Holy City Rapona—once the largest and most prosperous city on this land.
It had been the center of economics, culture, and religion, hailed as the safest place in the whole world and the pride of all humanity.
But now, it had declined to the point where even maintaining public order was a struggle.
As the population fled, vast districts had completely turned into ruins and ghostly domains. The once-bustling marketplace had dwindled to only the small stretch near the central cathedral.
To better protect themselves, the church had even ordered a second City Wall built within the city.
As for the outermost one, it had long since been completely abandoned.
Even during the day, merchants and travelers only dared approach those battered gates under the escort of patrols.
Otherwise, whether it was the Yoma hidden among the ruins or bandits entrenched in old houses, either could easily take their lives.
Furthermore, the church had abolished its former rule banning Claymores from entering the city.
Without Claymores regularly clearing out the Yoma lurking nearby, the few people left in the city would likely have all died long ago.
So the church had long since chosen to give up and accept the cruel reality of its decline and eventual destruction.
Its executives had also become corrupt at a visible rate, using the wealth they had amassed through manipulating faith to indulge in debauchery every day.
The most obvious example was the extra street near the church devoted to special services, along with the scantily clad young women standing at its entrance.
You must know that ten years ago, such businesses were explicitly forbidden in the Holy City.
Once caught, offenders would be expelled at best and sent to the stake for public execution at worst.
But now...
This had become the favorite