The Inner Odyssey-Chapter 184: Modest Replica

A shudder ran through Celeste’s cross-legged frame.

This aura...

It felt incredibly ancient, like a tree slowly approaching the end of its life. She could tell it belonged to a hidden powerhouse. The sound of footsteps echoed in the distance, drawing closer.

Celeste noticed Gestella and Clara straighten, their bearings immediately turning solemn.

The young prisoner frowned, instinctively holding her breath.

In her heart, she knew that whoever stepped into the underground chamber would be an individual of extreme importance. She didn’t why she felt that way, but a taut expression flashed across Celeste’s face nonetheless.

However, oddly enough, the rest of the captives - hunters and Guild members alike - did not seem too perturbed. At most, they held some resentment, but also endless gratitude, as well.

’Strange...’

Celeste had no more time to think. Just then, the age-old presence reached its peak.

The fire flickering in the brazier trembled, as if drawing back in fear.

Celeste’s mouth turned dry.

However, in the next moment...

A dazed light appeared in her eyes.

The individual responsible for the stifling aura was lean and lithe. However, that wasn’t what caught the Chosen of the Divine Sovereign by surprise. Instead, it was how youthful the Leader of this shadow organisation seemed.

She had an immaculate face free of wrinkles. Her polished hair seemed to glisten in the light, the shade of a green, vibrant leaf. Her eyes, meanwhile appeared to glow with a sprightly sheen as if brimming with immense vitality.

All in all, she seemed more like a nature spirit than a human.

Celeste met the woman’s gaze. Her beautiful, rich eyes drew the young healer in, displaying the flash of an enormous forest overflowing with an abundance of life.

Celeste blinked.

A heartbeat later, the illusion was gone.

Meanwhile, Gestella snapped to attention.

"Leader!"

"Don’t mind me. You can sit down."

The green-haired woman casually waved her off.

Celeste sensed the leader’s gaze linger on her for the fraction of a heartbeat, before the sprightly woman’s attention shifted, veering towards her subordinates.

"How is everything?"

"Well..."

Clara shifted awkwardly, while Gestella averted her gaze.

"I take it Gestella’s caught another innocent? That explains the new face."

The leader sighed and rubbed her temple.

Eventually, she released a turbid breath.

"No matter. Just make sure this doesn’t happen again."

"Thank you, Leader!"

The palpable sense of relief Gestella emanated made Celeste feel like the woman could burst into tears at any moment; evidently, her superior’s show of mercy greatly touched her.

Celeste just shook her head.

The Chosen of the Divine Sovereign froze a moment later, though.

...The green-haired woman’s attention was back on her.

An alarmed shiver racked Celeste’s frame as she struggled to breathe.

"Have we met before?"

’...Huh?’

Celeste’s expression swiftly turned blank.

"Why do I sense the energy of the Seven-Leaf Lily from you. It’s faint, but definitely there."

The sprightly woman leaned closer. Celeste fought the urge to flinch.

"How curious."

There was a hint of wonder, as well as a strange, inexplicable sense of relief nestled within the leader’s tone.

"Come with me."

Celeste tried to protest, but found that she could not resist.

As if willing to make up for her earlier mistake, Gestella scurried over, unlocking the cell and swiftly hauling the Chosen of the Divine Sovereign up to her feet. The hunters and Guild members almost threw themselves at the cloaked figure, but froze after the sprightly woman released her aura.

"Be gentle with her."

Gestfella flinched at the soft admonition.

"Yes, Leader!"

Under the worried gaze of the other captives, Celeste found herself transported to a different room, this one smaller, but no less eye-catching. It had a desk to one side and the occasional shelf, but what caught the young healer’s eye the most, or rather her senses, was the high concentration of life energy in the air.

Not only that...

Celeste spied an array of different herbs and plants germinating throughout the room, sprouting from the ceiling, the floor, and even a few of the shelves - almost drowning the office in an abundance of greenery.

She couldn’t help but think this was the leader’s attempt at creating a modest replica of the forest above.

As the various different scents streamed into Celeste’s nose, she paused.

"Like what you see?"

The leader’s voice was gentle, as if she too enjoyed the presence of nature. Snapping out of her daze, Celeste turned to look at Gestella and Clara, both of whom stood by the door, as if to guard it from any threats.

"You can leave us."

The sprightly woman waved them away.

"B-but, Leader..."

"Have you forgotten who I am?"

As the figure with the senescent presence raised an enchanting eyebrow, Gestella flinched again.

"Of course not!"

"...Good."

The leader of the Shadow Organisation sat down and leaned back in her seat, gesturing for Celeste to do the same. Hesitantly, the young lady obliged. With her posture as stiff as a wooden board, the Chosen of the Divine Sovereign gazed at the woman opposite her, her jade-green eyes swimming with a sea of tension and caution.

Meeting her intense gaze, the woman merely smiled.

"You must have a lot of questions. I’ll allow you to ask one."

"Who are you?"

Celeste’s reply was instant.

"Are you asking for the name of my organisation or my own name?"

"Both."

An amused chuckle escaped the leader’s lips. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"How daring. It’s in your best interest not to know, child."

Celeste’s brows furrowed, a stubborn light appearing in her eyes.

At that, the senescent, yet strangely vibrant woman sighed.

"How about this? You allow me to examine your body, and in exchange, I will reveal to you... one of my names."

Celeste bit her bottom lip.

"First, you have to free the captives."

"Impossible."

A heartbeat later, though, the sprightly woman’s stern demeanour wilted:

"Trust me. I want to free them as much as you do. But, unfortunately, circumstances have forced my hand."

In the end, Celeste gave in.

At her current level, she was painfully aware she did not have what it took to bargain with a powerhouse.

A few breaths later, the enchanting woman stood behind Celeste, gently placing her palm on the young healer’s back. The Chosen of the Divine Sovereign suppressed an instinctive shudder and closed her eyes.

Less than a heartbeat later, a flood of astonishingly pure life energy streamed into her body.

Celeste gasped.