Dalis and Sister Edna departed the Caleyar Orphanage and set foot in the centre town of the Missionary Church of Vanquish. 

Town of Vanquish.

Although it was quite large, relative to other towns across the Pedlar Continent, this town was a little different. Unlike most towns, the Town of Vanquish was firmly situated near several villages, only separated by a few kilometres apart.

As a result, it was often that one would see itinerant villagers around this land visit the Church of Vanquish as their home ground. 

This is because the Town of Vanquish wasn't just a town; it was also a military base that was home to a vast number of Vanquish soldiers and village escapees. 

The town was located on the inside of a defensive brick wall, spanning many tens of thousands of kilometres, separating the Pedlar Continent from the Land of Demons. In fact, it was placed right near the middle of the wall as it contained the Church of Vanquish, which was their military command centre.

About every fortnight, a large number of traders from the Cresuilge Kingdom visit here to exchange products and services. 

These traders are not to be undermined. 

It was not rare for officials or some honorary knights to appear to exchange pleasantries and discuss serious business transactions, usually military-related. 

To the Church of Vanquish, besides the provisions from the Head Church in Zetral, Cresuilge Kingdom is considered to be their arms and legs. It was known that the Cresuilge Kingdom provided 40% of the Church's equipment to aid in defence of their territory. 

After all, it was close to the outskirts of The Land of Demons. It should be known that the sole existence of the Church of Vanquish is to nurture and develop warriors to combat against the demonic creatures. Though it was constructed 94 years ago, it was relatively strong due to the implemented training facilities and programs.

Moreover, as it was not rare to encounter a demonic beast, many lives are forfeit here, and the Missionary Church of Vanquish provides homes for those who have lost them in battle. 

Children who are sickly or have elderly and other relations go to domestic educational boarding schools to help support the combatants. They would live in the main Caleyar Orphanage to train for self-defence and battle against the beasts. 

This is open to everyone.

Melvin, who originates from Feeria, was one of the few hundreds of children from other nations, not from the Head Church, who had entered the internship program.

"Let us hurry, It would be a problem if someone were to recognise me," Sister Edna warned. 

"Understood."

Sister Edna and Dalis soon arrived at one of the residential areas: Lentern. 

Lentern was quite a wealthy place in comparison to other district areas. It was home to many of the combatants and officials who live in this town. Although vastly occupied, it wasn't rare for houses to go on sale or to be used by other people due to the passing of its owners. 

"Sister Edna . . . Isn't this?" Dalis whispered.

"Yes, that is why at this point we need to be extra careful." 

"Where exactly are we going?" 

"To my house."

"What, your abode??" Dalis almost shouted.

"Yes, so keep those sharp eyes of yours intact."

"Sister Edna, I recall you lived in the Caleyar Orphanage with the other Sisters . . .” He scrutinised like a detective tackling suspicion. “That's what you said, right?" 

"That's right, and big sister isn't lying. I live there, but I also have a home here too."

"Eureka . . . " Dalis mumbled.

There were a number of times in the past where Dalis would visit Lentern in order to carry out errands. Usually, these errands would involve sharing some of the morning rounds with these residents. However, the privilege to be able to perform this was only given to the responsible orphans. 

Dalis was seen to be mature and responsible. Besides his occasional tardiness, he was often picked to come here along with other children. It was to allow them to gain experience, insight, and form relationships with these reputable residents. 

Dalis overtook Sister Edna and continued to keep his quick pace 

"Eh? Dalis?"

"Sister Edna, it's this way correct?"

"How do you—"

"Let's go. We must make haste, right? If we are away for too long, it could arouse suspicions. I will race ahead. Try and keep up with me."

Dalis smiled and turned his back away from her. He then continued to carefully power-walk towards the direction of Sister Edna's house.

"That boy . . . "

Sister Edna slightly quickened her pace and attempted to catch up with Dalis. But, she noticed that Dalis maintained the same distance away from her. 

Sister Edna was soon about to lash out at him. However, she then saw that Dalis was standing still, waiting for her, to check if she wasn't left behind, before continuing to walk on ahead. 

This was repeated about five times before they had reached their destination.

"Dalis . . . you . . . "

"Sorry I couldn't help it. It was fun." 

Dalis still retained the exact same smile he had before; a mischievous smile.

"Jeez . . . But from here on out you have to be obedient, okay? No more games," proclaimed Sister Edna, arms folded, and letting out a snort.

Contrary to her words and outward appearance, Dalis noticed that she didn't seem to mind at all.

"Understood," Dalis concurred, appearing a little disappointed.

Sister Edna's house was considered to be quite high quality. The house was made of bricks, it had a couple of windows, a chimney, and even two more floors. The interior was layered with floor tiles of purified demonised wood. There were a couple of furnishings here and there too. 

"Sister Edna I am quite awed that a lone Sister is able to have such a house."

"I can't tell if you're making fun of me. This was where I lived before I worked in the orphanage. My parents’ house." 

"It's a fine abode deserving of my Sister Edna. But I'm surprised, I didn't think you were allowed to own this type of floor tile." Dalis eyes wandered around in interest. 

"Yes. Back in the past, it was a conflicted issue as to whether the construction of these was allowed. After all no matter how durable and surprisingly appealing they are, the wood was still demonised wood. However, thanks to the blessings of the Church, that is no longer a problem.” She tapped on a purified demonised wooden shelf.”

“In fact, many of the main infrastructures in the Town of Vanquish use this wood. You would have likely to have seen them in some parts of the orphanage itself."

Dalis knew this. Unknown to her, he had asked about this peculiar wood in the past, but he didn't reveal this. 

"Now, please make yourself at home. I shall brew you some tea and get you to eat something. You must be starving from such a long day."

"I will do so then. Sister Edna please prepare yourself with a serving as well. Otherwise, I will leave some food for you to eat."

"Very well. Always considerate towards me, aren't you? You need to show this side of you more often towards your peers." 

She prepared dinner for everybody else, but forgot to make dinner for me. Was this intentional? We were supposed to be in a hurry right? Dalis pondered full of questions. He made himself at home and rocked on the rocking chair, swinging back and forth.

. . . 

. . . 

A couple of minutes passed by. 

A fresh, appetising aroma began to seep into the living room. Dalis couldn't help but gulp at what was to come.

"You may come to the dinner table now. The food is ready. I hope you will enjoy it," Sister Edna called.

Dalis, upon entering the Kitchen saw Sister Edna standing beside the table. She gestured to Dalis to sit down on the left out chair. 

Dalis did not stand on ceremony. He hastily sat to show his eagerness to eat. Seeing this, Sister Edna expressed a bright smile.

"Sister Edna, I will not dig in until you seat yourself to savour this gourmet meal," Dalis said, sternly as though he would not take no for an answer. 

"My apologies."

Sister Edna took a chair next to him.

"Roasted rosemary citrus hen. Did you make this in those couple of minutes? It looks very delicious."

"No no no, these are just leftovers. I haven’t reached that level of expertise yet for a dish like this. I used my special ability ‘Preservation’ and then my skill ‘Fresh Serve’ which made it seem like it came straight out of the oven."

"Oh . . . abilities or skills aside, the quality is quite deserving of praise," Dalis commented, taking bites at the delicacy. 

"Meals should be freshly made! This is already pushing my borderline! Hmph! I wouldn’t resort to such things if I could do that," Sister Edna declared, pouting. She thought to herself that it might be best to push herself into her cooking. That way, she could level up and perhaps be able to create or learn new skills. 

Ah I see now . . . 

Dalis stared at Sister Edna with an understanding look.

While he was drowsed in this enlightenment, he had noticed that Sister Edna had been staring at him too. Sister Edna had rested one of her arms on the table. Free hand being rested on her chin.

"Sister Edna. Are you not going to eat?"

"Oh sorry, I was just satisfied watching you eat ❤️ hehe."

Dalis's body froze. Fair skin flushed bright red with embarrassment. 

Dalis, in his life, had probably never ever felt his chest tighten to this extent. A strong feeling that was quite surreal to him swelled his heart.

No one would believe that Dalis out of all people, who always remained so level-headed and aloof, would ever act like this. Well, with the exception of his roommates. 

"S-Sister Edna . . . W-What did you mean by that?" Dalis stuttered, almost blurting.

"Hm? I was just pleased by watching you eat. What's wrong Dalis? Your face is red. Could you perhaps be . . . " 

Sister Edna left her chair and worryingly approached Dalis. 

She raised an arm to place on his forehead. The distance between them had suddenly become very close to the point where each of them could hear each other's breaths. 

Consequently, Sister Edna's pleasant scent crossed over to his nostrils. Sister Edna's warm hand was placed on his forehead. Dalis's heart felt like it was ready to explode as it continued to race non-stop. 

"Sister Edna, please mercy . . . I give in . . . Do whatever you want with me." 

 

 

Sister Edna was very confused and tried to question him. However, this was to no avail as Dalis remained utterly silent. Refusing to speak nor look at her. Heck, he was so in the clouds that he did not question the odd System pop up. 

. . . 

. . .

"We have spent a little more time than necessary, but it's alright. It's time to tell you why I wanted to talk to you in private. There will be a few things, so be prepared." 

Dalis nodded. 

"Firstly, did you intend to kill Halio?" 

Sister Edna straightforwardly asked, apathetically.

Dalis was silent for a bit before speaking up.

"In truth, I saw an image overlap with Stilla the moment Stilla was knocked out. However, it was so vague and transient that I can barely remember it now. Admittedly, my emotions were genuine: I wanted him to pay for hurting Stilla and Melvin. I was angered when Stilla was knocked out, and then after Melvin fell . . . I lost my cool. He took a moment to breathe.

“I'm unsure as of present whether I wanted to kill Halio. Nevertheless, I know that such a reason is unacceptable and is against not only the Church's teachings, but also the morals of our world. At the last moment, it was not a slip up when I missed the back of his neck. It was an intentional change of direction.” Dalis’s look of guilt twisted and grimaced. “I'm still conflicted about it."

Sister Edna listened carefully to Dalis's words. "Do you resent Halio for what he has done?"

The response was quickly brought up; it was a contrast to the previous question.

"During that time I did, as of now, I no longer harbour such feelings. While I believe that Halio was perhaps maybe too harsh in the training, one can argue that Halio was carrying out his duty. After all we are all becoming future Vanquishers in the future. 

“If he was lenient, It might come back to bite us on the back someday. Later, I learned that he was forced to unleash that violent strike against Melvin, in order to prevent him from imploding his mana."

"Yes . . . Dalis you're very clever and observant. If it was the usual you, you would be able to notice the irregularity with Melvin." The disheartened Sister Edna sighed, clearly disappointed. 

Sister Edna pondered for a little. And then asked another serious question,

"Dalis, do you think killing is wrong?"

" . . . "

"I want you to be honest with me, tell me your true thoughts." Sister Edna firmly pressed.

"If I had to be honest . . . I don't think it's right or wrong. I only remember three years of my life. From what I understand, it is considered to be morally wrong. I can understand why, but at the same time, I don't really understand. It's not something I particularly thought about . . . I think?" An odd complexion was worn over Dalis's face. He shook his dazed head and continued, "I am sorry, Sister Edna. I do not have an answer."  

Sister Edna's eyes slightly widened. She began to utter, 

"Dalis, there is no need for you to say sorry. Even though at times you act so mature, you are still a young child. I'm sure you will find your answer in the future. However, you must understand that killing is . . . unacceptable. I don't know how you lived before we found you three years ago. Nor do I know what is truly correct regarding the weight of human life . . .

“But in the orphanage you live in now, you can't have such ideas. Even out there in the world, it’s the same: the attempt or action of murder is reprehensible. That way of thinking is dangerous. Not only for others but also for you. Human life is precious Dalis."

"Weight of human life . . . " Dalis mumbled softly. He then gave a firm nod of his head. "Understood Sister Edna, I will make an effort to imbibe these values into my mind. "

He had an inkling. 

He somewhat understood this well. Yet, at the same time, it was confusing. 

"Good. If you have anything you ever need to talk about, you can discuss it with me okay? Big sister will always be there to help you."

Dalis relaxed. Some of the thoughts that weighed in his mind were put to rest. Once more, he had become ever so closer to Sister Edna. 

"Now it's time to move onto the next topic. Dalis do you really not recall anything, besides the three years of your life at the orphanage? Are you certain you are unable to recall that moment with Stilla?"

Dalis's shoulders drooped, following a sole no. 

Sister Edna looked at him with pity. "This memory loss is too strange . . . it's as if they are locked away, or perhaps your memories are repressed unconsciously?"

!!! Locked away? I am suppressing my memories?

Dalis’s mind quaked at Sister Edna's remarks. 

In these three years, especially within the past two, Dalis had, for the most part, accepted that his memories were lost and realistically wouldn't return. However, the vague image he saw, and Sister Edna's words sparked a curiosity that had lurked deep within him. 

It had risen up once again. It was extremely strong. And for some reason, he felt once again that these three years of obliviousness was absurd and deplorable. 

The image of that darkness emerged in his mind. He felt as if he had swallowed a large stone.

No it was not just the darkness.

The dreams; 

The indescribable deep sense of urgency that shadowed his being;

The Destiny Quest;

But above all, that dreadful feeling of guilt that plagued him each day. To his very bones, mind, heart, and soul. 

Breathing in and out, Dalis spoke quietly, "Sister Edna. Unfortunately, I barely remember a thing or two. From what I can remember, I was very very exhausted . . . There was pain. So much that I wanted to die. My consciousness was on the verge of fading. Yet I had to live on. I was vigorously trying to continue on in order to fulfil something . . . "

"Fulfil something?" Sister Edna couldn't help but interrupt.

"I had to carry something . . . "

"Carry something?"

"I had to carry something . . . something . . .  something . . . " Breathless, he was seen rapaciously clutching at his heart. 

"You were tasked to carry an item of some sort?" 

"No, it wasn't an item. It was more, abstract . . . "

"A dream . . . A wish . . . A will?"

"Dream . . .  Wish . . . Will . . . Ahh, it's very close."

Dalis's eyes lit up. 

"Hope . . . " 

 A mysterious pressure descended.