The Eastern Province - Summit of the Divine Church
Perched atop a mountain, the Church of the Divine loomed over the Eastern Province, its towering spires piercing the sky. The grand structure, built of pristine marble, bore intricate carvings of celestial figures, while golden crosses shimmered under the sun.
Inside, high vaulted ceilings stretched above, their painted murals telling stories of divine power. Soft light filtered through stained-glass windows, casting shifting colors across the polished floors. In the heart of the church lay the council chamber—a solemn space with a long oak table, its surface etched with holy runes. Six chairs stood around it, one larger than the rest, a silent reminder of the authority it commanded.
At the council table sat four paladin knights, their silver armor gleaming with red and white engravings. Each carried an air of authority, their presence commanding respect.
At the head of the table sat the Saintess, a woman with long golden hair, her face partially hidden behind a white blindfold. Her flowing white gown shimmered faintly, giving her an almost otherworldly presence.
To her right, Mira, the Second Commander, sat with short lavender hair and sharp forest-green eyes, her expression serious. Across from her, Kira, the Third Commander, twirled a lollipop, her midnight-blue hair framing a mischievous grin. Next to her, Aria, the Fourth Commander, sat with silver hair in a neat braid, her cold sapphire eyes unreadable. At the end, Valdis, the Fifth Commander, remained patient, his platinum hair tied loosely, amber eyes calm.
Aria broke the silence, her voice sharp. "What's taking Drakos so long? We've waited long enough."
Mira scoffed. "We all know he won't show. He barely bothers with these meetings anymore."
Kira chuckled. "Oh, come on! My Drakos has been busy. Let's wait a bit longer; I'm sure he'll be here."
Valdis sighed. "Kira, you know he does as he pleases. Expecting him to show up is... optimistic."
Kira flushed. "I know! But he works really hard!"
Aria snorted. "Hard work? All he does is sleep and drink. I don't even know why he's the First Commander."
The Saintess raised her hand, her soft yet commanding voice silencing them. "Let's not criticize Drakos. I'm sure he had pressing matters to attend to."
Aria frowned. "Saintess, I haven't seen him take on any real responsibilities."
Valdis shot back. "And how would you know, Aria? You're always traveling."
Aria glared at him. "At least I'm doing my job. Meanwhile, threats like the Bloodbound Covenant remain unchecked."
Mira's fists clenched. "If this is about what happened 12 years ago, we've moved past that. I've done everything I can to track them, but there's been no trace."
Kira smiled at Mira. "Don't be too hard on yourself. The Balmount Kingdom's lack of cooperation didn't help."
Aria's voice hardened. "But you could've done better."
The Saintess spoke firmly. "Enough. Let's focus on the present." She leaned slightly forward, hands clasped. "Valdis, proceed with your report. How has the Imperial Kingdom supported us?"
Valdis inclined his head. "The Imperial Kingdom has been consistent in their support, Saintess. Over the past few years, they've sent a significant number of soldiers to bolster our defenses here in the Eastern Province. Their presence has been invaluable, especially given our own shortage of manpower. Their patrols have kept the roads secure, allowing food vendors to travel freely and provide much-needed supplies to remote villages. They've also helped relocate wanderers, giving them shelter and tasks to sustain themselves."
The Saintess smiled faintly. "Good. And what about their efforts to prevent beast attacks?"
Valdis nodded. "Their patrols have wiped out several nests near settlements, and attacks have decreased. The Eastern Province is calmer than it has been in years."
Kira grinned, resting her chin on her hand. "Well, I suppose even the Imperial Kingdom can be useful sometimes. Though, to be fair, they caused some of these problems in the first place, didn't they?"
Aria raised an eyebrow. "Kira, not everything can be traced back to them. The beasts were always a problem. It's their actions now that matter."
Mira, who had been silent, finally spoke up. "But can we really trust them? The Imperial Kingdom's support might not be as selfless as it seems. Alliances are rarely without hidden motives."
The Saintess remained composed. "Even if their motives aren't pure, their aid has saved lives. We should not discard their efforts."
She then turned her attention to Aria. "What news do you have of the Seven Deadly Sins?"
Aria's expression was unreadable. "Nothing. They've disappeared completely."
Valdis frowned, his tone dark. "That only makes them more dangerous. They're not gone, just waiting. The moment we assume they are no longer a threat is the moment they resurface stronger than before."
Kira twirled her lollipop. "Or maybe they got tired of all the destruction. What if they retired? Opened a bakery?"
Aria shot her a cold look. "That's not funny, Kira. They don't change. Their nature is destruction, and each of them has reduced entire nations to dust."
Mira hesitated. "But what if something else happened to them? Infighting? Or an unknown force?"
The Saintess's voice was quiet yet firm. "The Demon King was the only one who kept them in line. With him gone, they have no leash. Their absence isn't reassuring—it's unsettling."
Kira's smirk faded. "Yeah… It's too quiet. And when things are too quiet, something bad is coming."
Valdis exhaled slowly. "Of them all, Greed is the most dangerous. He doesn't fight battles—he controls them. His game isn't war; it's manipulation. He could rule a kingdom without ever sitting on its throne. He doesn't need power—he needs influence, and that makes him unstoppable."
Aria nodded. "He doesn't move unless victory is certain. By the time anyone realizes what he's done, they're already caught in his web."
Kira shifted uncomfortably. "He always gave me the creeps. The others—Wrath, Pride, even Sloth—you can predict them. Greed? He plays the long game. And no one ever sees it coming."
The Saintess tilted her head slightly, her voice unwavering. "We must remain vigilant. His absence isn't peace—it's strategy. But we cannot waste time fearing shadows. Aria, continue monitoring."
"Yes, Saintess," Aria responded immediately.
Silence hung over the table before the Saintess turned to Kira. "What of the Dreadholm Dominion?"
Kira sighed, her playful air fading. "As stubborn as ever. They don't want anything to do with the church. No alliances, no negotiations. They see us as meddlers."
Aria scoffed. "That's nothing new. They've never trusted outsiders."
Mira crossed her arms. "Their isolationism has been a problem for centuries. They refuse to form ties with anyone. Even when the beast hordes attacked their borders, they handled it alone rather than accept help."
Valdis spoke carefully. "That's their pride. They believe relying on others is weakness. And to be fair, they've survived this long without alliances."
The Saintess remained thoughtful. "But isolation has its limits. The world is changing. Even the strongest nations fall when they refuse to adapt."
Kira leaned back, frustration clear. "I've tried everything. They refuse trade agreements, refuse military cooperation, refuse religious discourse. They won't even listen."
Aria's voice was cold. "Because they think we have nothing to offer."
Mira frowned. "And maybe, in their eyes, we don't. Their warriors are unmatched. Their lands are rich with resources. Their people are loyal to their own. What do they gain by working with us?"
The Saintess finally spoke, her voice gentle yet firm. "Trust."
The room fell silent.
She continued. "They may not need our strength, our wealth, or our protection. But they are still people. And people, no matter how strong, do not want to stand alone forever. They may refuse now, but one day, they will face something even they cannot handle. And when that day comes, we must be the ones who stood with open hands rather than turned backs."
Kira sighed. "So… we keep trying?"
The Saintess nodded. "Patience is its own weapon."
The conversation lingered before the Saintess's expression darkened slightly. "And the Reaper?"
The air shifted. Even Kira, usually carefree, sat up straighter.
Aria's disbelief was palpable. "The Reaper… dead? That's impossible."
Valdis's voice was grave. "If he is truly gone… then the balance of the world is broken."
Mira spoke softly. "There are few forces in this world that could challenge him. If he has fallen, what does that mean for the rest of us?"
Kira swallowed, uncharacteristically serious. "The Reaper was more than a warrior. He was a force of nature. A reminder to gods and kings alike that death does not play favorites."
Valdis nodded. "He was the reason many evils dared not step forward. Not because of laws, not because of armies, but because they knew, in the end, the Reaper would come for them."
Aria's hands tightened into fists. "Without him… there's no deterrent. No one to stop those who believe they are untouchable."
The Saintess's voice was quiet. "The Reaper did not rule, nor did he command. Yet, his presence alone maintained the world's balance. He is a force we must neither provoke nor lose. But I have faith... someone will ensure balance is maintained. If he is truly gone... the world will plunge into chaos."
Silence weighed heavily over them. No one spoke, because no one knew what came next.
The Saintess closed her eyes. "Let us hope balance is not so easily broken. And if it is… then we must be prepared for what comes next."
A long pause followed before she finally dismissed the commanders.
As the commanders began to leave, the Saintess lifted her hand. "Mira, stay a moment."
The others paused briefly, exchanging glances, but none questioned it. Valdis hesitated at the door before nodding respectfully and exiting. Kira leaned toward Aria with a grin. "What do you think she wants?"
Aria sighed. "It's none of our concern, Kira. Let's go."
Once the door shut behind them, the room fell silent. Mira stood straight, hands clasped behind her back, waiting for the Saintess to speak.
"Thank you, Mira," the Saintess said, her voice calm. "There is something I must discuss with you. A matter requiring your skills."
Mira inclined her head. "I am at your service, Saintess."
The Saintess's expression remained unreadable behind her blindfold. "A priest from the Church has traveled to the Balmount Kingdom. His movements trouble me, and I fear his presence may disrupt the balance we have fought to maintain."
Mira's brow furrowed. "A priest? Balmount does not welcome outsiders easily. If he's there, it means they allowed it—or he went in secret."
The Saintess nodded. "Yes. And that is why I need you to go. The kingdom will know of your arrival, but I want you to watch closely. If his actions threaten our stability, you must act."
Mira did not hesitate. "I understand. I will ensure that nothing disrupts the peace."
The Saintess studied her for a moment, then said gently, "Mira, you are strong. You are disciplined. But strength alone is not enough in times like these. You must learn to trust in the wisdom of others. To understand not only what people do, but why they do it."
Mira blinked, caught off guard. "I do trust others, Saintess."
A soft smile crossed the Saintess's lips. "Do you?" she asked. "Or do you simply rely on them as long as they are useful?"
Mira's hands tightened slightly behind her back. "I... I do not disregard the efforts of others."
"I know you do not," the Saintess reassured her. "But understanding goes beyond mere acknowledgment. When you go to Balmount, do not only observe the priest—observe the people. Their fears, their hopes, their struggles. Strength is not only about overcoming obstacles; it is about knowing when to extend a hand instead of raising a blade. This is something even the greatest warriors forget."
Mira remained silent, absorbing the words.
The Saintess stood, her long golden hair catching the candlelight. "This mission is not just about uncovering a potential threat. It is about seeing the world beyond duty, beyond orders. I trust you, Mira. Now, learn to trust others, too."
Mira took a slow breath before bowing deeply. "I will remember your words, Saintess."
The Saintess clasped her hands together as if in prayer. "Go with care, Mira. May the light guide your path."
Mira nodded and turned toward the door. Before stepping out, she glanced back, thoughtful. Then she left, closing the door behind her.
The Saintess remained still, as if listening to something unseen. After a long moment, she whispered softly, her voice carrying both anticipation and joy.
"It won't be long until I see you..."
The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken meaning.