Clack-clack, clack-clack—
The sun beats down mercilessly as an old carriage rattles along the dusty road toward Whitehorse.
Two figures sit on the driver's bench—one grips the reins while the other holds up a Moon Umbrella, shielding them both from the brutal afternoon sun.
Bloodsworn, I truly appreciate you offering to help me investigate my hometown...
But now word's spread across the entire Scorched Borderland that the legendary "Gray Raven" and the gambler Lilith pulled off that train heist together. With Angel Pilgrims watching everything, I doubt any townspeople would risk giving us useful information.
Her face remains half-concealed beneath the umbrella's shadow, yet even without a glance, that trademark smile of hers is easy enough to picture.
Whether she's receiving advice or enduring mockery, that same impenetrable smile never falters, as though she has planned every word spoken.
Oh... so you're interested in my past, are you?
Her words trail off with a hint of sultry suggestion.
Then feel free to just ask me. I'll never hold back when it comes to satisfying your... curiosity.
Without another word, they crack the whip. The horse whinnies and rushes ahead at a faster pace.
It's not that you want to distrust this "knight" bound to you by Covenant, but ever since your first meeting, the mysteries surrounding her have been far too thick to ignore.
On an unnamed road
Outside the "Sanctuary Game"
Some time ago
Outside the "Sanctuary Game," on an unnamed road, some time ago
The gaping wound in her chest has barely healed, yet she's already drunk on her newfound power. Like a child with a shiny new toy, she gleefully cuts down the Angels chasing her.
Ahahaha! So this is what demonic power feels like? No wonder you have to shed your human flesh to reach heights like this!
The slightest touch from her umbrella tip pops Angel heads like balloons. The excitement of controlling life and death with such ease flows through her veins like a drug, and she can't wait to show off her work to the Bloodsworn.
Who could have imagined that something as fragile as a "human" could overpower Angels like this... all it takes is casting off that worthless flesh...
I owe you everything, Lord Bloodsworn. This miracle... It's all thanks to you.
You show no interest in admiring her handiwork and keep pressing forward. Explosions that loud are bound to bring trouble.
Stirring up trouble in Angel territory is never wise.
Oh, my lord... Forgive me for being so reckless.
Please forgive me. My parents were killed in an Angel purge, and I... I couldn't let this chance for revenge slip away.
Yes, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up the past like that, but I felt I owed you honesty.
Famine closes her Moon Umbrella and reins in her bloodlust with it, holding the weapon casually like a cane as she walks behind the Bloodsworn.
My father was a tax collector in a small town. He worked himself to the bone, but the Angels in their lofty realm were never satisfied with what our poor little town could scrape together each month.
Naturally, the Angels were quick to pin the blame on their "incompetent tax collector." Before long, my parents were executed on completely fabricated charges.
The day they came for my parents, my mother fought to slip a gold coin into my palm, begging me to take it and disappear and find some place where no one could ever find me.
Exactly. They wanted me to let go of my hatred, take everything from Mammon's vault someday, and then find a place to live a simple, peaceful life.
Sorrow washes over her face as she gently touches her chest, lost in the grief of that terrible day.
But the Angels never gave up hunting for that key, and eventually those bastards caught up with me...
You remain silent, patiently waiting for her to reach the end of her story.
With my back against the wall, I made Madam Raphael a bet. If I could beat her at cards, the Sanctuary would have to swear off stealing my coin for good.
But she broke our covenant. She cheated at the table, then tried to have me killed when I called her out on it.
That's the worst insult you can throw at a gambler. Nobody, and I don't care who they think they are, has the right to violate the sacred bond of fair play.
Her anger is perfectly measured, neither flat nor overwrought, but just intense enough to ring true.
And then you saw the rest. I collapsed under that card table like a corpse. Without your intervention, I would've died forgotten, just like my parents.
So allow me to thank you once more, Gray Raven.
Thank you for pulling me out of there, for keeping me from becoming just another casualty in the Angels' wake.
With her tale complete, she turns to you with a gentle, graceful smile, patiently waiting for your reply.
You don't push for more details, instead choosing to respond from your own angle.
Oh? And here I thought... we were already bound together by fate's red thread.
The girl's crimson lips part slightly in her transformed demonic form, her expression shifting to one of theatrical surprise.
Since you've taken such risks and gone to such trouble to rescue me, I'll repay you with everything I have.
Surely you wouldn't want us to go our separate ways at this point... right, Bloodsworn?
Her bright gray-red eyes burn with an eager intensity, like a predator that has finally found prey worth pursuing. You can't help but question whether your earlier judgment was too reckless.
But when it comes to harboring deep hatred for Madam Raphael and the Sanctuary, she's as reliable an ally as anyone could ask for.
Oh? Here we are at last.
After jolting along rough roads, the carriage finally comes to a stop before an inn. The girl closes her umbrella and gracefully steps down.
Meanwhile, you head straight for the inn's reception desk to speak with the tired attendant.
Don't bother asking. Whitehorse isn't open for business anymore.
What? Why not? You're not just making this up to get rid of us, are you?
Before you can even respond, your magical pet pokes its head out of your satchel after having been cooped up for the entire bumpy ride, and voices its complaint.
Wait, you don't know? A few days ago, one of the Sanctuary's treasure trains went down. A whole car crashed right near our town, and it was like gold coins were raining from heaven.
The whole town's out there right now, grabbing as much gold as they can before the Angels show up to take it all back. Nobody's got time to be the innkeeper!
The young man clearly has some experience with the world. Morigan's sudden appearance doesn't even make him blink, and he's more than happy to trade barbs without giving an inch.
It's all my old man's fault! He goes on about needing someone to guard the place, but if he'd just let me go, I would've struck it richer than anyone out there...
But you all know perfectly well that's Sanctuary property. Even if you get your hands on some, the Angels aren't going to just let you spend it in peace.
Or maybe... you just enjoy playing with fire?
Lilith props herself against the doorframe with her Moon Umbrella, watching the conversation unfold with casual interest.
Shut... shut up. We can take care of ourselves just fine! The town's already got a militia. If the Angels show up, they're in for a real fight.
Besides, that... what's-his-face tax collector already cleaned us out of everything we'd worked our asses off to earn. This time, no matter what, we're not gonna let them—
Lily! Lily, Lily, Lily—!
Before the attendant can finish, two rough-looking young men with mohawks burst from the inn and charge straight toward Lilith.
I thought my ears were going crazy, but you really are back! It's "Gambler Lilith"!
Three years! Three damn years! Do you have any idea what we've been through while you were gone?!
Well, now that you're back. Pay up! Thanks to you, I've been so broke I can't even afford a lousy can of beans!
You said it! We've been combing that valley every single day looking for that busted train, and we're sick to death of it, but haven't found anything!
Ugh... don't even get me started. I swear I can still smell that nasty muddy stench from up in those mountains just thinking about it...
Surrounded by the two thugs, Lilith simply looks down and casually checks her fingernails.
That's a strange way to put it. You chose to sit at that card table, and you were happy counting those coins when you were winning...
But the second your luck goes south, you come crawling back with "Oh hello, Lily, we need to have a little chat"...
If you want to make confessions, wouldn't the priest be a better choice?
The cash cow they've finally cornered acts completely indifferent to their plight. Even knowing she's absolutely right, these desperate thugs refuse to back down.
Sh-shut up! So what if I'm just gonna rob you blind? You can't take us both anyway!
That's right! Don't force our hand here! You're the one who'll get hurt if this gets ugly.
Plus, I heard you got cocky and challenged Madam Raphael at the Sanctuary tables, only to get completely demolished—
Say another word and I'll show you what it's like to have your head roll away from your shoulders.
The razor-sharp tip of her umbrella flashes to her opponent's throat in an instant. Her veneer of civility crumbles away, unleashing a wave of bloodlust that crashes over them like ice water.
Both thugs jolt backward in terror, ragged whimpers escaping their throats.
Whoa, hey! Why so serious? I was just messing around...
The Bloodsworn, silent until now, steps forward and catches her Moon Umbrella mid-thrust.
...
The murderous gleam in her eyes slowly dims until every trace of it vanishes beneath her practiced composure.
Of course, my lord. Just a harmless bit of fun.
After all, nobody wants things to get ugly, do we?
Her familiar smile is back as she lowers the now-harmless umbrella. The two thugs, still pressed against the wall, bob their heads like puppets.
Shut up, all of you! The Angels that collect coins are here!
A furious shout rings out from the distance as the doorman, who had vanished without anyone noticing, comes back on horseback, flinging several rust-pitted shotguns at the group with a sharp clatter.
If you want to live, grab a weapon and prepare to fight!
BOOM—
Everyone turns toward the direction the doorman came from, where billowing dust clouds and earth-shaking thunder roll forward like a storm crawling across the ground toward Whitehorse.
Through the choking dust, dozens of pale-skinned creatures can be seen scuttling forward on all fours, racing toward the inn with inhuman speed. It's a sight so grotesque it chills the blood.
...My lord, allow me.
Lilith jumps onto her bike, laughing with wicked glee now that she no longer needs to mask her vicious nature.
She unleashes torrents of magical power, completely ignoring the townspeople around her who now look upon her with terror equal to what they felt when seeing the Angels.
But none of that matters now. She enjoys displaying her power, savoring the awe and respect that is rightfully hers.
Put away that useless scrap metal! I have no need for such things.
Crimson magic coalesces in her hands, weaving itself into a latticed blade of pure energy.
Unable to contain herself, she runs her tongue along the edge of this intoxicating power in her hands.
This round...
I'll go first, as always.
