Luminous made a crucial decision—she would rule Ruberios as an unseen god, a divine figure that the people would worship but never see. Only her closest aides, Ghunter and Louis, would know the truth of her existence. To the world, she would be the eternal deity guiding the Holy Empire, while Louis would serve as the Pope of the Western Holy Church, acting as her voice and enforcer in the mortal realm.

The day of the official announcement arrived, and the grand cathedral in Ruberios was filled with nobles, priests, and warriors. The air was thick with anticipation.

Louis stood before the massive congregation, clad in immaculate white and gold robes, his presence commanding reverence. Behind him, a towering statue of Luminous, crafted from the finest celestial stone, loomed over the people, bathed in a holy glow.

Raising his hands, Louis began his declaration. "People of Ruberios! Our faith has been tested, but we stand here today stronger than ever! The time has come for our Holy Empire to rise under the divine guidance of our eternal goddess, Luminous Valentine!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, voices crying out in devotion.

Louis continued, "Though our goddess resides beyond mortal sight, she watches over us all, guiding our hands, blessing our lives. From this day forth, the Western Holy Church shall serve as her will, and I, as her humble servant, shall act in her name as the Pope of this sacred land!"

The declaration was met with overwhelming acceptance. The idea of a divine ruler—one whose will was absolute and whose existence was unquestionable—solidified the Holy Empire's power over both humans and vampires.

Behind the scenes, Ghunter and Louis managed affairs while Luminous pulled the strings from the shadows, ensuring that no rebellion, no rogue faction, and no external force could threaten her rule.

With Arion's spies still working in the shadows, eliminating threats before they could arise, the Holy Empire of Ruberios became an unshakable power, a kingdom ruled by an unseen god and her devoted enforcers.

While Luminous built her empire, Chloe set out into the world, taking on the identity of an adventurer. It was both a way to explore and to ensure that history remained somewhat on course.

Wearing a simple but well-crafted leather outfit and armed with her sword, she registered as an adventurer in a small guild in a border town. The guild receptionist, an older dwarf with a skeptical eye, raised an eyebrow at her.

"Yer just a kid. You sure you wanna do this?"

Chloe smiled. "I can handle myself."

He grunted and handed her a wooden token. "Fine. Bronze Rank for now. Prove yourself, and we'll talk about upgrades."

She spent months taking on quests—hunting monsters, escorting merchants, and even settling disputes between villages. She fought bandits, slayed rampaging beasts, and saved a few travelers from near-death experiences. The more she worked, the more her name spread—whispers of a mysterious, powerful adventurer who never failed a mission.

But no matter where she went, she always felt eyes watching her. Arion's presence lingered in her thoughts. Was he truly watching her every move? Was he guiding events from the shadows?

She never let her guard down.

One fateful evening, while passing through a small village, Chloe met a young girl named Shizu.

Shizu had just survived a terrible attack—her village had been destroyed by monsters, and she was left alone, struggling to survive. Chloe found her sitting by the remains of a burned house, clutching a broken wooden doll.

Chloe knelt beside her. "Are you hurt?"

Shizu looked up with tear-streaked eyes but shook her head.

"Where are your parents?"

Shizu's small hands trembled around the doll. "They… they didn't make it."

Chloe's heart ached. She recognized that pain. She had felt it once, long ago.

She extended her hand. "Come with me. I'll protect you."

Shizu hesitated, then took Chloe's hand. That was the beginning.

From then on, Chloe trained Shizu, teaching her swordplay and magic.

One afternoon, in a secluded clearing, Chloe observed Shizu's stance. "Hold your sword properly. Your grip is too tight."

Shizu, now dressed in a simple adventurer's outfit, adjusted her hold. "Like this?"

Chloe nodded. "Better. Now, attack me."

Shizu took a deep breath and lunged forward, swinging her blade. Chloe easily sidestepped, tapping Shizu's sword with her own, sending it flying.

Shizu groaned. "You make it look easy."

Chloe chuckled, retrieving the sword. "Because I've been doing this longer. You'll get there. Again."

And so they trained, day after day. Chloe saw potential in the girl. She knew that Shizu had an important role in the future—one that she would need to be strong for.

At night, as Shizu slept beside a small campfire, Chloe sat alone, staring at the night sky.

She couldn't escape the feeling of Arion's unseen gaze still upon her.

She whispered under her breath, "Are you watching me, Arion? Are you shaping the future, even now?"

The wind rustled the trees, but there was no answer. Only the silence of the night.

Chloe knew one thing for certain.

The game was still being played. And she was still just a piece on the board.