Sorin returned ten years before his death.

In the past, he let the Eden Empire use him as their puppet for their own salvation. He foolishly believed them and dedicated himself to the people.

Being a Saint was not an easy task. He does not just stay at the temple, Sorin had to go to the battlefields.

When he was younger, Sorin had witnessed the atrocities of the wars between humans, demons, and even other races. He remembered the first time he stepped into the cold grounds of the battlefield,his hands wouldn't stop trembling in fear.

"I wouldn't be their tool any longer." he clicked his tongue in frustration as his fingers crinkled the letter that was delivered to him.

'Save us, Saint.'

'The demons in the northern territories are becoming more rampant'

'Please the Divine Beings call for your help.'

Sorin slammed his hand on his desk, before burning the paper with dark magic.

"Manipulative bastards," he muttered to himself. He saw their thirst for power and greedy ambitions, yet they think they were worthy of salvation.

Those puny humans only wanted to save themselves.

『Such a shame~』

Lucifer's familiar voice echoed in his room, Sorin jumped in surprise when he found the demoness already sitting by the edge of his longue chair. He calmed himself down and gave her a questioning look "Isn't this quite early for you to show yourself?" he asked.

『I couldn't help it, my Saint. I'm bored.』

She said in a whiny drawl, stretching herself on the chair, eyeing Sorin's office with an interested glint in her eyes. The woman wore her typical sheer white dress that glistened under the candlelight.

Despite his initial surprise, Sorin sighed in resignation "Find some other source of entertainment, Lucifer." he said dismissively as he gestured his hands. Still, it was rather comforting to be in her presence.

Lucifer's blood-red lips curled into a pout.

『It's not every day that I see your anger like that. Besides, there's nothing fun to do.』

"I'm glad I could be your source of amusement," Sorin said dryly, a smile twitching on his lips causing Lucifer to chuckle in response.

『Those humans are such disgusting creatures clinging unto you.』

Lucifer stood up from her seat and elegantly walked to Sorin's desk with a smile on her lips. She flipped through the papers that were neatly stacked on his desk.

Sorin's expression immediately switched to fury and a snarl was ripped from his throat "Letting them suffer from those lower demons is not enough for me."

His eyes were filled with frustration and resentment "It won't satiate this... hatred inside of my chest." he seethed. Sorin couldn't understand the inhuman desire in his heart that screamed at him to destroy.

It was too much that it hurts.

Lucifer tilted her head to the side, hair falling neatly on her shoulders "That's because you're too kind, my saint." she advised, resting her chin on her hand.

"You let the empire judge their sins, still bound to your righteousness." she watched as Sorin's expression changed to that of resignation.

He then walked to one of the bookshelves and grabbed something from a compartment. Lucifer raised an eyebrow at him before laughing at the object in his hand.

『Oh, wine? Aren't you not allowed to indulge in sinful things?』

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Sorin rolled his eyes at the woman's words, placing the wine bottle and a single glass on the table "It's allowed in moderation." he informed her in a flat tone.

A playful smirk formed on Lucifer's face as she gracefully poured him a glass of the deep crimson liquid. The intoxicating scent of alcohol filled her senses.

『Why not indulge for now?』

She handed him the glass teasingly before lifting the glass to her lips. She took a sip of the wine before Sorin could.

"A tease." Sorin clicked his tongue.

Lucifer slowly stepped closer to him, her gaze soft–

『How do you truly feel, my Saint?』

Sorin's voice quivered as he answered "I-Is this the empire I believed in? The empire I sacrificed everything for… I've given everything for a cause I no longer believe in."

Sorin gazed up to her, purple eyes filled with turmoil "Tell me, what am I supposed to do?"

『Oh, my dear, for so long all you did was follow the Empire's orders that you can't find any purpose.』

She gestured her hand to gently touch Sorin's cheeks, the saint leaning closer to her.

"I feel like a fool."

『You're simply disillusioned, everything you believed in was crushed in front of your eyes. But from the ashes of those shattered beliefs, you will rise.』

Sorin's gaze didn't waver as Lucifer placed the glass on his lips. He drank the wine offered to him, enjoying the familiar taste of alcohol.

A secret treat that he sometimes enjoyed in the past. He doesn't need to do the same now. Sorin sighed, his anger dulled in his chest.

Lucifer wiped the remaining liquid from his lips with a chuckle. She placed the glass on the desk with a soft 'clink'.

"Such a cruel woman." Sorin's laugh was despite the venom in his words "I have no one else to believe in... except you."

Dark magic reverberated through the air, a thick and sharp sensation but Sorin had found it comforting.

『Didn't I tell you? I'll grant you the freedom you deserve.』

Sorin visibly shivered, his breath hitching at Lucifer's words. The whirlwind of emotions settled inside of him that the world blurs around them. The only thing he could see was Lucifer's golden eyes looking directly at him–

"Then free me. Show me what I could have been."

Lucifer's wicked smile widened as she whispered.

『My Saint, there's nothing else I could ever want for you.』

A burning resolve filled Sorin's veins as he gently took Lucifer's pale hands, his touch on the demon's hands was firm as he revered her. He took the time to contemplate his decision.

His thoughts settled into calmness as he took in the details of Lucifer's hands. The smoothness of her skin, the curve of each knuckle, and the warmth of her palm.

He familiarized it all.

Lucifer laughed breathlessly.

"I pledge my loyalty to you, Lucifer. My soul is yours to command, I am your weapon to wield." he pressed his lips on the back of Lucifer's hand, sealing his fate tighter to the fallen angel.

The catalyst of the brewing war has been chosen.

----------------------------------------

Sorin had to attend to his duties today.

He hasn't been in the temple for quite a long time, the sacred halls felt foreign to him. The smooth marble columns lined the hallways along with stained glass paintings that depict the Gods.

As usual, it was bustling with activities from both priests and temple-goers. Hushed whispers filled the air in his presence but Sorin ignored them. The grand corridors of the temple reminded him of his past experiences as the Saint.

"Your Holiness." A familiar voice called to him.

The high priest greeted him with a smile, his wrinkled face and white hair reflected his age.

"Elder Alistair," Sorin said in acknowledgment. The high priest was the one who took him from the orphanage and he was the one who gave him his surname. A symbol of status in the Empire.

"It's nice to have you back here in the temple." The elder said warmly. Sorin was fond of the old man, he was truly dedicated to serving the Gods. He couldn't resent the elder, it was only unfortunate that he would die a few months from now.

'Should I save his life?' Sorin contemplated but decided to answer that later.

"I believe that there's an influential figure coming to the temple?" he asked the old man.

Elder Alistair let out a hearty laugh "As expected, always focused on your duty." He then pointed to the other corridor of the temple "The Archmage is coming to visit today."

Sorin's eyes widened in interest "Oh?"

"No need to involve yourself, Your Holiness." The old man reassured, "The Saintess already accommodated her."

"Oh," he whispered to himself in disappointment.

The Saintess and Sorin were different in terms of duties. Despite their similar titles, his abilities were above hers. Still, they were both born with the stigmata, so they both have higher divine magic than others.

The Saintess was the poster face of the Eden Empire's temple. The one who attends the mass, and gatherings. She was mostly seen in public events involving the temple, healing the sick, and helping the ones in the slums.

The Saintess was the perfect image of a benevolent empire.

Sorin was the one behind the scene. He was the one who fought against demons, the one who healed the sick and dying on the battlefields.

Before his death, Sorin found the Saintess behind everyone. Only watching with that same pathetic expression on her face. She was a coward, he knew that.

On the surface, the Saintess was a symbol of compassion and kindness. But Sorin had already seen through her facade, she lacked any conviction to bring true change.

"Would you like to see the archmage, Your Holiness?"

A flicker of excitement was evident in Sorin's eyes as he nodded "Yes. I believe that it's time for me to meet her."

Sorin's interest was piqued. The Archmage suffered a regrettable fate in his past life.

If possible, someone as powerful as her could be saved from an unbefitting end.

'Maybe I could.' he mused to himself 'What a turn of events.'

Lucifer was right, it was time to indulge in sin.