Chapter 64: Holy Land (4)

Selenoxia, the eldest, the Silent Light.
Lumia, the middle child, the Guiding Light.
And Asteria, the youngest, the Sparkling Light.

According to the teachings of the Goddess’s Faith, the three Goddesses were equal. However, only Lumia and Asteria communicated with the mortal world. Selenoxia had remained silent since the Great War, her name unknown to some followers.

“…You’ve been studying.”
“The library has some good books. Even I can understand them.”
“You found human books easy to understand? …Well, I suppose it’s possible.”

Raziel’s surprise was understandable. The books Avalli had been reading were dense theological texts, incomprehensible to anyone but dedicated scholars. But Avalli, thanks to her ‘Bibliophile’ trait, could easily read even the most complex texts.

“Are you alright, Michaela? You’ve been quiet.”

Raziel asked the Archangel walking ahead of them. Michaela ignored him and continued walking—

“Are you still hurt? Need more healing?”
“…No.”

—but he couldn’t ignore Avalli. Ignoring someone who had just casually overpowered you was…difficult.

‘He should have just listened.’

Raziel thought, glancing around. This colorless, lifeless world was devoid of any living energy.

‘Seventy years, huh?’

A lifetime for a human, but a blink of an eye for an angel. If it weren’t for Avalli’s sudden appearance, he wouldn’t see this desolate landscape for another 30 years. The Archangels rotated between this “world behind the mirror” and the mortal world every 100 years.

“Michaela, which one is awake?”
“Lumia. She recently awoke.”
“Recently? How long was she asleep?”
“Thirty-two years and eighty-one days. She awoke six months ago.”

Raziel frowned at Michaela’s curt reply.

“…It’s getting longer.”
“…Yes, that’s… not good.”

Avalli listened to their conversation with half an ear.

‘Sounds important.’

It was the kind of information that wouldn’t be revealed until the very end of the Sword and Magic storyline, a crucial piece of the ‘world’s truth’. Her friend, the one who had recommended this game, a die-hard fan of the series, would have bombarded them with questions—

‘I should just focus on my task.’

They would figure it out. There was no need for her to get involved. Unless they asked for her help, of course.

They walked in silence through the deserted, gray city. Avalli had asked why they were walking so slowly, and Raziel had asked for her patience, saying there was a reason.

“We’re here, Avalli.”

They arrived at a familiar location, the entrance to the temple with the three thrones. Back in the normal world, all three were empty, but—

“Oh my, a visitor?”

—here, in this gray world, a girl sat upon one of the thrones. Her long, golden hair, the color of a wheat field, reached her waist. Her slender frame held a gentle, maternal warmth.

“A rare occurrence.”

Her name was Lumia, and her aura was like the midday sun. The thin tunic and shawl draped over one shoulder reminded Avalli of the Greek goddesses from her childhood mythology books.

‘Pretty.’

That was Avalli’s first thought. A simple, superficial observation, yet… she was undeniably beautiful, befitting a goddess.

“…I’m… an uninvited guest.”
“A guest is a guest. How rude of me. I should prepare some tea.”

Lumia rose from the throne with a warm smile. Michaela had been worried about what this violent intruder might do, but—

“Would you like some snacks with your tea, Avalli?”
“I wouldn’t mind.”

—their interaction was surprisingly cordial. Even Raziel seemed surprised by this unexpected turn of events.

“Please, have a seat. Make yourself comfortable.”
“I heard it’s…blasphemous to sit here.”
“Nonsense. They’re just chairs.”

Avalli sat down on the central throne without hesitation, and Lumia began preparing tea and snacks, humming softly.

“It’s been a while, Raziel. Would you like some tea as well?”
“That’s very kind of you, Lady Lumia. But I think I’ll…catch up with Michaela.”
“What are you talking about, Raziel? We don’t know what this…thug might do to—”, said Michaela
—“What can we even do? Avalli is more reasonable than you think. You’re not planning to glare at her throughout tea time, are you? What if Lady Lumia gets indigestion from the stress?”

Michaela glared at Raziel, but couldn’t argue. He was acutely aware of the power gap between himself and this… Avalli.

His presence here was irrelevant to Lumia’s safety. In fact, antagonizing Avalli would only make things worse—

“Michaela?”
“Yes, Lady Lumia?”
“Here are some snacks. Why don’t you and Raziel catch up? Don’t worry. I’m… aware of what’s been happening in the ‘outside’ world.”

The two Archangels obeyed. The tension in the temple eased. Tea and snacks were placed on a small table in front of the three thrones.

“Help yourself.”
“I made them myself. Even Asteria liked them, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy them too, Avalli.”

They were simple cookies, but they were the most delicious Avalli had ever tasted.

“How are they?”
“…Not too sweet. I like them.”
“Heehee, I’m glad you approve.”

Lumia smiled and took a sip of tea. Even such a simple action, performed with her innate grace, seemed elegant, almost artistic.

Avalli tried to imitate her elegance, then gave up and stuffed a cookie in her mouth, washing it down with tea. Lumia giggled, covering her mouth.

Now that the atmosphere was more relaxed, it was time to get down to business. Avalli produced the sealed letter.

“What’s this?” Lumia asked.
“A letter from Sylvain. I haven’t read it, but… I’m guessing it’s a request for assistance.”

Lumia nodded, took the letter, and broke the seal. She scanned its contents with a serious expression and then sighed softly.

“…It seems Sylvain is having a difficult time. I didn’t realize the Great Forest was in such danger.”
“She said she could hold on for ten years.”
“Ten years is but a blink of an eye.”

Avalli, still bound by a human perception of time, couldn’t comprehend. Would she say the same thing in a hundred, two hundred years?

“…Thank you for delivering Sylvain’s letter. You must be tired from your journey.”

Lumia bowed her head, then, to Avalli’s surprise, added,

“And… I apologize for the… inconvenience.”

“…You knew what was happening?”
“I’m aware of everything that happens within the Holy Kingdom. But communication with the outside world is… limited here. It seems… things escalated unnecessarily.”

Lumia’s apology was genuine. Whether it stemmed from an awareness of Avalli’s power or not, there was no deception in her voice. Avalli couldn’t stay angry at someone who was sincerely apologizing.

“It’s fine. I understand you were just doing your job.”
“…You forgive us?”
“If you let me take some of these cookies when I leave.”

Lumia smiled faintly and nodded. Avalli’s mission was complete.

She just had to finish her tea and then return to Asha. Just as she thought this—

“Avalli.”

Lumia said, her voice filled with a heavy emotion.

“If it’s not too much trouble… could I ask you a favor?”
“Suddenly?”

Avalli shrugged. “What kind of favor? I should at least hear you out.”
“…Would you… follow me for a moment? There’s… something I want to show you before I ask.”

Tempted by the delicious cookies, Avalli readily agreed. She followed Lumia down a passage behind the thrones.

It led to the inner sanctum, a sacred place forbidden to all but the Archangels. And there—

“…”
“…”

—lay two girls, asleep. Avalli recognized them as Lumia’s sisters, Selenoxia and Asteria. And the silver-haired one, Selenoxia, seemed to be on the verge of… fading away.

“…The keystone that holds our world together is weakening. Asteria and I have been taking turns supporting her, but… I don’t know how much longer we can hold on.”

Lumia said, her voice filled with sorrow, her gaze fixed on her eldest sister.

“Could you… save our world?”

It was a monumental request, but—
—Avalli’s answer was already decided.

“What do I have to do?”

In games like this, the protagonist was always the hero.