Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard-Chapter 55: A Tempting Offer - Part 2

Auriel left the chamber where Minerva’s followers had been left behind. Their desperate prayers and crestfallen faces lingered in her mind, tugging at her conscience.

The way they clung to their fading hope, even when there was no clear path forward, left a deep impression on her.

As a goddess herself, she understood the bond between divine beings and their followers, and though she had no particular attachment to Minerva, she couldn’t help but feel pity for her believers.

Just as Auriel was about to speak, she turned to Carol.

"Carol, please... take care of them. I know it’s not my place, but—"

She began softly, her voice carrying a weight of guilt.

Before she could finish her sentence, a sudden and overwhelming wave of dark magic washed over her senses.

It was so powerful and suffocating that she froze in place, her breath catching in her throat.

Her divine instincts flared in alarm, and she instinctively raised her hand, summoning a small, shimmering shield of light around herself and Carol.

Carol’s face mirrored Auriel’s concern. Her usual calm composure faltered, replaced with a look of unease.

"Goddess Auriel, what’s going on? This... this doesn’t feel normal. What is this feeling?"

She said, her voice trembling slightly.

Auriel closed her eyes briefly, trying to pinpoint the source of the disturbance. The dark magic felt ancient, chaotic, and full of malice.

It wasn’t like the residual traces of magic she had encountered in the past—it was alive, actively spreading like a disease through the sacred temple.

"Dark magic. And it’s not subtle. Someone is deliberately channeling it. We need to find the source" frёewebnoѵēl.com

Auriel said gravely, opening her eyes and glancing around.

Carol nodded and immediately grabbed the nearest acolyte to relay Auriel’s concern.

"Alert the guards at once. Tell them the goddess senses dark magic in the temple,"

Priestess Lilith instructed before she turned toward the goddess with a concerned look on her face.

"Goddess Auriel.Are you alright?. Do you know where the source of this magic is coming from?""

Lilith said, bowing deeply.

Auriel shook her head.

"Not yet. It’s scattered, almost like it’s deliberately trying to evade detection. But we cannot ignore it—it’s dangerous to let it linger."

Lilith’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she turned to the guards.

"Seal the temple. No one is allowed to leave until we find the source of this dark magic. Begin a full search immediately."

"Yes, Priestess,"

The guards said in unison, hurrying to follow her orders. Lilith’s acolytes spread out as well, their expressions a mix of fear and determination as they began combing through the temple.

Despite their best efforts, hours passed with no results.

Auriel herself joined in the search, her divine senses on high alert, but the dark magic seemed to dissipate and reappear in different places, always staying just out of reach.

It was as though whoever was behind it was toying with them, testing their defenses.

By the time the search was called off, the temple’s residents were shaken, and a heavy sense of unease hung in the air.

Priestess Lilith declared the temple’s closure for the rest of the day, and everyone was instructed to remain vigilant.

Auriel stood in the main hall, staring out at the flickering torches that lined the walls.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that this incident was only the beginning of something far worse. Carol approached her cautiously, her expression full of concern.

"Are you alright, Auriel?" Carol asked softly.

Auriel nodded, though her thoughts were far from at ease.

"This magic...someone casted it with the confidence that they won’t be caught. Whatever its purpose, it wasn’t random. We need to be prepared for whatever comes next."

Carol frowned but didn’t press further. She could tell Auriel was deep in thought, and she respected her space.

"If you need anything, I’ll be nearby."

Carol said before retreating to help with the temple’s recovery efforts.

______

Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of the village, Lila was preparing for her own journey.

She had made up her mind—if the elder refused to accept Lady Victoria’s help, then she would take matters into her own hands.

She couldn’t sit idly by and wait for a miracle when her goddess was suffering. Her devotion to Minerva burned fiercely within her, driving her to act, no matter the cost.

Dressed in a simple cloak to avoid drawing attention, Lila slipped out of her house under the cover of darkness.

The streets were quiet, and the faint glow of the moon cast long shadows over the cobblestone paths. She clutched her satchel tightly, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination.

Lady Victoria had mentioned staying at the edge of the village, near the forest. Lila made her way there, her footsteps quick and purposeful.

As she approached the forest’s edge, a small, luxurious carriage came into view.

The carriage was adorned with intricate gold detailing, and two black horses stood silently at its front, their dark eyes gleaming unnaturally in the moonlight.

Before Lila could call out, the carriage door opened, and Lady Victoria stepped out gracefully, as though she had been expecting her. Her amber eyes glinted in the dim light, and a knowing smile curved her lips.

"Well, well. I was wondering when you would come to your senses, dear Lila. Have you finally decided to accept my offer?"

Lady Victoria said, her voice as smooth as silk.

Lila hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward and bowing deeply.

"Yes, Lady Victoria. I’ll do whatever it takes to save Goddess Minerva. Please, tell me what I need to do."

Lady Victoria’s smile widened, and she extended a hand toward Lila.

"Good. You’ve made the right choice. Come with me, and I’ll show you how we can bring your beloved goddess back to her former glory."

Lila hesitated again, glancing back toward the village.

The elder’s stern words echoed in her mind, warning her of the dangers of trusting Lady Victoria.

But her devotion to Minerva outweighed her doubts, and she reached out to take Lady Victoria’s hand.

The moment their hands touched, a strange, cold sensation ran through Lila’s body, but she ignored it.

Lady Victoria guided her into the carriage, and the door closed with a soft click. The horses began to move, pulling the carriage deeper into the forest.

As the village disappeared from view, Lila couldn’t help but feel a mixture of hope and apprehension. She had no idea what lay ahead, but she was willing to face any challenge for the sake of her goddess.

Unbeknownst to her, Lady Victoria’s smile had turned into something far more sinister as the carriage rolled on, its wheels leaving faint traces of dark magic in their wake.

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