Levi slowly pushed open the doors to the throne room.
"...Father."
King Maverick looked up from the mountain of documents on his desk.
"Yes?"
"What is it now?"
Levi scratched the back of his head.
"...Could you..."
"...Perhaps rebuild The Velvet Boar?"
The King's hand stopped mid-signature.
"...Rebuild?"
He slowly looked at Levi.
"...Why would I rebuild it?"
Levi looked everywhere except his father.
"N-Nothing."
"But..."
"You should probably go see it."
Maverick narrowed his eyes.
"...Why?"
Levi forced an awkward smile.
"...You'll find out."
Silence.
"..."
"...WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'LL FIND OUT?!"
-
Three hours later...
King Maverick stood before the remains of The Velvet Boar.
The once luxurious restaurant was now little more than splintered wood, shattered glass, and bloodstained floors.
The King slowly turned around.
His jaw hung open.
Levi stood several steps behind him...
Smiling sheepishly.
"...Ehe..."
Maverick pointed at the destroyed building.
"..."
"...WHAT."
"...DID."
"...YOU."
"...DO?!"
Levi raised both hands.
"In my defence..."
"They attacked first."
-
One very long week later...
Levi finally stepped out of the throne room.
"I understand, Father."
"I won't cause trouble again."
He quietly added under his breath.
"...Maybe."
From inside the throne room...
"I HEARD THAT!"
Levi flinched.
"...Right."
"Forgot."
-
Five minutes later...
The doors opened once again.
A priest entered before kneeling.
"Your Majesty."
"You have visitors."
Maverick sighed.
"...Who?"
The priest hesitated.
"...The Saintess."
"It seems she hurried here after sensing the appearance of a Stigmata."
The King's expression immediately stiffened.
"..."
"...Let them in."
The grand doors slowly opened.
A young woman dressed in immaculate white robes entered alongside two heavily armoured paladins.
Golden embroidery decorated the edges of her robes.
She gracefully bowed.
"Your Majesty."
"I apologise for arriving unannounced."
"But I received a divine vision."
"A Stigmata has appeared within the Ashbourne Empire."
"I request permission to meet its bearer."
Maverick remained silent.
Sweat slowly formed upon his forehead.
'How am I supposed to explain this...?'
The Saintess noticed his hesitation.
"With all due respect, Your Majesty..."
"This matter concerns the will of the Gods."
"I must confirm the identity of the blessed one."
The King quietly leaned towards the priest.
"...Go."
"...Bring Levi."
The priest nodded.
"At once."
-
A few minutes later...
Levi entered the throne room once again.
"...Father."
"I literally just left."
"Why am I being called ba-"
He stopped.
His eyes landed on the Saintess.
'...'
'They're here because of me.'
The Saintess frowned.
"Your Majesty."
"I requested to see the bearer of the Stigmata."
"Not your son."
Maverick sighed.
"...He is the bearer."
Silence filled the throne room.
The Saintess blinked.
"..."
"...Him?"
She quickly approached Levi.
"May I?"
Levi awkwardly held out the back of his right hand.
The fiery Stigmata slowly revealed itself.
The Saintess gently traced its outline without touching it.
Her eyes widened.
"...It's genuine."
"You truly are blessed by the Fire Goddess."
Levi tilted his head.
"...Is it really that surprising?"
She slowly nodded.
"Whenever a Stigmata appears..."
"The world changes."
"Whether through hope..."
"...Or disaster."
Levi pointed towards the priest.
"...That guy basically said the same thing."
The priest coughed awkwardly.
"I did."
The Saintess smiled faintly.
"There's another reason."
"It is exceedingly rare..."
"For two living Stigmata bearers to exist within the same century."
Levi blinked.
"...Wait."
"You have one too?"
She looked at him as though the answer were obvious.
"Of course."
"How else do you think one becomes the Saintess?"
Levi scratched his head.
"..."
"...Fair point."
The Saintess looked once more at the blazing mark upon his hand.
"I only pray..."
"That your appearance signals salvation."
"...Rather than calamity."
-
Far away...
Beyond the borders of the Ashbourne Empire...
Within an ancient fortress hidden beneath perpetual darkness...
A cloaked figure knelt before a massive stone throne.
"The Saintess has been located."
The figure seated upon the throne slowly smiled.
Only crimson eyes were visible beneath the darkness.
"...Excellent."
"Continue as planned."
"The Saintess..."
"...Is the final key."
A deep, distorted laugh echoed throughout the chamber.
"Only one seal remains..."
"...Before He awakens."
-
Back at the Royal Palace...
The Saintess quietly knelt inside the guest chamber prepared for her.
Moonlight streamed through the window.
Her hands remained clasped together in prayer.
"...Great Goddess."
"If darkness truly approaches..."
"Guide us."
"...And protect that child."
"...He will need Your light far more than he realises."
Knock.
Knock.
Someone stood outside her door.
"My Lady."
"The Prince requests permission to speak with you."
The Saintess slowly opened her eyes.
"...Send him in."