Chapter 118: Becoming Divine Envoys!
Seraphis seemed to notice as well, her lips curling in amusement. She straightened, her divine aura subtly shifting back to something more composed, and with a graceful nod, she returned to the matter at hand.
“I believe that covers the limits of my involvement. Now, let us return to the reason you were summoned here in the first place.” Her voice, while still carrying warmth, became more measured. “I have already explained some of it, but let me continue from where we left off before our conversation diverged onto the topic of my intervention.”
She paused briefly, as if gathering her thoughts, before continuing, her golden gaze sharpening. “As I said before, the war between the Rithen Kingdom and the Valden Kingdom erupted in full force, consuming the land in bloodshed. Countless mortals have perished in this senseless conflict…” Her voice wavered, not with weakness, but with barely restrained emotion. The soft radiance of her divine form flickered for the briefest moment, a testament to the sorrow that ran deeper than her calm demeanor suggested.
“And as the war raged on, as men and women fell in battle, as their cries of anguish reached me through their desperate prayers, I could not—no, I would not—stand idly by,” she declared, her voice ringing with quiet conviction. The golden light surrounding her brightened subtly, its warmth carrying both sorrow and unwavering resolve. “That is why I made a deal with the Records.”
She let the words hang in the air, allowing them to sink in before she continued, her expression composed once more. “I will not go into the finer details, as they are of no consequence to you. What matters is the outcome. The deal I struck ensured that warriors—beings of power beyond the norm—would come forth to aid the Rithen Kingdom. Warriors who could shift the tides of war.” Her golden gaze swept over the four of them, her meaning unmistakable.
“This is your mission,” she stated, her words carrying the weight of divine decree. “Help the Rithen Kingdom win this defensive war against the Valden Kingdom. Ideally, I would prefer if you could minimize casualties on both sides. I do not wish for mortals to die needlessly in this conflict.” A faint sigh escaped her lips, and for the first time, a flicker of helplessness crossed her radiant features. “Of course, I understand that such a request is difficult—perhaps even unreasonable—considering the nature of war itself. But… if you can, at least keep it in mind.” She offered a small, wistful smile, as if knowing full well that war was rarely so merciful.
The four of them listened attentively, understanding that this task was likely tied to the ranking of their mission. After a brief silence, Amelia finally spoke. “We’ll try our best to reduce the casualties,” she said firmly, her emerald eyes steady. “But we can’t promise the impossible. All we can do is what’s within our power.”
Seraphis’s expression softened with understanding. “That is all I can ask for,” she acknowledged gently before her gaze grew more serious. “And now, before you depart, there is one last matter to discuss…”
There was an almost imperceptible hesitation in her voice, a faint reluctance that would have gone unnoticed by most. Yet, for those attuned to her presence, it was clear—she was not entirely eager to see them leave. How long had it been since she had spoken to people as equals rather than as a distant deity answering prayers?
Still, she quickly composed herself, her divine grace never faltering. “There is something you must know. In the mortal world to which you will be sent, magic—at least as you probably know it—does not exist. If you suddenly begin displaying superhuman abilities, it may cause fear, suspicion, or even hostility.” Her golden eyes bore into them, as if ensuring they understood the weight of this reality. “That is why I have taken precautions. To aid you in your mission and ensure your presence is not questioned, I have prepared identities for you.”
She straightened slightly, her divine radiance intensifying as she delivered her next words. “You will be my Divine Envoys!”
For a moment, silence filled the sacred hall. The four of them exchanged uncertain glances, processing the title she had so boldly declared.