[Vol. 7] Chapter 158: Divine Descent
After giving some brief instructions, Violet left the others and made her way alone to a secluded corner of the banquet hall. With the event about to officially begin and most guests already taking their seats, she used the momentary distraction to avoid unnecessary attention.
The area she approached was occupied by a delegation that held one of the most prominent positions in the hall. The members of this group all appeared quite young, and each of them had long, feathered wings growing from their backs in a variety of colors, mostly red, blue, and black, with a few in white and silver. From a distance, they looked like a spread-out painter’s palette, creating an oddly artistic scene.
This was the delegation from the Azure Sky Kingdom, the Winged Ones.
Of course, the Winged Ones had their own magic academies. In fact, their achievements in pure magic research were among the most advanced of the Five Great Nations. The [Eternal Day] barrier over Sainz City, constructed from seven magic towers, is just one example. Every city in their territory has similar magic barriers, with the only difference being the strength of the barriers.
Violet turned her gaze forward. A few figures with snow-white wings stood among the crowd, looking somewhat familiar. However, she didn’t go over to greet them. Instead, she shifted her attention to a more secluded corner of the area. Her lips curled into a slightly helpless, yet undeniably warm, smile.
"So it really is you. I sensed a familiar presence earlier, but I could hardly believe it. What are you doing here...?"
The person she was addressing had clearly noticed her approach as well. Sitting elegantly and alone at a small table, they simply smiled and responded in a calm voice.
"I’m free to go wherever I please. Why shouldn’t I be here?"
Violet raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? So you can wander around as you like, yet you still had to send people all over the world just to plant trees? Are you messing with me on purpose?"
Although her words carried a teasing complaint, the smile on her face only grew brighter. She stepped forward without hesitation, taking a seat directly across from the person.
Without needing any formalities, she picked up one of the crystal glasses that had already been placed on the table, filled with a sparkling drink. With a smooth, practiced motion, she lightly clinked her glass against the one in the other person's hand, the crisp "clink" echoing softly between them.
"So… what should I call you now? The esteemed Lady Goddess of Life?"
The girl across from her, possessing the same green hair and emerald eyes as Theresa, but with a more mature presence and an indescribable divine aura, let out a soft chuckle. Her features were like a masterpiece sculpted by the very forces of nature, flawless, elegant, and breathtaking.
"Few people know the new divine name ‘Sethlin.’ Those who are capable don't need a name to know my true form, and those who aren't capable won't be helped by hearing it. So I haven’t bothered using any aliases."
A gentle smile lingered on her lips as she continued,
"As for my identity… let’s just say I am nothing more than an ‘ordinary foreign teacher’ at the Free Wing Magic Research Academy."
"Alright, alright, Miss 'Ordinary' Sethlin~ Since we clinked glasses, you’d better finish your drink."
"You..."
Shaking her head helplessly, the goddess simply took a delicate sip of the crystal-clear, deep purple wine in her glass. As she swirled the remaining liquid, the reflected light shimmered across her snow-white gown, casting an almost dreamlike glow around her.
Seemingly surprised by the taste, she instinctively ran her rosy tongue across her wine-stained lips, a motion that whether intentional or not added an air of subtle allure that one wouldn’t normally associate with a divine being.
"Turning 'fantasy' into 'reality'… Quite an interesting technique. It’s still a crude imitation, but I must admit, it carries a faint trace of the [Origin]’s essence. The progress of mortal civilizations has truly been remarkable over the past millennium. It seems stepping out into the world was the right choice after all."
"Ahem… Don’t think acting all philosophical is gonna help you dodge the issue, Sethlin. Also, your drinking etiquette needs improvement."
Distracted by the sudden shift in her demeanor, Violet had found herself staring for a moment, but quickly snapped out of it. She took a sip of her own sweet wine, clearing her throat in mild embarrassment as she tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.
Sethlin, however, simply shook her head with a gentle chuckle.
"Drinking should be done in moderation. True appreciation lies in savoring the flavor, not just downing it all at once for the sake of appearances. If you’re only drinking to show off, then you’re just wasting something beautiful."
"Wow, listen to you go... Hold on, Sethlin, don’t tell me, are you actually a secret heavy drinker?"
"Heavy drinker? Hardly. It’s just… one of many ways to pass the time. Haven’t you tasted the Tree of Life’s nectar before?"
"Uh… well…"
Both women set down their glasses, sharing a knowing smile.
After a brief pause, Violet finally steered the conversation back to more serious matters.
"Alright, but you still haven’t told me, what brings you all the way out here? Isn’t the Tree of Life unguarded without you?"
Sethlin nodded gently, her voice as calm and warm as ever.
"There’s no need to worry. This isn’t my true form. This body is an avatar, created using a fruit from the Tree of Life as a vessel, infused with my divine energy. Compared to a normal descent, this form is far more stable.”
“It can sustain both my power and my divinity for extended periods. In a sense, it is already a complete and independent lifeform. This is the same method that was used to create Seth’s [Child of God]."
"Of course. The birth of a soul from nothing takes a long time to evolve naturally. I can't just create one out of thin air. Right now, this body is just an empty shell. Without my control, it’s nothing more than a lifeless vessel."
"I see... Here I was thinking something major had happened. Something big enough to make even the great Goddess of Life personally step in. But turns out, you just made yourself a new body and got bored, so you decided to come out for a stroll?"
Hearing this, even someone as composed as Sethlin couldn't help but give Violet a strange look, staring at her for a few seconds as if trying to gauge her intent.
"Why does it sound like there’s something off about the way you’re saying that? My coming here in this form isn’t just for fun, I have a proper reason."
Her expression quickly turned serious.
"In the past six months while you were away, the world has been shifting. Ancient forces that had long been lurking in the shadows have begun stirring again. The real undercurrents moving beneath the surface, many of them are things even you haven’t fully grasped yet. Take this tower, for example. The power it holds is an imitation of the 'Origin', something that should never be in the hands of mortals. Or..."
She paused briefly before adding, "The imperial princess you just spoke with."
"Oh? You mean Carinvega?"
The image of the heterochromatic-eyed girl flashed through Violet’s mind. She had already been quite intrigued by her, so she immediately pressed for more details.
"She..."
But before she could finish, the entire hall suddenly dimmed, and countless beams of light simultaneously focused on the grand stage in the center. A loud, energetic voice boomed over the murmuring crowd, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Young talents and honored guests from all over the world. GOOD EVENING!!!"
At the same time, two figures appeared out of thin air in the spotlight, capturing the gaze of the entire room.
Even Violet couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the sight, momentarily forgetting what she was about to say.
The hosts of this grand event...
Were two oversized teddy bears, each standing over a meter tall.
Despite their chubby and adorable appearance, their facial features and limbs resembled those of animated toys rather than real creatures.
At this very moment, the two plush-like figures were enthusiastically waving their round and stubby arms to the audience as they greeted them in their cheerful, high-pitched voices.
...Were these things actually alive?