Far removed from the Jade Dominion and separated by several landmasses across the vast ocean, there existed a continent resembling a white circular frame surrounding a black dot at its core.
The encircling white region was known as the Sanctum, and the central black dot was designated Malevolia—the demon continent belonging to Demon Queen Morana.
The atmosphere around the continent was as usual tense, given how demons were kept in check by the Sanctum, and right now, due to the events of a few months ago, where a large number of demons had left Malevolia and headed towards Titanora, chaos was created in the Sanctum.
“Head Priest, is the Saintess still not awake?” A figure traversed the corridor, enveloped in a luminous white light, dressed in flawless white garments. He offered a calm glance to another man gripping a golden staff adorned with a sacred symbol, whose serene demeanor and closed eyes indicated a peaceful journey in a defined direction.
“Saintess Maria is slightly exhausted, but I heard she woke up yesterday,” The High Priest responded serenely, his eyes partially ajar, showcasing a glimmering white pupil. Memories flooded back of the Saintess losing consciousness, plagued by demon seed. However, the immense holy energy saturating that location allowed her to enter a recovery phase, and she finally regained consciousness just yesterday.
When the High Priest saw the demonic seed inside the Saintess, which in size appeared old enough to be linked to her childhood, he couldn’t believe that there were demons in this world who could not spare a holy child and instead tried to demonize her.
After analyzing and studying the reason for the demonic seed and its workings, he finally learned that the more she uses her divine energy, the more the seed will grow.
“We arrived, High Priest.” Coming to a stop before an enormous marble portal, the priest accompanying the Higher Priest bowed his head and indicated the door. The Higher Priest extended his hand, causing the divine energy embedded in the gate to respond. With a loud groan, the door creaked open, revealing a brilliant white radiance.
Similar to earlier, the High Priest’s eyes fell upon a girl adorned in a gown that established her presence as a saintess, her purple locks cascading to the ground, spreading around her. Her eyes blinked listlessly, lacking any sign of life.
“I extend my greetings to the most revered and gentle soul, Saintess Maria,” said the Higher Priest, his words flowing with heartfelt sincerity as he became aware of the overwhelming sense of peace radiating throughout the room, the floor charged with sacred energy.
“What did I do to deserve this?”
Suddenly, breaking that tranquility was the soothing yet saddened voice emanating from the woman who lifted her gaze upward, while her eyes were hollow, even though the purple glimmer seemed not enough to hide her defeat.
“Forgive me, Saintess, I don’t understand?” Although the High Priest sought to comprehend the essence of her statements, he could only witness Maria’s form gradually elevating, as if lifted by an unseen force, while the floor beneath them shimmered like water as she rose.
“Can you find a woman named Diana Riantain?” Maria clutched her chest, recalling the pain that had almost killed her. She gritted her teeth as she remembered how, after inquiring about the reason for it, the goddess told her that this had been done by Ruken’s son.
The name Ruken was not new to Maria, as she had heard it from that woman’s mouth, who claimed to be Alisia Von Selvius.
However, it became evident that she wasn’t really the Empress they knew in the end, but someone else taking over her body after the incident that happened with Amayara.
Maria and the others had already decided to kill their mutual enemy—Ryuk Von Selvius. After seeing how Amayra, when cornered by them, revealed that the woman who had promised to support them was not actually Alisia, they were slightly taken aback at that moment.
However, when they saw how that woman instantly suppressed Amayra, who was considered the strongest among them, Maria and Jenny decided to overlook that fact and trust in that woman, believing Diana’s word that Alisia would also participate in the battle and come to their rescue if they were unsuccessful in killing Ryuk.
But it all ended in vain, as all of them died at the hands of Ryuk, and that woman didn’t come until the end.
Maria didn’t care whether it was Alisia, Amayara, or anyone else who fell; the truth was that anyone who supported a devil deserved to be seen as one. Ryuk was a monster, and anyone who backed him—be it his mother or a bodyguard—would also be labeled as such.
So, not caring about her past life, she decided to live this life well while becoming stronger and, this time, punish the Ryuk for his evils in the future. However, he somehow disappeared, and Heindal emerged as an isolated corner of this planet.
In truth, Maria was happy that she would be able to help more people with her abilities while Ryuk’s death at least confirmed that there would not be that evil person again coming between her and her mission to help others.
But just now, her goddess revealed the fact that he was still alive. To be exact, it was Ruken’s son, but Maria knew that son was none other than Ryuk.
“Pardon, Saintess, but do you mean the Riantain Family from Ardoros?” the High Priest was slightly taken aback, hearing how the Saintess was aware of the name Diana, who was somewhat popular due to her prodigious growth.
“Yes, I need to tell her some very important information. Send a message to her to come here and meet me,” Maria commanded, feeling that she needed the support of all her allies and to search for Edward once again, and even Diana.
She thought she would be able to fight evil alone, but now she needed the support of Edward, Diana, and others who helped her in fighting that man.
So, she decided to tell them about the future and exactly who Ryuk is. Even though they might not believe her that she knows about the future, she could just say it was the goddess’s oracle and tell them to eliminate Ryuk once and for all.
“I—I understand, Saintess.” The Higher Priest couldn’t think of anything to say, but he nodded, taking it as if the Saintess had received an oracle from the Goddess to send a message to Diana Riantain, making him bow before he stood and left the room, while leaving Maria alone.
“You forced me to use my brain, Ryuk!” Maria clenched her fist as she turned toward the enormous statue of Goddess Fela standing in front of her. The whole room was lit by a white glow as she folded her hands and prayed, “Goddess Fela, I may be weak, but with your support, I will make sure to use my future knowledge and get rid of that devil.”
Swish
In the midst of her prayers, the holy energy surrounding her began to coalesce. As she felt her strength increase and her senses become heightened, the room erupted in a brilliant glow, saturated with a divine essence that intensified and thickened, flowing into Maria’s form, which began to twitch
Badump
‘!?!’
“Khwaack!” But, to her misfortune, she coughed a mouthful of blood before falling forward, repeating the same mistake she had made a few months ago. “ARGHHHH! It hur….ts—!!??”
All she could do was scream as a searing agony erupted from her chest, radiating like tree roots, representing the demonic seed that began to taint the divine energy being drawn into her body. This torment matched the divine essence she generated, making her feel as though her very soul was being ripped to shreds.
“Argh! It hurts! Help me, Goddess!” Her whole body was set on fire as if every single cell was burning with enormous heat, causing her to cry out as the whole room was filled with her screams.
“AaRrrGggghHhhh!!”Positioned before the statue of the Goddess Fela, her body lay still as crimson fluid started to seep from her facial openings—nose, eyes, and ears. Her eyes rolled back, exposing the sclera, and she gradually lost consciousness. “S…ome…ne h..elp…..”
