In her search for Sasha Fullmoon's abode, Selina discovered that locating the woman would be more difficult than she had initially anticipated. Not because of something that she had expected, such as Sasha's home being protected by an impenetrable spell or being situated in a remote location that few ever visited. Instead, the reason was far more mundane.

None of the Mamono were willing to provide her with directions.

After leaving the barracks and Merse behind, she immediately made her way toward the nearest gathering of Mamono. She had memorized the route back to her home, and the streets of Lescatie were nowhere near as labyrinthine as Yharnam's. She could walk down a street and reasonably expect to emerge onto another unblocked street. So she could be confident that she could find her way back to her abode when the time came. However, she was uncertain of Sasha's exact location. She knew that Sasha lived in the city and resided in an orphanage, but that was the extent of her knowledge. The Valkyrie had not provided any directions or hints regarding her whereabouts. Although the urge to wander aimlessly in search of the orphanage was tempting, Selina decided to take a more straightforward approach: asking for directions.

Which led to the previously discussed problem.

"Aaaaaahhhhh!~" Selina reached her arm out as the fifth Mamono in a row fled before she could utter a word. Her hand curled inward, frustration and a tinge of shame swelling in her heart. The feeling intensified as she sensed the stares of other Mamono upon her. Shaking off these emotions, she retrieved her Thread Cane and began scanning the area for another Mamono to talk to. So far, every time she attempted to ask a Mamono for assistance, they either ran away or stood frozen in shock, neither moving nor speaking. It was only after she walked away that they would finally shift from their original positions. She could only assume that her efforts to appear non-threatening were failing. Although she had no doubt that news of her actions had reached Lescatie, the extent of their reactions were still somewhat surprising.

And frustrating. As it meant that she was unable to obtain the directions she needed. Sighing, she scanned her surroundings for another Mamono to approach as she continued walking. Many of those nearby avoided making eye contact, and those who did would typically only hold her gaze until she moved closer. With each step, she felt increasingly isolated in the bustling streets of the city. While this sensation was not unfamiliar, it certainly wasn't pleasant either. After her seventh unsuccessful attempt to ask for directions, she began to contemplate simply choosing a direction and hoping for the best. Until she heard the sound of something skittering along the wall to her left.

She paused and looked up, nearly striking out with the Threaded Cane at what she saw. The only reason she refrained was that the newcomer raised her hands to indicate she meant no harm. The Mamono was one of those Atlach-Nachas that Matilda had mentioned. However, instead of the purple or black chitin she had previously encountered, this one had pure white chitin with pink highlights. Her..."husband" was crawling down the wall of a building, the woman gazing down at Selina with a bright smile. She spoke in a light, sweet voice, "Peace, Good Hunter, peace. I come bearing assistance and direction, not condemnation and judgment."

Selina frowned but lowered her guard slightly. As she gazed at the spider-like Mamono, she couldn't help but recall a certain other "spider" she had encountered in the past, which may have influenced her reaction to this Mamono, even if unintentionally. Her tone remained neutral as she asked, "What do you want?"

"Salutations, I am Izzy," she said, bowing her head before continuing, "I noticed that you seem to be trying to communicate with Mamono but have had little success. Is there something specific you are after? I may be able to assist you."

Selina thought the question over. One part of her believed that trusting a Mamono connected to the Abyssal Ones was a risky decision. If they were the equivalent of this world's Great Ones, their servants could have countless motives for assisting her. However, the other part of her argued that her only alternative was to rely on her instincts and search for answers on her own, which would likely involve much trial and error. Normally, she would be fine with that approach...but the unfortunate fact was that she had only five days to complete everything on her agenda her in Lescatie. She didn't have the luxury of time. So...

"I am looking for Sasha Fullmoon," Selina said, turning to face Izzy, "Do you know where she is currently residing?"

"Ah, yes. Everyone knows. She is one of the Maidens, after all," Izzy stated as her "husband" stepped back and pointed a claw toward an alley across the street, "She can usually be found in her orphanage, which has been converted into a church dedicated to the Fallen God. If you head down that alley and follow the winding roads due south, you'll find yourself in the former slums. From there, head westward down the streets, and you'll find what you're looking for."

"I appreciate the help," Selina made to follow the spider woman's directions, but paused to reflect on what the Mamono had said. Turning to Izzy, she asked, "Former slums? What do you mean?"

"Well, after Druella took over the city, the Mamono renovated the entire area. Whole sections of the city have long since changed. You'll see what I mean when you arrive."

"Would I be correct in saying that both the physical and economic conditions of this area have changed?" Selina asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Surprisingly, Izzy nodded and said, "Indeed. After all, currency is not necessary to obtain true love."

She rubbed the body of her "husband" for emphasis. Selina frowned but turned to follow Izzy's directions. She felt the Mamono's gaze linger on her back until she entered the alleyway. Adhering to the Mamono's instructions, she moved through the surprisingly clean alleys with a purposeful stride. In the dark, quiet passages, the sound of her Thread Cane tapping against the cobblestones was all the more pronounced. The sun gradually descended in the sky, casting an orange light that signaled the afternoon. After about three minutes of walking through the alleys, she finally emerged onto a wide street that gave her pause.

The parts of Lescatie she had seen were typically filled with a vibrant array of colors. These colors were arranged in such a way that they often complemented each other beautifully. However, the area in which she currently found herself had chosen two specific colors to represent its identity: black and purple.

Because those were the primary colors she observed everywhere. The flags and banners hanging from the walls were purple, the stones that comprised the buildings were black, and the doors were typically painted half black and half purple. Even the people were not exempt from this color scheme. Most of the Mamono and Incubi she encountered wore clothing in shades of purple or black, or a combination of the two. However, one distinguishing feature of the people here, compared to the rest of the city, was their sense of modesty. Their outfits were designed to fit snugly against their skin, yet they did not reveal much of it. She even noticed a few women whose bodies were completely covered from head to toe, with only their faces visible to the world. The only other exceptions were their wings and tails.

For a moment, Selina thought that she had discovered a more "moderate" part of Lescatie. As she walked westward down the streets, she could only find modestly dressed Mamono. There were hardly any who wore or behaved like those she had seen on the main roads. But these thoughts quickly dissipated when she inhaled through her nose. Immediately, she detected a cloying, musky scent reminiscent of the piles of dead fish women from the Hamlet. Her face scrunched up as she pressed her bandana closer to her nose. Whipping her head around, she eventually located the source of the odor: a Mamono strolling down the street, hand in hand with her husband. The Mamono was fully clothed, but her attire was entirely covered in an opaque, white substance. Said substance also appeared to stain some of the man's clothing, specifically his trousers. The couple walked without a care in the world, their heads held high, while those who passed by regarded them not with disgust, but with longing and admiration.

Selina didn't know exactly what had happened, but she had a few ideas. Frowning, she increased her speed while trying to keep her eyes off the Mamono on the streets. She continued to follow Izzy's directions, stopping occasionally to double-check that she was on the right path. It wasn't until she heard the joyful cries of children that she realized she had found what she was looking for. Turning a corner, she stood at the top of a short incline that allowed her to overlook her destination. The building a few blocks away stood out among its peers in this section. Instead of thatched roofs and brick walls, it was constructed of black marble with a stone roof. Twin spires at the front and back reached for the sky, while the stained glass windows set into them sparkled in the afternoon sun. Two banners hung from the midpoints of the spires, each emblazoned with the same symbol: six black wings surrounding a kneeling, naked woman embracing a naked man.

At the front of the building, near the door, Selina could see at least twenty children running to and fro. All of them wore smiles as they played with balls or engaged in games of hide and seek. Though there were significantly more Mamono than humans present. From her vantage point, Selina counted five boys compared to the fifteen girls playing alongside them. As anticipated, all the girls exhibited features that indicated they were monsters, ranging from spaded tails and black wings to bestial ears and scales on their arms.

Selina observed the unfolding events for a brief moment. The hairs on the back of her neck bristled, and her hands felt clammy inside her gloves. Although she was nowhere near the "church" she wanted to run away right then and there. Or at least find a dark corner to hide in until nighttime, when all the children would be asleep. Perhaps then she could avoid seeing any of them as-

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She recalled Matilda's words from their journey: if she ever felt her memories overwhelming her, she should pause and breathe. She needed to remember that she was no longer in Yharnam; she was here, in this world—a world where she was not cursed. Here, she could help others without the fear that her actions would lead to their demise. She simply needed to calm herself.

She held her breath for ten seconds before releasing it in a deep sigh. Now feeling a bit more in control, she began to walk down the slope. The voices of the children grew louder as she approached, and it didn't take long for the more bestial children to sense her presence. She noticed multiple sets of ears perk up in the air, soon followed by the owners of those ears abruptly turning to look in her direction. The moment the Mamono laid eyes on her, their previously joyful expressions shifted to ones of panic. It didn't take long for the rest of the children to notice her approach. By the time she reached the orphanage's courtyard, all the children were staring at her with a range of expressions. The Mamono were mostly either panicking or frightened. A few stood protectively in front of the others, while some hid behind those guardians. The human boys gazed at Selina with a mix of fear and curiosity in their eyes.

Stopping a few feet away, Selina took a moment to steady her nerves. She then raised a hand and spoke in as polite a tone as she could, "Hello, children. Do you happen to know where Sasha Fullmoon is?"

Some of the children gasped, and then one of the Mamono shouted, "I told you guys! The Evil Hunter Lady is gonna hurt Sasha!"

"Evil...Hunter Lady?!" Selina took a step back, struggling to comprehend what she had just heard. She extended a hand toward the children and stammered, "Wh-What are-"

The children shrieked and ran away from the direction her hand pointed. One of the Mamono shouted, "Watch out! That's the hand she's gonna use to suck our souls out!"

"Suck your-I-I don't-"

"Don't look her in the eyes! If you do, she'll use her anti-magic blast to blow your head off!" one of the human boys warned while trying to stay out of Selina's line of sight.

"No, she won't!" another human boy exclaimed, placing his hands on his hips, "She'll open her mouth and breathe fire that can destroy even Auntie Mari's barrier!"

"That's not what the story says! And she can't steal souls with her hands! She reaps them with her scythe that's as big as a horse!" one of the Mamono shouted, raising her arms in protest.

Another child tapped her chin in thought and said, "But she doesn't have a scythe right now. Just a cane."

"She probably hid it or something!" the Mamono who claimed she would reap their souls turned to Selina, "Hey! Evil Hunter Lady! You wield a scythe, right?"

"Uh, um, well, yes but-"

"See?! Told you!" the other child exclaimed, a smug smile spreading across her face.

"Don't be proud of that! Everyone, run to the church!" Selina couldn't tell which child had shouted, but the effect was immediate. They all dashed toward the church doors, shouting about how the "Hunter Lady" was going to "Eat their souls". They huddled near the door in a group, all watching Selina to see what she would do next.

Selina could only stand there in complete shock, her arm outstretched. She blinked repeatedly, struggling to parse what just happened. She had just spent a few minutes calming herself to prevent her past from affecting her reaction to these children...only for the children to run away from her. They had claimed she could "Eat souls", shoot an "Anti-Magic Blast", and "Breathe fire". She was about to refute these assertions, but further reflection revealed that the children weren't entirely wrong. Technically, she had "eaten" Koga's soul when he was Kogero. She supposed her bullets could be considered "Anti-Magic Blasts", though she had yet to determine if they could actually dispel magic yet. And while she couldn't expel flames from her mouth, she could use the Flamesprayer to achieve similar effects. Then there was her Burial Blade, which was a scythe...

She shook her head to clear her thoughts. This was getting her nowhere. She had come to meet with Sasha Fullmoon, and that was her priority. She could still talk to the children; she just needed to ask them where Sasha was. As she began to step forward, she noticed the children pressing themselves closer to the orphanage door, which made her pause. Before she could speak, the door to the orphanage swung open, and she saw her target step outside into the open air.

Sasha Fullmoon.

Accompanied by two young girls, she walked into the midst of the crowd of orphans, a serene smile gracing her face. She crouched low as the children cheered and gathered around her. The Mamono girl who first called her "Evil Hunter Lady" pointed at Selina and shouted, "Sister Sasha, the Hunter Lady is here! You'll protect us, won't you?"

"Of course I will. Though only if she's come to bring strife," she said, glancing up at Selina from beneath her eyelids. She appeared completely relaxed, her lips curled into a soft smile, which contrasted sharply with the terrified expressions of the orphans. Sasha clasped her hands together and added, "But I don't believe that's why she's here. Isn't that right, Cynthia?"

Selina lowered her arm and adjusted her grip on the Thread Cane, holding it horizontally. She then used her free fingers to pull her hat down over her eyes. Unsure whether she appeared embarrassed or troubled by the recent events, she didn't want Sasha to see if it were true. Clearing her throat, she said, "C-Correct, Sasha Fullmoon. I came here looking for you. There is something I wish to discuss with you. Alone, if possible."

Sasha giggled as she straightened up. Her spaded tail wagged behind her as she stared at Selina, "Hmm, I believe this is the first time we have ever been properly introduced. Yet, you already ask me to speak with you without anyone else around. Quite presumptuous, wouldn't you say?"

Selina bit her lip and glanced to the side, "Perhaps, yes. But I have something important that I must discuss with you. Something that wouldn't be suitable for... younger ears."

Selina cast a sidelong glance at the children to convey her meaning. The children huddled closer to Sasha's legs, while the two young girls beside her appeared to be engaged in a whispered conversation. After a few moments, they broke away from Sasha and fluttered over the crowd, using their small wings to reach Selina. One girl was a brunette, while the other was blonde. Selina struggled to suppress her disgust at the revealing outfits they wore and remained silent as the girls landed in front of her. The blonde clung closely to the brunette's side, while the latter placed her hands on her hips. Attempting to appear intimidating, she glared up at Selina and said, "Soooo, you're the Hunter Lady who ran into Elt earlier?"

"That I am," Selina replied, uncertain of the girl's intentions.

The brunette continued to glare at Selina and asked, "When you ran into Elt, how did you feel?"

"...I'm sorry, could you please clarify what you mean?"

"You know, when you held him close, didn't you feel a tingle in your tummy from being near him?"

"...I...still don't understand."

"Come on! There must've been something! Anything when you got close to Elt! He's such a good husband that just being near him makes other girls swoon!"

"...Why would I swoon over someone I just met?"

The brunette sighed and glanced over her shoulder at Sasha. She exclaimed, "You were right, Sister Sasha! She really needs help! I say we let her in!"

Sasha giggled, "You've always had good judgment, Lisia. Why don't you and Emiyu take everyone to go play while I speak with our guest?"

"Okay!" the now-named Lisia exclaimed as she took Emiyu's hand, and the two soared back to the group of children. Lisia raised her hands into the air and declared, "Come on, everyone! Last one who gets to the statue at the back of the building is a rotten egg!"

Lisia immediately took off, with Emiyu following closely behind. The children cheered and chased the two girls around the corner. Selina walked over to Sasha's side, her eyes still on the children as they disappeared around the side of the building. Sasha's giggling drew Selina's attention to the Maiden, who raised a curious eyebrow and asked, "What's so funny?"

Sasha gave Selina a warm smile and replied, "Oh, nothing. I'm just reminiscing about your reactions when the children started running away from you."

Selina did her best to conceal her surprise and embarrassment behind her bandana and hat. She averted her gaze from Sasha and said, "Ah, you saw that, then?"

"I was on my way to check on the children when I reached the doorway just as someone screamed about the 'Evil Hunter Lady'. It was certainly a surprise: Cynthia Albion, the Hunter who has caught Druella's attention. She who dares to challenge the White Lilim. Someone who can create a vortex that siphons Spirit Energy from the very air itself. Stopped in her tracks by the teasing of children," Sasha chuckled again, stepping aside and waving into the orphanage.

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Selina continued to hide her face as she entered the orphanage. She assessed the building, noting that the interior was as spacious as she had anticipated from her view of the exterior. In front of her was a single hallway wide enough for at least three people to walk side by side. Red satin carpets adorned the floors, extending throughout the entire residence. The walls were painted a deep purple, and lamps containing bright blue objects emitted a light sufficient to illuminate the entire building. The hallway branched at its center, with one corridor leading left, another to the right, and a third extending toward the back. At the far end, Selina spotted a flight of stairs ascending to the upper floor. To the left of the staircase stood a large pair of double doors, which were ajar. Squinting, she discerned that they opened into a church of some kind, where she could see pews and a pulpit at the far end.

The sound of the door closing behind her made her look over her shoulder at Sasha. The other woman had shut the door and was now giving Selina her full attention, "So, what do you require of me, Lady Albion?"

"Cynthia is fine," Selina said as she stepped to the side, "And, I had something for you. It's a...gift from someone else."

"Oh, truly?" Sasha said as she walked up to Selina's side, "I am flattered. May I inquire as to who the giver of this gift is?"

"I feel you will understand once I give it to you. But prior to that, may I ask a question of my own?"

"Of course. Follow me to the church. I will be holding a sermon for the children once they return," Sasha said, walking past Selina, her tail wrapping around her thigh to keep it out of the way.

Selina followed her, maintaining a single step behind as she said, "Those children...they said that I could do...extremely strange things. That I 'steal souls' and 'breathe fire'. Where did they get such absurd ideas?"

Sasha hummed, "I see, so you truly haven't been made aware of the rumors surrounding you yet."

"Rumors?" Selina inquired, being careful not to place her cane down too forcefully. She didn't want to damage the carpet. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, "There are rumors about me?"

"Why, of course! Given your accomplishments, it would be surprising to hear that people weren't making up stories about you," Sasha chuckled, glancing over her shoulder at Selina. Her smile remained as she continued, "And such stories have made their way to the children. They have a particular fondness for the one where you sneak in through windows at night to steal the souls of naughty children."

While Sasha continued to chuckle, Selina struggled to find an appropriate reaction. Sasha was right; rumors about her abilities were to be expected. However, the specific abilities attributed to her in the story were somewhat surprising. Moreover, the fact that she was being used as a means to frighten children into behaving was utterly uncalled for and ridiculous. She certainly wasn't that scary.

...Right?

Deciding to clarify that question later, she refocused her attention on the matter at hand. As she entered the church alongside Sasha, she took a moment to absorb her surroundings. The rugs were black but just as soft as those outside the room. The walls matched the dark carpet, adorned with long banners that hung from the ceiling. The stained glass windows depicted the Fallen God, or at least Selina assumed it was the Fallen God. The portrayal of a naked woman with gray skin and long, spiraling horns was unfamiliar, but she recognized the position and shape of the black wings that spread out from behind her. Selina observed a total of six windows, each showcasing one of three distinct images. The first depicted the Fallen God soaring above a group of people with their heads bowed, shrouded in gray clouds that hung over their heads. The second illustrated the Fallen God embracing individuals engaged in various stages of intercourse. And the final image portrayed the Fallen God flying above a group of people who were now praising her, their arms raised and bodies covered in a white substance.

From her vantage point, Selina noticed that there were fewer pews than she had anticipated. She could only count ten, each large enough to accommodate ten children or five adults. The pews were constructed from a type of wood she couldn't identify, all a deep brown that barely contrasted with the black carpet. Raising an eyebrow, Selina inquired, "May I ask why you seem to favor the color black for your church room? I see no issue, but I feel it could make the atmosphere feel...oppressive."

Sasha stopped near the edge of the pulpit and turned to address Selina, "Why, Cynthia, that is because the color makes white stand out the most."

Selina felt increasingly confused, "I see no white in this room, except for my gloves."

"Not right now, no. But that will change once the sermon begins. Then, we'll have some of the boys around who can show you what it's all about."

Selina was about to ask what she meant but then hesitated. She recalled the couple she had seen on her way to the orphanage—the couple walking down the street. The Mamono had worn dark clothing and was covered in a white substance. The Mamono surrounding her had cheered, and she remembered noticing something white dripping from between the man's legs. She glanced at one of the windows and scrutinized the last image—the one depicting people whose dark bodies were also splattered with white. If the images were intended to tell a story, and the second image was of people engaged in intercourse, then that could only imply...

Selina suddenly felt her stomach churn for several reasons, though two stood out the most. First was the thought of how many times this church had been used for..."those" purposes. While it was clear that the place had been cleaned with diligent care, that did little to ease her discomfort. The idea that she was walking on carpet that had, at one point, been stained with seminal fluids made her want to set fire to her own feet. However, the second possibility was what truly disgusted her: the notion that the children of this orphanage had not only witnessed or heard such activities happening within the church, but that they were encouraged to participate in them.

Her attempts to conceal her emotions were only partially successful, as Sasha took note of her reaction but for the wrong reasons. The nun put her hands together, her smile widening, "I just had a wonderful idea, Cynthia! How would you feel about joining our sermon today? Perhaps seeing you engaging with the sermon might help them warm up to you. And it'll give you the opportunity to learn more about our culture and faith. Would you like that?"

Swallowing her bile, Selina reached into the pocket where she had kept the bracelet. She concealed her expression behind her hat and bandana as she said, "That...won't be necessary. I will leave you to it. But first, let me explain my reason for coming here. Please, take this."

She took the bracelet out and held it out to Sasha. The silver jewelry stood out like a beacon against the dark colors of the church. Selina swore she could see it faintly glowing. Sasha's eyebrows rose as she examined the bracelet, but her expression quickly transformed into a small, understanding smile. She gently took the item from Selina and held it up to the light, "Oh, how lovely! This is a wonderful piece of jewelry. The craftsmanship is exquisite. If I didn't know any better, I'd say the person who asked you to bring this to me was proposing. Though, I think I understand what you meant. I believe I know who gave this to you and why. You expect me to put this on, correct?"

Selina nodded while keeping her eyes on Sasha Fullmoon. The Dark Priest took a few more moments to examine the bracelet. Humming softly, she carefully placed the bracelet onto her left wrist. The moment the bracelet was properly secured, it flashed with a brilliant white light. Selina had to blink to clear her vision and saw Sasha standing still, her eyes wide open. The Mamono was completely silent and motionless; the only indication of her life was the subtle blinking of her eyes. Selina remained quiet, waiting for Sasha and the Chief God to say whatever they needed to say. She wasn't sure how long she stood there, but it couldn't have been more than three minutes. Then, Sasha straightened up, and her body suddenly regained its range of motion. She gazed at the bracelet with a smile on her face and said, "Ah, I see. Thank you for that, Cynthia."

"What for?" Selina asked, puzzled by Sasha's praise, "What happened?"

"I spoke to her. The Chief God. My former patron," Sasha said, tilting her left wrist back and forth as she gazed at the bracelet, "We had a short conversation. One that revealed quite a few things to me. While reaffirming others."

Selina felt a knot form in her stomach. Lowering her head, she slowly began to remove the glove from her right hand, "Is that so? What did you discuss?"

Sasha shrugged, "Nothing much. She said that she had been trying to contact me even before my transformation. But the blessed Fallen God had been blocking her messages. Something that has been happening with many followers of the Chief God. And that she never cut me off from talking to her when I was human. Those things were surprising, but I can't say it isn't a good thing. By doing this the Fallen God helped me fully embrace my love for Elt. So, in that way, she did me a favor. Of course, the main thing that cemented my thoughts on that were when I asked the Chief God the question I had before the day I was cut off."

"And that question was?" Sasha didn't seem to notice the hint of malice in Selina's voice, nor did she recognize that Selina had closed the distance between them.

"If the Chief God loved the Mamono. And, if she did, why did we have to fight them? Last time, she didn't answer me. This time, she did: no. She does not love the Mamono," Sasha shook her head and sighed, "Which was to be expected. But it's still disappointing. It shows that she doesn't understand how wonderful it is to be a Mamono and that we all simply wish for coexistence with humanity. Perhaps if she understood that, then maybe she wouldn't have lost Lesca—"

Sasha never finished her speech.

Because before she could, Selina launched her right fist into the center of Sasha's face.

The cracking of bones and cartilage in Sasha's nose echoed through the room. Selina stepped into her punch, putting as much strength behind it as she dared. Pain shot through Sasha's body as she was suddenly launched off her feet and into the pulpit behind her. She landed halfway on and off the platform, her legs dangling over the edge while her upper body lay sprawled across the top. A gasp turned into a groan of pain as she instinctively reached up to grasp her nose. She winced as she touched the already swollen area, soon feeling warm blood trickle from her nostrils onto her lips. Before she could utter a word, Selina stepped forward and seized her by the collar. Sasha yelped as Selina dragged her up to meet her gaze. In that moment, Sasha felt her blood run cold as she got a clear glimpse of Selina.

Her hat had fallen off at some point, allowing her red hair to cascade freely around her shoulders. It appeared to float around her head, swirling like a raging fire. Her dark eyes blazed with an intensity that made Sasha wince as she gazed into them. Her bandana had been pulled down, revealing her white teeth grinding against one another.

"You damn fool!" Selina shouted, raising her fist and striking Sasha in the face once more. She maintained a firm grip on the woman's collar, preventing her from escaping as the blow landed. Selina yanked Sasha back up, the latte'rs expression one of panic and utter shock as blood streamed down her nose. Selina continued to berate Sasha, "Do you even hear yourself?! Can you not see what you are currently presiding over?! Is your mind so corrupted that even when it is revealed you have been deceived, you can only continue to make excuses for why it is all justified?!"

"Wh-What are you-"

"Look!" Selina interrupted, lifting Sasha with one hand while gesturing toward the church with the other. "Look at what you are doing! You have transformed a sanctuary for children without parents or a home into a den of depravity! In this church, where children should gather for worship, you instead host your own hedonistic orgies! But perhaps the greatest horror of all is that you have the children watch and engage in such behaviors! You commit these acts and have the audacity to claim that it is a wonderful thing?!"

Sasha coughed to clear her congested throat and nose, managing to draw enough air into her lungs to speak, "B-But it is. Before the Mamono, their lives were much worse. I could hardly keep the orphanage open and running."

"Oh, yes. That completely justifies everything. Because it's so much better to teach and show children how to be sexual deviants!" Selina pulled Sasha down to look her in the eyes, "Though I understand what you are trying to say, that does not excuse your actions. You have obtained the safe haven for the children you desired. They now have the security that you lacked in the past. Given all of this, why are you introducing them to these things?! Why do you hold 'sermons' where men and boys pleasure themselves in front of young girls, and vice versa?!"

A loud tearing sound echoed as the collar of Sasha's habit tore away. Selina had gripped it so tightly that the fabric tore apart. Sasha fell to the ground, her bare breasts bouncing as she landed. Instead of covering herself, she glared up at Selina with fierce determination in her eyes, "It is not hedonism! I am teaching them how to express and receive their destined one's love! So that when they grow up, they won't keep their feelings for each other locked away! They will be able to show the world their love without fear of reprisal!"

"Do you even hear yourself?!" Selina yelled, throwing the piece of Sasha's clothing away as she glared down at the Dark Priest, "You are trying to justify having children engage in sexual activities with one another! How can you utter such a thing and believe it is just?! Is this the version of Lescatie that you and Druella wish for?! A city where children are expected to become sex-obsessed monsters?!"

"They will not be obsessed!" Sasha exclaimed as she rose to her feet, "And we wish for the same kind of world for our children as anyone else! A world where they can freely enjoy themselves and love whomever they choose. A world where they are safe and protected from the harsh realities of life until they are ready to learn about it, and can face it with a open heart and mind."

"Then why is the Sabbath allowed here?! Why is the organization that advocates for little girls to be transformed into Mamono and engage in intercourse with grown men allowed to be here?! And why are you facilitating their recruitment of as many new followers as they want?!" Selina challenged, pointing an accusatory finger at Sasha.

Sasha bit her lip and said, "The Sabbath is not solely composed of actual young girls. Many of its members are adult women who have either consumed a youth potion or undergone the Ritual of Lolification."

"But that is not the entirety of the Sabbath, is it?" Selina retorted, daring Sasha to say she was wrong. Sasha remained silent, yet she did not avert her gaze from Selina. That was all Selina needed. She threw her arms in the air once more, "That's what I thought. You may claim that your intention is to protect and defend children. But the reality is that the one thing they should be shielded from until they are ready is being presented to them and glorified as if being sexually active when you are not even eleven years old is something to aspire to! So, I ask you: why are you teaching them these things?!"

"I am teaching them how to love one another, which is the very essence of every tenet of the Fallen God."

Selina shook her head, "No. Love and sex are two different things. You can love someone without wanting to share a bed with them, just as you can wish to sleep with someone without truly loving them. It would be one thing if you wished to teach them the difference between the two, but you are not. Instead, you are teaching them to revel in hedonism and little else."

Sasha stepped forward and exclaimed, "How can you be so sure about that?! You haven't even seen my sermon! Perhaps if you took the time to understand what we do, you might change your mind!"

"I don't need to see it when it's right there on your windows!" Selina exclaimed, pointing at the images on the stained glass windows, "I don't need to see it when I fully understand what you mean when you say 'To show love'. I don't need to see it when there are Mamono walking down the street, covered from head to toe in sexual fluids, and praised as if they have accomplished a great deed!"

Selina backed away from Sasha, keeping her eyes fixed on the Dark Priest. She idly noticed that Sasha's nose had returned to its normal shape. Blood still seeped from her nostrils, but it appeared that the bones had reset themselves. Attributing this to Mamono magic, Selina continued, "As for your 'Fallen God'? I've spoken to her. While I may not completely trust the Chief God, my experience with the former makes me more inclined to believe the latter! Your previous deity has informed you that your new one was blocking your prayers to her, has been deceiving you, and is likely connected to your eventual downfall. How can you still defend her?!"

Sasha's body trembled as she clenched her fists. Her voice was firm as she responded to Selina, "You don't understand. How could you? You weren't here before Druella arrived. You didn't see how the nobles oppressed the citizens. How we struggled to survive day by day. How they kept trying to force me to come back to the front lines. How I couldn't be with...with the one I truly loved."

She turned her back on Selina and lifted her arms toward the pulpit. She seemed to relax, as if drawing strength from this sacred place of worship. Her voice grew stronger as she continued, "The Chief God had abandoned us. She did nothing while the Council and Noscrim made our people's lives miserable. We Heroes were sent out to kill innocent Mamono who simply wished to live their lives with those they loved. The Fallen God and Druella are nothing like her. They have transformed this place into a paradise: the Fallen by giving us the faith we needed to love again, and Druella by liberating us from the tyrants who ruled over us."

Sasha fell silent and smiled to herself. She had anticipated something like this. While Cynthia was polite, she had not concealed her disagreement with the way things were in Lescatie. However, like everyone else like her, Sasha was certain that Cynthia's views stemmed from a lack of understanding of the joys of being a Mamono—just as she once had. She had once believed that the Mamono were mere beasts devoid of any sentience. But she had come to see the truth. She had witnessed the Mamono fleeing from her, fear evident in their eyes. She remembered how they held hands, desperately trying to escape from her blood-soaked grasp. She recalled how they had built thriving communities before the crusading forces of the Order arrived to raze them to the ground. Witnessing such cruelty had prompted her to question the Chief God and the teachings she had received. With that questioning came her eventual liberation. All she had ever desired was granted to her by the Mamono. She knew that Cynthia would understand if only she could—

Sasha's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching her. She whirled around and came face to face with the blazing eyes of the Huntress. The Huntress' teeth were grinding together, and her fists were clenched so tightly that Sasha could see them shaking. Selina's lips curled into a false, angry smile as she said, "Oh, yes. Because I haven't experienced the same things you have, any and all criticisms I may have should be disregarded."

Selina's false smile vanished as quickly as it had come, "One need not walk a mile in someone else's shoes to know that what they are doing is wrong! The notion that one is exempt from all judgments, whether good or bad, solely due to ignorance is preposterous!"

Selina took a step forward, causing Sasha to instinctively step back. Although she wasn't frightened, something about the Huntress's demeanor unsettled her. She focused intently on Selina, gripping the edge of the pulpit with her left hand. Selina continued, her glare fixed on Sasha, "Sasha, I will repeat this as many times as necessary for the sheer fact that this occurs and is celebrated as a positive thing should be enough to demonstrate how dreadful it truly is. You are presiding over a place where children are taught to be hedonists! If you cannot comprehend why this is an extremely horrible thing, you need to step away from all of this and take a long, hard look at yourself!"

Sasha remained silent, meeting Selina's glare with one of her own. Seeing this, Selina threw her hands up in exasperation, "But fine! Let's stop talking about that! Instead, let's address some of the other things you've mentioned, such as your claim that Druella is a liberator. Tell me, Sasha, you must be aware of the food shortages that occurred prior to Druella's arrival, correct?"

Sasha stood a bit taller and nodded, "Yes, I am. Food was becoming scarce, and the nobles began hoarding it all for themselves. We were forced to subsist on the game that Primera hunted for us or the supplies donated by Elt and others. Even then, we still had to ration our provisions; otherwise, some would have gone hungry. Thankfully, Lady Druella took charge, and now all the children can look forward to full bellies every day."

"Hmm," Selina nodded her head, "Alright. Tell me, why did the food shortages begin? Surely a city as large as Lescatie would be able to provide for all its inhabitants."

Sasha frowned and shook her head, "While Lescatie did have some farms outside its walls, it primarily relied on trade with the Order and other centers of civilization for its food supply. I can only imagine that something terrible happened to the caravans bringing in the food. Or, more likely, they were being held in check by the nobles so they could hoard it all."

"Or Druella did it."

Sasha blinked. Then she looked at Selina and immediately denied it, saying, "Impossible. Druella wouldn't do that—"

"You used to be a Hero and you knew Elt. You spent time with him, and you likely met Wilmarina on occasion. Did they ever mention the roving bands of Mamono near Lescatie?"

"Well... yes. Occasionally, there would be reports of Mamono gathering in areas where they shouldn't have been. But those were merely scouting parties sent by the Lady Lilim to observe Lescatie and identify the right moment to help us."

"Of course, but you must know that the caravans could not have been attacked by bandits or highwaymen. Such groups would have been located and dealt with by the Mamono, correct?"

"Y-Yes bu-"

"And there would be no reason for Order adherents to stop the caravans. Not unless they wished to incur the wrath of the primary force of law in the land upon their heads."

"Th-The caravans could've simply gotten lost or otherwise!"

"Perhaps...but then they would have arrived at the city just a bit later than usual. This leaves only one possibility: the Mamono attacked them. Mamono typically do not assault human caravans in groups...unless they are being led and incited by someone else—someone who stands to gain a significant advantage over the city if its inhabitants are hungry and yearning for a savior."

Selina held Sasha's gaze, neither woman flinching away from the other. Both understood precisely what Selina was implying with her words: that Druella had been the one to halt the caravans, meaning she was at least partially responsible for Lescatie's troubles before her invasion. And was also partially responsible for Sasha's children not having enough food during that time.

In the end, it was Sasha who turned away from Selina, "I believe you have overstayed your welcome, Lady Albion. Leave. Please."

Selina frowned but backed away from Sasha, "So be it, Sasha Fullmoon. But, before I go, I would like to offer you some guidance. First, call upon the Goddess of War and the Fallen God. If anyone knows the truth, it would be them. The former, as her domain encompasses all aspects of war, and the latter, because she must have been watching this city—and you—for quite some time. Neither would have any reason to deceive you. After all, one is neutral, and the other is your patron."

Sasha had already turned her back on Selina, but the Huntress continued regardless, "And second, if you have a moment, please speak with Koga and Matilda. Both of them were once Mamono, just as you were once human. Before you fully embrace the notion that being a Mamono is the gift you claim it to be, perhaps you should consider the perspectives of those who were, at one time, Mamono."

Selina bowed briefly to Sasha before turning to leave the church. The soft thumping of her feet and cane on the carpet gradually faded until she had exited the room. The moment she was gone, Sasha fell to her knees, breathing heavily. Sweat dripped from her brow as her heart raced in her chest. She lifted her trembling hands and clasped them together in front of her. Her mind swayed as she recited the simple prayers that always calmed her after becoming a Dark Priest.

Yet, this time, no matter how fervently she prayed, the uncertainty in her heart refused to dissipate.