A Reunion of Prestigious Elven Families? (5.6K) (continued)

Even the kind-hearted bishop no longer looked so benevolent when he saw her; instead, his face became ferocious and hateful, as if he had seen the most filthy thing in the world.

"I am not a filthy demon!"

The girl tried to explain herself, but it was all in vain.

In a mere instant, she went from a revered saint to a despised demon.

What did I do wrong?

Victoria, locked up in prison, couldn't understand why she hadn't done anything wrong.

She was reduced to this state simply because of a black spot that was spreading on her body.

Although she knew that the black spot represented symptoms of "Demonic Possession," she was so devout to the gods, so why would they cast such a terrible curse upon her?

She couldn't understand it.

However, just as he was about to be taken away by the cult for heresy trial...

A believer appeared, quietly opened the cell door, and secretly released her.

But the humans in the cult clearly had no intention of letting him off so easily.

Even after they had fled into the forest in a disheveled state, and even after they had completely lost their way, their pursuit never stopped.

"Why did you do this to me!... Ah!!!"

Victoria was tackled to the ground by a hunting dog that attacked from behind.

He fell heavily to the ground.

She felt a burning pain all over her body.

Even though the damp earth beneath her brought her some coolness, and even though she breathed in the cool air deeply, the burning and stinging sensation on her body could not be relieved in the slightest.

Am I going to die?

Victoria rolled over and looked up at the night sky in despair.

Her deep blue eyes, visible through her bangs, were now filled with a deathly gray, devoid of any remaining hope.

Even in the corners of my heart, there's a faint thought—

I wish I could die like this.

This thought persisted until a hideous and ferocious hunting dog came into view, opening its blood-red maw and lunging at her.

"Don't want!!!"

Instinctively, Victoria raised her slender arm to block the hound's bite, but its sharp teeth dug deep into her skin.

"It hurts!!!"

She struggled fiercely, but her resistance was in vain.

How could someone as frail as her possibly be a match for a hunting dog?!

Not to mention, the other hunting dogs had already pounced on her, ready to tear her apart and devour her.

"No... it hurts so much... I don't want to die... someone... someone save me! Anyone will do... please, I don't want to die!!!"

It's unclear whether her plea moved Heaven or the gods.

She finally received a response--

Do you crave power?

A voice came from nowhere, as if echoing directly in her heart.

Not only that, but the moment the sound came...

She sensed that the hunting dogs' biting had stopped.

"Young girl, do you yearn for the strength to live?"

Perhaps not receiving a response, the voice asked the same question again.

Moreover, it became clearer, like an ethereal and holy voice echoing from the realm of the gods.

"I... I want... the God! I crave the power to live!"

Victoria called out with all her might in response; it was perhaps the most powerful roar she had let out since she began her escape.

Some shrill voices faintly echoed in the dark woods.

"Alright, then I will grant you power."

The words had barely left his mouth.

Victoria found herself enveloped in a white light.

"What... what is this?"

She felt a tremendous force invade her body, slowly circulating throughout her entire being. The gruesome, bloody wounds on her arms, torn apart by bites, were visibly healing at a speed as if time had reversed.

The burning and heaviness that came from physical exhaustion disappeared completely.

Even her tattered long dress has been restored to its original state, just as pure and noble as it once was.

The warmth brought by the pure white magic healed her broken heart.

It felt... it felt like a miracle had occurred!

"Stand up."

That's what the voice was saying.

Victoria obeyed the command and rose again from the soft mud.

Only then did he realize that the hunting dogs that had just pounced on him had somehow turned into clumps of white ash scattered around him.

And she finally saw clearly who had saved her.

They are not the gods we imagine.

But they seem more like gods!

The person had a human appearance, but his features were more perfect than those of an elf, with fine black hair gently blowing in the forest breeze.

Her smile was so gentle and approachable that it made her feel an instant connection with her.

Beside that human was a girl with long silver hair.

Her face was equally delicate, but also very youthful, especially her long, beautiful hair.

Bathed in moonlight, her figure exuded a sacred and noble beauty, even for someone who had once been a saint, making her want to submit to her.

"What... what was that light?!"

Just then, the pursuers chasing Victoria were almost upon them, and they too spotted the same light flashing in the forest, as bright as day.

The magical power that had just spread was even more terrifying!

What on earth is that?!

"It seems you have a lot to say, but you'll have to wait a moment."

Mahiro ignored the voices of the cult pursuers and instead smiled at the girl in front of him.

Victoria opened her mouth, but before she could utter a sound, she saw the human boy walk past her.

Stop behind yourself.

At the same time, he stretched out his hand forward and called out softly:

"Est."

"Learn."

Est instantly transformed into a beam of white light that condensed in his hand, gradually taking the shape of a longsword.

Then, the wind picked up.

As the magic manifested, the atmosphere trembled.

Victoria witnessed firsthand how the overwhelming magic transformed into a raging storm that converged on the blade, causing it to shine with a dazzling brilliance once more.

"The ruthless Queen of Steel, the holy sword that slays demons and monsters—"

Mahiro recited softly.

"--Transform into a steel sword here, to aid me in slaying all my enemies!"

In that instant, the white light from Est dissipated, and the Demon-Slaying Holy Sword, revealing its true form, was suddenly swung down.

Magic bursts forth.

The sound disappeared, and the world was stained pure white.

This is a power that is beyond human capabilities.

Victoria knelt on the ground, trembling, and came to this conclusion after witnessing the scene before her.

The forest in front of them had been completely leveled, and a huge, menacing chasm had been torn open in the center of the earth.

Like Abyss, its depths unknown, the darkness revealed within the cracks seemed capable of swallowing everything.

Her location was like the dividing line between heaven and hell.

It was a completely different scene.

And that dark figure is the one who brought all of this to fruition!

But as she gazed at everything before her, a fervent light flickered in Victoria's eyes.

This is true divinity...

If this person isn't a god, then who is?

In an instant, it healed my body and soul, and even the curse of the Demonic Possession!

In an instant, as if divine punishment had descended, the enemy was annihilated!

They can even turn their servants into weapons!

This is a feat that only legendary gods could achieve!!!

When she looked away and saw the other person again, they still had a kind smile on their face and even gently reached out to help her up.

So powerful...

And so gentle...

"... May I ask your name...?"

Victoria instinctively, and genuinely, wanted to know the name of this deity.

"Name? There's no need to be so formal. I'm Yotsuba Mahiro. And you?"

"Four... Yotsuba Clan Clover God... I... I am--"

"Victoria?!?"

Just as the girl was stammering as she was about to offer her name, the voice behind her answered for her.

Victoria instinctively turned her head, only to see the night sky swaying before her.

A beautiful figure dressed in jet-black combat attire appeared.

She had short, silver hair that reached her shoulders, and pointed ears could be seen among the strands; like her, she was an elf.

However, Victoria was shocked when she saw his face.

"You... you are--"

Your Highness?!

Before she could even utter a word, she was utterly stunned speechless when she saw the blonde elf next to the silver-haired elf.

The man's appearance was almost identical to that of Olivier, the elven hero among the legendary Three Heroes!

In her memory, the only family that possessed this appearance and carried this bloodline was that small, insignificant one.

"You are... Lady Beatrice's niece?!"

Upon hearing the familiar name, Alpha paused slightly, but upon recognizing the familiar face that evoked memories, a gentle smile appeared on her face.