"Oh my, we have company."
A woman's voice chid from ahead.
I instinctively looked forward—.
And my entire body froze.
She turned toward us, her towering figure reaching an imposing eight feet.
Draped in an extravagant white gown, cinched at the waist and cascading into a floor-length skirt, her presence exuded both elegance and nace.
Her pale, porcelain-like skin contrasted sharply with her jet-black hair, which flowed freely, brushing against her knees.
Lady Valcina Von Castia. The head of the Histria organization. Her bright yellow, piercing eyes shifted toward Mortis as she whispered, "How have you been, Mortis?"
A subtle wave of panic coiled in my gut as her gaze shifted in my direction.
Her slight, knowing smile was enough of a warning.
She already knew.
She knew I was Azariah.
Tilting her head ever so slightly, she mused, "Who might he be?"
Mortis turned to look at . "Segyal Highblood's new heir, Himl."
"....."
I forced myself to remain composed as I t her gaze.
There was no need to fear her. Not yet.
For now, Mortis was my shield.
Valcina nodded, smiling. "I see, the one who took over Ragnar's position."
She took a step forward, closing the distance between us.
'Inna.' []
I drew in a deep breath, looking at her.
Co at , bitch. But before she could take another step—
Mortis moved.
Placing himself directly between us, his towering fra blocked her approach.
"I don't think that child is comfortable with you being around him."
Valcina regarded him with an amused smile. "Do you think I care?"
Mortis remained silent, standing like an immovable boulder.
Every muscle in his body tensed, prepared for a fight.
After a long mont, Valcina sighed and stepped back.
"Your fellow heads arrived yesterday."
Mortis folded his arms. "Edel and Edwin?"
"Yes," Valcina affird before turning on her heel. "Co, we should et them."
Mortis gave her a slow nod before glancing back at , Lysander, and Sibry.
"Stay close. I won't be gone long."
I nodded gently, keeping my eyes on Valcina.
An odd feeling crept within my chest as I looked at her towering over Mortis.
'The fuck is wrong with her height?' "Oh."
As if rembering sothing, Valcina turned back, feigning surprise.
Then she smiled at .
"How rude of —I almost forgot to introduce my disciple."
"Hm?"
I tilted my head slightly—then stiffened.
A presence.
Right behind .
My body moved instinctively until my eyes landed on a girl.
She stood tall, just a few inches shorter than .
A mask concealed her face, long black hair cascading behind her.
And her eyes—
Steely gray. Observing. Calculating.
'When did she—?' How did I not notice her presence until now?
Valcina's voice was a low hum. "Get along with her~."
I kept my guard up, eyes locked on the girl.
Even Lysander seed just as cautious.
Composing himself, Lysander walked forward. "My na is—."
But before he could introduce himself, she walked past him.
And stopped.
Right in front of .
Raising her hand, she waved. "Hey, handso~."
"...."
The fuck?
What's with the sudden flirting?
Awkwardly, I lifted a hand. "Hello?"
Lysander shot a glare.
Not my fault, fucker.
The girl chuckled. "Ah, where are my manners?"
She grabbed the hem of her dress and dipped into a slight bow.
"My na is Zeline, holder of Lilith's blessing."
My mind buzzed.
Zeline?
Never heard of her.
Not in this world.
Not in the ga.
There was no such thing as Valcina's disciple.
Straightening, Zeline looked up at .
"Heir Himl," she purred, and though her mask hid her lips, I could hear the smirk in her voice.
"Would you like to sleep with ?"
"...."
I opened my mouth, then closed it.
Confusion coiled around my mind. "I'm sorry, what?"
"You know."
Raising her hand, she made an O—.
"I would politely decline."
I replied, glaring at her.
Her hand stumbled down helplessly as she looked up at .
"Why?"
"I don't even know you."
And of course, because of Lilith's blessing.
Maybe it's because of my Earth mories that I'm associating her with sluts.
It's bad, I know, but I'm not risking it.
"We can know each other anyti."
She replied, regaining her enthusiasm.
Before I could step away, her arm wrapped around my shoulder.
"Let's go on a date right now!"
"I said no—."
Then—
Chills shot down my spine.
Danger.
I yanked myself free, twisting on instinct.
A sharp weapon whistled toward .
My hand shot out—
And caught it.
"....."
I stared at the scythe in my grasp.
A familiar scythe.
"I'm sorry, sire."
A voice.
Smooth yet playful.
I looked up.
"My hand slipped."
And subconsciously—
I smiled.
"Oh, looks like soone is jealous."
Zeline whispered as she took a step away from .
Ah.
My smile died down as I registered sothing.
Didn't she just try to kill ?
'I guess so things never change.' Long silver hair frad her delicate features, crimson eyes locked onto mine.
She wore a stunning black gown, tiny stars embroidered into the fabric.
Her light footsteps carried her forward until she stood inches from .
Shyamal blinked, feigning innocence.
"Uh, who are you again?"
*****
"What a filthy place this city is."
On the other side of the castle, an old man's disgust-filled voice echoed in the corridor.
The maiden's lips twitched, but she refrained from rebuking his words.
She knew he wasn't soone she could take lightly.
The old man wore a long white dress that covered him entirely, his bald head covered with a cap.
Intricate designs were woven within his dress, making him look much more precious.
His wrinkled face still had so handsoness, while his eyes were barely open.
"I still don't understand, Pope Donus."
A knight wearing beautiful white armour, leading the rest of his knights, whispered.
"Why bother coming to this place?"
Donus just gave him a glance without saying a word.
Being the Pope of the Three Gods' Church, Donus had no obligation to explain his actions.
Despite the sinking reputation of the church, the Pope still held a considerable amount of power.
Both politically and personally.
"Are we there yet?"
Donus asked as he looked at the maiden leading them.
"Yes, Sir Donus."
She whispered softly as she stopped right beside a room.
"This is your accommodation."
"Tell Gwenyra to start the eting already."
Donus ordered as one of the knights opened the door.
"I will convey your ssage."
Ignoring the nun's response, the Pope walked inside.
The first thing he did was close his eyes and whisper a chant.
A radiant light covered the entire place, 'purifying' it.
Donus let out a sigh of relief as he took a seat on the reclining chair.
Only one knight followed him inside the room.
He took off his helt, showing his handso face along with his long blonde hair.
He stood there waiting for Donus's orders.
"You asked why I am here?"
Donus said, looking at him.
The knight bowed slightly. "Pardon if it's sothing I shouldn't have asked."
"No, no."
Donus shook his head in response.
"You're the next head of our strongest knights, Alexander. You have the right."
The knight nodded his head gently.
Donus quietly looked at the ceiling.
A mont passed, but he kept quiet.
Then—.
In a low voice, he whispered, "God Elohim asked ."
Alexander frowned. "Pardon?"
"It's what you heard." The Pope whispered, looking at him.
"He asked to visit this place."
Confused, Alexander asked, "Why would he do that? Asking you to visit another church."
"Simple." Donus replied quietly. "He wants to kill at least one vessel."
"....."
Alexander quietly asked, "Which one?"
"Esray if possible." Donus replied, making a disgusted look.
Alexander sighed. "Then it would be easy. She isn't that strong."
"You think so?" Donus looked at him in amusent. "She isn't what she looks."
"....."
Though curious about his words, Alexander kept his silence.
"Killing the youngest is the easiest." Donus continued. "And I'm going to do just that."
"....I see."
Alexander sighed.
In his mind, the vessel wasn't that strong.
What bothered him the most was soone else.
"How is Ethan's training going?" Donus asked, looking at him.
"He is a smart kid, even though he has been under for only a few months." Alexander replied, a proud look on his face. "He will soon surpass ."
"How is your relationship going with him?" Donus questioned, narrowing his eyes.
Despite Ethan being the Avatar of their god,
The church did their best to control him.
And the easiest way was to make him dependent on others.
"I made sure he looks at as his older brother."
Donus nodded. "Make sure he gets whatever he desires. Won. Money. Fa. It doesn't matter."
Alexander nodded softly.
Then, hesitantly, he asked,
"I heard he is also going to be present at the eting."
Donus flinched ever so slightly.
"Sabaoth's Avatar."
Donus turned to look at him. "What about him?"
"Are we not going to kill—."
"How strong are you?" Donus asked sharply, cutting off his words.
He tilted his head but still answered, "Peak Overlord."
"Unless you reach Godhood yourself," Pope Donus whispered, his voice cold and serious, "never even think about killing Ragnar. You will die a worthless death."
Alexander quietly nodded.
"Don't worry about him." Donus said, his voice reassuring. "He will be taken care of soon enough."
"How?"
Instead of answering, Donus stood up from his seat.
Slowly, he walked towards the window as he looked outside.
"Once we eliminate one of the vessels."
Vessels and Avatars are always present in balance.
Once a vessel or Avatar dies, their body can be used—.
"God Elohim will descend on Lumina."
—To summon a god.
*****
In the clouds above Gwenyra's castle,
A single man hovered in the air.
He wore an old vintage three-piece suit that fit him perfectly.
His ordinary face looked at the castle with amusent.
The man smiled. "Looks like everyone is here."
His smile turned into a wide grin. "Even you, Qaisel."
His body slowly started to vanish.
"Shall we crash the party?"
Only Sam's voice echoed in the emptiness.
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