BXBX NOVEL Chapter 162 - Maiden Of Ritual
Chapter 162 – Maiden Of Ritual
"Welcome, dear guests," the priest took the pedestal as he spread his arms. "We are here to celebrate none other than Fera\'s protector, Vyxas!"
"Vyxas!"
"Vyxas!"
"Vyxas!"
The devoted believers chanted his name as the nobles from the Rosia kingdom grew uncomfortable. It was not abnormal to see such devotion to a god because those who worshiped them survived. However, it was a new experience to see your enemies worshiping their gods.
Nikolai once again met those he killed in his past life. A one-eyed giant was standing to the back next to the prince of Fera and son of the Bestial King.
His body was standing still, but his mind was going into hyperactivity. All of the attendants, their identities, their powers, and the likelihood of their involvement all appeared in his mind.
Lilith was here, which suggests that the Fairy Queen must have snuck into this place. They were all waiting for the moment Vyxas\'s powers descend to devour the offerings, Saint Maria.
"Are you the new retainer?" whispered the knight beside him. Nikolai glanced at him and saw the old man who seemed to be a captain of the knights. "I am the one responsible for protecting her highness. So do not let down your guard, and make sure always to be close to the princess."
"That is my job, captain," smiled Nikolai. "However, I cannot accompany here when the ritual begins."
"At that time, you do not need to intervene. I will be close enough to protect her if anything happens."
"Your words suggest that danger is inevitable," Nikolai turned to look at the knight, his crimson eyes meeting the old knight\'s apathetic eyes.
"Danger is inevitable," he said with a smile. "You are the same as his highness, Master Edward: a pair of creeps in human skin. I suggest you close your mouth and do your job."
"Aye, aye, captain," Nikolai said without any seriousness as he turned back toward the priest. The knight glared, wanting to beat him now, but it was not the time.
Nikolai saw the knight walk away and stand closer to the princess, surrounded by nobles from both kingdoms. They were all standing around the central pond where Nikolai saw his vision.
\'Everything is going according to plan,\' Nikolai already had this interaction with the knight captain, and he already knew that the captain was not on their side.
The internal struggle for the throne played a significant part in the changes happening in this timeline. However, the assassination attempt was foiled because Lilith was not here, and Master Edward protected his niece.
\'My existence changed things,\' Nikolai couldn\'t have imagined that killing the sea serpent would bring Lilith to this place. However, she was looking at him with a twisted smile even now.
Lilith started walking toward him; her presence was unnoticed by the rest of the nobles. It seems this was her handiwork, all to talk to him without the interference of the rest.
"You are here, Miss Aya," Nikolai took the initiative to greet her. "I did not think that you would believe my words."
"Why do you think I came here because of what you said?" she said with a smile. "I have no business with gods and monsters."
"I heard you are not a fan of gatherings, but you attended two of them in the past few days. But, of course, no one thought you would attend the ritual since your family is not on good terms with Fera."
"That is certainly true," she hid her smile while standing beside him. "I can see that you are still wearing the mask. The party is over, but it seems that wasn\'t the reason."
"I have a disfigured face," he replied, and he could see her brows twitch. Nikolai knew such a notion would repulse her because this woman hated imperfections.
"All faces are disfigured," she said while trying to hide her repulsion. "I am indeed here because of your words. I grew curious about the descent of a god, so I wanted to see it for myself."
Nikolai knew that she would never reveal herself if she weren\'t sure about today\'s events. Lilith was not a person that would throw away one of their personalities easily unless the return was far greater.
"I am afraid that my knowledge is limited," he said while looking at the priest glorifying Vyxas and his protection of the land. "A god\'s descent requires a suitable offering."
"A suitable offering," she was curious. "I wonder what that would be?" she said with a smile while looking at the princess. "Gods are interested in the purest of things, so we might see something interesting today."
Nikolai felt sorry for the princess, who stood straight while trusting her words were heard. The notion of peace never crossed the minds of any attending nobles except the princess.
Lilith disappeared again, and Nikolai expected her reappearance once the ritual began. But then, his legs moved on their own, and he found himself standing close to the princess.
"Lyle?" she was confused. "This is not the time, as the ritual is underway. Let us talk later," she said before turning back toward the priest.
"I wanted to say something," Nikolai knew this was unnecessary. However, maybe his words would change something about her fate. "Your dream of peace…" she turned to him with confusion.
Nikolai couldn\'t say more because he found it hard to believe. Encouraging the princess down this path might hinder her growth, but it was uncertain whether his words would have any meaning.
"…is attainable. The world will seek to prove you wrong in every way it can. However, there is no change without resistance. Believe in your path and now can stand in your way."
Saint Maria blinked before a childish and delighted smile appeared on her face. The princess tried to hide it with her hand, fearing others would see it.
The noise of the crowd grew louder as their worship of Vyxas continued. There was a bubble around Nikolai and the princess. After composing herself, the princess replied while looking the happiest.
"I know that," she said. "However, I needed to hear these words. You are the first person who encouraged me rather than warned me. Thank you, Lyle."
Nikolai was silent before nodding. Then, he slipped back into the crowd, walking farther away from the princess. The priest sang praises of Vyxas until his voice was hoarse. Then, it was time for the main event.
Nikolai slipped into the crowd before disappearing from his spot. The world turned darker, and he felt at home. His steps were not fast, and he managed to make his way into the pond where the priest stood.
\'Now, Lucas,\' Nikolai turned over toward his partner, who stood by a table and held a cup. Lucas started gulping down his glass before slamming to the table.
"I would like to say a few words!" shouted the drunken actor. The crowd turned toward him with confusion. "Why are we to make peace with those weaker than us? That does not make sense! As the strongest person here…"
"Weaker?" the one-eyed general stepped forward, his height towering over the crowd. "Have you accused us of weakness, human?"
"Are you deaf?" Lucas was intoxicated as he staggered. "I said weaker, not weaker. You must be an idiot."
"Step down, Young Master Griffin," Saint Maria panicked. "Please act decently on this day."
"As you command, your highness. However, this idiot needs to prove that I am weaker than him."
"That was my exact intentions," the general strode forward and stood in front of Lucas. "What is your name, human?"
"Lucas Griffin!" he proudly said while knocking on the giant\'s belly. "Your height must be the reason for your stupidity!"
"Griffin?" frowned the man. "I cannot believe that you are his son. No matter your identity, I must teach you a lesson."
"Do not kill him," ordered the Bestial Prince. The general nodded with understanding. Killing the son of that man was far from wise.
Mana exploded from Lucas as so was the case for the man. Then, while the two powers clashed, Nikolai strolled toward the cup beside the priest. It had wine inside of it. His darkness seeped into the cup before retreating.
Boom!
The place shook as Lucas\'s body fell from the pillar. He coughed several times as the general stood in front of him. Finally, after saying a few curses, Lucas passed out.
The crowd was silent before the priest realized that they needed to stick to the plan. That is why he chose to change the subject in haste.
"We are here today, not only to glorify our lord but to make peace with our friends from the Rosia Kingdom. This is the first step that would lead us to a better future. I am honored to introduce her highness Maria Ver Rosia as the maiden of this ritual."
"A maiden?"
"This is unbelievable."
"I did not think that is possible. However, if the priest is the to say it, then it must be alright."
The crowd grew noisy as the princess took steady steps toward the pond where the priest stood.. His yellowish eyes curved in a smile as he received her.