"Ales, you..."

"Andrews, this welcome ceremony is not a grand celebration for your Dawn Church,"

Ales’s gaze was ice-cold. An aura like a mountain pressed down on Kali. "Much less a venue for you to preach your faith. Understand?"

Andrews’s expression darkened. "Ales, are you sure you want to interfere...?"

"You’re mistaken," Ales interrupted, raising a hand. "I *am* already interfering!"

Kali looked at them, flustered and bewildered. ’What did I do wrong?’

The others on the stage were at a complete loss. They all knew Ales’s temper. They had assumed today would just be a matter of going through the motions, but who would have thought he wouldn’t even cooperate with that?

"Ales, um, can we finish the ceremony first?"

Among those present, only Vice Speaker Harrington of the City-State Council had high enough status. He carefully chose his words, "Today, nearly half the city-state is here. For you to do this..."

"Finish it? Hmph!"

Ales took a step forward, moving past Kali to face the entire crowd. "I declare this celebration over. The Secret Investigation Department warmly welcomes Miss Kali."

"At the same time, we will do our utmost to eradicate the heretics and ill-intentioned individuals hiding within our city-state."

"That is all. Thank you for coming!"

Without waiting to see anyone’s reaction, he walked straight off the stage.

As he passed the members of the Secret Investigation Department, his cold voice carried over, "The celebration is over. What are you all still doing here?"

"If you’re feeling idle, the Detention Area has plenty of guys who can provide you with some entertainment..."

"The Director is right. All department heads, take your people and go back."

Deputy Director Balats, looking like he had a headache, picked up where he left off, waving for them to leave quickly. Otherwise, he feared something even more terrifying might happen.

The other high-ranking members of the Secret Investigation Department and the department heads, however, were unfazed. ’This is how the Director is supposed to be.’

’Agreeing to attend this celebration in the first place was clearly a sign his brain had short-circuited...’

Seeing this, Wei’en couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief. The increasingly severe evaluation on his panel just now had been about to scare him to death.

If Ales hadn’t interrupted, that being would have truly turned its gaze upon him.

[Power of Dawn Faith has dissipated. Evaluation: Rejoice, for you are still you. Special Reward: Survival Points +1, Origin +1.]

’I really should be rejoicing...’

’But for such a dangerous moment, you’re only giving me 1 damn survival point? Isn’t that a little cheap?’

"Let’s go."

Lisi took one last look at Kali on the stage and shook her head. "Looks like our new colleague’s onboarding ceremony is a bit rocky."

Marco said sympathetically, "Indeed. But she’s so beautiful, she probably won’t..."

BANG,

"Focus on your work!" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Wei’en took Tina’s hand and left with the others.

Lisi and the others didn’t know why Ales had interrupted, but he knew perfectly well.

He was stopping the descent of Dawn’s sacred grace, and in doing so, saving countless non-believers.

Therefore, he felt no sympathy for Kali.

Just as the panel said, if he had let things continue, perhaps he wouldn’t be himself anymore...

As for the role Kali played as the ceremony’s focal point, that wasn’t his concern right now.

He was more concerned about something else—there had to be something more important hidden behind this ceremony!

After everyone from the Secret Investigation Department had left, the welcome ceremony held specially for Kali could only end in haste.

Vice Speaker Harrington announced with a hint of apology, "Thank you all for coming. Under the illumination of the Dawn Radiance, we hope that Lady Kali will have a pleasant time at the Secret Investigation Department."

"At the same time, we also wish her success in becoming one of the Dawn Church’s Saintesses. Now, I invite Bishop Andrews..."

Andrews’s expression had already returned to its usual placidity, as if the departure of Ales and his people was merely a minor interruption.

After finishing the formulaic words of blessing with unusual calm, he directed the Holy Professionals of the church to lead the surrounding believers away.

"What was that? How could the great Dawn be insulted by such a vulgar, inauspicious man?"

"Exactly! We must punish him!"

"Right, we can’t let him get away with this..."

These fanatical believers felt humiliated.

They had felt the call of Dawn and were anticipating the descent of its sacred grace, only to be abruptly interrupted. The feeling left every one of them furious.

But no matter what they said, the non-believers in the crowd were already leaving in high spirits.

"I knew it! Ales Kilibali hates the Church so much, how could he just watch them prance around in front of him? As expected..."

"Right? Seeing a scene like this really makes me happy, haha..."

Many others wore grave expressions, contemplating the future consequences of this event. "What happened today will have significant repercussions."

"Mm, that Bishop is not known for being magnanimous..."

"Let’s go back first. This isn’t the place to talk. Those people haven’t left yet."

...

...

Two hours had passed since the end of the celebration. The prayer hall of Krimms Cathedral was still quiet and peaceful.

"Teacher, I’m sorry, I..."

Kali’s expression was one of extreme dejection. Even the magnificent ceremonial dress she wore seemed to sag with despair.

"This is not your fault,"

Bishop Andrews comforted her gently. "You don’t need to blame yourself, nor should you be upset about what Ales did today. That’s just his personality."

"But I don’t understand why he had to interrupt the ceremony."

"It was likely a beautiful misunderstanding. Trust me, it wasn’t your fault."

Kali was still confused, but her personality had never been assertive, so she just nodded. "Then, do I still need to go to the Secret Investigation Department?"

"Of course,"

Bishop Andrews turned to look at the statue of the Dawn. "Follow the guidance of the great Dawn. There are many lost souls in the Secret Investigation Department who need you to redeem them."

"After you complete this mission, it will be time to go to Klande and receive the Dawn Crown of a Saintess."

Kali nodded lightly. "Mm."

"For those of us who bathe in the radiance, all difficulties and setbacks are merely trials. Only by overcoming them can you draw closer to the Dawn."

"I know what to do now, Teacher."

"Go now, child."

Kali bowed her head and turned to leave.

A long while later, Bishop Andrews gazed calmly at the statue and slowly spoke, "The plan has failed. What are your intentions now?"

Melbel’s figure appeared silently. "I have none."

"You’re giving up just like that?"

Bishop Andrews looked at him. "The original hope was to use the descent of sacred grace one more time to help her ascend to the position of Saintess and receive the Dawn Crown, and incidentally guide more people to accept the baptism of Dawn, but now..."

"It is merely a matter of time," Melbel said calmly. "Fate has already turned the page. No one can stop it."

"That’s good to hear..."

"This time, thank you for your help. Leave the rest to me."

Andrews pressed his lips together. After a moment of silence, he finally said, "I hope you can take good care of her. She is truly a devout believer."

"Mm. I am more aware of that than anyone."

With that, Melbel vanished, leaving Andrews alone, standing quietly in this place watched over by the Dawn.

...

...

Meanwhile, back at the Secret Investigation Department, it was as if nothing had happened. Everyone went about their duties, doing what they were supposed to do.

However, from the way they occasionally spoke in hushed tones, it wasn’t hard to see that they were all concerned about the scene at the ceremony.

But none of this had anything to do with Wei’en. At this moment, he was looking at Lisi with a pained expression.

Yes, a literally pained expression... His eye sockets were bruised, the swelling obstructed his vision, and several new lumps had appeared on his head.

"I’m so glad you proactively invited me to a duel."

Lisi stood across from him, her face alight with excitement. She wore no weapons, just a pair of gloves. "This will be a duel you’ll never forget."

Wei’en: "..."

’Damn it, she’s a monster in human skin.’

Without being able to use his firearm, he had no way of harming Lisi at all.

"Alright, warm-up’s over. I’ll allow you to use your weapon. Try again."

"You sure?"

"Of course. You don’t think..."

BANG, BANG...

Before she could finish, Wei’en had already drawn his firearm and fired a series of shots...

’Try it and die!’

’Please don’t die, Sister Lisi!’