Raoul, who had escaped from the castle, had his head cooled with unpleasant blood covering him.

‘There’s more than one void.’

He gazed at the abyss before his eyes. It was the second void.

One day, a dark pit that appeared on the outskirts of the castle endlessly spewed forth children of darkness like the devil’s throat.

The people of the territory often referred to this as the ‘harbinger of the end.’

Since the discovery of the first void, painstaking efforts had continued to seal this ominous hole.

Sword masters, priests, wizards, mercenaries – various people tried many methods, but the results were the same.

“I can’t sleep because I’m anxious.”

Raoul thought of Diana sleeping soundly and twisted his lips.

This was why he didn’t want to entrust the night watch to incompetent and lazy knights.

He sheathed his sword at his waist and sniffed. His keen sense of smell was also a great help when exterminating monsters.

Sure enough, a fishy scent wafted from somewhere. His blue eyes flashed sharply.

“…Did it happen?”

Lifting the long tangled vines, he saw a woman collapsed on the ground.

For a moment, Raoul’s actions halted.

It was because the motionless woman lying there with her black hair spread out resembled Diana.

Judging by her thick fur-clad appearance, she seemed to be a refugee who had flowed in from another region.

Screech, screech.

An unpleasant sound was heard.

Turning his gaze, he saw an upright beast collapsed on the ground, bleeding.

Raoul drove his sword into its heart with a dry look. The only smell coming from nearby was that of the woman’s blood.

He bent down to check her pulse.

If it weren’t for the low growling sound.

Grrrr.

Looking closely, the fallen woman was curled up tightly, holding something.

A tuft of ashy hair sticking out, fierce crying sounds, a small body,

He frowned as he met the fierce eyes peeking over the woman’s shoulder.

It was a Lycan cub.

[This is the timeline separator]

“I already told you she’s dead.”

The creature bit Raoul’s hand as he was digging, and started digging the ground again.

The soil was rough and hard because the spring rain hadn’t come on time. The child’s hands quickly became a mess.

Raoul grabbed the small nape and threw it back.

But the child didn’t give up.

The child glared at Raoul with burning eyes. And finally pulled the deeply buried woman out of the soil.

The small body persistently sought its parent’s embrace.

It crawled in with outstretched arms and pressed its ear to the woman’s chest.

It didn’t forget to wrap the limp, unbending arms around itself.

Raoul silently looked down at the scene and grimaced bitterly. Then he put down the shovel.

“…Do as you please.”

“Grrrr…”

“Hold her as long as you can…”

There was no longer any scent of monsters.

[This is the timeline separator]

‘Why did he return without saying anything?’

Diana was concerned about Raoul, who had left early.

Even after talking pleasantly the night before, he always disappeared without a sound when returning.

‘How worrying. He could at least say something before leaving.’

Diana shook off her distracting thoughts and entered the monastery with Biche.

As they passed through the main gate, they saw children gathered under a large plane tree.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes! The nun braided my hair today. Isn’t it pretty?”

“It’s very pretty.”

Diana put down the girl with sparkling eyes and gently patted the heads of the children gathered around her.

The children of the monastery, starved for affection, always welcomed visitors from outside.

Especially Diana, who provided delicious desserts three times a week, was loved the most.

“Do you have yummy bread today too?”

“No, no, candy!”

The children’s eyes sparkled. Diana nodded to Biche, and he took out a basket from the carriage.

“It’s for after meals. Everyone has to wait, okay?”

“Yes!”

Woohoo!

Biche wobbled as he moved with baskets of cookies in both hands.

He looked like an innocent wanderer attacked by a flock of sheep.

Diana covered her mouth gently and burst out laughing.

It was a peaceful scene.

“You came early today.”

A gentle voice leaked out from inside the chapter house.

Diana’s cheeks rose slightly.

“Why is it that I’m always happy to see you?”

“You said there’s no one as helpful as me. Maybe that’s why?”

A nun with a kind expression, covered in a black veil, kissed Diana’s forehead.

Diana naturally bent her waist and smiled softly.

Her body, which had grown considerably over the years, was now tall enough that she no longer had to look up at adult women.

“The children are growing too fast. Their sleeves are already too short.”

“Even if we make them new clothes three times a year, it’s like that.”

The woman said with a gentle smile.

The two sat facing each other across a low table.

Diana spoke as she inhaled the faint scent of chrysanthemum tea.

“So I was thinking, how about the castle takes responsibility for the children’s clothes and shoes this year?”

“We’ve already received so much? We’re still using the quilts you sent in winter.”

The dormitory used by the monks was narrow and bleak.

Dozens of beds, just big enough for one person, were lined up with stone walls between them.

There, the children had to sleep using straw as beds.

If it weren’t for the winter quilts Diana had provided, they would have had to shiver in the cold with their small bodies.

“Just this month alone, three children have been admitted due to monster attacks. The burden on the monastery is growing too. Since the assistant proposed this welfare project first, please just accept it with good intentions. Okay?”

“When you ask so earnestly, I have no choice but to comply.”

Diana smiled brightly. It was a great relief.

Since the discovery of the void, the damage from monsters had been steadily increasing.

The number of orphans was growing day by day, but the monastery operated on the principle of self-sufficiency.

They made their own clothes and grew their own food, so the nuns’ backs were becoming more bent with each passing day.

Diana felt joy in being able to help even a little as she took a sip of tea.

“Oh, by the way. We recently received a letter from the Jacquebert Monastery.”

Diana’s hand stopped. She slowly raised her trembling gaze and asked, pretending to be nonchalant.

“What for?”

“A child raised in the monastery achieved good results in a local art competition? It seems they will visit our monastery for volunteer work around the end of this month. You mentioned once before that you wanted to do an art support project, right? As soon as I heard it, I thought of you, my lady.”

Jacquebert is an island close to the Hyperion territory, but one that must be reached by boat.

If that person is Paivar, it would be a case of the darkest place being under the lamp.

Diana’s lips dried up at the unexpected news. She put down the chrysanthemum tea because her hands were shaking and said,

“Please let me know when they’re coming. I’d like to meet them.”

She spoke with her eyes closed, hiding her tense expression.

“Of course. Even if you don’t sponsor them, please give them some words of encouragement. It will be a great support.”

“…Yes. I really hope so.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Diana headed to the kitchen, walking around the cloister.

When she poked her head in with her hand on the stone wall, she saw the nuns busily wielding knives with their sleeves rolled up.

“Looks like today’s lunch is vegetable stew.”

“There’s a little lamb in it too.”

They all answered without stopping their hands, even at Diana’s appearance. It felt comfortable and familiar rather than unpleasant.

A watery stew was bubbling in an iron pot large enough for one person to fit in.

When they poured in the neatly chopped vegetables from the cutting board, the stew broth overflowed slightly and the fire flared up.

“Was the potion I gave you last time effective?”

“Yes. The soil has revived a little.”

“That’s good.”

“The late spring rain is really causing trouble.”

Diana looked at the stew lacking in solid ingredients and grimaced bitterly.

It was worth considering increasing the number of visits within a range that wouldn’t burden the monastery people.

“I’ll help too.”

She rolled up her sleeves, wanting to lend a hand even a little.

But she was soon pushed out of the kitchen.

“My lady, please offer prayers for the people of the territory. That’s the way to help us.”

It had always been like this since she badly cut her finger once before.

“I know how to handle knives now. I’ve learned from the kitchen staff and become quite skillful.”

‘Of course, it was a terrible time that drove everyone to fear and shock.’

“Of course. We all know that. But if we take up your time, we’ll face the children’s resentment. Please offer prayers first and then show affection to the children.”

“When you ask so earnestly, I have no choice…”

The Mother Superior’s habit of speaking had naturally come to her.

Hearing those words, all the nuns in the kitchen raised the corners of their mouths and shook their heads.

They were already like family.

Diana entered the prayer room.

She walked quietly between the massive pillars devoid of ornate decorations. Light entering through the tall windows illuminated the dim interior.

She clasped her hands neatly and closed her eyes under the statue of the goddess Aiona.

“Please remove the monsters and drought so that all children can live abundantly receiving their parents’ love.”

‘I know you can do that. Because I’m a possessed person. Aren’t monsters not even a necessary story? Stop being spiteful and end the calamity. Don’t listen carelessly just because it’s extra words.’

It was while she was inwardly reciting somewhat rebellious words.

The iron candlestick placed in front of the goddess statue fell to the floor with a sharp clang.

Diana opened her eyes in surprise.

She turned her head and looked around, but saw nothing.

She blinked and tilted her head quizzically.

‘Was it the wind?’

Ignoring the goosebumps that were rising for no reason, she leaned over to pick up the iron candlestick.

At that moment, Diana saw a gray hand sticking out from under the tablecloth.

She blinked in surprise, and heard a whimpering sound.

Diana bent down to look under the cloth.

‘A puppy?’