Chapter 299 ·Multiple Forces in Motion

Multiple ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Forces in Motion

Molly was waiting for a response, feeling somewhat hesitant and uneasy. After all, if someone suddenly asked to follow and learn diva magic, anyone would be inclined to refuse...

"Alright."

"Huh?"

Upon hearing Tethys's straightforward answer, molly was momentarily at a loss for how to react.

"But you did say you'd be willing to give us anything you could, right?"

"Th-that's correct, whether it's coins or anything else, I..."

Although it pained her a bit, molly decided to part with her resources for the sake of learning diva magic.

"We don't need such superficial things."

Tethys's smile was gentle. Hearing this, molly was stunned for a moment and then exclaimed excitedly.

"Really?!"

"Yes. Anyway, if you want to learn, you just have to stay with us."

Saying this, tethys turned her head to ask Serea.

"Is that alright?"

"If you're fine with it, I certainly have no issue."

"Then it's settled. Your name is... Molly?"

After talking for so long, tethys still hadn't confirmed the other party's name.

"That's right, molly."

"I'm Tethys, and this is Nora. Little Molly, come here."

"Mhm."

Brimming with joy, molly went over. Seeing the 'sunny' and 'gentle' Tethys, she counted herself lucky to have met such an agreeable diva. However...

Serea smiled slightly, as if she saw through everything.

"Alright, let's leave this place. There are important matters to handle back home."

"Okay."

With that, everyone was ready to leave. Seeing this, molly hurriedly asked,

"By the way, where do you divas live? When can I come to visit and learn... Eh, what's this?"

Nora gently took Molly's hand and followed Serea and Tethys. Seeing Molly's puzzled face, nora replied,

"Weren't you saying you wanted to learn diva magic with us?"

"That's true, but it's already so late today. Wouldn't it be inconvenient to bother you now?"

"It's no problem, come on."

"W-wait..."

Before she could get her bearings, molly was pulled away. A few minutes later, they entered the headquarters of Xiyun Merchant Guild.

"The divas actually live in a place like this!"

Admiring the rows of splendid buildings, molly couldn't help but be filled with longing. Upon entering, Serea and the others split up, while Little Black came to greet them and took Serea to meet Avril and the rest.

...

Arriving at a secret meeting room, Serea shed her disguise and entered. Upon seeing her return, Pelam immediately resumed her bracelet form.

As Serea stepped in, avril rose to greet her.

"Serea, Your Majesty."

"Mhm. No trouble on your end?"

"Thanks to Your Majesty's blessing, all is well. Honestly, we owe you another big favor this time."

The gratitude was heartfelt—if not for Serea's action, the Trading Post would have suffered terrible losses, and the consequences would have been far-reaching.

"Let's set that aside for now. Have my people arrived?"

As she spoke, a few men in black robes emerged from the shadows, headed by Silver.

"Greetings, my lord."

"And what about Oran?"

"He has been interrogated and is now detained. Would Your Majesty like to question him personally?"

"No need. Just tell me what you've learned."

"Oran is affiliated with Black Sun Church. The Supreme Church is a puppet church under their control, and currently, that puppet church's influence covers the entire Magnis Territory. Their headquarters is in Manes City. Their destructive mission here is shadowed by the Luka Merchant Guild and various others. The contact arranged for his escape was with Luka Merchant Guild. Since their base is in Sedis City, and fearing complications, we did not act rashly. Does Your Majesty wish us to take measures?"

"No need. With things this loud, the other side must be prepared. Gaining this intel is already sufficient."

"Understood."

Silver and the others stepped back, and then Serea looked to Avril.

"Things are clear now. What does Miss Avril think?"

"Please rest assured and leave it to me, Your Majesty."

Avril's voice was resolute. She had held back time and again to avoid unnecessary conflict, but now that it had broken out, she was not going to sit on her hands—she was no pushover!

"If that's so, you all handle Oran and the matter as you see fit, I'll stay out of it."

"Mhm, please trust in the abilities of our Xiyun Merchant Guild."

After their discussion ended, Serea left the meeting room, as she had done all she could.

Once the doors closed, only Xiyun Merchant Guild's executives remained inside. A long silence ensued before Kait Qili spoke up.

"Avril, as the main person in charge of the Trading Post, now announce your plan."

"I'm going to have to trouble you, uncle Kait."

"Is there anything I can help with?"

"Yes, I'd like to ask Uncle Kait to take a 'tour' soon. Once you return, we'll immediately sweep out all the potential 'threats'."

The moment Avril finished, kait immediately understood her intention.

Warn first, then act forcefully—show courtesy before resorting to force. Even in a foreign land, they needed to make it clear: Qili was not to be underestimated!

...

At the same time, word reached the Luka Merchant Guild headquarters far away in Manes City.

"They failed?!"

As he spoke, luka clenched the intel in his hand, while the purple-robed man beside him looked grim as well.

"How unexpected—a mere Trading Post actually has a way to counter my divine power."

"Hmph, what did you used to say? As long as we supported you, you could help us control the Otto Kingdom's southern trade resources. Now, what's your plan?"

"My plan? Back then, you lost your nerve after that Maregof scared you off; now you want me to fix it?"

"You—!!"

Luka, stung by the jab, pounded the table and stood up, but the man was unfazed.

"Enough, put away your pointless anger. It's just a failure—nothing major. Plus, I suspect there really are shadows of the Darkmoon clan and the Dragon Saint Maiden behind Xiyun Merchant Guild. Best not provoke them further and get caught in the mess."

"You've got some nerve, talking like that after our plan failed! Do you really think Xiyun Merchant Guild will let this go?"

"Hmph."

Looking down on the situation, the man just left, leaving a gloomy Luka behind.

...

On this eventful night, noteworthy things were happening even in the Holy Empire, across the continent.

The capital—Valan City!

A griffin soared across the sky, prompting several church griffin riders to escort it all the way to the central Light Cathedral in Valan City.

After dismounting, lilith was immediately met by several Holy Knights.

"Holy Maiden Lilith, welcome back. The Holy Maiden of Light has been expecting you."

"Thank you. I'll head over now."

Leaving her griffin with the Holy Knights, lilith followed a guide to the Light Cathedral's rear, where a majestic, sacred round tower—called the Light Tower—stood. This was the Holy Maiden of Light's residence.

After many layers of security, lilith entered the Light Tower. The guide departed, and a white-robed nun led her further in, past the main hall to an assembly chamber.

The door opened slowly. At the nun's signal, lilith stepped in, the doors closed, leaving only her and a woman in a pure white gown, standing among rows of bookshelves, perusing something. The woman didn't seem to notice Lilith's arrival.

Seeing this, lilith greeted her proactively.

"Teacher, your student has returned."

This reached the ears of the Holy Maiden of Light—Celicia Nicstein—whom Lilith called 'teacher'. Celicia closed the black volume she'd been reading and turned around.

"Welcome back, my precious disciple."

With a warm smile, celicia shed her usual holy awe as Holy Maiden for the affection of a mentor. In the face of such warmth, lilith found it difficult to say the words of resignation she'd prepared.

But, after a moment's hesitation, she decided to speak.

"Teacher, I..."

"Do you know why I summoned you?"

Celicia cut her off.

"I delayed my return, making you anxious, teacher."

"You dare say that? Do you know how those old geezers nagged me daily because of you!"

As she spoke, celicia walked over and tapped Lilith's forehead softly.

Lilith understood—many coveted her teacher's position as Holy Maiden of Light. Her own delay as a candidate Saintess gave them plenty of opportunity to criticize, and her teacher surely shielded her from much trouble.

"Sorry to trouble you, teacher."

"No trouble. You know your teacher's methods. But above all, I want to know, what kept you away so long?"

"This..."

Lilith hesitated.

"Is something still troubling you?"

"......"

After a long silence, lilith suddenly knelt on one knee in a perfect knight's salute.

"What are you doing?"

Celicia was puzzled, but Lilith spoke up to explain.

"Teacher, I'm sorry for betraying your nurture. I've returned this time to resign."

Finishing, lilith kept her head bowed low, braced for rebuke, but instead...

"Oh? Your wings hardened and you want to fly solo?"

"I..."

"Here, take these and go."

With that, celicia handed her a black tome and a gold-and-silver medal. At her teacher's words, lilith looked up in astonishment.

"Teacher, you—!!!"

"You call me your teacher; what else can I do?"

Celicia wore an expression of helplessness, though with a certain serenity, as if she'd long foreseen it all.

...

Ten minutes later, guided by her escort, lilith left the Light Tower. As she went, she looked back at what had been her second 'home'.

Then she glanced down at the 'Silver Cross Medal' in her hand...

It was a symbol of the Holy Maiden of Light, representing the highest authority except the Pope's 'Golden Cross Medal.' Remembering Celicia's words:

"You can go, but you must take this. With this medal, no one can restrict your freedom. I'll announce that you've been authorized to undertake training outside, but one thing must remain—the identity of Holy Maiden is not yours to renounce."

Thinking of this, lilith murmured,

"Cannot be renounced, huh..."

She carefully stowed away the medal, knowing when she returned it would have to go back to her teacher—but who knew when that would be?

She took out the other item...

The black book cover was etched with a powerful sealing magic. Nothing unusual could be discerned from the outside, but Celicia had strictly instructed that this 'book' must be kept with her at all times, never to be discovered by anyone.

Lilith, though suspicious, ultimately chose to trust her teacher.

With medal and ancient book in tow, lilith mounted her griffin. Showing the 'pass' of the Holy Maiden of Light, she left Valan City without obstruction. From now on, she was a free woman.

But with this freedom, the chains of fate began to tighten.

...

Back in the Light Tower, watching Lilith's figure disappear into the distance, celicia closed the window.

She was in a stone room at the top of the tower. With the window shut, the only illumination in the room was a faintly glowing crystal ball.

"O, prophesied Savior, inherit my mantle and glory, and be reborn anew."

As she spoke, a silhouette appeared in the crystal ball—a Lilith clothed in black.

...

The night passed swiftly. As the sun rose the next day, Serea yawned, dressed, and greeted everyone before preparing to go out.

"I'll go discuss that accompaniment piece with Tethys first."

She walked to Tethys's room door and knocked lightly.

Thud, thud, thud~

"Come in."

A voice answered, followed quickly by a hurried shout.

"Wait!"

But it was too late—Serea pushed the door open and saw Molly dressed in a bunny girl outfit.

They stared at each other for a long moment, then Serea glanced at Nora beside her with a mischievous grin.

"Sorry for disturbing you."

Bang!

She shut the door and took a deep breath outside.

"Your Majesty, is something wrong?"

Lola and the others looked puzzled.

"It's nothing, let's head to the chapel directly."

After saying this, Serea turned and walked away, thinking to herself:

As expected, those two had this kind of idea. She just hadn't imagined the girl would fall so quickly.

At the same time, a question worth considering came to mind—should she perhaps keep a bit more distance from Tethys...

Not long after Serea and the others left, a voice came from within the room.

"Now that I've been seen like this, there's no way I can go on living..."

It was Molly's voice.

(To be continued...)

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