"The queen is here."

  Outside, the knights stood under the relentless downpour, their armour glinting faintly in the pale light. Six carriages lined the temple grounds, five of them sturdy and military in design, while one stood out—a golden carriage adorned with intricate carvings on both sides, unmistakably belonging to the queen.

  At the forefront was Olwyn, clad in his usual armour, his expression stoic and unwavering. He stood in silence, the only sounds accompanying him being the rhythmic patter of rain and the faint murmurs of voices within the temple. Behind him were his knights, young noblemen he had trained personally, their loyalty steadfast toward the queen and the royal family.

  Inside the temple’s office, all eyes were on Verenya. She smiled with an air of calm authority and said, "Girls, the queen is here. Thank you for tidying the office so quickly, but now you must change into your proper outfits. You can’t welcome the queen dressed like that. Hurry!"

  The nuns nodded and scurried off. Verenya, meanwhile, moved to the prayer room, where she stood silently. After a brief pause, the nuns and priests emerged, now clad in ceremonial attire. They moved gracefully to their positions—nuns lining up on the right, priests on the left.

  As they settled into place, Verenya addressed the nuns. "Girls, remember, there are men with the queen."

  The nuns exchanged smiles and pulled their hoods over their heads in acknowledgement.

  "The queen is a woman, after all," Verenya added with a faint smile.

  The priests nodded, their gazes fixed firmly on the ground.

  Verenya then approached the large entrance door. Opening it, she was met by Olwyn, who bowed slightly.

  "Good evening, Nuna Verenya. Apologies for the intrusion," he said with measured respect.

  "Of course," Verenya replied warmly. "Please inform the queen that we are ready to receive her."

  Olwyn gave a curt nod before turning back toward the royal carriage. As he approached, a small window on the side of the golden carriage slid open. Though the rain drowned out his words, his gestures made his message clear.

  The knights standing before Verenya kept their eyes fixed on the ground, a sign of their reverence for her sacred position. Not a single glance was cast her way.

  Moments later, the golden carriage’s door opened. Queen Jane emerged, shielded from the rain by a subtle, shimmering barrier conjured by a sorcerer who walked beside her. The knights stepped aside in perfect unison, forming a path for her.

  Jane walked with measured grace, her presence commanding respect. She stopped before Verenya, who offered a small, respectful nod.

  "Welcome to the Ancient Temple, Queen Jane Grey Gyovani," Verenya said calmly.

  Jane’s calm, unreadable eyes rested on Verenya. "Thank you. Let’s go inside," she said.

  As Jane stepped into the temple, she paused and glanced back. "Boys, leave!"

  The bizarre command caught Verenya’s attention, though she remained composed. The knights and Olwyn silently obeyed, retreating to their carriages without question. Soon, all the carriages disappeared into the night, save for the queen’s golden one. The sorcerer entered the queen’s carriage and waited patiently.

  The priests and nuns exchanged puzzled looks, unsure of what to make of the queen’s unusual actions. Still, Verenya stayed quiet, watching as Jane studied the temple’s interior—the ornate chairs, the statues, and the solemn figures of the priests and nuns standing motionless.

  After a long silence, Jane’s voice cut through the stillness. "I sent them away so..." She turned to face Verenya, her expression unreadable. "...you’d know exactly who you’re dealing with. Keep that in mind, Verenya Barelin."

  Verenya nodded, her composure unshaken, and walked toward her office. Jane followed but paused midway, her sharp gaze sweeping over the silent onlookers.

  "Return to your tasks. Don’t just stand there," she commanded.

  The priests and nuns bowed their heads and dispersed, resuming their duties. Jane continued into the office, where Verenya was already preparing tea. She arranged chairs for both of them, and they sat in quiet peace, sipping their tea.

  After a moment, Jane set her cup down, and Verenya followed suit. The brief moment of calm was over.

  Jane leaned back slightly, her sharp eyes focused on Verenya. "For an old demon like you, you still look stunning."

  Verenya smiled faintly. "Thank you. The girls take good care of me."

  Jane nodded, then her tone sharpened. "You’re also well-connected. But sending an owl with a sealed letter to the castle wasn’t a smart move. When something like that happens, I’m the first to know. The letter bore the temple’s seal—your seal."

  Verenya nodded calmly. "One of my nuns was imprisoned for the petty crime of preaching. These girls are like daughters to me. You’re a mother yourself, Your Majesty; you know what it feels like. Every child in your kingdom is yours, in a sense."

  Jane regarded Verenya for a moment, her face unreadable, before replying coldly, "Preaching is illegal, and children who break the law must face consequences, don’t you think?"

  "No," Verenya replied firmly. "Punishment is for true wrongdoing. Preaching shouldn’t be a crime."

  A flicker of tension crossed Jane’s face. "We’re at a crossroads, Nuna Verenya," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "A precarious one. Preaching is illegal and must remain so. My kingdom doesn’t need religion; it needs a strong economy, education, and wealth."

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  "Those are earthly desires," Verenya countered. "A soul needs more than material gain. We live long lives, and every passing moment weighs on us. A soul craves salvation—something money can never provide."

  Jane stood silent for a long moment before scoffing, "Bullshit."

  Verenya remained quiet, her calm demeanour unbroken, as Jane continued.

  "If your so-called God existed, where was He when we needed Him? We won this war with our strength, with our blood, sweat, and tears."

  Verenya’s lips curled into a faint smile. "If He didn’t exist, we wouldn’t have won at all. Remember, we were on the brink of defeat until the former king, Yoranios Gyovani, intervened. Do you truly believe such a turnaround could have happened without divine intervention?"

  A faint smile crossed Jane’s lips as she leaned forward. "Yes, because your God didn’t have the power to help us. We had to save ourselves. My kingdom doesn’t need a God, and do you know why?"

  Verenya remained silent as Jane rose, opened the door, and walked out of the office. Verenya followed. Stopping near the section where the bedrooms were, Jane said, "Call them."

  Without hesitation, Verenya clapped her hands and called out in a clear, commanding voice, "Everyone, come here!"

  Moments later, the nuns, priests, and children gathered. The nuns, feeling no need to wear their hoods in the absence of foreign men, stood quietly. Jane’s gaze swept over the group before stopping on a young girl with cake crumbs smeared on her face.

  "You. Come here," Jane said.

  The girl hesitated, looking to the nuns and priests, who nodded in encouragement. She stepped forward and bowed her head.

  Jane returned to the office briefly, retrieving the spoon she had used to stir her tea. When she came back, the tension in the air grew thick. The priests and nuns began to tremble as Jane approached the girl, spoon in hand. Verenya stood still, her expression unreadable, while the young priest Alfordo began to cry softly.

  "Look at me," Jane ordered.

  The girl lifted her eyes, full of innocence. In one swift motion, Jane pressed the spoon against the girl’s neck. Gasps filled the room as blood trickled down her skin. The girl closed her eyes and began to pray silently.

  Jane glanced at the silent Verenya. "Do you see now? Understand why my kingdom shouldn’t be religious. This is why."

  Jane withdrew the spoon, and a nun quickly led the girl away. Turning back to Verenya, Jane said coldly, "There is only one religion in my kingdom. One belief my people follow: loyalty to the ruler. That’s all I require from them."

  Verenya’s voice remained steady. "No preaching, then. I wonder how long before you impose another law to drive us even further into submission."

  Jane’s eyes hardened as she replied, "If I truly wanted things my way, all of you would be dead by now. Don’t test me, Verenya."

  Jane threw the spoon aside and walked toward the exit, saying, "Now, goodnight."

  "But you need us," Verenya said.

  Jane stopped in front of the doors, turning back as Verenya continued, "The witches’ attack revealed much—about what you have and what you lack, about your allies and your enemies. Am I wrong?"

  Jane slowly walked back. "And you think your temple holds some irreplaceable value? That I can’t simply appoint another Nuna?"

  The nuns and priests exchanged uneasy glances, but Verenya remained calm. "You could replace me, but you won’t. You, like many merchants, know where the value lies—just as your brother and father did before you."

  Jane stopped in front of Verenya. "Value, yes. But it rises and falls with the words spoken. So, tell me, Verenya, are you certain of your position in my world?"

  Verenya met her gaze. "I stand with God. But a good queen is worth following, as those before her were. I’m asking you to repeal the law and let us preach, to help travelers find their way."

  Jane’s expression hardened. "No."

  Verenya stayed silent. Jane added, "You may practice your religion, but you will not spread it. I want my people to believe in me, the queen—their only leader."

  Verenya said, "Then what about my request? The one I sent months ago?"

  Jane glanced at the priests and nuns before answering, "I will grant it. After the witches’ attack, we need your strength. You will receive funding and land to build temples in the four major cities."

  The nuns and priests looked at one another in surprise as Jane continued, "Many have lost families—children, women, men. Instead of letting them waste away, they’ll find purpose in your temples, especially the children. Raise them, make them strong, like the ones here."

  Verenya asked, "And who will oversee these temples? Your chosen people?"

  Jane shook her head. "I’ll leave that to you. All I care about is turning broken people into assets. If war comes, they’ll fight alongside us."

  "And my nun?" Verenya pressed. "She’s still in prison."

  Jane replied, "She stays. Breaking the law requires punishment."

  Verenya’s tone sharpened. "You want something from me, and I want something from you. Release her, end the law, and I’ll raise a generation ready to follow you to the grave if necessary."

  Jane stared at her. "That’s not enough to risk a kingdom under religious control."

  Verenya’s voice was firm. "Then I’ll step down as Nuna. Good luck with your wars."

  Jane’s gaze darkened, and everyone in the room felt the weight of her aura as dark magic began to seep into the air. Yet Verenya remained calm, meeting Jane’s stare. "Are you negotiating with the Queen?" Jane asked coldly.

  Verenya nodded. "Yes. After all, I can step down anytime I wish. That’s in my contract with the kingdom. I am a worker, a free person with rights. Wouldn’t you agree?"

  Jane’s eyes narrowed, but after a moment, the oppressive aura dissipated. The tension lifted as she said, "Preaching will remain banned, except within the temple’s grounds. But mark my words, Verenya Barelin: if a nun preaches outside again, everyone in that temple will face execution."

  "Of course," Verenya replied without hesitation.

  Jane sighed and turned toward the door. Halfway there, she stopped. "If you were truly smart, you wouldn’t have sent an owl to the castle. Anything that happens there, I hear about. After the witches’ attack, I cannot tolerate such recklessness."

  Verenya stayed silent as Jane continued, "Asking Nearf for help was clever, but using an owl wasn’t."

  Verenya smiled faintly. "I know. It was one way to bring you here, after all."

  Jane turned slowly, her expression calm but piercing. "If you were smarter, you wouldn’t have admitted that. Letting me leave with a false sense of victory would’ve served you better."

  Verenya opened her eyes, one a lifeless white and the other a hollow, empty void—a black hole left by an old injury. She fixed her gaze on Jane and said, "So that you know exactly who you're dealing with, Jane Grey Gyovani."

  Jane studied Verenya for a moment, then turned and left without a word. Reaching her carriage, the sorcerer opened the door, and she stepped inside with him following. The carriage disappeared into the night.

  Half an hour later, at the temple, everyone waited anxiously as a carriage arrived. Alfordo rushed to open the door, revealing Gregory and Castalia, soaked from the rain. Cheers erupted as the nuns, priests, and children surrounded them, hugging and laughing.

  Gregory remained stoic, even as playful slaps landed on his back and legs. He neither flinched nor reacted, his silence undisturbed by the joyous commotion.

  Verenya smiled at the scene and called out, "Let’s rest now, everyone! Tomorrow, we’ll set out on a journey and take some time to relax."

  Cheers filled the air as they dispersed, their spirits high.

  Meanwhile, in Renolva, within the Gostave region, the night sky was clear, though the roofs and roads glistened with lingering moisture from a recent drizzle.

  Eldoria City lay tranquil, with every house exhaling soft plumes of smoke from warm fireplaces as families sheltered from the chill outside.

  Inside the city's mansion, Joe sat alone in his room. He lit a candle, unfolded a letter, and began to read its contents:

  *"Sir Joe Gostave,

  I have some business to attend to, but I assure you that within a week, I will be in the capital of Renolva. I hope we can meet there. My respects, Nikolayev."*