[Vol. 7] Chapter 220: Preparing Ahead of Time
When Mia looked around and her expression changed slightly, perhaps thinking of something bad, Violet smiled and gently shook her head.
“Don’t worry, she’s perfectly fine. She’s just been very busy lately, so she couldn’t come see you right away. Anyway, you should take a break and rest until the conference is over. Selna and Lenka will stay here with you. As for that strange ability the enemy used, I’ve already explained it to them.”
“Understood… I feel very sorry for troubling you…”
Violet waved her hand with a smile. Seeing that Mia’s body was no longer in danger, the priestess left the room after saying goodbye, leaving the two girls behind in the special hospital room personally arranged by Lucine.
There were still many things to take care of… Time was running short.
“By the way, how long have I been asleep since I passed out? It feels like it’s been a while, but it’s still daytime outside… Did I sleep until the next day?”
“Haha, Miss Mia, you actually slept for more than a whole week this time! The conference outside is almost over already. If Sister Violet hadn’t checked on you herself and said your body was fine and that you were just in a deep sleep and would wake up on your own, Selna was already planning to ask Headmaster Lucine to help!”
“What?! I slept that long? That’s really embarrassing… But, hehe, I didn’t know you cared that much about me, Selna~ I’m kind of touched!”
“Miss Lenka, that last part was completely unnecessary. You really need to learn how to speak properly. I’ll give you some special training for that later.”
“Eh? Eh?!!”
As the sound of cheerful laughter and teasing filled the room, Violet had just closed the door behind her. Standing in the hallway, the black-haired girl couldn’t help but smile a little too. But that smile soon disappeared, replaced by a serious and business-like expression as she looked toward a figure silently waiting outside the door.
“Is everything ready?”
“Yes, Lady Violet. Everything has been prepared exactly as you ordered. We’re now just waiting for the other side to make their move.”
In the empty, quiet corridor, a young girl in a custom-made tight-fitting suit worn by elite shadow guards knelt gracefully on one knee. With a cold but pleasant voice and an expressionless face, she reported smoothly.
Although she rarely appeared in front of others, this legendary elite shadow guard, personally arranged for Violet by a certain queen, had always worked secretly behind the scenes. She silently protected the people around the priestess, ensuring their safety. This time was no different.
Even the person who had temporarily taken control of Philoae’s body to plot against Mia probably didn’t realize that every single move they made had been watched. The shadow guard, known as "Shadow," had been tailing and protecting the priestess’ companions, using magic to keep everything under watch.
Because of this, Violet quickly learned the entire sequence of events after it happened. Although it was a certain goddess who also noticed the clues that informed her, it was this Shadow Guard who sent Mia and Philoae for treatment. "Shadow" was truly skilled at stealth, probably as good as Prakaka, who had talent for such things from birth.
Violet also had good reason to believe that this person might have been one of the teachers who taught "Shadow" the art of hiding. Thanks to the many precautions put in place, the priestess was able to feel safe bringing Xiao Guang and Lenka to the labyrinth for “special training.”
“Mm, don’t rush it. There are still a few days until the conference ends. Based on the current information, the enemy is likely to wait until the results of the competition are final and the closing ceremony ends before making their move. Let’s make sure everyone is ready, but don’t rush in now and alarm them. We don’t want to alert the enemy. Go ahead.”
“Yes.”
The shadow guard nodded respectfully, but with a slightly cold expression. In an instant, her body was enveloped in shadow and swiftly melted into the ground like liquid, disappearing without a trace.
It wasn’t until then that the green-haired girl, who had been quietly sitting and smiling while observing the conversation, finally spoke.
“Heh, Violet really looks like someone in charge now. You’re full of authority, huh? You’ve changed a lot since coming back from the Ancient Spirit Realm.”
“Enough with the praise. ‘Full of authority’ isn’t exactly a compliment… That kid’s personality is like that, and it’s actually easier to communicate when she acts this way.”
The priestess smiled wryly and rubbed her cheek, which she had purposely tensed, then turned to look at the other person.
“So, Sethlin, how are things on your end?”
“I’ve managed to take care of part of it. With this new avatar, many ideas that were once just plans can finally be put into action. I’ve gathered a lot of valuable information during this time and made some preparations for the future. As for the rest, perhaps we'll have to wait until your side syncs up.
Sethlin playfully smiled while resting her chin in her hand. She stood up, and the two of them walked side by side down the hallway, heading outside.
Without any apparent action, a faint blue halo naturally emanated from the goddess's body, isolating all information flow around the two girls.
“So, what do you think? Why would they cause all these events? Are they trying to see us, or Xiao Guang, as threats and want to get rid of us beforehand?”
Hearing the black-haired girl’s direct question, Sethlin thought for a moment and then replied.
“Right now, we can only guess that it’s connected to you two in some way, but it’s obviously not the only reason. To be honest, I feel like this whole situation is a bit strange. Don’t be fooled by how Exmont seems. Back in the era of the gods, he was actually a more neutral god.”
“Compared to those evil gods, the God of Subversion and Paradox rarely does anything that might interfere with or destroy the natural order. He’s neither passionate nor hateful about such things, and he’s simply not interested. He just prefers to stay in his temple, creating strange and upside-down creations... His personality, formed by his divine traits, probably hasn’t changed much even now.”
The priestess nodded slightly.
“So, he's like a seemingly harmless slice-of-life character who hides his demon lord power, right? You mean that guy is doing all this because he has some specific goal in mind, and it’s not really all about us? Does this have anything to do with the [Twilight Council]?”
“It’s hard to say right now... But if Exmont really joined that council, then there’s definitely more than one or two gods of that level in that faction.”
“How many of the old gods still remain? Why are they shut out from the world? What exactly is the purpose of the [Twilight Council]...? Right now, we don’t know enough about that organization. Just the two of us will definitely have some trouble facing an entire well-established council. It’s not just a matter of strength, but also the lack of information and intelligence.”
The goddess sighed slightly, looking somewhat worried as she pondered.
“Violet, this is just my feeling... A special moment is getting closer, and to fight against this change, we’ll need more allies. Those who can join the fight at the god-level or at least intervene at the critical moment. You mentioned that there is still a god in the Ancient Spirit Realm... Maybe...”
“That’s impossible.”
The priestess stopped walking, immediately shaking her head with a firm expression.
“Sethlin, I understand your anxiety and your care for this world, but the great disaster in the Ancient Spirit Realm just passed, and it can’t handle any more destruction or damage.”
“I’ll tell you the truth, the area is still under spatial lockdown, and Xiao Kong’s identity... is very sensitive regarding this matter. It’s not appropriate to directly take a stand against the [Twilight Council].”
“This isn’t just for Xiao Kong’s safety, it’s also for... So, for now, I don’t plan on involving her in this. I hope you understand.”
Looking at the priestess, whose expression was unusually serious and determined, the goddess paused for a moment. She didn’t press the matter further and nodded slightly, her expression tinged with regret.
“I understand. No... I should be the one apologizing. I asked for outside help without considering the risks and dangers it might bring to others...”
The priestess smiled and patted the green-haired girl’s shoulder, her serious expression softening.
“Alright, alright, let’s not be so formal between us, and stop looking so down. In the end, we’re just preparing ahead of time. We still don’t know what the overall situation is, or what the other side plans to do.”