The Path to Lordship Begins in the North

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in the North has been renovated and is even more magnificent than before, with an increasing number of nuns residing there.

However, the Basilica of Our Lady of Salvation seems to have deviated from its original purpose. Now, those who come to the Basilica of Our Lady of Salvation are all people who want to join the Sisters or even the Knights of Lars. They are quite full of martial spirit.

Of course, Flora will not be affected by these people. The war is over, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Salvation should return to its original purpose. The Combat Sisters will definitely continue to recruit, but it is estimated that they will not expand further.

"I thought you wouldn't come back."

It was already dusk, and Flora teased Isa, who had just returned from Anjou, looking travel-worn.

For a moment, Isa felt a little dazed, as if she had returned to the time before the North fell.

As long as the demon race isn't mentioned, Flora now seems just as gentle and holy as she always has been.

"I just went out for a stroll to see what the empire looks like now."

As Isa chatted with Flora, she strolled around the Basilica of Our Lady of Salvation.

If there's any difference between the current Basilica of Our Lady of Salvation and the one before, it's that it's more solemn, even carrying a bit of a murderous aura. The original statue of Our Lady of Salvation, which used to hold a seal in one hand and herbs in the other, has now been changed to holding a sword in one hand and herbs in the other.

If the current Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation were to travel back to the time when it was invaded by the demons, the power of this cathedral alone would probably be enough to push the demons back.

"I haven't paid attention to this for a long time, after all, our duty is to fight and protect His Majesty."

Looking at the somewhat somber statue of the Virgin Mary, Flora asked, "Can you tell me what the outside world has become?"

"It's not great, but that's compared to the North, and at least for now, there's hope."

Isa's expression softened as she recalled the little girl and her family working in the mine.

Seeing Isa like this, Flora's originally cold aura gradually relaxed. In Flora's current view, Isa was not loyal to His Majesty the Emperor. Even though His Majesty the Emperor had given Isa many privileges, it was precisely because of these privileges that Flora became vigilant. It was an instinct to be loyal to the Emperor and to pay attention to all dangerous factors.

Is it really a good idea to hand over the Northern Church to Isa? After all, the Northern Church is arguably the strongest church in terms of direct combat power among the three major branches of the Goddess Church in the Empire.

It was this concern that led Flora to return to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation during a rare holiday to wait for Isaac.

However, as things stand now, Isabella is at least safe and loyal, though perhaps not loyal to His Majesty the Emperor.

Isabella didn't seem to sense the subtle change in Flora's aura, or perhaps she did, but she didn't mind.

Some reforms cannot be accomplished overnight. Isa has many ideas that can be implemented starting with the Northern Church. The Northern Church is arguably the most secular and pragmatic church, and even its canon is still under revision. There is a lot of room for Isa to work with.

Of course, there are also drawbacks. Because of the origins of the Northern Church, the Northern Church greatly admires Lind, even though Lind has been trying to suppress these ideas.

Rather, it was precisely because of this that Lind brought Isa back to the Northern Church and promoted its secularization.

The emperor wanted new ideas to begin to emerge from the Church of the North.

The two walked up to the upper level of the church and looked in the direction of what was once the permafrost.

The permafrost has been completely liberated. In fact, due to the white light, which was the effect of the railgun, the environment of the permafrost has undergone some subtle changes. It's not that it has become habitable, but it is better than before.

The most troublesome people are those who were originally under the rule of the demons. They don't seem to have adapted to their new lives yet. Fortunately, the demons did not rule the Surd region for long, and most people successfully returned to human rule. Guiding these people is also one of the tasks of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation.

There are no demons to be seen on the continent now. After all, demons are something that should not exist in the first place. The old empire was purging those races that arose by accident, and the new empire is just inheriting the work of the old empire. No one will have any pity for demons.

Of course, just because it doesn't exist on Mu Continent doesn't mean it doesn't exist elsewhere.

Looking at the area once ruled by demons, Isa asked, "How are the demons doing now?"

Upon hearing this question, Flora seemed to recall some unpleasant memories, but then quickly put it aside and said, "Only the continent of Soren still has living demons, and Lord Sean is already handling this matter."

"We will exact the most brutal and bloody revenge on the demons until this race is no longer in the world."

Isa didn't say much about Flora's obsession; Flora certainly had the right to say those things.

Not far from the Basilica of Our Lady of Salvation is a monument to those who died defending the cathedral. This monument is located in a perfect position on the upper level of the cathedral for a perfect view.

When Flora saw the monument, a fierce glint flashed in her eyes, but when she saw the children in winter clothes playing in the snow in the monument park, her hostility vanished instantly.

The setting sun hung low in the winter sky, dyeing half the horizon red, and the snow reflected a soft golden-orange light.

An older boy squatted in the snow, kneading a snowball with his hands. Suddenly, he stood up and threw the snowball at his running friend. The snowball arced through the air and landed with a thud on another child's back, eliciting laughter and protests. The joy was so real that, even though they were far apart, Flora seemed to hear the children's laughter.

She was still not at peace, but the surrounding environment healed her.

Looking at the group of children, Flora asked, "Will the future be better?"

"Will do."

Isa said firmly, "It definitely will."

Flora seemed to have truly returned to the saintly figure she once was, and instructed Isa: "The future is in your hands. Now you are the saint of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation and the head of the Northern Church. Don't let your sisters down."

Flora's gentle smile made Isabella feel as if she had returned to the past, to the most beautiful time in her memory.

"Well, leave it to me."