In the remote northwest of the continent, within the isolated borderlands of Colhen under the jurisdiction of Overseer Thanatos, a group of outsiders arrived.

Emerging through the twilight, they were members of the Blood Cross Church, sent from the Francesca Diocese.

A soldier on watch atop the fortress wall saw the group clad in white holy robes and shouted at the top of his lungs.

“The Church is here! Open the gates!”

Before his words had even fully dispersed into the air, the drawbridge lowered across the moat, quickly accommodating the Church’s procession.

The size of the entourage was larger than expected, sparking murmurs among the castle soldiers.

“Hey, isn’t this bigger than what we were told? Weren’t only priests supposed to come?”

It seemed someone important from the diocese had arrived.

When the diocese sent only priests, they usually traveled in a modest group on horseback. Even with a senior priest among them, the size of the group didn’t change much.

This time, however, there was a luxurious carriage, accompanied by a respectable number of Church-affiliated soldiers providing security.

“Looks like it’s not just priests this time. Look there—that’s the bishop’s flag. The Francesca Diocese sent a bishop in person.”

Even the illiterate soldiers could recognize the bishop’s flag. Though they might not know how to read, they were familiar with all symbols and banners related to the Church.

“What business does a bishop have all the way out here in the middle of nowhere? Why would they come here?”

“You don’t think…”

“Don’t think what?”

“Could it be because of him? That guy we captured recently.”

The two soldiers exchanged glances, nodding as if they had just confirmed their suspicions.

“If the bishop came all the way here, it must mean… that guy really is something special. The infamous heretic.”

“Just look at what he’s done since he got here. Didn’t he turn Han Saem into a eunuch? And even after that, the Overseer just let it slide. Thinking about it, he’s a complete lunatic.”

“There’s nothing good to be gained from getting involved with him. Let’s just stay out of it.”

As they conversed, the two soldiers caught sight of a black-robed priest walking past.

Though his face was obscured by a deep hood, his stature was anything but ordinary.

In a Church known for its preference for crimson robes, only a select few were granted the right to wear black.

“Did you see that? That priest who just walked by.”

“Yeah, I saw him.”

“You know who they are, don’t you?”

“Of course I do.”

---

At that moment, Overseer Thanatos stood by the window of his office, gazing down at the drawbridge that offered a clear view of the procession below.

Though it was dusk, the mass of torches illuminating the area made it clear who the visitors were.

‘Looks like he was right—a bishop came after all. That’s definitely the bishop’s flag.’

Just as Seong-min had said, it wasn’t merely a group of priests arriving but a bishop who oversaw an entire diocese.

For a bishop to visit such a remote outpost was almost unthinkable.

‘But how did he know the bishop was coming? No one ever mentioned a bishop, and I thought, at most, it would be another priestly delegation like before.’

The Overseer couldn’t shake his puzzlement.

‘This guy is remarkable. Is this why he’s so famous?’

The unexpected arrival of the bishop only deepened the Overseer’s internal conflict.

‘If what he said about the Holy Grail is true, and I can trade his life for it, then it’s an obvious deal. Letting him go in exchange for the Grail—it’s not just any artifact; it’s the Church’s sacred relic.’

The thought that Seong-min might not keep his promise didn’t even occur to the Overseer.

‘He has a reputation for keeping his promises to the letter. Whether it’s an ally or an enemy, no matter what it takes, he fulfills his word. That’s the only reason I even considered making a deal with him.’

Up to this point, the game’s protagonist had built a reputation for always honoring agreements, no matter the circumstances, which explained why so many people placed their trust in him.

But, as had been the case with everyone who got involved with him, doubts inevitably crept in.

‘Still… there’s always a chance he might break that trust. The trade is his life for the Grail. It wouldn’t even be strange if he betrayed me at this point.’

And what about the Church?

‘Then again, siding with the Church and executing him doesn’t sit right with me either. There’s nothing to gain from it. Executing a heretic is just what’s expected, and the Church would think nothing of it.’

Could there truly be nothing to gain?

‘Sure, if I play the obedient dog, at best I’ll earn a little favor and maybe hear the bishop promise some vague “increased attention” toward this region. But even that would fade after a few visits from the priests.’

Hardly anyone cared about these remote borderlands. The Church certainly wasn’t generous enough to waste resources on useless territory.

‘Unless a rich vein of ore is discovered here, the Church will continue to ignore this place, as it always does.’

The Overseer thought again about Seong-min’s proposal.

‘Honestly, dealing with him is ridiculous. What reason do I have to trust him? This is our first transaction—there’s no history to rely on. If I’m willing to entertain this, it’s only because of his reputation and past reliability.’

Between the Church, which offered nothing of value, and Seong-min, whose trustworthiness was uncertain, the Overseer found himself leaning toward the latter.

‘If I make a deal with him, there’s a chance I’ll get the Holy Grail. And if rumors spread that the Grail is here, this place will become a holy site, attracting pilgrims and bringing prosperity to the region.’

As the local overseer, effectively a minor lord of the area, his wealth depended on the taxes collected from the land. This prospect naturally drew the Overseer toward Seong-min’s side.

‘No matter how I look at it, letting him go and pursuing the Grail is the better option. It’s simply more beneficial for me.’

---

“Hey, is anyone out there?”

After summoning a soldier and giving a few instructions, the Overseer descended to meet the bishop.

---

A while later, the bishop—accompanied by a black-robed priest—and the Overseer sat across from one another in the Overseer’s office.

“You captured him, I hear.”

The bishop was the first to speak.

The Overseer responded humbly, “Yes, we apprehended him. He’ll be executed tonight without trial.”

“The Church is currently facing many serious challenges.”

The Overseer listened intently as the bishop continued.

“Alchemists claiming to create life from dirt and spreading their blasphemy. Magicians of the Hyo sect questioning God’s omnipotence. The Church has had its hands full dealing with such insolence. His Holiness at the Papal Seat has decreed that no more leniency shall be shown to these blasphemers.”

The bishop had a clear reason for coming all the way to this remote region.

“Is that why you’ve come all this way?”

“It may be inconvenient for you to have me here, but within the Church, such acts of blasphemy are seen as grave challenges to its authority. That is why His Holiness desires the swift eradication of such impure elements.”

“Sounds like a tough time for alchemists and magicians.”

“And this man is no different. He’s no magician, but he’s a heretic from a strange sect, constantly spouting nonsense that disrupts the peace of the faithful.”

“I also think his words are utter madness.”

“Not only that. He’s attacked priests and spread lies, mocking the Church repeatedly. Tell me, if you were in the Church’s position, could you tolerate such a man?”

“Of course not.”

The Overseer’s insincere agreement didn’t go unnoticed. Behind the bishop, the black-robed priest’s mouth twitched ever so slightly.

‘How dare he… lie like that?’

Unaware of this, the Overseer smiled as he spoke to the bishop.

“He’ll be executed tonight without trial. You needn’t concern yourself further.”

“That’s excellent news. His Holiness has been deeply troubled lately, so it will be a joy to deliver him some good news for once. Hahaha!”

The bishop remained oblivious to the fact that, under the Overseer’s orders, a soldier had already delivered the key to Seong-min, enabling his escape.

As the atmosphere grew more amiable, the Overseer felt greed welling up inside him.

‘With things going this well, it wouldn’t hurt to ask a little.’

Trying to conceal his intentions, the Overseer cautiously broached the subject.

“By the way, this might be an impertinent question, but…”

Seeing his hesitance, the bishop waved it off.

“Go ahead and ask. If you’re curious, I’ll answer to the best of my ability. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

“Well… about the Holy Grail. Does it actually exist?”

Since his meeting with Seong-min, the Overseer had been plagued by this question: Was the Holy Grail real?

At this, the bishop momentarily looked flustered.

Within the Church, the Grail was so sacred that even mentioning it was a delicate matter.

“Why bring up the Grail so suddenly…?”

Sensing the bishop’s unease—or perhaps realizing his question was too bold—the Overseer quickly tried to smooth things over.

“I shouldn’t have asked. Please pretend you didn’t hear that.”

After a brief internal struggle, the bishop reluctantly replied.

“No, no. Considering what you’ve done for the Blood Cross Church, it would be ungrateful of me not to answer. That wouldn’t be right.”

Hearing this, the Overseer smirked inwardly.

Unaware of the Overseer’s hidden intentions, the bishop spoke.

“The Holy Grail is an ancient sacred relic of the Church, a divine artifact. Its existence remains shrouded in mystery, but its power is so immense that even within the Church, the Grail is revered with utmost sanctity.”

Growing excited, the Overseer interjected.

“They say that drinking from the Grail can grant healing and eternal life. Doesn’t that make it, essentially, an elixir machine?”

The bishop, visibly displeased by the crude comparison, cleared his throat loudly. The black-robed priest, who had been silently observing, finally broke his silence, his expression cold.

“Overseer, how dare you liken the Church’s sacred relic to a mere elixir machine? Watch your words.”

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