Specialty Change: Carmainerose

...I never thought this is how I would end up leaving the manor.

Back when I was planning how to find Father and get my revenge... The only thing I ever thought about was how to escape the Manor. I wasn't even sure it was possible.

But, well, in the end, things worked out all right. And our escape went much better than what we had originally planned.

And...

Hmm... Why don't we start by talking about what kind of lives we've dreamed of having? If we think about what we want to do, we might be able to find a goal.

...After listening to Pearl, I suddenly remembered something.

After Father left the Manor, none of the five of us would dare to take even a single step outside...

I longed to see the outside world I'd known when Father still lived with us. I remember locking myself in the study, reading books and feeling like I was seeing the outside world through them.

The books I read weren't only about the world I had once known. There was a whole new world I hadn't seen out there.

One of the most interesting things I read was the story about the Church of the Goddess.

It said that if one followed the will of the Goddess with a sincere and devoted heart, their efforts would be rewarded with a miracle...

I remembered that Father had told me about the Church of the Goddess once when I was very young. So reading about it again, I became even more curious... Was that really true? Could a miracle happen?

If it was true, and if I was sincere...would I be able to return to my old self?

So according to the book, I need to go to Ezera, but... How do I get there? Maybe I should ask that lady.

Hey, excuse me.

Huh... M-Me?

Don't be scared, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm just looking for directions.

How do I get to Ezera?

Huh? Ezera? Why are you...

I'm going to visit the Church of the Goddess. I want to ask them if they can heal my arms.

Oh...

You're a believer in the Church of the Goddess too? I'm sorry, I didn't realize!

Huh? A believer?

You pray to the Goddess, don't you? I'd be happy to give you directions.

Uh... Huh.

You poor sister... Your arm must have caused you so much pain and suffering. But there's no need to worry.

I'm sure the Goddess will grant your wish. Because the Goddess loves all living beings!

...Really?

Yes! There was a rumor that a man who had been sick since birth prayed to the Goddess every day and followed her will. Then one day, he was miraculously healed and became healthy.

Now he's stronger than anyone else and even fights in battles!

Is that really true?

Um... I think so? I've never seen him before, but...many people say it's a true story.

I have no doubt it's true. There's even a record for the many places the Goddess has performed miracles in.

Hmm... Is that so?

If you follow the Goddess's will faithfully, miracles do happen! That means what I saw in that book was true. I finally found a way to get rid of this terrible curse!

I'll pray to the Goddess every day just like that sick guy. I'll definitely be able to get back to my old self!

Is this Tirel Castle? It's much bigger than it looked in the book. The book said it was a gathering place for high-ranking officials who serve the Goddess.

It was a lot farther than I thought, but I worked hard and got here quickly. So all I need to do is go inside and I can meet the Church of the Goddess?

Then all I have left to do is pray diligently, and then I'll be free of this curse. I've finally got my chance to get rid of this suffering and this hideous appearance.

What am I waiting for? I'm going in!

...Huh? Who's that girl?

Dunno, I've never seen her before. When did she get here? No one told us there would be someone visiting...

Why is she looking around so much? And why is she avoiding eye contact? She's a little suspicious.

Do you think she's a straggler from the Homunculus laboratory?

I heard a rumor that the last remnants of the Homunculus laboratory have been attacking members from the Church of the Goddess and looking for data about other Homunculi.

Hmm... Could be.

Hey you, over there, stop.

Huh? Are you talking to me?

Yeah. Who are you? What are you doing here?

Huh? I don't see any reason to tell you who I am. I'm just here to see the Church of the Goddess. I heard it's in this castle.

The Church of the Goddess?

Yes, the Church of the Goddess.

...

Open this door right now! Why are you doing this to me?! Is anyone there? Hello?!

How did this happen? Why did they lock me up in this sketchy dungeon?! I thought the Goddess loved everyone! Why are they treating me like this?

I didn't do anything wrong! There's no reason for them to do this to me! I just came to see the Goddess, is that a sin?!

This is ridiculous, this is wrong, this is not fair! I can't be trapped like this again!

*squeak*...

Hey, kid. Come here.

...! Are you going to let me go?

Yeah. The Rose Apostles don't think you're a threat, so they've ordered your release.

Really?! See! I didn't do anything wrong. I can go to the Church of the Goddess now, right?

No, that's impossible. They don't just let random people in.

What? Then...?

...

...

Ha... What is this? What's going on here?

Locking me up in a dungeon wasn't enough for them? They had to kick me out too? Without even letting me visit the Church of the Goddess?

Why won't they let me meet the Goddess? Just what is so suspicious about me?! Why can others join the church, but not me?

No way... Is it because I'm so ugly? And they're avoiding me? I'm so ugly I don't even deserve to pray to the Goddess?!

...That's not fair.

It's not fair, it's so not fair! The book said she loves every living being! So why would they do this to me!?

I didn't want to look like this! It's not my fault I was cursed!

I won't let this go. The Goddess, the Church of the Goddess, whoever... I'll destroy you all. I'll make you regret treating me so cruelly.

I won't forgive any of you!

Hey, where are you going? We can't go that way.

Huh? What are you talking about? We take this road all the time.

Well, not today. Didn't you hear the rumors?

They're saying some hideous girl with a grudge against the Church of the Goddess showed up in the forest and started harassing believers.

A girl with a grudge against the Church of the Goddess? Come on, seriously...

I'm telling you the truth! She seriously injured more than a few people.

They said she was asking people passing through about the Church of the Goddess, and if anyone said they worship the Goddess, she attacked them. She was relentless.

Sometimes, she even attacked people just for LOOKING like members of the church. A lot of believers got hurt.

And even the Rose Apostles told us to avoid going that way until they find out who she is.

Is it really that serious?

Yeah. But the problem is this girl is totally ruthless and just won't stop harassing people... Even the Rose Apostles are having trouble finding her.

So we shouldn't do anything unnecessary. Let's just take the safer path.

I didn't know about that... Creepy.

This is...Ezera.

We're still a long way from our destination.

...

If it hadn't been for that gambler, we'd already be near Solayu by now...

I mean, seriously, did she have to change our boat's course while we were asleep? All for a sandcat race?!

Anyway... Where is this new recruit you keep talking about?!

Is this part of Chaos's revelation? Or is our trial not even over yet...?

Hmm...

...Didn't you hear the rumors? They're saying some hideous girl with a grudge against the Church of the Goddess...

She seriously injured more than a few...

...What did they just say? A rumor?

Ah, that rumor... It's the talk of the town, huh? I heard a few other similar stories on our way here.

Some crazy girl keeps attacking people in the forest. Apparently, she keeps talking about the Church of Goddess and a bunch of other gibberish.

Not that she would be able to defeat us by herself when we're the ones who have Chaos's grace...

...

Yes. Chaos decrees.

What? All of a sudden?

Chaos has told me...

We must prepare. We must prepare for the future...with new recruits!

...! Are you saying you're looking for a new recruit here?

Yes. We'll find a new recruit here.

Don't tell me it's the crazy girl from those rumors...

...

How is some crazy girl supposed to help the Chaos Sect? We'll be lucky if she doesn't cause any trouble.

Chaos is mistaken about th...

That's not true! Chaos is perfect! How dare you say such a terrible thing!

Urk, I-I'm sorry! How insolent I was to question the words of a perfect being! I'm just tired from the long journey, I didn't mean to...!

...Chaos says you're forgiven. Just this once.

Since you're tired, I'll go look for the new recruit myself. In the meantime, you find out how to get to Solayu.

Down this road. This is where the new recruit should be...

Who are you?

...! I didn't expect you to show up so soon.

You look kind of different from everyone else I've seen. You're not from the Church of the Goddess, are you?

Correct. I'm not from the Church of the Goddess.

Really? Then you may pass...

I serve a much greater being than the Goddess, I serve Chaos.

...Huh?

Chaos told me there was an unfortunate girl waiting to be chosen by the Goddess.

We will welcome you as a new recruit. And with Chaos's grace, you will become very powerful.

Become a believer in the almighty and powerful Chaos, and join us as we...

You're talking nonsense.

...

What are you trying to pull? "The almighty and powerful Chaos"? "Chaos's grace"? Do you really expect me to believe that?

You'd better stop acting so high and mighty!

How dare you question Chaos! Chaos does indeed exist! Chaos's grace has given us the power to take over the world...!

Shut up! You're not going to fool me!

SLASH!

!

You think you can lure me in with that stupid speech? I'm not falling for this trick again!

Get lost already! Or I'll kill you!

...I wasn't done talking.

How many times do I need to tell you to leave?! You must really want to die!

Calm yourself! Chaos is still speaking...

I told you, I don't want to hear anything your stuipd Chaos has to say!

SMACK!

Ack...!

Ha, so now what does Chaos say? You can achieve anything you want if you just pray and follow the will of Chaos? Something like that, right?

Well, you're not completely wrong, but...

Shut up! You should have picked another target. Do you think I don't see what you guys are doing?!

You're no different than those Church of the Goddess believers! One more word about Chaos or whatever, and I'll seriously kill you...!

...Have you, by chance, been hurt by the Church of the Goddess?

...

So... The Church of the Goddess tossed you out?

...Ugh.

So that's what happened... I'll have to change my approach here.

If that's the case, you can relax. We are different from those foul worshipers of the Goddess.

Those who look to Chaos will never be turned away. Those who have received Chaos's grace will be with us forever.

The Chaos Sect, like you, deplores the atrocities committed by the Church of the Goddess. Those who wish to destroy them are welcome to join us.

We'll be together forever? ...People like me?

The Church of the Goddess commits unending evil deeds under the guise of goodwill. Chaos chose us to punish them.

The Chaos Sect will destroy the Church of the Goddess and conquer the world, just as Chaos wills it.

Conquer the world...?

But the brutalities committed by the Church of the Goddess are disrupting our plans. In response, we follow Chaos's will and fight against them.

We, under Chaos's protection, defeated the Sister with purple hair, a weapon of the Church of the Goddess, and raised the Chaos Sect. But...

The Heir of the Covenant... This axe must split him in two, but we haven't seen him since...

The Heir of the...what?

...I didn't say anything.

No... You definitely said something.

H-Hmm! It wasn't important. Anyway...

We can understand your feelings towards the Church of the Goddess. Chaos is willing to accept the misfortunate and those who have suffered at the hands of the Church of the Goddess.

I am the only one who receives the word of Chaos. Chaos decreed that you will also be joining us.

Chaos's voice... You can hear it...?

This Chaos guy told you he would accept me? And we'll conquer the world together?

Not "this Chaos guy"...

Whatever. Chaos.

...Yes, Chaos told me that.

Really...?

I really like the fact that you're different from the Church of the Goddess. And I'm really interested in the whole "conquering the world" thing.

All right. I'll join you guys! I'll take Chaos's blessing and get revenge on the Church of the Goddess!

That's the right idea! Follow me.

I went through so much getting to Ezera, I never thought I'd end up going back to Solayu. But I'm feeling pretty good about starting something new!

...

...Is that her? The crazy girl from the rumors.

That is correct.

That's... That's a Banshee!

I know.

I mean, we do need someone of great strength but...but she's a Banshee! Isn't this too dangerous?!

Chaos has told me...

We are now in great danger. We must be prepared to accept any power in order to overcome this trial.

You cannot discriminate when it comes to strength. That is the only way we will make it through this crisis.

I... I see.

Well, I guess it doesn't matter what she is, right? You're right, we must be prepared to accept any power in order to conquer the world!

I was too shortsighted! I should have known, Chaos looks not only at the small details but at the bigger picture, too!

...

Girl, Chaos has an order for you.

An order? I don't take orders from anyone.

...Chaos says it's one of the requirements to receiving grace.

All right. What?

Due to the evil deeds committed by the Church of the Goddess, we, the Chaos Sect, are undergoing a great trial.

We must work together to overcome this trial. Only then can we conquer the world and achieve all our goals.

Hmm...?

So you need more people to fight against the Church of the Goddess?

Smart one, you are.

Okay. Then I'm willing to join you guys.

Welcome to Chaos, girl.

Um... I used to come here pretty often, but it looks creepier today somehow... Is it because it's nighttime?

And I feel cold for some reason too... Is it just my imagination...?

...

Ahh! Oh, you scared me... A girl?

Are you a member of the Church of the Goddess?

Huh? N-No...

Really? Then...

Come join the Chaos Sect. Join us in all our glory.

...What?

The Chaos Sect accepts scaredy-cats like you, too. You can become as strong as me if you receive Chaos's grace.

Anybody who serves Chaos will be together with us forever. And you'll even get the chance to conquer the world, too.

Uh... Well, I see. I'm sorry, I'm not interested in that, so...

SLAM!

Didn't you hear all those great things about Chaos? You'd better join us.

*gasping*

Here I'm giving you the chance to be a part of something great, and you want to say "no"? Do you have any idea what kind of opportunity this is?

I'll be nice and pretend I didn't hear anything you just said, so just come with me. Otherwise, your life is...

A-Ahhhhhhhh!

Huh? Where are you running?! I'm not done talking! Hey, you! Why are you running?!

Dammit, forget about grace, you're dead!

...

She still doesn't have much faith, and she's not very good at doing what she's supposed to...

Ahem...

I can't take this anymore. I'm going to give her a warning.

Hey, kid.

W-What now?

Are you stupid? Who's going to want to join us if you talk to them like that? We've gone over this how many times, and you're still acting this way?

I don't think this is going to work. I'm going to show you how the Chaos Inquisitor does it. Just watch and learn, and you...

Ugh, here we go, again... More nagging.

What!?

Hey, who are you trying to act tough for? I watched you when you went out to spread the word two days ago. You didn't get a single person!

So everything you're saying right now sounds ridiculous. Seriously... You'd better take your own advice.

...

Imperator! I can't work with this arrogant little kid! How are we supposed to find more recruits and conquer the world like this?!

Didn't Chaos tell you anything else?! I can't take this anymore!

...

Chaos has told me...

I'm ready!

That girl will become a faithful believer in Chaos in the future. She will play a big role and be of great help when we take over the world.

...

How is she going to be of any help to us?!

She will be. It is certain. Maybe not right now, but...

I saw the rage and resentment in her eyes.

The girl's rage will soon turn into boundless faith. The girl's faith will serve as a stepping stone for the Chaos Sect to take a giant leap forward.

That is what Chaos decrees... Hehe. I'm looking forward to what the future has in store for us.