Passing through a corridor bathed entirely in gold, Aquaz walked slowly and reached a pair of brilliantly shining doors and pushed them open. Inside, she was met with a garden—a breathtakingly beautiful garden, where flowers of all colors bloomed in radiant splendor.0

At the center of the garden, a single table stood, and seated at it was a woman.0

As Aquaz entered, the woman turned her gaze toward her. Golden hair swayed gently as she moved, contrasting starkly with her jet-black eyes, which locked onto Aquaz.0

The woman smiled softly and said, “Aquaz, you’ve arrived.”0

Aquaz bowed respectfully. “I, the Inquisitor of the Sun God, greet the Holy Saintess of the Sun God.”0

***0

A saintess was a representative of their god—a messenger who delivered the will of the divine to the mortal realm.0

The woman before Aquaz was the Holy Saintess of the Sun God.0

The saintess gestured with her hand. “Please, have a seat.”0

“Thank you.” Aquaz hesitated for a moment before taking the chair opposite to her.0

The saintess lifted her teacup and spoke. “You must have had a hard journey.”0

“It is the will of the Sun God. As a believer, following His will is my greatest joy,” Aquaz replied, her tone calm.0

The saintess shook her head. “Your faith remains as unwavering as ever. I could never be like that.”1

“Saintess…?”0

“I was joking.” The saintess chuckled lightly. “But I assume you came to see me for a reason. Why don’t you tell me?”0

Aquaz nodded and began her explanation. She spoke of the battle against Ashetiaar, the Demon of Oppression that had descended upon...0