Chapter 2: A Backward World

The carriage wheels squeaked along, bumping over the uneven cobblestone streets of Blackwater City. The rough, irregular stones made the ride inside the carriage quite jarring.

Merlin sat next to May Snow, who exuded a faint, pleasant scent that comforted him. But the constant jostling of the carriage was hard to endure, so he leaned back against the seat, stretching his legs slightly for a more comfortable position.

May Snow, however, was displeased. She glanced at his sprawled legs with a slight frown and said, "Merlin, can't you sit properly? You're a noble; act with dignity."

"I just need a rest. Didn't sleep well last night," Merlin replied lazily, maintaining his comfortable posture.

Unexpectedly, May Snow didn't press him further. She bit her lip gently, a hint of worry crossing her face as she cautiously asked, "Is it because of Avril?"

Merlin didn't respond, but May Snow continued, as if speaking to herself, "You really don't need to worry so much. After all, Avril is officially engaged to you now—it's a testament to the friendship between the Barman family and our Wilson family that has lasted for decades. She'll marry you eventually. But you should stop fooling around and show her some attention; maybe she'll grow fond of you."

Merlin kept his eyes closed, though he wasn't truly asleep. May Snow's words echoed in his mind.

"Avril is my fiancée? Yet from what she says, Avril doesn't seem to like me… But why don't I have any memory of her?"

Merlin had only a fragment of his memories, while some were permanently missing. To avoid suspicion, he had to pay attention to every word spoken around him, piecing together important information.

What May Snow said about Avril was definitely significant, so Merlin silently noted it.

After a while, feeling a bit stifled, Merlin lifted the carriage curtain. A blast of cold air rushed in, sending a shiver through him.

"Winter is nearly here..." Merlin murmured, gazing outside. It was already September, the last month of autumn, but the chill seemed to have arrived early.

"Yes, winter's almost here. It's strange how the weather keeps getting colder this year."

May Snow pulled her clothes tightly around her, curling up in the corner of the carriage for warmth.

Outside, a fine, gray drizzle was falling, and few people were on the streets. A group of ragged beggars knelt in the road, pleading to the well-dressed passersby.

These beggars wore coarse, tattered linen, their thin bodies like strands of rope, their eyes filled with desperate longing. Among them were even small children.

The other pedestrians looked at the beggars with disgust, some covering their noses and quickening their steps. Merlin glanced briefly at them, then shifted his gaze to a group of mounted young knights on the street.

These knights wore matching silver armor that covered their upper bodies, carried wooden shields, and had large swords strapped to their backs. They looked imposing. The townsfolk seemed to fear them, while a few children looked at them with admiration.

Merlin frowned slightly. He didn't recognize these knights, and he didn't dare to ask May Snow.

May Snow had also noticed the knights and commented coldly, "It's those guys again—the City Guard's knights, all show and no substance. If they're heading out in such numbers, it must mean another village has been attacked by bandits. Things have become so chaotic lately. Many villages around Blackwater City are seeing large groups of bandits."

Merlin didn't reply, only quietly absorbing this information. Being new to this world, with jumbled memories, he thought it wise to speak as little as possible.

After observing for a while, Merlin noticed that, despite May Snow's dismissal, these knights were well-equipped, each exuding a sense of battle-hardened seriousness. They certainly didn't appear to be just for show.

The knights soon left the city and disappeared from view. Feeling the bitter cold again, Merlin dropped the curtain and retreated into the warmth of the carriage.

After some time, the carriage gradually slowed and came to a halt. The driver, Moss, called gently, "Young Master Merlin, Miss May Snow, we've arrived at the church."

"Alright, let's go; we're here," May Snow said energetically, hopping out of the carriage. Merlin followed her, stretching a bit to loosen his stiff neck. Finally, he lifted his head to take in the sight of the church before him.

The church grounds were enormous, covering nearly as much area as four or five football fields. People bustled in and out, from common worshippers to nobles in fine clothing, all coming to offer morning prayers.

The Kingdom of Light worshiped the God of Light, and the Church's power was vast, with churches established in nearly every city. It was common to see worshippers arriving early to pray.

Merlin followed the crowd into the church hall, where snow-white walls were adorned with large frescoes. These vividly colored murals depicted scenes celebrating the deeds of the God of Light.

At the center was a mural of a tall, indistinct deity shrouded in soft holy light. The white light enveloped people of all kinds—elderly, young, men, women, nobles, peasants, and even criminals—all wearing serene, devout expressions under the divine radiance.

The mural bore the title "God's Love for All," written in the language of the Light. Thanks to his retained memories, Merlin recognized the script.

Other murals illustrated scenes like "God Dispels Darkness," "God Brings Light," "God Punishes Demons," "God's Miracles," and "God's Blessing upon the Faithful." Though the stories varied, each glorified the divine deeds of the God of Light.

Devout worshippers bowed their heads, hands pressed to their chests, as priests led them in prayer. The great hall resounded with the murmurs of prayer.

As Merlin recalled the starving beggars on the streets and compared them to the faithful praying here, he finally recognized the truth: this was indeed a deeply backward world.