The cathedral of Saint Heron was filled with noise.
The high walls of white stone echoed with the shouts and arguments of hundreds gathered.Bishops, popes, clerics, nobles, knights of the Holy Order, even tribal leaders — all important people were squeezed into the giant hall.
Golden chandeliers swung lightly overhead. Heavy air filled the room, thick with tension and fear.
At the central podium stood Tanisha, the adopted daughter of Saint Heron.
Her blond hair was braided neatly. She wore a pure white holy robe.
She was a beautiful woman who looked no more than early 20s but her beauty was hidden by that masculine personality.
Her face was calm, but her hands were hidden inside her sleeves, clenched tightly.
She raised her hand slowly. Her clear voice broke the shouting.
"Enough!"
Gradually, the shouting quieted. Grumbling voices fell into uneasy silence.
Tanisha took a breath.
"In my father's place, I have come to oversee this emergency seminar.
A matter has come to light that threatens the stability of our church, and perhaps the world."
Some bishops exchanged worried looks.
Tanisha continued.
"We have received a report. The auction in Gazi was attacked. A powerful heretic was involved. Cardinal Hakugo personally intervened. However... his remains were later found in the Zerestia Forest, torn apart, beyond recognition."
Shock rippled through the crowd. Many bishops clutched their relics.
"A Cursewright is involved. The Cursewright race we believed to be extinct."
The hall erupted again, voices rising in panic.
"This cannot be!"
"They should have died in the Holy Purge!"
"Impossible!"
Tanisha let them shout for a few seconds before slamming her hand down on the podium.
The hall froze.
"The facts are before us. We cannot deny it."
From the side of the room, Ricardo rose.
He was wearing a noble's traveling uniform, still bearing dust from his long journey.
His face was twisted in frustration.
"I request the floor"
Ricardo said.
Tanisha gave a small nod.
Ricardo took a step forward.
"I faced the Cursewright before! I swear it by my noble blood."
Murmurs began again.
Ricardo's voice sharpened.
"He wasn't alone. A woman was with him. She was definitely not human. She used forbidden magic, something beyond human capabilities."
His voice cracked slightly with anger.
Some nobles whispered among themselves. Others laughed quietly, doubting him.
Before more accusations could be thrown, Linde de Valmonth, leader of the Elf Tribunal, spoke. Her cold voice rang out.
"I've heard of your failures, Ricardo. Your words mean little without proof."
Ricardo's face burned red. He clenched his fists, but said nothing more.
She turned to Tanisha, her eyes sharp.
"What do you mean by auction bishop Tansiha?"
"... It was a trade market where illegal items and forbidden artifacts were sold. You would want to talk to my father if you want to know more."
Linde nodded and sat clearly unsatisfied but it can be addressed later.
Tanisha looked toward Elisar, the Fifth Archbishop, seated calmly beside his disciple.
His disciple, Clind, a man with sharp eyes and a soft voice, stepped forward.
Clind bowed to Tanisha first, then addressed the room.
"I, Clind, disciple of Archbishop Elisar, confirm Ricardo's account. He reported to meet the cursewright. He said someone named Azel and his supposedly wife Anna attacked him using forbidden spells. Azel used cursed magic and his wife's magic was unknown back then.
My independent investigation also supports the claim that Cursewright was seen using cursed arts. His companion demonstrated void magic, highly dangerous, beyond known human spells. An ancient magic generally used by demons."
"..."
"..."
A heavy silence filled the room. Everyone was listening now.
"Demons are you serious?"
"What the fuck? Weren't they extinct."
"We must investigate on this matter thoroughly."
"This new Cursewright also poses a serious threat. He possesses abilities we cannot allow to spread."
The bishops looked among themselves, fear growing.
Tanisha's expression was unreadable.
Suddenly, Sindiwedy Palaologue, the dwarf tribal representative, snored loudly from the front row.His short, stocky body was slumped against his chair. His tiny wife, Amile, elbowed him hard in the ribs.
Sindiwedy opened one eye, yawned, and muttered,
"Cursewrights, heretics, demons... same thing... just kill them already..." before dozing off again.
Some nearby clerics chuckled nervously.
Ignoring the interruption, Tanisha spoke again.
"This seminar must decide our next course of action."
The murmurs grew louder again.
"We must crush them!"
"Send the Holy Order!"
"No — it must be silent! If the world knows a Cursewright and supposedly demon lives, panic will spread!"
Arguments exploded from every direction. Nobles shouted over bishops. Clerics yelled over knights.
Tanisha's shoulders stiffened under her robe.
She hated this chaos.
Inside, she wished she could just be a normal princess, like in the fairy tales she once dreamed of. But that dream was long dead.
She raised her hand again but before she could speak, Elisar stepped forward.
The hall went quiet immediately.
Elisar's voice was calm but heavy.
"Listen well."
"The Cursewright is young. He is powerful but not yet mature. Against normal forces, he would slaughter them."
He paused, looking across the hall.
"But against a true monster... he can be defeated."
Tanisha narrowed her eyes.
"What do you propose?"
Elisar turned slightly.
"There is one. A prisoner deep within our catacombs. A beastkin criminal, sealed decades ago.His name is Pauli. Also known as the Crimson Disaster."
Gasps erupted across the hall. Even some hardened knights looked unsettled.
"You can't mean that Pauli...?"
"Yes." "Pauli destroyed three cities by himself. It took Pope Regis and five bishops to seal him. He is a living catastrophe."
Many in the room looked unsure, even fearful.
Tanisha kept her voice steady.
"You suggest we release him?"
"Under divine bindings. Geas spells. Command seals. We unleash him only to destroy the Cursewright. After that, we seal him again."
The bishops muttered nervously. Releasing a monster to kill another monster. It was risky and dangerous.
But the fear of a living Cursewright spreading rebellion... that fear was stronger.
Linde de Valmonth stood, her sharp green eyes flashing.
"I support the motion."
"The Cursewrights are enemies to all races. We cannot hesitate."
Other voices followed.
One bishop. Then two. Then nobles. Then tribal representatives.
Even Ricardo supported it loudly, eager for revenge.
Only a few clerics hesitated.
Tanisha hesitated inside.
She didn't like it. But if she said no, and the Cursewright survived... Her father would be furious.
She lowered her head for a moment.
Then raised it, voice firm.
"So be it."
The decision was made.
Tanisha continued.
"Prepare the holy brands. Prepare the command seals. Gather the magi. Prepare the chamber."
The seminar was officially concluded.
The bishops and nobles filed out, some in heated discussion, others in grim silence.
As Tanisha left the podium, she glanced once at Elisar.The man stood like an iron tower, unmoving, his scarred jaw tight with satisfaction.
Far below the cathedral, deep underground, old seals would soon be broken.And a living disaster would once again walk the earth.