"You are lecturing me on tact?" Rachel stared at the brutish vagabond telling her to mind her manners. Perhaps the atmosphere in the region negatively affected him, or maybe the massive walls of the Kingdom of Illia caused his brain to short-circuit. Her musings must have been evident on her visage since his own twisted into a glower. "What precisely must I be tactful of?"

"When we ask the head priest about the spirits, we should ease into things a little. It's gonna look real suspicious if two randos show up and start making inquiries." The truth was that they hadn't encountered anyone from the church. As such, they couldn't gauge their reactions; any interaction would be a gamble. Ragna wanted to ensure they got the required information after traveling so far. Besides, he couldn't forget what Bang told him. The kingdom's walls rose higher as they approached the city gates, a daunting sight up close, where Rachel surrendered their passport. Seemingly satisfied, the guard returned their documents.

"You're all cleared. You should renew your passport at the traveling admission office at your earliest convenience. It's a few days away from expiring." Giving more explicit directions, they thank the guardsman and entered the city where they beheld an unexpected sight.

"It's so… normal," Ragna remarked.

"Indeed." Denizens went about their day-to-day, chatting on the roadsides. Quaint shops lined the bustling streets, and merchants hailed potential buyers. Guards patrolled the area, observing their surroundings and assisting people when engaged. It was like stepping into another world, one free of Izanami's influence. Perhaps meeting her affected them more than they'd realized, putting into perspective the kind of creature they were up against, what a monster she was. "Shall we get moving?" Dwelling on it would do them no good; they had an objective to see through.

"Should ask around to find the chapel," Ragna recommended.

"First," the vampire waved their documents in the air, "renewal. Can I ask that you take care of it while I search for the chapel?"

He cautiously took their passports from her and gave Rachel a firm look. "Remember what I said about tact, alright?"

"I am aware." Her response contained a hint of annoyance. "I do not understand your sudden concern."

"Because despite that high-society act you put on, you've got zero patience." During their scuffle in Greenstone, she'd been the one to throw the first punch because someone made a vague insult toward her. For someone who championed etiquette and grace, she had quite a violent streak, especially evident in the way she treated her familiars.

Rachel glowered. "Do you think I am some barbarian? Unlike you, I can pick up on social cues."

"Sure," he dryly replied. Rachel rolled her eyes, not caring enough to plead her case with him of all people. "I'll catch up with you," Ragna said with a wave.

"The nerve of that man… Now we make for the church. Hm?" Bells drew her attention as a dejected girl in white clerical garbs slunk out of a store.

"I spy with my little eye, our target," Nago gleefully said.

"Another bust," the blonde whimpered, hanging her head low.

"Pardon me," Rachel called to her. Green eyes examined the motley crew, curious as to who approached her. "Do you have a moment?"

In an attempt to portray some sort of professionalism, the cleric cleared her throat and straightened awkwardly. "Y-yes. Is there something you need?"

"I am looking for directions to the chapel. By your clerical garb, I assume you are a member?"

"Oh, yes!" she confirmed.

"May I trouble you to guide me?" Rachel requested.

"I would like to guide you, but I'm currently on a…" She paused for a second. "A very important mission!" she exclaimed with an almost terrifying gleam in her eyes.

Rachel gave an understanding nod. "Can you point me in the right direction?"

"If you walk straight down the main street and take a right, the monastery will be at the end of the road," she directed.

"Your help is appreciated." The cleric gave Rachel a smile, and as if recalling something dire, her expression clouded with worry. Like the wind, she zipped away. Her behavior shattered the mental image Rachel had about the church. As a holy institution, she figured their population to be comprised of schooled persons. Rachel wondered if all their members were as eccentric as the one she encountered. Proceeding down the bustling main street lined with various shops, Rachel spotted a bakery and caught the wonderful aroma of tea. It'd been a while since she enjoyed a fresh cup.

"Princess?" Nago questioned when she stopped to stare longingly at the bakery.

"Oh, I get it. The princess wants to go inside. We can stop for some snacks if you want," Gii said.

"Later. This is more urgent."

"I don't know… The way you were staring at those cakes was pretty scary. Like you were about to jump right through the pane!" Gii's observation earned a baleful glare from his mistress and the bat shut his trap before he got punished; thankfully, they were in public. Nago shook his head at his fellow's idiocy as they found the chapel. Her entrance garnered a bit of attention but she paid them no mind. Rachel half expected someone to halt her for questioning but nothing of the sort occurred. Trouble was the last thing Rachel wanted to stir up right now, but if it were her domain, she would do the same. Gauging the curiosity from the earlier cleric, people like her might not be counted among the common citizens here. The clergymen and women eyed her as she made her way into the massive main hall where the church held its service. On the pulpit speaking to a fellow holy man, Rachel spotted whom she assumed was the head priest based on his unique headpiece.

"Good afternoon," greeted the man who Rachel judged to be somewhere in his late forties. He gave her his full attention after bowing to a fellow clergyman. "You are an unfamiliar face. Are you new to the city?"

"I am," she answered.

A fatherly smile graced his lips. "Well then, welcome. I am Father Hosios, the head priest of this monastery. May I do something for you today, Miss?"

"I have a few questions, and I traveled here in hopes that you could answer them." He looked expectant. "Could you tell me about the Great Spirits?"

"Hm?"

"P-princess!" her familiars gaped.

Rachel ignored her frightened familiars. "Ah, I had nearly forgotten to introduce myself properly in my haste. My name is Rachel Alucard. I am an apprentice magus from Orbis."

"Orbis, you say?" An inquiry her familiars mumbled as well.

"I am conducting research about the nature of ether. Recent events have led to a drastic change in its composition around the world and I wish to compile data to use in my study. Before beginning here, I figured becoming intimate with history I am ignorant of would breed more qualitative results," she explained.

He stroked his brown stubble. "So that is why you have journeyed here?"

"Yes. If my study is to yield anything worthwhile, a different perspective is in order."

"It must have been quite dangerous. I am glad you made it here unharmed. But a mage wishing to learn the teachings of Illia is not a request many from Orbis make. You have always been an eccentric, unpredictable lot," Father Hosios muttered aloud. It piqued Rachel's interest regarding what kind of people lived in Orbis. "Shall I start from the beginning?"

"If you can, please."

Father Hosios donned a serious expression, speaking reverently. "Several millennia ago, the world faced a dire threat of extinction. Darkness had encompassed our world, but through Illia and the Great Spirits, humanity was able to triumph over the darkness."

"My understanding is the Great Spirits rule over the elements." At least, that was how she understood it from the head Kaka. The look he gave her was conflicted, as if she'd said something strange or out of turn.

"Rule? I suppose so."

"Do they not?"

"It is more accurate to say they guide the ebb and flow of the elements, maintaining the equilibrium of our world. Be advised, that is merely my interpretation and I welcome scrutiny." Rachel nodded, a silent signal for him to carry on. "Each of the four spirits oversaw an element. Fire, water, earth, and wind. It was through these beings did man discover ether. They showed themselves before Illia, who had proven herself worthy, granting her guidance and power. It is said she was the first and only human to see the Astral Planes."

"I know little of the faith, but Illia is a divine being, correct?" Rachel asked for clarity.

"Correct. However, she used to be a priestess. Scripture says Illia was one of the few people of her time able to utilize ether, although at that period in history, humanity did not know what ether was. She sensed something greater, and it was her prayers that summoned the four Great Spirits."

"Yet you do not appear to give prayer to them."

"That we do. If not for them, humanity would have gone extinct long ago. We always acknowledge them and their sacrifice." He spoke with a heavy heart. Noting Rachel's confusion, Hosios continued. "During the calamity, the spirits gave their lives in order to seal the evil away. Every day we give our strength to them, ensuring the seal is kept strong. To do that, the spirits granted us the power to wield ether, and humanity has developed special arts and spells throughout the years. This bane took control of the very hearts of man, be them good or evil, and made them into puppets. The sins committed by man today are testaments to its still lingering power. Some even follow its teachings."

"I see. Is it a stretch to say the relationship between humans and ether is symbiotic?" It hit her then that she knew next to nothing regarding ether. Mana in her world and its equivalent in this one appeared to function similarly, but execution of its arts in this world seemed explicitly symbiotic. Mana naturally generated inside their bodies. It would only negatively or positively affect her world if someone did so. Then again, the only people she had to use as examples were the demon she'd battled in the mines and the witch in the forest.

Hosios chewed over his words. "You could say that. It is my strong belief that ether is a living organism, just like human beings. But I suppose my conjecture is of no interest to you. As a studying magus, you would know far more than I."

"Conjecture is the root of research," Rachel said.

"Did that help you at all?" he asked.

"Yes, it put things into perspective for me. Thank you for your time. Forgive me for intruding."

"I am always glad to share the word with those willing to listen, especially in such a desperate time of need," Hosios said with a troubled look.

"Izanami?" Rachel guessed.

Deep sadness clouded his face. "Yes. The day she arrived and the devastation she wrought is forever etched into my memory. Although, looking at our city, it seems hard to believe that our world is in great peril."

"Yes. It was somewhat shocking." Rachel considered the one guild leader she and Ragna chatted with regarding the relationship between the kingdom and towns who aligned themselves with the guilds. However, she refrained from prying; she didn't want to dig too much into any internal affairs that had nothing to do with her mission. "It is quite peaceful here."

"…One would think so," he muttered after a beat.

"I'm back!" A buoyant voice shattered the tense atmosphere. Rachel was half shocked to see the girl she'd encountered earlier clutching a brown paper bag close to her chest. The following scene was something Rachel couldn't quite put into words.

"Pumpkin!" Father Hosios, who had been so melancholic, sprinted to embrace the cleric girl. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt? Do you need something to drink?"

"D-dad, I'm fine!" she wheezed, trying to squirm free.

Rachel and her familiars sweat-dropped watching the display. Fathers loved their daughters, and she knew some could be overprotective, but their display bordered the realm of absurdity. Hosios had all but forgotten they were still there, choosing instead to squeeze and ruffle his daughter's hair under her white hat.

Postal Office

"Here you are, sir. Thank you for your patience." The desk clerk handed Ragna back his travel papers.

"Appreciate it." Ragna stuffed them into his jacket pocket and stepped aside for the next person in the long line. He was relieved he'd arrived before things got too busy, not about to stand in line for hours like all the poor schmucks after him. While exiting the office, someone called to him.

"Hey. You with the big sword and red jacket. Got a minute?"

Honestly, they could've been referring to anyone, but the latter descriptor drastically limited that chance. Ragna turned to face a giant. It was no exaggeration to say his muscles had muscles. He probably wore a sleeveless tunic because the fabric couldn't contain them, straining across his chest. "Can I help ya?"

"Are you a mercenary?" he bluntly inquired.

"Somethin' like that. Why?"

"'Something like that', hm? I was just wondering if you were searching for work. You look like you can handle yourself when push comes to shove, and I've been seeking help with a job." The brown sheet he pulled from his pouch and showed Ragna looked comically small in his massive fingers.

"Oh yeah?" Normally, at least in his world, mercenaries were loners. Partnering up wasn't unheard of because some people clicked, but that usually transpired when the job was extraordinarily difficult. Judging by the amount the contractor was willing to pay, it must've been challenging.

"The job itself isn't much to talk about," the bulky man said as if he'd just read Ragna's mind. "It's the place we've got to go that's dangerous."

Intrigued, Ragna asked, "Where?"

"Lofrain." The way he said it with such a troubled expression put Ragna on edge. It sounded familiar but he couldn't put his finger on where he'd heard it. "I won't berate you if you turn me down, but I've found one other who is willing to take the job. I just need one more."

"I'm currently on a job right now, so I can't. But… what exactly is so bad about Lofrain?"

"I haven't taken a trip there myself, so I can't say. I've heard a few things. Can't be sure until I get there, but since it's the place Izanami first showed up and obliterated, it makes sense people are a bit put off about it." The mercenary motioned his head toward the many eyes now on them. Ragna hadn't even realized conversation within the office had thinned.

"I see…" The Reaper recalled the explanation given to him by the head Kaka regarding Izanami's presence in this world. More than likely, Lofrain went through a more drastic change than anywhere else and it was safe to say the monsters prowling around there weren't anything to sneeze at.

The mercenary rolled up the job flier into his pouch. "Sorry for troubling you."

"It's nothing. Sorry I can't tag along. Looks like a good pay."

"Yeah, well… a good payout doesn't make up for every job," he replied with a tired sigh.

"True enough." Something springing to mind, Ragna inquired, "You accepted that contract here, right? Aren't the guilds unacknowledged by the kingdom?" His question earned a scrutinizing gaze from the mercenary, surprised he had to explain something so basic.

"What rank are you?"

"Rank?" Ragna tilted his head.

"I see now. It makes sense why you'd be outta the loop." He nodded as if understanding everything. The bulky man pulled a tiny silver badge from his pocket with the name "Tager" engraved on it. "This. You don't have one, right?" Ragna put his hands up. "They're given when you sign up to be a mercenary. You seem to know your way around the battlefield, so it's surprising you're not at least silver."

"Complications. Is it wrong to accept jobs when I'm not officially a mercenary?" Ragna wondered.

"Not really. Most places won't hand you a job if you can't prove you're one, though. It's a sign of worth, though I personally dislike the analogy. The higher your rank, the more people want your services." Ragna mulled over that statement because he completed a quest days ago without problems. He quickly realized Rachel never mentioned any of the specifics regarding mission acceptance here. He reasoned that since there weren't many mercenaries in that town to begin with and the circumstances baring travel, anyone would do. "If you're going without enlisting, once you've made up your mind, look into the guild coalition. The union has benefits and connections around the world that will help set you up for future work," Tager advised.

Ragna possessed no real nterest, but provided a vague answer for conversation sake. "I'll see how it goes. Play it by ear. Those disadvantages in joining the union seem pretty bothersome. Is there any reason you've gotta toss your citizenship away?"

"It's more symbolic than a written rule. Mercenaries turn to that walk of life for all kinds of reasons. If there's no reason to stay, why bother? If your home hasn't kept you safe all your life, what're you going to lose by abandoning it?" Tager didn't speak with any kind of malice or wistfulness, just matter-of-factly. Ragna completely understood that mindset. A memory flashed in his mind and he bit the inside of his lip. "Hit a little close to home?"

"That obvious?" Ragna chuckled.

"Lone-wolf guys like you are a dime a dozen. It's rare to see one with a decent head on their shoulders, though. Shame you can't join me. You look like the kind of guy I can leave my back to." His expression changed, as if realizing something. "I never got your name. What is it?"

"Ragna."

"Hm. That's a name I haven't heard before. My name is Tager, though I'm sure you read it on my badge. If we ever run into each other again, how about a drink?"

Ragna started to turn the offer down because he wasn't a drinker, but accepted the invitation. A social drink wouldn't kill him. Bumping fists and wishing good luck in the other's endeavors, Ragna left the office as conversation arose about Lofrain and why people would want to travel there. It was then he recalled Bang's friend Herman mentioning it in Watercrest. He didn't think much of it back then, but now knowing Izanami's involvement made him regret not pressing the matter in greater detail.

Inn

"I find this quite strange," Rachel said, pacing up and down the room.

"Tell me about it. There's fifteen months in a year here. The fuck is up with that?" Ragna scrutinized the calendar hung by the door. "Crazy…"

Her expression became nonplussed. "Is that truly what captivates you?"

He shrugged and leaned against the wall. "You're not curious? Back in my world it's twelve months in a year."

Voting to ignore the foolishness of her companion, Rachel relayed, "I spoke to the head priest at the chapel about the four spirits."

"Lemme guess, you just straight-up asked him, huh?"

"Perceptive today?" she mocked.

"No. I just know you're stubborn as fuck." Ragna predicted his words would fall upon deaf ears but passed his warning along as an insurance policy. If there were any mishaps because Rachel chose not to listen, it wasn't his fault.

"It seemed counter-productive to beat around the bush if one of our objectives was to gauge the church. Were they secretive or increasingly guarded about the matter, it would raise several flags of which we need to be cautious of and it would be difficult to test said sketchiness if we are the ones who are suspicious." Ragna opened his mouth and held up a finger, probably to offer some kind of protest to her methods, but closed it as he found no counter argument to her reasoning. "Seeing that the Father was open in his explanation, in spite of what we were told by Bang, we shouldn't have to worry about being sneaky. That does not mean we disregard what he told you, either."

"So, did you find anything out?" Ragna pressed.

"Yes. It would seem the Great Spirits are dead," she answered.

"Oh, okay then." A beat later: "Wait, what?" In truth, the Reaper's confusion came less from her announcement and more from how casually she dropped that bomb. Not only that, Rachel didn't look the least bit bothered. "Shouldn't you be a little more, y'know, concerned by that?"

"The man who was fussing over a calendar is telling me to mind my priorities?" Rachel rolled her eyes in an exasperated manner. "I find it hard to believe that they have died in the human sense of death. If what the head priest said is true, it is more likely that they are… hibernating."

Ragna eyed her curiously. "And what makes you think that? You an expert on this now?"

"I am merely speculating. Hm, no. Embarrassingly enough, I am grasping at straws. From what we heard from the Kaka clan, the Great Spirits are rulers over ether. On the other hand, from what the head priest informed me, they are responsible for controlling its flow."

"Aren't those the same thing?" he wondered.

"Not inherently, no," Rachel said.

Another shrug. "Sounds like semantics to me."

"Aside from the slight contradiction, it perplexes me that the ether within this world remains corroded, despite that fact," Rachel went on.

"Does it? I mean… they're not around to fix it, right?"

"Right. However, this is a new occurrence. According to the head priest, the Great Spirits have been dead for eons. That coincides with what the Kaka clan informed us regarding their disappearance. Had there been major imbalances in ether then and not just when Izanami arrived, I wouldn't believe these spirits remained."

"So you think something's been maintaining the ether? Wouldn't that something be Amaterasu?" Ragna broached.

"Recall that Amaterasu does not manage the ether, it simply draws its power from within the Astral Planes while managing the Essence Streams," she clarified.

Ragna's face scrunched. "It pumps life into this world, right? Isn't that ether it's managing?"

"If you like, you can think of Amaterasu as a conduit. It directs the Essence Streams but does not control how much or how little ether flows. The whole problem this world faces is the conduit has been corrupted and weakened. More to the point, the priest had not once mentioned Amaterasu." Ragna gave her a quizzical look, listening more intently. "He spoke of the priestess Illia and the Great Spirits, yet did not pay any deference to Amaterasu. From the explanation we received from the Kaka clan, I assumed it would be ingrained deeply in their faith. However, that does not seem to be the case."

Ragna mulled it over. "Yeah, that's pretty strange. Is it too optimistic to think it's just a secret? The Kaka clan lives down there and I doubt they come up to interact with people. Honestly, I'm still not a hundred percent believing in these spirits."

She raised a brow at that. "After meeting Amaterasu, you are dubious of another god-like being?"

"Just cuz one exists doesn't mean they all do," Ragna fairly stated. "That's surprisingly naive of you. Figured you'd be the most skeptical out of the two of us."

"Or maybe you are simply too stubborn for your own good," the vampire sneered.

"I'm more of a 'see it to believe it' kind of guy. Izanami spooked you that much?"

She frowned. "Do not pretend to understand me."

"Then you're tougher than me. Bitch got me pretty freaked," Ragna admitted, recalling the sensation of her cold fingers clutching his throat and dead eyes gazing directly into his soul. Rachel's mouth opened to refute what she thought would be another jab at her, but closed it immediately. His admission came as a surprise to her; it was a level of humility and maturity the vampire thought beyond his brutish character. There laid genuine unease in his voice as he rubbed his neck and grimaced, and watching him brought it all back, a chill so sharp it felt like she'd been slashed.

"I will admit our encounter left my thoughts in disarray. However, that has no sway over my judgment. I just have more reason to believe they exist than not. After what we have experienced, dubious or not, that much should be true."

"I guess." Ragna dropped his shoulders, releasing all the tension from his body. "So, what'll we do now? It's not like we planned where to go next."

"I believe we should remain here for the time being," Rachel suggested. "I wish to learn more of Illia's teachings so I will head to the church's library tomorrow. After all, I am a magus researching ether composition."

"So that's your cover? Let's hope we don't run into any of 'em."

The vampire showed no concern. "From what the head priest told me, they do not come around here often. More importantly, did you renew our travel documents?"

"Yeah. But I did meet this guy, a mercenary who asked me for help on a job in Lofrain."

"Lofrain? The name sounds familiar…"

"It should. The old man and his friend mentioned it back in Watercrest," Ragna relayed.

"Ah, yes. But why bring it up?" Her expression went blank. "Do not tell me you plan on accepting this offer?"

"No, idiot. I turned him down. A damn shame too because the reward wasn't half bad," he murmured. "The reason I'm mentioning it is because that's the place Izanami first appeared in this world."

"Is that a fact?" Rachel eyed him intently. "Is there anything remotely special about it?"

"Not that I know of, no. The merc didn't know much about it, either. More importantly, the people around me were spooked as all hell when we were talkin' about it,'' Ragna explained.

"If what the Kaka clansmen and that trader Bang said is anything to go by, it is more than likely this Lofrain has experienced quite the change. I believe it is worth investigating."

He nodded in agreement. "Same. I think we should make it our next stop once we're outta here. Maybe we can even figure out what that bitch is if this Great Spirit thing doesn't pan out like we hope."

"Right. Let us hope it doesn't come to that." Rachel heard light snoring next to her and glanced over to find her familiars fast asleep. "I believe it is time for bed. It has been far too long since I have slept in a real bed not surrounded by moss."

"I dunno. Always liked the outdoors more. Can't beat fresh air and a good tree to lean on." Ragna spoke with a particular amount of fondness she'd rarely heard from him.

"Were you raised by bloody wolves in the wild?"

"Close enough," he shrugged.

"I beg your pardon?" Rachel waited for clarification but received none as he exited the room. The fact that she couldn't deduce if he was being sarcastic troubled her. She wondered what kind of world he came from if people like him were counted among the common folk.

A couple months have passed since I last updated this story, writing in between several smut draffs and ones I've already posted. The next chapter is almost fourty percent done, so my next update here should be a healthy two months away.

Big Boys: And here I thought she was hiding it well.

CrimsonDemon666: Here's more!

Beard Cutter: Anime.

Navasco: I will endeavor to do so, thank you.

Big thanks, of course, to my beta-reader Wild Blue Sonder! Till next time!