

Elias raised his hand and knocked.

"Come in," an elderly voice answered from inside.

Elias opened the door and stepped into the room.

A faint scent of incense lingered in the air, and the morning sunlight illuminated the room through the ceiling.

Behind the desk sat an elderly priest with white hair and a peaceful expression.

The moment he saw Elias, the old priest’s lips curved into a warm smile.

"It is great to see you again, Sire Elias," Priest Mekah said.