In the dimly lit alley of the South East Port Market, Dante's frustration boiled over as he pounded his tiny hands against the rough stone brick wall. The air was tense, charged with betrayal, as he confronted Ravka, the 10-year-old Child Genius.

"You knew all this time!" Dante's voice reverberated off the walls.

Ravka, unfazed, simply shrugged her shoulders. "Pretty much," she replied, her youthful face displaying an air of wisdom beyond her years. "Child Geniuses like me can see through liars pretty easily. I don't need a Charism to tell me that someone smells fishy."

Dante's heart pounded in his chest, the weight of Sir Lysander's secrets causing him to crumple his shirt in his grip.

"Sir Lysander isn't going anywhere. His mission is-" Ravka pointed directly at Dante. "You."

Turning to her, Dante desperately sought the truth amidst the maze of deception.

But the young Holy Archivist crossed her arms, her gaze unwavering, silently urging him to understand. After all, he had proven himself by defeating a fearsome Jagged Alpha. Surely, he could grasp a simple truth like this.

"You- Holyfolk are scum," Dante murmured, his forehead pressed against the brick wall in frustration.

"Yes. I am scum. They are scum. You- are scum. We are all scum in this beautiful world of ours. Tsk!" Ravka hissed, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Maybe I expected too much from you. Maybe defeating Rigathon one on one was just a fluke, and you just abused the advantage that the Blessing of Silent Prayer gave you?"

In an act of frustration, Dante flung the sheathed Radiant Blade of Zylthar to the ground at Ravka's feet.

Ravka sighed deeply, her disappointment giving way to something akin to empathy.

"You and me, know it doesn't work like that. If I could take a Class 2 Relic just like that off your hands, you would be long dead by now," Ravka explained, her words hinting at a deeper bond between them.

Dante's forehead met the wall once more, a blend of anger and confusion gnawing at him. "That Holy Fucking Knight!"

With determination in his eyes, he turned to Ravka. "Tell me everything about him and what he wants from me. Then I'll do everything you want."

A sly smile tugged at the corners of Ravka's lips as she whistled, signaling her shadowy companion to step forward.

A cloaked figure leaped from the roof, landing gracefully in front of them. He knelt before the Holy Archivist, referred to as Toad.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Good work on provoking those Neighshroud Beastmen earlier, Toad," Ravka commended, her focus now on the next phase of their plan.

Dante's confusion grew as he inquired about the Church of the Holy System, hoping to understand the depths of this treachery.

"If you haven't realized it until now, then maybe you aren't cut out for this," Ravka cryptically responded, gesturing towards a darker path ahead.

She spread her arms as a gesture of welcoming Dante into a world he hadn't fathomed.

"The Church of the Holy System is the most corrupt and cutthroat organization in the world!"

The revelation left Dante staggered, unable to believe the web of deceit he found himself entangled in.

"But- What about the genuine believers? Aren't they the only ones who have access to the Holy System's special invocations and abilities?" he questioned, still holding onto the hope that some good remained in the world.

Ravka bowed her head, her expression seemingly conflicted. Dante couldn't quite comprehend her intentions.

She looked up at him, her eyes now filled with kindness and sorrow, as if struggling to break free from a sinister grip.

"Dante... I'm sorry..." Her embrace sought forgiveness, and Dante couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the burden she bore.

"They forced me to lie to you... Dante... Those evil demons... They are what's wrong with the world." Tears welled up in her eyes as she pleaded for understanding.

Dante's heart wavered, considering the possibility of misunderstanding, but suddenly, a revelation hit him, and his eyes widened in shock.

"Will you please forgive me, Dante?" she asked with a devious grin.

Dante, now resolved, pushed her away, his eyes filled with anger and disgust.

"You're wrong! Marvia and Conrad aren't like that. They are true believers of the faith. I know this from the bottom of my heart! I may be scum, but not them!"

Ravka's curiosity piqued as she poised her finger on her lips.

"Then tell me, Dante. Why did you abandon Trela? Captain Danka told you something sweet, didn't he? If your mother is such a true believer, then why did she lie to you about your half-sister?"

"NO!" Dante screamed at the top of his lungs. "How do you know this!"

Ravka motioned towards Toad, the master of intelligence gathering, whose skills had brought them to this moment.

The darkness Dante struggled with threatened to consume him again, but Ravka slapped him across the face.

Slap!

"Enough being pushed around by the world, little Dante!"

She slapped him again, but this time, he offered no retaliation, his spirit conflicted and lost.

"The world is full of evil people! So what? The world is fucked up and will take from you every chance it gets! So what?"

Dante gazed down, his hope slipping through his fingers like sand.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Fight for Dante. Fight for what you want! And never apologize for it!"

A flicker of determination lit up Dante's eyes, and he agreed with Ravka, realizing that this was his second chance, an opportunity to never be deceived again.

"Alright," Dante answered with fierce resolve.

Ravka smiled, acknowledging his decision. "Good. You keep the Radiant Blade for now. You're going to need it. There is something you need to know about Sir Lysander."

Ravka then realized something, covered her hand and smiled.

"I just realized something just now. You said Marvia and Conrad, right?" Ravka curiously asked. "You don't mean, Conrad de Monfort? And Marvia the Archangel Uriel's Ward?"

The surprise in his eyes revealed to her that she had stumbled upon a hidden truth.

"I see," she said, "Toad?"

Ravka's shadowy companion reached for his pockets, causing Dante to flinch, but Ravka stopped him.

"It's fine-" she said, taking hold of his hand.

Toad retrieved a piece of cloth, its expensive embroidery displaying a Holy Empire's Heraldry.

"That's-" Dante exclaimed.

"Toad found this from Sir Lysander's belongings. You are right. It's the Coat of Arms of the Royal Family of the Faithful Realms of Mensor."

The Faithful Realms of Mensor, once one of the 5 Holy Empires who are now reduced to rebel movements in hiding.

Dante's hands tugged at his hair as he grasped the gravity of the situation.

"So, Sir Lysander is here to sabotage my ascendance to the throne? Is that why he's been helping me escape? And he has been keeping me alive so that the Celestrian Birthright remains with me and not transfer to another eligible heir?"

"Ding! Ding! Ding! You hit the jackpot, Dante!"

Dante covered his mouth, his mind racing with newfound understanding. But this time, there was no shock. Instead, he looked up at Ravka with unwavering resolve. And with a smug smile on his face, he says, "Let's go kill that immortal, son of a bitch!"