Chapter 57: The Divine’s Memory

Chapter 57: The Divine's Memory

Who would have thought that the Divine's memories after falling would turn into a tattered old book, hidden in the royal academy's library, filled with ancient books? It's like a luxury version of a modifier that can view a target's fate.

She stayed in this space for a long time, memorizing every face in the Black Moon organization, reviewing this ancient and mysterious group from beginning to end.

From the first time they transcribed Blue Star's script into a book, a faint consciousness was left in that "Festival."

It was a small part of Blue Star's consciousness accidentally knocked loose when the two worlds collided.

This fragment from a distant star initially had very weak energy. It wasn't the main consciousness of Blue Star, just a very marginal part.

Yet, it was revered as a standard and treasure by Black Moon.

They believed it was a script from the Divine's realm, only fit for the study of the elite.

Thus, a succession of this world's strongest joined in, devoting all their efforts to the "Festival" day and night.

Fey reverted to her normal form and landed on a high rooftop.

She stared intently at the insubstantial figure, "Speak."

"I wish for a world without invaders, where ordinary people are not doomed to a cycle of death and rebirth." Golden eyes peered through the mist, "I desire the demise of the wicked, an end to betrayal and invasion."

As the last word fell, the mist instantly transformed into numerous golden threads, intertwining into Fey's body. Her heart raced as if it might explode, and a clear voice echoed in her mind.

"This is the last thing I leave in this world, a form of atonement. You shall receive what you desire, and as a parting gift before I completely dissipate."

"Rest assured, this is my memory, which the Lord of the World cannot penetrate."

"Lastly, please offer my apologies, to those who have passed and to all people."

Fey's perspective suddenly pulled back, with the vast empire's continent appearing minuscule like a sandbox. She felt as though she was suspended high above, observing everything below with non-human speed.

A torrent of complex information flooded into her mind, but this time, it wasn't as unbearable as before.

The two hearts merged into one, gold and black intertwining into a yin-yang symbol over her chest.

"So it is... only a god's power can lift divine punishment."

Now, with a fragment of divine power within her, she could certainly do it.

Her eyes glimmered with golden light as she looked down at her body, where sacred curse texts under her skin appeared like chains.

She lowered her gaze, covered them with her hand, and gently tugged—

As the headless warhorse prepared for its final charge, the terrified God of Hunting suddenly noticed the red-haired Witch of War stopping her magic coverage and abruptly looking up.

Amidst the writhing snakes, new souls were devoured, and as another puppet-like figure appeared, Salira's brows furrowed, and she used her magic to blow off the roof, revealing the brightening sky above her.

Lilith, standing amidst corpses and a river of blood, luring wild treants with her magic; Gaia, sewing tiny clothes for hanging dolls in her hideaway; Sharpe, repelling Abyss Breakers with countless weapons—all witches looked up at the same time.

They didn't understand what happened, only feeling as if a heavy shackle was suddenly lifted from them.

But it wasn't over yet.

Fey continued to amplify the memory, rapidly searching for a specific figure.

Soon, she found the person she was looking for.

The girl had encountered something extraordinary, in a special space beyond His reach – for the second time.

The Small World suddenly felt aggrieved but dared not voice it out, fearing that Fey would dislike it even more.

Thus, silence once again prevailed around it.

It remained silent, and Fey had no time to explain.

In the memory of the deity, she not only obtained information about the Black Moon but also noted another matter of concern.

The deity fell, its soul torn into pieces by witches and scattered across the world, collected by the Black Moon to cultivate bosses.

The heart was pressed under the Holy Snow Mountain in the north, and the memories stored in the royal monastery’s library, both now integrated into Fey’s body.

But in the memory, two other parts remained: the deity’s shell and its divine power.

The divine power was unclear, but the shell...

The deity always appeared shrouded in mist before her, only once revealing itself during a prayer.

Through the mist, Fey saw a pair of golden eyes.

Golden eyes, golden pupils, she only recalled one person who possessed them.

Moreover, in the deity’s memory, young Theodore had emerald green eyes.

So this was the Archbishop’s reliance, that revered body, originally belonging to the deity.

Fey, rubbing her fingers, left the library.

The air outside was fresh and filled with the fragrance of flowers. As she walked through the plaza surrounded by flower clusters, she overheard the Quartermaster enthusiastically boasting to a group of young nobles about the exotic plants prepared for the royal ceremony.

"These flowers and herbs, blooming out of season, are cultivated using a magical growth potion exclusive to royalty. The formula? It's a secret gift from a reclusive grand potion master from the continent's farthest edge. Only the royal family is privileged to use it, not for the common folk."

Fie paused in her steps, turning her gaze towards the blossoming bushes.

"Nothing comes for free, especially not from that potion shop owner," Fie knew too well. Little Vinnas, inheriting the merchant's cunning and shrewdness, would never sell a potion for less when he could sell it for more.

"Next time I visit, I'll inquire how much gold the royals paid for it."

In the magical fountain, a deer made of water leaps from the highest point, instantly sinking into the water to transform into a crystal clear school of fish, which shoots a jet of water from its mouth as it leaps out of the water.

The fortunate onlookers nearby catch these jets of water and receive beautiful shards of diamonds as royal rewards.

Faye too catches a handful, her palm shimmering, preparing to bring them back as a gift for Xir.

Having broken the divine punishment and knowing all her opponent's cards, she suddenly becomes unhurried.

The magic cast in Wyatt's resting room shows no signs of disturbance; Faye walks leisurely through the palace, planning her next moves.

She possesses a heart and memories; Theodore holds only the shell, the only thing yet to appear is the supreme divine power of the deity.

Regarding that, Faye has a clue.

Currently, in the absence of all great witches, divine power is the strongest force; it must also be what Theodore greatly desires and certainly obtained in the first timeline.

—Dein's current personal guard, the Follower.

That's why Theodore dares not openly defy Emperor Dein, only resorting to sneaky maneuvers.

Even though he knows of her presence here, he wouldn’t kill her in front of everyone.

Those Followers are probably the final divine power.

Excellent, a tripartite standoff emerges!

All the pieces are now on the board; what ending will this first timeline's story have?

Faye rubs her temples, realizing she and Theodore are in a strange balance.

But just watching the Archbishop live on in his dog-like human form is not in her nature.

She must think carefully about what is left undone before the final battle, what preparations are needed.

At this juncture, she must fight, she must win!

She crosses the square and enters the side hall of the palace.

The spacious corridor is carpeted thickly, the carpet a bright blue with automatically floating white clouds.

Faye looks down briefly and, mimicking others, stands atop one of the drifting clouds.

The next moment, Faye felt as if she were back on Blue Star, stepping onto an elevator. Surrounded by white, fluffy clouds, she was gently lifted and carried through the long corridor.

Every few meters, beneath a beautiful floral arch, there appeared a golden, rotating handle.

Curiously, Faye turned around, causing the cloud to automatically halt.

"What should I do?" she asked, like a shy girl entering the palace for the first time, inquiring of a passing servant.

The servant smiled and helped her pick a golden chalice vine flower from the arch, its cup-shaped petals covered in a thin layer of dew.

"Dear Miss, you can do as I do," the servant demonstrated, placing the flower under the handle and turning it, releasing a stream of cool, milky-white liquid.

Faye sniffed it – honey sweetened milk with a refreshing hint of vanilla! She decided to get a cup for Xir too.

The servant thoughtfully handed her a tray.

Observing the polished tray, capable of reflecting one's face, Faye felt that having only two cups of flowers on it seemed wasteful.

Pausing briefly, she looked up and politely asked, "Is there still time for a late meal?"

She had been too preoccupied with her eye battle with Theodore at the recent banquet to eat much.

Now, on the brink of a great battle, she thought indulging a bit more couldn't hurt. If she ended up losing, at least she’d die full.

A few minutes later, Faye made her way to the kitchen successfully.

She chose onion-scented bread and grilled hexapod chicken pie as her main course, with a rich Mondo sheep bone soup, and sweet and sour grape jellies as a post-meal snack – perfect.

Xir was pacing nervously in the room, even raising her hands when her companion returned.

"Were you planning to assassinate me?" Faye set down the tray, only to be scolded vehemently by the lady.

"Do you have any idea how terrifying you looked just now?! I thought the Archbishop was going to kill you! I was so scared I quickly wrote to the teachers!"

"He indeed intended to kill me," Faye handed her a cup of sweet milk, "and your letter probably won't make it out. If he knows who I am, I believe we can't leave this place unless he's dead."

Right! Faye suddenly remembered the intelligence brought back by the teachers. Theodore seemed to have... an excellent employee with silver glasses, didn’t he?

With time on their side, and having already broken so many of the Archbishop's arms, it might be wise to start by striking at the weaker side of the balance – that shouldn’t be a problem, right?

"What on earth is happening?" Xir held back a scream, sitting down abruptly, "Does the Archbishop know about our witch identities? Is he going to storm in here with a squad? We need to prepare quickly! My goodness, Faye, why are you still eating?!"

After all, she didn't want to embark on a journey hungry.

This thought circled in Faye's mind but remained unspoken; instead, she reassured the lady that there was no major issue, she could handle it, and Theodore wouldn't barge in.

After all, he had his own dirty secrets; as long as he could endure another day in front of Dein, they – no, Xir, the entire Wyatt family, at least superficially, would be safe.

"Right," Faye suddenly remembered something and asked, "What's left of the ceremony? Any events we need to attend?"

Annoyed yet diligent, Xir explained.

"There's a summer flower viewing, a wine tasting, a ball, and finally, a beast-fighting event."

"Beast-fighting?" Faye raised her eyebrows.

"It's a very popular event among the nobility," Xir explained, laying out the ceremony schedule before her, "The empire's warriors face fierce dark beasts. Young men seeking their beloved's heart often use this opportunity to fight, and the victor receives blessings in front of everyone. There's even been public challenges against the royal knights’ captain, with the winner being crowned by the emperor as the new leader."

Beast-fighting.

Faye's gaze lingered on these two words, thinking it a perfect opportunity for both her and the Archbishop, who wished each other dead.

It seemed she needed to find a way to safely extricate Xir before the beast-fighting event.