"And may God always bless you." A religious leader with short orange hair gives the finale after reciting a long prayer to Velvet.

The prophet, who had been kneeling, finally got up. Her white armor clattered slightly because of that.

"Thanks for the blessing, Father Patrick." She bowed. "I'll take my leave."

Father Patrick slightly tilted his head. "Is there something bothering you, my daughter?"

Velvet sighed. She had just returned from her home village after three days there. However, instead of getting relaxed, the burden on her mind grew heavier. She kept thinking about various things.

"You are still worried about our country not sending you to exterminate the Demons in the Durcia Kingdom?" The religious leader guessed. "Well, officials are an extension of God, after all. As long as we are still under their leadership, we must obey all the rules they give."

Velvet fell silent. Instead of supporting her, the religious leaders followed what the government said. That's a natural thing, actually. All temples in this country are controlled by the government, after all.

And this temple is near the government building. So, the decoration is magnificent as a place for praying. Not only filled with Lyra statues, but the walls are also decorated with carvings depicting the story of that Velvet's predecessor.

That woman then turned around. "I don't know, Father. I will again appear before the council and the prime minister to have a hearing with them. Well, I hope I don't overdo it."

"Remember God, as well as all the prophets before you. You will be calm and will not overdo it." Patrick was starting to sound nervous. "All of this happened by God's will, Velvet."

The prophet didn't answer and started to walk away from that place.

"Come on, Candice." She called her friend, who was sitting in the back seat.

The mage yawned, then walked alongside the prophet. As soon as they came out of that big temple, the nuns, soldiers, and several government officials bowed to the prophet.

That woman continued walking on the marble path with pine trees covered with snow on either side. Apart from being accompanied by Candice, she was followed by five female soldiers.

"I know what their answer will be." The mage yawned again. "You will be told that this country still has many dangerous demons and monsters. So you will be asked to focus on fighting them first and not think about the Durcia Kingdom. Same old, same old."

Velvet sighed. "I heard the news that the Durcia Kingdom hasn't made any moves because it was waiting for me. That means, Vorn and his subordinates can still freely spread their influence. They will get stronger."

"Like I've told you many times." Candice grinned. "Maybe you should be a little bolder."

"Yes, today, the representatives from Durcia will be negotiating about my departure to their place." Velvet and her bodyguard turned onto the street that led to the gate of the government building. "I will meet them."

The soldiers behind the prophet gasped, and Candice gave them a warning. "Remember, don't let this spread. Or you can be considered as disobeying the lady prophet. The punishment is very severe."

Velvet doesn't know what she will discuss with the representatives. Still, maybe by talking to them, she will get inspiration on how to persuade this country's top officials.

***

John walked around anxiously in a plainly decorated room. There was only one table and a few chairs against the white walls.

"Please, calm down, Commander." One of the diplomats in the room warned. "This is just their tactic to frustrate us. If we are frustrated, we will not be able to think clearly. If our minds are unclear, we will not be in the best condition to speak. Our point will not be conveyed properly."

In fact, John wasn't nervous. Shapeshifters don't have that kind of mood. He was acting as Henry Kensington II, the commander.

"This is unforgivable! I've had enough!" John really made sure that he really sounded like Henry. "We come as guests from another country, Mr. Lowbell. Why is their service to us so bad? Our food and bedrooms are also horrible. My back still hurts, you know?"

That diplomat named Lowbell sighed. "Once again, all of that is to frustrate us all. Bear with it, Henry. After all, we are the ones who need them."

The door finally opened, and a woman with pink hair entered. She smiled and said. "Good afternoon, gentlemen. I'm Candice, the prophet's friend. I want to inform you that she wants to meet all of you."

John and the diplomats exchanged glances. Meanwhile, there was a slight commotion outside.

"You can't come in, Miss Velvet!" A soldier standing guard outside sounded panicked. "This is the waiting room for guests from the kingdom of Durcia! You have no authority to meet them!"

"Sorry, soldier. But back off, or this thing will escalate further. Don't worry. I will take responsibility for this." Velvet came into that room. "I'm sorry, gentlemen. Maybe you think I'm rude…."

She fell silent, and her gaze was fixed on John, more precisely to the center of the shapeshifter's body.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Miss Prophet?" John asked cautiously.

Suddenly, Velvet pulled her rapier from her waist, pointing it at that man. "Why did you guys bring demons here!?"

The diplomats raised their hands with frightened faces. John also did the same thing, even though he was still pretending. His brain has started working to find a solution to get out of this unexpected situation.

"What are you doing, Vel!" Candice tried to hold the prophet's hand, but her best friend pushed her away. "Are you insane!? They are guests from another country! We can trigger a war if you do this!"

Velvet's eyes were still fixed on the black ball the size of a baby's head in John's body. It looked like it was poking out of the shapeshifter's chest and had ripples on its surface.

"I swear in the name of my god." She hissed. "I can see that he is a demon. We can prove it after catching him."

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