The Nameless Monastery had Adriana…0

To be precise, it was Leverier Lanche who had Adriana. His primary goal was to coerce Olivia into vouching for him, thus restoring his position. His secondary goal was to use Olivia as a figurehead in order to achieve his ambitions.0

Leverier Lanche had initially intended to make Olivia the next Commander of the Order of the Holy Knights. It was likely that he had already envisioned the future Holy Empire. Unfortunately, his fall from grace had necessitated that he adopt a different approach to achieve this vision, by forming a secret religious society.0

Leverier Lanche’s fall had sparked backlash within the religious community, regardless of the actual circumstances surrounding it. As a result, he still wielded influence within the religious circles, and that influence was growing.0

By leaving the Temple Adriana had, in fact, put herself in greater danger. Leverier Lanche was using her as bait to draw in Olivia, and Olivia would not be able to refuse, since Adriana’s life was at stake.0

Unlike in the tournament finals against Radia Schmidt, there was no option to forfeit. With Adriana as a hostage, Olivia would have no choice but to become Leverier Lanche’s puppet.0

Night had already fallen. I looked at Radia Schmidt, tied up in Eleris’s shop, her head hung low.0

Radia Schmidt had used the dangerous power, Berserk, during the finals, and had continuously tried to persuade Olivia to return to the embrace of the gods. In the end, though, Olivia had forfeited the match.0

Even to me,...0