The pink-haired woman stepped into town.
Calm.
Unhurried.
As if the chaos meant nothing to her.
Her footsteps echoed softly against the ruined streets.
Broken buildings.
Collapsed walls.
And the lingering stench of blood.
All around her—
Adventurers and clerics worked tirelessly.
Dragging away monster corpses.
Treating the wounded.
Trying to restore what little remained.
"…Such a pitiful sight," she murmured.
Her voice was quiet.
Measured.
"The clerics here have their work cut out for them."
Her covered eyes tilted slightly toward a pile of corpses.
"So much toxic blood…"
A small pause.
"I'll assist them."
"…Once my investigation is complete."
She continued walking.
Then—
Thud.
A small body bumped into her.
A young girl stumbled back, startled.
"I—I'm sorry, miss!" the child said quickly.
Before anything else—
A woman rushed forward.
The girl's mother.
She grabbed her daughter protectively, pulling her close.
"I'm so sorry!"
Her voice trembled.
"Please don't hurt her!"
Fear filled her eyes.
Because she knew.
Everyone did.
The Inquisition—
A group that needed no justification.
No permission.
To pass judgment.
To kill.
Orelia said nothing.
She simply looked down at the child.
Then—
She gently placed her hand on the girl's head.
The mother flinched.
Bracing for something terrible.
But—
Nothing happened.
"There is no need to be afraid," Orelia said calmly.
"These streets are damaged."
"It is only natural for someone to stumble."
Her tone remained soft.
"It is not the child's fault."
The tension slowly eased.
Orelia reached into her bag of holding.
She pulled out a small pink teddy bear.
And handed it to the girl.
The child's eyes lit up instantly.
"…For me?"
Orelia gave a small nod.
"Thank you!" the girl said, smiling brightly.
Orelia withdrew her hand and continued walking.
As if nothing had happened.
"…So she is here."
Friedrich's voice was low.
He had spotted her immediately.
He stepped forward to intercept.
"May I ask…"
He straightened slightly.
"What a member of the Inquisition is doing in my city?"
Orelia stopped.
Her head turned slightly toward him.
"I have received several reports that require investigation."
Her tone was calm.
"Most notably—"
"The conflict involving the organization known as the Beasts of Prey."
A small pause.
"And the disappearance of the Witch of the East."
Friedrich's expression tightened.
"…That was yesterday."
He frowned slightly.
"How did word spread so quickly…?"
Orelia did not answer.
Instead—
She waited.
Friedrich exhaled.
"…It's as you've heard."
"The leader of the Beasts of Prey used an artifact."
"He sealed Morgana away."
Orelia nodded slowly.
"I see."
Her tone remained unreadable.
"Even if she is a heretic…"
Her voice softened slightly.
"She is still an important figure."
Her head tilted.
"This is… troubling."
A brief silence passed.
"May I remain in town for a time?"
"I would like to assist with the aftermath."
Her presence alone made the air heavier.
Friedrich hesitated.
Then nodded.
"…Y-yes."
"If you must."
But the unease in his voice—
Didn't fade.
"May I speak with River?"
Orelia's voice was calm.
Direct.
Friedrich frowned slightly.
"…Why him?"
Orelia tilted her head.
"He is the town's savior."
A faint smile formed.
"…despite being a filthy red-eyes."
Her tone didn't change.
As if it were simply a fact.
"So naturally…"
"I am curious."
Friedrich hesitated.
Then sighed.
"…He's staying at the Starlight Inn."
He pointed down the street.
"…That way."
Orelia nodded.
"Thank you."
And without another word—
She walked away.
At the inn—
River stood near the window.
His eyes locked onto her approaching figure.
"…That's her," Buer muttered.
"The dangerous human I warned you about."
River swallowed.
"…Yeah. I figured."
As if sensing his gaze—
Orelia looked up.
Directly at him.
And waved.
River's face went pale.
"…She sees me."
Before he could react—
She leaped towards the building.
Then—
Her body blurred.
Phasing through the wall—
As if it weren't there.
She appeared inside the room.
Right in front of them.
Everyone froze.
"…Hello."
Orelia gave a polite bow.
"My name is Orelia."
"I am a member of the Inquisition."
Celestia's hand immediately went to her sword.
"…Why are you here?"
Orelia glanced around the room.
Her gaze lingered on each of them.
"Hmm…"
Her smile widened slightly.
"What an interesting group."
"Two filthy red-eyes…"
"An uncollared slave…"
Her eyes shifted to Arthur.
"…and a man with a rather… nauseating soul."
Arthur's smile didn't falter—
But his eyes sharpened.
Then—
Orelia turned back to River.
"River."
Her tone softened.
"May we speak in private?"
River hesitated.
Then nodded slowly.
"…Fine."
He glanced at the others.
"Everyone… step outside."
"I'll be fine."
They didn't look convinced.
But one by one—
They left.
The door closed.
Silence.
Orelia smiled.
Then—
Without warning—
She reached out.
And took River's Bible.
Before he could react—
A barrier formed around it.
Sealing it completely.
"…!"
"I believe I said I wanted to speak with you in private."
Her tone remained calm.
"That includes the demon."
River's eyes widened.
She knows.
He instinctively took a step back—
Then stopped.
His entire body froze.
Because something deep inside him screamed—
Don't move.
If he did—
He would die.
And Orelia simply smiled.
"I'm not particularly interested in the fact that you have a demon."
Orelia's smile didn't fade.
"My curiosity lies elsewhere."
Her gaze lowered slightly—
To the weapon at River's side.
"…The Onyx January."
River's heart skipped.
She knows too much…
His thoughts raced.
Does she know everything…?
Orelia continued calmly.
"You see…"
"It's not widely known."
"But the Inquisition has been quietly collecting the Thirteen Masterpieces."
She stepped back slightly.
"Several of our members…"
"…have been entrusted with one."
She turned—
And placed the coffin from her back onto the ground.
With a soft click—
It opened.
Inside—
Rested a wand.
Elegant.
Delicate.
A pristine white handle—
Topped with a glowing heart-shaped crystal.
It radiated power.
Almost deceptively innocent.
River's eyes widened.
"…That's…"
He recognized it instantly.
One of the Thirteen.
"Lovely February."
Orelia gently lifted the wand.
"I am bound by certain rules."
Her tone remained light.
"I am not permitted to fight the other wielders of the Masterpieces within the Inquisition."
She twirled the wand slightly.
"So instead…"
Her eyes met his.
"I would like to duel you."
River blinked.
"…A duel?"
"Yes."
She smiled sweetly.
"If you agree…"
"I will overlook your… current violations."
Her gaze flicked briefly toward the Bible.
"The demon."
"And your possession of that weapon."
A small pause.
"…Otherwise…"
She didn't finish the sentence.
She didn't need to.
River clenched his jaw.
"…Fine."
His voice was steady.
"But give me back Buer."
Orelia didn't argue.
She handed the Bible back without resistance.
"Of course."
She turned toward the window.
"Meet me outside."
A faint smile returned.
"Do try not to keep me waiting."
Then—
Without another word—
She stepped forward—
And leapt out the window.
Vanishing from sight.
Leaving River alone—
With a very dangerous choice already made.
"River… what's going on?" Buer asked, his voice cautious as the barrier faded.
River exhaled slowly.
Then—
He smiled.
"You like the Thirteen Masterpieces, right?"
Buer perked up instantly.
"Yes—yes, of course!"
His tone turned excited.
"They're beautiful, powerful—true works of art!"
River nodded.
"Good."
He tightened his grip on the Bible.
"Let's make a deal."
Buer went still.
"…I'm listening."
"I'll show you one of them up close."
River's smile didn't waver.
"In exchange…"
"You give me a significant amount of power."
Buer's grin returned immediately.
"Deal!"
He laughed.
"But where exactly are you going to find—"
River didn't answer.
He simply turned—
And walked outside.
Orelia was already waiting.
Standing calmly in the open space before the inn.
As if she hadn't moved at all.
River stepped forward.
And in that moment—
Buer saw it.
His voice dropped.
"…Oh."
Silence.
"…You tricked me."
River chuckled softly.
"I told you I'd show you one up close."
He gestured lightly toward Orelia.
"This is about as close as it gets."
Buer clicked his tongue.
"…You're getting annoying, brat."
Orelia smiled.
"I'm glad you accepted."
She raised her wand.
"Now then…"
"Let us begin."
Her voice softened—
Yet carried weight.
"Awaken—Lovely February."
Light erupted around her.
Her form began to shift.
The blindfold vanished, revealing her beautiful golden eyes.
Her long hair split into braided pigtails, swaying gently.
Her outfit transformed—
Into a flowing pink dress, radiant and elegant.
From her back—
Wings of light unfurled.
Gentle.
Angelic.
Yet overwhelmingly powerful.
She stood there—
Like something out of a story.
A magical girl.
River's expression hardened.
"…Yeah."
"This is going to be rough."
He glanced down slightly.
"Buer."
His voice dropped.
"I suggest you give me enough power to win."
A small pause.
"…She already knows about you."
Buer sighed.
"You're getting more manipulative by the second."
A faint chuckle followed.
"…Fine."
"I'll help you win."
Power began to stir.
Dark.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
And the duel—
Was about to begin.
"Sunlight!"
River thrust his staff forward.
A burst of radiant light exploded toward Orelia—
Blinding.
Overwhelming.
She flinched as the light struck her vision.
River didn't hesitate.
Wind gathered at his feet.
He moved.
Fast.
Faster than before.
"Underhanded…"
Buer chuckled.
"I like it."
"I'll count that as a sin."
"Wind Cutter!"
Blades of compressed air shot forward in rapid succession—
Aiming to end the fight before it could begin.
River pressed forward aggressively.
End it now.
But—
"Heartful Storm!"
Orelia's voice rang out.
Her wand glowed brightly.
Pink mana condensed at its tip—
Then erupted.
River reacted instantly.
"Barrier!"
A shield formed—
Just in time.
BOOM.
The heart-shaped blast slammed into it.
The barrier shattered immediately.
The impact sent River flying backward.
"Ghh—!"
He skidded across the ground, barely catching himself.
"…Her output is insane…"
He steadied his breathing.
"…Dodging is better than blocking."
Wind gathered again.
"Air Bullet!"
Dozens of compressed shots fired toward her—
Rapid.
Relentless.
Orelia lifted off the ground.
Floating.
Graceful.
She weaved through each attack effortlessly—
Like she was dancing.
Not fighting.
"Infinite Ribbon Binding."
Her wand shimmered.
From it—
Endless ribbons surged outward.
They shot toward River—
Wrapping around his arms—
His body—
And then—
The Onyx January.
Trying to tear it from his grasp.
"…Not happening!"
"Cyclone!"
Wind exploded around him.
A violent spiral tore through the ribbons—
Shredding them apart.
River broke free—
Breathing heavier now.
Orelia hovered above him.
Smiling.
Genuinely.
"This is fun."
Her voice carried excitement.
"But come on…"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Use it."
Her gaze locked onto the weapon.
"Tap into that beautiful power of yours."
Her smile widened.
"…Please."
"Selene…"
River tightened his grip on the staff.
"I don't need something overwhelming like before."
His voice steadied.
"Just… help me use water magic."
A quiet pause.
Then—
The Onyx January responded.
A faint pulse.
Subtle—
But undeniable.
Something inside River shifted.
Loosened.
Like a sealed door finally cracking open.
Water.
He could feel it.
Not forced.
Not borrowed.
But his.
"Interesting…"
Orelia smiled, watching closely.
"There has never been a wielder who truly understood the Onyx January."
Her eyes gleamed.
"I believe you may be the first."
River exhaled slowly.
"…Let's test that."
He raised his staff.
"Drizzle."
A small cloud formed above Orelia.
Dark.
Quiet.
Then—
Rain began to fall.
Gentle.
Almost harmless.
But—
Effective.
The droplets soaked her wings.
Weighed them down.
Orelia's body faltered midair—
Her descent slow at first—
Then unavoidable.
She landed lightly on the ground.
Her wings twitching slightly—
Heavier now.
Restricted.
River lowered his staff slightly.
"…Got you."
Orelia looked at him—
And smiled.
Not annoyed.
Not frustrated.
Genuinely impressed.
"You're a cleric of the Sun Church, aren't you?"
"Yeah."
River's eyes didn't leave her.
"I am."
Orelia tilted her head.
"…Fascinating."
Her grip on her wand tightened.
"I really do want you to join the Inquisition."
Her smile sharpened slightly.
"…After this fight."
Pink mana began to gather again—
Denser than before.
And for the first time—
It felt like she was getting serious.