Anomaly

Gazing calmly at the solemn, artistically magnificent stone door, Selina let out a soft breath.
Despite her mental preparation, the moment of truth still brought a wave of nervous anticipation.

Holding Selina’s hand, Karina led her through the spatial barrier to the sacred elven grounds.
The stone door was the final obstacle before the Sacred Bath.
Once crossed, she would face the god with whom she’d made her deal.

Sensing the sweat in Selina’s palm, Karina turned, her voice gentle with reassurance.

“Don’t worry. Though you have an agreement with the Ancestor God, you are now her descendant.
Her blood flows in you. The Ancestor God won’t do anything excessive.”

Selina nodded lightly.
After their heartfelt mother-daughter exchange, the rift caused by her restored memories was slowly mending.

Their bond had grown closer, not yet at the level of perfect maternal-filial harmony, but progress was progress.
Healing emotional wounds in mere hours wasn’t realistic—bonds take time to rebuild.

Besides, in matters of emotion, Empress Karina always favored a gradual, nurturing approach.
With their long lifespans, elves had time to spare, and slow, steady warmth was the safest way to mend hearts.

“I understand… Mother.”

Selina’s cheeks flushed.
Calling out that title was difficult, carrying a tinge of shame.
She’d never called anyone “Mom” before, and now, as a princess, saying “Mother” in such a refined manner felt awkward.

But shame aside, having accepted her bond with Karina, responding appropriately was only natural.

This wasn’t about male pride.

True masculine dignity lay not in trivial titles but in the courage to bear responsibility.
This bond and bloodline signified her new identity and the duty she’d shoulder for the elven race.

Calling Karina “Mother” wasn’t submission.
On the contrary, it was because Selina still honored Kant’s experiences and memories that she could, despite her embarrassment, respond sincerely.

This seemingly ordinary “Mother” was the first time since regaining her memories that Selina willingly uttered it, carrying profound meaning.
Karina, hearing the familiar title, softened her gaze further.

“Yes, don’t be nervous. Everything will be fine.”

Karina stood, removing the necklace Feilin had returned yesterday.
She held the gemstone pendant and inserted it into a groove at the center of the white stone door.

With a low rumble, the heavy door parted, revealing wondrous beams of light that fell upon Selina’s palm.

Looking at the specks of light, Selina felt a warm, flowing sensation on her skin.

“Don’t be surprised. This is the divine light of the Ancestor God Themis, sourced from the same bloodline as ours.
It’s normal to feel a slight, comforting warmth,” Karina explained with a soft smile, noticing her daughter’s curiosity.

“Alright. Go to the center of the sacred grounds.
There’s a pool filled with golden liquid. Just soak in it for a while.”

Following Karina’s instructions, Selina stepped into the sacred grounds.

As she entered, the heavy stone door began to close.
Hearing the sound, she turned quickly, catching a final glimpse of Karina’s reassuring, warm gaze through the narrowing gap.

Selina’s eyes dimmed slightly.
She clenched her right fist and placed it over her heart, as if to preserve the support and warmth from Karina’s look.

“Thank you, Karina.”

With a soft word of thanks, she followed the gentle breeze deeper into the sacred grounds.

Barefoot, her soles felt the soft grass, a sensation new and pleasant after years as a human.
The direct contact with nature eased much of her initial tension.

To Selina, the sacred grounds resembled an endless prairie bathed in gentle, mystical light.
The breeze swayed the tender grass, bowing slightly.

Guided by the wind, Selina walked until a shimmering golden pool at the horizon caught her eye.
Quickening her pace, she soon saw the small pool clearly.

It was modest, barely large enough for one person—clearly designed for a single bather.
Staring at the distinctly golden water, Selina tentatively touched the surface with her bare toes.

The moment her toes met the water, a cool, moist sensation startled her.
It felt no different from touching ordinary river water.

So, the next step was to immerse herself fully in this still pool.
Recalling Karina’s instructions, she didn’t need to remove her silk bath gown.

Though the permission seemed odd, Selina accepted it readily.
She wasn’t an ordinary elf.

In her first life as a mundane office worker, she’d encountered similar practices—bathing in a gown was like wearing a swimsuit at a hot spring.

Besides, this was the domain of the Ancestor God Themis.
Though her body was crafted by another, Selina instinctively didn’t want this maiden form exposed to a god whose thoughts seemed perverse.

Resolved, she stepped into the golden pool.
The water rose past her thighs, chest, and neck.
Exhaling softly, she leaned against the pool’s edge, relaxed.

Perhaps due to earlier tension, she now felt at ease, her tired eyes closing involuntarily for a brief rest.

What was the big deal?
Just an ordinary bath.
Aside from the slightly cool water, there was nothing special…
But as this thought formed, her sensitive elven body detected something amiss.

Selina’s eyes snapped open.
To her shock, the golden liquid seemed alive, crawling up her skin.

“Wait, no, this…”

She tried to cry out, but it was too late.

The liquid clung to her, like a tight, constricting film coating her body.
It didn’t stop at her neck but climbed further, covering her mouth, nose, and eyes.

As her vision darkened, her consciousness was swallowed by blackness.
In mere seconds, an unseen force dragged Selina beneath the water, and she vanished without a trace…