Chapter 101: Devout Avril Goes on a Pilgrimage

The severe cold of winter—

Had finally been driven away by the spring breeze.

Oak Town shed its gray-white winter coat and donned a fresh robe of tender green.

The melting snow gathered into trickling streams, nourishing the land as it awakened.

On the eastern side of the town—

Inside a grand and elegant mansion—

Avril carefully adjusted her flawlessly ironed magician’s robe.

Today was an important day!

She was finally setting out for Holy Light Town.

There, in the legendary Sanctuary, she would begin the pilgrimage she had long dreamed of.

Ever since that day at Oak Town’s square—

When she personally witnessed the Angel purify the filth, and felt the vast enlightenment brought by the Holy Light—

She had broken through the Second-tier bottleneck that had troubled her for years, and became a Third-tier Earth Magician.

From that moment on, Avril’s heart had been completely captivated by the supreme brilliance of the Light!

The majestic figure of the Angel—

Had been deeply engraved into her very soul.

She was no longer the kind of academy magician who pursued only magical mysteries.

She had become a devout believer of the Angel…

When Holy Light Town announced that the second wave of emigrants from Oak Town was open—targeting three thousand people—

Avril signed up without a moment’s hesitation!

During the first selection, she had regretfully missed the chance.

Partly because her newly advanced realm was unstable and needed consolidation.

And partly—

Because her old-fashioned parents had stubbornly refused to let her go.

After more than a month of gentle persuasion and persistence, she had finally convinced them.

“Oh~ my dear baby.”

In the living room—

A well-dressed, elegant lady dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

“Are you truly not going to reconsider?”

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to study further at the capital’s Holy Saint Anna?”

“With your talent—advancing to Third-tier at only twenty-five—even if you can’t enter the Imperial Royal Magic Academy, the top secondary academies would still compete to have you!”

“Why… why go suffer in that remote forest wilderness?”

Her voice was thick with emotion and reluctance.

Avril sighed helplessly.

She walked to her mother’s side and gently wiped her tears. “Mother, didn’t we already agree?”

“You and Father wouldn’t oppose my decision. Besides…”

Her gaze grew firm once again.

“To serve the Angel as a Holy Light Magician within the Sanctuary—to pursue the path of true light in this dark age—”

“That is far more meaningful than listening to those old men muttering endlessly in the academies!”

“You really don’t have to worry!”

She tried to soothe her mother with a lighthearted tone. “Besides, it’s not far from home.”

“I heard that if one rides fast, it’s only about a day’s journey. I can come back to visit anytime.”

“Unlike going to Holy Saint Anna— even with teleportation arrays, a round trip would take more than a month!”

As Avril spoke, she snuck a glance toward the side—

At the middle-aged man who had been sitting stiff-faced and silent all along.

That was her father, a prominent merchant in Oak Town.

Noticing his daughter’s gaze, the handsome middle-aged man gave a heavy snort—

Turned his head away, and said in a stiff tone, “Enough! If you’re going, then go already!”

“You’re over twenty, a grown woman now, yet still no boyfriend.”

“You’d rather run off to some Sanctuary than marry that fine boy from the Olt family…”

“Hmph~ I get irritated just looking at you!”

Though his words were harsh—

The tightly pressed lips and the faint redness at the corners of his eyes betrayed the deep affection and worry hidden beneath his forced sternness.

Avril’s face darkened slightly.

Of course, she knew her father was the typical “sharp tongue, soft heart” type.

But that “no one wants you” remark—

Still stung a bit.

“Oh honestly! You blockhead! How could you talk to your daughter like that!”

The lady could not stay silent any longer.

Turning toward her husband, she scolded fiercely, “What’s wrong with my precious girl having her own aspirations?”

“Serving the Angel is a sacred calling! What do you know of such things?”

“Can that Olt boy’s family compare to the Angel’s divine radiance?”

“…”

The handsome man was rendered speechless by his wife’s barrage.

He could only glare sullenly, not daring to retort.

And so—

Amid her mother’s endless admonitions and her father’s awkward silence—

Avril shouldered her simple pack and stepped out the door.

Her parents accompanied her all the way to the town’s outskirts—where the group was gathering.

The emigrant convoy was already assembled, filled with bustling figures.

There were commoners bringing their whole families, and also young believers like Avril, full of faith and devotion.

As the only magician volunteering to leave—

Avril naturally received special attention.

The person overseeing the escort and coordination for this migration—her old acquaintance, Captain Reed of the Gray Wolf Mercenary Corps—came forward personally to greet her.

His face bore an expression of respect and warmth.

“Miss Avril, this way please!”

“Your carriage is ready up front.”

Reed pointed toward a relatively spacious, clean carriage at the head of the convoy.

This arrangement was specially prepared by the Gray Wolf Mercenary Corps—

Both as a gesture of respect for her power, and as recognition of her sincere faith.

Avril thanked him and boarded the carriage.

Inside, several women were already seated.

Judging by their clothes, they seemed to be family members of other wealthy merchants.

Though their social status was somewhat below that of Avril, a magician—

Their shared devotion to the Angel—

Quickly drew them closer together.

“Magician Avril, you’re going to Holy Light Town as well?”

A kindly-faced woman initiated the conversation, her tone filled with curiosity.

“Yes.” Avril smiled and nodded.

“I’m going on a pilgrimage, and I also hope to serve the Angel there for the long term.”

“Oh, how wonderful!” Another younger woman’s eyes lit up.

“I heard Holy Light Town is a truly blessed land—personally protected by the Angel himself—so much that even the Undead monsters dare not approach!”

“Yes, yes!”

Another person chimed in. “Priest Colin came from there, didn’t he?”

“The Divine Art he used was absolutely miraculous!”

“My sister-in-law was gravely ill, nearly dying—and Priest Colin healed her!”

“I wonder what the Sanctuary really looks like?”

The first woman’s eyes shone with anticipation. “Is it all golden and bright, with angel statues everywhere?”

The carriage rolled gently along the newly repaired road—

Wheels brushing against the newborn grass, rustling softly.

Inside the carriage—

Their lively talk about Holy Light Town and the Angel lightened the mood.

Avril also shared some of her insights and understanding about the Angel’s mighty power—

Leaving the women in awe, their eyes filled with yearning.

The journey was not particularly long.

Once they left Oak Town’s boundary—

The road gradually wound into the Mistwood.

But contrary to the ominous rumors—

The trees flanking the path, though towering and ancient, radiated a strange tranquility.

Sunlight streamed through the new leaves, casting mottled patterns of light and shade.

Birdsong rang crisp and clear.

The air carried the fragrance of fresh greenery—without the slightest sign of Undead presence.

Avril could faintly sense—

A gentle yet powerful force quietly enveloping the entire road—

Dispersing the forest’s inherent gloom and danger.

She was certain—this must be the Angel’s Holy Light of protection!

After traveling for a full day and night—

When the morning sun once again gilded the forest in warmth—

A wave of barely restrained cheers rippled through the convoy.

“We’re here!”

“Look! Holy Light Town is just ahead!”

Avril immediately leaned forward, peering out of the carriage window.

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