After narrowly making it into the Holy Capital unscathed, Qin Yu and his companions bid a temporary farewell to the wealthy merchant.

"Thank you..."

Xiaoya murmured her gratitude to Qin Yu.

"Don’t thank me yet. You’re heading to the Theocracy to register, right? It’s on our way."

"Mm."

Still unsure how to interact with the opposite sex, Xiaoya gave a slight nod and continued walking beside Qin Yu and the others.

Soon, they stood before a grand cathedral radiating serene solemnity—the heart of the Holy Capital: the Church of Lumina.

Other players had also gathered there. Guild members crowded the entrance, scrambling for a chance to join the Theocracy.

"Seems a bit crowded..."

"We’ll wait. Qin Yu, I need to log off and rest for a bit."

"Sure. Let’s add each other as friends first."

"Mm."

After exchanging friend requests, Xiaoya logged off. Qin Yu was finally free to attend to his own business.

"Excuse me, sorry to bother you."

Qin Yu approached a mature-looking nun, hoping she’d relay a message.

"May the Holy Light guide you, traveler from another world. If you wish to follow the Light, please join the queue."

The nun mistook him for just another player seeking conversion.

"I’m afraid you misunderstood. I have intelligence to report to the Theocracy..."

Qin Yu lowered his voice.

"...Regarding Holy Maiden Daisyth, who vanished from the Luminous Theocracy ten years ago."

At the name *Daisyth*, the nun froze for a moment.

"Please wait here. I’ll report this immediately."

She hurried inside. Qin Yu, Silver Crimson Snow, and Luna waited outside.

—

*Pope’s Hall*

The nine leaders of the Luminous Theocracy—the three legion commanders, three bishops, the Holy Maiden, the Director of the Heresy Tribunal, and the Pope—were in session.

The Griffin Legion had just reported undead activity stirring in northern Central Continent.

And not just there: undead forces across other continents were awakening, as if something terrifying had risen.

"That’s the situation," said the Imperial Guard Legion commander. "The undead are rising again. We must act swiftly to prevent another tragedy like ten years ago."

Mention of the past stirred faint grief and anger across the room—especially on the Holy Maiden’s face.

"The Dwarf Empire must have noticed too. Should we propose a joint campaign?" suggested a bishop. The Central Continent’s three major powers were the Luminous Theocracy (southwest), the Dwarf Empire (northwest), and the Drow Elves of the Underworld.

"The Dwarf Empire is closest. If they strike first, they could buy us time," another bishop agreed.

"But dwarves aren’t followers of the Holy Light," cautioned the Temple Legion commander. "If their army falls and turns undead... we’d only strengthen the enemy."

Then the Judgment Legion commander stepped forward. "Dispatch the Imperial Guard’s Griffin Cavalry to support the dwarves first. Follow with a mixed knight regiment from all three legions. Timing should hold."

Nods of agreement followed.

"Done. Notify the Dwarf Emperor," the Pope decreed.

One by one, attendees left—only the Holy Maiden, the Director, and the Pope remained.

"Monet, return to rest. Don’t neglect your training."

"Yes, Your Holiness."

Monet, newly come of age, bowed and exited.

No sooner had the door clicked shut than the reporting nun found her.

"Holy Maiden! Urgent news!"

"Calmly. What is it?"

After hearing Qin Yu’s words—and the name *Daisyth*—Monet’s expression shifted sharply.

"Where is he? I must see him *now*!"

The nun rushed back outside. Qin Yu’s group was still waiting, boredom etched on their faces.

"This is taking forever..." Silver Crimson Snow grumbled.

"Patience, Xiao Xue. They’re coming," Qin Yu said.

True to his word, the nun hurried over.

"Please follow me."

She led them into a meeting chamber.

"The Holy Maiden awaits you inside."

The door opened. A chestnut-haired girl in pristine robes sat reading. Monet, Holy Maiden of the Luminous Theocracy.

*Snap.* The book closed. She rose and strode toward them.

Before introductions could be made, Monet’s eyes burned with urgency: "What do you *truly* know about Holy Maiden Daisyth?"

Qin Yu walked past her calmly. "Ten years ago, during the war against the undead horde, your report stated Holy Maiden Daisyth fell from a cliff, exhausted unto death. Correct?"

Monet gave a tight nod.

"But you never found her body."

Her patience frayed. "Have you *seen* her?"

"No."

Monet’s jaw tightened—she nearly summoned a Cross Punishment.

Then Qin Yu continued, voice low: "But I know she lives. And where she is."

He turned to face her. "Gravely wounded after the battle, Daisyth fell—but survived. She drifted downstream..."

Monet let out a faint sigh of relief. *Alive.*

"Misfortune may harbor blessing; blessing may conceal misfortune," Qin Yu said softly. "Unfortunately... the half-dead Daisyth was found by goblins."

A sharp inhale. The nun and Monet shuddered. Grief and fury flooded their eyes.

Monet’s fists clenched. "And Holy Maiden Daisyth...?"

"As you fear. Captured. The only mercy: her strong constitution let her survive the brutal breeding process."

Monet and the nun looked away, hearts aching. *Their* Holy Maiden... reduced to this.

"I’ll spare the horrors. The crucial truth: shattered by trauma, Daisyth grew unstable. She bore and raised an exceptionally gifted goblin. He now leads the Greenwood Tribes. Recent goblin cunning? Strategy? All trace back to *him*—the Goblin Emperor—and Daisyth’s own teachings."