"What, are you taken aback by my presence?" Daina smiled faintly, evidently content with the reactions of the crowd.

  "Sister, how on earth did you manage to gain entry?" Guinevere voiced the query that was on everyone's mind.

  "Recall the time when you were studying in the Northern Ice Plains. On one occasion, you were trapped in the Trial Canyon for an extended period. Overcome with worry, I beseeched your instructor for two threshold passage credentials, which are typically reserved for teaching assistants to use in emergency situations. I utilized one of them at that time, and I still had one remaining." A look of pride adorned Daina's visage.

  Guinevere's eyes lit up with realization. "I see. Can that credential be utilized here as well?"

  "Yes. However, this is the very last one; there are no more to be had. At the time, I merely decided to give it a try, and to my astonishment, it actually proved successful." With that, Daina produced a peculiar piece of parchment and waved it in her hand.

  This was the first time Kenley had heard of such an occurrence. Why hadn't he encountered it during his time in the game?

  "In that case, our strength has been significantly bolstered. With the addition of Lady Daina, I am of the opinion that shattering the conspiracy of the Black Sheep Heresy should not pose a formidable challenge today." Kenley remarked with a smile.

  "However, what has befallen you all? It appears as though you have just concluded a momentous battle?" Daina furrowed her brow as she observed Orphen, who was tending to Tek. (Tek had been grievously wounded by the nun during the preceding battle.)

  "Knight Daina, this is how the situation stands..." Tia took the initiative to provide Daina with a detailed account.

  Upon hearing Tia's explanation, Daina cast a surprised glance at Kenley. "You're quite the capable individual, aren't you?"

  Tia's account was devoid of exaggeration, yet Daina was still able to discern Kenley's prowess from it. He had single - handedly managed to subdue one of the nuns, while the remaining five of them had only been able to contain a single nun through their combined efforts.

  "At present, the most pressing matter is to anticipate the enemy's subsequent actions, Lady Daina. The Abbey of Rest has been exposed, yet the enemy has shown little response to our incursion. I harbor suspicions that they intend to evacuate the monastery." Kenley shook his head, paying little heed to Daina's reaction.

  Indeed, within such a vast monastery, they had not even chanced upon a few cult members since their entry. The sole priest they had encountered had turned out to be nothing more than a phantom.

  Daina supported her chin with her hand and deliberated for a moment before responding, "Although this conjecture may seem somewhat tenuous, I must admit that the current circumstances do bear a striking resemblance to an evacuation. We have entered the Abbey of Rest with such fanfare, yet we have only encountered these two adversaries. This is highly anomalous."

  "Could it be a trap, sister?" Guinevere inquired. Among them, Daina was the most senior in age and also a knight who had seen action on the battlefield. In terms of experience, she was eager to hear her sister's analysis.

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  Daina shook her head. "It does not appear to be a trap, my dear sister. If I were the enemy, the instant you stepped into the threshold enchantment, I would have dispatched a substantial force to annihilate all of us at the entrance of the main hall, ensuring that not a single whisper of our presence escaped."

  Just then, Fess's eyes brightened, as if a sudden realization had dawned upon him. "Could it be that they were aware of our existence from the very beginning? Perhaps the evacuation commenced some time ago?"

  Upon hearing Fess's speculation, Daina was momentarily taken aback, and then a look of remorse crossed her features. "Damn it! I had thought my reconnaissance efforts were flawless, yet was I still detected by the enemy?"

  Daina was startled by the reconnaissance operations carried out in advance over the past few days. Perhaps something had gone awry in one of the steps, leading to this predicament. Could it be that the rangers and thieves conducting the reconnaissance had aroused the enemy's suspicion?

  "Sister, now is not the time for regret. We have just eliminated the nun sisters, which indicates that the evacuation of the Abbey of Rest is not yet complete. If we proceed now, we may still manage to apprehend a few stragglers." Guinevere's expression grew solemn.

  "You are quite right, my sister. Now is not the time for defeatist talk. Everyone, remain vigilant. Since the enemy was able to dispatch an interception force, it stands to reason that there are bound to be other interception forces ahead." Daina regained her confidence.

  "Then I shall take the lead in the reconnaissance..." Kenley resolved to take the vanguard position.

  However, before he could finish his sentence, Daina interjected, "That will not be necessary, Mr. Kenley. Since I have joined you this time, I shall assume the role of the vanguard."

  Without waiting for Kenley's response, she took the lead and advanced to clear the path. Guinevere gave Kenley a helpless smile, and Kenley responded with a shrug. He had anticipated such a turn of events and was not in the least bit perturbed by it.

  "Tia, come here for a moment." Kenley suddenly recalled something.

  Tia nodded obediently and promptly moved to Kenley's side.

  "What is it, master?"

  "Tia, be honest with me. Is there another entity within you?" Kenley inquired in a hushed tone as they walked.

  Tia was taken aback upon hearing this. She had not expected her master to pose such a question in this particular situation.

  She remained silent for an extended period before finally replying, "Tia is not entirely certain."

  "You know, Tia, there are times when you seem like a complete stranger. It's truly peculiar." Kenley's expression was grave.

  "Master, please don't frighten me."

  "Perhaps you are not aware of it yourself, but that is the reality."

  "Then, master. Has Tia done anything to harm you during this time? Has Tia committed any terrifying acts?" Tia persisted in her questioning.

  "Harming me? I wonder if sucking my blood every day counts?" Kenley said with a teasing smile.

  Tia was visibly flustered. Then, she said nervously, "Could it be that Tia's daily blood - sucking is also the doing of that other entity? What if something untoward were to occur... Then Tia will refrain from sucking master's blood in the future."

  "No, don't be nervous, Tia." Kenley broke into a cold sweat. It seemed that Tia still did not fully comprehend his meaning. He then elaborated, "Nothing untoward has transpired. It's just that I have the impression that the other entity within you also appears to have feelings for me, albeit in a manner somewhat different from your affection, Tia."

  "Different from Tia's affection?" Tia looked thoroughly confused.

  "It's as if..." Kenley was on the verge of saying something when Daina, who was walking ahead, suddenly came to a halt. Sensing something amiss, Kenley immediately fell silent.

  "What's happening?" Someone inquired.

  However, as their field of vision gradually expanded, everyone was confronted with the following scene.

  Within the spacious corridor, there were countless stone statues, each of which exuded an eerie aura. Judging by their attire, they appeared to be ordinary villagers, yet their expressions were remarkably uniform. It was as though they had witnessed something terrifying before being transformed into stone statues and were desperately attempting to flee.