【 BEGINNING OF SLUMBER 】

—

Realm of Mindel, New Rivendell.

Within the headquarters of the Church of the All-Divine Mother, chaos reigned.

The priests stared in terror at the symbol of the Divine Mother upon the altar, now covered in cracks, their eyes filled with confusion.

From time to time, bodies were carried out of the temple.

Upon closer inspection, the deceased were, in fact, high-ranking figures of the Church, mostly senior priests and Guardian Knights.

Loud cries echoed through the temple and panic gripped the hearts of all, as though a great calamity had occurred.

Outside the temple, facing the direction of the Tree of Life, countless devout believers had already fallen to their knees in prayer.

Kurel leaned against a stone pillar within the temple, staring at the distant Tree of Life, which had suddenly withered.

His lips had long since turned pale, and his eyes were vacant.

Even now, he could not understand why the Tree of Life, which had just erupted with vigorous growth moments ago, had suddenly withered so rapidly in the blink of an eye.

Worse still, many of the Church’s high-ranking priests and senior knights had died instantly, without any warning.

Others, though not dead, seemed to have suffered some form of spiritual shock and had fallen into a deep slumber.

In an instant, among the Church’s upper clergy, the only one who remained conscious was Kurel, a newly appointed senior priest who had only just entered the council.

More terrifying still, the holy symbol within the temple that represented the All-Divine Mother had begun to crack apart.

Kurel understood all too clearly what these ominous changes implied.

As a certain possibility surfaced in his mind, his face grew even paler, and his entire body began to tremble uncontrollably.

At that moment, he felt an emptiness within his heart, as though something vital had been taken from him.

Yet just as despair appeared on his face, the withered Tree of Life suddenly began to flourish once more.

A radiant green light burst forth from the distant colossal tree, and Kurel’s eyes widened in shock.

Inexplicably, he felt that the hollow space within his chest was being filled once again, although this time by a much purer and more fervent force.

Faintly, he sensed that something within his soul had shattered, and his thoughts became sharper and clearer.

At that moment, fragments of forgotten memories slowly surfaced in his mind.

Specifically, they were memories from when he had just been promoted to Senior Priest.

At that time, the High Priest had personally received him and bestowed upon him a divine blessing of the Divine Mother.

However, what he had once believed to be a “blessing” now deeply disturbed him. Since if these forgotten memories of his were indeed true, then it seemed that the so called blessing had, in fact, been a spell designed to control the mind!

Now that he remembered these memories once more, Kurel’s face turned even paler, and he collapsed onto the ground.

Cold sweat broke out across his entire body.

I had… I had been under mental control without even realizing it!

He inwardly thought with a shudder.

“Divine… Mother above…”

“What… what has happened?”

Kurel muttered in confusion.

Meanwhile, the Tree of Life continued to surge with vitality.

The kneeling believers lifted their heads, staring in astonishment at the distant tree.

Their astonishment quickly turned into ecstatic joy as they felt that familiar power once more.

“The Divine Mother… Her power has returned!”

“Praise be to the All-Divine Mother! She has not abandoned us!”

They wept with excitement.

Yet as Kurel watched the devout believers pray and felt the returning radiance of faith within his heart, there was no joy on his face.

Instead, he grew even more confused.

As a senior priest with keen perception, he clearly sensed that the radiance of faith upon the Tree of Life had undergone some kind of change.

One after another, several unconscious high-ranking clergy members had began to awaken.

They soon revealed expressions of confusion similar to Kurel’s:

“I… I think my mind was controlled.”

“Divine Mother above… what just happened?!”

“It was the High Priest! The High Priest was controlling our minds all along!”

“Where is the High Priest!?”

“Seems like he’s already dead…”

The Church did not calm down with the restoration of the Tree of Life or the awakening of the surviving high-ranking clergy. On the contrary, the chaos seemed to intensify.

Panic and confusion began to spread among the believers, quickly reaching an ever-growing crowd.

Until, suddenly, a powerful aura appeared above the temple.

Accompanied by a silvery radiance, a female elf with black hair and dark eyes slowly appeared in the sky.

Upon seeing her appearance, several elder elves, along with the high-ranking members of the Church, including Kurel, widened their eyes in shock:

“L-Lady Eris!? It is Lady Eris!”

“Lady Eris is still alive?”

Eris swept her gaze across the Church, divine power surging around her.

A sacred radiance spread outward, and a gentle force brushed over the hearts of every believer, dispelling their fear.

Then, a voice both cold and majestic resounded above the temple:

“Silence.”

“Heed my orders. All surviving high-ranking priests of the Church are to come to the central temple immediately.”

༺⟐༻

Outside the city, within a hidden manor.

The blasphemers gazed at the withered Tree of Life, with equally excited expressions:

“Look! It has withered! That evil tree has finally died!”

“Lord Kelez and the others must have succeeded!”

However, as the Tree of Life began to flourish once more, their cheers gradually faded.

The blasphemers stared at the now even more luxuriant Tree of Life, confusion filling their hearts.

“It was not defeated… It has not been defeated…”

“Could it be… Lord Kelez and the Chosen Ones have failed?”

A sense of loss spread through the group, until the old elf Cole looked toward the Tree of Life with uncertainty:

“…Hm?”

“Wait, do you guys feel that the radiance of that evil tree seems to have changed?”

Hearing his words, the blasphemers turned their attention toward the Tree of Life.

Soon, a trace of astonishment appeared in their eyes:

“Indeed… It does seem somewhat different.”

“Holy Goddess above! I think I can sense the power of the Matriarch!”

“Could it be… could it truly be…?”

Their expressions gradually became excited once more.

At that moment, the gates of the manor were pushed open, and a group of familiar figures appeared before the blasphemers.

It was the legendary elf Kelez along with the ten Chosen Ones.

“Lord Kelez! Honored Chosen Ones! You have returned!”

The blasphemers rushed forward to greet them.

Kelez nodded, then exchanged a glance with the players before speaking in a deep voice:

“My fellow companions.”

“The darkness has passed. Dawn is about to arrive.”

“Our teacher has awakened and is now rebuilding the Church at its headquarters.”

“By divine decree of the Goddess, we shall assist Lady Eris, the Shadow of the Night, in spreading the radiance of the Goddess once more across the Realm of Mindel.”

༺⟐༻

The Abyss, Wasteland of Desolation.

After once again repelling a demonic army attacking their stronghold, Aurora returned to the temple.

Although the balance of recent battles was increasingly tilting in favor of their side, there was not the slightest hint of ease in her expression.

On the contrary, after reading the recent letters that had arrived from the World of Seigües, Aurora’s gaze grew increasingly troubled.

The letters conveyed grim news that territories controlled by various factions in Seigües had come under relentless attack by Demonic forces.

By now, it had become evident that the Demons’ invasion of the World of Seigües was already well underway.

At present, the major factions had begun mobilizing in response, dispatching their respective armies to suppress the invasion.

Some true gods had even sent down their envoys.

However, despite these efforts, no further updates on the battle situation had yet arrived, leaving the overall state of the war shrouded in uncertainty.

Letting out a soft sigh, Aurora steadied her thoughts and prepared to perform her routine prayer. But just as she entered her prayer chamber, her heart suddenly stirred.

She lifted her head and saw a familiar figure seated upon the chair within the chamber.

It was none other than Evé herself.

“Your Divine Grace! You have returned!”

Aurora’s expression became excited as she immediately dropped to one knee.

Looking at the fervent Frost Elven demigod before her, Evé revealed a gentle smile.

Then, she spoke softly, her voice serene yet authoritative:

“Aurora, the Demons have begun their full invasion of the World of Seigües. As such, withdraw a portion of our forces from this world and prepare to provide reinforcements.”

Aurora’s heart stirred at the gravity of the command, but she did not hesitate. Bowing her head, she responded with firm resolve:

“As you decree.”

Evé exhaled softly, as if easing a weight from her thoughts, before continuing:

“In addition, I will soon enter a state of slumber for the next six months.”

“Therefore, Aurora, you are to work together with Meryer to protect the Elven Forest.”

“If you encounter difficulties beyond your ability to resolve, seek assistance from the divine envoy of the Netherworld.”

“Lady Hela will provide support.”

Upon hearing Evé’s words, Aurora trembled slightly, a flicker of realization passing through her eyes.

As if she had grasped a deeper implication, she suddenly raised her head and looked at Evé with a mixture of astonishment and anticipation:

“Your Grace… could it be that you…”

Evé merely smiled faintly and nodded gently, her expression composed and knowing, yet she offered no further explanation.

However, Aurora already had her answer.

She traced the symbol of the Scepter of Life across her chest and declared with fervor and excitement:

“Your Divine Grace, I, Aurora will not fail your trust. I shall await for your awakening and your eventual return to the pinnacle of strength!”

Evé smiled lightly. Then, her form radiated a gentle glow and gradually dissipated.

Aurora lowered her head once more in reverence, her expression filled with sincerity.

“Your Grace… may your glory illuminate across the whole cosmos above,” she murmured softly.

༺⟐༻

After settling all affairs within the Elven Forest, Evé’s form appeared once again within the Holy City of Death, Itkazar in the Underground Region.

With a subtle distortion of space, her figure dissolved and reformed inside the inner sanctum of the Temple of Death within the city.

Standing before the statue of the Goddess of Death, Evé paused briefly and she revealed a trace of her divine power.

A couple of seconds passed and the statue began to glow, and a deep, shadowy radiance engulfed the entire hall.

Hela’s figure appeared before Evé, reclining upon a throne of white bones, her expression one of surprise:

“Your Grace, Evé,” she said, her voice low and resonant, carrying an otherworldly calm, “I did not expect you to personally come to this city to meet me.”

Evé’s lips curved into a faint, composed smile.

“Your Majesty,” she replied evenly, “I have heard from Fenrir that after the Demons began their invasion, you left behind a demigod-rank incarnation here.”

Hela nodded gently and said with a hint of emotion:

“It is indeed so,” she answered softly. “And it was only made possible because of the Bloodborne Divinity you had given me. For that I couldn’t thank you enough.”

“Otherwise, it would have been difficult for me to condense a demigod incarnation here in Seigües.”

She then looked toward Eve:

“Speaking of which, have you already chosen the place for your advancement?”

Evé nodded and replied with a smile:

“Yes. I have found a world suitable for advancement. During the process, should the need arise, I ask that Your Majesty help safeguard my believers here in Seigües.”

A trace of surprise appeared in Hela’s eyes:

“You are about to advance? Will you not require my protection after all?”

Eve shook her head slightly:

“The world I’m planning to advance is rather special. Under normal circumstances, the power of gods cannot fully descend there.”

Hela’s heart stirred, and she seemed thoughtful.

She nodded gently and asked:

“I understand. How long will your advancement take?”

“I’m expecting half a year more or less. According to my estimates, it should take at least six months,” Evé answered.

“Half a year…”

Hela pondered for a moment before saying:

“I understand.”

“Then, Your Grace Evé, I wish you success. I shall await the good news of your return in greater strength.”

༺⟐༻

After bidding farewell to Hela, Evé once again returned to the Realm of Mindel through the Gate of Reversal.

Having taken control of the Tree of Life, she had also gained partial control over the sealing power of the Realm of Mindel. Though only partial, it was enough for her to determine Mindel’s coordinates and travel between the two worlds.

Standing upon the Tree of Life, Evé gazed at the city below the hillside, a look of satisfaction on her face.

She could sense that Eris and the ten players, having accepted their tasks, had already begun to act.

Since the power of faith within Mindel had deviated, they would assist her in correcting it.

With Eris present and having subdued the upper ranks of the Church of the All-Divine Mother, the turmoil of faith across this world would soon subside.

If things go as planned, this place would become yet another vast source of faith for her in the future.

The faith network of the World of Mindel was returning to its proper path…

Matters within the Elven Forest had been arranged…

Even the maintenance of the game, Elven Kingdom, had been specifically entrusted by Evé to Feynir, along with various tasks and plans, including communication between the World of Seigües and the Realm of Mindel.

Having completed all of this, the time had come for her to advance to the rank of higher divine power.

However, unlike her previous advancements, this time Evé could sense that she would fall into a period of slumber, likely lasting around half a year.

When she awakened once more, it would mark her ascension to a higher divine strength, as well as a transformation in the very essence of her life.

And if her judgment was correct, she would also transcend the “initial form of the World Tree.”

Her gaze shifted slightly as she turned her attention toward the Tree of Life.

Stepping forward, Evé placed her hand gently upon its trunk and spoke in a low, composed voice:

“Reversal.”

At the utterance of this command, subtle waves of energy spread across the Tree of Life, while fine strands of spatial distortion extended outward, quietly altering the surrounding fabric of reality.

In the following instant, the spatial coordinates of the Tree of Life and Evé’s true body were seamlessly exchanged.

The true World Tree, having already separated from the core origin of the World of Seigües, manifested within the Realm of Mindel, assuming the position previously occupied by the Tree of Life.

Because Evé had already altered the appearance of her true form to match that of the Tree of Life, this transition went entirely unnoticed by anyone.

She then extended her roots and embedded them into the core origin of Mindel, stabilizing the disturbances caused by the Tree of Life’s separation.

At that moment, Evé perceived a profound connection with the realm, as though she had become its true master.

After taking a measured breath, she dismissed her incarnation and returned fully to her true form.

From her elevated perspective, she surveyed the entirety of the world and proceeded to transfer the remaining divine power from her divine kingdom into her true body.

In that instant, her divine power surpassed the threshold of one hundred thousand.

“Begin,” she murmured inwardly, as her ascension formally commenced.

Shortly thereafter, an overwhelming drowsiness overtook her.

Amid the continuously rising tide of divine power, Evé finally fell into a deep slumber.

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