The Church of Rebecca was founded decades ago under the blessing of Goddess Rebecca and the Holy Faction. Although the Church of Rebecca in Sirus City was only one among many scattered across various cities, this one was the newest of them all.
Today was the day when nearly all citizens would gather there to celebrate.
The towering, magnificent building stood as a place of prayer devoted to Goddess Rebecca.
From sunrise, streams of people began entering the church. Sunlight poured through stained-glass windows arranged in intricate mosaic patterns. Inside, long wooden pews were already filled with worshippers who had arrived early, all gazing toward a single point—the statue of Goddess Rebecca.
Those who could not find seats occupied the spaces between the pews and even spilled out beyond the church doors.
The citizens were filled with joy, eagerly awaiting the celebration that Pastor Flaudis had promised would come to pass.
Among the seats arranged at the center of the church sat several nobles—distinguished families granted special seating by the church. Seated at the very front was a representative of the Calone family: Jane Calone.
Jane sat calmly in the front row, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
The sound of bells rang out from the church entrance. The two massive wooden doors swung open, parting the sea of people within. A procession entered the church under the guidance of Pastor Flaudis, their eyes vacant and unfocused.
Jane glanced toward the group entering from the doorway. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed the children walking among them—their expressions empty.
They moved like puppets, devoid of emotion, with no awareness or control over their own bodies.
Behind the children walked a man holding a golden staff with a circular tip. Jane immediately recognized him as Pastor Flaudis.
He walked alongside the procession with a gentle smile painted on his face.
All the citizens present clasped their hands together and lowered their heads as one, directing their prayers toward him.
"Bless Pastor Flaudis."
"Bless Pastor Flaudis."
"Bless Pastor Flaudis."
The chants echoed throughout the church as Pastor Flaudis made his way toward the pulpit.
Once he reached it, the children who had escorted him lined up in front, standing rigidly in a long row.
At that moment, no one noticed anything amiss—except Jane, and a handful of others already under Pastor Flaudis's influence.
"...Welcome," Pastor Flaudis said as he greeted the gathered citizens.
His smile was warm and full of affection. Yet in Jane's eyes, it was more terrifying than the face of any demon.
...
Outside the church, Merlin stood quietly, observing the surroundings.
"Kid, I've already deployed all my people," Kyran said beside him, gripping his wooden staff.
"I know," Merlin replied calmly.
Suddenly, the birds perched atop the church took flight. Moments later, the bell at the very top rang out with an ear-splitting clang.
"It looks like it's started," Merlin said as he watched.
"The Calone family is already stationed around the church, monitoring all movement. The Polaris family as well," Merlin added, referring to the forces under Quinos's command.
Not long after, a powerful tremor surged from within the church.
"!!!"
Everyone outside panicked as they felt it.
In an instant, the Church of Rebecca was enveloped by an overwhelmingly dark mana—the unmistakable signature of the Demon Faction.
"Run!"
"Save yourselves!"
The citizens who had been outside the church fled in terror, panic etched across their faces.
As an elderly man attempted to exit through the church doors, his body was cleaved in two by the dark mana surrounding the building.
"!!!"
Those who witnessed it were thrown into absolute chaos.
People scattered in every direction.
Then, suddenly, a group of figures clad in red robes appeared among the fleeing crowd.
"..." Merlin frowned as he sensed the abnormal power radiating from them.
"Prepare the others—they're using summoning magic outside the church!" Merlin shouted as the red-robed figures began slaughtering the fleeing civilians.
Kyran slammed his staff into the ground. "Twenty-five red-robed figures. Demon Faction," he reported after sensing the vibrations.
"We need to move fast. What's happening inside—we leave that to Jane," Merlin said urgently as he and Kyran moved to evacuate as many civilians as possible.
Kyran nodded in agreement.
The two rushed forward, shielding civilians from the red-robed attackers.
Merlin activated his Lightning Breakthrough Aura, intercepting every attack aimed at the people around him.
"Hey! Why is there a kid here?!" one of the robed men shouted in shock as Merlin blocked his strike.
Merlin stepped in front of a terrified woman just as a blade swung toward her, deflecting the attack in time.
"Miss, I need you to do something," Merlin said quickly. "Go to the Union headquarters and send a warning. Tell them the Church of Rebecca and the Polaris family have violated Article Two of the Civilian Protection Act."
The woman, confused but desperate, chose to trust the child who had just saved her. Hesitating only briefly, she turned and ran.
"You—!" the red-robed man snarled, enraged by Merlin's words.
"Stop that woman!" he shouted, pointing after her.
"You're not going anywhere," Merlin said coldly, locking his gaze on them as they moved to pursue her.
If the Union arrived, their entire plan would collapse.
Merlin hadn't reported this earlier because the Union would never have trusted his claims without solid evidence. Unlike his cooperation with the Calone family—made possible through Jane's direct lineage—Union intervention required civilian involvement and clear violations.
Now that civilians were directly endangered, the Union would have no choice but to act.
The red-robed man drew a longsword from beneath his cloak, its single-edged blade gleaming. "...Demonic Aura."
Darkness surged from his weapon.
Merlin's eyes widened slightly.
"Lightning Breakthrough Aura."
Lightning erupted around Merlin's body.
"That's impossible—a child using Aura?!" the man exclaimed in disbelief.
"A child is still just a child!" he roared as he swung his sword.
The destructive force carved deep scars into the ground where Merlin had stood moments before.
Merlin narrowly dodged, then struck the man's abdomen with a powerful blow, sending him flying several meters back.
The red-robed man had underestimated him. Before he could recover, Merlin closed the distance and delivered a rapid series of strikes, crushing the man's face and knocking him unconscious.
The surrounding robed figures stared in shock as one of their own fell to a mere child.
All eyes turned toward Merlin.
"Tch," Merlin muttered.
His victory had only been possible because his opponent had not taken him seriously. Despite both using Aura, Merlin's body—trained for only a week—was still at a disadvantage.
Still, that moment of arrogance had been enough.
...
Earlier.
Inside the church, the children standing at the very front twisted their heads completely backward. From their bodies, dark, corrupted souls poured out, spreading throughout the church.
Jane stood frozen in horror as she witnessed Pastor Flaudis's cruelty.
Panic erupted among everyone inside.
"Enjoy the final meal bestowed by the Goddess," Pastor Flaudis proclaimed as he raised his staff.
Dark mana flooded the church.
Jane's face went pale as vengeful spirits poured forth from the staff, swirling violently around the sanctuary.