【 THE SPREADING FLAMES OF WAR 】

—

Sophia raised her head, her gaze toward Fehn carrying a hint of scrutiny.

“What rumors?”

As a Godwarden of the Goddess of Life, she had always been highly sensitive to any news concerning the Goddess.

Seeing Fehn’s hesitant expression gave her an uneasy premonition.

After a brief pause, Fehn lifted his head and said:

“Lady Sophia, there are many rumors circulating in the south. They claim that Her Grace the Goddess actually went to the Abyss when the war between the gods and demons began, and was ambushed by the Demons and subsequently sealed away…”

Sophia’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing this and let out a cold snort.

“That’s absurd.”

Fehn lowered his head.

After several seconds of silence, Sophia’s voice sounded again:

“Fehn, where exactly did you hear these rumors?”

Fehn answered respectfully:

“It has been spread to many places Lady Sophia especially at the south. However, after tracing their origin, I discovered that they seem to have come from the underground.”

“The underground?”

Sophia raised an eyebrow.

Noticing her thoughtful expression, Fehn hesitated before asking cautiously:

“Indeed Lady Sophia… many are saying that the reason Her Grace has not purge the evil invaders even after the demons invaded Seigües is because something has happened to her… Is this… true?”

Sophia looked at him. His eyes were filled with concern, and beneath that, a trace of confusion.

She sighed inwardly before speaking:

“Fehn, do not overthink it. Those are merely rumors.”

After speaking, she glanced at the report still in his hands and rubbed her temples.

“Leave your reconnaissance report here for the time being. I am somewhat tired.”

Fehn nodded, presenting the rolled parchment report with both hands before bowing and taking his leave.

Once the knight had departed, Sophia let out a quiet sigh and opened the document.

The handwriting was not elegant. From the perspective of a former imperial noble, it could only be described as barely legible. However, for a former knight who only knew how to fight, it was already quite commendable.

In truth, if Fehn had not once worked as an apprentice in Augsburg city, he would not have been able to recognize so many words.

Though the handwriting was rough, the contents of the report were well organized. This was precisely why Sophia had dispatched him to the south. She had already recognized his talents during his service in Zelouan.

As Sophia read through the report, her brows gradually furrowed more deeply, and her grip on the parchment tightened slightly.

“At least a million demons have already successfully entered Seigües…”

Her expression grew grave.

Fehn’s report recorded the war situation of the southern front in detail. But what weighed most heavily on Sophia’s mind were the shocking figures listed within it.

Not only had the number of demons increased steadily over time, but as more territories fell, more and more powerful demons had emerged.

In just a few months, the Holy Maniya Empire had lost at least seven legendary-rank figures, over five hundred high-ranking experts had perished, and the armies annihilated by the demons likely exceeded two hundred thousand.

Such an astonishing number would have represented the entirety of the empire’s military strength just a few years prior.

It was only due to the recent resurgence of mana in the world of Seigües, which had led to an explosive increase in the number of experts, that total collapse had been avoided.

Even so, from the lines of Fehn’s report, Sophia could clearly perceive the severity of the situation.

The Eternal Church had issued multiple decrees, accepting the Eternal Lord’s grace to expand the ranks of the Inquisition Knights. Even within the Holy City of Maniya, several miracles had occurred, with multiple seraphims descending.

Yet despite all this, the empire still had failed to halt the demons’ advance.

As she read the descriptions on the parchment, detailing the devastation following the demonic invasion, Sophia’s expression grew increasingly grave.

“Indeed… perhaps two months, the Demons may reach Maple Moon…”

Staring at the list of conquered locations, the young woman murmured.

Two months was Fehn’s estimate based on the current state of the war.

However, after finishing the report and turning to the map behind her, Sophia’s brows knit tightly.

The Maple Moon Free State was connected to the downstream battlefield via the Vymur River. Therefore, should the demonic army continue its current advance toward the Fertile Plains, it would indeed take approximately two months to reach it.

But if they altered their strategy and advanced upstream along the river, the situation would be entirely different.

For reasons she could not explain, Sophia felt a growing sense of foreboding as she looked at the map, especially after hearing of the rumors spreading throughout the south.

Had something really happened to the Goddess?

Such claims would typically circulate only among heretics and people from other faiths.

Yet the reasoning behind these rumors left even Sophia, a Godwarden of the Goddess, with a faint sense of unease.

When the rebellion erupted in Maple Leaf Territory and an evil god manifested, the Goddess of Life had intervened within just two months, swiftly eliminating the threat and spreading her radiance across the land.

Now, however, demons were descending upon the southern regions of the empire at an even more rapid pace, invading the Seigües World. Yet strangely, the upper echelons of the Church of Life had remained largely inactive.

Sophia understood clearly that the earlier the invasion was contained, the easier it would be to expel the demons.

After all, the longer the delay, the more difficult the war would become.

The Abyss was vast beyond measure, while the Seigües World was merely a primary material realm. So if the Demons launched a full-scale invasion, the forces of this world would struggle to resist without the power of a true god.

Thus, from the very beginning, the key to victory in this war lay within Her Divine Grace.

However, since the war began, the Holy Maniya Empire and the similarly affected southern Kingdom of Aries had repeatedly sent envoys to request aid from the Church of Life. Yet the elven church’s leadership had only dispatched some Chosen Ones to participate in the fighting, offering no word of the Goddess’s personal intervention.

Even without the widespread rumors, Sophia herself had begun to sense that something might indeed be amiss in some unknown corner beyond her awareness.

As one of the Godwarden of the Goddess Evé, Sophia’s faith within her Patron Deity was unwavering.

Yet it was precisely because of that steadfast faith that the rumors weighed more heavily upon her.

Gently touching the blessed necklace gifted to her by Lady Zero, Sophia could clearly feel the gentle power of the Goddess.

That power was proof that the Goddess had not yet fallen.

But if that were the case, why had Her Grace not yet intervened, or even manifested an incarnation to quell the invasion?

It was a question that troubled even her, despite her status as the Goddess’s favored one.

During this period, even when Sophia prayed to communicate with the Goddess, the responses she received had become increasingly scarce. And when replies did come, they were often vague and brief instructions, markedly different from the precise and clear guidance she had received in the past.

The sensation was as though a thin veil had formed between her and the Goddess, or as if some other presence were responding in Her stead.

Upon careful reflection, the earliest signs of this change seemed to coincide exactly with the time when news of the demonic invasion first arrived.

As for this matter, Sophia did not dare to contemplate it too deeply.

Nevertheless, regardless of her inner doubts, she firmly believed that Her Grace still remained safe and that the Goddess must have her own considerations.

As a favored one of the Goddess and the Governor of the Maple Moon Free State, the only course available to Sophia was to unite every force that could be rallied and to hold back the advance of the demonic invasion beyond her domain.

With that thought in mind, she rose from her seat and issued an order to the guards outside:

“Prepare the carriage. I am going to the Church of Life.”

→⟐←

Approximately twenty minutes later, Sophia arrived by carriage at the Temple of Life in Zelouan.

After announcing her presence, she was finally granted an audience within the temple with the High Priestess of the Maple Moon Free State’s diocese, a beautiful elven woman.

“Your Excellency, the pace of the demonic invasion is accelerating. With our current strength, we will likely be unable to withstand their forces. I intend to summon Chosen Ones from the various elven guilds to defend Maple Moon.”

Sophia spoke with earnest determination.

The elven priestess grew solemn and nodded.

“Governor, I understand.”

After speaking, she summoned a strikingly handsome elven priest and said to him:

“Sir Natsume, Lady Sophia has a new task to be conveyed to the Chosen Ones…”

At the sight of the summoned priest, Sophia’s heart stirred.

It was said that among them, there existed a remarkable form of telepathic connection, such that once a message was delivered to one of them, it could potentially become known to all Chosen Ones.

Noticing the iris emblem upon his clothing, Sophia also recognized that he was likely a core member of one of the largest elven guilds, known as “Heart of Nature.”

Heart of Nature…

As the name crossed her mind, another familiar figure inexplicably surfaced in her thoughts.

A carefree smile, an eccentric hairstyle, and a period of cooperation that, though brief, had not been unpleasant.

A trace of nostalgia flickered in her eyes as she murmured softly, her tone tinged with emotion:

“Sir Demacia… where might you be, and what are you doing right now?”

→⟐←

“Achoo!”

Upon a raised platform, Demacia, clad in immaculate priestly robes, let out a forceful sneeze.

Muttering, “Who’s talking about me behind my back this time?” while he adjusted his attire.

At that very moment, a new system notification appeared before him:

【

】

【Sophia von Wells’ favorability toward you has increased by 1 point… 】

Demacia: “…”

He froze briefly, then could not help but rub his nose as he muttered under his breath:

“Why did my favorability increase again?”

The image of a certain sharp-tongued half-elven young lady flashed through his mind, and his expression turned somewhat peculiar.

Shaking his head, he cleared his throat and looked down from the platform.

With a bright smile, he resumed his impassioned speech:

“So, my fellow believers, only by holding steadfast to our faith in Her Divine Grace can we achieve final victory in the war against the Evil Sea God!”

As his words fell, waves of enthusiastic applause erupted from below.

Before him stood thousands upon thousands of fervent believers, each wearing a badge bearing the symbol of a scepter upon their chest, their faces filled with zeal as they packed the entire square.

Among them were not only elves and half-elves, but also humans, halflings, and many other common races of Mindel Realm.

Seeing the excitement of the crowd, Demacia felt thoroughly satisfied.

He raised his right hand and declared solemnly:

“For the glory of Her Divine Grace! For our bright future!”

The believers below echoed him in unison, raising their right hands with fervor:

“For the glory of Her Divine Grace! For our bright future!”

Immersed in the passionate atmosphere and hearing the system notification signaling the completion of his task, a trace of delight appeared on Demacia’s face.

Then, he abruptly shifted the topic. With a sly chuckle, he continued:

“Additionally… heh, I have another matter to introduce to all of you, my fellow believers.”

As he spoke, his expression grew increasingly amiable, and his tone became ever more cordial:

“My friends, have you… ever heard of Amway Group?”

→⟐←

Holy Maniya Empire, Southern Frontier.

The once-beautiful plains had already been shrouded in darkness, while faint clouds began to gather across the sky.

It was the spreading power of the Abyss, gradually eroding this region.

Most of the trees in this forests had been completely felled and repurposed into one siege engine after another. Whilst high above, countless flying creatures rampaged and shrieked as they swept across the skies.

They were so numerous that they blotted out the skies, resembling a vast swarm of locusts.

On the ground, an endless demonic army surged forward like a cataclysmic tide, roaring and howling.

Beneath their feet lay the bleached remains of humanity, while their eyes burned with bloodlust and madness.

A towering demon, wreathed entirely in flames, stood upon the walls of a smoke-filled human city. As he gazed upon the ongoing slaughter within, his expression was one of pure enjoyment.

Only when the final scream faded beneath the demons’ cruel laughter did he slowly withdraw his gaze.

“Lord Astaros, all lands have been transformed, and all living beings in the surroundings have been slaughtered. Shall we continue advancing northward?”

A rough yet respectful voice sounded behind the towering demon. It belonged to a cloaked demon.

Around his neck hung a necklace strung with the skulls of humans, demons, and other races. Each skull represented a legendary-rank expert who had died by his hand.

He was a powerful legendary-rank demon.

Yet even he maintained a posture of utmost respect before the towering demon, his eyes filled with reverence.

The one addressed as Astaros let out a soft laugh and lifted his gaze.

He looked toward the northwest.

In that distant direction, the sky remained a brilliant blue.

That pure expanse stirred something deep within him, intensifying his desire for destruction.

That was the direction of the Maple Moon Free State.

He drew a deep breath, sparks of searing flame spilling from his nostrils as the immense pressure of a demigod radiated outward.

“No. Just leave a part of the army to continue the assault on the surrounding human kingdoms. The main force will change direction.”

“Our next primary target lies to the northwest…”

“We will seize the Maple Moon Territory and trample the Elven Forest!”

“The Goddess of Life has already been sealed by Lord Leviathan. Now is the time to eradicate the Church of Life.”

“Once her network of faith is destroyed, this war… will be ours.”

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