When she reached the church entrance, Molora—which had been as peaceful as ever half an hour ago, aside from occasional fierce gusts and a rainstorm brewing somewhere—was already blanketed in thick smoke. Looking down from her vantage point, she could even see fires raging along many streets. Dense crowds converged on the city center from every road, heading straight for the highest governing institution in the City of Exile: the Knowledge Church.
Rows of black-robed enforcers emerged from the church and formed ranks in the square out front. Their numbers soon exceeded a hundred.
Expressionless and armed with various weapons, they showed no concern over the disparity in numbers. Helene, protected behind them, was instead beginning to worry that this small force would quickly be overwhelmed by the organized rioters, allowing the chaos to spill into the church and even the cemetery and Underground Mausoleum behind it.
"I didn't expect Gusin to act ahead of schedule..." she murmured. Glancing at Archbishop Hella Berg beside her, she continued apologetically, "I'm sorry, Your Excellency. I came here to tell you about this, but I didn't expect 'Earl' Gusin to launch the riot so soon."
She took the opportunity to absolve herself, pinning the blame for the riot entirely on that Reaper. He liked wearing hats anyway.
Hella Berg's amber eyes turned toward the distant rioters, who were clearly being organized and were rapidly assembling. He chuckled and said:
"It's all right. This happens in Molora every so often, but new exiles soon fill the vacancies."
Helene's expression had only just begun to change as she realized what his words implied about the rioters' fate when the Archbishop turned to her and continued:
"You should go attend to your own business as well. As for the other two, they can come to the