The ancient bronze bell tolled, sacred hymns echoed, and white doves sliced through the sky.

All around stood pure white Gothic splendor—every brick and tile bathed in holy radiance.

This was the Holy City, the most sacred and grand sanctuary of the Holy See!

No night existed here. The entire city lay beneath a colossal barrier, saturated with unimaginably potent divine energy.

At its heart stood the Divine Stele, engraved with golden godly runes.

The cathedral expanded around it was undeniably the epicenter of divine authority!

Darkness held no refuge here. Monsters couldn’t even draw near.

This single Holy City already revealed a mere glimpse of the Holy See’s hidden depths.

An organization risen only millennia ago now concealed its true scale and secrets beyond all reckoning.

Its believers spanned the continent—countless beyond measure.

Even if some were false believers, their sheer number reflected the Holy See’s overwhelming influence.

The name of the Creator God, Chaos, resonated in every corner of the land, haunting even the nightmares of abominations!

As God’s apostles, the Holy See’s reputation remained consistently virtuous.

They appeared in nearly every crisis, offering aid.

Their healing arts alone had lifted countless souls from unbearable suffering.

Purging monsters, mending wounds, even reclaiming lives…

They had woven themselves inseparably into the fabric of daily life.

The Holy See’s rise within a millennium was no accident.

The Holy City, its core, remained closed to outsiders.

A paradise for fanatics.

The impure would only defile this god-gifted land!

At dawn, noon, and dusk, all prayed toward the Divine Stele, pouring soul-deep yearning to the divine.

For a city of hundreds of thousands, the sight was staggering.

Yet even the most magnificent spectacle grows mundane with familiarity.

"Your Holiness… Holy Lady has awakened."

Atop a jade-white clocktower, an elder in moon-pale robes bowed his head reverently.

Before him, a golden-haired youth seemed not to hear.

His gaze fixed on the Divine Stele—or perhaps the sea of heads gathered beneath it.

Even from this distance, the fervent prayers reached him undimmed.

After a long pause, he withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes. "She… ran away again?"

"Ah… precisely. Upon waking, Holy Lady claimed she scented… her archenemy. So…"

The elder’s voice trailed off into a wry chuckle.

That one never gave anyone peace.

The youth’s face remained impassive as the truth settled.

"Let her go. Tell her: as long as she remembers who she is, I won’t restrain her."

He waved a dismissive hand, his tone as devoid of warmth as his expression.

"Understood." The elder blinked in surprise before bowing deeply.

The youth opened his eyes—uncanny golden irises gleaming with an eerie light.

He turned abruptly, his face shadowed. "There is another matter. Archbishop Auston, I require you to investigate personally. It may be… perilous."

"…Your will is God’s will. For Him, we embrace ten thousand deaths without regret!"

Fanatical fire ignited in the elder’s eyes at the mention of God.

"Good." A faint smile finally touched the youth’s lips. "For God…"

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Holy City…

"Renata. I told you not to follow me."

On a street near the North Gate, a girl halted and glared at the tall woman trailing her.

Renata merely smiled faintly. "But the Archbishop ordered me to attend to you."

"I require no one’s attendance."

The girl swept her gold-and-white gown sharply, adjusted her delicate spectacles, and snorted. "If you keep following me—"

*Shhk!*

A pure white Gunblade materialized midair, its tip pressing against Renata’s jaw!

"—don’t blame me for killing you."

The blade’s chill made Renata’s eyebrow lift slightly. Yet the blue-haired woman in spotless white robes didn’t flinch.

She sighed softly. "It was the Pope’s direct command."

"You—!"

The girl stiffened, conflict flickering across her face.

"Hmph. Using him to pressure me? Do you truly wish to die?"

Renata shook her head, smile unwavering. "Of course not. But… Holy Lady, leaving so rashly—is it wise?"

"What do you mean?"

"First: you brought no coin. Beyond the Holy City, not every town has a chapter house. How will you manage?"

The girl fell silent.

"Second: your food, water, even daily necessities undergo special preparation. You won’t tolerate ordinary provisions."

Silence again. Her frown deepened.

"Third…" Renata raised a third finger, watching her closely. "You… have a horrible sense of direction. You get lost in your own quarters. Out there? Will you even find what you seek?"

The corner of the girl’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

A dark aura erupted around her.

"H-how did you know that!? Only that idiot should know!"

"Ah…" Renata’s smile deepened. "I am your personal maid, Lady Agnes."

Watching the near-exploding girl, Renata’s expression turned distinctly… mischievous.

*The definition of a secretly sadistic older sister.*

Agnes adjusted her spectacles again, eyes narrowing as her Gunblade disintegrated into shimmering particles.

"Follow if you must. But heed this warning—"

She turned away, her voice dropping low.

"What I seek is a true Monster. We might die. Or… death might be a luxury if *he* finds us first."

"Whatever interests you is bound to be fascinating."