Chapter 82: Goddess of Lust’s Daughter I: We Don’t Need This Barrier
Cheerful cries of Prims echoed through the air as white oval leaves floated past Silverstone street, leading toward the eastern part of the central city.
Cricket chirps hummed in the night air while the sharp click of heels and Levi’s heavy black boots slammed onto the hard ground.
A sweet scent of mint and lemonade hovered around Levi as the hems of his crimson cloak wobbled at his side. *’We are coming, Goddess of Lust.’*
Silken brown hair flowed in the breeze when he tilted his head slightly and smiled at his seven concubines. *’What a blessed man I am.’*
He inhaled deeply, warm air filling his lungs as he locked his eyes on the path ahead.
A faint metallic click echoed while Senna Drae walked, tapping her sharp fingernails on the blades of her black jagged dagger.
A white prayer cloth with gold hems flickered at Senna’s side as Saintess Lilith doubled up her steps.
Her soft, heavy chest gleamed under the soft rays of the crystal moon with every breath she took. Golden waves tressed around her shoulders when she tilted her gaze slightly to the left. *’I don’t have to let them know I’ve still not fully recovered.’*
A faint smile appeared across her face as she saw Lyra watching her with a saddened gaze.
When the moon’s light flickered off Lilith and landed on Lyra, the blade of Lyra’s longsword flashed on the path ahead like a torchlight.
A heavy sway marked her movement as her soft ass wobbled with every step. Her eyebrows narrowed upon noticing Lilith’s pace slowing down. *’I don’t think what Lilith told us about being fine was actually true.’*
Silver locks flapped against her metal shoulder plate when she spotted two black birds with crimson eyes moving in their direction.
Gravel scattered as the heels of Maya Sirius’s boots pressed hard into the ground, forcing dust upward. Her eyebrows hardened while looking up at the flying black birds. *’She’s watching us... I can feel it.’*
A purple aura fluttered across her face as the cloth of her sleek royal purple gown rustled. "My King."
Empress Diana moved two steps forward, stopping an inch from Levi. "Those birds know where the Lust Goddess’s daughter is."
She pointed a hand toward the birds and looked deep into Levi’s eyes.
Levi licked his lips and blinked, turning his attention from Empress Diana’s silver eyes to her slightly wet lips. "Okay... let’s follow them then."
Loud cries shot into the air as the two black birds turned, speeding toward Central City’s eastern prayer castle.
Chimes of holy bells resonated through the air when Mother Beatrice slammed her golden staff on the ground. Shunk!
The blue crystal at its center shined faintly, casting an invisible dome around all eight of them as she moved forward.
Stone groaned under Levi’s boots as he paused mid-step and faced Mother Beatrice. "Why that?"
Dark golden tresses fluttered over Mother Beatrice’s full chest while she bowed her head slightly. "This will protect us from any unseen attacks ahead."
A warm smile appeared on Maya Sirius’s face as she looked from Mother Beatrice to the content expression on Levi’s face. *’We are here for you, Master.’*
Streams of heated air and sharp fangs darted from the ground the moment they reached the prayer castle’s staircase. But the invisible dome absorbed every hit, sending the sharp fangs collapsing onto the stone with crisp clicks.
Beads of sweat dripped down Shallot’s face as she watched the poisonous fangs scatter across the ground. *’That was fast.’*
Her chest heaved while turning a confused look toward Mother Beatrice. *’How did she know that trap was there?’*
Saliva snaked down Shallot’s throat when Senna walked up and placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. "Are you afraid, little one?"
Shallot’s arms trembled at her sides, but she forced a smile and shook her head. "No... not at all."
Senna Drae slid her fingers down to the top of Shallot’s gown and pinched her playfully. "You better be. This is just what we will be doing till our master becomes the ruler of every realm."
Chills ran down Shallot’s spine as Senna moved away to stop by Saintess Lilith’s side. *’Can’t I just be his wife and not take part in these tasks?’*
Her cheeks hardened when taking a deep breath and stepping forward. *’I think I can. Nyx is not here, and he has already given her a part of his sigil like he gave me.’*
The moment they climbed the first tier of stairs, a beam of solid crimson light extended from the entrance of the castle and surged straight toward them.
Shallot’s eyes widened with fear, her body trembling while watching the charged blazing light.
Sparks ignited and darted sideways as the crimson beam slammed against the invisible barrier.
Levi tucked his hands into his pockets and let out a relaxed sigh. A faint bone-crackling sound popped from his posture as he looked toward Mother Beatrice. "Do we even need this invisible shield?"
Mother Beatrice gulped hard and blinked twice at Levi and the faint cracks appearing on the dome. "Master, we would have been squashed if not for the barrier."
"We?" Levi’s face showed mild confusion while glancing at the pale faces of the ladies at his side. "Oh, right. Let’s just keep moving then."
The further they advanced, the more blazing crimson energy exploded against the invisible shield.
Faint crackling sounds echoed through the barrier when they reached the upper tier of the stairs.
A sharp heel click sounded as Empress Diana moved two steps forward and stretched her arm. "My King, please move a step back."
Sparkling purple light seeped out of her fingers while she closed her eyes, channeling spiritual energy to her palms.
Loose strands of hair whipped across Levi’s forehead, but he stood his ground even as all six ladies stepped away. "Go on, I’m immune to the magic any of you carry."
He nodded at Empress Diana and remained still.
The floor beneath Empress Diana burned as more of her mountain-shattering power flared out. *’I don’t want to hurt you, my King. I will just control it enough so it doesn’t erase you.’*
Thick purple veins surged on Empress Diana’s arms and crawled up to her face while she clenched her fist.
Dust tore outward as the energy erupting from within her separated the platform they stood on, lifting it into the air.
Small stones and tree roots whipped against the heavy air while she guided the floating structure toward the front of the castle’s plaza.
Debris scattered off the stone floor as Empress Diana lowered the platform safely onto the plaza.
Just as Empress Diana channeled her power back into her body, a massive crimson beam burst from the center of the castle’s gate like a blazing sun...