Chapter 413 - 350: Awake
However, without Aurianna as the planet core as they had planned, the planet suffered from countless natural disasters. How many people died? It was unknown, but confirmed cases found and investigated by the churches had already surpassed over 600,000 people. And who knew how many others were probably inside the stomachs of the new kinds of monsters that ravaged the lands.
Only when the High God returned a month and a half later did the natural disasters finally stop.
And the churches did not even have time to rest. They had to deal with countless monster subjugations, protecting territories, even the newly formed ones, taking in refugees, and discussing peace treaties with the other new kingdoms whose worlds had merged with theirs. Several new continents had appeared on the planet, making the world much larger than before and throwing everything into complete confusion.
It was now a five-world combination: Deirion, Earth, Stellanis, Aetheria, and Xoina. Most possessed fantasy races and currencies similar to Deirion, apart from Earth.
It was simply a complete mess the higher-ups had to deal with, and they were already arranging an opportunity for the leaders of each world to meet and discuss future plans.
---
Inside a massive room, the once small crystal ball holding Aurianna’s body had expanded several times over, now reaching nearly thirty feet tall and occupying almost the entire chamber.
Several tiny figures stood below it, staring upward. Jade stood there silently, alongside Jugi and Avriel, both servants of Aurianna. Hadina stood nearby as well, together with Ragna and the Saintess, Vanuer.
The enormous crystal pulsed rhythmically like a beating heart, faintly revealing the shadow of the body sleeping within it.
Hadina crossed her arms tightly before finally looking toward Ragna with worry-filled eyes.
"Ragna... when will she wake up?" Hadina asked quietly.
She let out a deep sigh. It had already been two months since that event, yet Aurianna had shown no signs of waking up.
"I knew she should’ve entered the space before going to Evolution Master. How could you let this happen?" Hadina said in frustration, gripping her hair tightly.
Ragna calmly kept her eyes on the crystal ball.
"Well, it doesn’t matter now. From the way things are going... she may wake up within a few days," Ragna stated calmly.
"Really?" Hadina immediately asked, stepping closer to her.
Ragna nodded slowly.
"Yes. And when she wakes up... I can finally leave in maybe two years. Just like Iris said."
But despite her calm words, Ragna lowered her gaze slightly.
’But... I really don’t want to leave without knowing Iris’ training plan for me,’ Ragna thought silently, her eyes becoming slightly tearful as she bit down on her lip.
Avriel leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, the mask covering her face hiding most of her expression.
"So what exactly do we even do when Aurianna wakes up?" Avriel asked calmly. "After all, she was the one who helped protect everyone when those people attacked. As for who actually killed them... unless we ask her directly, nobody knows."
Vanuer stepped forward slightly, her long robes swaying behind her.
"Well, the intention is for her to meet the gods during the World Summit," Vanuer stated calmly before narrowing her eyes slightly. "But honestly... what exactly is this child? Is she even human?"
"And what kind of reward will they give Master?" Ragna asked, completely ignoring Vanuer’s last question.
Vanuer’s lips twitched slightly in annoyance before she answered anyway.
"Probably magic coins, mostly. And they may ask her a few questions as well."
"Well, none of that matters!" Hadina suddenly declared cheerfully, placing her hands on her hips. "As long as Master wakes up safely, I’ll already be satisfied!"
Jade gave a small nod from the side.
"Alright then. We shall simply wait for the day she awakens," Jade stated calmly.
During these two months, as part of the agreement with Vanuer, in exchange for storing Aurianna’s body within the Mystical Academy, Aurianna’s subordinates who had been present that day were required to assist the academy.
Why not simply store Aurianna’s body inside her own church?
The reason was because an enormous amount of mana was continuously pouring out of the crystal surrounding her body, causing the Mystical Academy itself to become rich with mana and greatly helping the students train.
Although this would have benefited her church and her people even more, such a massive and unfiltered amount of mana would immediately expose the church’s location to the world. And currently, the church simply was not strong enough to protect itself.
Even if powerful beings like Ragna and the three crystals existed, they had no obligation to protect mortals. So even if Aurianna’s church were attacked, they would not bother helping unless directly ordered to do so. In their eyes, mortal lives simply were not worth saving.
And due to Eva’s protections, they would not even be able to enter the church unless Aurianna herself granted them direct access. Furthermore, if those four were not near Aurianna’s side for extended periods of time, they would begin to feel uncomfortable.
A few days later, a crack suddenly appeared across the massive crystal ball, then another, and another. The cracks rapidly spread throughout the entire structure.
Everyone immediately present immediately noticed and stood up, staring upward as the crystal trembled violently. The cracks finally causing the crystal to shatter
Countless glowing crystal fragments exploded outward, revealing the massive body hidden within.
A beautiful woman floated there silently.
Her body was crystal white and glowing faintly. Long white hair cascaded down her figure like flowing silk, and her beautiful crystalline skin reflected light throughout the room. It was Aurianna.
Then slowly... she opened her eyes.
And glanced toward at everyone below her.
The moment Jade, Hadina, Jugi, and Avriel met her gaze, their bodies instinctively trembled.
An overwhelming pressure crashed onto them. Without hesitation, they immediately kneeled and bowed their heads.
At the same moment, all those across the world who bore Aurianna’s marks, especially the members of her church carrying out their duties throughout the lands, suddenly trembled violently before instinctively kneeling and bowing as well.
Aurianna slowly opened her mouth to speak, but her voice came out distorted and unnatural. Hearing it herself, she paused briefly before her voice gradually returned to normal.
"How long... have I been asleep for?" Aurianna asked quietly, her eyes landing on Jade.
"Two months," Jade answered immediately.
"I see..." Aurianna murmured, a slight frown appearing on her beautiful face.
Then suddenly her expression changed.
"Wait... which Aurianna even am I?" she muttered coldly to herself.
She slowly looked upward as if trying to remember something.
Then suddenly she grabbed her head and screamed in agony.