The Holy City... the Holy Church, the pontiff's residence.
Knight Vasco strode swiftly down the corridor... his expression grim. Several days had passed since he had returned with Father Stra and four paladin candidates, taking the passage through the Non-human Realm.
Things were far worse than Vasco had imagined.
All five Descending Angels had fallen in that battle, and the paladin corps had been all but crippled... as for the clergy, even summoning every member from around the world might not restore half their former fighting strength.
This would be the weakest, most difficult period since the Holy Church's founding—the only consolation was that they had managed to keep the matter under wraps for now.
But no one knew how long they could conceal it.
Just then, a disheveled nun suddenly burst out of a room along the corridor... Vasco froze. She clutched her collar, her cheeks flushed and her eyes brimming with tears. The moment she saw Vasco, she lowered her head and ran off without even stopping to salute.
"Oh, Vasco! You're up early!"
Then a blond young man emerged, buttoning his shirt cuffs as he walked, looking positively radiant... it was none other than Father Stra.
"Stra, you bastard! You..." Veins bulged on the paladin's forehead, and his eyes blazed. "You actually... actually committed debauchery in the papal palace! I'll cut you down! I never should have agreed to bring you back for the pontiff!"
"Tch." Father Stra sneered. "Vasco, you worthless fool. I've been away so long, and you people haven't tapped any of the resources here. What a waste!"
The paladin immediately charged forward, rolling up his sleeves, ready to strike.
But just then, a priest in black hurried over. "Wonderful, Lord Vasco, Lord Stra, you're both here... the pontiff sent me to find you!"