New Companion

Celia gazed at the slowly dissipating tricolored spiritual light, her fingers reaching out unconsciously, wanting to touch that gentle pink halo.

"Was it you who protected me, Celia—"

Tears spilled from her eyes once more.

She could feel it: that kind girl had become an eternal guardian, allowing even an existence from the Abyss like her to bask in warmth. "I—" Tristan rubbed his forehead. This impartial inquisitor seemed to have a splitting headache. "I need—I need to think this through carefully."

He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. "This phenomenon of soul fusion has already surpassed the scope of my knowledge. I must return to the order's headquarters in Absalom. The Forbidden Library there may contain records of such heresies."

Hearing the name, Kade looked up in surprise. "The City at the Center of the World? That's—"

Tristan nodded, his gaze beneath the brim of his hat growing increasingly profound.

"But," he abruptly changed tack, "before reaching a conclusion, I cannot allow a potential Abyssal threat to roam freely across the Material Plane, no matter how unusual she may be."

"That's easy." Xia Lin clapped his hands, breaking the deadlock. "Mr. Inquisitor, go look through your records without worry.

"As for her, we'll keep an eye on her."

He pointed at the silver badge on his chest. "In the name of a Silver Rank adventurer and the Savior of New Stefan, I guarantee that before she does anything to harm others, we will deal with her immediately."

"I swear in the name of the Goddess as well!" Kade stepped forward, standing resolutely before Soteria. "I will guide her, help her, and let the goodness in her soul that belongs to Celia utterly triumph over the shadows of the Abyss."

Sera was more direct. She walked