CHAPTER 105……………………………………
“Then, from this moment on, we will offer our prayers to the Almighty Lady Lilith.”
At the words of High Priestess Seria, who was presiding over today’s service, all the believers quickly clasped their hands together. After confirming their posture, Seria stepped forward before the statue of Lilith. She closed her eyes and calmly folded her hands.
“Almighty Lady Lilith…”
It was at that very moment that a dark crimson aura began to seep into Lilith’s statue.
Neither Seria nor the believers could see it, as their eyes were closed.
But the very next instant, Seria realized immediately—
Lilith had answered her prayer.
—My child.
Lilith’s voice echoed inside her mind. It was a voice so rare that even during services, Seria had only heard it a few times before. A smile formed on her lips, and she was just about to tell the believers that Lilith had responded when—
—My child, Elias is in danger.
At Lilith’s next words, Seria’s eyes flew open.
“W-What do you mean…?”
Her startled voice made the believers tilt their heads in confusion. When the prayer did not continue, they slowly opened their eyes one by one.
—It seems Mammon has involved himself in this matter. That is why I have sent someone to the temple to join you. Help him, and save Elias.
“Yes, Lady Lilith. I will do so.”
Seria’s gaze hardened with resolve as she quickly gathered her thoughts. She ended the prayer and turned toward the believers.
“I sincerely apologize, everyone. Lady Lilith has delivered an urgent matter to us. It seems today’s service must end here.”
The believers were surprised, but they had no choice but to trust her.
After all, they had clearly witnessed the statue of Lilith turning dark crimson.
Without complaint, they left the hall. Once everyone was gone, Seria quickly locked the temple’s main gates.
Just then, Pelles, who had been in the garden, rushed over in shock.
“Lady Seria! What in the world just—”
“Sir Pelles, I have something urgent to tell you.”
Her serious expression made Pelles grow solemn as well. He nodded and followed her into the hall.
“What happened?”
“Just now, during the service, when I prayed to Lady Lilith… she answered me.”
“I see. But why—?”
“And she told me Elias is in danger. And the one threatening her is, of course…”
“Mammon.”
Seria nodded.
“Yes. And according to Lady Lilith, someone will soon arrive at the temple to join us.”
“Brother Theron, then.”
“Most likely. When he arrives, we should pray together. Lady Lilith said she would explain everything once we are all gathered.”
“Yes. Let us do that.”
After their conversation ended, Pelles left first, saying he would briefly inform the other priests.
Left alone, Seria stared at Lilith’s statue, then gently touched the necklace around her neck.
It was the protective blessing Elias had once given her as a gift.
Eli… this time, I will save you no matter what.
At last, the time had come to repay her debt.
* * *
Not long after, Theron Piert arrived at the Temple of Lilith.
Waiting at the front gate, Pelles immediately guided him into the hall.
Inside, Seria was already praying before the statue.
“You’ve come, Brother Theron. Please, offer your prayers as well. Lady Lilith said she has more to tell us.”
At Seria’s words, Theron and Pelles joined her, praying together.
Once again, the statue of Lilith was wrapped in a dark crimson aura, and her voice echoed into their minds.
—My children. You already understand the situation, so I will speak briefly. I have discovered Elias’s last known location.
The three of them opened their eyes wide.
—Go there, and investigate every trace.
“Yes, Lady Lilith.”
“We will do so.”
“…Yes.”
A map formed clearly in their minds through Lilith’s power.
—And…
Are all of you prepared to give your lives for that child?
Lilith asked.
The three of them became even more serious.
* * *
Elias struggled to lift her eyelids.
The first thing she saw was iron bars.
A cage—barely large enough for one person.
Beyond it was a space resembling a temple.
“…A temple?”
She blinked rapidly, thinking she must be mistaken, then focused again.
But it really was a temple.
And at the very deepest part stood an enormous statue.
“That is…”
It was the statue of Hasent—one she had seen even in books.
Which meant…
Just as she had suspected, she had been captured by the Church of Hasent.
“…Of course…”
As Elias bit her lip tightly, someone approached from the window where the last traces of sunset were fading.
Cutting through the darkness—
It was Lev.
No…
It was Serev Gale.
So he was S.
Elias glared at the man smiling as he came closer.
She realized the truth the moment black power began leaking from him.
Among the candidates for S, the only one whose face had never been revealed—
Serev Gale.
Someone who came and went freely in the imperial palace.
And the name “Lev.”
Elias had pieced the clues together at last.
And the power that knocked me unconscious… it was Mammon’s.
There was no doubt anymore.
She spoke coldly.
“So you were S. Serev Gale.”
Serev’s smile widened even further.
Then he burst into laughter.
“Ha… hahaha!”
Clutching his stomach as he laughed wildly, he looked utterly disgusting.
But he didn’t care.
After laughing until tears formed, his expression suddenly went blank as he stared at Elias.
“You really are… still foolish.”
His voice was much lower than before.
Elias felt an eerie sense of déjà vu.
What is this…? This atmosphere… I’ve felt it before.
Then Serev spoke softly.
“Yes. The owner of this body is indeed S, Serev Gale. But…”
Elias felt something was wrong.
“The one occupying this body right now… is Mammon.”
Only then did Elias understand the source of the unsettling feeling she had sensed when facing him.
Mammon—
The very being who had killed her in her previous life.
He was standing right before her.
It was instinct carved into her soul.
Fear.
Terror.
Elias’s body trembled violently.
And the more she shook, the deeper Mammon’s smile became.
“So… you are afraid of me, as expected.”
Mammon chuckled and stepped closer to the cage.
He crouched down, meeting her eyes directly.
“Do not worry. I could kill you right now… but I won’t.”
“What…?”
“If I kill you immediately, it won’t be fun.”
Mammon grinned, showing his teeth.
“So I intend to make you suffer. You’ve annoyed me for far too long.”
Elias’s eyes widened.
“Lilith, and your companions, will surely search desperately once they hear you’ve disappeared.”
Mammon lightly traced the iron bars as he continued.
“And when your companions find this place…”
His smile twisted.
“I plan to kill them one by one… right before your eyes.”
