Chapter 656

【 MERCIFUL GODDESS I BEG FOR YOUR AID 】

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“Miss Sophia, it is almost time. The Duke and Young Master Lukas are already waiting in the grand hall. Please change into your gown and proceed to the banquet.”

Baron Scott spoke with a genial smile.

At the same time, he gave a subtle signal to the nearby guards and more than ten silver-ranked soldiers quietly stepped forward, surrounding Sophia from all sides.

Sensing their vigilant presence, the young woman gave a faint, self-mocking smile.

“So many silver-ranked guards. You certainly think highly of me.”

“This is merely to ensure your safety. After all, you are soon to become the future Countess of the House and the next Elector of the southern border.”

Baron Scott’s tone remained pleasant.

After speaking, he waved his hand, and the two strongest guards immediately moved closer, positioning themselves behind Sophia.

“Miss Sophia, will you proceed to the hall of your own accord, or shall my men escort you?”

The old steward spoke in a mild tone, his gaze resting on her tense expression. Then, noticing her clenched fists and the faint stirring of magical energy around her, he added with deliberate meaning,

“Of course, this is still a time of war, and your identity is rather sensitive. As the steward of House Lawson, I sincerely advise you not to act rashly. Otherwise, certain… misunderstandings might occur.”

At his words, the guards subtly gripped the weapons at their waists, their posture suggesting readiness. The two standing behind her even seemed prepared to restrain her should she resist.

Their eyes were cold and detached. The killing intent they exuded sent a chill through Sophia’s heart.

She had no doubt that if she resisted even slightly, they would subdue her at once.

“There’s no need. I can walk on my own.”

Sophia let out a cold snort and brushed aside the guards’ hands.

“That’s better. This union with House Lawson is a fine opportunity, both for you and for us.”

Baron Scott smiled, clearly satisfied by her compliance.

Under the “escort” of over a dozen guards, Sophia, now dressed in a white evening gown, entered the grand hall with an expressionless face.

The place was lively and filled with noble guests from across the Empire. Gentle music drifted through the air, and the lavish tables laden with exquisite food and wine far surpassed what she had seen in previous days.

Her arrival immediately drew every gaze in the hall.

The beauty of elves was well known. Though Sophia had inherited only half of their bloodline, her features were still enough to captivate a nation.

Now, dressed in an elegant white gown styled after elven nobility, her ethereal grace seemed almost otherworldly.

For a moment, the entire hall fell silent.

Then, the sound of shattering glass broke the stillness.

A waiter carrying a tray had tripped, unable to tear his gaze away from the beautiful young lady.

The spilled wine nearly splashed onto Sophia’s gown. Seeing this, Baron Scott’s face darkened instantly.

“Useless fool! A disgrace to House Lawson! Report to Sir Dorf and receive your punishment!”

He barked the words at the servant who had fallen to the ground.

However, a soft but firm voice interrupted him.

“It was only an accident. There’s no need to be so harsh.”

It was Sophia.

The half-elven girl bent down slightly, helping to pick up the broken glass while asking gently,

“Are you hurt?”

“I… I’m fine. Forgive me, my lady!”

The flustered waiter scrambled to his feet, his face red with embarrassment.

“Go now, but be more careful next time.”

Sophia sighed as she noticed the tattered clothes peeking from beneath his ornate uniform.

Baron Scott raised an eyebrow, then gave a dismissive snort.

“Well? Have you not thanked Lady Sophia yet? Be gone!”

“Th-thank you, my lady! Thank you!”

The servant bowed repeatedly before hurrying away.

Soon, the quiet hum of conversation returned to the hall.

“Isn’t that Sophia of House Wells?”

“She’s quite the beautiful and curious girl…”

“Curious? Hmph. Helping a servant like that is hardly fitting for a noblewoman.”

“Indeed. Half-elf or not, it seems she lacks proper decorum.”

“You shouldn’t say that. She is still the legitimate heir of House Wells.”

“Legitimate heir, yes… And now that House Lawson has secured both her loyalty and a marriage alliance, they might become the first household in the Empire to hold two seats among the Electors.”

“Master Lukas is truly fortunate!”

“Fortunate? That poor girl. I heard that not only is Master Lukas mentally impaired, but he is also… incapable of producing heirs.”

“Is that so? Then does it mean the title of Elector might eventually pass to the main branch of House Lawson?”

“They will likely adopt a child from the Duke’s line in the future.”

“Perhaps. But given the current state of war, who knows how long the Countess of Wells can hold her position? The Maple Leaf Territory is far from poor. Even without the Elector title, merging that land would still bring considerable wealth to the Duke’s household.”

“You mean…”

“Accidents during a hunt or while riding are not exactly rare, are they?”

The nobles whispered among themselves, casting glances toward the young woman—some curious, some pitying, some mocking, and others indifferent.

Their voices were not loud, mingling with the soft strains of music echoing through the hall.

However, owing to her elven heritage, Sophia could still hear every word clearly, even when they spoke in hushed tones.

Her face remained expressionless, yet her hands were clenched so tightly that her nails nearly broke the skin of her palms.

At the front of the hall, Duke Lawson had already arrived, accompanied by his eldest son, Lukas.

Lukas appeared dull and vacant, sitting in a wooden wheelchair, giggling foolishly as he stared at the food laid out on the banquet table. Drool trickled continuously down his chin.

The assembled nobles were long accustomed to this sight.

The Duke’s intellectually impaired heir, Lukas, was an open secret among the Empire’s high society.

Still, none dared to mock him openly, not with the overwhelming power the Lawson house commanded.

“My lord, Miss Sophia has arrived,” Baron Scott said respectfully, leading her forward.

The Duke narrowed his eyes, studying Sophia from head to toe before smiling warmly.

“Miss Sophia, you are radiant tonight. Truly the jewel of Zelouan.”

Then he turned toward Bishop Santis, who had also entered the hall, and offered a courteous bow.

“Your Excellency, everything is ready. We await only your blessing to begin the ceremony.”

Bishop Santis smiled mildly.

“Of course. To bless the union of two souls is but a reflection of our Divine Father’s grace upon the world.”

The Duke’s smile widened, clearly pleased. Laughing heartily, he raised a hand toward the crowd.

At his gesture, the musicians ceased their performance, and the guests gradually fell silent.

As the eyes of the hall turned toward him, Duke Lawson appeared satisfied.

He smiled again and declared in a resonant voice,

“Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for attending tonight’s banquet. Today, I, Franz von Lawson, have the honor of announcing a most joyous occasion!”

As he spoke, he motioned for the attendants. Immediately, two servants stepped forward and wheeled the grinning Lukas to the front of the hall.

But just as the Duke prepared to announce the engagement, a sharp, ringing voice cut through the silence.

“—Wait!”

It was Sophia.

Her voice was clear and unwavering, echoing across the now-silent hall.

The Duke’s brows furrowed slightly.

“Miss Sophia, this is the most solemn moment of the ceremony. Whatever you wish to say can be discussed afterward.”

His tone remained calm, but his gaze carried a quiet warning.

Meeting his eyes, Sophia gave a cold, derisive smile.

Then, in one swift motion, she raised both hands.

Gasps spread through the hall as she pressed a sharp shard of glass against her neck—the very fragment she had secretly kept from the broken wineglass earlier.

The Duke’s eyes narrowed slightly, while Baron Scott froze in shock, his voice rising in alarm.

“Miss Sophia, what are you doing? Put that down at once!”

He turned toward the doorway, shouting,

“Guards! Guards!”

Panic rippled through the crowd.

“Stay back! Do not come any closer!”

Sophia’s voice rang with fierce determination as she pressed the glass harder.

A thin crimson line appeared on her pale skin, and blood began to trickle down her neck.

Several noblewomen screamed, some fainting on the spot at the sight of blood.

The guards hesitated, stopping in their tracks.

Duke Lawson’s expression darkened, his tone turning cold and heavy.

“Miss Sophia, do you understand what you are doing?”

His gaze was sharp and dangerous.

Sophia gave a sorrowful, broken smile.

“Of course I know…”

Before anyone could stop her, she raised her voice and spoke clearly for all to hear.

“Everyone! I, Sophia von Wells, have never entered into any engagement with House Lawson, nor have I ever consented to a union with them. All of this is a conspiracy between Duke Lawson and the Eternal Church, driven by greed for the Elector title and the Maple Leaf Territory!”

Her words rang out with grief and defiance.

Yet within the grand hall, her voice fell like a stone into a deep abyss—heard, but leaving no ripple.

The nobles’ gazes were varied: pity, ridicule, surprise, amusement. But none showed outrage.

Even though, by the laws of the Empire, the Duke’s actions had already crossed every line of noble conduct, none dared to speak against him.

They whispered among themselves, observing the scene with cold detachment.

Seeing this, Sophia’s burning resolve slowly cooled.

In that moment, she understood: these nobles had known everything from the start.

They simply chose to remain silent.

In the end, these imperial nobles were no longer what they once were.

“So this… is what the nobles of today have become.”

Sophia’s smile turned bitter, her eyes full of disappointment.

“Have you finished your little outburst?”

Duke Lawson’s tone was cold.

As she met his indifferent gaze, Sophia’s expression hardened.

Then, in one swift motion, she clutched the pendant at her neck. Then a flash of light shone from her hand.

To the astonishment of everyone present, a small golden statue appeared before her. A sacred and exquisite figure of a goddess, her beauty otherworldly, her features distinctly elven.

It was impossible to look away.

Seeing it, Bishop Santis’s eyes froze as he immediately recognized it.

“The Goddess of Life and Nature…” he murmured solemnly.

A moment later, his expression shifted abruptly, as though realizing something terrible.

“No… stop her! Stop her at once!”

But it was already too late.

Sophia held the statue tightly to her chest, her face filled with sorrow and resolve.

“Merciful Goddess, I, Sophia von Wells, beg for your aid.”

As her words fell, the statue blazed with radiant golden light, shining like a newborn sun.

A vast, sacred power filled the hall, sweeping over every soul. All present felt a crushing sense of awe and fear, their bodies trembling under the divine pressure.

The air around Sophia rippled as a golden array appeared beneath her feet. Intricate runes emerged from the floor, glowing brighter and brighter until beams of light scattered into the air like falling stars.

“What are you standing there for? She’s lost her mind! Seize her! Destroy those magic array immediately!”

Feeling the overwhelming energy emanating from the statue, Duke Lawson’s face darkened as he shouted his command.

At once, more than a dozen guards charged forward, surrounding Sophia and lunging toward her.

But before they could reach her, blinding light engulfed everything.

A chorus of groans and screams followed. The guards were flung backward as if struck by an unseen force, collapsing like stalks of wheat cut down by a scythe.

When the light finally faded, tall and graceful figures stood around Sophia.

They wore ornate armor and flowing magical robes, their faces radiant with beauty and power.

They were elves.

Each one lowered their raised leg from a defensive strike, their eyes sharp and vigilant.

Standing as her protectors, they drew their weapons and formed a guard around her.

At the forefront was a striking elf warrior with slicked-back red hair. With elegant composure, he turned toward Sophia and offered her a dazzling smile.

“Beautiful princess, we have come to take you home.”

He knelt on one knee, pressing his right fist to his chest, and spoke softly to the still-dazed young woman before him.

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