Year 987 after the founding of the Dual Celestial Church, a small fief southwest of Seretan
"Listen up!! Lord Ferdinand's daughter is missing!" a young man shouted from atop some crates in the center of the town, drawing the attention of everyone passing by.
The population whispered in worry, their faces filled with curiosity. It so happened that Lord Ferdinand's daughter, Lady Molly, was loved and adored by the peasants and knights of that fief, and the most precious jewel of the Lord and his wife. But what caused such commotion was related to rumors that the forest where she loved wandering was now full of dangerous animals and creatures. It was truly pitiful.
"Father Octavius," a woman called from a little farther away from the crowd, holding the hand of a man passing by her.
"Yes…?" the man replied, trying to sound calm and maintain his disguise.
"I know that you…" she said, leaving the end hanging for the man to understand. He simply nodded as if he did. "But please, pray for Lady Molly, ask that she returns to us," the woman said, almost begging the priest.
The man looked to both sides, murmuring whispered apologies, before placing his other hand—holding a rosary of obsidian and silver—over the woman's hand.
"Madam, you can be sure I will include her in my prayers," the priest comforted her.
"Thank you very much, Father!" the woman said, almost crying, and left.
The man watched her drift away, waiting until her figure completely disappeared into the alleys before moving again. When his eyes could no longer see a single trace of her, he allowed himself a relieved sigh. Adjusting his hood, the man continued on his original path, now without distractions.
He walked to a hidden tavern, unnoticeable among the narrow streets of the place. His steps were quick, and he held—no, squeezed—his rosary as if it were the only piece of calm he had, asking forgiveness from the heavens and the gods for something he no longer even knew.
When he entered the tavern, dotted with faces that were once very familiar and now watched him with disdain, he made his way to an isolated corner, where a short, rough-looking man was waiting for him, already holding a mug of drink.
"Siegfried Lilithum!" the little man said ironically, looking at the man before him. "Or should I say Father Octavius III?" he added, making an exaggerated and mocking bow.
"Hello, Kilger…" Siegfried said, embarrassed, covering his face even more.
"Man, you went crazy after we robbed that baron, drinking imported wine until you dropped, it's been…" Kilger began, but a complaint cut him off.
"Shut your mouth, Kilger! I've been here for two minutes and you've done nothing but throw my past out for everyone to hear! You didn't even offer me a drink," Siegfried said impatiently.
"Alright, alright. What'll it be? Imported wine?" Kilger said sarcastically and burst into loud laughter.
"Water," Siegfried said seriously, squeezing the rosary under the table.
Kilger choked on his laughter, staring at his old friend in surprise, almost unable to believe what he had heard.
"What? You're joking, aren't you?" Kilger said skeptically, with a crooked smile.
Siegfried shook his head, looking completely certain, which seriously frightened Kilger. This was a drastic and rather sudden change to him.
"Alright…" Kilger said, swallowing the information, and called the tavern owner. "ANOTHER ONE FOR ME AND WATER FOR THE SAINT!" he shouted, pointing to his cup and then to Siegfried, who looked embarrassed.
The tavern owner nodded in agreement, making Kilger turn his attention back to his companion. He leaned back slightly, careless and astonished.
"Who would've thought!? Siegfried Lilithum really joined the Church!" he mocked loudly for everyone to hear. "Even after looting fiefs and villages across all Seretan, drinking until you passed out and… you know? Now you're a saint who only drinks water!" he finished with a hint of contempt.
Everyone in the tavern was staring and whispering about the two. Siegfried could feel their gazes burning his skin, even beneath his robes. Old acquaintances hated him, strangers judged him. His poor rosary was about to fall apart from how tightly he was gripping it.
"People change, Kilger," Siegfried said loudly enough for all to hear. "And I'm no saint, I'm just trying to fix my mistakes," he added, serious and stern.
Kilger let out an awkward, ironic laugh, as if unwilling to lose face. The drinks arrived, and both thanked the young man—probably the owner's son—who soon left.
"Wow, wow, changed, a lot, yes… but tell me, what did you want to talk about, old friend?" Kilger said, taking a big gulp of his drink.
"Stop stealing. You're old, Kilger, you can't steal, run, and sneak around like you used to," Siegfried said, swirling the glass with something that was all but water in front of him.
"You're calling me old now, Siegfried?" Kilger asked disdainfully, though not angry.
"That's not the point! The lord is offering a good reward to anyone who finds his daughter, maybe…" he began uncertainly.
Kilger slammed his mug on the table so hard that liquid spilled everywhere, and a bitter laugh tore through the room.
"What? You expect me to just quit my livelihood and go babysit for some spoiled brat?" the man asked, one eyebrow raised. "You're a joke, Siegfried, that's what!" His eyes watered from laughing as he said it.
The priest said nothing for a few minutes, contenting himself with staring at the nearly rotten liquid before him—he wouldn't drink that even if he were dying—and playing with the beads of his rosary. When Kilger was about to open his mouth to spew more poison, Siegfried broke his silence.
"You know, Kilger, this is a big deal. you have seen… I don't know, forty new suns? You won't last long before getting caught by some marquis' son playing knight while you are trying to steal," Siegfried said bluntly and somewhat disdainfully.
Kilger twisted his face horribly, gripping his mug so tightly it could break. But before he could say anything, Siegfried spoke again.
"What I mean is, maybe if you dragged that drunk ass of yours and run out of the tavern now, you can still change your future from rotting in a stinking cell to earning the favor of a desperate and grateful lord," Siegfried said, standing up. "That is, if she's still alive," he added, pulling up his hood and starting to walk away.
"'Still alive'!? What do you mean by that!?" the other shouted, his voice filled with horror. "Siegfried!" he called.
"Think a little, you idiot! Like you said, she's a spoiled little girl. She wouldn't survive that long in a forest full of animals!" Siegfried replied while walking. "And one more thing—my name is Octavius. Siegfried is dead. Goodbye." he said one last time and walked away.
Leaving all that madness with his old friend behind—and unable to drink—Octavius couldn't help but sigh in relief. It felt as if a great weight had been lifted from him. The priest took a few seconds to collect himself before heading toward the small church in town. He would take advantage of the fact that the peasants and clergy were absent to pray for himself and gather his belongings to continue his journey.