Above the imperial capital, a pure white airship slowly passed through the clouds, descending toward the square in front of the Magic Tower.
Unlike the lavishly decorated airships from the various academies around it, this airship had an exceptionally simple exterior, with no unnecessary ornamentation or markings. Only a golden Holy Emblem was engraved on its side-a radiant sun hovering above an open book of scripture.
This was the symbol of the Church of Light.
The airship docked steadily at a reserved berth on the edge of the square.
The cabin door slowly opened, and a figure emerged, accompanied by two guard nuns.
It was a woman.
She wore pristine white ceremonial robes of the Holy See, with a golden shawl embroidered with intricate, exquisite sacred patterns draped over them.
Her attire was conservative, its high collar and tightly fastened cuffs covering her thoroughly. Even so, it could not entirely conceal her voluptuous curves.
Most striking of all was her face.
Her platinum-blonde hair fell smoothly over her shoulders and down her back, shimmering with a soft halo in the sunlight.
Her features were delicate and gentle, like those of an angel who had stepped out of a sacred painting. A faint smile lingered at the corners of her mouth, and her eyes were slightly narrowed, as though she were forever gazing warmly upon the world.
Her presence was not ostentatious, yet it made people instinctively want to draw closer, even as they feared profaning her.
This was the current Saintess of the Church of Light-Veronica Keller.
Below the airship, the white-robed bishop Bernard and Reinhardt, deputy director of the Tribunal, had been waiting for some time.
When Veronica appeared in the doorway, both men bowed slightly, performing the customary Church greeting.
Veronica descended the gangway at an unhurried pace