Southern Shore of the Conquest Sea, Port of Kankdal. As one of the largest and most prosperous cities in North Ufiga, Kankdal has long served as a vital channel of communication between North Ufiga and the outside world. It gathers a massive population, with a significant portion consisting of expatriates from the main continent. This has led to the creation of a large foreigner residential district in Kankdal, a zone that local North Ufigans are not permitted to enter, forming a city area vastly different in style from the rest of the continent. The assassination incident at Kankdal South Station on the morning of the 20th greatly shook the city, especially the nerves of the foreign residents. No one had anticipated that what was supposed to be a grand welcoming ceremony would escalate into such a bloody affair. Since the casualties included the mayor of Kankdal and upper-class figures among the foreign residents, the incident caused an enormous uproar. Everyone expressed deep outrage at the assassins. The foreigners in Kankdal already looked down upon the local North Ufigans and had little goodwill toward Shadi’s heretical regime. Once the assassination was reported, public dissatisfaction quickly turned to fury. In every public discussion, people vehemently denounced the barbarity of the Addus rebels and the cruelty of the heretics. They expressed sympathy for the victims of the attack—particularly the Baruch exiled royals—and many even went to visit those wounded in the incident. Around noon, in an elegant restaurant on a bustling street in the foreign residential district of Kankdal, well-dressed people with main continent appearances gathered, speaking various languages as they dined and conversed. Naturally, their focus was on the recent assassination, and all of them spoke with righteous indignation, condemning the heretics and Shadi while sympathizing with the victims. Some voices were particularly loud and unfriendly. On the second floor of the restaurant, by a window, two figures sat dining—Dorothy and Nephthys. Wearing a white floral dress and a sunhat, Dorothy was cutting into the steak on her plate. Nephthys, dressed in a fitted blouse and trousers, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, paid little attention to the fine meal before her. She was engrossed in the latest newspaper. "’The Heartless Heretics, the Compassionate People…’ Because of the assassination on the 20th, the Baruchan exiled royal family has received deep sympathy from both international and social circles. According to our reporter, Prince Ma’ad stated in an interview that since the attack, they have received donations from various parties. These are critical for helping the exiles survive their current hardship and stay united in resisting the tyranny of the heretics. "During the interview, Prince Ma’ad tearfully thanked the international community for their moral support. He said he would not forget the help they received in this time of crisis. If they ever return to Addus, they will erect a monument to commemorate this generous aid…" Frowning, Nephthys slowly read aloud the news article. Her expression grew darker the further she read, and when she finished, she blurted out. "Donations for the poor? This is insane! In Addus, there’s a royal statue every few blocks, and these people built swimming pools in the desert for fun. They cleaned out everything valuable from the museums—I searched forever to find just a few things left. The stuff they took from Addus is enough to feed their families for ten generations, and now they’re claiming to be poor and taking donations? There are far more destitute people on the streets of Addus than these royals." Holding the newspaper, Nephthys vented directly. She had once scoured the Addus Museum looking for the Heaven’s Arbiter ceremonial outfit and found only a few remaining pieces—mostly ancient North Ufigan women’s gold jewelry. After bringing it back, she referenced the clothing features of ancient North Ufiga from her studies and used her accumulated fashion knowledge to design a priestess outfit. Dorothy then used her marionettes to help rapidly produce a finished version, allowing Nephthys to dress up as Priestess Isis. That event revealed Nephthys’ talent for fashion design. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮 After seeing the state of the museum, Nephthys had a good idea of how much wealth the Baruch royals had taken during their flight. To her, people giving them donations now was the height of absurdity—especially when so many Addusians were queuing for government rations. “Whoever controls the narrative controls the definition of events. For Kankdal’s current rulers and their backers, those Baruch remnants must be seen as pitiable victims, no matter how well off they actually are. These privileged residents far from the war only trust what the media tells them. The truth is too inconvenient. After all, a few casualties here have far more emotional impact than millions suffering a thousand miles away.” Dorothy said with a hint of sarcasm as she cut her steak. Hearing this, Nephthys set down the paper and spoke with concern. “Miss Dorothy… that assassination yesterday was an outright setup. Those Kankdal people are clearly targeting Sister Vania. She’s in real danger now. Shouldn’t we just get her out of here?” “Vania’s situation is definitely risky, but it’s not time to run yet. Taking her away would only make the false charges stick harder and make her position even more precarious. What we need to do is help her clear her name and remove the suspicion of collusion with heretics. Only then will she be truly safe.” Dorothy explained as she speared a piece of steak. Nephthys, listening to this, continued. “Clear her name… But the investigation is being run by the Kankdal authorities, right? Those people clearly want Vania gone. Even if we had evidence, we might not be able to do anything with it…” “True, they hold the investigative power right now. Even if we had evidence, it’d be no use. But don’t forget—this incident involves heresy and thus falls under the Church’s jurisdiction. Ultimately, the Church decides how this case is defined. So no matter what the Kankdal authorities say, it won’t matter in the end. What we need is to wait for the Church’s investigators to arrive and then help Vania from the shadows. And they should be arriving soon…” Dorothy said as she pointed to a nearby newspaper. The headline read: “Holy Mount Dispatches Investigation Team to Kankdal.” “This whole plan was thrown together too hastily. It wasn’t thorough. And now that it’s been disrupted, the holes are even bigger. As long as the Church’s investigation team isn’t compromised in its stance, helping Vania clear her name should be easy—and we might even be able to turn this around and strike back at Kankdal’s side.” Dorothy continued her analysis. If the conspirators’ plan had succeeded perfectly, Vania would have been in grave danger. But with it severely disrupted, even a moderately competent team could see the flaws in the case. If the investigation and judgment are impartial, it would be easy to clear Vania. Nephthys pondered over Dorothy’s words, then asked. “And what if… the investigators aren’t impartial? What do we do then, Miss Dorothy?” Hearing that, Dorothy paused mid-sip of her juice, set the glass down, wiped her lips, and said, “If the investigators are also compromised, then things will become truly difficult. At that point, all the evidence we’ve gathered will be ignored, and an unjust ruling against Vania will become a foregone conclusion… The only way to salvage the situation would be to contact Shadi, urge him to abandon his internal consolidation, and immediately announce a formal break with the Savior’s Advent Sect—risking a large-scale civil war—all to prove Vania’s innocence. “But even then, it’s hard to say if that would save Vania. If the opposing side is dead set on branding both Addus and Vania as heretical, then even Shadi’s declaration of separation will be dismissed. A compromised church investigation team could just declare it a collusion between heretics—a heretical rescue, and therefore untrustworthy. “Simply put, if the church’s investigators and judges are aligned with Kankdal’s interests, then any attempt to prove Vania’s innocence is meaningless. “If it comes to that, our only option will be the final one: break Vania out by force and go on the run.” Dorothy spoke plainly. Her meaning was clear—whoever controls the investigation controls everything. So-called evidence only matters if the investigation is fair. If the investigators are already out to get you, then no amount of proof can help. Hearing Dorothy’s response, Nephthys involuntarily shivered. She glanced at the newspaper on the table reporting the church’s investigation team’s arrival, and worry flickered in her eyes. ... The White Dove Hotel, located beside the Tranquility Cathedral in the foreigner district of Kankdal, is the closest hotel to the church. Because of this proximity, the Church’s envoy delegation to Addus was arranged to stay here during their arrival in Kankdal, and now that the delegation has returned from Addus, the hotel once again serves as their resting place. However, this time, only Vania remains. After the assassination incident, not only were the two “perpetrators” arrested—the entire train crew of the Desert Arrow and the wounded members of the envoy’s guard were also detained by Kankdal’s City Guard and imprisoned under suspicion. Vania herself, due to having intervened and saved people during the attack, could not be detained directly, so she was placed under strict house arrest in the hotel, with constant surveillance and no permission to leave. Even in the eyes of the general public, influenced by the press, Vania is seen as a pitiable nun merely implicated by association, not truly connected to heresy. As a result, the Kankdal authorities have treated her relatively gently, merely confining her while continuing to provide for her basic needs. And so, Vania remained in the hotel peacefully for several days, spending most of her time in prayer. The authorities made no further moves against her. But now, the situation has changed—because the true investigators and arbiters of this case, the Church’s Heresy Inquisition, have arrived at the Port of Kankdal. Their first destination: the White Dove Hotel. At dusk, bathed in the light of the setting sun, a group of over ten figures appeared on the road leading to the White Dove Hotel. They wore matching black and red clerical robes, their faces covered with veils and cloth miters. Swords hung from one side of their waists, thick scripture scrolls on the other. Some carried staffs adorned with banners of canon law like flags. The group marched silently and solemnly. Leading the procession was a man in a more elaborate version of the red-black clerical robe. Bald and in his forties or fifties, his forehead bore the blazing sun emblem of the Church. Even without expression, his face was fierce. Walking respectfully beside him was none other than Captain Hajetta of the Kankdal City Guard. The group approached the White Dove Hotel, where the guards at the entrance immediately stepped aside to let them in. Inside the hotel lobby, the bald man turned and addressed his followers. “Stand guard here.” “Yes.” With that brief exchange, the group halted in place. The bald man glanced at Hajetta and said with a slightly arrogant tone, “Lead the way.” “This way, Inquisitor,” Hajetta replied, leading the man upstairs. On the third floor, they stopped before a room. After Hajetta signaled the guards, one of them produced a key and opened the door. Hajetta and the bald inquisitor stepped inside. There, kneeling in prayer in the luxurious parlor, was Sister Vania in her white habit. Hearing the door, she turned her head and looked toward them in surprise. “Senior Deacon Vania Chafferon, I am High Inquisitor Clifton, acting under the orders of Grand Inquisitor Kramar. I am here to investigate the case involving the corruption of the Church envoy by the Savior’s Advent Sect heretics. Based on current evidence, you are a major suspect. Rise and come with me.” Clifton’s voice was stern. Vania, startled, replied, “W-what? Inquisitor, I wasn’t corrupted by heretics. I didn’t take part in the attack—in fact, I stopped it! I saved people who were targeted!” “Hmph. The most cunning heretics are always the best at hiding. Your actions are far from enough to clear your name. Only an interrogation by the Inquisition can determine your innocence. Come now, or be deemed uncooperative and treated as a heretic on the spot!” Clifton’s words carried the weight of a threat. Vania, flustered, tried to respond—but at that moment, an ethereal voice echoed through the room. “What a display of authority, Sir Clifton. At this rate, even a cardinal might not escape your grasp.” Clifton’s expression darkened. He immediately turned toward the source of the voice and saw a ghostly figure slowly materializing. It was the spectral form of a nun, appearing to be in her early twenties, wearing a white habit like Vania. Her golden hair reached her chest beneath her coif, and though her features were gentle, they now bore a mocking smirk. Seeing the ghostly figure, Clifton’s face froze. After a long pause, he spoke. “Sister Ivy… So you’re here as well…” “Of course I’m here. Sister Vania has long been recognized by Lady Amanda for her conduct. After the incident in Kankdal, she kept a close watch on the situation. To monitor developments and prevent misconduct, she sent me.” Sister Ivy replied coolly. Clifton shifted his gaze to the anxious-looking Vania and declared, “I’m taking Sister Vania to the Inquisition vessel Scourge of Flame for questioning. This is standard procedure. Sister Ivy, do not interfere.” “If it’s just questioning, does it matter where? Your Scourge of Flame will do, but so will this hotel. Why go out of your way? Inquisitor Clifton, if you have questions, ask them here. No need to take her anywhere.” Ivy’s tone remained calm. Clifton’s face darkened further, and a flash of anger welled up in his eyes.