''...''
A heavy silence hung in Kierra's office.
There was only herself in this space. Amidst the piles of documents, the shelves of books, and magical items, lone rays of sunlight gently pierced through. The temperature was just right. Kierra leaned back on her soft chair, watching the dust floating in the air.
Everything seemed right.
The reports told no anomalies for the Crimson Tower so far. It was granted, considering Angelica took control of it. Kierra would have been relieved, knowing she could now show her loved ones around this beautiful world that she had helped defend.
But... it appeared—the corrupt divine.
On the archwizard's hand was a small, purple mana stone, one that was brought by merchants coming from other territories. It was the exact same thing as what Kierra had found in the Immortals' realm.
'Is there already a source...?'
Meteorites. If anything, it had to have been from meteorites.
'Since when?'
No, in the first place, how? There was no divinity in this universe. There was a possibility that the corruption got splattered as a result of Kierra's dimensional traveling, too.
No good. There wasn't enough information.
''Sylph.''
[Kyu!]
''Go and tell Au to prepare an audience immediately. There's an emergency.''
[Kyuu!]
''Cosmos.''
It was time to get busy.
----------------------------------------
''Hah... this is such bullshit.''
August's face contorted as she aggressively tapped the armrest. Her gaze, as well as everybody's, was solely on the shard sitting on top of the table.
No one dared to utter a word.
It wasn't entirely because of the Sword Empress's menacing aura, however. More than anything, they were unable to open their mouths, seeing Kierra's infinitely cold stare shot into the distance.
Yes, even if they were her harem.
Was it because they had been stripped of their cultivation bases in this world? Perhaps. Still, deep in their consciousness, a faint thread of truth remained, guiding them to the absolute final answer.
Kierra was a sentimental person, even if she loved to pose otherwise. Unlike August, who only sought and valued human companies, the archwizard found attachments in objects, places, and memories.
Linoel was her home. It was where she was born and grew up—where she fought for and where she chose to settle.
Over five hundred years of living in this place, with countless moments precious.
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There was no way she would let it be destroyed.
''Y'know, I've just received reports, too.'' August sighed. ''New subspecies of monsters have been discovered lately, all over the continent. Want to know what's funny? At the same time as this began, a cult was also born.''
''A cult not worshipping demons... but a god. A real god.'' She added.
Gods.
'Goddamn gods.'
''Gods this, gods that...''
Kierra's unfiltered mutters filled the room.
''Useless lot who only knows to wreak havoc. Such things don't deserve the name of divinity.''
''Kierra.''
''Au. Do me a favor.''
''Of course. I'm at your service, darling.''
''Through my channels and yours... let us wage a war—a war on gods.''
----------------------------------------
''L-Look at that, master! Is that a floating whale...?''
''We're floating, too, Yu Chen! These rails w-won't suddenly disappear, right...?''
''Whoa... it's so beautiful!''
''Qing, there, too.''
On the floating rails that ran all across the capital of the Lilienthal Empire, a certain crew of apprentice wizards boarded the magic train. Bearing a very distinct air, they inevitably caught the fellow transmuters' attention.
At this point, they were kindly sent by Kierra to see the world as they liked.
''I would love to show you around, but as you can see...''
''Worry not. Au and I shall resolve this quickly, and we can be together later.''
None could see a way to refuse that. Not even the shameless Yan Shi was able to utter a spoiled word.
After all, the world was at stake right now. If anything, they felt powerless. Now that the women had come to Linoel, where no Qi could be found, merely walking around triggered their paranoid selves.
Losing something they had proudly built up for years was shocking enough. Fortunately, they also had a very capable(?) guide following them around.
Yes.
It was the one and only fluffy woman, Diamante de Soleil.
This ball of fluff had taken on the noble role of showing these visitors the amazing sides of the city, and she was happily sulking in the corner of the seat.
'Why do I need to babysit these women...?'
[Next stop: Scarlett Plaza. Next stop: Scarlett Plaza.]
[Please use the red door to exit.]
''O-Oh, are we getting off here?'' Yu Chen turned to Diamante, prompting the others to do the same.
The sulky princess lightly nodded and rose to her feet, leading the bunch of timid baby chickens off the parked train. Now, it was time for them to truly experience the life of Linoel.
''Mhm... this place... mhm... was named after our darling... quite obviously. Whew... she contributed a lot in the great war and... nn... see that statue?''
''No, I already guessed that, but... when did you buy so much food?''
The abbess, Mie Xieren, was genuinely curious about Diamante's stacks of snacks piling on her body.
''Moreover, don't speak while eating.''
''Mind your own... mn... business. You're not my mom.''
''No, what are you—''
''Mie Xieren!''
''Hm? Bai Qing, what happened?''
''Shuren disappeared into the crowd!''
''What?! What about your master and your sect leader??''
''They all disappeared! Even the pet disappeared...!''
(—`´—)
''Oh, jeez... anyway.''
Diamante grumbled, throwing another piece of cotton candy into her mouth. As she lamented at her fate, she covertly sought the sky, imagining her beloved's face drawn onto it.
'Kierra... please save me.'
In another corner of the city.
Soft steps accompanied heavy ones into the deep alleyway. Soon, the group of people reached an old warehouse at the end of the path—at least, the sign said so.
'Was there even a place like this in the capital?'
''Come in, sister.''
One of the people urged the young woman, bearing a friendly smile. As he opened the door, others began to focus on the woman, too, adding to the sense of urgency.
''I'd be honored.''
Chuckling, the woman obediently went in as per instruction. Upon passing the door, a very different atmosphere hit her. The air was permeated with a certain sweet yet feelable bitterness to it, akin to how cigarettes were addicting yet obviously harmful.
click—!
Soon, the door closed, and she was guided by the same people toward a deeper room inside.
''This is the prayer room. Feel free to spend your time here with His Holiness until he gives you a mission.''
''Of course, father.''
''Any question?''
''No.''
''Good.''
With that, the escorting group disappeared, leaving the woman with a larger gathering inside.
'Now then... what should I do first...'
Within the moss-filled cracks of the stone walls, ominous energy radiated. Under the flickering lights, at the end of the path between two rows of squeaky wooden benches, a lone statue stood.
Its benevolent eyes stared directly forward, colliding with those of the woman.
For a moment, a red tint gleamed under her glasses.