Gase City stood on the coast of northwestern Intis. A free city built around gambling, it brimmed with tales of overnight riches and extravagance amid beautiful women—a "paradise" many dreamed of visiting.
At night, Gase was especially dazzling. Its streets blazed with lights, and neon shimmered like a dream.
Towering buildings looked grander still under the lights. Tourists packed the streets, laughter rang out, and the city thrived long past dark.
But beneath that glittering display of wealth and indulgence lay its true nature: a city of sin.
As a "free city," Gase City belonged to Intis in name only, paying its taxes regularly and little more.
The Intis Parliament had tried to reclaim administrative control, but its efforts had repeatedly been blocked. The city's power rested with Gase's great "families."
Behind those families stood senior priests of the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun who revered the head of the Round Table Council.
From the roof of a high-rise, Cattleya looked down at the North Continent's most famous "gambling city." Just over twenty years ago, it had been an obscure, rundown village. A complicated expression crossed her face.
"I was born on this land, and now I'll complete my advancement ritual to Angel here. Is this 'destiny' too?"
As she murmured to herself, she recalled the different Fate Lines she had glimpsed while completing missions over the past six months, and the glimpses into Mr. Tower's secrets she had received as rewards. Her expression grew more conflicted.
"Perhaps this is 'destiny'..." With another sigh, Cattleya took a deep breath and gathered herself. Then she took out a robe with no tangible form and draped it over her shoulders.
It was the Grade 0 Sealed Artifact Abner had lent her: the Discerner Robe.
It had once been clothing Cheek wore