Iris clenched her right hand, in which she held the sapphire necklace. The gemstone trembled, faintly glowing, but it couldn't do anything. An invisible presence suppressed its power, dimming it to its previous state.
She slid her left hand across her hair and splashed it backwards. Her deep blue hair flowed like waves amidst an endless ocean. Despite the unfamiliar environment, she felt at home. All around her was a gentle atmosphere that soothed her anxious mind as if someone were beside her.
Not once had she gone through trials without someone beside her. Nevertheless, all would be well, for her motivation wasn't self-perseverance; it was her promise.
So long as her promises remained unfulfilled, she would not stop.
"Thank you, Your Excellency, for your kindness," Iris said. She was alone, but her heart told her to speak up, for Her Excellency might hear her words. "When possible, I'll return your kindness."
The wooden slit creaked. The lady in a black dress opened it and peered inside. As she stared at Iris, her ears twitched. Under the black veil, her lips pursed, surprise oozing out of her eyes.
"Lady Iris, no, Mistress, this is, unfortunately, the farthest I can accompany you." She bowed lower than before. "The Cathedral of Deliverance is only a few blocks ahead of us. I would have led you there if not for my sensitive identity. Please forgive me."
"Why are you calling me Mistress again?"
"It is presumptuous of me to address you by your name, Mistress. However, if you insist, please don't take offence to my valour."
"You saved me; I won't feel comfortable if you keep overpraising me. I'll only allow it when I have the accomplishment to show. It is only fair."
"Just the implication is enough to garner my respect, Lady Iris." The lady clasped her hands in a prayer gesture. "Though I am faithless, and my prayer provides no blessing, I'll still pray for your stellar success. I dare not judge your depth, but I'm sure you will prevail."
"When you say it like that, you make it seems like my victory is achieved with ease, not worth celebrating." Iris chuckled. "I won't bore you with my small talk anymore. Please, give my thanks to Her Excellency."
The lady bowed once more. "Her Excellency has already received it."
The carriage door parted. The dreary sky painted the world purple and filled it with lonesome breezes. They engulfed Iris's pastel jacket and blew lightly at her hat. She held down her hat as she alighted the black carriage, which gradually closed its door.
When tranquillity returned to its spacious interior, the lady in black raised her silky veil and smiled at the seat opposite of Iris. Another person was sitting inside the carriage, watching Iris throughout her journey.
She wore a fine, dark purple robe, whose sleeves gently descended on the floor, flowing despite her stillness. Her abyssal hair flickers with starry glimmers. Despite her majestic, saintly presence, her gaze of darkness did not stir Iris nor her instinct. It was as if she did not exist.
"Your Excellency, please forgive my carelessness," the lady in black said. "I almost gave away your presence. Fortunately, Lady Iris did not suspect us.”
“She is indeed amazing, her connections even more so," Her Excellency said. "With my Insignia of Concealment, she should not be able to perceive any trace of my existence. Nevertheless, she still feels a sense of familiarity with you and me, even though she is merely at the Transformation Phase."
"She is indeed someone destined for greatness." The lady in black beamed. "Though, Mother, your trial is a little too extreme. If it were someone else, they would have faltered and fallen to the grasp of Masolis."
"You really like to disobey me, don't you? I said not to call me Mother, but Your Excellency." Her Excellency sighed. "That Masolis is merely an avatar. He would never descend in the middle of Donhalgen."
"Your Excellency, what do you think will happen to Lady Iris?"
"Masolis will catch up to her soon, but she would have already entered the Cathedral of Deliverance. After that, it depends on her deep origin." Her Excellency turned her head, peering through time and space, looking at the Cathedral of Deliverance.
Despite her vast power, she couldn't discern anything inside the cathedral. It was covered by a murky fog. Even if she disregarded the consequence, she wouldn't be able to penetrate this defence.
Such was the power of the transcendent.
"Even with my height, I am still a mere mortal." Her Excellency took a deep breath. A hint of longing manifested in her twirling eyes.
...
Once Iris blinked, the black carriage, as well as the gentle feeling, vanished. The protection also disappeared, and the evil gaze would soon lock onto her. She sped up her pace, though she dared not use any magic, for up ahead was the Cathedral of Deliverance.
A creeping sensation clenched in her heart, intensifying with each passing moment. The passersby slowly directed their gazes to her. Inside her chest, the viscous paranoid oozed out and clogged her throat. She didn’t need to breathe, but the unbearable suffocation slowed her cognition.
She knew this was the evil gaze, but she couldn't do anything. The Cathedral of Deliverance in front of her morphed into a haunted cathedral, whose spires extended deep into the terrifying darkness of the cosmos. If she dared to step her foot inside it, she would no doubt perish by the invisible, inviolable might.
The more I fear the cathedral, the more I must get close to it! Iris gritted her teeth and increased her pace, ignoring the blatant stares of the entranced onlookers. They turned their necks until their bones cracked just to watch her struggle a futile endeavour.
"You stand before his eyes," a man said.
Iris ignored him. The rest of the pedestrians echoed his words, from mumbling to shouting. Their deafening, screeching voices shocked Iris, taunting her. She felt a pain radiating from her chest, spreading outward, restraining her legs and arms.
"Show yourself, or watch me escape!" Iris roared and broke into a sprint. Her azure Corruption Power spun inside her body, suppressing her disruptive terrors.
An evil gaze descended upon her back, peering into her heart. Before the eye that stripped her naked, she gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and reached forward. Her fingers seared with mental pain as she stepped into the cursed land.
An unseen, voracious mouth bared its fangs and bit at her arms. Its burning, disgusting breaths engulfed her, threatening to consume her body and soul. She had to retreat now, or she would be no more.
You think this is enough to scare me? I've seen way more terrifying entities! Iris snapped her eyes open and plunged into the mouth of the all-consuming monster. Her body passed through its corroding fume, merging with the blackness of the haunted cathedral.
Instead of endless agony, a rush of relief washed over her, dispelling the anxiety and terror in her mind. The devouring mouth and its deadly fume disappeared, replaced by the serene street, where ordinary passersby and believers frequented. The evil gaze, as well as the ghostly whispers, faded from existence.
The haunted cathedral, the endless darkness, and the horror beyond the cosmos reverted to its original form, the Cathedral of Deliverance and the peaceful neighbourhood of Donhalgen.
Iris wanted to yell and taunt the invisible gaze, but she had to keep her appearance tidy. Even if she didn't care about the other people, she must maintain her respect for the guardian of the Cathedral of Deliverance.
After giving the street behind her one last glance, she adjusted her hat, her expression turning solemn. She held the sapphire necklace and crushed it into shiny blue powder. A hint of evil aura leaked out, but it couldn't do anything in front of the divine cathedral.
Ludmint, I might have to pray until morning. You better not overthink about my disappearance. Please don't try to find me.
Iris sighed. Though Ludmint had the Bubble Eye to send and receive messages, it wouldn't be able to get near the Cathedral of Deliverance.
And, Ludmint, I’m sorry. I don’t know if I can go back to sleep with you tonight. Please don’t hate me.
After the evil aura evaporated, Iris entered the Cathedral of Deliverance. Despite being one of the most important landmarks in Donhalgen, the cathedral had no patrolling guard or officer. Only the priests and the believers walked along the rows of pews decorated with modest candles.
With her head lowered, Iris clasped her hands. She walked atop the soft, feathery carpet, which protected her delicate feet from the cold stone floor. While walking, she surveyed the interior of the cathedral.
At the end of her path, an elegant, life-like statue of a maiden stood. On her back were seven pairs of wings, their length spanning twice her height. Adorned in a robe whose tails and sleeves flowed all around her, she pressed her hands on her modest chest with her head tilted groundward, her eyes closed.
Though lifeless, her presence enveloped all things. Despite peeking only for a moment, Iris's pupils burned up. As she averted her eyes, tears oozed out of them. If she had stared for any longer, her eyes would have bled.
The statue of the Goddess of Seven Virtues . . . she should be comparable to Gulia and Lilith. If I want to break away from my predestined path, maybe I can use her help. Iris wryly smiled. I'm too weak, and my identity is too sensitive. So long as I'm still a mortal, I can't do anything to affect the grand schemes.
Let's not get ahead of yourself, Iris. You need to survive this crisis first!
Iris seated herself not too far from the divine statue. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She lowered her head until her forehead touched her clasped hands while calming herself by rhythmically breathing.
Though she was before the statue of the goddess, she dared not pray to her. She was ultimately a Monster Girl, even if she had a trace of Faith inside her.
I can't pray to any Deities of this world, and praying to the Lord isn't a good idea. Fortunately, I have one last supporting pillar I can lean on. Iris smiled. Vilia, can you hear me? Can I see you once more, for I have found myself in another crisis?
Since coming here, you have not once returned to my side. Is it because I'm too far from your resting place? If so, will you accept my apology?
The Faith inside Iris flickered, glowing brighter and brighter. A lukewarm wave flooded her inside and refreshed her heart. Immersing herself in her fervent hope, she feverishly whispered under her breath words of love and affection, which gave her a goosebump over how sentimental they were.
While she pressed on, a hand manifested beside her and tapped her shoulder. An electric shock jolted Iris awake, disrupting her concentration. The palm was gentle, smooth, and soft, containing the power which soothed all sufferings.
"Vilia—" Iris raised her head and turned around, then froze.
The person who patted Iris wasn't Vilia but an immaterial beauty in a pale cloak.
Wait, I don't remember who "Her Excellency" is...
And now, who might this be? Is she getting a visit from an aspect of a goddess? Or just a priestess?
Find out more in the next episode of Dra—This Slimy Melting Heart!