“Saint Sorin!”

The Saintess’ bright voice called out to him, she has the same childish smile that Sorin was used to seeing. Her light brown hair reached only below her ears, a white veil perched on top of her head.

Her hair was longer in the future, it allowed her to show a much more ‘saintess-like’ appearance she said to Sorin once.

Her eyes were a deep blue, she came from a noble lineage in the northern territory of the empire.

The only daughter of Count Whitley; Saintess Ophelia Maren Whitley.

“Saintess Ophelia.” he returned the greeting with a well-mannered smile, bowing his head to the girl. Ophelia was the same as he remembered her, childish and innocent. An air of naivety constantly surrounded her.

Ophelia laughed cheerily “I’m so glad we got to meet today, Saint Sorin.”

“It’s been a while, I heard you were quite busy these days.”

Behind Ophelia were her aides, most of whom were brought from their territory while the others were younger members of the temple. She was the only daughter of a Count, it was common for them to always have servants.

Still, he despised why some newer members of the temple were reduced to becoming attendants. The temple always talked about equality but of course, there was a hierarchy between everyone.

“Yes, there’s been a lot of things going on.” she gave him a sheepish chuckle.

Sorin hid his disdain with a smile “Elder Alistair told me that the Archmage will be visiting today.”

“Oh! I’m on my way to see her, would you like to come with me?” her eyes lit up as she asked.

Sorin nodded and offered his hand to Ophelia “I would be honored to accompany you, Saintess.” his tone was filled with fake warmth and courtesy.

Ophelia’s naive and sheltered personality was her downfall. Sorin still felt a semblance of pity for her.

He knew her well, Ophelia was devoid of any genuine talent despite her title. Her only purpose was to be the temple’s perfectly crafted image of a saintess. A means to manipulate the masses.

In the future, her behavior did not change. She remained the same shielded saintess who saw herself in higher regard.

In some ways, they were the same. Both were manipulated and deceived by the empire. But Sorin had now chosen a different path from her.

They found the Archmage waiting outside the meeting chamber, behind her were scholars and other mages. The shock was evident on their face when they spotted the two Saints.

“Your Holiness.” They greeted.

The Archmage, Neve Edurne, was known to be a beauty. With white hair that cascaded down her back, reminiscent of fallen snow, and pale silver eyes that radiated her strength.

Her gaze lingered on Sorin for a moment. Her gloved hands gripped the hem of her light blue dress in unease.

Ah, she saw something.

“My apologies, Your Holiness. We didn’t expect that both of you would be here.” Neve said in a calm voice, perfectly masking her emotions.

“I should be the one apologizing for my unannounced presence.” Sorin bowed his head “I escorted the Saintess here. Don’t worry, I won’t be attending the blessing.”

“It would be disrespectful to interfere with Saintess Ophelia’s duties.” He continued politely.

“Saint! Don’t be like that.” Ophelia gasped beside him.

The Archmage’s expression shifted slightly, her eyebrow twitching at Sorin’s words “Then, let us proceed with the meeting.” she gestured to the grand doors that lead to the chamber.

“Oh, before that. Could I request a minute of your time after the meeting?” Sorin asked in a formal tone.

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He knew that the Archmage couldn’t reject him in front of everyone as it would be deemed ill-mannered. He watched in curiosity as Neve bit her lips before responding, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.

“Certainly, Your Holiness.”

The other mages and scholars were already entering the chamber. Ophelia placed a hand on his shoulder “Thank you, Saint Sorin.” she smiled before proceeding inside.

Neve’s gaze was fixated on him, a troubled expression on her face.

Sorin knew that someone of her caliber would see behind the cracks of his facade. It was interesting, he expected this much from her.

With a smile, he placed a finger on his lips “Shhh...”

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The Infernal Banquet, otherwise known as The Great Cataclysm.

An event that will happen four years from now, when demons become more rampant after the gates of hell had become permanently open.

It resulted in an unending war.

Despite Neve Adurne’s status as the Archmage, her life was filled with misfortune and torment. She was forced into her position due to her inhuman mana and intelligence, forever bound to the mage’s tower.

There was not much difference between her demeanor now and in the future.

Still the same stone-faced woman.

Her situation now was hard, in the future it became even harder. Being the Archmage she was forced to be on the frontlines of the war during the Cataclysm.

On her shoulders were the lives of thousands.

Neve has become Sorin’s acquaintance even if it was for a short while.

‘I’ll save the people of this empire, the frontlines are where I belong. I don’t want to be holed up in the mage’s tower.’ She used to say to him.

But Neve was just human, she wasn’t perfect. She failed to protect the city she was stationed in... resulting in a catastrophe of deaths.

Before Sorin could come to her, she had taken her own life. An unfitting and cruel way to die for someone like her.

“Your Holiness.” She greeted him as she entered his office.

“I’m glad to see you, Archmage.” he smiled at her as he took a sip of his tea “Please make yourself comfortable.” he gestured to the seat facing him.

Neve’s expression remained stoic as she sat down, still, Sorin could trace fear at the way she gripped the armrest tightly.

“Would you like some tea?”

The white-haired woman narrowed his eyes at him “I won’t be staying long, it’s fine, Your Holiness.”

Sorin chuckled at the way she blatantly refused him “As perceptive as ever, Neve Adurne.” he rested his chin on his hand, leaning closer to her.

“So, what did you see?” he asked in a low whisper.

Neve’s expression faltered, surprise evident in her features. She raised her hands, mana floated through the air—

“Don’t.” His warning cut through the air, sharp and impending.

The Archmage’s display of magic halted as she shakily lowered her hand “You...” she said breathlessly “What are you?”

“What do you mean, Archmage?” Sorin asked words dripping with innocence.

“Don’t play that game, ‘Saint’.” Neve hissed his title with disgust “You reek of demonic magic.”

“Don’t be so angry, Archmage.” he leaned back in his chair with a smirk playing on his lips “I’m honored, you can see through it so quickly.”

“I can see through that facade of yours.”

“Oh, then what am I?”

Neve’s eyebrows twitched at Sorin’s playful tone “A deceitful snake, working with those demons. How long have you been deceiving us?”

Sorin blinked at her accusation ‘What a... wild imagination’ but it’s not that she was wrong. He then let out a snort, hiding his laughter behind his hand.

“This is not a laughing matter, you snake!” Her words trembled with a mix of anger and unease.

“I’m sorry.” Sorin smiled reassuringly at her “Please, I’m here to talk. Can you at least listen to me?” this time, Sorin’s word was gentle and sincere. As his expression turned serious.

Neve’s hesitation was obvious but she slowly nodded her head.

“Thank you for your trust–“

“I don’t trust you.” she cut off.

“If that makes you feel relieved.” Sorin sighed.

“It’s a simple thing, Archmage. I had finally found my true purpose, one that is not forced on me.” he proceeded. His words were calculated as he watched curiosity glint in Neve’s silver eyes as if she was waiting for him to continue.

“I’m free, Archmage.”

His words seem to have struck something inside the mage. Her expression was unreadable “...Is freedom really worth throwing away your humanity?”

“Humanity is fleeting.” he answered nonchalantly “Humans are strange beings, you know.”

Sorin paused for a second, a pained smile forming around his lips. His past memories were unavoidable “Always thinking that we are righteous. That we deserve salvation...”

“If you think about it... isn’t this a befitting punishment for humanity’s sins?”

“That’s blasphemy, Saint,” Neve said blankly.

“Now, now, you don’t even believe in those gods, don’t use it against me.” Sorin drawled. Neve furrowed her brows, seemingly confused at how he found out about her beliefs.

Sorin wanted to offer her the same thing that Lucifer did. It was the most he could do to someone like her.

“Aren’t you tired of it all?” he asked her “Everyone clinging unto you like leeches, yet, they see you as a threat. They worship your power but they look down on you.”

Neve bit her lips, a flash of anger was evident on her face “What are you implying?”

Sorin wondered why she asked a question that she already knew the answer to but he continued “Humans fear what they cannot control.” his smile was wide, filled with venom.

“You are simply a means to an end.”

Neve laughed bitterly at his words, her voice quivering. An acknowledgment of the truth she refused to accept.

“How well do you know me, Saint?” she asked her gaze on Sorin’s eyes now unwavering. He noticed the tears slowly forming in the corner of her eyes.

“W-why do you speak as if you know my burdens?”

This was another reason why Sorin chose her–

Neve Adurne was the future fiance of Kieran Noirwood.

The two of them were both tangled together in a web of deceit and lies, their fates ended in the same cruel way.

A connection built from their blood and desperation.