On the bustling commercial streets of Pad City’s western district, Nona tugged at the black hood covering her head, ensuring her face remained completely hidden from view.
Beside her, Hia and their two companions were similarly concealed.
After repelling the desperadoes who had surrounded them, they had stealthily infiltrated Pad City. Immediately, they donned black cloaks and hoods, effectively concealing their identities.
As Heroes, exposing themselves in a city controlled by a wicked god would invite catastrophic consequences. The mere thought sent shivers down their spines.
Of the four, only Olivia lagged slightly behind, constantly turning her head to gaze around. She seemed utterly captivated by the city.
“Olivia? Is something wrong?” Nona inquired.
Nona had carefully observed her behavior, and Olivia’s subsequent reply came as quite a surprise.
“It’s just… a wave of nostalgia,” Olivia admitted. “The Pad City of old has transformed into something I barely recognize.”
“You’ve been to this city before?”
“Yes, back then, it was a city inhabited by elves, and everyone worshipped at the Church of Life. I never imagined it would fall into the hands of a wicked god.”
Recalling the elves’ past glory, she involuntarily lowered her gaze, a pang of sadness in her heart. Yet, she quickly composed herself, pulling at the brim of her hood as she cautioned them.
“In any case, try not to reveal your identities. Otherwise, it will bring unimaginable trouble. This city is now swarming with the wicked god’s minions.”
Afterward, they proceeded to an inn in Pad City’s western district, booking two rooms under false identities. While settling in, Olivia pondered for a moment before deciding to venture out alone.
“You all can finish tidying up the rooms,” she told them. “I’m going to look for some old friends who used to live here. If they’re still around, they might know something about the Hero’s Sword.”
“Alright, but please be extremely careful,” Nona urged.
“I will,” Olivia affirmed.
With a nod, Olivia pulled her black cloak back on and departed from the inn.
She had known many people in this city in the past and remembered where they lived. Locating them would likely save them considerable effort in their search for the Hero’s Sword.
Her belief that her friends might still reside here, despite the passage of so many years, stemmed from seeing several elves during her earlier stroll through the streets.
Elves still lived in this city!
In any other city ruled by a wicked god, such a sight would be utterly impossible.
This discovery ignited a spark of hope within her—hope of finding her old companions.
Firmly adjusting her hood, Olivia followed the fragmented routes etched in her memory. After getting lost several times, she finally arrived at a villa and raised a finger to knock on the door.
*Knock, knock, knock—*
The rhythmic knocking echoed softly. Before long, a reply came from within.
“Coming!”
With the sound of a turning doorknob, the villa’s main door swung open from the inside. A young elven girl, peering out, lowered her head to look at Olivia.
“Who are you?” she asked.
Removing her black hood, Olivia looked up and smiled. “Sharena, it’s been a long time.”
“…Olivia?!”
The elven girl, Sharena, rubbed her eyes, seemingly unable to believe that the elf standing before her was truly her old friend. After confirming she wasn’t dreaming, she seized Olivia’s wrist and pulled her into the villa.
“Quickly, come in!”
Leading her into the villa’s living room, Sharena gestured for Olivia to sit on the sofa. She then moved to a nearby cabinet, pulled open a drawer, and began selecting tea leaves.
Meanwhile, she began to playfully scold Olivia.
“Where have you been all these years? We promised to meet up often, but you haven’t come back to see me even once! Do you not value our friendship anymore?”
“How could I dare?” Olivia chuckled. “I’ve simply been too busy, with no time. Am I not here to see you now?” As she spoke, Olivia surveyed the villa’s living room.
The decor diverged significantly from the styles elves typically preferred. Perhaps to complement the dark mahogany flooring, several red candles and other crimson artifacts adorned the corners of the room.
“Do you know? So much has happened in this city while you were away,” Sharena remarked, bringing the chosen tea leaves to the teapot. “You must barely recognize it now.”
“Indeed,” Olivia agreed. “If you hadn’t told me this was Pad City, I wouldn’t have recognized the place at all.”
“Yes, it’s because our Mother Goddess lost contact with us. Many gods, coveting this place, waged war. Pad City is no longer the city it once was.”
Brewing a cup of tea for Olivia, Sharena pushed the teacup towards her. However, Olivia merely nodded, choosing not to drink it immediately.
Noticing this, Sharena set down the teapot, a hint of indignation in her tone. “Where have you been all these years? Are you so refined that even this tea isn’t good enough for you? Tell me, enlighten me.”
“Just wandering about,” Olivia replied nonchalantly. “But you, Sharena, seem to be living quite well in Pad City, wouldn’t you say?”
“As long as there’s no war, how bad could life be for Pad City’s residents?” Sharena countered.
Sharena’s response momentarily startled Olivia. She then smiled, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and after watching several minutes tick by on the wall clock, rose to take her leave.
“I’m relieved to see you well,” Olivia stated. “I have urgent matters to attend to, so I can’t chat much longer. Let’s get in touch again later.”
Without waiting for Sharena to speak, Olivia turned and walked towards the villa’s main door. However, before she took more than a few steps, two cloaked figures suddenly materialized, blocking her path.
Her expression turning cold, Olivia looked back at Sharena.
*Clink!*
The white teacup’s base met the saucer with a pleasant chime. Sharena set down her cup, elegantly crossed her legs, and smiled. “Do stay a little longer, Olivia.”
Hearing her words, Olivia’s previously hopeful heart slowly plummeted into despair.
“…Sharena, have you betrayed the Church of Life?”
In truth, Olivia had suspected Sharena’s betrayal of the Church of Life the moment she saw the living room decor. After all, how could an elf who worshipped nature and life have such peculiar decorations in their home?
That was why she had prepared to leave without asking anything, but it seemed she was still a step too late.
“The Mother Goddess is dead, Olivia,” Sharena declared. “The Church of Life no longer exists, and I have found a new faith.”
As she spoke, Sharena stood up and removed her outer garment, revealing a blood-drop pendant hanging from her neck. Clasping the pendant with both hands, her face took on a fervent, almost fanatic expression.
“I am now a devout follower of Blood,” she proclaimed. “I venerate the great God of Blood, the benevolent Mother who granted me new life, the supreme being!”
“Olivia, abandon your faith. Join me in worshipping the Benevolent Mother. The blessings She bestows upon us are no less abundant than those from the Mother Goddess Yggdrasil.”
‘Absurd!’
Olivia wanted to condemn Sharena’s madness and betrayal, but the words caught in her throat, leaving her speechless.
The demise of the Church of Life was an undeniable fact. Elves changing their faith for survival was not inherently wrong, and Sharena’s worship of a wicked god might merely be the result of manipulation.
She was, after all, just one of countless pitiable elves.
“You could have lived, what a pity,” Sharena said.
Sharena perceived the pity in Olivia’s eyes and understood her answer. As a fervent devotee of the Elven Mother Goddess Yggdrasil, this proud elf would never abandon her faith.
Not even in death would she change.
In truth, if Olivia had merely adhered to the Church of Life, she might have been spared. But…
“You came to me to ask about the sword’s whereabouts, didn’t you, Hero Olivia?”
The great Benevolent Mother despised Heroes above all else.