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Kjeragandr is said to have appeared before the masses as a young girl, and so everyone believed that a maiden's pure soul could reach Her and beckon Her back to us.

This ritual continued for almost a hundred years. Over time, the people gradually turned against these unreciprocated rituals.

There was a rebellion against the Vine-Bead Court led by a small clan leader whose daughter was chosen to be the Saintess.

Many of the Vine-Bead Court's buildings were leveled, and many of its texts, kept since ancient times, were destroyed. Ever since, the Vine-Bead Court's understanding of its past has been wildly off the mark.

And the most dramatic thing about this turn of events is that the Saintess still climbed to the top of Mount Karlan that year, and Kjeragandr regained Her strength after a centuries-long slumber. Hearing the prayers of the Saintess, She awakened.

The signs of Her awakening were so obvious that the people immediately noticed. Their resistance against the Vine-Bead Court came to a close, just like that.

Sounds a lot more realistic.;Sounds like something you saw with your own eyes.

Right? At the same time, it's also a lot more cruel.

No, no, not at all. I only found the scripture at the Court by chance. It might be a record left behind by someone who was actually there. It could also be nothing more than pure nonsense.

After all, Kjerag's snowy mounts are known to swallow men whole.

Sir! A large group of beasts has been spotted up ahead!

These beasts are unusually brutal. They're attacking our soldiers at the front right now!

They're just beasts! There's nothing to be afraid of!

All of you, stay here and protect the Saintess. Keep your formation and do not panic. Valais, you stay here too.

Everyone else, come with me. We'll back up our brothers up ahead!

Sir Arctosz, wait!

Great Saintess?

I will come with you.

But, Great Saintess, your safety...

Valais is right. Your safety is what's important here. Please wait for us here. The Paleroche warriors will protect you!

I...

Wait up, Arctosz!

Ratatos...? What are you doing here? I thought the Browntails and the Silverashes were supposed to take their hunts elsewhere?

The Silverashes have left already, but something doesn't seem right about all this. I was going to come give you a heads up before we split... but it looks like there's no need for that anymore.

What do you mean by that?

You mean the unusual pack of beasts up ahead, Madame Ratatos?

Fine observation, Great Saintess.

I don't know the specifics... but I have a bad feeling about this. I only hope that no one is trying to pull anything funny during an occasion as dignified as the Holy Hunt, let alone putting on a show.

Anyway, we should be more careful. For the first time ever, the Saintess is personally gracing us with her presence during a hunt.

You're exaggerating things, Madame Ratatos.

You do have a point, though. Since I am here, I must stand alongside our brave warriors, instead of cowering in the face of danger.

Please, the situation is urgent. Let us talk on the way.

Well then!

How fortunate is Kjerag that you feel this way, Great Saintess! I won't stop you! Valais, lead the way!

Yessir!

(Why aren't you here yet, Monch?! The Saintess doesn't personally join the Holy Hunt every day! We have to seize the opportunity to take care of as many beasts in front of her as we can!)

(But... what if we hurt the Saintess by accident...?)

(Argh, whatever! It's not like that bitch Ratatos would do anything! Worst case, I'll own up to it!)

(You must take this chance, Monch!)

How can these beasts be so fearless?!

This definitely isn't normal...

Here I thought the beasts in the mountains would be scared stiff with the Saintess joining us.

Looks like things aren't that simple. Guess the Saintess isn't really all that.

Watch your mouth! The Saintess isn't for you to discuss so nonchalantly!

Think about what will happen if Sir Arctosz catches you complaining!

Fine, fine. I get it! He'd chew me out if he heard...

As long as you know... Wait, watch out behind—

Get down!

A silver arc of light pierces the raging snowstorm before the beast is able to let out its chilling cry.

With the beast's icy fangs mere inches away, its warm, stinking blood is splattered all over the warrior's face.

Slowly, the Kjerag Saintess sets her hand down from her bowstring as she walks toward the source of the commotion. Just as the texts described, she is accompanied by both Browntail and Paleroche fighters.

'She is the Kjeragandr's vicar on Terra. She is Kjeragandr's supreme emissary on the mountaintop.'

The girl walks forward.

Even the snowfall comes to a halt in her presence.

Are you hurt?

The... The Saintess...

The danger is yet to pass. Stand up, young warrior.

Warriors of Kjeragandr, raise your weapons! Join me in fending off these beasts and completing the challenge posed to us by Kjeragandr!

Yes!

For... For the Saintess!

For the Saintess!