Chapter 107: The Coming Storm

“Yes, Your Majesty, but although they have white wings, their shape and style are more elaborate, clearly different from our Winged People. They resemble, more like…”

“What are you mumbling about? Just say it.”

Granted permission by the Wing Emperor, Sigrid no longer hesitated and nodded, revealing a buried speculation in her heart.

“More like the legendary ancestor of our kind, a mythical being—an Angel.”

“An Angel? Impossible.”

For some reason, Aistini immediately rejected the idea, but she took a deep breath and elaborated for clarification.

“I ask you, when she spread her wings, how many pairs did she have?”

“Pairs…? Ah, she should only have one pair on her back.”

“Hmph, then she is not an Angel.”

Although Sigrid felt confused, not understanding why her emperor could assert such a judgment so confidently, she knew from Aistini’s character that once she showed a particular expression, it meant she wouldn’t explain further.

Even if asked, it would only be a waste of time.

So, the girl could only reply, “Understood, Your Majesty.”

After a long silence, Aistini spoke again.

“Little Sigrid, you should be quite familiar with that Vilyric. Who do you think is stronger, me or her?”

“Ah? Well…”

Sigrid knew that the Wing Emperor didn’t like to hear flattery or evasions from her subordinates. Faced with such a question, the girl could only think for a moment before answering honestly.

“Actually, I haven’t seen Vilyric fight personally. In most situations, including that battle on Omoland, she mainly assisted others. But at least, Dolina, with Vilyric’s help, displayed strength… that probably won’t be inferior to yours.”

What Sigrid didn’t say was that if the day’s catastrophic scene and the mysteriously blocked {Light of the Abyss} had indeed been Vilyric’s doing, then her power might far exceed mere surpassing level.

But she didn’t have direct evidence, and Vilyric herself hadn’t admitted it, so it was better not to mention it.

“Surpassing level… How can such powerful beings casually pop up these days? Ever since the {Abyss} revived, everything has gone haywire.”

Aistini sighed, looking like she was under much more pressure than she displayed, almost about to show it on the surface.

“Enough, it’s getting late. You should go rest. We must expedite the investigation of the {Seeds}. At the very least, we need to lock down specific targets. Though that major offensive was repelled by Hilda, the enemy’s strange movements have been increasing recently. We probably don’t have much time left, and I’m genuinely worried about the front lines…”

“In a few days, it will be my birthday. I only hope to use this opportunity to enlighten the nations, make them aware of the problem, and prepare in advance. It seems something big will happen soon, sigh…”

Seeing Aistini, whom she regarded as both mother and mentor, looking so exhausted, Sigrid felt equally anxious but didn’t dare show it, not wanting to add to her burdens.

“Yes, Your Majesty, leave this matter to me. I will expedite the investigation results.”

That was all she could do.

…

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it had been several days since Vilyric and the others arrived at Sky City. The grand ceremony for Wing Emperor Aistini’s three-hundredth birthday was about to commence.

Although not long ago the palace had encountered an assassination attempt, causing quite a disturbance, those unseen assailants who infiltrated Sky City with unknown schemes were reportedly all captured and dealt with.

As the strongest of all Winged People, surpassing legends, the public naturally didn’t believe that mere assassins could harm her. The unrest soon quieted down under the joint efforts of the {Free Wings} and other government agencies.

What replaced it was a lively festive atmosphere.

The Winged People live long lives, and the Wing Emperor seldom holds birthday celebrations. This is an exceptional event that occurs almost once a century.

Almost all major nations in the world sent envoy groups to attend, and many notable top-tier powers came to offer their congratulations to Aistini.

Of course, only a few knew the true reason behind the grand scale of this birthday celebration.

At the United Kingdom’s embassy, a certain black-haired girl was in the fitting room, changing into a dress for the upcoming banquet.

After that embarrassing incident, Priestess Miss Vilyric had anxiously stayed at the embassy for several days, not having seen any Winged soldiers come to arrest her. She finally confirmed that the Wing Emperor likely hadn’t discovered the true identity of the so-called “assassin.”

Recalling what Philena and the others mentioned a few days ago about the Kingdom of Azure clashing with some infiltrators, it seemed most likely those unlucky fellows bumped into the situation and took the fall for her.

Though she didn’t know what had happened, thank you, kind stranger!

Moreover, tonight was the Wing Emperor’s birthday banquet, and representatives and powers from all over the world, including her and the others, had gathered to participate in this significant extraordinary event. It was said the host—the Wing Emperor—had also prepared special activities and generous prizes.

Though she was a bit reluctant to meet that Wing Emperor who had various encounters with her recently, Sigrid had already come to specifically ask her, saying the Emperor requested her and Xiao Guang to attend, along with Philena, Leila Renée, and Edwina.

There was no choice; since they had invited her in such a way, Vilyric couldn’t really refuse, and putting aside the previous misunderstanding, the Winged People were very friendly overall. Even Leila Renée, who had bumped into the Emperor, didn’t seem to upset her. She truly was a good ruler.

Moreover, it was heard that the Grand Priest of the Temple of Sky, who had long resided there, would also make an appearance at the banquet. This might be an excellent opportunity for connection.

Since attending such a national banquet, she couldn’t just wear her same old robe that hadn’t changed for ages. Anyway, Liliya had prepared many tailor-made beautiful dresses for the Priestess Miss long before they left, so there was no need to exert too much effort.

Vilyric chose a light blue gown, supposedly made from the precious silk produced by the fourth-tier Magical Beast Cold Silkworm. It felt as smooth as ice crystals yet exceptionally soft, making one feel refreshed and invigorated when worn.

The dress was designed asymmetrically, exposing half of a delicate, smooth shoulder on the right side. Her long, smooth arm, like jade, was barely covered above the elbow, while the cute curves were still able to create an eye-catching playful arc under the unique design. A complex patterned belt wrapped around her waist and extended downward, her ivory-like beautiful legs and feet peeking out from the gown’s hem.

One must admit, this was indeed a custom gown tailor-made for Miss Priestess’s figure and style.

   

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