'I'm purifying this place.'
As Navia drew upon the full power of White moon, a white mist began to rise from the ground.
It swirled around Navia like layers of petals.
No, this was actually flames.
Navia herself became a white flame, burning away the evil aura around her.
In the meantime, Creed, who had thoroughly beaten Ares to a point where he couldn't even twitch, paused as he came down the stairs.
Navia was visible. She knelt on one knee with a determined expression, stretching out her arms to touch the ground.
Whoosh-!
Then, from where Navia touched, thin vines of white energy spread out in all directions.
They covered the entire building like a giant cage made of silver, creating a beautiful picture.
"How beautiful…"
Creed murmured, unknowingly moving towards where Navia was.
The white lights brushed Navia's hair like small petals fluttering in the wind, spreading in all directions. It was a divine sight, as if she were bringing spring to life herself.
Erkin, who watched her from the side, rubbed his cheeks, which had gone numb with goosebumps.
"My goodness, this is Navia's true ability."
This was the true power of an avatar.
Nyx, who had been walking around and looking around, spun in place in admiration.
- As expected, our child is not ordinary.
'Well, maybe it's because her father is so extraordinary…….'
Nyx glanced at Lark with a displeased look.
Lark, annoyed, grabbed one of Nyx's ears.
"You mean my child?"
- That's blasphemy!
"What blasphemy. Hey, I'm practically a god myself."
- You traded your divinity to become human! And if someone like you became a god, the entire realm of gods would crumble under divine punishment!
Thanks to Navia's efforts, the area contaminated by Niratoinira was quickly purified.
As the people began to regain consciousness, Creed joined them beside Navia, standing guard.
- Oh…
Nyx watched Creed, who had suddenly appeared. He was as handsome as Lark, but his demeanor was much more upright and pretty.
His youthful naivety was evident, and he seemed young and innocent at a glance.
- So you're Creed.
Creed immediately recognized that Nyx had descended into Chesare.
Nyx smirked.
- Try holding me.
"…Ah, yes."
As she was Navia's deity, Creed complied obediently. Nyx gave him extra points for his submissive attitude.
He was handsome, young, and there was no hint of hiding his affection in his gaze towards Navia.
Hmm. He was very much to Nyx's liking.
- This guy… I'll allow it.
"…?"
Creed tilted his head in confusion.
Lark was speechless but didn't object.
It was clear that something significant was happening between Navia and Creed.
'They'll probably talk about getting married soon.'
‘I had no intention of sending away the daughter I had just reunited with so soon, but I wasn't against her marrying Creed. I had anticipated that from the start.’
'So, it would be appropriate for Navia to marry when she turns thirty.'
Lark Eseled nodded in admiration of his excellent plan.
Meanwhile, the dark and murky energy transformed from ash grey to white, then evaporated like small particles of light, soaring upwards.
"Cough... Where is this...?"
The sight, reminiscent of rain rising from the ground to the sky, left people clutching their heads in dizziness and confusion.
It was difficult to immediately recognize this place as the palace banquet hall, so surreal was the scene unfolding around them.
'Is this heaven, perhaps?'
Such a thought crossed their minds.
People, lying sprawled on the ground, slowly began to sit up.
Clarity gradually returned to their eyes, fully awakening from Ares' mind control.
They began to recall what happened before they collapsed.
They had been buzzing with anticipation for the Emperor's news when Ares suddenly appeared.
"From now on, I will rule over you, foolish humans."
Before they could even question what he meant, they were overwhelmed.
Breath hitching, a repulsive energy clung to their bodies.
Something seemed to have taken over their minds.
"Look there...!"
Someone pointed to the center of the banquet hall, eyes wide. The crowd's gaze shifted there, one by one.
A woman in a black jacket, with long silver hair fluttering, was propped up on the ground.
They quickly recognized the girl.
"Huh? Lady Eseled...?"
The confusion only grew.
Indeed, the scene looked like something out of the Garden of Eden, incredibly mesmerizing, and it seemed Navia was the cause.
No, it was certainly Navia.
'But I heard the lady isn't a magician?'
Their confusion was understandable. Magician had to be registered with the state, so their identities couldn't be hidden.
'Even if she is a magician, is this magic? That can't be right.'
Could this really be the work of a human?
'This is too incredible to be a human's power...'
A gentle, life-like energy overflowed from everyone. They felt much better than before they collapsed under Ares' influence.
Someone discovered an old scar had vanished, while another realized a persistent headache was gone.
"Could it be..."
Everyone held their breath.
Their heart raced uncontrollably at the thought they were conjuring.
'We're being healed.'
The lady had transformed the area in such a manner.
People gasped in awe, their eyes filled with reverence as they looked around again.
Despite the darkness of the night, the banquet hall was brightly lit with many lights.
Still, it couldn't be as bright as day.
What is it like now? It was as if a new dawn was spreading light over the land. This meant Navia was spreading her power in all directions, purifying this area.
The entire place was being healed.
People were instantly overwhelmed by this sacred sight, feeling a chilling thrill.
Some prayed with their hands clasped, as to a god. At this moment, she was truly a 'god' incarnate.
Soon, the light began to fade. Finally, the area contaminated by Niratoinira was completely purified.
"Ah...."
People quietly sighed as the light disappeared.
They gazed at Navia with awe. Then, belatedly, they noticed the men standing guard around her.
Two of them were familiar. Duke Erkin Vladina and Creed.
But the other man was a stranger. Tall as Creed, intimidating build, long black hair tied up, wearing a unique and elegant robe similar to a dark red color.
Moreover, the man's eyes were a striking red, eerily similar to Navia's.
"Eh? That person, could it be...?"
Some recognized him.
Despite his long hair, his strikingly handsome and unruly appearance was unforgettable.
"It's Duke Lark Eseled!"
The exclamation was just loud enough for those nearby to hear.
But its impact was significant.
Navia stood up, looking around. Then, suddenly, the crowd fell silent.
Someone cautiously stood up.
"Lady Eseled, did you create the phenomenon we just witnessed?"
Navia stared at the noble who asked.
"Yes."
Murmurs!
Despite being a suspected fact, the confirmation from the person herself caused a stir in the banquet hall.
Navia waited calmly for them to settle down, as if her assumption about their reactions was correct. Someone else nervously asked.
"Is this some kind of power? Magic?"
"No."
Navia answered immediately.
"This is not magic."
The man who asked was confused, stuttering in his speech.
"Then, if it's not magic, what kind of power is it...?"
His voice was somewhat agitated.
The questioners didn't realize they were all using honorifics towards Navia.
Even though Navia was the most influential successor of the Eseled in the empire, without a title, it was appropriate to address her informally.
Navia smiled lightly.
"That's a secret."
People looked at Navia with puzzled expressions.
"So, you all must keep it a secret too."
Too many had witnessed her power.
It was impossible to prevent this story from spreading outside.
Even with the threat of secrecy, it wouldn't take a week to spread throughout the capital.
'But there's a difference between talking openly and whispering.'
That's what Navia wanted.
They would be afraid to mention this incident, cautious. Hence, they wouldn't dare to recklessly inquire about Navia's powers.
Fortunately, their expressions made it clear that they had understood the threat well.
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