After bidding farewell to the Kagura sisters, Cloud boarded a flight to Europe.
His next target was crystal clear.
Goniko—Goenitz's daughter (adopted daughter)!
He needed to confirm before KOF '96 officially began whether this girl, whose story was equally tragic, had already been drawn into this whirlpool of destiny.
Several days later. Europe.
When Cloud appeared in a small town nestled deep in the Alps, looking like an ordinary backpacker, he felt a jarring disconnect between himself and his surroundings.
There was no demonic energy rising to the sky, no world-destroying energy fluctuations—not even a single person littering.
Only pristine snowy mountains, emerald meadows, and the genuine, simple smiles of happiness on the villagers' faces.
"System, are you sure... that stone-cold killer of a priest raises his daughter in a place like this five-star scenic resort?" Cloud couldn't help but mentally complain.
[Host, please don't use your dirty thoughts to speculate on the layouts of gods.] The System's voice dripped with disdain.
[Perhaps this is what they call gap moe. Just like certain people who look like model students on the outside but are secretly thinking about how to conquer every beauty in the world... like certain perverts.]
Cloud: "..."
I suspect you're making fun of me, and I have evidence.
At that moment, from within an ancient, solemn church came the sound of sacred hymns, pure as heavenly music.
Cloud mixed in with the devout villagers and entered the church.
And then... he saw a figure beautiful enough to make any "pervert" ascend to heaven on the spot.
Beneath the church's massive stained-glass windows depicting biblical stories, a young girl in plain white nun's robes stood with her eyes closed and hands pressed together, leading the villagers in reverent prayer.
She had long golden hair as pure and silky as moonlight, cascading down her back.
Her exquisite face carried an innate, otherworldly holiness and compassion.
Her skin was so fair it seemed to glow. Her lips were the delicate pink of cherry blossoms.
She simply stood there, as if a seraph descended to the mortal world. People could only gaze at her from afar, not daring to harbor even a trace of blasphemous thought.
She was Goenitz's adopted daughter—Goniko! She appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old.
And our protagonist Cloud was currently dressed in "tourist" garb, mixed among the praying crowd, observing this "saint" with eyes full of curiosity and assessment.
[Ding! Target character Goniko detected! Adopted daughter of Goenitz, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Orochi!]
[Power Rating: C- (Sealed State)]
[Bond Potential: SS]
[System Commentary: Warning! Warning! Multiple ultra-high-energy signatures detected ahead including "emotionless," "saint," "yandere (latent)" and other complex attributes! Host, please... remain calm! Do not be deceived by her harmless appearance!]
Cloud ignored the System's commentary and quietly observed.
The prayer ended.
The villagers filed out of the church one by one, every face wearing a heartfelt smile of happiness and contentment.
"Oh, young man, you must be a tourist from abroad?"
A white-haired grandmother with a face full of wrinkles but bright, alert eyes hobbled over to Cloud's side, her expression warm and kindly.
"Yes, Grandmother," Cloud replied with a smile.
"Are you here to see Miss Goniko?" The grandmother's eyes shone with love and reverence. "She's such a good child. Like an angel sent by God himself to save us..."
"Oh? How so?"
"Ah, you wouldn't know." The grandmother sighed, lost in memory. "A few years ago, our little town was plagued by poverty and disease. Until... Miss Goniko arrived."
"She healed everyone in town with her miraculous prayers."
"With her meager savings, she built us this church and brought us faith and hope."
"She taught us how to love, how to forgive."
"In our hearts, she... she is a living saint."
Listening to the grandmother's heartfelt account, Cloud looked over at the silver-haired girl not far away—surrounded by children, her face wearing a gentle smile as she handed out candy.
His heart filled with doubt.
He sensed not a trace of evil from Goniko.
All he felt was sacred power, warm and pure as sunlight, brimming with holiness and universal love.
This...
Is this really the daughter of that stone-cold killer "priest" Goenitz?
The vibe is way too different!
Just then, the silver-haired girl seemed to sense his gaze.
She slowly turned her head.
Those clear blue eyes, pure as the sky itself, met Cloud's across the crowd.
A smile appeared on her face—pure and flawless as an angel's.
"Hello, traveler from afar." Goniko looked at Cloud, her voice ethereal as a mountain spring. "The Lord's glory has guided you here. Is there... something troubling your heart that you wish to confide in the Lord?"
Looking at this exquisite face—so pure and innocent that even looking at it felt like a "crime"—a script worthy of an Oscar-winning performance began forming in Cloud's mind.
...
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