“Don’t…” Before Naily could finish, Karl slowly sat up straight, speaking calmly: “Let’s take a look.”
After a brief reorganization and collecting the fire source, the three people groped their way from the beach towards the inland, following the direction of the previous red light. Night owls screeched and indistinct rustling sounds filled the forest, causing everyone’s footsteps to quicken, eager to find the light source. They soon reached their destination—a cave, silently inviting them inside. Melissa, brave and fearless, took the lead with her sword. Naily hurriedly followed, and Karl brought up the rear, holding the glass bottle containing the fire source. The cave floor was covered with fine gravel, crunching beneath their feet.
Naily had been on guard for monsters, but they safely reached the cave’s end. No words were needed; a single glance at the deepest part of the cave revealed the origin of the previous red light. A shrine-like recess carved into the stone wall emitted a soft, warm red glow. This was a pure, warm sacred light. Melissa approached, carefully extending her hand towards the light source. With a humming sound, a long sword jumped into her palm.
Melissa turned her hand, and a massive red gemstone at the sword’s hilt began to flow with light, casting a warm radiance on the cave walls. She carefully examined the blade, softly reading the inscription on the sharp silver edge: “Goddess’s Gift, Harga’s Treasure, Warrior’s Heart.”
Until this moment, Naily was certain that this shipwreck was truly the prelude to a hidden plot. The legendary king Harga’s sword had appeared, which could only mean Melissa was incredibly lucky. After obtaining the sword, the system connection was restored. Using the map, the three quickly found a nearby village to rest, and after recuperating for a day, they set out towards Harga Castle. Along the way, Melissa was in high spirits. Naily became familiar with her battle rhythm, guiding her to do more than the mission required. Melissa’s sword skills and ability to use skills became more proficient, no longer as clumsy as before.
As for the Warrior’s Heart, it would be carefully preserved for now, to be used when her level was high enough. Karl no longer needed to intervene and remained silent. Naily didn’t speak to him and naturally didn’t bring up their unresolved conversation on the beach. Two days later, Harga Castle finally appeared on the horizon.
It was that time when the sun was about to set, the southern spring afternoon was warm and gentle, and the wind from the old imperial capital seemed more fragrant than the countryside. The winding city walls against the sunlight were like a black snake, extending to the edge of vision with no sign of ending. Further in the city, the lines of the magnificent palace glimmered in the sunlight, presumably the heart of the continental temple, Noen Palace.
Noen Palace was built on a hill in the city, reportedly with a gold-leaf roof visible even from the harbor. Once the center of a vast empire, even reduced to a county seat, Harga Castle’s silhouette possessed a grandeur that Mez’s new capital could not match. Naily’s group left the narrow country path and entered a smooth gravel road.
The road widened, lined with dense olive trees swaying in the spring breeze. More carriages and travelers appeared, trade caravans traveling together, calling and chatting. From their conversations, Naily sensed no tension about the Demon King’s rampage in the North. Now, with the demon army beyond the mountains across the inner sea, the few northern counties that had been swallowed might be nothing more than casual conversation for Harga Castle’s residents.
The city guards were not as friendly to the hero as those in Canossa. A dark-skinned, muscular young man examined the pass from the Nafari marquis multiple times, suspiciously scrutinizing the three before reluctantly raising his spear to let them pass, seemingly disappointed at not finding a reason to extract a bribe. Melissa couldn’t help but sneer. “Does Melissa want to tour the city first, or go to Noen Palace to meet the high priest?” “Hmm… let’s finish the main task first,” Melissa scratched her chin, “Then we can have a good meal tonight!”
Naily expertly led Melissa and Karl through the outer city farmlands, past a checkpoint, across the busy southern market, through a series of stone alleys, and finally arrived at the foot of the hill where Noen Palace stood.
A snow-white temple stood at the mountain gate, magnificent and sacred, with rows of olive trees planted on both sides of the marble steps leading to the temple door.
Melissa glanced up for a moment, then deeply lowered her eyes, crossing her hands over her chest in a reverent bow.
“I won’t go in,” Karl suddenly spoke, pulling his hood down and walking aside.
“Don’t go too far!” Melissa helplessly scratched her hair, then tidied her appearance before nodding to Naily: “Let’s go.”
After notifying the temple guards, a maidservant in a floor-length white robe came to greet them: “May the three goddesses bless you, chosen hero. Please follow me.”
Every time Naily accompanied the hero to the Norn Palace of the temple, she would feel somewhat uncomfortable.
This was not only because she viewed the temple with a critical eye; more important, the system that had kidnapped her to this world was carrying out the temple’s will.
They passed through the side door of the temple, walking along an elegant corridor. Through the gaps between stone pillars, Hargaborg came into view. Naili’s gaze passed over the city, fixing on a direction further north: beyond the black undulating mountain range was her true destination.
Melissa had already moved ahead a few steps. Naili hurried to catch up.
Climbing the stairs, they arrived at the main hall of the hilltop Norn Palace.
A white tile square was surrounded by columns. On the left was another temple for the past goddess Urld, forming a straight line with the Verdanti temple at the mountain gate. The third temple dedicated to the future goddess Skuld stood further down the slope. On the other side of the square stood the golden-roofed Well Hall, the magnificent main hall that was the heart of Norn Palace.
The maidservant crossed her hands over her chest and slightly curtsied, softly saying, “The high priest is waiting for you inside.”
Melissa solemnly nodded, returned a courtesy to the maidservant, straightened her collar, and walked between two Doric stone pillars, stepping onto the stone surface with water-like patterns in the Well Hall.
Three goddess statues stood in the great hall, their arms linked, facing an ancient well. A person in a white robe and blue outer cloak knelt at the altar before the statues, turning at the sound and smiling softly with lowered eyes.
It was a face that showed no age, with soft features blending with platinum hair, giving a sense of holiness and gentleness. Looking again would meet his eyes, as clear and calm as well water, pale like glass in the candlelight, seeming to reflect the deepest colors of one’s heart.
This gaze was compassionate, causing onlookers to feel ashamed and sink to the dust, regretting their impropriety; yet quickly comforted by the tenderness in this gaze.
This was the high priest of the temple, the messenger of the goddesses, Lukes.
Naily quickly calmed her emotions, speaking dryly: “I do not doubt you, but after this, will the Demon King I guide the hero to meet still be him? If so…
