When the three returned to the Archbishop's office with Ivan, they found that the atmosphere had changed.
Outside the window, rain pattered steadily. The muffled taps of viscous raindrops against the glass were clear, and the air was thick with the tension of an impending storm. Several high-ranking deacons had gathered there, their anxiety plain on their faces.
The Archbishop stood by the window, gazing out at the world shrouded in yellow-green rain and plunged into unnatural gloom. His expression was graver than they had ever seen it. He clutched the completed scroll case in one hand, his knuckles slightly white from the force of his grip.
As soon as he saw Yu Xing and the others enter, the Archbishop turned around. His gaze was weary, yet sharp as an eagle's.
"You saw it?" he asked without even exchanging greetings, his voice a little hoarse.
"We did." Yu Xing nodded. "If I'm not mistaken, that should be Chaos Rain."
After all, investigators from the Ideal Nation came with the background knowledge to recognize all kinds of monsters. No one would doubt their expertise.
"Chaos Rain, yes..." The Archbishop repeated the name, a glimmer of understanding and an even deeper shadow passing through his eyes. "It is indeed... The Church's ancient records contain a few scattered mentions of it. The last time it appeared in the Yorikof region was eighty years ago. The account is vague. It only says, 'A living storm cloud brings a rain of filth; wherever it falls, the uncanny takes root and disaster runs rampant.'"
He drew a deep breath, as if trying to press down the weight in his chest. "It isn't a living creature. It's more like a phenomenon, a terrifying celestial omen foretelling a great calamity. Its appearance means the level of contamination in