"Mr. Moen, you really have a way with jokes."

On the spacious platform, flames flickered brightly along both sides, casting varying expressions across everyone's faces. However, the majority displayed a hint of mockery when they looked at the blond man who had just declared his intention to leave outright.

Freya's face—so pure it could be described as saintly—seemed to hint at an elusive smile in the overlapping layers of light and shadow.

"Talking about going back just like that... As a Knight of the Divine Order and also one of the participants in this trial, aren’t you even slightly curious about what lies beyond the door?"

"Nope, not interested."

"That's a lie."

"I'm telling the truth."

Moen shrugged nonchalantly and replied with ease, "My purpose in participating this ceremony—or trial, if you prefer—is singular: to help Lea become the saintess. Other things, like relics, treasures, or lost truths, hold little appeal for me. In fact, I prefer to keep a respectful distance from them altogether."

He sneaked a glance at the girl beside him. Her cheeks flushed slightly, but her gaze did not waver or look away.

"As for the method to become the saintess... with Miss Freya's unparalleled intelligence, I imagine you’ve already figured that out, haven’t you?"

"You mean purifying those pitiful wandering souls? True, that does seem like one method."

Freya suddenly took a step forward, closing the distance Moen had just established between them. She lowered her head slightly, appearing as though she was about to adopt an intimate posture on purpose. However, before she could, her vision blurred as Lea had already cut in, thrusting her arm in between them and glaring at her defensively.

Freya raised an eyebrow slightly at this, but soon dismissed it without concern and continued speaking.

"However, Mr. Moen, you of all people should know how troublesome those monsters can be. How many did you deal with last night? Three? Five? At that rate, how long would it take to purify enough of them to fill the crystal that symbolizes a saintess candidate?"

"And do you really think the Church went to such great lengths to send us in here simply to make us do glorified janitorial work?"

Moen turned slightly toward Lea’s direction, frowning. "What are you getting at?"

"Have you not realized it yet, Mr. Moen? That flawless crystal records the gratitude and goodwill released by wandering souls upon their redemption. In the words of the ascetic monks from the western deserts, it’s what they call 'merit.' Thus, those pitiable wandering souls that can be purified are merely a hint for us. When combined with the Church’s additional directive to uncover the truth about The Lost Land, I believe the Church's true goal is for us to—restore this broken kingdom."

Freya’s murmured words reached Moen's ears, laced with a mesmerizing quality:

"What higher merit is there than saving a kingdom on the brink of destruction? What act is nobler, grander, or more worthy of the title saintess than that?"

Indeed.

If the role of the saintess was to lead believers and grant salvation to the people...

What salvation could be grander than the rescue of an entire nation?

"......"

Moen remained silent, meeting the gaze of the saintess candidate before him, often regarded as the one closest to claiming that title.

From his ocean-blue eyes, no emotions could be discerned. He seemed dazed, as though Freya’s words had struck him deeply.

But in truth, he had suspected this for some time.

The Church was unlikely to act without deeper motives.

And it couldn’t possibly be oblivious to the plight of this kingdom, which was being invaded by the Dark God.

The absence of anything defied conventional categories in this collapsing nation thus far was most likely because of the Church’s intervention.

Rescuing a kingdom from the clutches of the Dark God was indeed a fitting crowning achievement for one ascending to the role of saintess.

And to claim that crown, one had to open that door and find the surviving natives of this land—that was the first step.

Yet, despite how logical and inevitable it all seemed, deep in Moen’s heart, an inexplicable unease brewed.

An undefined sense of dread.

"I can’t shake the feeling... this is shaping up to be the dive of the century into an unfathomable abyss."

With a soft sigh of resignation, Moen looked back at Freya.

"Do you have a way to open the door?"

"I do, but we’ll need to work together."

"Together?"

"Yes," Freya said with a smile. "As Mr. Moen’s saintess candidate just mentioned, this golden door cannot be solved by a ‘single’ individual. But with this gathering of geniuses and elites from all quarters, why rely on individual effort?"

"Cooperation is an obvious solution, but the problem is..." Moen glanced around.

These folks had come close to causing mayhem earlier for reasons as ludicrous as "someone touched their backside," "not liking obnoxiously lovey-dovey couples," or "why does that guy’s team have loads of girls while I have none." Getting them to work together...

You’d stand a better chance of herding a pack of huskies to tear the door down on instinct.

"Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting that everyone needs to collaborate and ram the door with brute force. That would be too foolish," Freya said with a knowing laugh, as though seeing through Moen’s concerns.

"In truth, only a few individuals here who possess exceptional expertise in magic and alchemy could meaningfully contribute to breaking past the golden door. The others just need to watch; there won’t be any issues."

"I see..."

"What is it, Mr. Moen? Do you still have doubts?" Freya asked curiously when Moen fell silent.

"No..." Moen shrugged. "It’s just that if only those with exceptional skills in magic and alchemy are truly pivotal to this endeavor, then it’s not my decision to make."

"Hmm?" Freya blinked, following his gaze.

There, standing beside him, was Lea. Having earlier positioned herself protectively, she now shivered slightly, her doe-like eyes widening in bewilderment as the realization dawned that both pairs of eyes were fixed on her.

"Huh? Me?"

"Of course. This is something only you can decide."

Moen's warm smile lit up his face as he looked at Lea’s adorable expression. Instinctively, he wanted to pat her head but withdrew his hand discreetly upon recalling their third company.

"Don’t feel pressured. While this woman makes it sound simple, there are bound to be risks. With so many others here, it’s not absolutely necessary for you to step forward. Just do what you feel comfortable with. As long as I’m here, no one will fault you."

Moen’s words were like a ray of winter sunlight, filling Lea’s heart with warmth.

She believed him. Just as he said, even if she refused, no one would be able to blame her.

But...

Lea bit her lip as her gaze swept over the enormous golden door.

She understood the dangers it represented better than anyone else. Based on her earlier calculations, even with the combined efforts of the most capable individuals here, the success rate of unlocking the door wouldn’t exceed fifty percent.

If they failed, everyone here would face utter annihilation.

But...

"I—I’ll try!"

Her trembling yet resolute voice echoed in everyone’s ears.

Lea, however, paid no mind to the astonished gazes of those around her. She continued to lock her eyes onto the deep, blue ones before her.

Her knight was carving the path ahead for her—so how could she stand in the shadows of others any longer?