Chapter 24: Grand Apology.
(*Celia’s POV*)
The fight shouldn’t have been that hard, but Viva really wasn’t up to our level. I tried protecting her for a while, but doing so ended up with me getting injured.
Instead, Ria decided to protect her, which went far better. I could tell that Viva was quite upset at this. Either because she was angry about not being strong enough, or she felt bad about getting us into this situation.
To be fair to her, both Nia, Ria, and I all accepted this idea. So we are to blame as well. Eh, it’s not that bad, to be honest. It’s not like this demon is super crazy strong, she is just using up all of her energy, without really caring about the consequences.
Twenty minutes into the fight, her estate was completely trashed. With various holes in the walls and such. I felt quite bad about destroying her estate, but it was better than dying in my opinion.
Today was the most that I have ever had to use my healing magic. Ria was fine, but Nia and Vina both would end up getting hurt from time to time. Viva was clearly interested in why I knew so many different kinds of magic, and why I was so skilled. But this really wasn’t the kind of situation to ask such questions.
Mena was the funniest person involved, as she kinda just cheered us on. She didn’t really have any means to fight off the evil demon, so that was all that she could do for us.
Thankfully, ten minutes later, Solia and Yona arrived. With their help, dealing with the demon went well. Not even another ten minutes later, the demon vanished. Which meant that we succeeded in dealing with her.
I was about to walk up to Yona and Solia to thank them, but then something crazy happened… Yona pointed her sword at Viva, and she had a very angry expression on her face.
Yona: “Why have you tried to kill my daughter? Answer me!” She yelled.
Viva: “That… That wasn’t my intention, I assure you!” She replied with a nervous tone.
Celia: “She is telling the truth. We didn’t realize that evil demon was so strong.” I say in defense of Viva.
Solia: “Yes, that lie would work on Ria, Nia, and you, Celia. But that demon was an ancient evil that the Elves have been trying to deal with for over a few hundred years.” She said with a serious tone.
Wait… Really? Ria, why didn’t you know about this? Shouldn’t you have seen this coming? I am not upset with you or anything, I am just curious.
Ria: “It’s the same reason why I didn’t foresee Viva. It was an important part of history, so I couldn’t see in it advance, which would let me avoid it.” She explained in my head.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Ah, so that’s why. Makes sense, I guess? Though, I am kinda surprised that you have to agree to not do things like effect history.
Ria: “I can do that to a certain degree. And the one that I have to look out for is the will of this dimension. Key points in history that it deems necessary, I cannot meddle in.” She said with a sigh.
Yona: “Why haven’t you answered me yet? You have tried to kill my only heir, that is more than enough grounds to kill you and demand reparations from Eloateilian.” She said with a serious tone.
Viva: “…I swear upon my Goddess, Qophine, that I didn’t do this on purpose. Yes, I realized after releasing the evil demon who it was, but that was only after. I swear that I had no idea about this, but it was clearly planned by someone.” She explained.
Yona: “Fine… But who would do such a thing anyway?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.
Celia: “Wait, you’re just going to believe her?” I ask with a head tilt.
Solia: “Their Goddess is very strict. If someone lies when invoking her name, then they will be killed on the spot.” She answered in Yona’s stead.
Wow… What a ruthless Goddess. Though, such a practice is pretty good. If you ever want to know if someone is telling the truth, just ask them to swear upon a scary Goddess or God like Qophine.
Unknown Voice: “I am not scary, I assure you.” She said in my head.
Viva: “Frankly, I have no real idea who planned this. They had my old friend possessed by that ancient evil, and they also knew that my Mother gave me the task of looking into your adopted daughter.” She said with a thinking pose.
I think that Viva said something to Yona and the rest, but I couldn’t hear them while I am freaking out about someone else listening in on my thoughts...
Qophine: “Rest assured, I am the Goddess Qophine. Regardless, I have come to inform you of who tried to get both you and Viva killed.” She said with a calm tone.
Celia: “Really? But is that wise to rat out your kin?” I ask.
Qophine: “My kin, as you put it, tried to kill you. Informing you of who planned this out is the least that I can do for you.” She replied.
Celia: “Okay, who was it?” I ask with a curious tone.
Qophine: “Viva planned this out.” She answered.
Celia: “…Why? Wait, if she did, then shouldn’t you have killed her?” I ask with a confused tone.
Qophine: “I won’t kill her, as she isn’t the one at fault.” She replied.
Celia: “Qophine… You’re confusing me to no end at the moment.” I say with a sigh.
Qophine: “She was mind controlled by her mother. Which is why she isn’t responsible for what happened.” She clarified.
Celia: “Okay… But why did her mother do this?” I ask.
Qophine: “She always says that she is good friends with Yona, but that isn’t the case at all. She wanted you dead so that Yona’s kingdom would be weakened. Alright, that’s all that I can say, as manifesting like this is quite taxing. Farewell.” She answered.
Yona: “Celia, do you have any Elven enemies?” She asked, snapping me back to the conversation.
Celia: “No, but you do.” I reply.
Yona: “What do you mean?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.
Celia: “Qophine talked to me in my head, and told me that Eloateilian’s queen is the one that planned my and Viva’s assassination. Oh, and all just to weaken our kingdom. Ah, I swear this upon Qophine.” I reply with a serious tone.
Oddly, most of them looked shocked, and waited to see if I would be killed. Hey! Have some faith in my words! I mean, I haven’t really ever lied to them…
Viva: “My mother did this? It can’t be…” She said with a shocked expression.
Yona: “Celia’s words are true, as Qophine didn’t smite her. I can’t believe it either, but Amora has decided to go against us.” She said with an annoyed tone.
I was curious what the next step was, but Yona, Ria, Solia, and Nia all pointed their weapons at Viva. Yona said that Viva would be taken as our hostage. Oddly, Viva agreed to be our willing hostage.
And that was the start of my amazing friendship with Viva, a person who would soon be world renowned. Or not? Unlike Ria and Nia, I cannot see into the future, Heh.