The Grand Temple had never been this lively.
From the break of dawn, dozens of Temple Sisters hurried through the polished marble corridors, their white robes fluttering behind them as they carried sacred candles, flower arrangements, scrolls of scripture and ceremonial ornaments from one chamber to another.
"Careful with those lilies!"
"They belong beside the altar, not the entrance!"
"The incense hasn't been lit yet!"
"Quickly! The High Priest will be here any minute!"
The usually peaceful temple had transformed into a sea of organized chaos.
Outside, priests directed servants as they laid out long crimson carpets leading toward the massive sanctuary doors. Golden banners embroidered with the sacred emblem of the Goddess Seraphina swayed gently in the morning breeze, while rows upon rows of polished wooden seats were carefully arranged for the congregation.
One after another...
Elegant carriages rolled through the temple gates.
Political ministers...
Noble families...
Merchants...
Influential guild masters...
Every prestigious figure from the surrounding territories had answered the temple's invitation.
Not far from the sanctuary, an enormous white canopy had been erected, supported by beautifully carved pillars wrapped in silver cloth. Beneath it sat luxurious tables decorated with flowers, crystal goblets and expensive refreshments, reserved only for wealthy nobles and influential guests fortunate enough to afford attendance.
Servants hurried between them with practiced smiles, ensuring not a single inconvenience disturbed the occasion.
From a distance...
Everything looked peaceful.
Almost too peaceful.
...
Inside the temple's inner chambers...
The atmosphere couldn't have been more different.
Several women moved gracefully around a single figure seated before an enormous mirror.
"Careful..."
"Straighten the sleeves."
"The veil should rest a little lower."
"No... not like that."
"There."
The women surrounding her were unlike ordinary Temple Sisters.
These were the Saintess' Retinue.
Women who had willingly devoted their entire lives to serving only one person...
The Divine Saintess herself.
At the center of them all sat...
Aoi.
Her long sapphire-blue hair cascaded elegantly behind her, reaching almost to her waist as the morning light pouring through the stained-glass windows gave it an almost ethereal glow.
Layer upon layer of shimmering blue and silver ceremonial robes draped over her gracefully, embroidered with intricate golden threads depicting the divine blessings of Seraphina. Sacred ornaments rested gently around her neck and wrists, while a delicate silver circlet adorned her forehead.
She looked less like royalty...
And more like someone who had quietly stepped down from the heavens.
Yet despite the beauty reflected in the mirror...
Her expression remained distant.
Quiet.
Thoughtful.
"..."
A soft knock echoed through the chamber.
Knock... Knock...
The Temple Sisters immediately stepped aside.
The doors slowly opened.
A young woman walked in with calm, unwavering confidence.
Her posture was straight.
Her movements elegant.
Without a single unnecessary word, everyone naturally made way for her.
She was...
Yui.
The Head of the Saintess' Retinue.
She stopped a respectful distance away before bowing gently.
"Lady Aoi."
Aoi slowly lifted her gaze toward her, offering the faintest smile.
"Yui."
"The guests have begun arriving," Yui reported calmly. "Several ministers, nobles and representatives from neighboring territories are already seated. The High Priest requests your presence as soon as you're prepared."
The room fell quiet.
Instead of answering immediately...
Aoi continued staring at her own reflection.
"...Yui."
"Yes?"
"...Doesn't all of this feel..."
She paused.
"...strange?"
Yui blinked.
"The veneration?"
"No."
Aoi slowly turned away from the mirror.
"The massacre."
Silence settled over the room.
"The entire village was wiped out..." Aoi said quietly. "Hundreds of innocent lives vanished overnight."
Her fingers gently rested on her lap.
"And yet..."
"...everyone seems more interested in preparing ceremonies than finding those responsible."
The room became noticeably heavier.
Even the Temple Sisters helping with her robes unconsciously slowed their movements.
Yui lowered her eyes thoughtfully before speaking.
"If I'm being honest..."
She folded her hands together.
"The strangest part isn't the massacre."
Aoi looked toward her.
"It's the resistance group."
"They've remained hidden for years... then suddenly, political figures begin dying one after another."
She frowned slightly.
"They claim they're reclaiming what was stolen from them..."
"...but none of their actions seem connected."
"The massacre..."
"The assassinations..."
"The threats..."
"It doesn't fit together."
Aoi quietly listened.
Yui let out a slow breath.
"...Nothing about this makes sense."
A faint breeze drifted through the chamber.
The curtains gently swayed.
Aoi's eyes narrowed.
"...You prayed."
Yui looked slightly surprised.
"...You noticed."
"You always pray whenever something troubles you."
A small smile appeared on Yui's face.
"...I did."
"I asked Lady Seraphina to grant us guidance."
Her expression slowly became serious again.
"...But something happened."
Aoi straightened.
"What happened?"
Yui hesitated for a brief moment.
"...As soon as I finished praying..."
"...a wind entered the sanctuary."
"It came from nowhere."
"The doors were closed."
"The windows were sealed."
"...Yet it swept through the room."
The Temple Sisters exchanged uneasy glances.
Yui continued.
"It extinguished every candle."
"The lamps."
"The incense."
"...Everything."
Her voice grew quieter.
"And then..."
"...for a moment..."
"...it became completely silent."
Aoi's expression changed immediately.
The warmth in her eyes disappeared.
"...An ominous wind..."
she murmured.
Yui nodded once.
"I've never experienced anything like it."
The room fell into complete silence.
Aoi slowly lowered her gaze, deep in thought.
"...Then we cannot delay."
She stood gracefully, her robes flowing elegantly around her.
"As soon as today's veneration ends..."
She looked directly at Yui.
"...we will depart immediately."
Yui tilted her head slightly.
"...To where?"
Aoi answered without hesitation.
"The Goddess Realm."
Every Temple Sister in the room froze.
One of them even gasped softly.
Yui's usually composed expression finally cracked ever so slightly.
"...You wish to seek an audience with Lady Seraphina herself?"
Aoi nodded.
"There are too many unanswered questions."
"If the winds themselves have begun responding..."
"...then something far greater is unfolding."
"And I refuse to stand by while innocent people continue to die."
Before Yui could reply...
Knock... Knock...
Another Temple Sister entered with hurried but respectful steps, immediately lowering herself into a bow.
"Lady Saintess."
Aoi turned toward her.
"The congregation has fully assembled."
She kept her head lowered.
"The High Priest humbly requests your presence."
"The people... are waiting."
--------------------------------------
The room fell into complete silence.
Shin simply stared at Lyra. His emerald eyes searched her face, almost as though waiting for her to laugh and admit it had all been some elaborate joke.
"..."
Nothing came.
Lyra simply lowered her gaze, quietly waiting.
A dozen questions rushed through Shin's mind all at once.
Impossible.
Absurd.
Ridiculous.
None of it should have made sense.
Yet...
After everything he had seen since meeting Lyra...
He couldn't immediately dismiss it.
His lips parted slightly.
"...Another world?"
His voice was barely above a whisper.
Lyra nodded. "I know how unbelievable it sounds."
Shin instinctively opened his mouth to question her further...
"..."
...before stopping himself.
His eyes softened, and a small sigh escaped him.
"...Right."
Lyra blinked.
Shin rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly before letting out a quiet chuckle.
"I almost forgot. When it was my turn to tell my story... you listened. No judgment. No suspicion. You simply believed me."
He smiled gently.
"So... it's only fair I do the same."
A faint smile appeared on Lyra's face.
"...Thank you."
Shin nodded before leaning forward slightly.
"Now... tell me everything."
"...From the beginning."
Lyra drew a slow breath. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the edge of the blanket.
"I... was murdered."
The words hung heavily between them.
Shin's expression immediately stiffened.
Lyra continued quietly.
"I don't remember everything. I only remember dying... and then waking up somewhere else. A place that wasn't heaven... or hell."
Her gaze became distant.
"It was... empty. Cold. And there... I met the Reincarnation System."
Shin listened without interrupting.
"They told me my purpose. I wasn't supposed to live again. I was supposed to guide the souls of people who had already died... helping them reincarnate into new lives."
She smiled bitterly.
"At first... I thought I had accepted it. But eventually... I realized something."
"My freedom... had been taken away."
"I wasn't living."
"I was simply working."
"Forever."
Shin frowned.
"So you escaped?"
Lyra nodded slowly.
"There was only one way."
She lowered her voice.
"I had to break the most important law governing the System."
Shin watched her carefully.
She met his eyes.
"No murder... in another world."
The room became silent once again.
"If someone assigned to guide souls murdered another living person... the System's interface would become unstable. It would create an opening... a chance to escape."
Shin's eyes widened slightly.
"So... you actually..."
Lyra nodded.
"...I finally found someone."
Her expression became complicated.
"But... before I could succeed... they caught me."
Shin remained silent.
"They... they're the ones who created and controlled the System. They imprisoned me. They watched everything I did."
Her voice became quieter.
"I thought... that was the end. But somehow... I escaped."
She looked down at her own hands.
"And before I knew it... I woke up here. In your world."
A small smile appeared.
"And then... I met all of you."
Silence lingered.
Shin slowly absorbed every word.
"So... they're searching for you because... you escaped?"
Lyra nodded.
"As far as I understand... yes."
She looked toward the window.
"They're... obsessed with finding me."
She gave a faint, humorless laugh.
"I suppose... for them to know exactly when I tried escaping... they must have been watching me the entire time."
A chill quietly settled over the room.
Shin frowned.
"...That's... terrifying."
Lyra didn't disagree.
Another thought suddenly crossed Shin's mind.
He looked back at her.
"...You said... you finally found someone. The person who helped you."
"...Who was he?"
For the first time since beginning her story...
Lyra's expression changed completely.
The sadness in her eyes softened.
A warmth quietly appeared.
Her lips curved into a small, genuine smile.
She answered without hesitation.
"...His name... is Kael Ryunosuke."
The room became still.
"The man... I'm in love with."
Shin blinked.
Then blinked again.
"..."
A few seconds passed.
Before...
"Pfft..."
A laugh escaped him.
Lyra looked at him, completely confused.
"...What's funny?"
Shin quickly waved both hands.
"N-No... It's nothing."
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, laughing to himself.
"Well... this definitely complicates things."
Lyra tilted her head.
"...Complicates what?"
Shin looked at her with an amused grin.
"I don't think Rei's going to like hearing this."
She blinked.
"...Why?"
He chuckled.
"Because... he officially has competition."
Lyra's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.
"...Competition?"
She looked genuinely lost.
Shin couldn't help laughing again.
"...Never mind."
"You'll figure it out eventually."
Lyra puffed her cheeks ever so slightly.
"I still don't understand what you're talking about."
"I know."
Shin smiled warmly.
"But that's fine."
The smile slowly faded.
His expression became serious.
He stepped closer.
"I made you a promise. And I intend to keep it."
"No matter what happens..."
"I'll return you to your world."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"But..."
He extended his hand toward her.
"Before that... there's something I'd like your help with."
Lyra looked at his outstretched hand.
Shin's eyes grew determined.
"We're going to destroy the rotten political system that's poisoning this country. We're going to expose everyone hiding behind power... and build a place where people like us don't have to keep living in fear."
The room fell silent.
Lyra slowly looked into his eyes.
She saw no hesitation.
No deception.
Only conviction.
A small smile spread across her face.
Without another word...
She reached forward...
...and firmly shook his hand.
"I'm in."
Her voice carried a seriousness Shin had never heard before.
"If that's the future we're fighting for... then let's change this world together."
---------------------------
The temple bells echoed throughout the capital.
One...
Two...
Three...
Their deep, solemn chimes spread across the sanctuary, signaling the beginning of the long-awaited veneration.
The once-busy temple had finally settled into complete order.
Rows upon rows of worshippers occupied every seat inside the grand sanctuary. Noble families, political figures, military commanders, wealthy merchants and influential guild representatives all sat according to their status, while priests and Temple Sisters stood respectfully along both sides of the marble hall.
Representatives from neighboring temples had also gathered.
Several saintesses, each dressed in ceremonial robes unique to their respective temples, stood quietly behind the central altar, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
At the very front...
Towering over everyone...
Stood the magnificent marble statue of the Goddess Seraphina.
Her elegant wings stretched high above the sanctuary, as though embracing everyone beneath them.
Directly before the statue stood only one person.
Aoi.
Her blue and silver robes shimmered beneath the morning light pouring through the stained-glass windows, while the Saintess' Retinue stood several steps behind alongside the other saintesses.
The entire sanctuary fell silent.
Aoi slowly closed her eyes.
She gently clasped both hands together before her chest.
Then...
She began.
"In the everlasting light of the Divine Goddess Seraphina..."
Her calm, graceful voice echoed throughout the sanctuary.
"We gather today not merely to mourn those we have lost..."
"...but to seek wisdom."
"...To seek peace."
"...And to pray that our hearts never stray from compassion."
The priests slowly joined in.
Ancient chants soon filled the enormous temple.
Their voices rose and fell in perfect harmony, resonating through every pillar and every sacred hall.
One by one...
The congregation lowered their heads.
Silence followed.
Every person offered their own silent prayer.
Some prayed for prosperity.
Some prayed for forgiveness.
Others prayed for those they had already lost.
Among the countless faces...
Two remained especially quiet.
Sayaka.
And Kaizen.
Standing respectfully among the distinguished guests, neither spoke a word.
Their expressions remained calm.
Unreadable.
Only their eyes quietly observed everything unfolding before them.
Minutes passed.
The chants gradually faded.
The final prayer came to an end.
Aoi slowly opened her eyes.
"...May the Goddess hear every sincere prayer."
"And may her light continue to guide us."
The ceremony had concluded.
One by one...
The guests formed an orderly line.
Following temple tradition, every family approached the Divine Saintess to receive their departure blessing before leaving the sanctuary. Some offered generous donations to the temple, while others simply bowed their heads in gratitude.
Aoi welcomed each of them with the same gentle smile.
"May Seraphina watch over your household."
"Travel safely."
"May peace accompany you."
No matter who stood before her...
Commoner or noble...
Her kindness never changed.
Eventually...
Another family stepped forward.
The Temple Sister announcing the guests bowed respectfully.
"Duke Cedric and his family."
Aoi gently lifted her eyes.
The Duke approached with his usual dignified composure, accompanied by his wife and daughter.
As they bowed...
Aoi's gaze naturally settled upon the young woman standing beside them.
Elara.
For the briefest moment...
Aoi's gentle smile almost disappeared.
"..."
Elara's expression was exactly as she remembered.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
And...
Empty.
There was no spark behind her eyes.
No warmth.
No joy.
Only a quiet hollowness that seemed to have settled deep within her soul.
It wasn't the face of someone living.
It was the face of someone merely existing.
Aoi quietly finished offering the family's blessing before allowing a brief silence to settle between them.
Then, her eyes met Elara's.
"Lady Elara."
Elara looked up politely.
"Yes, Lady Saintess?"
Aoi smiled gently.
"If your schedule permits..."
"...I would like to request your presence in my private temple chamber later today."
Elara blinked, clearly surprised.
"My... presence?"
Aoi nodded once.
"There is something I wish to discuss with you."
She offered no further explanation.
Elara glanced briefly toward her parents.
Duke Cedric simply gave a small nod.
"If the Divine Saintess requests your company..."
"...then you should go."
Elara lowered her head respectfully.
"As you wish."
Not long afterward...
The ceremony officially came to an end.
The nobles gradually departed.
The sanctuary slowly emptied.
The once-crowded temple became peaceful once more.
...
Later that afternoon...
Soft footsteps echoed through the temple corridors.
Escorted by one of the Temple Sisters, Elara quietly arrived before a beautifully carved wooden door.
The sister bowed.
"Lady Saintess Aoi is expecting you."
Elara nodded softly.
"Thank you."
The Temple Sister stepped aside.
Elara gently knocked.
"Come in."
The familiar, gentle voice answered almost immediately.
Elara slowly entered.
The chamber was surprisingly modest.
Shelves filled with ancient scriptures lined the walls, while fragrant incense quietly burned beside an open window overlooking the temple gardens.
Aoi sat gracefully near a low table, a warm pot of tea already prepared.
She smiled as Elara entered.
"Welcome, Lady Elara."
Elara bowed respectfully.
"Thank you for receiving me, Lady Saintess."
"Please."
Aoi gestured toward the seat opposite her.
"Sit."
Elara obeyed.
For a brief moment...
Neither of them spoke.
Aoi calmly poured two cups of tea before sliding one toward her guest.
"I hope today's ceremony wasn't too exhausting."
Elara accepted the cup politely.
"Not at all."
"I'm grateful to have attended."
Aoi smiled.
"I'm glad."
Silence settled comfortably between them.
Then...
Aoi's expression slowly became more serious.
Her gentle blue eyes rested upon Elara.
"There is a reason I asked you to come."
Elara placed her teacup down.
"I'm listening."
Aoi drew a slow, thoughtful breath.
"...Recently..."
"I saw something."
She paused.
"A vision."
Elara remained silent.
Aoi looked directly into her eyes.
"And for reasons I still cannot fully understand..."
"...that vision led me to you."
The room became perfectly still.
Aoi folded her hands neatly on her lap.
"I believe..."
"...your future is about to change."
"And I'd like to tell you what I saw."