Chapter 30: The Unsettling Truth and the Heir Apparent

“What I desire, is you.”

It was unmistakably Xiamiya’s voice, yet it was imbued with a chilling coldness and a suffocating obsession.

It was Xiamiya, and yet, it seemed not to be Xiamiya at all.

Her grip on Youka’s hand tightened even further. Although Youka’s strength far surpassed Xiamiya’s, at this moment, Youka inexplicably felt a sudden weakness course through her body.

As the voice reached her ears, Youka’s eyes abruptly narrowed, and she stared at Xiamiya in utter astonishment.

“Master, what did you say?”

However, the moment Youka posed her question, the strange aura enveloping Xiamiya vanished without a trace in that brief instant. The cherry-haired maiden’s eyes, which had been vacant moments before, regained their sparkle, even carrying a hint of confusion.

Suddenly,

The unfamiliar shadow that had momentarily alienated Youka dissipated, and her familiar, delightfully ditzy Demonic God master reappeared before her.

“Huh? Did I… say something?”

Xiamiya blinked, her expression utterly bewildered as she spoke.

Then, as if recalling Youka’s earlier question, Xiamiya instantly adopted a serious, lofty demeanor. With an ‘evil’ tone befitting a Demonic God, she declared:

“I am a Demonic God, after all. What I desire, naturally, is more calamity and death. Heh, Youka, why ask such a foolish question so suddenly?”

Watching the familiar Xiamiya, Youka slowly lowered her head after a few seconds of bewilderment.

“My apologies, Master, I asked a foolish question.”

“It’s good that you know. Come on, let’s head back quickly. It’s too dangerous for you to be walking around outside like this.”

With these words, Xiamiya pulled Youka along, dashing swiftly toward the Snow Lotus Palace.

It seemed Miss Demonic God had forgotten that Youka had already set up a Contract Array in the Snow Lotus Palace, capable of instantly teleporting them both back.

Yet, at this moment, Youka uncharacteristically refrained from complaining about her ditzy master. Instead, she allowed herself to be pulled, her gaze thoughtfully fixed on Xiamiya’s back.

Her silver eyes narrowed slightly.

‘This generation’s Master is truly strange.’

‘Just like the previous two times, she inexplicably changes into someone else. But once she returns to normal, she remembers nothing.’

‘What exactly is going on?’

****

Meanwhile,

Within the Sun Crown Palace, Helibea, the First Holy Princess with fiery red hair, swiftly traversed the ornate corridors. The heavy metal doors slowly parted, revealing the Holy King’s bedchamber.

The bedchamber was luxuriously appointed. Silks and various soft fabrics carpeted the floor, precious tapestries adorned the walls, and portraits of past Holy Kings, alongside sacred artifacts symbolizing power, were visible everywhere.

Under the vigilant guard of her escorts and various Priests,

Helibea stepped into this private space, accessible only to the closest confidantes.

On the grand bed in the center of the room, a man over sixty lay with his eyes closed, propped against thick pillows. His white hair lay disheveled around him. His face was gaunt, deep wrinkles etched by the passage of time. His entire being exuded the weariness of one tormented by illness.

This man was the supreme ruler of Theocracy Ophelia, the one bestowed with the divine title of ‘Holy King’.

Superion Seraphiel.

His name had once been the pride of the Theocracy, a nightmare to surrounding heretics.

However, the once handsome and awe-inspiring ruler was now but a frail shell. The strength of his holy power and the vitality of his life force both seemed exceptionally weak.

Helibea stood quietly by the bedside, her gaze complex as she observed this once iron-willed leader.

It was only when Superion slowly opened his eyes that he spoke.

“Helibea?”

“Yes, Father King.”

Seeing her Father King awaken, Helibea respectfully bowed before him, then asked with concern:

“Father King, how is your condition?”

“It can hardly be called good, no matter how you look at it.”

“The Priests have been treating you for so long, and still no recovery?”

“Heh, a curse from a Great Sin Apostle is not so easily broken.”

Superion shook his head with a sigh, pressing a hand to his chest as he coughed painfully a few times. Then, he slowly spoke, changing the subject.

“Speaking of which, your sister Xiamiya seems to have returned, hasn’t she?”

At these words, Helibea was momentarily stunned, but she quickly concealed the flicker of unusual emotion in her eyes, nodding respectfully.

“Yes, she has.”

“She’s returned, then. Has she come to see me?”

“Not yet…”

Helibea replied without hesitation. As the words left her lips, a hint of worry began to surface in her eyes.

“My little sister only just returned to the Holy Royal Palace yesterday. It seems she played too late last night, so she should still be resting, I imagine?”

“Still… resting?”

“That’s right.”

Helibea nodded slightly. Then, the eldest daughter of Superion stepped closer to the Holy King’s bed.

“Oh, my little sister, truly. To return and not even come to visit Father King first.”

As she poured medicine for Superion, Helibea pressed a hand to her chest, a pained expression on her face.

However, no sooner had she spoken than Helibea sincerely explained to Superion:

“But, Father King, please don’t be angry. Sister Xiamiya is still just a sixteen-year-old child. It’s perfectly normal for her to want to be a bit wild after returning from the dull Holy Sanctuary. She will surely come to visit you once she settles down.”

“Hmm, I understand.”

Superion’s expression remained unchanged as he listened to Helibea’s explanation.

He spoke blandly.

He did not press further about why Xiamiya hadn’t visited him. Instead, he posed another question.

“The Holy Royal Palace was attacked last night. What was the situation with your sister? Was she affected?”

“Sister Xiamiya’s side? Yes, there were also intruders, but they were quickly eliminated by the guards. After all, Sister Xiamiya was not their primary target. Those hateful intruders mainly concentrated around the Sun Crown Palace, likely intending harm to you, Father King.”

“Have you identified the intruders?”

“They appear to be from the Blazefrost Nation.”

“Hmm? The Blazefrost Nation, them again…”

“Yes, those northern barbarians. They likely intend to take advantage of your weakness, Father King, to kill you and incite civil unrest within our nation. That way, they could march straight in and seize a large portion of our northern territories.”

“I see. They truly are a persistent lot, aren’t they? Decades have passed, and they still covet our northern mineral resources.”

Superion shook his head, sighing with resignation.

After this, the frail, elderly king turned his concerned gaze toward Helibea, the First Holy Princess of the Theocracy.

“I hadn’t expected you to return this time, though.”

Upon hearing this, Helibea smiled faintly.

“Look at what you’re saying. The capital, the Holy Royal Palace itself, was attacked; of course, I had to return. Furthermore, to prevent any further schemes from those barbarians, a portion of the Forgiven Army soldiers under my command and I will temporarily remain in the Holy Royal Palace to assist with security. I hope you don’t mind, Father King.”

“Of course not. Especially since it’s for my safety. However, I am somewhat concerned about the situation at the border.”

“The border?”

“Indeed. I just reviewed the report submitted by the Prime Minister. Thanks to your and the Forgiven Army’s efforts, the Blazefrost Nation invaders in the northern Fenrir Mountains were all repelled. To this day, there seems to be no further limit to their invasions. It appears you have successfully established your prestige at the border. You have done very well, Helibea.”

“Thank you for your praise, Father King.”

“Precisely because of that, I worry. With your sudden return, and having taken away some of the Forgiven Army’s elites, will the Blazefrost Nation tribes facing the Fenrir Mountains once again stir into action?”

“There’s no need to worry, Father King.”

Helibea placed a hand on her chest, assuring him with utmost confidence and solemnity:

“Those barbarians have been purged by me several times. It is impossible for them to have the strength to invade our territory again in the short term. Please rest assured.”

“That would be for the best.”

Superion nodded in satisfaction.

However, what no one noticed was that, beneath Superion’s satisfied smile, a subtle flicker of gravity passed through the depths of his crimson eyes after receiving Helibea’s affirmative answer.

Naturally, this emotion was not detected by Helibea.

For after receiving her Father King’s praise, Helibea’s thoughts had already turned to another matter. She intended to seize this opportune moment to bring up something that had been buried in her heart for a long time.

“By the way, Father King.”

Taking a deep breath, Helibea spoke with a touch of apprehension, her words tinged with anxiety.

“Though this might make you uncomfortable, your body… as you know, the ministers, nobles, and common folk are all quite concerned about one matter now, and that is regarding the selection of an heir…”