章 173: Chapter 173

The ancient faith of the North centered on ancestor worship—honoring past heroes and sages, seeking their strength and wisdom. However, with the Empire's founding, ancestor worship came under heavy scrutiny from the imperial church. The Northern people eventually demolished their shrines and fully adopted the Goddess's faith. The only exception was the Warrior's Tomb.

"Well, I never thought I'd come here in my lifetime," Viscount Thorburn murmured, white breath misting in the cold air as he gazed up at the grand structure. Despite years of abandonment, the tomb was as clean as if it had just been swept.

"Ancient magic, perhaps? Remarkable," he said, awe filling his voice.

"It's not surprising, given its age," another noble murmured, swallowing hard. "This was once a holy site of the North…"

The whisper hung in the air, and all eyes turned toward the one who had spoken, scolding him with silent glares.

"Watch your words, my lord," one noble hissed.