Chapter 34: Divine Artifacts, Books, and the Missing King

Because Vilyric changed history through the Sword of Origin, the current Holy Empire has eliminated faith-based magic and instead boasts a variant of light magic known as divine magic, or “Holy Arts.”

Those who use this magic are still referred to as priestesses, but it’s no longer as widespread as before. Now, there are those with talent who can wield the Holy Arts and ordinary clergy members who may lack affinity for light but are still willing to serve the Origin.

When Vilyric temporarily returned to the City of Angels through the Portal and met Leila and Renée, she had a vague idea of the changes in the Holy Empire, although she hadn’t had the time to learn much due to the hurried circumstances.

Although Holy Arts are no longer monopolized by the Church of the Goddess as faith-based magic once was, the Holy Empire still commands more than eighty percent of the world’s divine magic users.

With the decline of faith magic, various healing professions have started to emerge, but as it stands, the Holy Arts practitioners remain recognized as the top healers in the world and symbols of the Holy Empire. The temple’s status has taken a hit, but it’s not too severe.

Since Rashid directly referred to the power used by Vilyric as divine magic, it effectively labeled her affiliation, at least in terms of faith. This unintentional or intentional display of Holy Empire etiquette seemed to take on a more suggestive tone under these circumstances.

Thinking of this, the priestess cast a glance at the golden short hair peeking out from the edge of the other person’s hat, raised an eyebrow, and pretended not to understand the hint.

“Flattery won’t get you anywhere. We’re just passing through this sea area as travelers, and cooperating with Your Majesty the Queen was simply a matter of chance. There are no grand objectives or secrets, so let’s get on with the important matters.”

“Hehe… Miss Vilyric is indeed as humble and low-key as the rumors suggest. Well then, let’s not delay.”

Nodding, Rashid adeptly shifted the topic and turned his sincere gaze toward the poised and noble Queen Anies, speaking earnestly.

“Your Majesty, since you have summoned me here today, can I take it to mean that you’ve made a decision regarding the proposal I presented previously?”

After glancing at Vilyric and the other two women who had just taken their seats across the table, the dignified and regal merman queen pondered for a moment before appearing to remain stoic.

“Rashid Bachiri, before we discuss this matter, I need to confirm another issue… My daughter, Princess Nitira Mingjiao, is currently lost in the depths of the Ghost Sea, and the situation is extremely critical. Please tell me clearly whether her disappearance is connected to you.”

“Oh… so it has already begun. No wonder…”

The Pirate King murmured softly, almost inaudibly, and looked puzzled. He then scanned the room, his gaze sweeping over the queen’s guards, Silisa and Vilyric, as if searching for something.

Finally, his eyes returned to Anies, and after clearing his throat a few times, he intentionally put on a serious expression, as if recognizing a signal.

“Your Majesty, you should know that I have neither the reason nor the ability to do such a thing. I deeply regret the princess’s disappearance; if there’s anything I can do, please feel free to tell me.”

“…”

The gazes exchanged between the merman queen and the Pirate King vaguely connected in the air. Vilyric couldn’t shake the feeling that their conversation resembled a performance meant for someone else, yet upon further reflection, it seemed to make sense in its own way…

What kind of game is this…

Before the priestess could think too deeply about it, Anies quickly took over the conversation, as if concluding her contemplation.

“We need your assistance to lead a troop into the Ghost Sea to rescue Nitira. If you succeed in this task… I will trust your original words.”

“I see… Entering the Ghost Sea is indeed no simple task.”

The intellectual man with golden short hair nodded and pulled a heavy, thick hardcover book from somewhere, placing it gently on the table.

“Then, I will accept this commission.”

“What! That book…?!”

Before anyone could react, Hong Yan sprang to her feet like a startled bird, glaring with fear at the thick book before Rashid, even placing a hand on the hilt of her sword!

“Swish swish swish swish swish!!!”

Her over-the-top reaction evidently triggered a chain reaction; although the guards were unsure of the reason, they instinctively rushed forward to shield their queen from the Pirate King, drawing dozens of sharp weapons aimed directly at him.

The atmosphere instantly turned tense, swords drawn.

“Don’t panic, miss. It’s just a book…”

Rashid, however, showed no concern or sharp response, remaining seated with his hands raised in a gesture of non-aggressiveness. Anies, equally shocked by Hong Yan’s sudden actions, quickly regained composure and lightly coughed to restore order.

“It’s fine, everyone step back.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Led by Alec, the guards sheathed their weapons and returned to their positions. Le Qiao Qiao, noticing that her companion was acting strangely, stood up and gently patted the gray-haired girl on the back, trying to calm her down.

“Hong Yan… what’s wrong? Is there something special about that book?”

However, even with reassurances, Hong Yan remained tense, poised as if ready to strike at any moment, resembling a kitten that had been bitten by a snake, its fur fluffed and on high alert.

Before Le Qiao Qiao could say more, the pale-faced swordswoman leaned closer to the still-composed black-haired girl, whispering,

“Miss Vilyric! That book, the aura it gives off is just like what I felt last night…”

“Yeah, I felt it too; it’s indeed quite similar, but… actually, it’s different. Don’t worry, I’ve got everything under control.”

Gently grasping Hong Yan’s tense hand, warmth flowed from Vilyric’s fingertips into hers, soothing her on-edge emotions. Gradually, the girl calmed down and sheepishly sat back down.

“I’m sorry, everyone… I lost my composure.”

“No problem.”

Queen Anies shook her head dismissively, and Vilyric comforted her with a smile.

“It’s okay, it’s perfectly normal. The two are indeed very alike; I didn’t react immediately when I first saw it either.”

That book must be the source of the divine aura around Rashid—a kind of divine artifact related to the gods. Though just by its aura, it probably wouldn’t qualify as a true artifact of the Law or Origin, that unique aura belonging to a certain realm can’t be mistaken.

Interestingly, the divine aura emanating from the book was surprisingly similar to the Pollution Vilyric had encountered before, but upon closer inspection, one could tell they were not the same.

How to put it? The difference between them might be likened to two different melodies. Though both are sounds, the information they carry clearly diverges. At least the aura from this book lacked that kind of spread and corrosiveness—confusing, yet somehow… safer?

Moreover, the book’s appearance was strikingly similar to the unknown book King Willipol had when Vilyric saw him in his secret chamber. It’s likely they are akin, if not the same.

Rashid’s book, Willipol’s book—both had met but parted ways on bad terms. Shortly after, Willipol disappeared, followed by the sudden emergence of the Ghosts and the spreading Pollution…

It seems… the scattered clues are quickly piecing together a complete picture.

As the scene calmed once more under the restraint of the prominent figures, the Pirate King, who had remained seated without any unnecessary movements, finally tested the waters.

“Miss, from your reaction, did you perhaps hear some… sounds before?”

He continued, frowning slightly.

“That can’t be right… If you reached that stage, how could your mental state still be so stable? You don’t look like someone protected by a divine artifact…”

Without answering, Vilyric simply gestured for Hong Yan to remain silent and, half-questioning and half-affirmative, directly voiced the conclusion that visibly altered the expressions of most present.

“King Willipol is not dead, is he?”

   

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