"Laudate te, Sol nostra salvator--"
The song drifted through the glass windows and into the sky, while fragmented sunlight fell from the church ceiling, gilding the sacred white statue of a sword-wielding figure behind the pulpit. Before it, two young women sang beautifully.
The taller one, with flaxen hair tied into a ponytail, took the lead. Behind and beside her, the girl with long golden hair flowing loose provided the harmony. Their coordination was flawless, like that of sisters.
When the song ended, the lead singer rested a hand over her chest and let out a breath. She turned to the girl beside her. "That's enough for today. Good work, Nero."
Nero, the golden-haired, blue-eyed girl, shook her head and answered gently, "I'm not tired yet. What about you, Kyrie?"
"We've been practicing all afternoon. How could I not be tired?" Kyrie turned around, tapped Nero's forehead with a finger, and wiped away the beads of sweat there. "You always push yourself too hard."
"No, I--"
"Listen to your sister."
Kyrie cut off Nero's protest, took her hand, and headed for the church doors. "You put too much effort into everything. You never say when you're tired, and when you think you didn't sing well enough, you always practice by yourself. It's been so many years. How could I not know?"
"...Okay. I'm sorry." Nero lowered her head under the reprimand.
Kyrie stopped walking. "Sorry, Nero. I wasn't criticizing you. But you need to rest when it's time to rest, all right?"
"Okay."
Nero pressed her lips together and followed behind Kyrie, letting out a faint sigh inwardly.
This year's Festival of the Blade was about to begin, the island's most important annual celebration. As a Songstress who would perform during the festival, Nero had grown increasingly anxious as the days passed. Even though Kyrie and Credo both said she was already good enough to be this year's Songstress, the nameless fire in her heart had not diminished in the slightest.
Kyrie glanced back and instantly saw through the emotions written all over Nero's face. Her brows knit slightly before she quickly put on a radiant smile. "It's fine. You don't need to put so much pressure on yourself."
Nero looked up. Seeing that smile illuminated by the setting sun, the tension in her expression softened a little. "But Credo..."
"You don't need the pressure," Kyrie repeated. Then she added, "He fought to get you this position because he believes you have the ability. There has only ever been one Songstress each year, but that's just a habit, not a tradition."
As she spoke, she pushed open the doors, letting brilliant sunlight and the sea breeze pour into the church. Teasingly, she said, "If Fortuna Town weren't so small and actually had a proper choir, the Pope would surely want an entire choir singing at the festival too, wouldn't he?"
"Mm." Nero's brows finally relaxed. Looking down at the town below the hill, then toward Kyrie and the sunset falling into the sea, she gave a faint smile. "Thank you."
She reined in the anxiety churning within her and stopped letting it show on her face, unwilling to make her sworn sister worry, then walked out of the church.
But she still felt unprepared.
"I'm heading to the Orphanage next. Nero, do you want to come?"
As the church doors gradually closed, Nero's gaze drifted toward the Orphanage Kyrie had mentioned. She answered casually, "I'll go back and take a look too."
A delighted smile immediately appeared on Kyrie's lips. "Mm-hmm! Granny said she hasn't seen you in a long time either. Let's go together!"
The two of them headed one after the other through the Garden outside the church, preparing to follow the street to the nearby Orphanage.
In Fortuna, an island town almost completely isolated from the outside world, most residents did not make a habit of wandering around at dusk. On one hand, this devout town had no entertainment facilities whatsoever. On the other, dangers arrived along with the night.
They were the dangerous Demons lurking in the island's shadows, a threat that could never be completely eradicated.
Still, neither of the girls paid much attention to that possible danger. Although victims of Demon attacks appeared in town from time to time, such incidents usually occurred in the forests and Snow Mountain beyond the town. Within the town, under the protection of the Order Knights, safety was assured even at night.
Since there was no need for nighttime lighting, no streetlamps had been installed along the stone-paved roads. Or rather, there was no Power Plant anywhere in town. Residents who needed electricity installed their own small private generators on their rooftops.
As mentioned before, Fortuna was a devout town with the austere character of an Ascetic Monk settlement.
Along one such dim street stained by the evening glow, Nero and Kyrie walked slowly over the cobblestones, chatting and laughing softly.
At this hour, the Orphanage would have just finished prayers and begun preparing dinner. Neither girl was in a hurry, and their steps were light and unhurried—until a shrill scream rose from the direction of their destination, shattering the peaceful calm.
"Demon--!"
Nero and Kyrie both stiffened at once, straining to distinguish the sounds in the evening breeze. Beneath the piercing cry for help came the chaotic sobbing of children.
A Demon had appeared at the Orphanage.
"Nero, go find Credo!"
"Kyrie--"
Even in this situation, Kyrie left behind those words and ran toward the Orphanage alone without hesitation. Nero, however, did not follow Kyrie's arrangement and seek out her high-ranking sworn brother. After hesitating for a moment, she chased after Kyrie instead.
She knew Order Knights had always guarded the area around the Orphanage. Kyrie, who was about to enter that protected area from outside it, was in greater danger.
The white dresses they wore for rehearsal were not suited for movement, limiting their running speed. Amid her anxiety, Nero felt a trace of relief. At this pace, the matter should be over by the time they reached the Orphanage. They should not encounter the Demon.
And that seemed to be the case.
"Granny!"
From a distance, Kyrie recognized the terrified Orphanage director who had cried out for help, using the faint available light. Calling Granny's name, she jogged toward her.
When Granny heard Kyrie's voice, she turned around and froze on the spot.
The Order Knights looked over as well. After a brief moment of surprise, their expressions hardened as they drew their swords.
Nero, following behind Kyrie, fixed her gaze on Kyrie's back. Her hands and feet instantly turned ice-cold.
Right before her, from the shadows of a narrow alley by the street, a humanoid figure wrapped in a tattered sack staggered out, carrying a rusted cleaver.
It was a Demon, one that had slipped through the net.
At that moment, Kyrie was still looking ahead in complete ignorance, while the Knights, who followed tradition and carried no firearms, were still far away.
Her bad premonition became reality.
"Kyrie!"
There was no time to think. Nero shouted her sworn sister's name, leaped with all her strength, and shoved her away.
Kyrie crashed heavily onto the cold cobblestones. She pushed herself up and looked behind her, her face turning deathly pale in an instant.
"Nero?!"
Nero had pushed Kyrie aside and fallen to the ground herself. Now, the rusted blade had pierced through her chest, pinning her firmly to the ground.
Scalding blood dyed her white dress the color of the sunset.
"Nero!!!"
Before you continue