Elin prayed, she prayed until her mouth felt like cotton, and she continued praying even as she battled. Each memorized collection of verses flowed from her, and when she ran out, she started over.

The nameless horse she rode reacted to her mere thoughts, and she doubtlessly knew [Spiritual Mount] activated. She didn't need the reigns. The two fought as one as she passed through the Necopolis's walls, and could be mistaken for a centaur, at a distance.

Against small groups, the two smashed bare bone and rotting flesh alike. It was no warhorse, but under Elin's magic, it performed as well. The issue, however, became apparent. They were one against many, and if they accumulated too many wounds, they'd have to retreat.

A power welled inside Elin's chest, a similar passion she felt when she and Walter shared a bed. When her emotions peaked, she raised her sword and declared, "[Turn Undead]!"

The radius surrounding Elin turned into crumbling skeletons and zombies breaking into dust. With the weaker foes no longer a threat, the horse lifted its head and trotted proudly.

"Yes, they're weak," Elin petted the wagon horse. "But let's not be blinded by contempt."

Her next challenge was from a Patchwork Man, a combination of cadavers sewn together and revived with a lightning bolt. It slowed at [Turn Undead] but continued its lumbering advance. This monster was bulky, and its slow swings were sure to injure the horse if they connected.

If I were more powerful, then [Turn Undead] would have worked.

"Move!" she demanded. The Patchwork Man stood in the middle of the narrow street, and going by without fighting wasn't possible. "Move, I said! Walter's waiting! Get out of my damned way! [Holy Sword]!"

Gaia's divine inspiration continued to shine on Elin. The horse reared as Elin raised her sword. The blade glowed with the pale gold of the sun and hummed like a gentle Gregorian chant. Woman and beast crashed down, and Elin's saber cleaved the Patchwork Man, cutting from his skull to his sternum.

After a celebratory clopping of its hooves, the horse lurched forward.

I've never felt this much of Gaia's power. Is this what it's like, father? It's easy to enjoy. I had thought since I was losing my MP, that I could never use paladin skills. My time with Walter seemed to sap them. But, I know now, it wasn't Walter, it was my receding faith. Gaia is the Mother Goddess. I should have known the closer I got to loving Walter, the more she'd bless me. This is thanks to him. We wasted so much time holding back.

From that point on, the undead shrank away. Elin heard of this phenomenon before, a story of the Bloody Crusade. Some [Heroes] attained a power so overwhelming their presence alone drove away monsters. She never expected to witness it, or, more shockingly, be the source.

Laira's vision indicated Walter could be found at the temple.

The welcoming garden was filled with dead tangles of thorns, which swayed as if alive. From the mount, Elin could see the entire yard, but no sign of anyone.

"Walter, come here." She squeezed her eyes shut and hoped.

Clack. The first weight since their separation fell on the scales.

"Oh, thank merciful Gaia," she choked out and wiped her eyes. For a brief moment, she nearly lost her composure. With as much air as her lungs could gather, she called out, "Walter!"

"My my, another noisy one." The thorns parted, and a nosferatu strolled forth. "I take it you're here to visit someone special? It happens I know of such a person."

"Where's Walter?" Elin pointed her glowing sword at the vampire. "If he's harmed, I'll kill you."

"I'm sure you'll try. Walter is unharmed, though, at least by my hand." The nosferatu lifted an eyebrow. "You're acting disrespectful, but I'd rather avoid fighting. I'll take you to him."

"If this is a trap--" Elin started to say.

"Oh, it's no trap. Well, let me rephrase. It's definitely a trap, but not one I set, so feel free to be on your guard, but do not blame me if you get caught." The nosferatu cleared its throat. "Firstly, introductions, my name is the Duke of the Rotting Garden. To whom do I have the pleasure?"

She responded with silence.

"Very well," the Duke said sarcastically, "Straight to business."

Elin followed the nosferatu, keeping her sword ready. If he knew where Walter was, then she'd risk being in his company. Monsters existed solely to spread misery and death. Intelligent monsters conversed, but only to seek out a weakness. Her grip tightened, and her glove creaked.

This is definitely a trap, but I don't have a choice. I'll have to rely on my faith and abilities to rescue Walter and escape.

The monster led Elin to a clocktower, and the time read midnight.

A raven haired girl wearing a grey cloak lay on the cobblestone, unconscious. Scrapes covered her body. Elin dismounted and checked her breathing.

"Did you do this?" Elin asked.

"I tossed her out, I'll admit," the Duke said. His nonchalant admission shortened Elin's patience. "She's not why you're here, though, correct? So does she matter?"

Elin picked up the woman and laid her over the back of the horse. After affixing her so she wouldn't slide off, the horse trotted off at Elin's unspoken urging.

"What if you can't get away without the horse?" The Duke smirked.

"Then I'll die with Walter."

"Loyalty? I like that very much. In there," the nosferatu stood by the door and extended an ushering hand.

"Go in first. I won't expose my back to you."

"Naturally," it said, "After me."

Inside, Walter sat on a chair on the far side of the room, with his head downcast. Upon laying her eyes on Walter, Elin's first instinct, which she restrained with military discipline, was to rush to him. "Walter! Thank Gaia, you're okay."

Elin glanced at the Duke, who had moved to a corner to see the entire room. She gestured for him to leave.

"Oh, no, I think not." The nosferatu grinned. Pointed teeth filled its mouth. "I want to see what happens."

"You shouldn't have come," Walter said.

"What do you mean, 'I shouldn't have come?' Walter, get up! Let's go!" Elin snapped.

More weights spilled upon Walter's side of the scales, and he didn't even flinch. "This is for your own good!" She continued to insist, weights crashing, he followed her until the scales tipped.

"Get up!"

Walter gripped the arms of the chair, and his legs slowly straightened as he stood. Halfway up, he froze.

"Why are you doing this? Stop fighting it!" Elin's voice cracked. "Walter, come home!"

As commanded, Walter said, "I'm doing this because I allied with the Duke of the Rotting Garden." However, he denied the command to leave the chair behind. His muscles trembled as he locked them, and he hovered over the seat.

"Why would you do that?!"

The words left Walter's mouth as if he read from a book. It was a fact he simply stated. "Because I'm a [Monster]."

"Why lie about that?" Elin accused. However, she could tell Walter thought it the truth, and when she accepted he believed it, she could feel her MP slowly decline.