I’ll Say It One More Time.

-Boom.

A faint sound of thunder heard from outside the window.

As the room brightened again following that noise, the Saint of Haide had time to face the results of the work that had been carried out until now.

‘This is… surgery.’

Everything she had seen so far was too shocking a sight for her.

It’s not that she hadn’t seen corpses before, but this was the first time she had seen the inside of a living person’s body.

So vivid that it couldn’t even be compared to the rough and hard pictures she had only seen in books…

She wanted to turn her gaze away as just looking at it made her feel like something was breaking, but nevertheless, the person in front of her just repeated the work without even letting out a groan.

Because she didn’t even have the leisure to wipe away a single drop of sweat, she endlessly asked to wipe her face instead.

‘She’s been doing such hard work all dawn, without missing a single breath.’

A tightrope walk where even a slight misstep could lead to irreversible consequences.

After going through that precariousness, she finally succeeded now, but her gaze looking down at what she held in her arms was not good.

“Teacher. Are you alright?”

“……”

“…Teacher?”

At the moment darkness fell as even the lantern’s oil ran out.

In the scene full of gloomy and damp darkness, she just stood there blankly in front of the unconscious mother.

But it’s too dark to see properly.

Neither the child cradled in her arms. Nor the face looking down at that child.

“It’s not…”

Yet, sound comes.

“The child, isn’t crying.”

-Boom.

A roar echoing as if covering the faint whisper.

With it, strength left the Saint’s legs, and she soon collapsed on the spot.

‘Did it, fail?’

The mother is barely clinging to life, but was the child that was finally extracted too late?

No, she can’t be blamed for that.

It wasn’t even a conception achieved in a normal way to begin with. Even if the form was extracted intact, there was no certainty that it could produce ideal results.

Since she acted knowing this, there’s no need to feel guilty. Rather, she should be comforted and encouraged for doing her best.

Although that would be right, her body doesn’t move because the result of the current work isn’t just concluded by whether the child is alive or not.

‘A life that was awakened again through divine power was ultimately not saved. How will that be received by the order she belongs to?’

At that moment, the Saint realized.

That the light outside the window where thunder had been striking until now was still maintained.

‘Surely not…!’

The Saint rushed hurriedly towards the window.

When she stared out the window, what came into her eyes was the sight of nearly a hundred shadows lined up approaching this residence.

The nailed crosses erected like totems among them were objects symbolizing Lagrid’s inquisitors.

‘Already, this far…’

Not just the numbers, but divine power was flowing from each of their bodies.

A light so clear it could illuminate a street. They consider what they’re doing to be right in itself.

For what reason are those with such unwavering beliefs coming here…

The Saint couldn’t yet grasp whether they were just coming to take Arian away, or to harm her under the pretext of judgment.

Because she didn’t know, she could only be afraid.

About whether it was really okay to let them in here…

“Saint.”

At that moment, a faint voice heard in her ear.

It was uttered by the woman who had been standing there all along.

“Just a moment, just a moment is enough…”

But there’s no fear felt in her voice.

She just speaks with force.

“Time.”

As if focusing on something even at this moment, while still directing her gaze towards the being cradled in her arms.

“Could you buy me just a little time?”

At that moment, light began to gather in her hand stroking that being.

At the moment of doing something towards a being thought to have no hope at this point.

In this desperate and critical situation, she still hadn’t given up.

“…Understood.”

Although she didn’t know what she was doing, she was already in a position to trust her.

When the Saint finally left the room with a firm resolve, there was strength in her steps.

In stark contrast to the despair that had permeated until now.

‘She hasn’t given up.’

Because she thought that she might achieve something.

‘Teacher Seine, hasn’t lost hope yet.’

Just as she had saved herself when she was about to give up even on this life.

Wasn’t she the person who reached out her hand to help even a woman fallen into confusion?

The light in that hand must be showing that her heart is noble.

Just as those outside are approaching here with their beliefs, she too remains in that room trying to carry out her own justice.

‘Haide, if this faith is right, give me strength.’

The radiance returning to the prayer made to gain certainty in that trust.

The Saint, who left the entrance holding that light in her chest, soon faced someone standing blankly in front of her.

“Vincent.”

“Yes.”

Her father, who answered the moment his name was called.

And the guardian knight who was her father.

“The Black Knights of Haide, all have been summoned.”

As the sword grasped in his hand was raised.

More than thirty people revealed themselves in the rain-swept street.

---

The Black Knights of Haide.

The most comfortable place to come in the future of mortals. Warriors who have been promised a noble future to have their names engraved in that shrine the moment the priestess serving the god of the afterlife enters her deathbed.

That name will remain in this world eternally as long as the concept of death doesn’t disappear, even if countless people die and countries fall.

“Followers of Yeshua. This place is designated as a sanctuary under the protection of the god of the afterlife.”

Those who have sworn loyalty to such glory soon sternly called out to those approaching.

“Why have you set foot in this place?”

A biting wind like the north wind.

Even as splashing water droplets cut their skin like frost, they don’t retreat.

“Leave at this moment without asking for a reason.”

“We don’t brandish our swords because our master doesn’t wish for your deaths.”

“Do not try to test our patience in front of those who have committed rudeness!”

Although their lives are devoted to dedication for one girl, death holds no fear for those who have sworn the most valuable end.

Even a life-or-death battle is by no means a reason for them to retreat.

“…Believers of the god of the afterlife.”

But the same goes for Lagrid’s inquisitors.

“Our God will also highly regard your patience in not brandishing your swords despite committing rudeness.”

“If you hadn’t interfered with our business first!!”

Setting foot in a sanctuary should never be done without permission, but nevertheless, the inquisitors had reasons not to back down.

They are beings who have sworn to roam the darkest places to protect the order, and to be guides for those who follow with the blood flowing in their bodies.

If Haide pursues nobility by being promised final rest, they are beings who burn even the impurity of their souls for the unity of the group.

From the moment they awakened that faith, their flesh and minds exist to perpetuate the name of the saint who ascended embracing the original sin of humanity.

“What’s behind you is our believer. One who serves and has awakened faith in our God, not yours!”

“How dare you block our way when we have arrived here following her traces?”

“That’s an unforgivable act regardless of the reason. Do you really intend to use the inviolable realm called sanctuary to deny our faith!?”

The lights rising from their bodies begin to illuminate the street as if pushing back the raging wind and rain like flames.

At the moment when the cross with a stake erected among them shines even more.

“…We won’t continue this long conversation. Turn back.”

The knights of Haide facing that light urge them to turn back.

“We cannot do that.”

The inquisitors take a step forward, firmly denying that proposal.

At that action, the agitated knights all began to grasp their swords.

“Do you really intend to shed blood here?”

“Haide, our respect is only established when there is respect towards us. Why do you interfere with our business and yet expect us to back down?”

“How can one who cannot endure even a moment’s delay hope to fulfill a predetermined destiny!”

“The value of this life is for the fate of the entire order!! How can we tolerate a group that has brought harm to that order!?”

“Are you really prepared for a holy war here for such reasons?”

“Let me ask in return. Do you really desire a holy war with us!?”

“If so, I’ll entrust my life to your God, and offer your neck to our master!”

-Boom!!!

A thunderclap strikes along with a resounding shout. As the group bearing that lightning on their backs approaches, the Black Knights’ breaths stiffen and strength begins to fill their hands gripping their weapons.

They had no choice.

Unlike Haide with its free doctrine, they are those who worship the doctrine that the group must follow more than anyone else.

Their obsession, believing that even their lives are not as important as the rules, was in itself no less than madness.

Yes, an atmosphere not at all suited to an era of peace.

“…Please, everyone step back.”

Yet, a woman gradually reveals herself in front of those who refuse to back down.

The moment her voice was heard, the knights who were taking stance were pushed to both sides, and a small shadow began to reveal itself in the clearly exposed space.

A woman, or rather a being that could be called a girl, maintaining nobility protected by something invisible despite crossing through the wind and rain.

“You are…”

“The Saint of Haide greets the inquisitors of Lagrid.”

Josephine, the Black Saint of Haide.

Although her face isn’t visible because she’s wearing a veil, there wasn’t a hint of wavering in her voice.

Despite her young age…

No, a being exuding such a noble atmosphere that even such preconceptions are forgotten.

As the heated atmosphere subsided with the appearance of such a person, someone began to cross through their midst.

“Inquisitor Joseph greets the priestess of the god of the afterlife, representing Lagrid.”

Hollow eyes like those of a corpse.

The blurriness drawn on those retinas made even the light before him fade, and many responsibilities were felt on his shoulders drooping as if worn with fatigue.

“…Inquisitor Joseph. A name that remains in my memory.”

The Saint remembered such an impressive man.

“It seems you remember me.”

“Yes, because the root of my baptismal name is the same as yours.”

Joseph of Nazareth. The husband of the one known to have conceived the saint.

Although he didn’t widely spread his name, he was worthy of being called a saint just like his wife.

The meaning of receiving such a name as a baptismal name is humility and devotion. Longing for light…

And ‘the one closest to God’.

“…It’s truly an honor that the Saint remembers me.”

Yes, even that name proves it.

The fact that the person before him is by no means an easy character.

“It would have been nice if it weren’t in such a place, did you pity her that much?”

“…I’ll refrain from commenting on that.”

Because it’s true that she interfered with them on her own without regard for the reason.

So this too must be her responsibility. Even the Saint didn’t deny that.

“If you don’t expect understanding, our conversation will be quicker.”

Yes, Joseph too.

Thinking that someone of the Saint’s stature must have her reasons, he didn’t make the rash act of criticizing her or holding her responsible.

“I’ll speak directly.”

He just speaks.

“Would you please allow us to set foot in your dwelling… the sanctuary established in the name of Haide?”

If one shouldn’t enter a sanctuary without permission, it’s simply a matter of asking permission from the person in charge.

But that’s as far as the respect can go.

Since the other side committed the rudeness first, if they try to test our patience any further, this street will be dyed in blood, and starting with this conflict, great chaos will arise in this city.

Joseph had such determination.

If her existence becomes known to the world, it could even cause the collapse of the order, so they must somehow quietly handle it within their own ranks.

Even if the result ends in tragedy.

Even if everyone doesn’t want it, if it must be done, he was prepared to endure that filth himself.

“…Just one thing.”

As that determination’s bleakness gradually revealed itself.

Soon the Saint spoke to them in the silence.

“Before answering that, just one thing… I would like you to answer my question.”

“If you’re thinking of buying time…”

Just as the Bible hidden under his thick sleeve was about to be pulled out.

-Whoosh!!

A strong wind gusting at that moment.

With that as a starting point, the spray of water that had been engulfing them until now suddenly subsided.

As if something was covering the scene where they were.

Indeed, as if to prove that, even the light of divine power that had been illuminating the surroundings until now disappeared as if being sucked into the darkness.

‘No, it wasn’t swallowed.’

Gaze gradually moving upwards.

‘Something, enormous…’

As they finally engraved the being replacing the sky, their breath stopped and silence fell.

Something like bones supporting a black curtain fluttering like a tent… no, not just thick bones.

Tens, hundreds, thousands… Countless bones, each so small as to be a dot, intertwining to mimic a huge being.

Yes, it was in itself a graveyard with will.

For a being that embraces all those entering their deathbeds, its body itself must be a burial ground with self-awareness.

“…I’ll say it one more time.”

‘Haide, god of the afterlife.’

A being that has grown by feeding on the faith of humans who have disappeared from this world over thousands of years.

“Before deciding whether to set foot here, just one thing… I would like you to answer my question.”

As fragments of that reveal themselves here.

Preparing to overwhelm those trying to set foot in the sanctuary.