On Starcrest 27, in the year 1850 AC (Arbiter Calendar), everyone in the command room was shocked when Priest Mark revealed that the badge belonged to the High Judicator of Sacred Balance, a religious military position designated with a Level 4 Badge known as the Judicator Aura Knight. Upon realizing that the badge came from the Cardinals of Seraphine, Priest Mark immediately bowed his head. As a newly appointed priest assigned to the Northern Army of Frostguard, he was tasked with purifying the 5th Fortress of Frostgate and the Whisperpine Expanse, areas plagued by deathly auras. The Cardinals of Seraphine had dispatched a large number of priests to employ the Holy Aura Purifying Arts for this purpose.
"Priest Mark, is that badge real?" Knight-Major Garett Ironwing asked, his face a mix of confusion and shock.
"Yes, this badge is real. Each badge is blessed according to its corresponding church position. For a level four badge, one of the main requirements is that it must be blessed by a Bishop Rank, which can take many years to achieve," Priest Mark replied while rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"What's wrong, Priest Mark?" Judicator Alistair inquired.
"Even if the badge is real, do you have any other items typically used by the High Judicator of Sacred Balance?" Priest Mark continued.
The system displayed Alistair on the blue screen, prompting him to retrieve the item. "Yes, Priest Mark," he said, taking out the suggested item.
"Interesting. It must be challenging for someone so young to obtain or even stumble upon such a valuable relic with an inventory storage," Priest Mark noted, intrigued. Alistair felt relieved that the inventory storage existed; it truly was a good relic.
Alistair crafted a convincing alibi to ensure everyone, especially Priest Mark, would be convinced of his story. The system informed him that he could lie without being deemed guilty, as every trained and professional Priest Rank has the ability to discern truth from lies. With the system protecting him, Alistair was grateful; whether he spoke the truth or not, the system would affirm his statements as valid, seemingly anticipating his needs.
"From what I was taught, this item is known as the 'Codex Chains of Binding Law.' These floating chains, inscribed with sacred laws, restrain enemies. The more they struggle or attack, the tighter the chains constrict." As Alistair spoke, the chains began to float around the command room and suddenly ensnared one officer, catching Alistair by surprise.
Alistair asked the system if the item was functioning properly. The system displayed the following message on the blue screen: "The Codex Chains of Binding Law not only restrain targeted enemies but also detect individuals who use invisibility, camouflage, or disguises. This means that the Codex Chains of Binding Law have coincidentally captured a spy within the command room." Alistair understood the system's explanation and relayed the information to everyone.
"Knight-Major Garett, it seems the Codex Chains of Binding Law have captured a spy. If you doubt my words, you may ask Priest Mark for verification."
"A spy? Understood. Priest Mark, please join me in interrogating this captured spy. Knight-Staff Sergeant, please take a seat, as this will take some time."
After several minutes had passed, Knight-Major Garett, Priest Mark, and a few officers returned to the command room. "Just as Knight-Staff Sergeant Alistair reported, this man is indeed a spy from another kingdom that is not part of the Kingdom of Victory alliance. He is from the Kingdom of Purge and has been here longer than I have," Garett explained. He then bowed to Alistair, who was shocked by this display of respect from his superior, as the system began to provide additional information.
The blue screen displayed the following message: "Although you are his superior, when it comes to the Church, you will receive their respect and gratitude. The Church has a long-established power that has lasted over five hundred years, rising to the highest authority across both continents. It governs not only religion but also law, military ethics, and aura legitimacy. Long before the formation of nobles and military structures, the Church's influence spread throughout the continents. From the years 750 to 1250, as tribes transformed into cities, alliances became kingdoms and empires, and coalitions evolved into free city-states controlled by guilds, institutions, and influential figures."
"The church, despite having a large number of believers and followers, struggled to govern effectively. To address this, they established a separate governing structure called the Nobility. This new entity was responsible for managing lands, maintaining order, collecting taxes, and more. Meanwhile, the Military was created to expand into uncharted territories, which were often inhabited by dangerous monsters and wild beasts. The Military also handled local and regional security, including border control and protection against invaders, raiders, and escaped criminals."
"This separation of responsibilities allowed the church to focus on its spiritual mission while delegating governance and security tasks to the Nobility and Military."
"In simpler terms, Alistair, the Nobility and Military were created to maintain a balance by specializing in their respective duties. The church remains the highest authority, while the Nobility and Military hold similar levels of power. However, for matters related to the church, they prioritize its needs, since these responsibilities were originally managed by the church itself."
After that, Alistair's suspicion of being a spy was alleviated due to an unexpected variable: a spy from another kingdom who was present in the command room, someone even Alistair hadn't anticipated. Perhaps the system knew about this but chose not to inform Alistair. Subsequently, he was granted permission to leave the army. Before his departure, the system revealed something important to him and presented a scroll called the 'Oathscript of the Silent Halo.'
The system instructed Alistair, "Everyone kneel down." Confusion spread among the attendees, but Priest Mark and some Acolytes understood and instructed everyone to comply. As Alistair held out the scroll to the gathered individuals, he declared, "I, Alistair Dawnstrike, a Judicator Aura Knight of the Cardinals of Seraphine, make a sacred vow of the Silent Halo under the watchful eyes of the Goddess of Aura: the words I now entrust shall remain unspoken beyond those gathered here. If any among us dares to reveal them, their Aura Energy shall be stripped away as judgment, recoverable only through the Goddess's mercy upon sincere repentance."
After this declaration, the scroll shone brightly and then disappeared. "Thank you for your understanding, by the three, brothers and sisters," Alistair said, using the formal greeting the system had instructed him to use on the blue screen. Priest Mark and the Acolytes echoed his words, saying, "No need; we know you are on an important mission. By the three, Brother Alistair."
Afterward, Alistair exited the command room to begin preparing for his departure, and the tension inside the room gradually faded. Priest Mark remarked, "To think the church has nurtured such a prodigy at the young age of 15—a Judicator Aura Knight already. This year's Sacred Duel Festival is bound to be more interesting."