Landing Ashore

"Yes, Vice President Alida."

Aurora lowered her head slightly and replied in a soft voice.

The Iron Maiden Society's vice president gave a grunt. She glanced back at the well-behaved girl and added evenly:

"Your spirituality is rather special and rare. You possess a dual fire-and-earth elemental vessel brought about by acquired factors, and your talent is quite good... Are you interested in leaving the Church and joining our Iron Maiden Society?"

"President Renee Mace has expressed an interest in taking you as her student and personally teaching you mysticism."

"Ah?" Aurora could not help but freeze.

She had never expected that powerful lady to be willing to accept her as a student, and she immediately felt both flattered and overwhelmed.

But without much thought, Aurora hurriedly replied:

"Thank you for your kindness, Vice President, and President Renee Mace's as well... But the Church has shown me too much grace. If I were to join the Iron Maiden Society, it would be far too ungrateful of me, so I'm sorry."

"Heh." Alida merely sneered.

She turned back to face forward and said blandly:

"The Church of Our Lady and the Iron Maiden Society both worship the same Hour-God. We share the same roots; the only difference lies in our respective ideals and positions... In fact, Pope Juliet of your Church and our President Renee Mace were sisters from the same class of nuns."

"Even if you transferred to the Iron Maiden Society, the Church would not blame you... Our relationship with the Church is far closer than you imagine. Do you understand?"

"So that's how it is..." Aurora looked enlightened. She took a deep breath and added, "But... but I still intend to remain with the Holy Nun Order."

"As you wish." Alida shook her head and stopped trying to