NOVPUB"Is that so."
Lanci nodded lightly, his gaze fixed firmly on the street below the steps of the Main Hall.
Dusk had long since arrived, but the brightly illuminated monastery was no less dazzling than the colors of midday.
Students held bamboo lanterns in their hands, either walking in pairs or strolling alone, their faces radiating smiles of pure joy.
When the bamboo lantern was lit, the thin outer veil, as delicate as cicada wings, quickly expanded, carrying firelight and heartfelt prayers as it drifted gently into the night sky.
Lanci gazed up at the ascending lights, his once-lowered eyes slowly following their ascent.
He knew that the floating moon lanterns relied solely on the buoyant force of hot air and had no connection to the miracles of magic.
He also understood that when the fuel was exhausted and the flame extinguished, the moon lanterns would ultimately fall back to the ground.
But in this fleeting and beautiful moment, no one wanted to think about that.
"Just like this Cerryti Empire—no one has thought that maybe, in two weeks, there will be a change so cataclysmic it could overturn the entire world."
Talia seemed to have discerned the thoughts in Lanci's heart and spoke.
"..."
Lanci looked at Talia in surprise.
He unexpectedly felt that this time, Talia had not used magic to read his mind.
Before he could ask more questions.
A melodious chime pierced the tranquility of the night, like a pebble dropped into a serene lake, creating ripples that spread outward.
The sound of the chime was like a gentle stream, striking every person's heart in a steady rhythm.
"Cheng-long, cheng-long, cheng-long, cheng-long..."
Tracing the sound, one could see that in the distance, many festival-goers had already gathered on the high platform from which the chimes echoed.
People were seated around the circular stage, with sacred fire blazing in the center.
Today marks a time of gratitude, a day to bridge the connection with the gods, and also a propitious occasion to pray for favorable weather in the year to come.
The Brilda people praised the merciful Silver Moon and Healing Goddess for her blessings and prayed that she would continue to watch over all living beings.
The festival was about to begin.
Unnoticed by anyone, the square where the bonfire had been lit had people emerging to commence the ritual.
Stepping carefully with quiet, shuffling footsteps, a tall, white-robed woman gradually came into view, her figure becoming clearer to all.
Her attire was entirely different from usual—Moon God High Priest Violet of Water Jade was now adorned in ceremonial garb, with skin exposed on her shoulders, chest, and legs as ivory-smooth as sheep-fat jade, her flesh glowing red under the firelight.
But all of this was far removed from profane earthly thought.
The High Priest serving the goddess dressed in such attire to perform sacred dances—it was only natural.
Violet of Water Jade raised her Tin Cane high, her ivory-white arms carving an elegant arc through the air.
As the bells upon the cane chimed—"cheng-long"—the pure white trail cut through the night sky, evoking an illusion of piercing gusts sweeping past.
"In the name of compassion, courage, and wisdom,"
"Under the sanctity of moonlight and the radiance of stars,"
"May the Silver Moon Goddess descend and renew all creation."
"Here and now,"
"I sincerely sing the Song of the Moon God,"
"May thy holy light illuminate the earth—"
The ethereal and crystal-clear singing reverberated across the square, its diction resounding powerfully with the weight of every word.
This was a hymn dedicated to the gods, delivered with the purest faith and soul to convey humanity's gratitude for the vast blessings of the divine.
The song seemed to penetrate the barriers of time and space, reaching the ears of gods from the Divine Era, tens of millions of years ago.
"Later, we'll be meeting the Wolf Clan's Shamaness... thinking about it, today she seems like destiny embodied, the singular one."
Talia murmured in awe, looking at Violet as she danced.
Strictly speaking, the War God ought to be their enemy, yet Talia found herself no longer able to resent the Wolf Clan right now.
Merely seeing Violet reminded Talia of her own beloved daughter in the Shadow World—it also brought memories of her benefactor, Miss Sikder, and her sister.
"Yes."
Lanci replied in agreement.
"Hey, you already have three fiancées, and now you're staring at her?"
Talia jabbed Lanci in the ribs with her elbow, teasingly poking fun at him.
"I'm just thinking... Violet probably won't end up being our enemy."
Lanci gazed upon Violet's graceful figure, speaking his thoughts one deliberate word at a time.
His tone was grave and resolute, yet it concealed a faint tinge of bitterness.
"You don't want to encounter situations like what happened with Enon again, nor situations where you were at Beelzebub's mercy and had no choice but to rely on the gods' favor."
Talia quickly perceived Lanci's thoughts.
She knew that Lanci had never forgotten the lessons of Huadu.
In all his time within the Cerryti Empire, he had indeed been greatly aided by the teachers and students of Saint Kray Monastery. If there came a day when they became enemies, though Lanci would undoubtedly act decisively as ever, it wouldn't mean he lacked feelings deep within.
At this moment, Talia did not share a soul-link with Lanci, yet she knew more confidently than ever that Lanci had recently been unable to truly relax, perpetually tense and alert.
It goes back to the same topic before Violet's dance began—the looming war drew near, and as the strategist, Lanci felt the weight of responsibility more than anyone.
"No matter how much is done, no matter how much effort is expended, all that can be obtained is a chance of victory. I've done all I could; I only hope the gods will answer our prayers and offer their favor. And of course, I hope the Moon Goddess loves her High Priest and protects Miss Violet."
Lanci spoke slowly.
"Yes, a chance of victory is not equivalent to triumph."
Talia wholeheartedly agreed with Lanci's perspective.
No matter how many allies and friends support and encourage them, no matter how many fight alongside them, nothing could guarantee the final outcome.
