Temple of Minilon

The parchment report trembled in Ingeldamu’s hands.

“The wells have turned completely!” he rasped. “Not just Ironwood now, but every farm and hamlet across the western marches. Black water, thick as tar. Fields wither in the span of a night. The Silverleaf family of Ironwood was the first to fall—husband, wife, and both children. Their crops are drowned in corruption, and their bodies disappear before sunrise.”

He laid the map bare for all to see. A wide green stretch west of Minilon was now blotted with inked circles. But even amid the despair, one detail stood out: the spread had slowed somehow.

Grizellum peered down. “Whatever this is... the spread halts at Ironwood’s borders. The fields are ringed in death, but the heart of them is untouched. For five nights it has not advanced. Why?”

A hush thickened the chamber. “Perhaps it’s a sign of Providence?”

“Is the corruption slowing down?”

But Nennoch, the kingdom’s strongest knight, seated at the head of the table, has a small smile on his lips. “It is Inwa,” he said. “The protector of the fields. It’s a golem Orivaneia gave us since the birth of Minilon. He may fall in the end, but now while he stands, the corruption cannot pass. His strength is what shields Ironwood, but only Ironwood.”

The commander’s shoulders eased at her words, but only for a heartbeat.

Then Ingeldamu’s scarred finger shifted northward, pressing into the dark-inked forest drawn north of Minilon. His voice dropped to a growl. “Hope in the west will not save us when the forest breaks. Morvane festers thicker each moon, and the forest is what we feared. When it comes, the north is where death will march upon us. And death is…”

“6 days from now.” Nennoch continued, “6 days from now, Minilon will fall according to the prophecy. 3 days from now, the corruption will get to the city, and then wars for 3 days… and either way we win or lose, our place in the kingdom will be destroyed by the dark beast.”

“But surely you we can fight whatever is coming right?”

Nennoch just smiled, “I hope so.”

.

.

.

The carriage creaked to a halt outside the eastern gate of Frola City, capital of Minilon. The streets were mostly empty except for the snores of a drunk man who had fallen asleep near a barrel. They decided to come back this midnight because the forest seems too dangerous.

Jarce hopped down first, his boots landing with a cheerful thump!
“Finally! Home, sweet capital!” He announced it as though the entire city should be awake to applaud him. He turned to Anna’s carriage, seeing her slowly walking out still holding the sword. He walked up to her, “Anna! You’re actually so amazing!”

Anna, dragging herself out like she’d just attended her own funeral, squinted at him. Her eyes narrowed, her voice dry as ash, “Everyone seems to be afraid of me, though…”

“Ahaha, of course they are. You killed that orc so easily.”

She looked around. “But it’s fine, I suppose. It’s better than not being let in the city…"

This is the city of Frola, huh? It looks normal enough.

"And forget about turning me back to a human; I’m actually fine now.”

Jarce blinked. “Really? But you were so scared before. Not even a—”

She raised a finger, cutting him off like a strict headmistress. “It’s called shocked. I feel like you’d also be scared if suddenly you woke up as a vampire.”

Jarce looks down. “Well, you’re not wrong, but…”

Anna cut him off again, “Before you prattle, is there any free shelter nearby? As you can see…” she gestured to her tattered cloak, “… I don’t exactly have a vault of gold bars under this rag.”

Jarce puffed his chest. “Of course! There are plenty of shelters here in Frola. This is the capital of Minilon, after all—"

Anna tilted her head, eyes like daggers. “Mmhm. And do they accept vampires?”

For the first time, Jarce froze. His confident smile twitched like a dying candle. “Uh…”

The silence stretched. Somewhere, a rat sneezed.

“I thought so. Now give me money.”

Jarce’s eyes widen. “What?! Where did that come from?”

Anna tilted her head. “You’re gonna let this weak girl starve to death and get burned by the sun tomorrow? Honestly… I thought you were better than this.” She humped her chest.

Jarce cleared his throat loudly. “R-Right… Just wait…” He checked his pants and bag to search for a bag of coins and then gave it to her. “This should be enough.”

Anna’s brows flicked up. Taking the money, “Well, I’ll see what I can do with this.”

Jarce clasped his hands dramatically. “You can be a human again! No more hiding in the dark—”

Is he planning to sell me to a priest? Chain me in a cellar? Use me as bait to impress some temple girl?

Anna cut him off again. “...Too much talking, and what exactly do you want from me in return?”

Jarce blinked, wounded. “Wha—nothing! I just—”

She leaned in slightly, eyes narrowing. “I’m already strong enough being a vampire. Being a human will only limit me.”

“I mean…” Jarce held up both hands as though warding off an angry cat. “I swear, no catch! Just come along, it’s not far—the city’s Temple of Orivaneia. You’ll see for yourself! You can decide if you want to do it or not after… Please!”

Anna exhaled through her nose, “You are clearly in love with this Serenya lady… Taking me there as a reason, aren’t we?”

Jarce’s face reddens. “N-No! Of course not!”

Finally she muttered, “...Very well then. After this we are even, alright? I don’t want to see you again if it’s not important.”

Jarce grinned sheepishly and scrambled back into the carriage. “Noted! Now—come on, it’s practically around the corner!”

Anna stayed rooted in place for a beat, arms crossed, glaring at the carriage. Only after a long sigh did she step forward.

This is fine, right, Maren?

“Yes! This is absolutely fine! Lady Serenya of Minilon, as the saint, should have Ars Caelus, my brother. I want to meet him so bad.”

So this sword has a brother complex, Anna thought.

“I CAN READ YOUR MIND, ANNA! AND I DO NOT!” Maren shrieked.

Yeah yeah, whatever.

The carriage jerked forward again, and the wheels hit Frola's cobblestones.

Jarce leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and looking very curious. “So… Anna. How are you even this strong? I mean, you can easily command us, and you kill Urzmu like it’s nothing…”

Maren… How should I answer? I have Orivaneia power?

“NO! They will start worshiping you if you did say that; just avert his attention!”

Anna didn't even look at him. She leaned back against the wall of the carriage with her arms crossed and looked off into the distance. “Why would you like to know, alcohol boy?”

Jarce blinked, caught off guard. “A-Alcohol boy?”

“KYAAA, ANNA! YOU’RE SO COLD!”

Anna grips the sword tighter. You said avert his attention!

She finally turned her head, eyes cold. “You reek of wine. Smells like a vineyard exploded on you.”

Jarce sat up straighter, puffing out his chest as if she’d complimented him. “Ah! That’s not just me being drunk, mind you. My family runs one of the finest wine businesses in all of Minilon. Generations of tradition! A noble craft!”

Anna stared at him for a long, silent moment. Then, deadpan:
“…Good for you, I suppose.”

Jarce’s smile faltered for half a second, but the man’s heart wasn’t so easily crushed. “So what about your power? I want to be as strong as you…”

“I’m not in the position to tell you. Everyone has their own way; I don’t think I’m that good compared to a knight who trains countless times a day.”

“Uh…” He snapped his fingers, eyes lighting up.
“Oh right! If you go to the Temple, they can actually appraise you. Not just blessings—they’ll read your affinity, your stats, the whole thing. It’s not free, of course, but it’s the safest way to know your strength.”

Anna raised an unimpressed brow. “…And why would I care about that? Sounds like a scam.”

Jarce leaned in, ever the salesman. “Well, like I said, it’s the safest way! And once you know your numbers, you could actually register them. The guild works with the temple—most adventurers check their stats first, then take the paperwork to the guild. That way you can claim bounties and collect rewards for monsters you’ve taken down. Coin, recognition, a little prestige…”

Anna tilted her head, her mouth twitching with faint disdain. “…I’d rather eat the monster than sell them.”

The carriage fell silent. Even the lantern flickered awkwardly.

Jarce’s mouth opened… closed… opened again. His natural urge to encourage wrestled with the creeping realization that this vampire girl was not someone you “networked” with.

“…You, uh, you’re joking. Right?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

Jarce gulped. “Right. Right, of course not.”

Anna stepped down as the carriage came to a stop, her eyes in awe at the sight of the building towering over her. Every column was carved with images of angels slaying some kind of demon, two doors towered over the trees, and white marble spires reached into the sky.

Anna folded her arms. “…Isn’t this too big for a temple?”

Jarce’s eyes practically sparkled. “Of course not! A goddess deserves a temple that dwarfs the palaces of kings! And Lady Serenya—she deserves nothing less than the grandest home, more dazzling than anyone else’s.”

Anna arched a brow, lips twitching in mild disdain. “…So this is also her house?”

Jarce puffed his chest with boyish pride. “Yes. She lives here. Where else would the chosen hand of Orivaneia reside?”

“…Convenient,” Anna muttered, though her gaze lingered on the high windows, as though weighing escape routes already. “Let’s say, what if I broke that window to flee? Would I get in trouble?”

“You what?!”

“Never mind.”

The temple was also overwhelming inside. Stained glass windows spilled colors onto the marble floor, and lantern light filled the spacious hall. Incense coiling through the air, Goddess' statues lining the walls.

Anna’s sharp orange eyes darted left and right; her face gave nothing away but judgment, her resting bitch face biting into every detail.

From the shadows of the hall, nuns approached in flowing white habits. They bowed with polite smiles. “What is the matter, Sir Jarce?”

Jarce inclined his head respectfully. “I have found a vampire, and I wish for her to be… treated.”

The nuns glanced at Anna. Their smiles twitched, but they nodded and hurried away.

Anna clicked her tongue. “This place is too pure for me. I feel like I’m burning already. Let’s leave.”

Jarce shook his head firmly. “No. Not until I greet Lady Serenya myself. Then, and only then, we’ll leave.”

Anna narrowed her eyes. “Alright.”

Until a moment later, “Sir Jarce?” A woman's voice called from the right door.