Chapter 71 The Day of Victory
“Oh, right, the one who was just talking to Ig, is the Sister’s daughter, the Sun Goddess, Sol?”
Verafia tilted her pure white chin, blinked her big eyes, and asked with great interest. After hearing the affirmative answer, she gave a proud, bell-like laugh:
“Pfft, then this goddess and Ig have quite a destined connection. However, what kind of expression do you think she’ll have if she knows that her God’s Chosen one was killed by you?”
Seeing the beautiful, interested eyes of the young girl, Ig smiled: “Actually, the Sun Goddess knows.”
“Ah… that’s really no fun then.” Verafia crossed her arms and pouted.
Ig gazed at the girl’s shimmering gold eyes and gently stroked her temples: “The Sun Goddess told me quite a bit. However, she was originally supposed to talk to you.”
“Is that so?”
Verafia murmured, thinking that Herafir had likely decided to burn herself to death, leaving Sol to answer for her. She thought for a moment, then raised her head again: “So, Ig, did you just see…?”
“Yes. Not only Veer and Goddess Herafir. Also the Abyss, and that Saintess Iris.”
“As expected, you knew, you guy.” Verafia stamped her little foot and buried her head, pouting her lips.
Ig’s sapphire pupils gazed at the fleeting gloom on the girl’s porcelain-white, flawless face, and his heart couldn’t help but darken as well. He knew that the girl was deliberately acting cheerful and relaxed, just to keep him from worrying.
Ig knew exactly what the young girl was worried about in her heart.
“Iris, I didn’t expect to see her here…”
The girl’s slightly low voice reached his ears. Ig didn’t say much, he pulled the girl into his embrace and took her smooth, small hand.
Verafia seemed to be startled for a moment.
However, after a mere halt of half a breath, Verafia tightened her grip on the girl’s tender hand, and Ig could feel the girl’s warmth and the slight strength within her slender bones.
“Hmph, Ig is an idiot. Why does the Young Lady need you to comfort her!”
Verafia forcefully lifted her head, saying stubbornly. She then pulled Ig:
“But, as Herafir said, today, we defeated Moon and rescued Siya, so why be so downcast? Iris, the Abyss, and such things, they don’t need to be thought of… at least, not today!”
Looking at the Goddess Princess, who was deliberately emphasizing herself like an ordinary young girl, he couldn’t help but smile slightly, wanting to reach out and stroke her hair.
“However, we should be going back too.”
The girl proactively linked her arm with Ig’s, her gorgeous gold eyes glancing sideways: “We can’t let Little Fei, and Siya and the others, worry about us.”
With that said, she pulled Ig and left. Several hundred li of distance, coupled with the obstruction of a shattered dimension, wasn’t much of a hindrance to Verafia. In the blink of an eye, they returned to the border of the Holy Light City walls.
Around Holy Light City, the allied forces of the Church and the Empire’s Elves were still scattered.
However, with Moon’s fall and Siya regaining control of the Holy Light Power, the battle was nearing its end by the time Verafia returned. Serathilis, Lafnos, and the Empire’s feudal lords had all arrived at the holy city.
As for Siya and Andes, they had naturally reunited long ago.
When Verafia arrived, she still harbored some faint worries.
After all, the allied forces of the Empire’s feudal lords launching a war against the Holy Light Church was not solely to overthrow Moon, but more to weaken the Emperor’s authority, establish a parliament, and even have the parliament decide on the Emperor’s election.
And Princess Siya was the only daughter of the previous Emperor, and his sole heir, and thus naturally should become the next Emperor of the Empire.
If there was any slight misstep, the Imperial Faction and the Electors could very well cause unrest again, or even reignite the war.
However, the matters Verafia worried about did not come to pass. In Holy Light City, Siya’s clear voice directly announced that she voluntarily gave up her claim to the throne and would continue to be the Holy Light Saintess.
“Perhaps, for Siya, it is also a good choice.”
Amidst the surrounding noise, Verafia turned her head and whispered to Ig.
“A child like Siya is not suited to be caught up in the Empire’s political struggles. Instead, she is the Saintess of Light, and Sister even said that the God of Light dotes on her in a special way. Moon is dead, and within the Holy Light Church, those cardinals in red robes cannot threaten Siya.”
“Perhaps so.” Ig held the girl’s small hand and looked at the red-haired girl who was calmly facing the noisy crowd.
“Moreover, perhaps Siya feels responsible for the turmoil Moon caused by stealing the Holy Light Power, and that’s why she wants to revive the Holy Light Church as a Saintess.”
Verafia nodded in agreement.
Since Siya voluntarily stepped down, there were naturally not many conflicts between her and the Empire’s feudal lords. With her own name, Verafia didn’t think that Andes and the Imperial Faction couldn’t secure appropriate compensation for Siya.
As for the trade terms between the Elves and the Empire, and the division of interests, that was not something Verafia needed to worry about.
Thus, on this great day of defeating the “Blasphemous Pope” Moon, a perfect outcome was achieved.
…
The night sky was as clear as washed silk, spreading out in blackness, and the white starlight dotted the canvas like dazzling gems.
Beneath the starry sky stood the magnificent Holy Light City. Since its birth, its ancient walls and sacred temples illuminated the light as if never-dying, making it appear exceptionally gorgeous amidst the starlight.
Even the soft night wind seemed tranquil between the two different lights, softly stroking the fine silk skirt corners. The beautiful golden strands of hair swayed slightly, lending a serene ambiance to the girl’s art-like, gorgeous, and captivating face.
However, in Verafia’s eyes, what belonged to this world was not the tranquility of this painting.
Today was a day of victory. The Church’s cardinals lamented the blasphemy manipulated by Moon, but were grateful to the Saintess for rescuing them. The Empire’s feudal lords rejoiced in the Princess’s rescue, and the Electors toasted to the Princess’s concession.
Even the visiting Elves were excited to receive the goddess’s favor and were also immersed in the joy of victory.
This atmosphere, however, seemed somewhat out of place with the young girl at the moment.
Her tender little hands clasped her knees, her silk white dress slid over her tender, slender legs and fell onto the soft soil. Verafia slightly tilted her head, sat on a small hill, gazed at the starry sky, and the silk-like smooth, long hair cascaded over her slender shoulders.
“What’s wrong, Veer, you’re all alone here?”
A familiar voice sounded in her ears. Verafia turned her head, and the black-haired young man with a smile walked towards her.
“Ig, why are you here?”
Verafia turned her head to look at him, a hint of surprise showing in her golden big eyes.
