The pattern embroidered on her robes depicted the symbol of the Angel of Light. Judging by her voice, Mo Han guessed the woman couldn't be too old, but then wondered if she might be hideously ugly, too ashamed to be seen—a naughty thought crossed Mo Han’s mind.

Behind the woman stood two elderly priests, clad in archiepiscopal vestments trimmed with gold. Further back were four middle-aged figures in episcopal robes edged with silver, among them two middle-aged women.

Bringing up the rear were twenty Judgment Knights, outfitted in golden armor blessed by the Priests of Light; even their warhorses were fully covered in gold plate. (Only warriors of the Sword Master rank were qualified to be Judgment Knights.)

At that moment, someone in the crowd shouted, “It’s the Saintess! The Saintess of Light is here in Kate City to spread the doctrine!”

The people on the road surged toward the street, eager to catch a glimpse of the Saintess, as she rarely left the headquarters of the Church of Light, except for the doctrinal tours held every two years.

Mo Han watched the procession and inwardly cursed, Damn, what an entourage! Just looking at the display, he knew it surpassed any ordinary nobility. The Church of Light was truly something else in terms of wealth. Looking at the knights' gear, each set must be worth at least two thousand gold coins.

The procession had now arrived before Mo Han and his group. The Saintess in the center glanced curiously at Mo Han, who was dressed as a priest and staring intently at her.

Then, the Saintess spoke, her voice exquisitely pleasant: “I wonder how this priest of our Church of Light has offended these warriors? How dare you treat a priest of our faith this way? Is this how you repay the attitude of the Church of Light, which helps your people and soldiers?” Though her voice was soft, it carried an undeniable, imposing authority.

Mo Han couldn't help but feel a quiet satisfaction. Even though he wasn't a true follower of the Light, the Saintess, without even asking for details, immediately chastised the soldiers for their actions toward him, a clear display of favoritism and protective bias.

Might makes right, Mo Han mused internally.

The captain, Raul, stepped forward to mediate: “Venerable Saintess, you are mistaken. We had no intention of giving this esteemed priest trouble. We are simply in the process of apprehending these adventurers who are preparing to rebel, and the priest just happened to be among this group. But we absolutely did not intend to harm him; Priest, you are free to leave at any moment.”

Oh, the Saintess considered. Since the opposing side had levied the charge of rebellion, even the Church of Light couldn't intervene too strongly, as there was a long-standing agreement between the Church and the various kingdoms preventing interference in internal state affairs.

So, she turned to Mo Han and said, “Since that is the case, you should come with us.”

At this point, Kelly also spoke to Mo Han: “You should go. You aren't actually part of our mercenary group, so there’s no need for you to be implicated.”

But Mo Han would never agree. Mo Han spoke up, “Your Grace the Saintess, you are mistaken,” he declared, pointing at the girl in the carriage with an expression of absolute righteousness: “It is this Young City Lord who disregards the teachings of the God of Light, forcibly seizing civilian women in the streets and bullying these kind common folk. Does the God of Light not teach us that whether royal, noble, or commoner, all are children of the God of Light? The brilliance of the God of Light will forever cover these subjects.”

“Yet this Young City Lord completely ignores the teachings of the God of Light, twisting the divine care for His subjects, scorning the very presence of the God, and openly harming the flowers of our nation, the future of the Church, causing irreparable damage to this young woman’s body and spirit.”

“And as a believer in the God of Light, how can I stand idly by? Yet I am falsely accused of rebellion by these people.”

The speech was delivered so coherently and persuasively that it left the surrounding crowd stunned into silence.

Although the commoners didn't understand how a mere civilian woman could suddenly become the "flower of the nation" and the "future of the Church," most of the onlookers were common-born themselves and already held grievances against the nobles' behavior. As soon as they heard his words, they began echoing Mo Han's sentiments, shouting praises for the greatness of the God of Light, and the tide of opinion turned instantly.

Mo Han thought to himself, Hmph! Trying to frame me for rebellion? You picked the wrong opponent. Do you think my degree from the Chinese department was earned for nothing? In truth, noblemen seizing women happened frequently in every kingdom; it was hardly significant. But spoken through Mo Han’s mouth, with the heavy mantle of the God of Light draped over it, no one dared say otherwise.

The poor Young City Lord could only stare helplessly, unable to articulate his defense.

Kelly watched Mo Han speak so eloquently, taking in his handsome face, and suddenly felt her heart skip a beat. He was so baffling—one moment lecherous, the next suddenly imbued with noble righteousness. In all her life, she had never encountered anyone like him; perhaps everything about him was charismatic.

The Saintess in the center, Shui Ling'er, couldn't help but look at Mo Han several times. She sensed a peculiar mystery emanating from the young man. Although his eyes seemed fixed on her, she felt no offense, but rather a strange quickening of her pulse. What was happening? Moreover, his words were things she had never heard before, like "flower of the nation"—was that in the doctrine? She had studied the teachings diligently, yet never encountered such a phrase. It sounded rather good, though; perhaps she should consider adding it.

The Saintess mused dreamily, This person is truly interesting, a faint smile involuntarily touching her lips, though hidden by her veil, invisible to outsiders.

Seeing the Saintess lost in thought, the elder beside her whispered a reminder: “Your Grace Saintess, everyone is waiting for your reply?” Ah, the suddenly responsive Shui Ling'er turned to Raul and asked, “Is what this priest says true?”