Azel crouched low near the treeline, eyes narrowed as he surveyed the distant scene. Caged elves—male and female—lined up like livestock. Their faces were grim, hollow. Most of them wore torn clothes, dirt covering their pale skin, and heavy chains shackled their limbs.
The chains weren't ordinary either. Azel recognized the dull silver hue immediately—anti-magic restraints. No wonder none of them tried to resist or escape.
"They're gagged and drained. Some can't even stand straight."
Azel muttered.
Anna stood beside him, lips pressed into a thin line. Her usually warm eyes blazed with fury.
"Are they going to be sold?"
"Most likely. Sex slaves, laborers... take your pick. It would explain why the cathedral conveniently ignores their existence."
Anna's fingers curled into fists.
"Disgusting. And the Church claims to uphold purity and justice? They're just hiding filth behind white cloaks."
Azel stayed silent for a moment, watching as more of the caged were dragged toward a wide clearing. He caught sight of other races too—beastkin with clipped ears and slumped shoulders, dwarves gagged and shoved, even a few frightened humans. None looked over fifteen.
"Looks like it's not just elves. They're trafficking anyone they can't control."
Anna's eyes widened.
"Then it's a full-scale operation. They're working with someone high up."
That's when it happened.
A booming voice echoed through the camp.
"Move the merchandise. We don't have all day. Lord Cardinal expects efficiency."
A priest, draped in ceremonial robes, stood at the edge of the camp barking orders. Several more appeared from the shadows—dozens of them, maybe more. Mixed among them were crusaders clad in white and gold armor. Holy symbols gleamed on their chests, but their hands were soaked with mud and cruelty.
"...."
"It's bigger than I thought."
Anna said, horror in her voice.
Then he saw him. A figure who stood tall in the center of the chaos. He looked ancient, his skin dark as pitch, draped in an immaculate white cloak embroidered with a golden cross. His presence silenced even the rowdiest of priests.
"That might be him. The one in charge."
Azel said pointing at him.
"Who is he?"
"Third Cardinal. Archbishop Hakugo."
The name felt heavy even saying it.
Forbanna stirred inside him, voice low and cold.
"That man reeks of old magic. Filth disguised as divinity. Parasite of the world. One of the heads that guided the purge of Cursewrights."
"So they exterminate what they can't use... and sell the rest. They didn't hunt Cursewrights for righteousness. They did it because we couldn't be shackled."
Anna's mouth tightened.
"They're the real heretics."
Just then, movement stirred in the camp.
Priests opened a wooden passage hidden behind trees, revealing a large stone stairway descending underground. What followed made Anna gasp and Azel's eyes widen slightly.
From the dark emerged men in eccentric garb—long coats, gloves, and porcelain masks shaped like clown faces, each etched with exaggerated grins and painted tears. Their presence was unnatural, their steps too coordinated.
Azel's brows furrowed.
"Those aren't priests."
"Buyers, They're part of a network. Slavers from across the sea, maybe even underworld guilds. The Church doesn't just tolerate this—they orchestrate it.
The masked figures inspected the cages, poking at the restrained with gloved hands, speaking in hushed tones. A girl cried when one grabbed her hair. No one helped her.
Anna's voice cracked.
"What the hell is this...?"
Azel didn't reply. He watched, unmoving, calculating.
The scene was far too coordinated, too clean. From the large tents erected at the side of the camp to the guarded food supplies and guarded perimeter, it was evident this had been going on for weeks, if not months.
They were using the inner Zerestia forest as cover.
"If we report this to the guild. It'll get buried. The cathedral has connections everywhere. We'd be labeled liars, maybe even hunted as co-conspirators. We're outsiders, Anna. They'd erase us."
Anna hesitated, but her voice was firm.
"But I still want to do something about it."
Azel sighs. He really can't understand people like her. He was no saint so helping them will only cause trouble.
"Do you know what you are saying Anna? It will not only endanger our life but also might expose me. The world is after me Anna. Even the corner of the world will not be safe if I were to get exposed."
She bit her lip and looked down.
"I can't. Seeing this... I can't ignore it."
"It is wise to back away Anna. It is not our problem. We leave this place tomorrow."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the cries from the camp echoing below.
"There are crusaders and priests. And Hakugo… we don't know what he's capable of. If we blow our cover, it's not just them. The entire Church of Gazi could come after us."
Anna sighed, her voice laced with frustration.
"Don't argue. First get away from here."
Anna clenched her fists. She wanted to argue more, but she understood. Azel wasn't wrong. It wasn't that she lacked strength—but reason told her the truth: they weren't ready to take on an entire cathedral. No matter how angry she was.
"…Fine. Let's go."
Just as they turned, a chilling voice echoed from below.
"Stop right there."
Azel's body froze. He knew that voice carried power behind it. When he turned, Hakugo stood at the edge of the operation, his eyes locked on them through the treetops.
"Shit!"
Dozens of gazes followed Hakugo's command. Crusaders raised their weapons. Priests formed quick incantations. The jester-masked figures stopped their work and looked straight toward the cliff.
"They noticed us."
Anna whispered.
Azel took her hand.
"Move!"
They darted from the cliff's edge as a volley of magical arrows soared past where they'd stood. Trees cracked and shattered behind them. The chase had begun.