-------Holy City of Solis---------

Davim looked at the incredible sight before him and sighed in wonder. There sat the Holy City of Solis suspended in a beam of light. A sight most said was the most incredible in the entire world. The floating city had nine massive towers poking out from the floating city each flying the colors of their respective Pillar and the Church. It was a grand image one Davim had always hoped to see one day and was glad he was finally able to even with the current circumstances. Davim tried soaking in the moment forever but as always a voice broke apart his peaceful thoughts.

"Davi is that the Holy City?" The sweet young voice couldn't belong to a more horrible individual. But after dealing with Bastian every day for the last few months Davim couldn't really bring himself to care.

"Yes Fluma," Davim exhaled, leading to the young girl who'd changed her form to look around the age of fourteen, after a stray comment from Bastian about their apparent masters current age.

Not that Davim allowed himself to comprehend what that meant. He'd long ago decided to never think about Bastian and Fluma's backgrounds to avoid unnecessary trouble. To accomplish that goal Davim had successfully managed to train his mind to completely filter out whenever one of the two began to ramble about their Creator or Master as if talking about a deity. It had been challenging at first, but as Davim found you can only be terrified and shocked so many times in one lifetime. And as of a few months ago after watching Bastian take over one of the Church's secluded mountain temples by using illusions powered by the darkness element to convince every Priest there he was an agent of the Radiance sent to act as the temple's new Archbishop, Davim had officially become desensitized to his companion's insanity.

Bastian was still around the Holy Shrine spending his days brainwashing priests and turning them into his unknowing agents who would then circulate back into the Church's ranks. At this rate Davim would probably find himself besieging the Holy Land under Bastian's orders within a couple years.

For now though, Davim, Fluma, Diana, and Roselia had been sent to infiltrate the Holy City of Solis itself. Davim barely acknowledged the success chance of the mission. Sneaking into the Church's capitol, a flying city home to some of the most powerful people in the world with a Church defector, a murderous maniac, and a pirate princess at his side. How hard could it be?

Davim slammed his palm into his forehead, an action which brought a chuckle out of two of companions who had grown used to the sight.

As for Davim, who was still chastising himself for tempting fate with such a provocative thought, he glanced to the side at the smiling and laughing Rosellia and noted she, like him, seemed to have also fully broken.

Davim remembered meeting Rosellia back in the Western Isles. She had been even worse than he was, always shaking with visible terror and even fainting whenever Fluma looked at her. Nowadays the former Invoker's mind had broken so much she was even able to joke with Fluma. The same monster who had killed her entire team all those years ago.

As for Davim's third companion, Princess Diana, she'd reacted differently than both Davim or Rosellia had to "Bastian and Fluma Exposure" or BFE as Davim liked to call it.

Turning his head to glance behind, he found the aforementioned Pirate Princess wearing a heavy black hood covering her face. Even without seeing her face Davim knew what it currently looked like. A horribly scarred face with a forever deadpan expression and eyes beholding nothing but emptiness.

As much as Davim liked to give in to self-pity, he knew that compared to what Diana had gone through his hardships were a walk in the park. She had lost her entire fleet in a moment to Fluma. Afterward, she had been captured by the Kiolites whom she begged for death. But even that small mercy was denied for Diana when she found herself "rescued" by Bastian who tortured her for information on Fluma. Finally after being torn to pieces some part of Bastian's twisted mind decided she would be a great follower so he began training her as his personal aide. A function she had performed for the last three years.

Davim couldn't help himself as a shiver rose up his spine. It seemed he wasn't completely desensitized yet after all.

Bringing his mind back to the task at hand Davim advanced with his party towards the floating city.

Sparing a thought about his daughter in the face of such a stirring sight. Davim hoped she was enjoying her time in Hervalle's Academy experiencing as normal of a life as he could grant her. He was just thankful she was far, far away from the monsters he now called companions. At least he'd been able to accomplish that much as a parent. Maybe he wasn't such a terrible dad after all.

If only Bastian didn't trust Davim with so much responsibility maybe he could find himself back in Hervalle with the simple task of winning a war against the rest of the continent. Davim allowed the hopeful daydream to play out for a second before remembering that losing Bastian's trust wouldn't mean a demotion. It would mean death.

As someone who had known Bastian since he first appeared in the Empire eight years ago, Davim knew at least that much after watching the fate of any who fell short of his overlord's expectations.

And now, for better or worse, Bastian had appointed Davim as the leader for this assignment. At this point, a part of Davim just thought Bastian had done it to mess with him.

For in what world could Bastian expect Davim to contain his companions who were all significantly higher rank Mages than he was? Especially in the case of Fluma completely driven by murderous instincts while having the unfathomable power to back them up although to his surprise she'd managed to restrain herself from killing any passerby on the walk over.

He pushed the idea it hadn't occurred because Fluma had been killing people out of sight and hiding their bodies from him like a house cat might with intruding rodents out of his mind. If he began worrying about imaginary issues he'd die from stress way before his very real issues got to him.

Davim let out one more sigh as he approached the gates preparing himself mentally to make this insane mission a success. As always his life and the life of those he cared about depended on it.

------

Ari and Arthur disembarked from their ship. Arthur let out a chuckle at the sight of Ari and her pet Esti still staring straight up at the Holy City gawking like true tourists.

"Come now dear Hero close your mouth or a kestrel may start making a nest in it."

Ari snapped her mouth shut as her face began to redden in embarrassment from being called out.

"Shut up Arthur it's an incredible sight. I never expected it would look so..."

"Marvelous? Spectacular? Radiant?" Arthur said the last one with a sardonic glint in his eye.

Ignoring her bodyguards mocking comments Ari shot a question at him.

"How does it even fly? How much mana does that even use?" She asked incredulously.

"It's a secret." Arthur responded with a deadpan tone.

Ari rolled her eyes at the Emissary knowing his terrible ability to keep secrets.

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Letting out an exaggerated huff Arthur continued, "Fine! Fine stop begging I'll tell you, but you can't tell anyone promise?"

"I promise." Ari answered half heartily glancing down to Esti who was still staring at the floating city.

"It's a function of the city itself. The city is an artifact built by her Radiance and Satrim at the beginning of the current era to act as a mobile fortress. It constantly circulates light mana in a pattern below it, keeping itself afloat from the moving light-mana's momentum. Since it's a closed system there's very little mana required to maintain the effect once established although that amount will significantly increase when the city is moved to a different location."

"It can move?" Ari's voice revealed her skepticism.

"Of course it can move," Arthur moved his hands flamboyantly. "What type of proper war fortress can't move? You know at the start of the era it was chaos any stationary target would become mincemeat from artillery spells before they could blink. Especially the Church who at the time were still establishing themselves wouldn't have stood a chance if they allowed their home base to remain stationary."

"Huh I guess I don't really know alot about the start of the Church." Ari said sheepishly.

Arthur spun to face Ari, "Shoot I've been so focused on covering the doctrine and catching you up to speed on how to be a proper hero I forgot to make sure you knew all that." His face scrunched as if stuck in thought for a moment before giving his solution.

"I really don't want to deal with one of Satrim's lectures about failing basic instructions so tell you what, just pretend you know it around the Pillars. No one will quiz you since they'll assume you know it, but if it ever comes up just mention something about how much you admire Satrim's exploits during that time especially the battle of Dokkum. That should get them off your back."

Ari slightly annoyed she was being thrown into a situation under prepared responded in jest. "Battle of Dukku. Got it."

"No not Du-" Arthur stopped himself realizing he was being messed with. "You rascal. If I'm not careful we'll have our Hero caught pranking a Pillar."

"Who says I'll be caught." Ari jabbed back.

A voice interrupted the two's conversation as a man in scholarly robes approached them holding a young unconscious girl in his arms. An odd sight for sure.

"Your holiness," the man addressed the golden robed Arthur who seemed slightly intrigued. "I beg you please allow my student into the city to receive healing."

Ari immediately went to step toward the two only to be cut off by Arthur who stepped in front of her as if to shield her from the two. Before Ari could ask why Arthur spoke to the petitioner using his priestly tone.

"Her Radiance will never turn away a hand in need. To be turned away means they deemed you a risk to those inside."

The man seemed desperate kneeling while still holding the girl in his arms.

"Please! My names Glendale I'm a professor at the Hervalle Academy but this student suffered severe mana exhaustion two weeks ago. I've done what I can but she needs aid now!" Tears were appearing at the edge of the man's eyes.

Arthur sent a scan of light mana through both of them before letting out a gasp.

"Sweet Radiance help us." He whispered before kneeling down to the girl and putting his hand on her head for a moment before standing up. "The brain damage is far beyond my capabilities. I can mend the muscle tissue and it seems you've already mended some broken bones, but she needs a true expert. Give her to me I'll take her into the city."

Glendale seemed hesitant to hand her over but he no doubt realized the dire situation hence his desperation, so after a moment Ari watched him hand the girl to Arthur who immediately turned to a blur of light vanishing towards the city. As he zoomed away Ari saw some letters of light form in front of her.

Glendale's a Mage of the Fourth he shouldn't be a threat to you, but don't lower your guard as you and him enter the city. He could be a Mage Assassin.

Ari read the message from Arthur and realized why he'd stepped in front of her earlier. He was acting like a bodyguard. On the ship ride, he'd spoken a little about the forces of corruption and how they would likely target her life as the Hero, but it really hadn't sunk in. Realizing she was being left alone with a mysterious professor from a nation hostile to the Church, Ari's palms began to sweat.

"Let's go towards the city. You should be able to enter with me." Ari spoke as she quickly stepped away from Glendale, if that was even his real name, careful to keep a safe distance between them.

"Yes ma'am." He was incredibly respectful and appeared absent-minded his thoughts seemingly focused on the girl who had been taken away.

Just the type of appearance an assassin would cultivate to have their targets lower their guard! Ari's suspicions toward the man continued to spiral as they made their way towards the city.

So much so that when she finally saw another group of people heading toward the city from the same direction she was overwhelmed with relief. The group of four had a young girl with blue hair who was smiling widely.

Mentally ready for Glendale to try and stab her any moment Ari picked up the pace calling out to the other group.

"Hey! Are you all going to the Holy City too?" Ari asked an obvious question trying to break the ice.

For some reason, her words made the man in the group of four flinch for a moment before he began starring daggers at her. He seemed practically screaming at her to leave his group alone.

Perfect! There's no way a look like that would be used by an assassin it was far too unfriendly, Ari thought as she hurried towards them even faster with Glendale now running to keep up with her.

The young girl in the group of four began to smile even wider as Ari approached, a stark contrast to the man leading the group who now seemed to be trying to send warning signs at Ari in the form of a "shooing" motion with his hands.

"Yes! Fluma is going to the flying city!" The smiling blue-haired girl greeted Ari in an oddly childish manner.

Ari saw the man slap his hand to his forehead which sent a wave of giggles through the girl and a young woman next to her. Ari let herself laugh a little as well as she finally reached them. What a fun group this seemed to be!

"Great let's walk there together then!" Ari exclaimed as she sidled up to the young girl not waiting for an answer. A moment later a visibly confused Glendale arrived at the group as well, panting after trying to keep pace with Ari as she sprinted here.

The young woman spoke next. "I'm Rose," she pointed behind her to a cloaked figure Ari hadn't really noticed before. Oh well she was sure she was harmless traveling with such a distinctly normal group. She was probably just wearing a cloak to avoid getting sunburned or something nothing as nefarious as "Glendale."

Ari listened back to Rose's introductions, "That's Diana, and in front is our fearless leader Davi. Oh and you've already met Fluma." Fluma moved her hand up as if emphasizing her introduction.

Ari smiled seeing such a cute girl. "So glad to meet you all! I'm Ari!" Ari saw Rose glance quizzically at Glendale as if asking for an introduction. Ari relented.

"And that's Glendale. Supposedly." Ari muttered not willing to act as a bridge for the assassin to infiltrate another group.

"Supposedly?" Glendale exclaimed from behind where he'd apparently overheard her.

Rose ignored the odd dynamic much to Ari's relief.

"Are you visiting Solis to become a priest or for tourism? We're here to see if little Fluma can join the clergy ourselves." Rose asked making friendly conversation.

"Oh that's exciting. I'm actually here to join the Hero's party." Ari said not ready to admit she was supposed to be the Hero.

Unsurprisingly the news was answered with another slapping sound as Davi brought his hand to his forehead. Ari thought she could even hear a muffled cry from the man. What an odd fellow Ari thought.

As for Rose and Fluma both seemed equally excited by the news while the hooded Diana didn't reveal any reactions as far as Ari could tell.

"Wow tha-" Rose's no doubt friendly comment was cut off by the young blue-haired girl.

"Fluma wants to be the Hero!" Ari looked down at the young girl who now that she saw her up close seemed to be just a year or two younger than she herself was. Her playful demeanor had previously made Ari assume she was much younger.

"That's great I'll talk to Arthur and see if you can get an opportunity to join the party." Ari spoke the words lightly knowing even if she gave the girl a sort of tryout for the Hero party it was unlikely anyone less than a Mage of the Third would be allowed to join and well, to say it nicely, this girl definitely did not seem like an experienced Mage.

With more forehead slaps occuring in the background Fluma threw her arms around Ari in an unexpected hug.

"Awww thank you! Fluma will tell Daddy to spare you when the end times come."

What a cute kid Ari thought assuming she misheard the last part as she made her way towards the city with her group with the ambient sound of Davi repeatedly slapping his forehead becoming akin to white noise.

Only Glendale seemed to be glancing around as if shocked no one else found the four incredibly suspicious.

At the gate, Ari introduced herself and said she had come with Arthur. The Holy City's guards had been given a heads-up by her bodyguards so they let Ari and her entire group through without any issues. Ari did make sure to pull one of the guards to the side to make it clear she didn't know Glendale very well and he should be put under surveillance in case he tried anything. As for the group of four she just met Ari didn't think she needed to worry about telling the guards she had just met them too. The four seemed like upstanding people Ari especially felt like she could trust the youthful Fluma with dreams of being the Hero. What type of Hero would Ari be to cast doubt on someone with as pure a spirit as that?

With that handled, the group stepped into the pillar of light to be levitated up to the floating city.

Just like that the aspiring Hero let in four of the greatest enemies of the Church into their Capital right through the front door. But at least she had Glendale under surveillance just in case.