[Vol. 8] Chapter 312: Violet, the Queen of Bluffing!
The girl who called herself [11279], a demon, once again spoke naturally with words that made everyone frown. She waited for a while, but when she saw the group just staring at each other without giving any reply, she tilted her head in confusion.
“What’s wrong? Guests, aren’t you going to say something? Hmm… you all feel kind of strange to me.”
“Uh… we…”
Nitila was at a loss for words, hesitating and not knowing how to answer. At that moment, a fair hand lightly patted her shoulder. A figure stepped forward and took over the conversation.
“Do you think you have the right to ask about the title of the Chosen One? You really have some guts.”
Hearing this, the demon girl’s expression immediately changed.
“What! You are the Chosen One?!”
For some reason, the instant she heard that title, her whole attitude became visibly respectful. The other villagers who hadn’t spoken yet also quickly lowered their heads in fear, as if commoners had suddenly realized they were standing before an emperor in disguise. Only the demon girl hesitated a little before asking carefully in a low voice.
“But… I don’t feel Their presence from you all. I-I’m not doubting your identity, but… could you perhaps show us a little of Their blessing?”
The priestess glanced at her silently, then nodded. She raised her hand.
A faint golden glow slowly rose, turning into a mysterious and hazy aura that danced around her palm. It looked hard to understand, but whether it was Nitila and her companions or the strange villagers, everyone’s expression changed when they felt the power inside it.
The golden light, though faint, seemed to hold endless mystery, like a black hole pulling in all light, yet also like a star shining with infinite brilliance. The moment it appeared, it became the absolute center of this world, making people instinctively want to kneel down and worship.
In fact, that’s exactly what the villagers did.
Just like bowing to a true emperor, they dropped to the ground without hesitation and kowtowed with the utmost respect. The demon girl who called herself [11279] even gasped in awe like a fanatic believer.
“What a blessing this is! Such a pure and flawless gift, like the noble children personally created by Him! Great Chosen One, representative of the Great Will, welcome to our village!”
“…”
Feeling the strange looks from the Sea Alliance warriors beside her, Violet exchanged a quick glance with Nitila. After a small cough, she waved her hand at the villagers kneeling before her.
“Enough, you may rise. I just happened to pass by. But since the chance is rare, we’d like to look around your village. Depending on the situation, we might also stay for a while. Would that be convenient for you?”
“Of course! It is an honor for our village!”
[11279] raised her head with joy, volunteering at once.
“In that case, let me personally lead you into the village. Do you have any other requests?”
“This is fine. Thank you.”
“No, no, no! To serve the Chosen One is the greatest honor of every follower of the Great Will!”
It had to be said, the demon girl’s devotion was not fake. She worked very quickly. After asking a few companions to finish the laundry for her, she immediately led Violet and the others alone into the village not far away.
She clearly held great respect for the so-called Chosen One. She walked in front seriously, guiding the way. She did not dare to look back or speak unless Violet herself asked her something. Only then would she turn slightly and answer politely with a humble tone.
Even though she was facing strangers she had just met, she acted like the most loyal and obedient servant. This behavior did not make Nitila and the others feel safe. On the contrary, it made them more worried about what was going to happen next.
After all, they all understood one truth, when something goes too far in one direction, it often turns into the opposite.
Walking a short distance behind [11279], the princess finally had a chance to quietly ask the question that was troubling everyone.
“Miss Violet, what exactly was that power you just showed? The level of it was so high it shocked me. Why would these local beings mistake it for that so-called blessing? Or… is it really true?”
“Haha, well… how should I put it… Honestly, I was just trying to bluff. I didn’t expect it to actually work.”
The priestess shook her head with a helpless smile. She wanted to explain more, but the truth was too complicated. Even Violet herself did not fully understand what was going on. If the situation hadn’t been so urgent earlier, with the conversation on the verge of breaking apart, she would never have chosen to act that way.
No matter what this world truly was, or where these strange villagers with odd behavior and thinking came from, there were at least a few things she could be certain about.
Since they had entered this place through the great tower outside, this world must be closely linked to the Austre Empire and to the main plan of the World Sustainers. The villagers too were part of this. Violet still didn’t know why they called their home simply The Village, or why they said there was only one Village. But the way [11279] used a number as her name was not new to her.
Back during the trial of the God-Chosen Heroes, when the World Sustainers secretly entered the Holy Capital to sabotage the trial, Shadow had once fought two strong enemies inside the Gate of Ghosts. One of them, [Humble Humbold], was killed by Snowwing Descend, while the other was slain by Shadow’s Edge of Darkness. That one, however, did not have a real name. Only a number, just like [11279].
Both [Humble Humbold] and the numbered one belonged to the so-called Illusory Beings, but their names were completely different, and so were their positions and strength. Violet boldly guessed this was actually a way the World Sustainers divided their hierarchy.
From what the priestess had observed so far, there was a very strict system among the World Sustainers. Over 99% of them were at the lowest level. These lower beings had no rights, not even real names. They were only given numbers, like slaves, or disposable tools.
The purpose of these numbered ones was only to serve higher-ranking beings. Because of the huge difference in rank, they would obey higher orders absolutely. Those higher beings in turn served their so-called Lords. And above even that was the so-called Primordial Will, forming a giant pyramid of hierarchy.
[Humble Humbold] had once told Miss Shadow that he was chosen by the Great Will, similar to a God-Chosen Hero. Later, in the Saint Tyr City in the Theo Province, another one appeared. [Towerf]. From this, it seemed clear, there was not just one so-called Chosen One. There were several.