Chapter 182: First Act 51: The Sun End

Ever since I first encountered Lilliana, a lingering question had danced in the back of my mind: what was the root cause of her peculiar obsession with me?

It wasn't a mere infatuation or sibling affection – her fixation seemed to transcend the boundaries of typical emotions.

Certainly, I wasn't oblivious to the fact that Lilliana desired me, not in a familial or platonic way, but in the romantic sense between a man and a woman.

Her obsession with me went beyond the realms of ordinary affection, amplifying the intensity of her love to an almost alarming degree.

Even a simple act like patting her head seemed to evoke profound satisfaction, accompanied by unmistakable signs of her mind drifting into unconventional territories.

The muffled moans that escaped her lips unintentionally revealed the depth of her thoughts, stirring a mix of fascination and concern within me.

Amidst the current turmoil and chaos, where discretion was paramount, Lilliana appeared unfazed by the opinions of others when it came to me.

Even delving into my memories, I couldn't pinpoint a specific moment when I had deliberately encouraged her romantic feelings.

Was the fault in her perception rather than my actions?

As I continued to pat her head, a hint of guilt lingered in the back of my mind. I could only hope that Lilliana wouldn't spiral into delusion....

Understanding Lilliana's quirky affection, I figured, for now, giving in to her desires was a small trade-off for her help with Louise.

Despite the odd dynamics, her unique devotion turned out to be an unexpected asset, letting me focus on the more immediate concerns.

After leaving Louise under Lilliana's watchful eye, I moved swiftly through the chaotic city square. Aria, eager to stick by my side, reluctantly stayed back with Lilliana.

Though she initially protested, a subtle nod indicated that she recognized her need for some rest.

It was evident she had been pushing herself hard, and pushing further would likely lead to a collapse.

Reaching the center, I stumbled upon Principal Victoria and a visibly sweaty Bella, both absorbed in cradling a magical sphere.

The intricacies of their work made me halt; interrupting now could throw off the delicate coordination of the celestial spell, forcing them to start from square one.

I didn't really need to call out to them; Bella's gaze met mine as if she had sensed my presence.

Despite her usually apathetic demeanor, a strange array of emotions flickered in her eyes under the intense pressure.

While her expression remained stoic, the mix of surprise, relief, and a subtle touch of fear was unmistakable.

Even without resorting to my authority to delve into her thoughts, it was apparent that Bella harbored some suspicion towards me.

After all, she was aware of my connection to peculiar and potentially malevolent powers.

However, I had taken precautions, concealing the dark mana I typically employed beneath the cloak of Loki's divinity. In theory, everything should be fine.

"You're here?" she inquired, her voice betraying a mix of emotions.

"Yeah, do you need help?" I moved closer and handed her a vial of mana potion.

"Thanks," she replied with a hint of weariness. It was evident that the strain of the mana disruption her body had undergone was taking its toll. The weariness in her response suggested a longing for some much-needed rest.

"Principal," I called out, turning my attention towards her. She regarded me with a perplexed expression, evidently uncertain about how to react in my presence. It became clear to me that Loki had released her from his influence, allowing her to express her true emotions.

"Here," I said, my hands covered in a soft blue light before materializing something – the staff of Estelle, the academy's most prized relic. Although I had initially intended for Aria to keep the staff, the urgency of the situation made it more practical for the principal to wield it. Aria, depleted of mana and unable to contribute to massive celestial magic, could benefit more from the rest she desperately needed.

Despite handing the staff back to the principal for now, I knew that the staff had already chosen Aria as its master. Regardless of the temporary shift, the staff would find its way back to Aria when the time was right.

The principal, upon receiving the staff, seemed to grasp the unspoken suggestion. The blue starry lights on the staff flickered intensely, and bluish-white mana enveloped the principal. Ancient runes etched onto the staff seemed to emit a rhythmic melody, creating an enchanting symphony that subsided gradually. The transfer of power was complete.

Although only temporarily.

Even though the staff had already chosen Aria as its master, it seemed willing to accept someone else if deemed worthy. However, judging from the unusual influx of mana, it was evident that the ownership was likely temporary at best. The principal, I speculated, probably had access to the staff's power for only a few hours, if not minutes.

Victoria, with a small smile, redirected her attention to the magical sphere. With a subtle glance at Bella, she poured out the remaining reservoirs of her mana to complete the spell. Bella, following suit, demonstrated a level of calculation speed that I found challenging to fathom.

As the spell reached its completion, the magic circle below us began to glow with a brilliant white-blue color, resembling the twinkle of stars. The radiance spread, enveloping the entire area in a mesmerizing display of lights. Even the air itself seemed to be saturated with the magical glow, creating an ethereal ambiance that hinted at the potency of the celestial spell they had just conjured.

"It's done," Principal Victoria and Bella announced, almost in unison. The weariness in their voices was palpable, and it was evident that the situation had taken a toll on them.

"I want to sleep," they both added, expressing a shared sentiment of exhaustion. It was a grueling predicament, and the weariness was something they couldn't hide.

As the crowd caught wind of the completion of the spell, a wave of relief and excitement swept through them. Voices echoed, expressing joy and the anticipation of finally escaping the perilous situation.

"They did it!"

The responsibility thrust upon her was akin to passing judgment on an entire city, a heavy burden amplified by the significance of the white baton – one of the few holy relics of the Church of Light.

"This city needs the sun, Elena... Although it is a shame for it to go out like this, it is necessary," Bishop Austin spoke with a solemn tone.

Despite being the one who proposed the release of the relic's power of the sun, he, too, harbored a certain attachment to the city.

Having spent most of his time here, the decision weighed heavily on his heart.

"Everything happening right now is a clear sign that the advent of the Demon King is imminent, and it is inevitable. We might lose this place, but at least we won't lose hope. We are taking action to prevent the spread of fear across the entire continent if the demons were to win, as they would likely establish this city as their base" Bishop Austin continued, revealing a deep understanding of the situation.

The bishop wasn't a fool; he easily recognized the reasons behind the demons' attack on the city. While he remained unaware of the intricate details, such as how they controlled the monsters within the dungeon or the identity of the masked group, he was acutely aware of the broader picture.

The demons' assault on the city was strategic, driven by a larger plan that posed a significant threat to the entire continent.

In the face of this looming danger, the decision to unleash the power of the sun from the holy relic became a necessary sacrifice to preserve the hope and safety of the wider world.

Estelle Academy sprawled as a city-wide institution, strategically situated at the heart of the continent. This prime location, while allowing it to border two of the most formidable countries, proved to be a double-edged sword when facing the onslaught of the demonic forces.

The demons could orchestrate a relentless attack from all corners of the world, exploiting the academy's central position for their invasion.

The geographic advantage against neighboring nations quickly became irrelevant when faced with the otherworldly threat of heavenly generals and their king.

The demonic army, comprised of monsters that ceaselessly reproduced, posed a unique challenge.

The conventional notion of relying on an army to defeat the demon king's forces seemed futile.

The relentless breeding of demonic creatures rendered any hopes of military victory impractical.

The looming threat of heavenly generals and the demon king himself overshadowed any semblance of defense that the powerful neighboring countries might provide.

Meanwhile, the palpable energy outside hinted at a formidable confrontation involving Siena.

The strange aura was a testament to the power of the opponent she currently faced. In Bishop Austin's estimation, only a select few could give Siena a challenging time, namely the Blood Monarch and the Emperor of Magic—the Dragon Lord.

So, it was clear whatever demonic creature Siena was fighting right now.

Was clearly something above a high-ranking demon and it meant one thing a 'Heavenly Genral'

"Pray, Elena... And judge this place as you see fit. Your judgment shall reflect the sun you've made" Bishop Austin spoke with a solemn tone.

He instructed Elena to observe the people around her, close her eyes, and feel everyone's essence.

The divine authority of the Goddess, bestowed upon her as the chosen child, would guide her judgment.

Positioning himself in front of Elena, Bishop Austin turned around and cast a divine spell enveloping her. His body, along with the paladins, acted as a shield, protecting Elena from external influences. The air around them crackled with divine energy as they prepared for the crucial moment.

Elena, now kneeling, closed her eyes and initially struggled to focus amidst the surrounding chaos.

Despite being in a relatively empty space, the noise remained distracting. However, as she released her divinity, a newfound clarity washed over her.

With closed eyes, she could see, feel, and experience the events unfolding around her as if an ethereal perspective lifted her above everyone else.

A unique vantage point granted Elena access to the collective essence of those present.

The emotions, thoughts, and struggles of each individual became vividly apparent to her heightened senses.

Elena, now attuned to the essence of the people she observed, prepared to cast her judgment.

The responsibility laid upon her young shoulders weighed heavily, yet she embraced the divine authority bestowed upon her, knowing that her actions in this pivotal moment would shape her very foundations in the future.

As the black spears rained upon the people, a transformative power surged through Elena. The sun, a manifestation of divine energy, began to descend from the heavens, casting a radiant glow upon the earth. Elena's body glowed with a golden brilliance, a reflection of the immense power channeling through her.

Opening her eyes, the young chosen one became a beacon of divine judgment. A wave of energy emanated from her being, and everything tainted by evil felt the searing touch of purification.

In that moment, as her gaze swept across the chaos, malevolence burned away, leaving only ashes in its wake.

The skies, once clouded by the demonic onslaught, cleared as if reborn. Monsters roared, the blood wyvern fell from the sky, and demons cried out in agony as the divine light purged their darkness.

The air itself seemed to shimmer with intense heat, the very ground beneath Elena's feet melting like butter under the influence of the celestial energy.

Above her head, a glowing orb, akin to the sun but the size of a house, floated with an otherworldly radiance.

The divine judgment had been cast, and the sun, now a tangible force, looked down upon the remnants of the chaos below.

Elena, the conduit of divine authority, stood amidst the transformed landscape, a symbol of hope in the wake of purifying flames.