[Anastasia Romanova's POV]
The Holy City of Notredame—the place where the Goddess descended from the highest realm to bless the first Saint directly. It was here that the teachings of the Temple of the Goddess Diana began to spread thousands of years ago.
The Saint of that era prayed to the Almighty to grant humans the power to fight against the evil demons that were attacking. This was because, at that time, humans were the sentient beings with the weakest physical strength in the world.
After being blessed by the Goddess, the first Saint shared that blessing with those around her. This blessing is known as Divine Magic, the magic now commonly used by Priests. This magic is a devastating weakness for Demons, allowing us humans to fight them and eventually drive them from this world.
As time passed, the influence of the Temple of the Goddess Diana grew massive. It is recorded that only one land remains untouched by these teachings: the Land of Nordica, located at the northernmost edge of the continent's right side.
Several Priests were sent there to spread the faith, but the residents of Nordica remained steadfast in their own ways. Consequently, the Temple Authority requested that every nation in the world cease all cooperation with them, both economically and militarily. The goal was to isolate them further so their nation could never prosper.
Currently, I am in the Holy Temple complex after finishing today's Trial activities. I am on my way to meet my sister, Alisha, who has come here to visit me.
In the main Plaza, not far from where I stand, I see a vast gathering of Priests and Inquisitors. They are currently waiting for the final funeral rites for Holy Knight Remilio, who fell protecting citizens from the attacks of the Cursed Children and the group known as The Masquerade.
I eventually arrive at a tea shop in the culinary district. I see a woman with the same hair color as mine sitting there, sipping her tea elegantly.
"Sister Alisha!" I quicken my pace to approach her.
She notices me and smiles. "Ana, it's been a long time."
As my sister stands from her chair, I immediately hug her, rubbing my cheek against her.
"You haven't changed at all, Ana," she says, stroking my hair. "No matter where you are, you're so spoiled with me. Aren't you afraid that once you become a Saint, your image among the Priests will be negative?"
"Hehehe, even after I become a Saint, you'll still be my sister," I tell her. "And I will always be your little sister, anytime and anywhere."
After our greetings, we sit back down. Alisha calls a waiter to bring me tea and some sweets.
"So, how have your Trial activities been, Ana?" Alisha asks. "Tell me how the most holy woman on this continent will be chosen."
I begin to explain the three Trials for selecting the Saint.
The first is a Trial of endurance and mental fortitude, designed to ensure the candidate is ready to hold the highest power and influence on the continent. To perform this Trial, each candidate is taken to a room called the Dream Chamber. There, we are subjected to illusions that feel incredibly real.
The illusions displayed are simulations of war and disaster. I still remember those horrific sights—children being slaughtered by monsters, the screams of those in pain, and the cries of grief as they watched their loved ones die.
I couldn't stay there long. In all this time, I have never lasted in that room for more than 5 minutes. This makes me the weakest in this aspect compared to the other candidates.
"Don't look so gloomy, Ana," Alisha says, trying to comfort me. "I'm sure you are far superior in the other Trials."
I smile at her words. "That's true. In the Trial of magic mastery, I am far ahead of the others."
"Ana, you've always had a talent for mastering Divine Magic since you were a child," my sister praises. "And what is the third Trial?"
"Ugh... to be honest, I don't really understand the third Trial either," I answer with a sigh. "The third Trial is of Resolve and Determination. I think all the candidates have an equally strong will to become the Saint. I don't know how this aspect will be judged."
"Is that so? Perhaps the Goddess herself will judge that aspect?" Alisha murmurs.
I simply respond with a shrug and a shake of my head.
After chatting for a while, I hear the sound of a crowd from the direction of the city's main road. A long line of mounted knights passes by. At the front of the procession is a horse-drawn carriage carrying a coffin toward the Plaza.
"I think it's time, Ana," Alisha says. "Let's go to the Plaza as well."
We leave the culinary district and walk toward the Plaza. The mounted knights have already dismounted, forming a path through the crowd so the coffin can be carried to the front of the Main Temple.
Suddenly, the noisy chatter of the onlookers stops. This is because they see a man in his 50s, dressed in priestly robes, emerging from the temple.
He is Vicar Lorentius—the supreme leader of the Temple Authority of the Goddess Diana.
"Attention, everyone! Today, we pay our final respects to Remilio de Banderra—the Holy Knight who sacrificed his life while protecting the City of Grenaut from the terror of the Cursed Children and the Heretic group!" Vicar Lorentius proclaims.
Everyone listens intently to the Vicar's next words.
"We will not flinch in the face of the Cursed Children's threat, and we will immediately hunt down The Masquerade, who are responsible for the attack on the City of Grenaut!"
The crowd cheers and voices their spirit at the Vicar's words. I also hear several shouts condemning the Heretics from the onlookers.
"Let us observe a moment of silence and give our final respects to the Knight of the Goddess. A moment of silence... begin!"
After the Vicar gives the command, a melancholic melody begins to play. The Inquisitors and visitors bow their heads.
I see Holy Knight Remilio's coffin being lifted by four knights. They walk through a lane of knights who have raised their swords upward in a salute to the fallen Holy Knight.
Once they reach the front of the Temple, Vicar Lorentius reads a brief biography of Holy Knight Remilio so the visitors can remember him as he was in life and never forget his service in the devotion to the Goddess.
After this ceremony ends, Holy Knight Remilio's body will be cremated, and his ashes will be placed in a special chamber for Holy Knights who fall on the field of battle.
"Well Ana, I must return to the City of Wisperia to continue my internship duties there," Alisha says.
I nod and hug her tightly before we truly part ways.
After Alisha leaves the holy city, I head to the administration building located not far from the Main Temple area. I am going there to observe a meeting regarding the plan to eradicate the Heretic groups, whose actions are becoming increasingly bold.
Upon arriving at the meeting room, I see many high-ranking officials already present. Even all the Cardinals have gathered. I also see the other Saint candidates talking with several Priests.
However, the atmosphere suddenly turns silent; everyone stands at attention because Vicar Lorentius has entered.
"My brothers and sisters, we are here to discuss the plan to eradicate the Heretic groups that are increasingly terrorizing city residents, challenging our Authority and influence on this continent!" says Vicar Lorentius. "One Holy Knight has been killed; they are a symbol of the strength of our teachings. If we do not respond to this, then public trust and our influence will decline."
Vicar Lorentius is right. If the Temple remains silent while their strongest Knight is killed without launching a retaliatory action, everyone will question the Temple's power to suppress those who defy the Goddess's teachings.
"A few days ago, an attack was carried out by three Cursed Children and two Performers, resulting in the loss of 9 Senior Inquisitors, 47 Inquisitors, and one Holy Knight. As for the innocent civilian casualties in this attack, 26 have died and approximately 300 others are injured."
I am quite shocked to hear this information. The loss of life among the Inquisitors is significant. If I recall correctly, the last time the Temple Authority suffered such casualties was during a Demon attack in the City of Wisperia 50 years ago.
"Cardinal Markus, do we have any information regarding the Performer who killed Holy Knight Remilio?" the Vicar asks a middle-aged man.
"According to the testimony of the Inquisitors who fought during the previous Dragon attack, they state their new Performer has an ability that can summon a shield to withstand powerful attacks," Cardinal Markus reveals. "However, the Nature of the Mana possessed by this new Performer has not been identified at all."
"Very well. Spread a bounty regarding his physical characteristics and the powers he possesses. Offer a large reward to anyone who has information about this Heretic."
The meeting finally ends toward evening. I hurry to my room to rest so I can be fresh for tomorrow's Trial activities.
There are twenty days left before the Night of Blessing arrives—the night the Ritual of the Miracle Chosen will be performed. The night when the Goddess will choose the holy woman who will serve as her representative in this world.
"I hope everything will be fine until the Night of Blessing arrives."
***
[Ariel's POV]
Without realizing it, two months have passed. Entering this final month, I feel as if this region has become my own home. This is due to my closeness with the residents in the villages within the Margraviate of Cataluna.
"Alright Dio, how do you read this sentence?" I ask the boy beside me.
Currently, I am on the outskirts of the village, teaching the local children how to read and write.
"Emmm... His... tory... of... the... Ara... gon... Em... pire..." the boy says, spelling out the sentence I am pointing to. "The... First... King... and... the... Formation... of... the... Kingdom..."
"You are much more fluent than our last meeting," I say, praising him.
Hearing my praise, Dio's cheeks turn red with a blush. These children truly are very cute.
"You know, Sister Ariel, Dio has been studying day and night waiting for this moment," a young girl sitting in front of me says. "He wants to get Sister's praise so he can get more of your attention!"
At the girl's words, Dio's cheeks turn even redder. He glares at her in annoyance.
"You're so noisy, Sena! It's not just me who studies like this—all the other boys do too!" Dio says in self-defense.
"Now, now, don't fight," I say, separating the two of them. "Well, it's getting late. We will meet again at the next session."
The children and I then walk toward the center of the village. There, I see many residents passing by. I notice a piece of paper posted on the village bulletin board. Usually, there are announcements or bounties written on the papers posted here.
Walking closer to the board, I read the information on the sheet. There is an illustration of a mask I know all too well, along with details regarding a person's physical traits and abilities.
BOUNTY
Name/Alias: The Fool
Physical Traits: White hair, green eyes, height approximately 179 cm. Wears a black cloak and suit.
Abilities: A powerful shield resembling a lotus flower; a swordsman.
Mana Nature/Magic: Unidentified.
Crimes: Caused massive chaos in a city and killed a Holy Knight.
For citizens who have seen or possess information regarding the abilities or location of this Target, the Temple Authority will grant a reward of 2,000 Gulden.
There is no mistake; this is the mask worn by the man who always saved my life back then...
My heart is in turmoil upon receiving this news.
Why does a member of the Heretic group The Masquerade keep saving my life?
What is that man's true goal?