Chapter 34: Finding The Sinner [2]

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After hearing the Prince and the King’s encouraging words, the assembly roared, arms raised, voices thundering with resolve. They had never seen King Gustaf so visibly concerned. Even with limited evidence, every person present chose to trust him.

With preparations complete, Louis noticed his father walking towards him.

“Son, are you certain you don’t need more bodyguards? I told Helena she could accompany you…”

Louis shook his head. “No. She would only draw attention. Tell Aunt to follow from a distance. She can manage that easily, right?”

“Certainly…” Gustaf sighed. “So this is it. Even though we still know so little, I’m nervous… I suppose this is what it feels like to handle such threats without your mother.”

“We relied too heavily on her strength,” Louis replied. “It’s time we protect the country she built for us. When she awakens, she will find everything in order, just as she left it.”

“Yes… you’re right. Thank you, son,” Gustaf said softly. “Your new uniform… I designed them specifically for each of you to suit and enhance your abilities. Does it please you?”

“Yes, I love it. Thank you, Doctor Gustaf,” Mirai answered.

“It’s a fine piece of clothing,” Zorba added. “I wish there were a black cloak to match… My horn and third eye always attract unwanted attention.”

“Don’t worry,” Louis said. “Your appearance is necessary. To gain Melisa and Selene’s trust, we must look like Sinners. Anyway, we should depart. Rashid is hidden in my shadow watching my back, Father, so don’t worry. I’m also bringing several Undead, and Zorba too. There’s nothing to fear.”

“Hmm, alright then… good luck,” Gustaf replied. “We will reunite when the time comes. Godspeed, son.”

“Yeah.” Louis nodded to his father. “Let’s go.”

He walked leisurely through the capital, passed the walls, and entered the worn district known as the Nameless Streets. The familiar scene unfolded before him. Mirai, gazing around in awe, felt even greater sorrow at the sight. Her expression darkened, though she said nothing.

“I will ensure this place becomes more presentable later,” Louis promised. “For now, we head straight to the orphanage. Let us stay on our original path.”

“The Orphanage… Oh, that must be the one belonging to our church…!” Catrise exclaimed.

“Indeed,” Louis confirmed.

“We are ready for anything, your majesty,” Elises said, cracking his knuckles.

“Relax, Elises. Stay silent if you have nothing valuable to add,” Fernand scolded.

After twenty minutes of walking, Louis located the orphanage. Nuns watched over children playing outside.

“Ah, the poor, rundown town, the alcoholics fighting in dark alleys, the criminal gangs, the starving children of the orphanage… this brings back nostalgic memories of my childhood,” Zorba remarked, smiling at the building. “Memories I would rather forget, but that… I suppose define who I am.”

“I didn’t know you lived in a place like this…” Mirai murmured. Since arriving, she had realized that despite her isolation in the VPI, she had been fortunate—always with a roof, a warm bed, good food, and people who cared.

“Catrise, come with me,” Louis instructed. “With your authority as a Priestess, it should be easier to persuade the nuns to let me see Melisa. I plan to adopt her.”

“You want to adopt her?!” Catrise gasped. “W-Well… if you truly wish it, I’ll help. I do hold high authority.”

Catrise and Louis introduced themselves to the nuns and expressed interest in adopting the only Sinner in the orphanage—Melisa. The girl was summoned quickly. She stared in awe at the regal beauty of Louis’ uniform and his striking features.

“Melisa, it seems the stars have finally shone upon you. The Prince of our country has decided to adopt you because of your Sinner origin,” the old nun explained. She had always treated Melisa coldly, yet now she spoke as though she had always been kind and caring.

“R-Really?!” Melisa’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“That’s right,” Louis confirmed with a nod. “Catrise here will care for you most of the time. Now, Melisa, we would like to ask a favor before we finalize the adoption.”

“Y-You’re the Prince…!” Melisa gasped. “Prince Louis? His majesty, son of our goddess?”

“Indeed,” Louis replied with a radiant, charming smile, gently patting her head. “And you’re a lovely girl, Melisa. As a Sinner, you may have faced discrimination, but it is actually a very special role. We Sinners are among the few with the power to prevent the End of the World. Your help will be indispensable.”

“O-Okay!” Melisa nodded eagerly. “I’ll do it! I’ll do anything!”

“Good girl,” Louis said, smiling.

Though he was largely acting, a genuine sorrow stirred within him whenever he remembered how she and Selene had died together when the Abyssal Mother consumed the entire country within her Weeping Nest. He could still see their small bones entwined, ashes scattered into a gray desert. Even for someone like him, that vision remained nightmarish, something he refused to let happen again.

But was this truly the same Melisa who had perished? Were his mother, Gustaf, and everyone else truly the same people he had watched die? A deep fear haunted Louis, that instead of reversing time, he had merely shifted between timelines. Those he lost might never return, rendering all his efforts futile.

He shook his head, refusing to let the voices of doubt win, refusing to sink into Despair. Whatever the truth, whatever the possibility, this Melisa—the living child before him—was real. By every measure, she remained the same girl he had failed before.

“I will make sure to protect you this time, Melisa. I swear…” he murmured words she could not understand, speaking as though they had already met.

“Eh?” Melisa tilted her head.

“It’s nothing,” Louis sighed. “Shall we speak privately with Catrise? Come, let’s go to the second floor.”

“Okay…” Melisa agreed.

On the second floor, Melisa learned Louis and Catrise’s true purpose: to recruit Selene and rescue her from being kidnapped by Soma and used as material for the Formation that would doom the country.

“You’re very special, Melisa. As Selene’s friend, no one else can calm her. We need your help,” Louis explained. “Once we rescue her, I promise you both a far better life in the castle. You will have anything you desire.”

“R-Really?!” Melisa beamed with joy. “I-I can’t believe it. My friendship with Selene—someone everyone hates—is that important?! I only befriended her because I felt lonely and saw myself in her… She usually comes at night for food… Would you like to wait until then?”

“I suppose there’s no helping it,” Louis sighed. “Tell the others to come. We’ll stay the night here.”

“Understood, your majesty,” Catrise replied, descending to inform the rest.

“Um, I wonder, your majesty… May I ask a question?” Melisa ventured.

“…What is it?” Louis asked.

“Do you… Do you promise to take care of Selene?” Melisa asked. “I don’t mind if you leave me alone, but… Selene… she needs so much love and care.”

“…”

“She’s been lonely all this time. She barely knows how to say more than a few words… Whenever I see her, I worry she might not survive another night,” Melisa sighed.

“I promise,” Louis said firmly. “Here, this should help.” He handed her a large chocolate bar.

“Ooh! C-Chocolate!” Melisa exclaimed happily. “A whole bar just for me?!”

“Yes. Make sure to share it only with your friend,” Louis instructed. “There’s nothing wrong with being selfish, especially when the other children here haven’t treated you kindly, right?”

“Hahah… thank you, Prince Louis!” Melisa giggled innocently, drawing a genuine smile from Louis for a fleeting moment.

After Fernand, Elises, Mirai, and Zorba entered the orphanage and were quickly surrounded by curious children, time passed. During a bountiful dinner filled with delicious foods the children had never tasted, Melisa slipped out the back door. Louis followed quietly, staying hidden.

“Selene… are you there? I brought you some food… Hello?” Melisa called softly. She heard rummaging in the trash. Slowly, a creature emerged—humanoid, wolf-like, with a head resembling a wolf skull. “Ah, there you are… Selene!”

“Me… Melisa…” Selene groaned, approaching the food and sniffing. “Cheese…”

“Yes, it’s safe. Don’t worry,” Melisa smiled, watching Selene eat happily. “Is it yummy?”

“Yummy…! Grawr!” Selene devoured everything in seconds, licking her jaws.

“Um, Selene, there’s someone I want you to meet. It’s the person who brought us all this food! I’m getting adopted today, and they said you could come with me,” Melisa explained.

“…Raarr?” Selene looked up as Louis stepped out of the orphanage’s back door. His appearance startled her.

“W-Wait! Don’t go!” Melisa pleaded. “Look, he gave me this yummy food, and he promised we’ll be able to eat all the yummy food we want.” She shared the chocolate with her friend, who found the flavor astonishing.

“Food?” Selene asked, turning her gaze to Louis. He sighed in relief that she had not been captured yet.

“Yes. I will give you all the food you want,” Louis promised. “You will never starve again, Selene. Here.” He offered slices of cake, roasted fish, ham, and more cheese. Selene, starving and ravenous, could not refuse.

As she ate happily, Louis discreetly spread Ash Runes across the ground, glancing into the distance where several shadows—VPI Agents—stood ready.

“Now!”

FLASH!

Sudden lights flared everywhere. Melisa startled backward as Agents in black armor rushed toward Selene.

Selene, still eating, looked confused. The Agents fired tranquilizing darts. She stumbled and collapsed into sleep before she could react.

“S-Selene?! Selene!!!” Melisa ran to her friend; face filled with horror.

“Calm down,” Louis said gently. “We’ve sedated her. I didn’t want her to run and risk capture. I’m sorry, Melisa. But if she escapes, the man we’re pursuing will likely take her and torture her.”

“W-What?” Melisa stared in shock. “But… y-you lied to me…”

“I didn’t lie,” Louis replied. “But sometimes, to ensure the right outcome, harsh decisions must be made—especially as a ruler. I hope one day you can forgive me.”

“…” Melisa looked down at her friend as Agents placed her inside a large containment cube and moved her through a portal Gustaf had opened with an artifact, transferring her to a secure zone deep within VPI headquarters.

“Well done, Louis! You did it!” Gustaf congratulated. “The first half of our plan has succeeded.”

“Yes,” Louis nodded. “But this is only the beginning. Has Soma’s location been confirmed?”

“One of our drones spotted him walking down a dark alley,” Gustaf reported. “But he vanished quickly… He’s moving through magic, turning into darkness and becoming invisible.”

“So that’s how that sneaky bastard moves…” Louis muttered, biting his lip. “Send as many drones and spirits as possible to scout the area. Once you locate him, inform Aunt Helena so she can hold him in place. We’ll rush there.”

“Yes, that’s what I’m doing,” Gustaf confirmed. “For now, go rest. Leave the rest to us, Louis.”

“Soma isn’t someone you can handle easily…” Louis sighed. “Be careful… Huh?”

At that moment, Handy suddenly emerged from Louis’ shoulder, trembling, and pointed urgently toward a dark alley to the left.

“…What? What is it?”

Louis’ eyes widened as his Mana Senses flared. His father, who had not yet departed, stared in the same direction, as did the seven remaining Agents.

“Don’t tell me this bold bastard is…!” Louis’ eyebrows twitched.

From the shadows of the night, faintly illuminated by moonlight, a dark figure emerged—not human, but a twisted, aberrant mockery of one. Dozens of arms sprouted from its body, and red eyes wept constant streams of black tears.

“S-Sinner…! Secure… the Sinner…!” It fixed its greedy gaze on little Melisa.

“Melisa, get back!” Louis shoved her behind him as the monster leaped forward.

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