The same night, beneath the same moon.
Green Forest Cathedral.
Nicholas Inam rose from his bed. In the darkness, the cleric with gentle features and a rich, magnetic voice prayed in silence.
He prayed to the "Holy Spirit," and there was no doubt that this fictional deity would give him no answer.
"I swear I will be content with poverty... I swear I will treat others with kindness... I swear I will uphold the path of light!"
Nicholas murmured, his expression suddenly turning resolute. "I swear... I will fight darkness and corruption... I will... become the light!"
Nicholas had been taken in by the Church's orphanage as a child, raised in its schools, and had gone on to join the clergy as a cleric. His devotion was beyond question.
At the same time, however, the sight of the Church growing more corrupt filled Nicholas with pain.
It was because of this pain that, after coming into contact with the hidden world and learning a little about its various paths and aspects, he had chosen Yao—the path of light—without hesitation.
Now Nicholas remembered the information about the Rapier from that day and took a golden talisman from his breast pocket.
He recalled the face of his mentor in the organization, and the other man's gentle voice:
"Our Sunset School took you in, gave you cover, and taught you secret arts so you could evade the Investigation Bureau. We didn't do all that so you could go throw your life away..."
"If you confront a suspected Non-Human Existence and he becomes suspicious of you, you're guaranteed to die!"
"Give it up... He's already finished his plan and successfully hidden behind the scenes, evading the Investigation Bureau's pursuit. He'll lie low now..."
"The Church... has grown a little more corrupt... It's people