The Elfen Church possessed its own sense of justice.
It believed that the Main God desired the death of all who sided with the Demon King—that allowing the Demon King Cult to operate freely was a direct defiance of the divine will.
Conversely, the Demon King Cult held a singular, grand ambition.
They staked everything on resurrecting the Demon King, who was said to have been slain by the Seven Heroes, in order to fulfill his long-thwarted wish. That ultimate goal was to kill the Main God—the very reason the Demon King had once plunged the world into terror.
No one knew why he sought the deity's death; now, those captivated by his immense power simply craved his return.
In the Imperial Capital, within a solemn district lined with temples, the daily clashes between the Elfen Church and the Demon King Cult were the talk of the town.
"Worshipping a Demon King who lost to the Seven Heroes? They'll only suffer the same fate," one might say.
"Indeed. They are fools. With the Hero Faction’s momentum growing, what made them think they could lay a hand on Leomel?"
"They lost because they are foolish. And to think they would challenge holy power."
"I hear they have been avoiding Leomel recently. Between the Imperial military and the fact that the Holy Land has begun taking serious measures against them, the cult is finding it difficult to move."
"The end is already in sight. They say there is a Cult Leader and various executives, but they are hardly worth fearing."
Among the clergy, many shared these dismissive opinions. Whether spoken in composed tones or gravelly, aged rasps, their belief in the Main God’s glory never wavered. Some even viewed the current situation as a golden opportunity for the Elfen Church to assert its dominance.
As the clergy gathered outside after morning prayers, the White Dragon Princess walked past.
Lutreche, a stunning Sword King lending her strength to Leomel, moved with a composed air until a member of the clergy called out to her.
"Is there something you need?" she asked.
Her voice wasn't cold, but it lacked any trace of warmth. The men caught their breath, momentarily overwhelmed by the pressure of her beauty and her stiff tone.
"From your perspective as a Sword King, what do you think of the recent situation?" one asked.
"The recent situation? Are you referring to the skirmishes between the Elfen Church and the Demon King Cult?"
"Of course."
"In that case—"
Sword Kings were individuals of extraordinary power and aloof nature. But the Demon King was different. They expected that an entity who had once plunged the world into chaos would pique her interest. Instead, she offered a flat dismissal.
"It is a battle that has nothing to do with me."
Her statement left the clergy astonished. She immediately shifted the topic to the incident at Roses Kaitas.
"More importantly, what is the status of the Roses Kaitas matter?"
"That was a testament to the divinity shown by the Goddess of Time. Why does it concern you, Sword King?"
"I am asking if it truly was divinity alone. I visited the site myself and sensed the remnants of mana. It was ancient, evil, and incredibly powerful."
"The enemy must have survived until just before they were purified," a priest insisted proudly. "An immensely powerful monster was sealed there, after all."
Lutreche’s expression shifted, though not with admiration. "You people say the strangest things."
The White Dragon Princess offered an enchanting, yet mocking smile. She let out a small chuckle and then spoke as if she had already lost interest.
"Does this 'power of the Goddess' really require centuries to purify the Demon King's forces? Several hundred years is hardly a short amount of time."
It was a blatant provocation against their faith and their god. If her audience had been ordinary citizens, they would have been furious, but they stood before Lutreche. Their instincts steered them away from hostility out of pure fear.
"That is—"
"For us mortals to discuss the power of God—"
"Heh. So you call a power you cannot even discuss 'great'? Even though it is a power you don't understand at all?"
They stood silent, like insects crawling on the cobblestones. The pious clergy members could only watch pathetically as Lutreche walked away.
"I absolutely hate gods," she spat under her breath in a quiet corner of the district.
Dawn at the Temple of the War God was quiet.
The sun rose later in early autumn, but magic tools reflected off the polished stone of the interior, casting a steady light. The characters appearing on the stone tablet before Lutreche glowed dimly.
—Fifth Rank: White Dragon Princess Lutreche.
She looked at the names of the five strongest people in the world, her own included, with a complex swirl of emotions. Only she knew the reasons behind the look in her eyes.
She had already forgotten her annoyance with the clergy. As she turned to leave the temple, her footsteps echoing in the silence, a voice called out.
"So this is where you were."
"The Third Prince, is it?"
Lutreche looked toward a wide corridor where a boy stood leaning against a pillar. She didn't bother asking why he was there at such an hour. Radius, for his part, didn't mind the casual address.
"I’d like a moment of your time. I wanted to talk."
"I apologize, but I have nothing in particular to say to you."
"Even if it concerns the Ashton family?"
The movement was truly minute, but Radius didn't miss the way Lutreche’s eyebrows flickered.
"The events of this summer have been crossing my mind frequently. Not just this year, but last year as well."
"Spare me the preamble," she said. "Get to the point."
"Very well." Radius remained against the pillar. "Is there something you’re hiding regarding the Ashton family?"
This time, there was no reaction. No matter how carefully he observed her, Lutreche remained perfectly composed.
"They are knights serving the Clausel family, are they not?"
"And?"
"I don't know much more than that."
Radius knew he wouldn't get a better answer, and he couldn't exactly command her. Sword King Lutreche served no master; she was an independent power who lent her strength to Leomel out of her own goodwill. She was one of the few individuals in the world whose strength was so "unreasonable" that even the Imperial Family could not bind her.
Lutreche began walking again, passing Radius without a second glance.
"White Dragon Princess," he called out to her back. "What was your true reason for helping at the Great Clock Tower when you heard the name Ashton?"
She didn't stop. "I was simply curious about the strength I'd heard rumors of. I believe I told you that before."
She left the temple without another word. Radius folded his arms and looked back at the stone tablet of the Sword King Rankers.
"I find it hard to believe that one of the five strongest people in the world would take an interest in a single boy for such a simple reason."
Roses Kaitas.
An Elfen sanctuary that had been sealed for hundreds of years, it sat a fair distance from the Imperial Capital. This past summer, that seal had finally broken.
The event had shocked followers across the continent, occurring right in the middle of the Lion King Grand Festival. Because it happened just after the Choir had performed their hymns, many believed their prayers had been answered.
The reality was far different.
Ren and Licia had been pulled into the "Time Cage"—the seal itself—and the barrier had only vanished once they defeated a General of the Demon King’s Army.
The mystery of why they were pulled in remained unsolved. Only a few knew the truth; the rest of the clergy continued to flock to the site from every corner of the Elfen Continent. Even now, in October, the crowds had not thinned.
Beyond the mystery of the seal, Ren still pondered the Sword Demon’s final words: the label of "Divine Child" and the monster's clear obsession with the Ashton name.
With those questions still hanging over him, Ren began his autumn holiday.
"Hah... hah...!"
Ren burst out of a Magic Train that had just arrived at the capital and sprinted toward another platform. He checked his watch—10:40 AM. He was cutting it dangerously close to his 11:00 AM appointment.
The announcement for his transfer echoed through the station. Ren pushed himself harder, weaving through the holiday crowds. He managed to scramble onto the train just in time.
Once he had caught his breath, he wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. "...Alright."
The other passengers were chatting happily about their holiday plans. Through the window, the Imperial Capital looked beautiful in the autumn light. People had transitioned to heavier clothing, and while the lush greens of summer had faded, the scenery had a poignant, emotional depth.
Ren was wearing an autumn coat as well—a thin, stylish piece that made him look like a proper city dweller.
"Just barely made it, I think."
He checked his pocket watch one last time. He had moved it from his wrist to his chest pocket, as his bracelet made wearing a watch cumbersome.
Listening to the rhythmic hum of the Magic Train on the tracks, Ren let out a long, relieved sigh. He had made it.