Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

Turingen City North.

The darkness deepened, clouds obscuring the moon, making the northern part of the city, devoid of Magic Lamps, even darker.

It was the height of summer, and few would light their stoves at night, especially here near the Northern Lands—but not quite in the north—thus inheriting both the dryness of the north and the heat of the summer.

A single spark could be enough to burn down an entire street block. Hence, after suffering losses in the early years of the city's establishment, locals no longer engaged in such activities.

Bang, bang, bang—

Short knocks sounded, followed by a creaking noise as the warehouse door cracked open.

Whoosh—

"Who are you!"

The blade held across the newcomer's neck, the stout man in black was utterly unaware that he was treading the line between life and death.

He just watched the unfamiliar youth outside warily; people shouldn't be here at this hour. Were it not for the sacred icon in the other's hand, he would probably have chopped without hesitation.

"Madam Saville sent me—whew—I mean, can I come in first? It might not be safe outside—and it'll be even less safe if you thrust your sword."

The newcomer's voice was brief and hurried, as if there was a blade looming over him, ready to strike. The large man in black hesitated for a brief moment, but still let him in.

Just as Lady Samer had predicted before, the man in black thought that if it were the church and Saint Knights, they would just storm in directly, carrying the sacred icon without having to genuflect before them. And if it was not the power of the church, then what reason would they have to seek trouble with them?

Frankly speaking, their current targets were limited to the royal family and the Goddess of Wisdom's church; apart from that, even many aristocrats of Athens ignored their actions.

"Speak up, what happened, who are you, and where is Lady Samer? Why did only you and the sacred icon come?"

Despite harboring an ominous premonition, the burly man in black still asked.

"I do not know," the young man looked slightly sorrowful: "The lady noticed something was off, but she said it was too late for her to leave. Others wouldn't let her go, but hardly anyone knows about me ... She asked me to bring the sacred icon here, to have you wrap up matters quickly, then evacuate Turingen."

"What do you guys need to do, is there anything I can help with?"

"...No need, just hand over the sacred icon to me, Lachi, keep an eye on him."

With a call to someone in the back, not sure whether he believed him or not, the burly man in black took the sacred icon and went inside.

Another man in black approached, holding a curved blade and watching every move of the youth at the door.

"Got it, I'll keep an eye on him... Kid, if the news you brought is true, then you might have the chance to receive divine blessings with us; you're in luck."

"But aren't you going to verify my identity?"

The young man looked at the departing burly man in black, asking somewhat surprisingly.

"No need... As for why, you'll understand once you're one of us."

The tall, thin man in black, identified as Lachi, clearly had no intention of explaining. He just kept a firm watch on this unexpected visitor to ensure he made no sudden moves.

According to the original plan, they were supposed to make the sacrifice on the day the Heavenly Empress was born in the mortal calendar—two days later, although eternal deities hardly care about birthdays. That was why despite knowing someone was pursuing them, they hadn't left yet.

But two days early is just two days early… Whether this person was genuinely an apprentice or someone with ulterior motives scheming something sinister, since he had returned the deity's sacred icon, there shouldn't be any problem.

The ritual would be conducted, and afterward, even if they all died here, they would surely attain eternal life in the domain of the Heavenly Empress.

...

In the depths of the warehouse, a makeshift ceremonial hall had been set up.

Lying on the cold stone slab, Andrea could clearly hear her own heartbeat.

'Andrea' translates in Greek to 'spirited, graceful, and beautiful,' which was her father's wish for her. But ever since a planned maritime attack, and until waking up from unconsciousness six days ago, she had been in this unknown warehouse.

The sacred power from the Goddess was firmly sealed within her body by the servant of another deity, preventing her even from resisting the cold.

She knew what she was facing, and at least partially why it was happening.

'Two days.'

Andrea thought to herself, her soft golden hair spread across the stone slab.

This date she had heard from the conversations of those around her; they weren't trying to avoid her hearing it. In fact, these other deity's godhood practitioners hadn't done much to her and didn't dare to, because her identity was so important.

Unfortunately, the reason she was important was not because of her past identity, but because of her impending one—as a living sacrifice to the god.

'In the ordinances established by Olympus, human sacrifices are clearly not allowed; only the primal nature spirits of the Northern Lands and the followers from the lower realms have done such. So now, to target Athens, is the Heavenly Empress's sect actually daring to defy the Divine King's decree?'

Unable to comprehend, Andrea couldn't even utter a word. She could only lie on the cold stone slab, watching the dome of this remote warehouse.

Tap, tap, tap...

The silence was broken, footsteps sounded from afar, and Andrea then heard the conversations of people around her.