Compared to Tieflings, a Cambion’s Evil Demon bloodline is much more potent.
Most Cambions are the direct descendants of Evil Demons. As a result, they are born with great Power and tend to have evil personalities—they’re basically born villains...
’But since she’s a Guard at the Monastery, she must be alright in that regard.’
While Colin was thinking, Orelia stepped forward to greet her. "Lil Moss, good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, Orelia," the woman called Lil Moss said with a smile. "The Abbot has been expecting you to report. You’re a little late. Were you delayed on the road?"
"We dealt with a few Imps, so it took a bit of time," Orelia said with a touch of pride.
Lil Moss squinted and patted her on the head.
She looked at the others, nodding gracefully. "Thank you for taking care of Orelia. Welcome to White Dove Monastery, ladies and gentlemen."
Colin and the others nodded back in greeting.
Orelia clasped her hands behind her back. Her tail gave a light flick, and she caught the tip in her right hand, gently rubbing it with her thumb.
Having spent a good deal of time with her, Colin knew this was likely a sign of shyness.
"Alright, I have to go see the Abbot now."
Orelia let go of her tail and led the group and the children at a quick pace deeper into the Monastery.
As they entered the Monastery, Colin looked around.
The surrounding walls were quite sturdy. On the inside, there were wooden walkways for people to stand on, making them look like miniature ramparts, though he didn’t see many Guards on them.
A number of lay workers in gray, hooded robes were scattered about the Monastery, busy with their chores.
They were either sweeping up fallen leaves, meticulously tending to the blueberry bushes in the Church courtyard, or hanging clean white sheets and clothes on outdoor racks to dry.
The group slowly made their way to the Monastery’s cloister.
Inside the cloister, a Cultivator was teaching a dozen or so children to read under the warm sun.
Among the children were many Tieflings and Half-Orcs. That these races, so heavily discriminated against in the outside world, could live here on equal footing with everyone else was a rare sight indeed.
Colin looked at the cloister.
Beautiful roses and common ivy climbed the cloister’s pillars together, stretching all the way up to the eaves.
Within the Monastery, made warmer than the outside world by Divine Protection, it was not yet the season for the roses to bloom, and the ivy leaves had not yet fallen.
The two plants intertwined, their green leaves shimmering in the sunlight, indistinguishable, with neither held above the other.
’The scene was truly heartwarming.’
The group made their way to the Monastery’s Church, located beneath the bell tower.
It was much like any other Church. The main hall was supported by clustered columns, each a bundle of slender pillars. Wooden pews were arranged around them, facing an altar at the far end.
The side aisles held smaller altars and candle racks.
The light from hundreds of burning candles illuminated the entire hall. Thin wisps of smoke, like swimming white threads, drifted up from several intricately carved Incense Burners.
At that moment, an old man in a gold-trimmed robe stood before the altar, his head bowed in what must have been prayer.
Upon seeing the scene in the hall, Orelia immediately slowed her pace.
She reached back to silence a child who was about to speak, then gestured for Colin and Kase to be quiet. The group stood softly by a pillar, waiting for the Abbot to finish his prayer.
Seeing that important business was about to begin, the children scattered in all directions.
After a moment, once the old man had finished his prayer, Orelia went to stand behind the Abbot with her hands respectfully at her sides. The others followed her example.
"Abbot, I’ve returned," Orelia said in a low voice.
"Yes, I know." The Abbot turned to face them.
The old Abbot had a coarse, short-cropped beard, and the hair on his head was barely an inch long. That, combined with his smile-less face, made him look incredibly stern.
If someone had told Colin he was a retired old Warrior, he wouldn’t have doubted it for a second.
’Honestly, I was expecting a much kinder-looking old man.’
"The mission debriefing and evaluation requires a more formal setting. In about two days, the nearby Priests will gather here. You can report on your time in Thousand Masts City then," the Abbot said in a hoarse voice.
Orelia nodded. "As you wish, Abbot."
With that, the Abbot gave a slight wave of his hand.
The Tiefling then led the others out of the Monastery Church.
Once they were a good distance away, Orelia stopped, patting her chest and gasping for breath. Her tail whipped back and forth so furiously it looked like it might snap right off.
"Are your conversations always so... brief? I thought it would be more like with Kase’s War Mistress," Colin said.
"Yes, the Abbot has always been very strict."
Orelia reached up to scratch her cheek. "I haven’t been back in a long time, so to be honest, I’m not really used to it anymore either."
Colin shrugged. "That’s a given. Most people are pretty casual around us."
"Many followers of the Morninglord also believe in the ideals of the ’Three Saints of Justice.’ The farther south you go, the more conservative the faithful become," Ale explained.
The so-called Three Saints of Justice are three rather famous Good Deities.
They are the Deity of Martyrdom, the Deity of Sacrifice, and the Deity of Justice. Of the three Gods, the Deity of Justice is the absolute core and a staunch ally of the other two. Their Church is considered a relatively conservative force for good.
"Anyway, let’s just stay here for the next few days. We can head back after I’ve given my report," Orelia said, catching her breath. "I hope it all goes well."
"This trip has been smooth enough so far," Colin said with a smile. "As I recall, I don’t think I’ve been beaten unconscious once lately. My luck’s really turned around."
At his words, the others fell silent.
"You guys really had it rough before, didn’t you?" Ale said.
"I can stand up for myself now, too. I’ll never let you have it so rough again, Mr. Colin," Orelia declared, shaking her fist.
Kase stroked his chin. "I just get the feeling that now that you’ve said that, we’re about to have some really bad luck."
"Don’t be so superstitious, Kase, my friend," Colin said, patting him on the shoulder. "We’re out of the woods now."
With that, the group dropped the subject.
Orelia found the Priest in charge of the guest rooms to get the keys, and the group headed to their quarters in the Monastery.
The rooms here were a bit more modest than the ones at the White Tower, but the sheets and furniture were spotless. It was obvious they were cleaned regularly.
The group settled in, quietly waiting for the time of the debriefing to arrive.