"A bird born into a cage sings of it as freedom; give her bars of gold, and she will praise you for your kindness. Yet grant her the sky, and she will curse you for the years you stole—never knowing the heavens were hers to claim." -Grand Sister Aurae

Lord Savior Leopold sat upon his throne, sipping wine between the clouds with a grimace plastered across his face, his eyebrows pressing together in the middle of his brow, his head tilting slightly downwards.

"You're having that look again, my lord."

A beautiful lady wearing angelic robes stood beside him, holding a plate of grapes and other types of fruits double their usual size.

"I know."

"It is quite unbecoming, my lord."

"I know."

"If you know, you might want to stop it the—"

"CLARICE, IF I WANTED YOUR EARTHLY OPINIONS, I WOULDN'T HAVE PLUCKED YOU FROM YOUR GOD-FORSAKEN PLANET. Now let me sulk in silence."

Clarice shrugged, taking a grape and eating it. It seemed she was used to these outbursts.

The heaven-scape suddenly changed colors, gripped with a malicious aura. It appeared as if the clouds themselves wilted and vanished, the see-through floor cracking under the weight of a figure approaching from a door that seemed to appear out of nowhere.

"Oh, great," Leopold leaned further into his grimace, slinking into his throne as Clarice made her way to the side, vanishing between the clouds.

"Can my day get any worse?" he asked no one in particular, tutting.

"Is that any way to greet your mother?"

A beautiful woman appearing no older than twenty stepped in front of the throne, smiling softly.

"Yes yes, how are you doing and everything blah blah. Let's not play it off as if you care. You're only here because Father sent you."

His mother seemed displeased with his approach, her smile faltering if only a little.

"Despite your childish words that prickle my heart, you should know both your father and I still care for yo—"

"Mother, the point?"

Choking a little at Leopold's words, his mother quickly rebounded.

"Right, listen. Your father isn't pleased with how you are handling Edengard. We both know he gave you control over that world because the council voted against giving you anything at all after what you did with Earth."

"Yes, yes. That is exactly why I have brought in a personal messeng—"

"We know all about your 'personal messenger'," his mother cut him short and stepped closer. "And we also know you lost contact with them three days ago."

Leopold shrank under his mother's judging gaze, eventually breaking and looking away.

"The council has come with an ultimatum. Quell the beastman rebellion, reclaim The Borderlands, and take control of the Queendom of Oligarchia. You have ten years."

The lavish door reappeared behind his mother as she vanished back inside, the door soon after.

"ARGH!" Leopold screamed, throwing his glass across the heaven-scape as it shattered on the floor.

He then rose from his throne, closing his palms into fists and snapping his fingers, abruptly arriving at his office. A massive book appeared on the table as Leopold ravenously flipped through pages covered with names and numbers.

"There she is . . ."

Leopold ran his finger across a name with an impressively long number beside it.

.

.

.

The gigantic man in armor crashed onto his back unconscious, the roar of the crowd soon followed as they hurled roses and coins at the woman standing in the middle of the arena. She looked around, waving elegantly with one hand as she sheathed her claymore with the other. She had sleek, lower-back-length cyan hair, swaying in the wind elegantly. She adorned smooth silver armor with a yellow cape tied to her back, sliding off one shoulder, and had a white leather choker around her neck. Her sabatons had high heels to them, which didn't seem to impede her movement at all. Looks like in this case, fashion didn't have a cost.

"What a marvelous show!" The Pope called behind her as she made her way through the arena halls.

"Thank you, Father. I am happy to share the strength of the church with the people."

"Which is exactly why Leopold blesses you so, Saria. Marvelous, absolutely marvelous!"

"You honor me too much with your words, Father."

"Of course, of course, I apologize. I came with an offer, actually."

"Father, please. I told you once and I will again, I am pleased with my current position as a guardian of the Grand Sister. I do not seek to wage holy wars; I leave that in the hands of those who wish for martyrdom."

The Pope nodded, letting out a sigh and watching her walk past, turning a corner.

Later that night, Saria made her way out of the church baths and into her boarding, covered in towels from her hair to her torso. Drops of warm water dripped off her skin as she began undoing the knot holding her towel.

"You are as beautiful as they say."

Saria turned around, staring in utter awe at the sight. Before her stood Leopold, the two of them standing in a field of white flowers swaying softly in the warm wind.

Saria knelt immediately. She didn't know who she was with, but to hold such power, they must be a holy person of several degrees. Even the Pope hadn't mastered teleportation yet.

"Raise your head, child. Gaze upon me."

Leopold spoke softly, offering a smile as she raised her head.

"L-Lord Savior?" she asked, to which Leopold nodded.

"Indeed. I come with a command."

Saria remained quiet, her gaze fixated.

"Your Empire, my people, are about to come under hard times in the next several years. They will need your strength to overcome these odds, Saria."
"M-my lord, I am not sure I ca—"
"I have witnessed your strength, Saria. Do you doubt my judgment of your character?"
"N-no, I wouldn't dare!"

Saria hung her head in silence. She was surprised when Leopold lifted her chin, making her look at him in a comforting way.

"Become my blade, Saria. Lead our people to victory."

"What would you have me do, Lord Savior?"

"Accept the Pope's offer. Deal with the beastman rebellion. Prove you have what it takes to lead our people to utopia."

Saria gulped, giving a stern nod with renewed confidence.

"The land will grow to know you as Judgement. Go, my child, and serve me well."

Saria was suddenly once more standing in her room, the symbol of a magnificent bird shining in golden light over her chest.