Iris froze for an instant before resuming her pace. Her inconsistent footsteps swayed her body. She instinctively sped up then suppressed her speed before she broke into a sprint. Unlike her calm exterior, her inside was churning. Her azure Corruption Power coursed under her skin, ready to burst out if danger struck.
This experience was something she had never thought possible, but reality had proven her wrong. Before such foreign means of confinement, she dared not draw attention. She continued to walk and admire the stores as if absentmindedly musing, oblivious to everything.
I've walked past a few streets already; there is nothing unusual about the layout. Iris slightly furrowed her brows, her heart palpitating. After observing her situation closely, she had confirmed a few crucial facts.
She was still in Donhalgen., she hadn't entered any distorted space, and she could feel the presence of the Grand Formation.
Either I've come under a sealed realm so powerful it can replicate the entire Donhalgen, or there is an illusion spell influencing me and those around me. It can't be the former; the enemy would be too powerful. They wouldn't have to do any of this to get something from me.
If it’s the latter, the enemy mustn't want to face the Grand Formation or the powerhouses protecting Donhalgen. This weakness is my chance. I must force a confrontation!
With hope burning in her heart, she gradually relaxed and sauntered around. Her memory about the carriage transportation chain emerged, detailing the route and schedule on the mental map of Donhalgen. Though she didn't plan to visit every part of Donhalgen, she still learned about the essential carriage route in the case of an emergency.
I hate to gamble my chance with something this uncertain, but such is life.
Iris casually shifted her direction, heading towards the nearest carriage stop. To conceal her intention, she entered a few shops along the way and bought a bag of various goods. Her natural, curious manner encapsulated her foreigner identity. Nevertheless, she paid attention to everything around her, including the item placements.
"Thank you for your patronage, Miss," the store owner said as she handed Iris a pretty necklace coated in silver. "The sapphire will undoubtedly glow under your beauty."
"You praise me too much. I just want to try a sapphire necklace for once." Iris rubbed the sapphire before putting it back inside her bag. "Your hospitality is worth the price. I'll excuse myself now."
"May you visit again, Miss." The store owner lightly bowed before going back to her paperwork.
Iris nodded, turned around, and exited the store. She slightly tilted her head as she concentrated. The store owner, who was checking the validity of his documents, tapped the wooden counter rhythmically.
"You stand before his gaze," she mumbled.
Iris shivered. She suppressed her discomfort while eyeing the people around her. Dressed in various clothes, they walked to and fro along the street, absorbing the cool breeze of the evening. Some even secretly admired Iris's beauty and nodded at her when they met her gaze.
Everything is normal when I'm looking, but the moment I take my sight away . . .
Iris didn't dare to eavedrop any more conversation. Her perceptions filtered the world around her into random noises, which cleanly echoed but expressed no meaning. She locked her sight on her path as she guided herself to the destined intersection, where a wooden sign decorated with vines and flowers stood.
Atop the stop sign was a black silhouette of a carriage. As Iris approached it, a crimson carriage came to park in front of her. The driver, an old lady donning a thick cloth, turned to Iris and nodded.
There was no other customer. No one came down the carriage or entered it. Though its condition was shabby, sitting in it was better than walking in the open, where countless eyes closely watched.
As Iris grabbed the carriage door and opened it, she took a deep breath and concentrated. A muffled noise caught her attention. The old lady, smiling at Iris, was grinding her teeth.
"You stand before his eyes," she murmured before coughing. "Young Lady, is there a problem?"
Iris froze, then shook her head. "I'm sorry; I forgot to buy something. I won't waste your time anymore. Please don't wait for me."
"It's nothing. Not many people take the carriage this route after all." The old lady chuckled. "Are you sure you don't want me to wait for you? The next carriage won't be here so soon. This round is one of the last for the day."
"I'm fine. Please don't worry about me. I'll sit and wait for another one." Iris closed the carriage door, stepped away, and crossed the intersection.
Though she could hide her emotions, she couldn't hide her stiff motion. Her hope plunged into the abyss, consumed by despair. The evening breezes, once refreshing, turned freezingly cold. When they grazed her flesh, their chill cut through her clothes and stabbed her constricting heart.
I didn't even get to gamble! What can I do now? I thought the carriage drivers might not get affected because they travel around Donhalgen, but I've underestimated my enemy. If I change my course now to get near the churches, I cannot guarantee my safety. Do I need to trigger the Grand Formation?
Iris clapped her hands. The surrounding pedestrians halted their footsteps and turned to her. Their unfocused eyes gawked at her trembling silhouette. Her disguise threatened to collapse into a puddle of slime under the immense stress of the invisible, treacherous gaze.
I just want to live my life peacefully. Why is everyone trying to take everything away from me!
Beneath her skin, a series of blossoming flowers manifested. They formed countless complex spell formations, morphing into an invisible garden.
Let's see if I'll die by the Grand Formation or this evil gaze! Damn every—
As Iris chanted her incantation, her words fell silent. Her Corruption Power vanished from her senses while her spells ceased their functions. All-encompassing darkness engulfed her perceptions, but it didn't crush her into oblivion or suppress her thoughts. It was comforting, friendly concealment.
She blinked and found a pitch-black carriage stopping in front of her. On its roof, ashen leaves and black roses clung on the wooden boards, exuding soothing, alluring scents. In the driver seat, a lady in a noble black dress, with a veil concealing her face, vaguely beamed.
"What . . . is happening?" Iris turned around. "The pressure . . . disappeared?"
The surrounding pedestrians, who previously stared at Iris, returned to their regular activity as if the pitch-black carriage and Iris didn't exist. They walked past her without mumbling any curses and continued with their lives uninterrupted. Even the threatening gaze was no more.
This carriage saved me?
Standing before an unknown carriage, she didn't feel apprehensive at all. There was a sense of familiarity. She had seen this carriage and its insignia before.
A withered black rose held by a feminine skeleton hand . . . I can't remember all the carriage companies, but I'm sure none has this design. The most unusual thing is that, despite everything, I think I've seen it before. When was it? Where was it?
No matter. This person saved me. I can't reject their offer. Even if I did, I wouldn't know how to proceed. At least, I have a feeling that this benefactor means no harm. Is this person a Monster Girl, someone from the Court?
Iris took a deep breath, bowed at the beautiful carriage driver, and stepped inside the carriage. Despite its small exterior, its interior was enough for a few people to roll around, engaging in their private activities undisturbed. It was superior to the carriage in which Iris and Secain drowned themselves in each other's scents, though it was much lonelier.
Once Iris confirmed the carriage driver didn't whisper those cursed words, she gradually relaxed, pressing her tired back on the fluffy cushion. She took out the sapphire necklace and inspected its crystal structure.
Because the store owner was under the influence of the unknown evil, Iris wouldn't wear this necklace, but she might gain something if she studied it.
I detected nothing, but the Bewitching Mark and Faith inside me quivered when I tried to probe the necklace. Given that the Shadow Heart Core didn't respond to anything, the evil I'm dealing with must be at least above the Solidification Phase. It's something of the legendary realm!
Its aura reminds me of Bewitch, but it seems to be weaker. My judgement should be correct. If it were as powerful as Bewitch, I wouldn't be able to resist its influence. Still, I can only hope that my saviour is benevolent. I think she is. Wait, she? Did I know her?
As Iris mulled over her confusion, the lady in black dress opened the tiny slit, looked around the compartment, and placed her gaze on Iris. She lightly bowed, her manner graceful, elegant.
"Mistress, where is your destination?" she said. Her ethereal voice dispelled Iris’s panic.
Mistress? Iris returned the greeting. "May I know to where this carriage leads? My poor memory has embarrassed me in front of you."
"This route leads everywhere you want, Mistress. Please instruct me and enjoy the ride. In the meantime, nothing and no one will disturb you."
"There is no need to call me Mistress. I'm not worthy of that title." Iris tightened her grip on the sapphire necklace. "Can you . . . send me to the Cathedral of Deliverance?"
The lady abruptly raised her head and stared at Iris, surprised. She maintained eye contact for a few seconds before averting her gaze. Her vague smile solidified as a hint of respect revealed itself in her green, ghostly eyes.
The Cathedral of Deliverance was the largest and most holy site of the Church of Seven Virtues, known in the Central Continent as the Church of Seven Goddesses. For a Monster Girl like Iris, it was one of the most dangerous locations.
There, Iris would go under the scrutinising eyes of the holy guardians. Though she didn't know how powerful they would be, they wouldn't be weaker than a Solidification Phase Monster Girl. Even if they couldn't defeat the evil presence, they would create enough commotion for the legendary characters to take notice.
"Is the request too much?" Iris said. "If so, can you please—"
"My sincere apology, Lady Iris. Your request is my command. It isn't too difficult to send you to the Cathedral of Deliverance, but it is unexpected." The lady grabbed the edge of her veil and lifted it, revealing her ethereal beauty. "You're indeed someone Her Excellency has given her blessing. Bold, foreign, and shrewd."
Her Excellency? Someone of such calibre is interested in me? Since when? Iris lowered her head. "Your praise is too exaggerated, Miss. May I have the honour of knowing your name and the grace of Her Excellency?"
"Unfortunately, I cannot. Our names are the test Her Excellency put in place. You'll understand when you pass. I give my blessing to you, though I don't think you'll need such a meagre blessing."
The lady giggled and closed the slit. As the carriage marched forward, Iris took a deep breath, her mind wandering about the previous conversation. Despite how much she reviewed her memory, she couldn't find anything about Her Excellency and the familiar insignia.
Thanks, sealed book Goddess person.
I wonder . . .