Chapter 356.1
Approximately three weeks ago, a contingent of knights departed from the sacred confines of the Holy City. Dana had meticulously observed the palace’s activities in recent times. However, her surveillance had failed to detect the departure of a group of knights who seemed to have skillfully eluded her watchful eyes. In the active season, the uncharacteristic gathering of knights and their subsequent exodus from the Holy City raised eyebrows.
Enoch added, “Rumor has it that Anika was among them.”
“Which Anika are we talking about?” Dana asked.
“I couldn’t ascertain that,” Enoch admitted.
Who could it possibly be? Dana wondered. If knights were part of the departing group, logic pointed towards Anika, who had transitioned into priesthood. The movements of such individuals were shrouded in mystery, making them nearly impossible to track. As time progressed, those who entered the Holy Palace gradually severed ties with the outside world. Their families remained oblivious to their well-being, unsure if they were alive or deceased.
Compounding the uncertainty was the Holy City’s tradition of keeping priest deaths discreet. While priests, like any mortal being, had a natural lifespan, there was a conspicuous absence of any reported deaths among them. This absence fueled the belief, particularly among fervent adherents, that ordained priests enjoyed an eternal existence in the divine presence.
An uneasy feeling settled over Dana.
With the exception of Anika, Dana hadn’t observed anyone departing from the Holy City. Yet, the notion that Anika alone could accomplish something significant by leaving seemed implausible, no matter how she contemplated it.
Recently, the actions of the priests have been peculiar, Dana mused. Despite the challenges posed by Sang-je’s activities, investigating the priests’ movements seemed comparatively manageable under the circumstances.