Preparing for War

City of Radiance.

A squad of knights in silver-white armor galloped down the road, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. Farmers by the roadside bowed their heads respectfully as the Paladins passed. After traveling more than twenty kilometers south, they spotted a cleric, who hurried over and greeted the middle-aged man at their head. "Lord Silver Hand!"

The horses whinnied.

Silver Hand reined in his horse and regarded the cleric gravely. "What's the situation?"

"The enemies have been eliminated," the cleric replied at once.

"The Bishop is examining the surrounding area. Their appearance here was far too strange."

This was the City of Radiance.

It was the stronghold of the Good Alignment on the Material Plane. The Church of the Lord of Radiance held absolute control here, and for centuries, almost no demons or devils had dared set foot on this land. But recently, for reasons unknown, demons had appeared near the City of Radiance, and devils had been showing up frequently as well. They were no low-ranking devils, either. In a town to the north, even the priest in charge of the temple had been tempted into corruption by a devil.

If a high-ranking Paladin had not happened to pass through, no one might have discovered the evil, fallen succubus lurking in that town.

"Take me there!"

Silver Hand surveyed the area, then said gravely, "The Pope must be informed of this. Send someone to notify him at once."

A young Paladin beside him answered, "Yes, Lord Silver Hand."

At the same time.

A hundred kilometers north of Falling Leaf City, an agile figure leaped through the forest. Her slender frame and pointed ears made it clear that she was an elf. Strange tattoos marked her arms. When she landed, she suddenly transformed into a jet-black panther and