On Starcrest 29, in the year 1850 AC (Arbiter Calendar), Alistair and Kai exited the Whisperpine Expanse and arrived at a small village called Snowy Flows. This village is one of the few protected by the Northern Army of Frostguard, as there is a small military base located within it. The village has approximately 250 residents, with about 100 of them being knights and soldiers, all of whom have a minimum combat level of Low-Level Fighters (estimated to be in the Aura Materialization Realm Level 3-5).
The scarcity of villages in this area is due to the aftermath of the Snowy Mountain King incident, where snowy monsters and wild beasts attacked the villages out of extreme hunger brought on by the harsh winter seasons. According to reports that Alistair received while at Frostgate Fortress, only about 4 to 5 villages have managed to survive, primarily because they are located farther away from the territory of the Whisperpine Expanse.
Upon arriving in Snowy Flows, Alistair and Kai made their way to the local church, which was filled with injured individuals who had been staying there for several days, lacking the medical care and resources needed to create healing potions. An acolyte approached them and said, "By the Three, brothers, welcome to the Church! May I ask if you are members of the Cardinals of Seraphine?"
Alistair replied, "Yes, we are. My name is Alistair, and this is my comrade, Kai. We came here to rest and check on the commotion. What seems to be the problem here, brother?"
The acolyte spoke, "You may call me Josh, Brother Alistair and Brother Kai. I am an acolyte whose job is to assist the priest, as this also serves as my training for the priesthood. My duty is to serve and worship the Three Goddesses. As you can see, the problem is that we do not have enough resources to make healing potions, and most of us acolytes lack the capacity to use Aura Heal for an extended duration. The next supplies will arrive in a few days."
Kai turned to Alistair and said, "My Lord, I wish to help them. Although I do not have enough aura energy in my body, I can still assist in some way."
"Do as you please, Kai. I will also try to come up with an idea to help those who are heavily injured," Alistair replied. "Brother Josh, you may continue with your duties. My comrade Kai and I will help the wounded as much as we can."
Acolyte Josh thanked both of us and bowed his head as he returned to his tasks. Alistair observed the church, noting many Acolytes and Initiates scurrying around, carrying whatever supplies they could find. Initiates are newly accepted members of the church; they are often referred to as "newbies" by the senior members. Once they complete their basic understanding of the church's doctrines, they are elevated to the status of trainees. These trainees begin learning the church's combat techniques and essential survival skills for their future missions outside the church.
Finally, those who meet the requirements for a basic understanding of the church's doctrines, basic combat techniques, and survival skills are elevated to the rank of Apprentices. The role of Apprentice Initiates is to assist Acolytes, serving as training for their future responsibilities as Acolytes themselves.
While Kai was using basic aura healing on a lightly wounded soldier, Alistair was engaged in a conversation with the system in his inner thoughts.
"System, do I have an item that can heal both lightly and heavily wounded individuals, either individually or as a group?"
"Yes, you possess an item called the Aura of Sanctuary. It's a one-time use item that not only heals the targeted structure but also automatically heals all people inside it. This healing can mend deep scars, infections, and torn skin, while also providing a warm feeling that helps alleviate the pain they have endured."
"Okay, I will use the one-time-use item."
"Wait a moment, Alistair. I have a suggestion for you," the system said, instructing Alistair on what to say and do.
After listening to the system, Alistair replied, "What? Why should I do that?"
"This approach will boost your fame and strengthen your role as an acting member of the church since you have the level 4 badge from the High Judicator of Sacred Balance. By increasing your fame and reputation, people in the church won't be suspicious of your identity."
"I see. Alright, I will follow your advice, system."
After that, he returned to reality and opened his inventory storage, retrieving an item that resembled a banner with a red cross logo. Kai noticed what Alistair had taken out and became curious. The Acolytes and Initiates in the area were mesmerized by the sight of the banner and wondered what he was doing with it.
"I, Alistair, a Judicator Aura Knight from the High Judicator of Sacred Balance, declare this church to be a place that helps the needs of the people suffering from the aftermath of the incident caused by the Snowy Mountain King." Alistair placed the banner down, and it began to glow with a bright light, filling the entire church with an aura. "I declare this church to be imbued with the Aura of Sanctuary!" As he declared this, those affected by the aura light felt it cover their bodies. They started healing, fatigue recovered quickly, their aura energy replenished, and the injured, who had been suffering from excruciating pain, began to feel relief until they finally found peace and their breathing stabilized.
After a few moments, the Acolytes and Initiates gathered around Alistair, thanking him for his support. They expressed their respect not only for his actions but also because he mentioned he was a Judicator Aura Knight. They assumed that the Cardinals of Seraphine had sent a Bishop-level representative from the church. "I apologize, but my presence here is merely a coincidence. I am on an important mission with my comrade, Brother Kai. However, as a member of the church, it is also my duty to assist those in need, so there's no need for excessive gratitude; we are all brothers and sisters of the church, and we help one another."
Then Kai spoke up, "My Lord, that was amazing! You referred to that item as the Aura of Sanctuary? It looks like a holy relic. Where did you find it?"
"I found it during my travels," Alistair replied, a lie, as the item was a gift from the system.
Just then, the Acolytes and Initiates stepped back as the head of the church approached. She wore a custom-made uniform known as the Seraphine Vestments, which is exclusive to the sisters of the church. She walked toward Alistair and greeted him with respect. As a Judicator Aura Knight, he held a rank equivalent to that of a Bishop, making him the highest-ranking member of the church present, aside from the Priestess, who was the head of this church in Snowy Flows. "By the Three, I greet you, Bishop Alistair. I am Priestess Julia Gomez, the assigned head of this church. I thank you for the support we so desperately needed. I understand that your presence here is merely a coincidence; what does that mean?"
Alistair replied, "This may take a while to explain."