The room was dark and silent, but not eerie.
Several candles burned atop a raised platform, with a series of benches neatly arranged opposite it.
The ceiling was high and white crystal like pattern adorned the walls.
The floor was cold and a heavy fluorescent fragrance drifted in the air, providing comfort above all.
Sculptures of angels surrounded the hall, as though watching... blessing everyone within.
However, at present, there were only two people inside.
"Brutus," the woman tending the candle wicks spoke in a calm voice, "you are about to begin a new journey tomorrow, aren’t you?"
A strip of fabric was wrapped around her head, covering her eyes. Her silky violet hair was tied into a bun, and from her attire alone, it was clear that she served the church.
The woman appeared in her mid-thirties and was wearing calmness like an unbreakable mask on her face.
A person whose presence alone could calm most restless hearts.
The only other person in the hall—her son, Brutus—responded, "That’s why I’m here, Mother. To bid you farewell."
The woman smiled fondly. "You didn’t need to. Your mother has already placed the reins of your life in your hands. Do whatever you believe is best for yourself and for those around you."
The violet-haired teenager sighed and leaned back. "I know... I just wanted to see you one last ti." Scratching the back of his neck, he added, "There’s a high chance they’ll send to the frontlines after training—or sothing like that."
The woman humd, seemingly unbothered. "Is that so?"
Brutus gave a wry smile. "Aren’t you worried, Mother? We might not see each other again."
Despite his confidence and strength, Brutus understood exactly how dangerous the frontlines were.
There were no instructors on the battlefield who summoned Devils according to a student’s limits.
He could very well face a ranked Devil on his very first day.
So yes, his unease was justified.
The woman finally turned toward her son.
"We must accept our fate. So things cannot be fought, no matter how hard we struggle," she said softly. "After watching your father—one of the strongest n I ever knew—die at the hands of maggots, I am prepared to accept whatever destiny has in store for us."
Brutus lowered his head slightly as the image of his father’s rotting corpse surfaced in his mind.
There was a reason his mother had stabbed out her own eyes. The last thing she wanted them to rember was her husband’s lifeless body—so that her hatred for the world, and for those Devils, would never fade.
A heavy silence befell the room.
After a brief pause, Brutus felt a gentle hand rest on his head, followed by his mother’s voice. "Child, there is soone I want you to keep a close watch on during your stay in Gahalia."
Brutus looked up. "Who is it, Mother? The infamous telekinesis user?" He had heard of a third-year student from Ardentia who had recently stunned the world with his performance during the dungeon trials.
While Brutus wasn’t particularly impressed—he rarely trusted rumors—William Delimore had still caught his attention.
That was why he assud his mother ant him. But—
"I am more interested in the daughter of Mister Vitori. Emma."
Brutus raised his brows. "The inventor of the Aether Rail and the defense system used by our academy? He has a daughter?"
His mother nodded. "However, my interest in her is not because of her father. She is a special child, my son."
Brutus listened in silence.
The woman stood and turned toward one of the sculptures. "I had a vision—a prophecy shown to by the most benevolent one. In it, I saw her... pure silver hair, unwavering eyes, and a presence capable of calming an army, no matter how grim the situation."
Brutus’s brows lifted further. "She... has Divine Blood, I assu."
The woman turned back, her lips curving into a pleased smile. "I expected no less from my son. You are correct."
Brutus lowered his head, a faint smile touching his lips as well.
The woman continued, "But that girl is wasting her potential in that country, among those people."
Brutus looked up. "What do you have in mind, Mother?"
She explained calmly, "Those with Divine Blood are rarer than unconventional mages like you. And female holders of Divine Blood who are still pure? Even rarer. In fact... across the entire world, there may be only one—Emma—who has reached maturity while still retaining her chastity."
Brutus asked curiously, "What significance does virginity hold when paired with Divine Blood?" He felt a slight embarrassnt discussing such a topic with his mother, but he knew this went beyond personal discomfort.
This girl, Emma, clearly held imnse value in his mother’s eyes. He needed to understand why.
The woman asked, "Have you heard of Saintess Sarah?"
Brutus blinked in surprise.
"The sa figure who held the southern front during the Blood March with only a hundred troops—while more than a thousand Devils stood against her? I’ve heard her tales since the day I learned to read."
The woman nodded. "For the first ti in history, after so many years, a perfect candidate to fill the role of Saintess has appeared."
Brutus’s eyes widened slightly. "Emma... can beco the new Saintess?"
His mother turned and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Even with her eyes covered, Brutus felt as though she were staring straight into his soul.
"Not a possibility, my son—a certainty. Not rely because my vision foretold it, but because this world needs new hope. A new Divinity in human flesh, one who will guide us toward safety and salvation."
Brutus fell silent for a few monts. He had rarely seen his mother this resolute—this desperate.
Finally, he asked, "What do you want to do, Mother?"
The woman stood and turned her back to him.
"We cannot force Emma to join the church as things are now. She would reject us outright—perhaps even fight back. That is why we must give her a reason to abandon the superficial joys of life and devote herself to sothing far greater."
She clasped her hands behind her back. "Which is why we must target soone capable of making her abandon everything—embracing isolation and devotion instead."
Brutus’s eyes narrowed. "William? I’ve heard they’re in a relationship."
His mother nodded. "And by targeting him, we will eliminate any chance of our future Saintess losing her purity."
Brutus nodded slowly. "I understand, Mother. I will take care of it."
°°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading. The incident during the Goblet of Honor has changed several things, and this whole ss is also a result of that.
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