Chapter 1155: The Dangerous Agreement
Chapter 1155: The Dangerous Agreement
Orion shook his head. "Let's hear the rest of what she has to say. This isn't something we should ignore."
"Are you out of your mind?!" Aerialia exclaimed. "This isn't something we should involve ourselves in. As a mortal, you can't comprehend the powers of the divine mysteries. Even when I was alive, this is the kind of situation I wouldn't dare entertain rashly."
She wished she could grab Orion and drag him out of this place, but she couldn't. So, instead, she used her authority over the Crimson Greatsword, bringing it horizontally before him, blocking the path between him and the mysterious water woman.
"But still, we can't turn back now. We knew that gathering information about Naka and his whereabouts would be challenging. Isn't it better to do so with some support rather than wait for another opportunity we can't be sure will come?"
"Also, meeting this goddess could be beneficial-we might learn how she suppresses the effects of the Death Plague. As for why the residents of the pocket dimension naturally produce Vylkr energy... that should be obvious by now," Orion said, glancing at their surroundings before refocusing on Aerialia.
"Regardless, any information we obtain here would be invaluable for Paradise's
development. I'm willing to take my chances and see what kind of mess she's gotten into with the divine mysteries," he added.
Aerialia clenched her teeth, conflicted. On one hand, she understood Orion's valid reasoning. On the other, as a goddess who had witnessed the terror of divine mysteries firsthand, how could she easily agree with his judgment?
It was like watching a newborn trying to jump into a battlefield filled with Aurora's headless winged spawns and being asked to trust his judgment. She wouldn't let such a reckless thought fester in his mind if she could help.
"I refuse," Aerialia replied, her tone leaving no room for debate.
Hearing her words, Orion sighed. He knew Aerialia was looking out for him and Paradise, but as the Supreme Leader, there were times when he needed to make a decision and take a risk.
Staring into Orion's eyes and seeing their conviction, Aerialia clenched her teeth harder. She turned her head away, licking her lips in frustration.
"If you have a death wish, just remember-you have a family. And if you die, I'll ensure you're reincarnated and eternally imprisoned in Paradise," Aerialia said.
Orion smiled, nodding in response. He focused on the mysterious water woman and said, "We'll help you rescue this goddess. But I'll clarify, we're not confident we'll succeed. So, if we fail, I want the Divine Embryonic Seed."
The mysterious water woman swiftly jumped in front of the containment chamber protectively and shook her head in refusal.
Aerialia raised her brow, realizing what Orion was attempting to do. She wanted to speak but sealed her lips shut, her fists clenching.
"If we fail, I doubt you'd be able to find anyone to aid you or anyone at all, except for the tainteds swimming around. That would mean the Divine Embryonic Seed will enter dormancy sooner or later and become useless. So, wouldn't it be better to give it to us so we can put it to good use?" Orion added.
"Also, we might be aware of the divine being responsible for your goddess's current situation... It's Naka, isn't it? I'm sure you're familiar with him, given your reaction. We're also searching for him to repay him for all the injustice he has caused."
Orion observed as the mysterious water woman trembled slightly at the end of his words, her expression shifting to one of contemplation.
"Okay..." the mysterious water woman nodded, her firm gaze fixed on Orion.
Orion shifted his attention to Aerialia, but she looked away in annoyance.
Refocusing on the mysterious water woman, Orion asked, "Can you show us a way into the Mirror Realm?"
From what he'd learned, one needed to naturally produce Vylkr energy to enter the Mirror Realm and be on the verge of transforming into a tainted. However, Orion was unwilling to undergo such a process.
The mysterious water woman nodded. She gestured toward the door, signalling her willingness to lead the way.
Orion quickly understood and nodded back.
"And the equipments here..." he asked. "It would be a waste to let it continue sitting unused. I
have people who can utilize it. I can help you clear out the area."
The mysterious water woman's voice echoed in their consciousness, "...Useless..."
Orion smiled, certain that Seraphina would be pleased with his findings.
They needed to begin the evacuation of the residents within the pocket dimension immediately so he could proceed with his next plan to enter the Mirror Realm. The best thing he could do now was handle this matter carefully.
.....
Bastion of Wailling Gnarled Territory
Fifi sat comfortably in her seat, biting into a Kalnir fruit delivered to her. Around her were numerous nymphs, including those fully armed, all encased and restrained in ice. In one corner of the room stood several strange nymphs with abnormal body parts, restrained by headless, winged spawns.
Fifi glanced at them a few times with a frown before an expression of contemplation crossed her face.
Apart from the chair and table, the room itself had been destroyed as though a fierce battle had occurred.
"Where is our sovereigness? What have you done to her?!" demanded a barefoot rock nymph with an upper pale yellow skin tone and lower white skin tone. She was dressed in a white shirt and black fitted pants; her voice was laced with rage and disbelief. Her piercing gaze was fixed on Fifi, and she held her gleaming sword tightly in her cold grasp.
This was Fellssa, the head maid of the Crown Palace, who had led Orion and Fifi to their room. Several hateful gazes were also fixed on Fifi, their expressions filled with a desire to tear her apart.
"Haven't I answered that they'll return in a few hours?" Fifi sighed. It had already been a day since Orion and Nadia left for Paradise after entering the pocket dimension.
Without the key to the Golden Palace, which Ilse had entrusted to Orion and Aurora, Fifi couldn't go outside to find out what was happening. So she stayed put, conversing with others about their discoveries and progress within the other bastions.
Fifi had learned a lot, especially about the existence of the Arch-Knights; it was revealed that they were the backbone of the bastions. Each was at the level of a Four-Star Warrior, with
each corps numbering hundreds to a thousand.
Initially, Fifi had been astonished to learn this, but she realized it made sense, given how readily the bastions had welcomed them into their territory. Fortunately, the bastions were overconfident. No matter how powerful or the size of their numbers, their plans were futile with a goddess like Aurora on their side.
Now, with Brane and Zara securing control of the backbone of the Bastion of Ashen Hope and Aurora doing the same with the Tidal Depths Kingdom-despite being besieged by their entire corps, numbering in the thousands, yet emerging victorious without lifting a finger- all that remained was for Orion to return to the Bastion of Wailing Gnarled so they could begin
the evacuation.
Fifi hated to admit it, but she was beginning to get impatient. The more she learned about this pocket dimension, the sooner she wanted to leave.
"And you expect us to believe you? We've been like this for three hours, and you keep saying our Sovereigness will return soon," Felissa retorted angrily, screaming at Fifi. She was also irritated that they had been defeated by her ice powers, which felt like an embarrassing blow.
"If anything happens to her, I promise you'll regret it. And if you're waiting for reinforcements from your companions, forget it. We'll defeat you and pry the information from your lips, even if it costs us our live-"
Before Felissa could finish, Fifi used her gift to freeze her lips, silencing her like the others. Fifi had been hoping to get information about the Bastion of Wailing Gnarled from her, but it
was futile.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
Fifi was about to speak when she suddenly paused, exhaling in relief. She dispelled the ice restraining them, except for the Arch-Knights in the corner of the room.
Felissa and the others fell to the ground, confusion and doubt filling their eyes as they looked
at Fifi.
"What? Didn't you say you wanted to see your Sovereigness?... She's back, so you should clean up this room quickly, or else start preparing an explanation for why you decided to lead an attack against her esteemed guest," Fifi said nonchalantly, sipping her wine. Felissa's eyes widened in surprise. Hesitation flickered across her face before she turned to the other armed nymphs.
"I'll check if her words are true and the Sovereigness has returned. You all keep a close watch on her and make sure she doesn't leave the room," Felissa said, swiftly rising to her feet and
exiting the room.