Strongest Among the Heavens

"I hope you don't mind me asking but are you a former player or were you summoned for a second chance?" Dasha asked innocently.

"I'm a former player. Actually, I vas a part of ze very first Heavenly Game." Saint Hildegard bought a glass of non-alcoholic wine. Her cohorts did the same. "Hehe, back zen, zere vas only us and our wits. Ze bazaar vas barely functional und full of questionable characters. It vas amazing. I met so many people und learned so much."

Saint Hildegard smiled and gestured to her hooded friend. "And! I made a lot of friends!" The hooded woman beside her simply waved. She didn't speak. None of the saintess' so-called friends spoke. "Haha, zey don't talk. Don't worry about it, it's not you."

"Are they mute?" Dasha questioned.

"No, no, nuzzing like zat, it's like, er... bledge."

'A pledge to never speak? Could there be an underlying reason for that?'

"I see. I'll pretend I understand why."

The saintess giggled. "No vurries. Unless, of course, you vant to join us. Zen maybe I'll tell you vhy."

'Everyone appears tight-lipped about information. I doubt I will gain the answers I seek unless I join a guild.'