The Apostle marks are an integral part of the world’s faiths and power structure, pying a pivotal role iory of Light’s quest. These marks, uo the twelve gods, symbolized divine favor and were said to be bestowed upon a chose birth. Each god had a distinct Apostle symbol that represeheir nature, and the individuals bearing these marks were regarded as living embodiments of the deity’s will.

  The marks were rare, appearing in only 5 to 8 pert of the popution worldwide. Those who bore them were granted honorary priesthood in their respective faiths, bypassing the rigorous training required of ordinary priests. The presence of the mark alone was sidered proof of divine blessing and was enough to grant them a position of reverend authority within their faith.

  It was widely believed that the Apostle marks reflected a person’s intrinsiature. For instance, Solious, the Goddess of the Sun and Light, was said to bless individuals of just and virtuous character. However, the faiths also agreed that mortal lives were subject to corruption. Even those favored by the gods could stray from their path, which was why mortal ws remained above divine favor in practice.

  In Light’s quest, Eugehe protagonist, was the Apostle of Solious, and his mark symbolized his role as the champion of light, hehe title of the novel. However, Ravenna’s case was an anomaly—a tradi so profound that it had shaped her life in ways she could never escape.

  Ravenna had been born with the Apostle mark of Herptian, the Goddess of Indulgence, despite being a direct desdant of Solious, the Virtuous Goddess of Sun and Light. This single fact had rendered her a problem within her own family.

  The imperial family, deeply entwined with the faith of Solious, could not afford for such a sdalous truth to bee public. The desdant of the virtuous goddess marked by Herptian, a deity known for her indulgent, lustful, and hedonistiature? It would have shattered their reputation. To protect their image, they had kept Ravenna’s mark hidden, distang themselves from her as much as possible.

  For Ravenna, this reje had been a definiure of her life. The court whispered of her as a walking disaster, a living stain on the imperial family’s reputation. This is why she adapted into a ruthless and spoiled personality as she grew up making the mark’s judgement true.

  Ravenna’s lips curled into a smile as she sat across from High Priest James in the meeting of the Herptian Church. The dim dlelight cast flickering shadows across the room, and the air was heavy with the st of aged wood and inse.

  James, visibly shaken, stared at her in disbelief. “Wh... Why reveal it now?” he stammered, his voice trembling with both curiosity and apprehension.

  Ravenna leaned ba her chair, crossing her legs with deliberate ease. “Because it doesn’t matter anymore,” she replied, her tone light but u with a traockery. “I’ve already been exiled. They’ve cut me off from the family, stripped me of everything that tied me to them. Whether the world knows I’m an Apostle of Herptian or not, it won’t ge my position. I’m already the disgraced princess who killed her own mother. What’s one more sdal at this point?”

  James lowered his gaze, nodding slowly. She was right. The imperial family had already written her off. If the truth of her mark were revealed now, it would merely add fuel to the fires of gossip and sdal, but it wouldn’t ge her fate—or theirs. She was no longer a tender for the throne, and the pao longer cared for her existence.

  As James remained silent, Ravenna’s thoughts drifted.

  “Emperor Andrew must have thought he was clever,” she mused internally. “Sending Ravenna to Jo Isnd for exile, assuming that the Herptian Church would take care of her ohey discovered she bore Herptian’s mark. But how could he have guessed that William had poisoned her before she evehe pace? In the inal novel, Ravenna never made it to Jo alive. She died before she could cim her pce amoian’s Faith and live a quiet life away.”

  Returning her focus to James, she allowed a small, sly smile to tug at her lips. “So,” she began, her voice smooth and anding, “if we reveal my mark and use it strategically, do you think the ritual might succeed after all?”

  James blihe question snapping him from his reverie. For a moment, he sidered her words. Then, a slow smile spread across his face. “It just might,” he admitted, the tension in his shoulders easing.

  As the meeting cluded, Ravenna rose gracefully from her seat. The Herptian Church’s meeting , modest but dignified, stood silent behind her as she stepped out into the warm evening air. The st of salt from the nearby coast lingered, carried by a gentle breeze that tugged at her.

  Waiting outside were two familiar faces Sarah and Marie fnked by a few knights in armor. Their presence was an odd sight, Ravenna’s sharp gaze quickly took in the se, an absence. Raising an eyebrow, she addressed them.

  “Where is Alice?” she asked, her tone calm but ced with curiosity.

  Marie, perked up immediately. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she stepped forward. “Master,” she began, practically boung on her heels, “she went to greet the crew returning from the northern coastline! Ser Hughes and his knights have just returned!”

  The enthusiasm in her voice was unmistakable, and Ravenna couldn’t help but chuckle softly. It was clear Marie was eager to joihe girl’s habit of tagging along on such occasions had bee something of a tradition, and Ravenna saw no reason to break it now.

  “Well,” Ravenna said, her lips curving into a faint smile, “it’s about time they returned.” She turo Sarah, her expression shifting to one of posed authority. “Sarah, there are some preparations that o be made. Speak with His Holiness James and ensure everything is handled properly. I trust you’ll take care of it.”

  Sarah bowed deeply, her voice steady and respectful. “Yes, Yhness. I’ll see to it immediately.”

  Ravenna nodded before turnitention baarie. The young girl’s eyes were practically shining with anticipation.

  “e on,” Ravenna said with a slight tilt of her head. “Let’s see what Hughes and his crew have brought back. Get in the carriage.”

  Marie’s face lit up, and she beamed with delight. “Yes, Master!” she excimed, her excitement spilling over as she hurried to climb into the waiting carriage.

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