Meanwhile. Western suburbs of Moscow, Tsarist Russia.
Novodevichy Convent. The night was dark, but the convent was brightly lit, enveloping the majestic religious complex in a clear light. The lake beside the convent was clear, its surface reflecting the sky dotted with twinkling stars. As a highly renowned female convent in the Tsarist empire, it was only four kilometers from the Kremlin. Standing at the highest point of its pavilions, one could see the towering palace that symbolized the supreme power of the empire in the distance.
And at this moment, there was indeed someone standing at the window of the top floor, gazing out.
"How interesting. It's been so many years, yet there are still heretics who dare to expose themselves so openly." The speaker's voice echoed on the rather dim top floor, its trailing notes swaying with a certain媚 (flirtatious) charm, completely out of place with the holy atmosphere of the church. But the only listener present—the prioress of the Novodevichy Convent, an old woman nearly seventy years old—dared not respond, let alone criticize or even comment on her. She only stood with her hands down, respectfully behind the person speaking by the window.
Even though the person's presence did indeed have a hint of desecration... both in tone and appearance.
"Not talking?" The person by the window glanced back. Her figure, swaying under the moonlight, was wrapped in a black and white, clean nun's habit. But no matter how much fabric there was, it couldn't completely conceal her extremely full figure. Her swelling chest and slender waist formed a silver screen, and her rounded hips extended into pale white legs that were faintly visible, exuding a profound allure.
There was no doubt she was an extremely beautiful woman. She wore a wimple, but from its bulging shape, one could still guess she had very long, thick hair. Her eyes were upturned, her features delicate. At first glance, she looked extremely holy, but upon closer inspection, one would find her exceptionally enchanting—a demonic quality that was both extremely holy and extremely魅 (bewitching).
She was a member of the Holy Church's strongest organization. The 'Nun' of the 'Burial Agency', Kishinami Kiara.
Every member of the Burial Agency held an extremely high status and power. They were monsters who wielded violence, freaks who enjoyed slaughter. The prioress of the Novodevichy Convent was considered close to the upper echelons of the Holy Church, so the old woman standing here knew very well what kind of existence this group of monsters was. In dealing with them, she would of course be careful...
"It's fine if you don't talk. No need to be so scared, I won't eat you right away—" Kishinami Kiara's tone swayed. Her rosy lips and her gaze both tilted upwards. While she found the prioress of Novodevichy Convent boring, she was now even more interested in the youth on the other side.
She suddenly remembered the feedback she had received from her projection, which she had manifested by usurping the 'Baptismal Chant' ritual of the three Executors. She remembered the young 'priest's' display of mystery and his courage to provoke her... He had not even intended to spare the three Executors or compromise with the Holy Church. If not for her projection's appearance, those three Executors would have died long ago, instead of being able to escape with their lives as they did now. Of course, she had already casually tossed them on the road. Her purpose was never them.
She had indeed just been transferred here, to this country. But to say she was troubled, that she was unfamiliar with the place and didn't know how to handle the sudden situation... in reality, she had been bored for many years. The people of the Burial Agency are all lunatics. Paranoid madmen. This is common sense. It is also a fact.
As a lunatic, a madwoman, she was, at this moment, looking for fun everywhere.
"Lu Kang Luvest."
"I'll give you a chance to perform. Let's see what you, who have taken Rasputin's original path, can achieve." The 'Nun' of the Burial Agency's voice was clear and pleasant. Her eyes flashed, the power of a 'Miracle' manifesting in the depths of her pupils. The power of her 'Mystic Eyes' activated, observing the distant Kremlin from afar.
She was watching. But only watching. Anyway, Rasputin was already dead, and she couldn't find a replacement for the time being. Kishinami Kiara was in no hurry to make a move on Lu Kang. She planned to wait until he had walked Rasputin's original path, until he had seized the power and resources of the Tsarist upper class, before making her move. At that time, she would take back everything that the young priest had obtained, which should have belonged to the Holy Church, in one fell swoop.
This might be nurturing a tiger. But she was confident it would not become a disaster. No—or rather, in her heart, she was actually eager to nurture a tiger that would become a disaster. Even if the chances of that were minuscule. But at least... it could bring her a little bit of fun.
...
[You have expelled the Church's Executors and Kishinami Kiara of the Burial Agency.]
[You do not sense any immediate danger, but standing in the library, you can still feel the prying from the outside. You know it is the observation of Kishinami Kiara's 'Mystic Eyes', but she has not made a move on you yet. You are slightly relieved.]
[You understand that you may not be her match right now. The previous provocation was an inevitable move under unexpected circumstances—having come this far, you cannot give up everything you have gained in the court. It is also because you are confident that you can gain the power to confront a member of the Burial Agency, one of the strongest Executors, in a short time.]
[In the time that follows, you organize the scattered books and also sort out what you have gained this night.]
[The Church's 'Miracles'.]
[The magus's 'Magecraft'.]
[Two different concepts of mystery intertwine in your mind, like clinging vines gradually twisting into a single strand.]
[You have an idea.]
[But it is only an idea.]
[In the latter half of the night, Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna knocks on the library door. She comes to have an in-depth, all-night exchange with you.]
[You look at her, think of the girl named Anastasia from the daytime, and can't help but laugh out loud.]
[Thinking she has received the sage's smile, Her Highness the Tsarina is very happy.]
[She chats with you even more cheerfully, not leaving until near dawn.]
[The next day.]
[Tsarina Alexandra and Nicholas II visit you together again.]
[Unlike before, this time they have brought their daughter, the empire's youngest princess, Anastasia.]
[Anastasia makes a funny face at you from behind Nicholas II's back.]
[Finally having gotten her parents' permission to accompany them, she seems very excited.]
You can support me to read the story in advance at patreon.com/ImNova724
Type-Moon, is this really not the Reverse Side of the World? 50Chapter
In Type-Moon: Creating a Magecraft Family Lineage 100Chapter