Chapter 12

When Aile reached the Monastery, she found Leon sitting alone on the stone steps, lost in thought.

"Why are you here by yourself? Where’s Naya?"

"She’s inside praying to Aio. I heard that’s how Priestesses learn skills?"

"True. All our power comes from Aio."

Aile leaned against the wall beside Leon, stealing a quick glance at him.

"You’re so strong. Who taught you swordsmanship?"

"A benefactor. Strong? I don’t think so. Aile, you must’ve met far stronger experts in the royal palace."

"You’re... modest. They’re nowhere near your level," Aile thought—What’s wrong with this man? Doesn’t he realize his own strength?

Just then, the door opened slightly. Naya slipped out through the gap and rushed straight to Leon.

"Sorry to keep you waiting…!" She casually looped her arm through his. "Leon, I learned a new skill—I’ll show you in our next fight. Oh? Aile’s here too?"

Aile smiled at them both.

"I’ve got a new commission. It’d be more reliable with you two. Interested?"

"What kind?"

"It involves the Angelic Faith. Intel says they’ve been holding frequent rituals lately, acting strangely. They’re not just confiscating Sorcerers’ relics right under the king’s nose—they’re also secretly interrogating, torturing, and conducting heresy trials. Even a tiny link to a Sorcerer gets you convicted."

"Gives off a cult vibe," Leon said.

Naya recalled the Angelic Faith believers she’d met that day—their bird-headed masks felt eerie and sinister. Just imagining being captured by them sent chills down her spine.

Aile continued, "They claim their god, the Mercurial Deity, descended on the ruins to purge Sorcerers’ sins. They say as long as one Sorcerer lives, the Mercurial Deity won’t ascend to heaven. So the whole Angelic Faith is hunting the last Sorcerer."

"Is there still a Sorcerer alive?" Leon asked, surprised.

"All Sorcerers died overnight ten years ago," Naya said.

"But some descendants survived," Aile added.

Leon’s gaze snapped to Naya—her dead family must’ve been Sorcerers…

Yet Naya stayed calm, showing no trace of emotion.

"Rumors say all magic-users died. Only non-magical kids survived. But… those children were buried under the ruins. Very few lived."

"What will the Angelic Faith do if they find the last Sorcerer?" Naya asked.

"They’ll burn them alive," Aile answered. "The cult believes—if any Sorcerer still lives, we need to learn about the Light Fragment."

"So our mission is a rescue?" Leon asked.

"Yes. We must find the last Sorcerer."

"I like rescue missions." Leon glanced at Naya, considering her safety. "But it’s risky for you. Should we refuse?"

"It’s fine. With you and Aile, I’ll support you," Naya said. She turned to Aile, "Any leads?"

"Yes. Rothschild, Dawn City’s wealthiest tycoon. Before the calamity, he served Sorcerers in that Skyward City. Questioning him might yield answers—"

"Let’s go now," Leon said.

"Okay, but he’s the Angelic Faith’s biggest secret backer. Won’t be easy. Ah, whatever!" Aile struck a confident pose.

"As justice’s executor—I, Aile, will pry open his mouth!"