The capital city of Raquille stood as a majestic marvel of architecture and grandeur in the world of Gomorrah. Enclosed by towering walls, its spires and cathedrals reached for the sky, adorned with intricate carvings and stained glass windows.

Vibrant markets with traders from Phirc, Philis, and Men's Diaspheres and opulent palaces lined the cobbled streets, while hidden shadows concealed the plight of beastmen slaves.

Amidst the contrast of opulence and suffering, the city's beauty whispered tales of history and naval heroes through its mesmerizing structures and titanic ships.

The sun rose high in the clear blue sky and it cast a warm glow over a young girl being chased by the Autocratic Navy soldiers.

Thalya Kaelanida, a 7-year-old girl equipped with a trusty bow and arrows, found herself being chased by Navy slavers.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she darted through the crowded streets. And her reliable boots twist as she tries to evade her pursuers.

She knew that if caught she would be tortured and forced to with healing until she reveals crucial information about her allies.

Thalya jumped over a barrel and to her surprise clashed in the air with a young boy and his Beastman slave who seemed to be going in the direction of the port.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" Dante exclaimed as the girl landed over him, toppling him and Lil Rig.

"I-I'm sorry, I'm in a hurry," Thalya gasped, looking behind her anxiously.

"Aaaah!" Thalya shouted. She had sprained her ankle from the fall. She was no longer able to run.

Lil Rig growled, sensing danger. His thick fur hardened as a defensive reflex, but his eyes showed kindness and concern.

"Stop her!" the navy soldiers shouted at them. "Insurgent! Stop her in the name of the Supreme Autarch!"

Seeing the fear in Thalya's eyes, Dante's Gift of Discernment determined for him that she was someone good that needed help. He helped her up and put her on Lil Rig's back. The young beastman was so strong, he didn't even feel her weight.

Without hesitation, they brought her across the street through the labyrinthine alleys, expertly navigating the city's hidden passageways to avoid the Navy soldiers.

Thalya remained quiet, but Dante and Lil Rig could sense she was in deep trouble. They had no knowledge of who she was or what she did, but the desperate determination in Thalya's eyes spoke volumes.

So Dante preferred not to use any invocations just in case, to preserve his anonymity in this situation. He remembered that Marvia suggested he use Bilocation to gain more Piety, but there was something different from what he felt when he helped people with his real identity and personal risk.

As they reached the outskirts of the city, Thalya finally caught her breath. She looked at Dante and Lil Rig with gratitude.

"I don't know who you are, but thank you," Thalya said softly, her voice trembling with emotion.

Dante smiled bravely. "You are a member of the Church of the Holy System, yes?"

"How did you know?" Thalya asked.

"I am sure that whoever you are, the Holy System is protecting you. Or else you wouldn't have bumped into us. You're a liberator, aren't you?" Dante asked. He realized this when the Navy soldier called her an insurgent.

"We cannot tell you our names, but we assure you that any liberator of the Church of the Holy System is a friend to us. Personally, I despise slavery and hope to erase it from the world someday."

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Lil Rig grunted, his loyalty unwavering. He nudged Thalya gently with his snout, conveying his reassurance.

Thalya's eyes shone with appreciation and she laughed in celebration of her new allies.

"Erasing slavery from the world, huh?" she noted. She turned toward Lil Rig and bowed saying, "And I apologize, good sir. I mistakenly assumed you were a beastman slave. But now I see you are a free gentleman. I look forward to receiving more help from you."

Dante's innocent humility showed. "It's just what we do. Lil Rig here is a Jagged Equinix of Teih. And he is feared by Teih Rangers and Teih Slavers alike."

Lil Rig realized that Dante had revealed his name to Thalya, so he punched him in the arm.

"Owww! Sorry!" Dante apologized. "I'll be fair, my name is Dante de Monfort. Yours?"

Thalya smiled and replied, "My name is Thalya. I am a Holy Liberator from the Sect of Emancipation. I wish you the Holy System's guidance in your Pilgrimage to erase slavery, my Lord."

A small regret passed through Dante's thoughts, doubting whether it was a good idea to mix himself with such troubles especially when he had just arrived at the nation of Rhiqualon.

"Look for them! We can't let them get away!" voiced the Navy soldiers echoing from the distant alleys.

The three of them kept on running to gain more distance from their pursuers.

As the sun neared its full dive into the Supreme sea's horizon, Dante realized there was little time left to meet with Ravka and say his farewell.

The dilemma tugged at his heart. To meet Ravka Grimshaw one last time before she leaves or to help Thalya escape to safety.

However, the encounter with Thalya stirred something inside him. Her determination to liberate slaves and her selflessness in the face of danger resonated deeply with him or at least made him think that this was an opportunity he could not refuse.

He looked at her beautiful face and seemed to remind him of a distant memory or a friend from a long time ago. But nonetheless, he felt a deep connection with Thalya that was unexplainable to him.

But as he looked at Thalya, her eyes reflecting the burdens she carried, he couldn't ignore the call to help her. And now, fate had brought him face to face with a real opportunity to make a real difference. And one that he would actually remember.

Dante turned to Lil Rig, seeking approval from his brave companion. The Jagged Equinix Beastman met his gaze, his eyes filled with excitement and a passion for glory.

At that moment, Dante made his decision. With resolve in his young heart, he turned back to Thalya and said, "You can't go alone. Will you let us help you get to safety?"

Lil Rig grunted approvingly, his body language echoing his agreement with Dante's choice.

Thalya looked surprised and grateful. She didn't have to say a word, but her eyes conveyed her heartfelt thanks. "Brave supporters of the liberation of slaves will always be welcome. Welcome to the resistance!"

"So do you have a plan in mind?" Thalya asked.

Dante leaned on Lil Rig's shoulder, comfortably finding a good position to think up a plan.

"Well, there is a way. But it will take some time. By now, the Autocratic Navy must have blocked the gates to the outside of the city. And soon they will scry the whole city at curfew. Many of the Autocratic Navy are members of the Religion of Metaforgism. Unless we have Vein Incantations to protect us from detection, we will soon be found and overwhelmed."

Thalya then added, "I'm supposed to be a fast runner. But because of my injury, I'm not sure I can help with that. But I know many Invocations that we can use in your plan."

Dante hesitated to use Healing Light on Thalya. If there was one thing he knew, the Metaforgists are capable of many things. And tracking the user of remnants of an invocation is easy for them. This is why crime in Rhiqualon is one of the lowest in the world.

"If you tell me about your Invocations, I will help you leave the city safely. But that's it. After that, we can no longer help you."

"That much is expected, my Lord." Thalya bowed with understanding. "I will show you my Scriptures. As you have already proven your trust to me. Because you revealing your names, would have exposed you greatly already if I was an enemy."

Dante bit his lip in embarrassment. "That's fair."

Thalya pulled a scroll from her left arm. It was her Scripture.

She then showed it's contents to Dante and Lil Rig.

[Scriptures of the Holy Paladin]

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Name: Thalya Kaelanida

Descendancy: Phirkaphonic Marialian of the Sect of Emancipation

Class: Holy Liberator of Unity

Piety: Beloved

Esteem: Decent

Tithing: Contributor

Thaumaturgy: Church of the Holy System

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[Charism: Gift of Mercy ]

[Blessings: Heavenly Swiftness - Provides a permanent increase to movement speed.

Angelic Grace - Improves agility, balance, and reflexes. ]

[Invocations: Silent Gateway, Benevolent Portal, Movement Tracker, Quickdraw Escape, Whispering Winds, Movement Echo, Stealthy Phasing, Movement Insight]

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[Reliquary: Pilgrim's Serenity Stone]

[Authority: Authority of a Liberator]

[Affiliations: Divine Covenant of Phirkaphon, Sect of Emancipation ]

[Covenant: Covenant of a Liberator, Covenant of Ancestral Wishes]

[Trials: Trial of Shadows ]

She had earned Dante's trust even more, and he excitedly announced to all of them like a French revolutionist, "Alright! Time to do some liberating!"