The city where the holy lead their daily lives bore a surprisingly chaotic design, contrary to the impression given by its name, the City of God. This was not intentional; rather, the city had become complex due to centuries of additions, repairs, and redesigns in various parts since ancient times.
The former capital of the Quolia Kingdom and largest city in the southern province of the Renea Theocracy suffered from the same pathology. While the main avenues were manageable, venturing into residential districts or the old commercial quarter meant that taking a single wrong turn down an alley could land you going in the completely opposite direction. Even locals, who should have known the geography, found themselves on unfamiliar streets.
At the dead end of one such winding alley, shrouded in shadow and unnerving darkness between two-story residences where sunlight could not reach, Fjord, a High Holy Knight and commander of the Holy Knights, stood under the guidance of a nearby resident.
"I have kept you waiting. Healing Priest Ceanmach."
"Oh, this is Commander Fjord. We have been expecting you."
Among the clergy gathered there, the oldest man responded. Shifting his gaze from something on the ground, he rose with deliberate grace and bowed deeply. He was the healing priest named Ceanmach, in charge of this parish.
…Healing priests primarily referred to those who practiced medicine within Quolia, and in Renea, they continued in the same capacity. Possessing deep knowledge of the ailments and injuries that plagued people, they previously followed directives from the central government to provide various forms of guidance. Now, they followed the orders of the Saintesses to carry out medical activities throughout the nation.
Occupying a uniquely specialized position even among the clergy, their duties were extensive, as the role demanded an exceptionally high level of expertise. These ranged from general medical consultations and midwifery guidance to testing foodstuffs in the markets for toxins or spoilage.
While precedent was scarce in this long-peaceful era, in times of war, they could also serve as military physicians attached to armies.
And there was one other important task they performed.
"Is this the one in question?"
"Yes. A soul that has departed for the divine light. Please, Commander Fjord, offer a prayer that this one may find eternal peace."
Following his sorrowful gaze, they saw the carbonized remains of a burned corpse, its original form barely recognizable. Examining bodies that met unnatural deaths for various reasons was also part of their work.
"Very well. Then if you will excuse us."
Following those words, the holy knights accompanying Fjord and the priests quietly closed their eyes.
Showing respect for the dead and guiding their souls was the duty of those who served the Holy God Aros.
To ensure they could pass unhesitatingly to the divine realm, the priests' prayers and holy verses flowed solemnly.
Before long, Fjord's brief funeral ode concluded, and with a silent nod, all indicated the ceremony's end.
Opening his eyes calmly, Fjord gazed at the charred corpse with eyes that held a powerful will for justice and continued, "Nevertheless..."
"...This is far too horrific. What on earth could have..."
"There are blunt force fractures and lacerations from bladed weapons across the body. On top of that, it was burned beyond recognition while still alive by a tremendous fire. Such methods are hardly the work of a human."
Rather, it was closer to the work of monsters. Fjord's instincts told him as much, but he would never utter words that might stir such unease.
That would imply an evil lurked in this city capable of reducing a single person to such destruction.
Suddenly, Fjord looked around. He had noticed there were no other signs of burning besides the corpse.
"The scene of the murder was... not here, then?"
"I have never heard of a technique that could selectively carbonize a human body to this degree. How does the esteemed Captain, who has destroyed numerous demons and possesses such profound knowledge of various sinister beings, assess the situation?"
"My apologies. Even I... have never seen anything like this."
If it were a wielder of fire magic, he might have some idea. He knew of monsters that breathed fire.
But even someone as knowledgeable as Fjord found this level of power beyond his experience.
That was not all. Fjord could not help but shudder at the anomaly he saw in this corpse.
Though only charred remains met the eye, his gaze never missed the traces of what must have been a body destroyed by inconceivable force.
"C-Captain Fjord!"
What should he attend to first? Even Fjord, accustomed to handling unforeseen problems, needed a moment to deliberate.
As silence hung in the air, one of the young Holy Knights who had accompanied them cried out in alarm.
"I understand your shock at this scene, but we are before a corpse. Try to remain a little quieter."
"Th...he is...that man is!"
Fjord glanced back to confirm the young man's expression, which was etched with pure astonishment.
He did not, however, bother to chide the knight for his agitation. In one's youth, one lacks experience, and above all, the victim in this case was the problem.
Indeed...
"Who is that Holy Knight whose corpse lies here?!"
The body belonged to a Holy Knight.
It was a charred remnant, so thoroughly incinerated that neither its build nor gender could be discerned. However, the portions of the Holy Knight's armor that, even after exposure to hellfire, still retained their original form spoke eloquently of its wearer's affiliation.
An existence that was sword and shield against the wicked. A warrior of faith in the Holy God Aros, and one in whom the nation placed absolute trust. An overwhelmingly powerful Holy Knight had fallen and died on the spot.
But who was he? Who exactly had fallen victim?
Here, there was far too little information to determine that.
"There is nothing left to identify him. The only thing remaining is the charred, partially molten Holy Knight's armor. To think a Holy Knight, fierce and fearless, could meet such an end..."
Ceanmach, the medical priest, spoke in response to the young knight's scream-like question.
A slight tremor in his lips betrayed that he himself did not know how to judge this horrifying situation.
After that, Fjord continued his examination with the medical priest.
They searched for any remaining personal effects, anything that might identify the individual, but in the end, it was all in vain.
The face, in particular, had been meticulously destroyed. Whether this was intentional or not, it made identifying the deceased profoundly more difficult.
The only fact that could be determined was this one, which only served to underscore the gravity of the situation: this victim was likely a mid-level to high-level Holy Knight.
It was said that a mid-level Holy Knight possessed strength comparable to a lich, while a high-level Holy Knight could rival a lesser dragon.
From the extent of the damage to the body, it was hard to imagine that some ordinary being could have been responsible, which meant there was no choice but to consider that some terrible creature had infiltrated this town.
Or perhaps it was the work of an organized group.
"Please transport the remains to this parish's church mortuary. I understand it may be difficult, but I would ask that the autopsy be continued. On top of that, if anything is uncovered, I would appreciate it if you could contact Fjord directly."
"I understand. On my oath to God."
He hoped it would not become a serious matter, but...
Grudges. Unknown demons. Assassins from foreign nations. Numerous possibilities came to mind.
The nation of Renea Divine Light was still in an unstable position.
Under circumstances like these, what trial was God attempting to impose?
With a nameless unease gnawing at him, Fjord made his way toward the cathedral to report this matter—too grave to be ignored—to the Saint Girls.