Chapter 150: The Birth of Noviya

“What? Miss Vilyric is going to Spirit Butterfly Peak?”

Wolf King Vanessa Moonshadow, the chief of the Moonshadow Clan, repeated the surprising news she had just heard. The white little wolf cub nestled in her arms, happily nursing, peeked out curiously, its gem-like black eyes blinking in fascination at the priestess in front of them.

“Ar?”

“What are you looking at? I’m telling you, I don’t have that thing…”

Vilyric tightened her white robe collar with extra caution and shot a glare at the restless little Noviya before explaining herself to the equally puzzled Vanessa.

“Well, there are some things I’m curious about and want to investigate. Plus, I have been lazing around here lately, mooching off your hospitality, which feels a bit awkward. So I thought, since the rain has temporarily stopped, I might as well take a stroll out. After all, Tiyelu promised me I could go anywhere in the Mountains of Ten Thousand Demons, didn’t she?”

“You really can’t sit still for a moment, can you?”

“Eh-heh~ I think someone has said the same thing before.”

The clan leader rubbed her temples, looking a bit exasperated, as she leaned slightly towards the window, gazing out at the blanketed white snow. She temporarily put the child back in the crib, adjusted her clothing, and gestured to the chair beside her.

“Miss Vilyric, please take a seat.”

“Well then, I won’t stand on ceremony~”

Wolf King Vanessa’s bedroom was a place of absolute privacy. Besides the room’s owner and Vilyric, there was only the hungry little wolf cub here. Even though the priestess felt a bit awkward encountering such a situation upon entering, it should be noted that Vilyric had informed the guards about her visit in advance.

In other words, Vanessa didn’t really mind her seeing this scene, so those who acted surprised were just losing out.

They sat down facing each other. The clan leader took out a strange vessel whose origin was unknown and poured half a cup for both Vilyric and herself. However, this time it was not medicinal wine.

“The timing is a bit rushed, and there’s only clear water in the bedroom, please don’t mind, Miss Vilyric.”

Seeing the black-haired girl nod disinterestedly, the elegantly dressed mature lady took a sip of the steaming water, then folded her hands on her abdomen, adopting her usual graceful and dignified posture to continue.

“May I ask why you suddenly wish to go to Spirit Butterfly Peak, Miss Vilyric? For starters, the mountain roads are obstructed by heavy snow. Even if it’s for tourism, there are many better places to visit. Spirit Butterfly Peak may be grand and beautiful, but it’s quite a distance from our Moonshadow Valley, and it’s already nearing the dominion of the Steel Claws.”

Ah…

What she meant was—if you cause any trouble over there, it would be difficult for me to help…something like that, right?

Such straightforward insinuations, of course, the priestess understood, prompting an expression of helplessness.

“I’m not looking to cause any trouble… I’m just going to take a look. I can’t possibly cause an incident everywhere I go. We’re not like Ke x. It seems Chief Vanessa really doesn’t want me to go there, huh? I suppose… there’s more to it than just what you’ve said? Let’s not beat around the bush; let’s speak plainly.”

“Well… you make a fair point.”

Vanessa nodded in contemplation before continuing.

“Miss Vilyric, you are already aware of quite a few secrets concerning the Mountains of Ten Thousand Demons. Before we discuss this matter, may I first ask you a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“Alright, it’s actually very simple.”

The clan leader focused her gaze on her daughter, who was peeking out with her furry white head from the edge of the crib, and a gentle motherly smile appeared on her face.

“What was the treasure you used to replenish Noviya’s magic power on the night of the March Convergence? If possible, could I take a look?”

“Huh? Ah, well…”

Seeing the priestess suddenly looking awkward, Vanessa was not surprised. She just smiled and shook her head.

“I understand; showing off such rare treasures in front of others is indeed a big taboo. But Miss Vilyric, you might not fully grasp what that act you did back then truly represented… I’m requesting this not only to quench my curiosity but also to prepare for my child and the entire Mountains of Ten Thousand Demons, so please understand.”

“What does this mean?”

If it were for Noviya’s sake, Vilyric could understand, but why was it suddenly involving such a big issue?

The Source of Magic, huh…

“Well… Time was pressing before, and with Min Chen present, there were indeed some things I found hard to voice. Now that it’s just the two of us, Miss Vilyric, I won’t hide it from you any longer.”

The elegant lady leaned down, casually adding a few pieces of wood to the fire in the hearth and altering her posture slightly, crossing her long legs, and showing a somewhat forlorn expression.

“I know that Tiyelu and Min Chen are accustomed to calling my daughter ‘the Source of Magic.’ In their eyes, the greatest significance of Noviya’s existence might be to serve as this generation’s vessel for the Source of Magic to maintain a century-long stability of power among the mountains. However… from a mother’s perspective, it’s different.”

“About five years ago, Tiyelu suddenly rushed to me, indicating that the previous Source of Magic was nearing exhaustion and needed to be transferred into a new, more stable, and vibrant vessel. Otherwise, the essence of the Source of Magic would plunge into turmoil again, collapsing the gates of the Illusion World and causing a disaster as terrible as that from a thousand years ago…”

“I did not witness that unprecedented disaster, caused by the fall of the God of Magic, but the memories and records passed down through my race constantly warn me that it would lead to widespread suffering. So I immediately pressed Tiyelu to explain how to solve this, and she told me that the power of the Source of Magic is formidable, and even in its split form, ordinary vessels can’t bear it.”

“The Mountains of Ten Thousand Demons need a sufficiently excellent vessel to shoulder this responsibility. However, now that the race is in decline and the age of myths has passed, Tiyelu has searched through the mountains but has yet to find a suitable target. Out of desperation, she thought of a method.”

“My ancestors of the Moonshadow Magical Wolf Clan drank the blood of the Moon God, transcending the mundane. Thus, the Moonshadow Royal Family, which carries the most bloodline of ancestors—we still retain that power, albeit limited by the current era, we find it challenging to reproduce our ancestor’s glorious legacy.”

“The Source of Magic is a divine relic left by the God of Magic, and as a being on par with the Moon God, its function would not be inferior to the divine blood of yore. Tiyelu struck a deal with me: she would transfer the nearly exhausted Source of Magic into the body of my unborn child, and Noviya would have the opportunity to reclaim her lost bloodline and evolve into a true Moonshadow White Wolf. This was deemed a win-win.”

“Doing so would not only prevent the Source of Magic from collapsing again but also greatly benefit our clan and child. After thoughtful consideration, I agreed with Tiyelu.”

“The plan went smoothly. Two years later, Noviya was successfully born, and the transferred Source of Magic stabilized in her body. Naturally, both Tiyelu and I were delighted. But at that moment, something strange happened.”

A bitter smile appeared on Vanessa’s noble and magnificent face, and Vilyric could see the emotion that bore the name ‘guilt.’

“Noviya Moonshadow, my child, after her birth, fell into a deep slumber.”

   

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