Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

While tension was brewing between two mighty Empires, there existed one Empire where only calm and gentle people resided, living happily and enjoying their serene and peaceful lives.

This Empire was none other than... Elysiumis Aurora Empire.

Unlike other Empires that were drenched in the darkness of night... this Empire always shimmered in a bright, pure white light, illuminating every corner with a divine radiance that brought vitality, harmony, and unshakable energy to all who lived within its borders.

However, despite its outward peace, a subtle yet undeniable tension was beginning to brew inside a sacred temple.

"So, I cannot see them?" The Principal, Isadora, asked, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of impatience, as she stared intently at the Archpriestess, who was seated before her, radiating an air of unwavering authority.

The Archpriestess simply shrugged, leaning back in her chair with an air of indifference before speaking, "As I've already said, I cannot allow you to disturb Mother's statue!

Do you understand? There is absolutely no way I would ever permit such an act, even if it meant saving an entire Empire! Disturbing her statue is the same as shattering the faith we have built in her! That is something I will never allow!" Her tone was firm, unwavering, and carried a silent challenge, daring Isadora—the Sovereign—to push further.

Isadora met the Archpriestess's gaze with an unreadable expression before murmuring, "You are... so different from her. You're nothing like her... not even a little."

A slow, knowing grin spread across the Archpriestess's lips. "What else did you expect? If I had followed in her footsteps if I had walked the same naive path she did... I would be dead by now. Long gone and forgotten!!

Acting all innocent and foolishly naive may look virtuous, but I know the truth of this world, and I've seen it with my own eyes. There is no way I will ever allow myself to be pushed around!"

Isadora, watching her intently, nodded slightly, "Well... that's probably for the best," she admitted, shrugging before leaning in a little, her gaze sharp. "At the very least, let me note the symbols. I need to know exactly what's written on them."

She had come here for one reason—to investigate the Ebon stone that Helena had informed Aether about.

But no matter what she said, the Archpriestess was not budging.

The Archpriestess tilted her head slightly, contemplating for a moment before finally nodding. "If it's just that... I don't mind. However," she added, her tone firm, "you are not allowed to touch anything. Do I make myself clear?"

Isadora frowned. "You do realize that... I could do whatever I want without bothering to ask for your permission, right?"

The Archpriestess let out a soft snort, "Oh? Then go ahead. Try me," she challenged, crossing her arms. "But you do understand the consequences, don't you? The moment you kill me, do you know what that means? When it comes to Mother, we stand together—we are united as one."

Isadora clicked her tongue in irritation. "Shall we?"

The Archpriestess nodded, just about to leave the room when—

"Archpriestess!!"

Helena suddenly burst into the room, her breathing heavy as if she had been running.

The Archpriestess frowned, clearly displeased. "I am in the middle of an important meeting with the Sovereign, Helen—" but then—

"I-It's Aether!"

At the mere mention of his name, the Archpriestess's expression shifted.

"Oh? Is he finally here?" For the first time, her tone softened, and a visible tremor of excitement ran through her body.

But Helena shook her head. "No, he wasn't here."
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Hearing that, the warmth in the Archpriestess's expression vanished, her face turning cold... even colder than before. However—

"He told me a few things!"

The moment Helena spoke those words, the coldness faded once again, and the Archpriestess's curiosity flickered to life. "What did he say?" she asked, her voice eager yet controlled.

Helena took a deep breath before delivering the message. "He said... do not allow anyone near the Ebon stone. That is... Mother's statue!"

The Archpriestess immediately nodded, her response sharp and decisive. "Consider it done."

Isadora blinked in disbelief. "Wait, I ju—" before she could even finish,

Helena continued urgently. "He also said that we need to protect the Empire at all costs and that we must not allow anyone near it for the time being!"

Once again, the Archpriestess nodded. "Understood," she said, though now a slight trace of annoyance crept onto her face.

Helena, added in a graver tone, "The world... the people... they need to know what's coming. We must be ready for everything."

The Archpriestess frowned deeply, trying to understand what it meant... Yet, despite her obvious irritation, she nodded once more. However, just as her growing annoyance was about to reach its peak—

Helena suddenly added, her voice turning innocent, "Oh, and also... he asked me to take care of you."

[+10000 AP]

The frustration on the Archpriestess's face vanished instantly.

Instead, she huffed, crossing her arms with a small, amused smirk.

Of course, when Helena returned, the Archpriestess made sure to milk every single detail about what had transpired between her and Aether.

And, of course, Helena—who owed the Archpriestess a great deal and trusted her more than anyone—shared everything without hesitation. To Helena, the Archpriestess was practically a deity... second only to Aether himself!

She told her everything.... What Aether had been doing, what kind of power he possessed that allowed him to communicate with them.

However, despite knowing all of this, the Archpriestess didn't kill Helena or do anything drastic.

After all, Aether had already informed Stella about his mission—the one given to him by the gods.

If he failed, he would die.... Not actually a true but not really false!

She understood that... She understood everything!

There was no mistake about it.

So, she let Helena live.

For now, at least.

Meanwhile, Isadora—who had been silently watching everything unfold—blinked rapidly, as if she was struggling to process what the hell had just happened.

The Archpriestess, the same woman who barely even acknowledged her authority, who didn't even seem to respect the fact that Isadora could kill her at any time...

And yet, the moment Aether's name was spoken—

She acted like he was a being above her!

And most importantly—

"That motherfucker seduced them too?!"

A horrified expression crossed Isadora's face as a single realization dawned upon her—

Aether... was becoming an even greater danger than she had ever imagined!

...

.....

Back to the Two Empires—

"W-What's that?!"

"What the hell is going on here?!"

"KKYYYYAAAAAAA!!!"

"RUN! RUNNNNNNNN!!!"

"OH MY GOOOOOODDDDDDD!!!"

The people, once peacefully asleep, woke up to a terrifying sight in the sky… and pandemonium erupted.

Panic and dread spread like wildfire as the realization hit them all at once—an entire Empire was moving toward theirs, drawing dangerously close, as if it was about to collide with them!

Who in their right mind could stay calm in the face of something so utterly terrifying?!

Fear surged like an unstoppable wave, sweeping across the entire city. The chaos was so overwhelming that even the nobles and high officials struggled to maintain order, their voices drowned out by the deafening cries of panic-stricken citizens.

"D-Don't worry, dear, once we leave this Empire, we'll be fine! I promise!" A desperate father reassured his trembling child, his arms tightening protectively around them as they stood in an impossibly long line at the teleportation station.

People were desperately trying to flee, seeking any way to escape and save their own lives from the impending disaster.

The teleportation station was completely overwhelmed, flooded with frantic citizens pushing and shoving, their screams and pleas drowning out every other sound. The sheer number of people made it impossible to operate the teleportation system properly!

It was absolute chaos.

"Your Majesty... it's impossible to hold them back any longer..." The General reported grimly to Mairsandra, his voice filled with urgency and an unspoken plea for immediate action.

Mairsandra stood still, her sharp gaze fixed on the panicked crowd as she frowned deeply, her mind racing through possible solutions.

She knew.

She knew it was impossible to stop them... When faced with death, who wouldn't fight to survive?

She also knew the best course of action. There was only one way to save them now, and it had to be done swiftly before things spiralled even further out of control.

They had to evacuate the entire population to another Empire.

It was their only chance—because nobody knew if their Empire would even have a single piece left standing after this collision.

The situation was dire... exhausting... chaotic—

And yet… Sandra remained calm.

She shifted her gaze towards her General and asked, "Did you prepare the materials I asked for?"

The General nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure what the materials were meant for. Still, he had carried out her orders without question, trusting her judgment.

"Good," Sandra murmured under her breath, her eyes flickering toward the sky—

Where the Pyra Empire was now almost upon them.

As the focus shifted to Pyra Empire...

Just like her Empire, the people here were also in a frenzy, the air thick with panic. However, their fear wasn't completely uncontrollable—

Because Victor had already warned them beforehand. He had announced that a collision might occur at any time, preparing them for the worst.

But nobody had expected it to happen this soon.

"What do we do?!"

"M-Maybe we should leave... I don't see a future in this Empire anymore..."

The people hesitated, torn between fear and loyalty, their instincts screaming at them to run, yet their hearts aching at the thought of abandoning the place they had always called home.

They had chosen to stay because this was their home—

But now… as they stared at the catastrophe looming before them, their resolve wavered.

It was too much to bear.... when seeing the reality!

Meanwhile, back in the Black Castle—

Aether stood on the veranda, his piercing gaze fixed on the approaching disaster, his mind calculating every possible move.

Behind him stood Raven, Thalia, and Emberlyn, their expressions tense as they watched him in silence.

Aether's face remained unreadable, his expression calm—

And yet… his fingers trembled ever so slightly.

The weight of millions of lives rested on his shoulders.

This wasn't as simple as taking a life—this was about saving them.

And that responsibility was far heavier than any blade, any spell, any battle he had ever faced.

One single mistake.

A single miscalculation, a single error in judgment—

And everything would be lost.

Aether knew the cost.

He knew the pain he would have to bear if he failed.

Because this—this was what it truly meant to be a ruler of an Empire.

'I understand now...' Aether thought to himself, his grip tightening as the gravity of the situation truly sank in—

When suddenly—

A soft, warm hand gently clasped his trembling one.

Aether turned his head slightly—

And saw Raven beside him, offering a small, reassuring smile, her presence steady and unwavering.

"I'm here," she whispered, her voice firm yet filled with warmth. "You don't have to carry this burden alone."

Aether's tense expression softened slightly, his lips curving into a small, warm smile, the warmth of her touch grounding him.

Thalia's lips twitched—

She was just about to step forward and grab his other hand, do some cringe like that.... but—

Her mother caught her wrist at the last second.

Emberlyn leaned in close, whispering with a dangerous smile, "I'm here too."

Thalia gritted her teeth, glaring at her mother in silent frustration, but didn't resist.

Aether let out a slow, deep breath before muttering under his breath, "The Pieces already set into motions... The game already begins.... only the winner is yet to know"

With that, he raised his right hand, the black ring on his finger glinting as it flickered—

And in an instant—

A mask materialized over his face, covering his half-face,

Raven's gaze shimmered with confidence as she took a step forward, her voice filled with pride and determination.

"Now..." she said, a proud smile gracing her lips, "It's time to show the other worlds the true pride of Pyra Fulgur Empire."