Awakening Domination System: But I'm a Slave?-Chapter 309: Withdrawn

Valen descended the Academy steps, his pristine gold and white robes catching the afternoon light.

Behind him, Lyria and Seraphine followed, both moving stiffly.

Three carriages waited in the courtyard, each one bearing the Church of Lioren’s insignia, a radiant sun crossed with a silver staff, rendered in gold leaf against white lacquered wood.

Valen gestured toward the first carriage. "You two. With me."

Lyria and Seraphine climbed inside with assistance from attendants who’d materialized from somewhere. The interior was plush, cushioned seats in white silk, small essence-conducting crystals providing soft light, temperature-controlled despite the external conditions.

Valen entered last, settling across from them.

The other Church officials divided themselves among the remaining carriages. Within moments, all three vehicles were moving, wheels crunching over debris-scattered roads as they departed the broken Academy.

---

The journey to the teleportation gate was quiet. Valen said nothing, just watched the passing destruction with unreadable silver eyes. Lyria stared out the window, her purple eyes distant, unfocused. Only Seraphine seemed present, her hand finding Lyria’s and squeezing gently.

The capital’s teleportation district occupied the eastern quarter.

The carriages passed through three separate checkpoints, each one manned by royal guards who examined papers, verified identities, confirmed authorization.

Finally, they reached the gate itself.

It stood in the center of a massive plaza, a circular platform thirty meters across, carved with intricate symbols that glowed with soft blue light. Four pillars surrounded it, each one topped with crystalized essence cores the size of a man’s torso.

Attendants rushed forward as the carriages stopped, helping passengers disembark, coordinating the logistics of inter-kingdom transport.

Valen stepped onto the platform first, his officials following. Lyria and Seraphine came last.

The gate operator began the activation sequence. His hands moved in complex patterns, essence flowing from his core into the formation beneath their feet.

The symbols blazed brighter. The air began to shimmer, reality bending as dimensional barriers thinned.

"Destination: Sanctum Radiance, Theocracy of Lioren," the operator announced, his voice carrying essence-enhancement. "Transit in three... two... one..."

FLASH!

The world dissolved into light.

---

[Capital: Sanctum Radiance]

They materialized on an identical platform in a different world.

The architecture changed immediately. Where the previous kingdom favored stone and practical efficiency, Lioren built with light.

White marble everywhere, streets, buildings, walls, all polished to a mirror shine that reflected the afternoon sun in dazzling patterns. Gold accents marked important structures, traced along rooflines and window frames.

And the cleanliness. Not a speck of dirt. Not a stray piece of trash. Every surface maintained with obsessive precision.

The carriages waiting here were even more ornate, pure white with gold fixtures.

They loaded quickly. Within minutes, the convoy was traveling through Sanctum Radiance’s main thoroughfare.

The streets were wide, designed for processions and displays of power. Citizens moved along the sides, all showing proper deference as the Church convoy passed. Some bowed. Others pressed hands to hearts in gesture of reverence.

Buildings rose on either side. Shops with displays of goods.

But the most striking difference was the statuary.

Where the Vedgard kingdom had honored the Divine Phoenix Ashurael, Lioren worshipped differently.

Here, the statues were female figures carved from white marble, holding staffs of light, their faces serene and compassionate.

The Goddess of Light.

Solaria.

Every plaza had one. Every major intersection. Every public building’s entrance.

All slightly different, but carrying the same essential elements.

And rising above them all, visible from anywhere in the capital.

Was the Grand Cathedral.

It dominated the city’s heart like a mountain. White stone rising hundreds of feet, buttressed by structures that seemed too delicate to support such weight but did so.

Towers stretched toward the sky, topped with golden spires. Stained glass windows decorated every surface, transforming sunlight into kaleidoscopes of color.

And at the cathedral’s entrance, flanked by columns was a statue.

Of Goddess, rendered in white marble thirty feet tall. She stood with one hand raised in blessing, the other holding a staff of pure gold that had been forged by master craftsmen over decades. Her face was serene, beautiful.

The convoy stopped at the base of the steps leading to that entrance.

Valen descended first, then turned to help Seraphine and Lyria down personally.

They climbed.

Valen and others simply walked, reaching the massive doors which opened silently at their approach.

Inside the main hall stretched far. Vaulted ceilings soared overhead, supported by columns carved to resemble trees of light. The floor was polished marble.

Valen led them through side corridors. They passed rooms dedicated to prayer, to study, to the administrative work that kept a theocracy functioning.

Finally, they stopped before an ornate door carved with symbols of divine authority.

Valen knocked once.

"Enter," a voice called from within. Female.

Valen opened the door and stepped through, Lyria and Seraphine following.

The room was large. Functional rather than decorative.

A desk dominated one side. Bookshelves lined the walls. A small altar occupied one corner, dedicated to private prayer.

And seated behind the desk—

The Archpriestess.

She remained perfectly still. Long golden-blonde hair fell past her shoulders, intricately braided.

Her eyes were completely hidden beneath a blindfold of white and gold silk. The fabric wasn’t simple cloth, but something more, adorned with divine runes that shimmered faintly.

She wore ceremonial robes of white trimmed with gold, cut to emphasize authority rather than form. No jewelry except for a single pendant, the Church’s symbol rendered in pure gold, hanging from a chain that seemed to glow with its own light.

Valen bowed deeply. "Your Eminence. I’ve returned with the Saintess and the girl as requested."

"Thank you, Archbishop." Her voice was musical. "You may go. I’ll speak with them privately."

Valen bowed again and withdrew, closing the door softly behind him.

Silence stretched for several heartbeats.

Then the Archpriestess’s attention turned toward the two young women.

"Come closer," she said. "Both of you."

Seraphine moved forward immediately. She dropped to one knee with practiced grace.

"Mother," she said softly. "I’ve returned."

"My daughter. Rise. You’ve been through much."

Seraphine stood but remained close.

Lyria hadn’t moved. She stood near the door, her purple eyes hard, her jaw clenched tight enough to make the muscles stand out.

The Archpriestess’s gaze shifted to her. "Lyria. Approach."

Lyria’s hands clenched into fists, but she walked forward slowly. Stopped a few feet away. Didn’t kneel. Didn’t show the deference Seraphine had offered.

"Your Eminence," she said.

The Archpriestess studied her.

"You’re both wounded. The attack was..." She paused. "...unfortunate. But you survived. That’s what matters."

She stood smoothly, her robes flowing with the movement, and walked around the desk to stand directly before them.

"However, this incident has made certain things clear. The Academy is no longer safe. The risk of keeping you both there, particularly you, Lyria, outweighs any educational benefit."

Seraphine’s eyes widened. "Mother, we can’t just—"

"You will," the Archpriestess interrupted firmly. "Both of you are withdrawn from Phoenix Academy. You’ll continue your training here, under Church supervision."

She turned her gaze fully on Lyria.

"Your time is coming, child. The purpose for which you were... prepared... approaches faster than anticipated. There’s no benefit in risking your life needlessly when so much depends on your survival."

Lyria’s jaw tightened further. "I’m not a tool."

"You’re exactly a tool," the Archpriestess said without malice. Just stating fact. "A very valuable, very necessary tool. What you feel about that is irrelevant."

Her hand reached out, fingers tilting Lyria’s chin up with surprising gentleness despite the harsh words.

"But you’re our tool. Which means we protect you. Keep you functional. Ensure you’re ready when the time comes."

She released Lyria and turned back toward her desk.

"You’ll both remain in the cathedral complex. Seraphine will resume her Saintess duties. Lyria will continue... preparations." A pause. "That will be all. Attendants will show you to your quarters."

Dismissed. Just like that.

Seraphine bowed. "Thank you, Mother."

Lyria said nothing. Just turned and walked toward the door, her hands still clenched into fists.