Living As the Villainess Queen

“Your foresight is truly remarkable,” Richard remarked, expressing his admiration for Kasser’s preparedness. Yet, the moment was interrupted by a mischievous remark from Riner.

“Perhaps you didn’t bring it solely for the purpose of sharing a love letter with Anika Jin?” Riner jested, his tone laced with teasing insinuation.

Kasser’s expression flickered momentarily, a subtle pang of discomfort betraying his otherwise composed demeanor. The sudden shift in atmosphere didn’t escape the notice of those present, all eyes briefly fixating on Kasser as he grappled with the unexpected remark.

Clearing his throat unnecessarily, Kasser averted his gaze, a discreet attempt to regain his composure. Aside from Riner’s smirk, the other kings regarded the Fourth King with a mixture of curiosity and tacit understanding.

Though not explicitly discussed, the kings had been deeply impressed by the Fourth King and his wife during their visit to the Hashi Kingdom. The description of their relationship as unconventional was an understatement. The Fourth King’s unwavering gaze fixed upon Anika Jin seemed to convey a profound sense of adoration, as if ensnared by an unbreakable bond.

“Well then, let us each endeavor to comprehend this magic until further information arrives,” Richard interjected, deftly steering the conversation away from its momentarily awkward tangent. His words injected a sense of purpose back into the gathering, prompting nods of agreement from all present as they refocused their attention on the task at hand.

***

Pides’ initial task was to establish the Shield of God, a formidable barrier intended to safeguard the Holy City. Prior to this endeavor, he had heard of the intricate process involving three distinct groups: devout priests offering fervent prayers to the divine, pure souls serving as conduits between humanity and the gods, and holy knights tasked with warding off malevolent energies.

However, the reality that Pides encountered diverged significantly from the vague images he had previously conjured. The three factions appeared disorganized and disjointed, their unity fractured.

The priests stationed within the sanctuary struck Pides as unnaturally composed, akin to living dolls with their uniform smiles, unsettling in their eerie uniformity.

Those designated as pure souls bore expressions marked by a curious mix of trepidation and anticipation. Clad in pristine white robes and impeccably groomed, they seemed conspicuously out of place, lacking the aura of devoutness that Pides had expected. He harbored a desire to inquire about their origins, yet found himself unable to approach them.

As for the knights, now dubbed holy knights, they appeared intoxicated by their prestigious title. However, their assigned role seemed mundane, reduced to little more than a surveillance task aimed at averting potential mishaps.

Observing the activation of the magic for the first time, Pides noted the haphazardly drawn patterns adorning the floor, resembling crude paintings or ancient scripts.

Individuals brought forth by the priests were securely bound, their limbs positioned precisely upon the intricate designs. When Pides questioned the necessity of such restraints, a priest responded with a serene smile, “To ensure the souls remain still in reverence upon hearing the voice of the gods. Any disruption to their positions could jeopardize the efficacy of our prayers.”

With all preparations finalized, an elderly priest solemnly initiated the proceedings. The priests encircled the patterns, clasping hands and entering a meditative state, murmuring unintelligible invocations with unwavering devotion.

After a brief interval, a soft glow began to emanate from the intricate patterns etched onto the floor. Initially subtle, the light gradually intensified, its brilliance piercing even the daylight, extending skyward in radiant beams.

Like his fellow knights, Pides found himself drawn to gaze upward, his head tilted towards the heavens. The towering column of light seemed to reach towards the very realm of the gods, captivating the attention of all present.

As the light assumed a golden hue, a silent spectacle unfolded in the sky. Flashes danced amidst the clouds, and the luminous shaft fragmented into myriad branches, weaving a celestial canopy that spanned the firmament.

Even after the light dissipated entirely, Pides remained transfixed, his gaze lingering upon the heavens. When he eventually lowered his eyes, he was startled to find all those who had stood upon the patterns now prone upon the ground.

Addressing the knights, the priest who had overseen the ritual spoke with a tone of reverence, “The grand prayers have been duly offered. You knights have played an indispensable role. His Holiness will surely commend your service.”

The knights had done nothing but stand guard. Pides couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity for his fellow knights, who now seemed content to be relieved of their responsibilities.

“Your efforts are appreciated. We shall attend to the aftermath. Please, report to His Holiness,” the priest continued, prompting the eager knights to hasten their departure.

As the knights hurried away, Pides lingered, casting a hesitant glance back towards the fallen figures. Sensing his uncertainty, a priest approached him with a serene smile.

“Sir, may I be of assistance?” the priest inquired politely.

Pides hesitated before voicing his concern, “What… has become of those individuals?”

Maintaining his composed demeanor, the priest offered reassurance, “There is no cause for alarm. They have merely entered a deep slumber, blessed to be closer to God than any other mortal.”

As Pides walked away, a sense of relief washed over him as he reassured himself with the thought, “They’re just sleeping.” However, a peculiar intuition tugged at his senses, compelling him to glance back. His eyes widened in alarm as he witnessed several priests meticulously arranging the unconscious figures upon the patterns, ensuring they lay facing the heavens with precision. Among them, he noticed a priest solemnly covering the face of one of the fallen with a somber black cloth.

A surge of unease gripped Pides, hardening his expression as a chilling realization dawned upon him. Closer to God… in a deep sleep? The implications weighed heavily upon him. They’re dead. All those people… They were sacrifices.

His heart pounded painfully within his chest. Clenching his jaw, he fought to suppress the rising tide of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. He dared not look back again, sensing that any further hesitation would lead to a reckoning. If he succumbed to the impulse to confront the priests, his carefully laid plans to deceive them and earn their trust would crumble to dust.

The Shield of God? Pides thought bitterly. There’s no way sacrificing innocent lives could be the will of God. That’s not magic!