The negotiations between the Two Great Churches had concluded satisfactorily-the measure of satisfaction being that one side had obtained everything it wanted.
In the center of the Small Round Hall, dancers in traditional Dark Moon Island attire danced gracefully while the musicians beside them played soothing music.
The personnel of both churches would be leaving Dark Moon Island soon, so arranging a social evening like this was only natural.
The war had ended, but life would go on.
Kreid, Cardinal of the Order God Church, sat with his legs crossed, leaning against the soft backrest of his chair. Sometimes he closed his eyes to rest; sometimes he opened them slightly to enjoy the dancing.
Beside him, Romir, Gatekeeper of the Reincarnation Church, sat with her hands folded on her knees and her back away from the backrest, speaking to Kreid from time to time.
Kreid responded with little more than a slight nod or a chuckle.
Below them, the bishops of Order and Reincarnation toasted one another and chatted about everything: literature, scenery, wonders, even the upbringing of their descendants. The only subject they tacitly avoided was the situation in the church world.
The losers would not embarrass themselves by bringing it up; they merely maintained their composure as best they could.
The victors preferred to display their restraint. Bestowing respect was a pleasure in itself.
"Those people on Bastin Island..."
Romir voiced her request.
Kreid acknowledged her and said, "Order will provide them with a safe environment and ensure that they have no contact with the outside world."
Bastin Island was an outer defensive position for one of the Reincarnation Church's holy sites. A small force of thirty-six Reincarnation believers was stationed there, controlling a defensive formation.
After the Order Knights Corps captured the holy site, they sent someone