The battle was finally over as Adeline retracted her red mist, revealing shriveled-up corpses spread out. Risin approached her, he was covered in blood. Behind him were the butchered mercenaries and adventurers. He bowed in front of her as she raised her hand and collected their blood and absorbed it. Her horns pulsated as she felt the power surge inside her.

“I have dealt with the enemies; none escaped.”

“Good, Fangs should have secured Joma by now. Grab that lady, and let’s go.”

Adeline turned and started to walk into the city, her heavy footsteps reverberating throughout. Risin was behind her as he followed quietly. He occasionally turned to see families peek from their windows or the homeless cowering in the dark alleyways. This felt familiar to when she conquered the iron wall. Adeline had never shown signs of being an oppressor who hurt the innocent. Fangs finally came into view with his elite orcs holding a fancy-looking man who was on his knees. Adeline stopped right in front of him as she looked down.

“Who are you?” Adeline’s voice was sharp.

“I am the king of Joma, Fronza, your highness.”

“A king, huh? At least you already know your position.”

“Yes, your highness. Joma is now yours,” Fronza added as Adeline’s attention turned to Fangs, who was full of pride.

“Sink all the ships at the port and secure the docks; make sure no one comes in or goes out.”

“Yes, master,” Fangs answered as he released a small grunt. He left with some of the other orcs and made his way down to the docks. Adeline turned to the kneeling Fronza.

“Fronza, make yourself useful and take me to the church where that priest was.”

“As you wish.”

Fronza was quick to his feet as he led Adeline to the church; he still wished to preserve Joma. This was a city his family spent blood, sweat, and money to create through countless generations. It was his pride, and if he had to kiss up to a demon to keep it, he would. They finally reached the church, and he even opened the door for her. Adeline glanced at Fronza through her visor, then planted her sword near his feet.

“I am still thinking of ripping your head off, so spend this time to come up with a reason why I shouldn’t.”

Adeline and Risin entered the church, which was familiar to the one back on Earth. She spent most of her time in one when she was still in an orphanage. Old memories came to mind; they were bittersweet. She met the closest thing to a mother in Sister Rose, the one who found her. Like others, she was a woman of God, prayed every day, and did her duties as intended. In Adeline’s eyes, she was the most virtuous person; she loved every child under her care, even the brats and hooligans. What did she get for all her love? Getting stabbed in some alleyway by some hooligan looking for a quick fix.

Adeline was the one who found her bleeding body on the brink of death. She was confused and scared, but Rose still had the strength to comfort her with a smile. Adeline never returned to the orphanage and abandoned all her religious belief. Life was too cruel; even the purest could still get such a cruel death. What chances did she have? Maybe she was still young and made a rash decision, but that experience changed her life. To her, there was only one saint, and her name was Rose; the rest were frauds.

Risin, still carrying the woman, watched Adeline make her way through the church as her bloody hands left a trail on the benches. He could not see her face, but he knew she was reminiscing about something. The woman in his hand shook awake as she weakly breathed out. Risin turned her attention to her as he placed her on one of the benches.

"Are you okay?”

“I am thirsty. Please, some water.”

Risin reached for his belt and took out a leather pouch. He slowly fed the woman as she regained strength.

“You were with the demon, but why? You are human.”

“My situation is complicated,” Risin answered as he glanced at Adeline, who was in the chapel. She removed her visor and placed it on the podium stand. Her eyes sat on Risin, who was helping the woman sit upright. The woman’s body suddenly jerked towards Adeline as she started to sweat.

“What’s your name?”

“I have no name; I am a clairvoyant.”

“You have a special ability; is that why you have that blindfold?”

“Yes, it is so I don’t get overstimulated.”

“I wonder, what do you see when you look at me?”

The woman turned and faced Adeline. She could see a mass of red and purple which turned violently with malice but also purpose. She started to sweat and hyperventilate as she turned away.

“I see anger, inevitability, strength, and a connection.”

“Hmm, not bad. So tell me, how did you end up as a clairvoyant?”

“I was chosen from a young age, and the light of gods granted me this ability.”

“Did you choose to have this ability?”

“It is my purpose; fate chose this path. I need to live by the scriptures and protect everyone from evil.” Adeline stared at the woman who spoke confidently.

“Is the man in front of you evil?” Adeline asked. The woman stared at Risin; she could see a smaller colorless bubble which had a tinge of orange. It was calm, reassuring, but occasionally had ripples.

“He is a good man but undergoing changes, uncertain,” the woman answered.

“Look at me again,” Adeline spoke as the woman turned to her. The violent purple and red mana was now calm and warm, which threw her off.

“How?” The woman weakly tried to get up.

“What you’re seeing isn’t evil but intentions and the state of the person. Evil and good are just abstracts; what is good for one person is evil to the other,” Adeline explained as she scanned the room.

“So are you a good demon?”

“Not at all; I am far from good,” Adeline answered as she put her visor back on and, with heavy footsteps, made her way down the chapel.

“I don’t understand.”

“Someone told you, or perhaps read those scriptures, and from that, you decided what is good and evil. In reality, people’s actions can be argued on both sides; in the end, what matters is what you decide.” Adeline stood in front of the woman and placed her bloody hand on her cheek.

“A truly good person does not discriminate the two; if they help someone, it is because they believe it is the right thing to do. Something that you people of the gods have failed to do; that is why the holy kingdom will fall.” Adeline released her hand, leaving behind a bloody print.

“If that is the case, who will punish evil?” The woman stared at Adeline as the violent energy returned once more.

“Evil punishes evil; that’s why I am here.” Adeline turned as she headed towards a door leading to the inner church. The woman remained silent as she contemplated this; it defied everything she was taught and was fundamental to their religion.

Adeline walked through the empty halls as she entered every room, looking for answers. She wanted to know what that strange silver tablet was, but oddly enough, they didn’t have a library. She opened one of the last doors and entered Florence’s office. Her attention instantly turned to the bookshelf. She took out one of the books and noticed dust on the edges. Adeline moved her hand through the different books, removing each one until only a few were left. She pulled one more, and this one had no dust. She opened the book and started to go through it, but it was just nonsensical and was not what she was looking for. She sighed in disappointment and returned the book, but it was then she saw a key-like hole.

She took a closer look and turned to the rest of the office. She turned over everything, looking for a key, including breaking the table, thinking it had some hidden compartment. She turned to the bookshelf and decided to use force. She held both sides, then pulled aggressively, but a magical circle appeared, shooting out lightning, throwing her through the wall. The commotion caught Risin and the woman’s attention as he carried her to the office and saw absolute carnage. Adeline charged and clashed into the bookshelf as she was shocked once more, throwing her back through the wall.

“Your highness, it seems to be an eighth-tier protective magic; I doubt you could punch your way through,” Risin spoke as Adeline appeared once more, looking very upset. She turned to the clairvoyant and approached.

“What is in there?”

“I don’t know; it is my first time seeing this,” the woman answered as Adeline turned once more to the bookshelf.

“I guess I will have to drag one of these bishops here.” Adeline walked past them and made her way outside. Fronza was still standing there in deep thought. Risin was close behind, carrying the woman.

“Your highness, I have thought long and hard, and I know how I could be of help.”

“Go ahead.”

“I can help you set up your administration and help run Joma accordingly. I will also publicly advocate that Arbegon be recognized by the other kingdoms and the people.”

“I really don’t give two shits about human politics; as for administration, I have capable people,” Adeline spoke as she retrieved the red moon. Fronza’s entire body shook in fear; he closed his eyes and pictured his family, who were already evacuated.

“Clairvoyant, tell me, does this man deserve death?” Adeline turned to her. The woman stared at the man and saw dark and conflicting energy. She saw regret and longing. She took a moment to recall what Adeline told her earlier. What was she meant to do? This man was indeed not a good person and rightfully deserved punishment, but would that be what a good person of the gods would do? What were the gods? What was their will? What person was she?

“You should spare him,” the woman answered.

“You are lucky. Now run off and be useful. If you disappoint me, I will cut your head off.”

“Thank you, your highness. I will do my best.” Fronza was truly thankful he had an opportunity to continue his family’s dream. He got up, bowed, then left.

“What is next?” the woman asked.

“That’s for you to decide. You are free to think and act however you please. I have a kingdom to burn,” Adeline spoke as she walked away. Risin remained with the woman as he was caught in two minds.

“We will spend some days securing this city and the port. If you have questions, come find me at the mansion,” Adeline spoke once more as she fully disappeared from their sight.