Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard-Chapter 68: The tree that absorbs magic- Part 2

The sun had barely risen when Goddess Auriel, Priestess Lilith, and Carol prepared for their journey to the Magic Tower. The temple grounds were unusually quiet, as if the weight of the growing corruption had seeped into the very air.

"Let’s head out. But make sure to retreat as soon as your health begins to deteriorate."

Auriel reminded the duo behind her. As they were about to set off, Princess Evelyn arrived, dressed in battle attire with a gleaming sword strapped to her waist.

"I’m coming with you."

The princess declared.

Lilith’s expression immediately hardened.

"No, you’re not. This matter has nothing to do with the royal family. Besides, we cannot take responsibility for your life, princess."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? The royal family funds the Magic Tower, and its decline will affect the entire kingdom. Are you saying I should ignore this? As for my life! There is no need to take responsibility because I will not die or get harmed."

"That’s not what I—"

"Besides. I offer my strength to Goddess Auriel. If she refuses, I will leave. But if she accepts, then I will go."

Evelyn continued, placing a hand over her sword. Her words cut the priestess off and the air became even more tense than before.

The tension in the air thickened. Lilith opened her mouth to argue, but Auriel raised a hand, stopping her.

"I accept."

Auriel said simply.

Lilith turned to her in shock.

"But—"

"We need all the help we can get." Auriel glanced at the princess.

"I will not deny anyone who wishes to stand by me."

Evelyn smirked. "

A wise choice, Goddess."

Lilith sighed but said nothing more.

With their group now set, they set off toward the Magic Tower.

The closer they got to the Magic Tower, the more lifeless the surroundings became. The once lively stronghold of magic and research was a shell of its former self.

The usual hum of mana that filled the air was gone, replaced by a hollow emptiness. The vibrant glow of magical lanterns had faded, leaving the hallways dim and eerie.

And the people—

The mages who should have been energetic and filled with magical curiosity were hollow-eyed and slow, dragging their feet like zombies. Their faces were pale, and their movements sluggish as if they had no energy left to live.

Carol instinctively tightened her grip on her dagger.

"This is terrifying...this looks like the end of the world as described in the holy scriptures."

Princess Evelyn narrowed her eyes.

"This... this must be dark magic."

But Auriel shook her head.

"No," she said, scanning the area with her divine senses.

"This isn’t dark magic."

The others turned to her in confusion.

"Then what is it?"

Evelyn asked.

Auriel’s golden eyes flickered as she searched for an answer.

"I don’t sense any darkness in the air. But...I can barely sense any magic at all. It’s as if the very essence of magic has been drained from this place"

She frowned. "

Lilith paled.

"Is that even possible?"

Auriel didn’t answer. If magic itself was disappearing from this tower... then they were dealing with something far worse than corruption.

Before they could investigate further, a desperate voice called out to them.

"Goddess Auriel! Priestess Lilith!"

A young mage apprentice sprinted toward them, his face drenched in sweat.

"You’ve finally arrived! Please, this way!"

Auriel steadied him.

"What happened here?"

The mage swallowed hard.

"We... we don’t know. People started feeling weak, and then magic started vanishing! Even spells are failing at random! And..."

He hesitated before adding,

"Our leader... Master Sophia... she’s in no condition to meet you."

The group exchanged concerned glances.

"She’s still alive, isn’t she? Tsk, that beast refuses to die even now. What a terrifying lady."

Evelyn asked but she sounded equally disappointed and relieved when she spoke. No one knew how to answer her when she spoke in such a tone.

The mage hesitated, then nodded.

Auriel’s expression hardened.

"Take us to her."

The mage nervously led them deeper into the tower.

______

The group entered the Master’s Chambers, and what they saw shocked them.

Sophia, the most powerful mage in the tower, lay collapsed on the floor, her skin deathly pale. Her once brilliant emerald eyes were now clouded, and faint magic flickered around her body like dying embers.

Her breath came in shallow gasps, and despite the cold temperature in the room, she was drenched in sweat.

Carol knelt beside her immediately, checking for any injuries.

"She’s still alive... but barely."

"What happened to her?"

Lilith asked.

The apprentice shifted uncomfortably.

"She... she touched the tree with her bare hands. Master said that it was for science but I should have stopped her....it is all my fault."

Silence fell over the room.

Princess Evelyn’s expression turned grim.

"So it is the tree."

Auriel stepped forward, kneeling beside Sophia. She reached out and placed her hand gently on the mage’s forehead, sending a pulse of divine energy into her.

The moment she did—

A violent force pushed back against her.

Auriel gasped, her body tensing as she felt a strange energy resisting her touch.

It wasn’t dark magic.

It wasn’t corruption. freewebnσvel.cѳm

It was... something else.

Something that shouldn’t exist.

Auriel quickly withdrew her hand, her heart pounding.

"This... isn’t normal magic."

Lilith frowned.

"Then what is it?"

Auriel’s mind raced. This force—it wasn’t natural. It was something that didn’t belong in this world.

"Whatever this is, it’s not just draining magic. It’s consuming it"

Auriel said slowly.

Carol’s eyes widened.

"You mean... it’s eating magic?"

Auriel nodded gravely.

"Yes. And if it continues... it might consume all magic in this land."

A heavy silence filled the room.

If the source of all magic disappeared... it would be the end of everything.

Princess Evelyn gritted her teeth.

"We need to destroy that tree."

The others nodded, determination filling their eyes.

But before they could move, Sophia, who had been unconscious this whole time, suddenly gasped awake.

Her clouded eyes flickered open, and she let out a weak, raspy whisper—

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