Angel's Grace

Taking his time in the bathroom, Alex pondered over the information about Eventide he had gotten from the memories of 'Alex', the Investigative journalist whose identity he stole.

Based on what he could infer, Eventide shared the most similarities with the Victorian era of his own Earth, with the advent of steam and iron in technological advancements.

Of course, differences remained like how the Nighteye, the equivalent of Earth's moon had four concentric rings about it or how instead of 12 months, there were 6, documented from the rise to the disappearance of the Lightbringer, which was equivalent to the sun back on Earth.

The most glaring difference however was the presence of the supernatural that hid in plain sight amongst ordinary folk.

The simple folklore and mysticism practiced in his home world took on a whole different meaning in this new world.

It was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

In any case, the information he currently had was enough for an ordinary citizen but since his mission would require much more, he couldn't be satisfied with just that.

For the time being, however, he'd do as Mr. Sanders instructed and rest.

He sorely needed it after all.

Turning off the shower, he got out of the tub and cleaned himself up before leaving the bathroom to find some clothes placed on the bed with Mr. Sanders busying himself with a newspaper.

Looking up from his reading, Mr. Sanders remarked. "Ah, you are finally out. You took your sweet time."

"Sorry, I needed some time to… think things through," Alex replied.

"... I see." Mr. Sanders nodded. "So you really want to enter the supernatural world?"

"... If possible, yes."

"Hah, you are quite stubborn." Sighing helplessly, Mr. Sanders added. "Fine then, but it still can't happen today. You have gone through a lot."

"I agree."

"We'll discuss this two days from now. Is that okay?"

"... Not like I have a choice."

"Huhu, indeed you don't." Dropping the newspaper, Mr. Sanders picked up his walking stick and got to his feet.

"Get dressed and meet me outside."

"Mn, alright."

With that, Mr. Sanders left the room and Alex took his time to get dressed.

Taking a look in the mirror, he couldn't help but compliment Mr. Sanders's sense of style.

With a black suit and a white shirt, followed by dark trousers and shoes to match as well as a scarf and black gloves, Alex looked quite eye-catching.

After checking himself out a bit longer, he picked up the walking stick placed at the side of the bed and made his way out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Making his way down, he came across a hotel employee, most likely a cleaner from how she was dressed.

Informing her about his exit, he was promptly informed that there was no need to have done so.

Realizing his mistake, Alex excused himself and made his way down via the elevator.

Once he got to the first floor from his room on the third, he walked over to the exit while noting the exquisite decor of the building as well as the presence of a few noteworthy figures that were most likely nobles based on their attires.

He soon got to the entrance and stepped out of the building.

Fresh air hit him like a wave as he took in a deep breath.

Watching the busy streets, he couldn't help but notice a few men in blue uniforms patrolling.

They were part of the Royal Blue, the policing unit for the empire.

Alex pondered if such security was normal for the neighborhood.

Walking down the steps with a casual gait, he glanced to the side to find a black coach waiting for him with Mr. Sanders standing outside it.

Making his way over, he bowed slightly. "I haven't had a chance to thank you for what you've done."

"No need. Just make a good son-in-law and that's enough."

"Uncle!" Nadia's voice came from inside the carriage.

Alex coughed awkwardly. "..Mn, sure."

"Hehe, you may go." Mr. Sanders said as he turned to leave.

Alex called out to him. "Aren't you going with us?"

"Unfortunately not. I have some things to take care of so you both go ahead first." Mr. Sanders replied before promptly adding. "Ah, yes and I should inform you that for the time being, you will be staying with us. Can't have you falling into further danger now, can we?"

"Thank you."

"Run along now." With a casual hand gesture, Mr. Sanders turned away and walked away with a slow but steady gait.

Letting out a sigh, Alex opened the carriage door and stepped in before closing it.

A moment later and a knock was heard from inside causing the coachman to begin moving.

With a gentle clip-clop, the coach made its way down the busy street.

***

"You seem out of it," Nadia remarked as she watched Alex stared out the window.

The latter met her gaze before sighing. "... I can't feel okay until Douglas is home safe."

"Worrying needlessly won't make anything better."

"I know."

"...Would you like to get something to eat?... It's past lunchtime but you haven't had anything yet."

"... I'd like to visit Emily first," Alex replied. "Where is she?"

"Angels Grace," Nadia remarked before knocking on the carriage and repeating the same thing in a louder voice for the coachman to hear.

The coach soon paused and jerked in another direction, revealing that the message had been passed across.

With that, Alex returned his gaze outside while Nadia kept on watching him like a hawk.

It made Alex slightly uncomfortable, almost as though he were a piece of property Nadia didn't want to let out of her sight.

Was this love or obsession?

He couldn't tell any longer.

Meanwhile, he couldn't help but notice that no matter the area they passed, a few Royal Blue were present.

Sure, there were some places with lesser numbers but unlike earlier, Alex could pinpoint a tense atmosphere for reasons he couldn't quite figure out.

In a bid not to seem too detached, he decided to make small talk with Nadia up until the coachman announced their arrival at their destination.

Angel's Grace.

A hospital established by the Church of Angelica, one of the leading religions in Eventide alongside the Order of Duality.

Alex didn't have much information about the latter since the memories he collected from the dead journalist only had information about BoneHaven and a bit more about Zion Empire as a whole.

He had a bit of information about the countryside but that was useless information for Alex so he didn't think much of it.

The Church of Angelica originated from Argent ( the Northern Continent) and served the Only One God Marduk.

Their missionaries had established churches in various parts of the Zion Empire, BoneHaven being one of them.

In a bid to appeal to the masses, they involved themselves in various community endeavors, one of them being Angel's Grace.

A string of hospitals was built to serve the middle and lower class with cheaper fees for clinical services.

For that, the Church was quite popular amongst them and since they didn't do anything wrong, there was no reason for the more atheistic leaders of BoneHaven to drive them out.

For the Regulus family, 'Alex' wasn't a devout believer, and neither was Emily, his younger sister.

Douglas on the other hand, served in the church as an altar boy, a helper for the priest.

After Nadia informed the coachman to wait for them, she locked arms with Alex and led him into the hospital.

The large white building with the emblem of a gate out of which endless light poured out was located in the Northern District, which was where the Church building, as well as other facilities, were situated.

It was safe to say that if the Central district was for nobility, the Eastern was for the middle class, the Western was for the lower class, and the Southern was for the factories, then the Northern district was for the Church of Angelica.

They made their way into the building where people could be seen loitering about with some looking worried while others seemed angry.

A few could be seen close to an altar by the side, praying to an idol of the Only One God Marduk, which consisted of a humanoid figure with horns and a tail as well as a halo at the back of the head.