[Vol. 9] Chapter 48: The Storm Coming Together
“As for more detailed information, like the name of this organization, what it exists for, and what its goals are… They didn’t mention anything at all. But I can’t shake off a strange feeling… It’s like They are completely certain that once that so-called ‘right time’ comes, I will surely accept whatever the organization’s messenger arranges for me.”
“Hmm…”
Violet didn’t say much, only gave a noncommittal nod.
Dragged into a dangerous trial for no reason, then suddenly made into a member of an organization whose name she didn’t even know. Even if it brought her great benefits, if it were Violet, she too wouldn’t quietly let herself be ordered around. Moraya’s thoughts were reasonable. Then, what was it that gave [Star Palace] the confidence to act like this?
After thinking for a bit, the priestess didn’t speak out the name she had translated from the [Forbidden Words]. Since [Star Palace] could use that special language and even made such a unique token, it meant they themselves were something close to a forbidden existence. With the current situation still unclear, it was best to act carefully.
“Take it back. Keep it safe. This really is an extraordinary treasure. In a way, it might not be any worse than the [Divine Ice and Snow Seal] your [Eternal Winter Temple] relies on. It will definitely be good for you.”
Seeing the Priestess only examine and play with the token for a bit before calmly putting it back into her hand, Moraya was stunned, then hesitated.
“Did you misunderstand me? I was planning to give this thing to—”
But before she could finish speaking, Violet raised her hand and cut her off, her face once again showing that playful, careless smile.
“Enough, enough. I don’t need your little treasures. Forcibly pulling away something that’s already fused with your soul would cause you serious harm. Besides, while holding it brings endless benefits, it also means you’re tied to the fate of that special organization. I don’t like being anyone’s subordinate.”
“But…”
“No buts. That’s it. We should leave now. Do you know how long you’ve already been stuck here~?”
………………………………………
Ice-Sea Principality, Nofenburg.
It had already been a full half-month since the sudden monster tide on the Ice Sea, where the candidate Holy Maiden Moraya went missing in battle.
During this half-month, Lian temporarily acted as the fortress lord, leading his people day and night to search for the traces of the former young lady of the fortress. When the news reached the headquarters of the Divine Temple in the Ice and Snow Empire, it caused a big stir.
They sent wave after wave of reinforcements, and together with the troops quickly gathered by the Ice-Sea Principality and neighboring countries, the army now outnumbered the permanent population of all Nofenburg.
But even though they turned the Ice Sea within several hundred kilometers completely upside down and searched for half a month, they found no trace of Moraya, no body, no signs of life. Not even the huge tentacle that suddenly rose from the seabed, the supposed culprit of her disappearance, left any clue behind.
Logically, a monster of that size, even in the vast Ice Sea, should leave some tracks if they looked for it carefully. But if it didn’t exist, then how could thousands of people on the northern wall of Nofenburg have seen with their own eyes its battle against the fortress lord? That fact was undeniable.
After several discussions, the Divine Temple rescue teams concluded the most likely answer was that the creature could move on its own. It must have left the area near Nofenburg right away, and in the worst case, it had already followed the Ice Sea’s outlet into the wider, endless ocean.
If that was really the case, then trying to find the missing candidate Holy Maiden who disappeared with the creature was probably already impossible.
But because the [Eternal Winter Temple] was now facing several serious problems, this candidate Holy Maiden’s importance was no less than that of the current High Priestess or even Princess Nolan Sinong herself. So even if there was only the smallest chance, the Divine Temple would never give up.
And since the people of the Snow Empire were never good at naval warfare, with her vanishing on the Ice Sea, their chances of finding her on their own were close to zero. To increase efficiency as much as possible, the Divine Temple leaders had no choice but to call in outside help after much consideration.
“Report! Lord Lian, General Cassio has returned, he is now outside the fortress!”
In Nofenburg’s main fortress council hall, the acting fortress lord, who was discussing the search with several high-ranking priests of the Divine Temple, heard the report. He exchanged glances with his colleagues and frowned slightly.
“Any news?”
The soldier only shook his head helplessly.
“I don’t know, my lord. You know General Cassio’s temper, he never tells us anything useful.”
“That’s true…”
Lian sighed. He didn’t look happy about meeting this General Cassio, but in the end, he waved his hand.
“Invite him in. After all, he was specially sent here as outside support. We can’t be too rude to him.”
“Yes, sir!”
The guard left quickly, and before long, several figures walked in with steady steps and raised heads.
They were soldiers. The man in front, a middle-aged man of about forty, wore a spotless deep-blue uniform and a military cap. Several honor badges hung on his shoulder, a long sword was strapped to his waist, and on the other side hung a polished, custom-made magic mirror. He looked every bit like a hardened officer.
But compared to his impressive uniform, his face was far from friendly. He wore a permanent scowl as if everyone owed him hundreds of gold coins. Yet if one looked closer, it wasn’t true anger or joy, his expression gave away nothing at all.
The men behind him also wore the dark blue navy uniform, though less decorated. They were equipped with Austre Empire’s unique mechanical arm bracers, their aura heavy and their eyes sharp. Clearly, they were his close guards or assistants.
When they entered the council hall, Lian and the other high-ranking priests of the Snow Empire stood up immediately, politely nodding to greet the man.
“General Cassio, thank you for your hard work. Have your forces found any trace of our Divine Temple’s candidate Holy Maiden?”
“Hmph.”
Clearly dissatisfied, the middle-aged man called Cassio took a seat at the table, directly across from the priests. He deliberately toyed with the teacup that had just been served, leaving them waiting for a moment, before finally speaking with a frown.
“Lord Lian, are your people trying to mock us? A terrifying tentacle, dozens of meters thick and stretching out without end? These past days, my soldiers have searched almost your entire territory’s seas. We didn’t find a single person, and not even the tip of a tentacle. Are you sure you weren’t seeing things or mistaking an illusion for reality?”