The End of Silence 1
A convent lay in the remote northwestern outskirts of the Palenia Holy Kingdom, where signs of human presence were scarce. Visitors had arrived.
They were five young men of striking height. But calling them mere priests felt off. Their attire set them apart.
Unlike the ornate robes of other priests, laden with excessive decorations for rituals, theirs were tailored perfectly to their bodies. Superfluous elements were minimized. Ornaments were almost nonexistent—save for golden embroidery on the pure white fabric and two long strips of cloth trailing down their backs. At their waists hung swords, unadorned yet emitting a subtle glow that even the ignorant could tell marked them as extraordinary blades.
"I had no idea it was this remote."
"If you've got complaints, turn back."
"Nah, just saying. We just need to grab the Saintess and go, right?"
The burliest man among them, walking at the rear, spoke up. They were the Knight Secreta, the Palenia Holy Kingdom's 1st Knight Order. Feared by all save the Executors.
Leading them was David Liberke, son of Cardinal Pedro and the Saintess's guard, temporarily in command. With the Pope's permission and the pretext of escorting their charge, their steps were bold and unhesitating.
"Hyeris Convent, huh..."
"Who's the abbess?"
"Marie An Shazel. Former Monsignor from the Papal Court."
"A Monsignor slumming it as abbess in a backwater like this?"
Monsignors were high priests personally appointed by the Pope. Those from the Papal Court outranked most bishops or archbishops.
"Beats me. Maybe she's old and retired here for rest."
"Doesn't make sense."
Thus, they couldn't comprehend Hyeris's abbess. David's handpicked squad consisted of vigorous young men. Unlike seasoned veterans, these green Knight Secreta recruits, fresh from enlistment, had no reason to remember a high priest who'd left the Papal Court long ago.
"Quiet."
David, at the front, halted.
"We're here. Keep it silent."
Beyond the brush lay a wide clearing with their target: the convent. For such a remote place, it exuded a sturdy, antique charm. Nuns bustled about, and children played in the vast courtyard before the main building.
They'd been living their usual peaceful day—until these strangers appeared. All activity ceased as eyes turned to the five young men.
David ignored it. Brushing off the curious and wary stares, he strode across the courtyard to the convent's front door.
Soon, an elderly woman emerged.
"It's been a while, Abbess."
Hyeris's abbess, once a Papal Court Monsignor. She eyed the four youths behind David before speaking.
"...Come inside first."
***
The five followed her to her office. As they passed through the corridors, nuns recognized the Knight Secreta priestly garb and gaped.
The youths showed no reaction. The Knight Secreta was the Holy Kingdom's premier order, known to every devotee of Istearia. Their form-fitting robes and trailing back-cloths were iconic. Simply walking drew eyes.
And the youths reveled in the attention. Raised in privilege and admitted to the top order, they were authoritative and aggressive—unlike their elder, experienced comrades. David's picks were all young hotheads like him.
In the office, the abbess and David sat facing each other on the sofas. The other four stood rigidly behind him.
"How rude."
The demurely seated abbess spoke first.
"Barging in unannounced. Does Cardinal Pedro's son sully his father's name himself?"
Her tone was calm, but laced with steel. Those who knew her well would recognize her fury.
David smirked back.
"My apologies. I didn't mean to offend. I was just eager to see the Saintess as soon as possible..."
"......"
"Speaking of which, no sign of the Saintess... Do you know where she is?"
David glanced around the office. Indeed, no Saintess here—maybe not even in the convent.
Half a year ago, they'd come and left empty-handed. Everyone knew she'd left the Papal Court voluntarily. She had no desire to return, and her former attendant, the abbess, respected that.
"The Saintess is attending to matters."
A curt dismissal.
"What matters?"
"...Nothing you need concern yourself with."
"Nothing I need to know? It concerns the Saintess. How can you say that?"
"Whatever your purpose here, our stance—and the Saintess's—remains unchanged."
"We'll see. I'd rather hear it from her directly. You might not speak for her."
Petty wordplay and veiled barbs flew. Silent sparks ignited.
They knew each other's aims: the taker and the guardian. The abbess knew this knight would wait days if needed. David knew this old woman would sacrifice herself before yielding her charge.
"So, you can't see her now?"
"......"
"Fine. We'll wait until she returns."
"I never permitted that."
"It's His Holiness the Pope's will."
David added with a slow, smug curl of his lips. The abbess fell silent.
They'd invaded without notice, ignoring her authority as abbess. Even for Knight Secreta, it was overreach. And unlike ordinary abbesses, she was a former Papal Monsignor.
Yet she was powerless. The Pope loomed behind David—an absolute authority. Representing Goddess Istearia, his power was unchallenged; any act in his name was forgiven.
David knew this, hence his brazenness.
"Don't take it badly."
As the abbess sat wordlessly, David continued.
"The Papal Court is in turmoil lately."
"......"
"You were at the center once—you must know. His Holiness is leading a vital ritual soon."
She knew. Though she'd forsaken honors for this humble outpost, her old connections lingered.
"You've heard, surely."
"...Is this ritual tied to the mages who vanished from El Sion recently?"
"Are you truly asking out of ignorance?"
David tilted his head.
"No, of course not."
He grinned darkly.
"A certain heretic interrupted midway, but preparations proceed smoothly."
"What are you getting at?"
"The Saintess's return to the Papal Court is crucial. Everyone wishes it—we behind me, the bishops, archbishops, high priests, even Cardinal Pedro. All united."
"......"
The abbess said nothing. David pressed on.
"You know this can't drag on. His Holiness needs her for the ritual."
"...News to me."
"Face reality. Before Saintess of the Oracle, she's His Holiness's only daughter. He's respecting her will now, but that won't last forever."
"......"
"Let's not make this ugly. You know what I mean."
Silence stretched. The abbess avoided his eyes, staring at the table. David hadn't sought a reply, so he waited.
How much time passed?
"...Ultimately, the Saintess's will matters most."
"Of course."
"What...?"
After their standoff, David's ready agreement startled her.
"That's why I'll ask her myself."
The door burst open with a screech of hinges.
Through it fluttered a girl with platinum hair cascading to her waist.
"Saintess...?"
The abbess murmured, turning toward the door. Her usual gentleness shattered by dishevelment.
The four youths behind David widened their eyes in surprise.
The girl ignored them. Scanning the office frantically, her tense gaze softened as she caught her breath.
Gone. He wasn't here.
The black-haired boy she sought was absent.
"It's been a while, Saintess."
"......"
"Do you have a moment, even briefly?"
Unaware or uncaring, David rose gracefully and bowed, hand over heart.
Stella Evgenia's eyes finally settled on the youth before her.
***
David led the five youths out of the convent building. The Saintess was not with them.
"We got properly stonewalled."
The courtyard, lively earlier, now stood empty. But they felt the eyes—hidden gazes from all around. Some admiring, others contemptuous.
"I figured you'd drag her out by force, David."
The burly youth from before spoke. The other three nodded in agreement.
Saintess or not, real power lay with the Pope. On his orders, even force would leave the abbess helpless.
The Pope subtly wished as much.
"I told you—I respect her will."
Once the ritual loomed, the Pope wouldn't order gentle persuasion but seizure. That's what puzzled the others: why bother twice?
"Didn't expect her to actually mean it."
The five turned, glancing back at the convent, then descended the forest path.
"More importantly..."
As they left the convent behind.
"Didn't you feel it?"
"Feel what?"
David asked. Even hurrying down the rugged trail, his breathing stayed even.
"A rat hiding."
David halted abruptly.
"A rat?"
"I wasn't sure at first, but now I know."
A faint presence nagging at his senses.
"Abbess Marie An Shazel. You lied to me."
It was unremarkable, like any nun or child. Easy to dismiss as imagination. The other four hadn't noticed at all.
But David had. Even chatting with the abbess, something felt off. Leaving confirmed it.
A foreigner lurked in the convent—the Holy Kingdom's enemy. The abbess knew and looked away.
He'd tested after the Saintess arrived—no reaction. She'd feigned ignorance knowingly.
Signs had been there: the nuns' and children's slightly altered reactions compared to last time. Whether from knowing their identities or the outsider, he wasn't sure.
But David was certain. Baseless to others, mere hunch—yet he trusted it.
"Dante, Eden, Gail, Finn."
He stopped descending and turned.
"Return to the convent now."
His tone rang with conviction.
"Go back?"
"Yes."
The prime candidate for next Knight Secreta captain had instincts that never failed.
"An outsider's hiding there. I'll take full responsibility—find them by any means."
"And when we do?"
David, holding temporary command, issued the order curtly.
"Kill them on the spot."