The verdict of the First Saint, Alyssa Alcadeias…

Anna moves to my side, her touch gentle as she helps me to my feet. Pain pulses through every inch of me as I Heal us both… but we’re alive. We made it.

Saint Alyssa… she said she was gonna kill us – a ‘fight to the death’, remember? Everything was so serious and deadly… till now. And that tension hasn’t left me. My grip on Elizabeth remains tight, and Anna holds Ascalon just as firmly.

But it’s really over. At least, it looks that way. Her body language and movements are still as graceful as ever, yet far more subdued than when we first met her. Like she was in the previous timeline. It feels more natural, almost like everything before was just an act.

“When the Ecclesiarch informed me of your… situation, I was most intrigued by what she asked of me,” Saint Alyssa states softly, her ethereal presence commanding the room as she places her hands together, bowing with the grace of a fallen star. “And I fear I may have been excessive in performing my duties. My apologies… and on behalf of my servants, I also apologise. It has been an eternity since I’ve had to engage anyone in such a manner.”

Oh, okay. So, that’s the reason. And yet, I’m still wondering… why? If Lady Iris put Saint Alyssa up to this… I wanna make sense of it. As Anna said before, she always has her reasons… and deep down, she has our best interests at heart.

“Excessive? Eh, maybe just a little…” I reply, managing a wry smile despite the lingering ache in my limbs. “It’s been a while for me, too.”

Her gaze lingers on me, equal parts curious and contemplative. “That said… you wield the magic of my kind. How?”

“How else, my Lady?” I answer, letting out a small chuckle and rolling my shoulders. “I learned it from you! Well, kinda. It’s… complicated.”

“The Saint Alyssa of your timeline, I presume.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Saint Alyssa seems to consider this, her spectral robes rippling faintly as though touched by an invisible breeze. “She was right to trust you, then.”

I tilt my head, my curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”

“You are a Hero. Just as I once was in life,” Saint Alyssa answers, her lips curving into a faint smile, enigmatic as ever. “And despite the evil that lingers within your soul… you remain steadfast. That is why, in the end, I stayed my hand.”

“Because I…”

My thoughts drift back to that moment when I invoked Aura Blade with the last of my strength and Mana… when I put everything on the line to protect Anna. It happened so fast… and I snapped… and I did the only thing I could do at that moment, with all my power.

“Yes,” Saint Alyssa continues, her voice thoughtful. “No Demon would ever willingly give their life for another.”

“So that’s why Mom did all this…” Anna gasps, her eyes lighting up with joy as the realisation hits her. She whirls to me, beaming from ear to ear. “Arisa! I knew it! Mom wanted to show you that you’re stronger than the darkness inside you!”

I smile back, a quiet chuckle escaping me. So that’s it. And honestly… I’m glad. I needed this – to prove to myself that I’m stronger than the Demon Lord. That those nightmares in the darkness of Arcadia ain’t shit.

“Indeed. You and the Paladin who has sworn to be your sword and shield have proven yourselves more than worthy,” Saint Alyssa declares warmly, her gaze settling on Anna. “We held nothing back, and yet… here you both stand. Despite it all.”

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Anna’s face lights up, her hand instinctively flying to her cheek in a gesture of nervous pride. “We couldn’t have done it without each other, Miss Alcadeias.”

“Yup. It was a pleasure,” I add with a cheeky grin. “An exhausting, terrifying, life-flashing-before-my-eyes kind of pleasure… but still.”

Saint Alyssa’s soft laugh is like the chiming of bells, brief yet warm. “And so to you, Paladin… the Holy Grail is yours.”

The Holy Grail disappears from the altar in a radiant flash, reappearing in Anna’s hands. It’s beautiful in its rustic simplicity, a sacred relic that carries the wisdom, courage, and strength that defines the very essence of a Paladin’s soul.

“Oh my…!” Anna gasps, nearly fumbling the Holy Grail as it materialises in her hands. She steadies herself quickly, cradling it with a mixture of awe and nervous excitement. “Umm… thank you for your trust, Miss Alcadeias!”

“May it grant you the strength to stay true to your chosen path,” Saint Alyssa says, bowing gracefully before turning to me. “And as for you, Hero…”

“Yeah?

“You are far past the power of the Blessed Rosary,” Saint Alyssa says, her voice calm yet resolute. “Instead, I shall grant you something far more fitting – another boon from me to you in recognition of all you’ve endured across timelines.”

In my hands, a medium-sized silver coffer adorned with diamonds materialises. It’s surprisingly light, yet whatever lies within… pulses with an immense amount of Mana.

“You have proven yourself worthy to wear the vestments that slumber within this chest,” Saint Alyssa says warmly. “May they serve you well and protect you against the darkness within and without.”

Vestments, eh? Oh boy! I’d love to open this coffer and try them on immediately, but… maybe now’s not the time. Y’know… given that I’m covered in blood and sweat, looking like I’ve just crawled out of a battlefield. Plus, stripping down to nothing in this sacred Dungeon? Yeah, no. Just doesn’t feel right. Call it a gut feeling.

“Return to the Chantry, triumphant in your victory…” Saint Alyssa continues, bowing gracefully as her ethereal form dissolves into the fabric of reality. “The Ecclesiarch awaits your return. As for me, I shall take my rest…”

“Wait!” I call out suddenly, my voice echoing in the chamber. Both Anna and Saint Alyssa turn to look at me, the latter re-materialising as if my words pulled her back into existence. “Before you go, uh…”

“Oh?” Saint Alyssa tilts her head slightly, an amused smile tugging at her lips. “Speak freely, Hero.”

“Yeah! You mentioned you know my situation from Lady Iris, right?” I ask, trying to put on my warmest, most convincing smile. “So, uh… maybe you could help us kill the Demon Lord?”

Saint Alyssa’s expression softens. “You wish for me to join you on your Prophecy?”

“Exactly! You’re insanely strong. If you team up with Anna and me… the Demon Lord would be totally fucked! We’d wipe the floor with that bastard!”

Her spectral form seems to shimmer momentarily. Almost as if she’s… trying not to laugh? Huh. Did I say something funny? I wasn’t trying to, but maybe it came off that way. Regardless, she shakes her head.

“Why not?” I ask, brow furrowing. “Surely venturing out and kicking some ass beats staying cooped up in here.”

“Alas, Arcadia is beyond my reach,” Saint Alyssa replies, her voice steady and composed once more. “The Goddess’s seal upon the Land of Demons bars anyone from this world from entering. I suspect that’s precisely why the Oracle summoned a Hero from another.”

“Well, shit,” I mutter, deflated. “It was worth a shot, though.”

“But…” Anna begins hesitantly, her brow furrowing. “Arisa said I was with her in Arcadia, back in the timeline from which she came. Why was that possible, Miss Alcadeias?”

Saint Alyssa regards Anna thoughtfully, her ethereal gaze steady. “I can’t say for certain. But if I were to theorise…” She pauses, her gaze softening. “It’s likely because you are her Paladin. Your fates are entwined, bound together.”

“I see. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Anna replies with quiet determination, glancing at me with a small, heartfelt smile. “I’m Arisa’s Paladin, now and forever.”

“Indeed,” Saint Alyssa says with a nod. “Together, I believe you will overcome whatever lies ahead… even if I cannot guarantee it.”

“I’ll do my best, Miss Alcadeias,” Anna says earnestly. “I’ll keep Arisa safe and out of trouble.”

Saint Alyssa’s expression grows wistful. “To journey across Nisha on such an adventure… I envy the both of you. Treasure these moments, for they are fleeting. Cherish them until the end of days.” She bows once more, her form dissolving into shimmering light. “Fare thee well.”

“Farewell, Lady Alyssa,” I say solemnly, watching as the glowing wisps where she once stood fade into the air. “Thank you… for everything. And not killing us.”

“Goodbye, Miss Alcadeias!” Anna exclaims, waving enthusiastically. “With your blessing, I’ll endeavour to be the best Paladin in our holy Order!”

And with that, it’s done. We’ve achieved what we came here for… and far more than that. Now, it’s time to go home.