Chapter 811: Chapter 154 Ingrid’s Return

“Miss Ingrid, you have finally arrived. I have been expecting you for a long time. I am Hans Hammond, the Imperial Count, and also the person in charge of this operation.”

The man extended his hand in a gesture of invitation, the slightly ferocious smile showing on his half-dragon half-human face: “Welcome to, no, more precisely, welcome back to Dragon Head City.”

“Thank you, Count Hans.”

Ingrid nodded, standing at the city gate, observing this familiar yet strange city, suddenly feeling somewhat lost and helpless.

The city has become unrecognizable; the Sun Holy Emblem on the city gate has been replaced by the Empire’s Red Dragon Emblem, and ferocious dragon heads protrude from the city walls.

The majestic Amanata Temple within the city has been transformed into the Dragon Oath Sanctuary, the lighthouse adorned with the Sun Disk has been replaced with the Flying Dragon Tower, and the statues of Church Saints have all been smashed–replaced by the statue of Emperor Cassius of the Ashen Empire.

Regularly, Sheriffs riding on Bipedal Wyverns patrol back and forth in the sky above the streets, and every few dozen meters one would see Tiefling Guards wielding rifles, along with variously dressed Starfallen wandering about.

Yet there still remain numerous traces of the past: the people’s preference for bright colors of yellow, red, and orange in their attire, the commonly seen holy emblems of Amanata, and the distinctive “Fadelan Style” architecture…

All of it made Ingrid feel quite at home, and she couldn’t help but reminisce about those good old days, softly uttering the name that was now forbidden.

“Collins City, I’ve finally returned.” For some reason, crystalline teardrops shimmered in her eyes.

This place is Dragon Head City, formerly Collins City under the rule of the Holy Fardel Empire, the central city of the entire North Aisier Region, as well as Ingrid’s hometown, where she was born and raised.

Years ago, Ingrid was the Honorary Bishop of the Collins Diocese, often leading priests and followers to hold sacrificial ceremonies on the Summer Solstice, bathing in the holy radiance of the sun.

And now, she has finally returned to her long-lost hometown.

But times have changed, and the people are not the same; the once glorious Holy Fardel Empire has perished, and Ingrid has become a captive of the Ashen Empire, serving the Emperor, and has spent several years in the distant, secluded North.

Ingrid was reminded of the words Cassius once said to her: “In the near future, you will be able to return to your hometown with honor, not as a captive, but as a Bishop of the Church belonging to the Kingdom.”

Now the Ashen Kingdom has become a vast Empire, and the Emperor has indeed fulfilled his promise, allowing Ingrid to return to her hometown–albeit through violent conquest.

Looking down at her opulent robe sewn with the Empire’s emblem, Ingrid’s feelings grew increasingly complex.

Indeed, she had returned to the hometown she had longed for, but she had betrayed the Amanata Church, those who once trusted her, and her own past.

The Ingrid of today even hesitated to face the Aisier people, fearing that old acquaintances would recognize her and denounce her as a “shameful traitor,” “evil dragons’ minion,” or “despicable apostate.”

Count Hans asked with concern, “Miss Ingrid? Are you alright?”

Ingrid quickly snapped out of her reminiscing and hastily put on a smile: “Ah, I’m fine, just a bit emotional due to being away for so long.”

Hans then said: “That’s good to hear. The Empire has just occupied North Aisier, and there are undercurrents of tension within the city; the situation is complex. The various powers of Fianso have their eyes on this city–just last month, there were twelve riots. Your arrival is indeed timely.”

As they spoke, several Tiefling Guards appeared beside them, always on alert; only then did Hans continue saying, “Miss Ingrid, please follow me.”

“Alright.” Ingrid pushed her blond hair behind her ears and put on a hood to conceal her face, before speaking in some confusion, “Count Hans, why have you sought me out? You should know that I… I am afraid I won’t be able to offer you much support.”

With Amanata fallen into slumber and Ingrid surrendering to the Ashen Empire, her conscience was constantly quested, and her faith gradually weakened.

She was no longer the powerful Legendary Light Priest of the past, her strength diminished to its limit–a priest needs years of prayer to their god or ideology to gain a portion of divine strength, and Ingrid no longer had such conditions.

Now Ingrid, holding the status of a legendary priest and possessing strong perception, could no longer cast those fearsome top-level Divine Arts, only managing to forcefully unleash some Mid Low-Circle Divine Skill with her perception ability.

But Hans shook his head, gazing at Ingrid and smiling, “Miss Ingrid, I think you may have misunderstood. The Empire doesn’t need your strength, but rather, you as a person.”

“Me?”

Surprise flashed in Ingrid’s beautiful eyes, but soon her expression turned particularly ugly as she finally realized Hans’ purpose.

Indeed, she was once the Honorary Bishop of Collins City, revered by countless people–and what the Empire wanted to do was to exploit her identity, to crush the people’s faith beneath their feet.

But as an Imperial Citizen serving the Emperor, she was unable to refuse, nor had any reason to resist.

Hans, however, seemed to either not notice Ingrid’s expression or simply did not care if he did; he just continued to lead the way, chatting idly.