His heavy body was awakened from slumber.
Breathing gradually calmed, sweat glistening on his face. What had occurred was not a dream but a vision so vivid it was almost undeniable.
It was a premonition… from a dream.
'How is this possible!?'
'Does it have to do with the object in my chest!?'
He took a deep breath, moving his hand to his forehead, trying to comprehend the situation calmly.
Before he could fully process it, his body was shaken violently, making him dizzy and unable to stop. Beside him, he saw Selith trying to restore his consciousness.
"Victor, what happened to you!?"
"Nothing at all."
He touched his chest. The feeling was no different from usual—it was buried too deep to be sensed clearly.
He could not know whether the object was in the center of his heart or hidden elsewhere. Whatever it was, Victor could only remember it.
One of its connections to the stars might be part of the workings of this world.
These matters were too vast to manage or fully understand, so Victor avoided the topic, offering only a faint smile at Selith.
"You're back… how are you feeling?"
Selith rose from the bed.
"I feel more refreshed than ever. You need to prepare quickly; today we must travel to the Emerald Blood Church."
He observed her face, cheerful yet still nervous—she had succeeded in hiding her feelings but still deceived herself. Her strength seemed fragile compared to the suppressed weakness.
There was no time to waste. Victor took a cold shower, dressed in formal attire: a black vest over a white shirt, topped with a muted gray coat with golden buttons aligned perfectly.
He waited briefly for the carriage; Uncle Well arrived, as usual, without a word.
Though he felt distrust toward the experienced old man, it did not affect Victor much, even after prior events had ended.
However, what he had done in Rassentiven was not something to admire, and his state yesterday at the tavern would still frighten ordinary people.
Denhart likely concealed Victor's identity for mutual benefit.
The journey was brief. The carriage stopped before a large church adorned with tall emerald-patterned columns.
Inside, it differed from a typical church.
A copper statue of a middle-aged priest with a thick beard stood at the center. Green banners waved above various pillars, intricate brass patterns encircling a sacred chalice.
Seating surrounded the statue. The priests were all women in full robes, though their proportions suggested they might deliberately conceal their true forms for religious reasons.
It was interesting that this world had religion.
Such visible anchors were common, but not the reason for their visit here.
Walking into the silent church drew all the priests' attention to Victor.
Eyes wary, sensing danger.
But the atmosphere shifted when Selith entered, smiling and greeting everyone warmly.
'Hopefully I'm not terrifying to others just because of my height,' he thought.
A priestess took a lantern, leading them down a dark spiral staircase into the church's underground.
Halfway down, she removed her outer robe and face covering, leaving only a minimal outfit, touching her neck as if to check herself.
She was beautiful, fair-skinned, with long green hair cascading around her. Her attire covered front and back but exposed her sides.
"Apologies for not explaining earlier; it is for the safety of all priests."
"Safe from what?"
"This Emerald Church is neutral to all worldly factions. Yet many seek our power, and even our bodies emit a scent that can captivate others, so we must dress modestly."
'I don't smell anything?'
'No one suspects my natural behavior at all, then.'
Victor recalled the object in his chest and smiled. Indeed, nothing supernatural could penetrate his body.
"But why, Selith…"
She turned back to answer.
"Because I can be a shadow, I do not exist in a fixed state."
He placed his hand on Selith; his hand passed through her body.
"What information will I gain here?"
No answer was given. They continued down the staircase, their focus absolute. Selith's expression darkened as they reached the bottom.
A large dark hall lay below, the floor stained with thick, dull red dried blood. The traces suggested past killings or, worse, a site for harvesting lives.
But the church would not do this to enhance its power.
The female priest stopped before them. Before speaking, Selith stepped aside.
"From here, you will enter a vital ritual to understand the life you hold within your body."
The priestess touched Victor's hand and continued.
"Close your eyes and focus on the numbers in your palm. Search for them in your thoughts, ponder, and call upon them with all your effort. Suddenly, you will understand everything, and if you make a mistake, you will be safe, for I am here."
After speaking, she cut her arm. Her fair skin streamed with glowing emerald blood, flowing continuously as her interior healed and reformed.
"You may close your eyes now."