Frilian: Starting with Wind Spirit and Moon Shadow, Playing Through the Heavens

"With your long lifespan, following the emperor is a dead end."

“I’m currently recruiting Pokémon companions. Your talent is quite good, and your strength is also decent.”

"For the sake of the elves, come, join me."

Celia spoke these words almost without pausing, her tone exuding an undeniable confidence.

Even Ronan, who was standing next to him, was stunned for a second upon hearing this.

Those were very familiar words; I vaguely remembered that she had said the same thing to Frilian.

But last time, Frillie rejected him, and this time…

Ronan's gaze lingered on Miliearde, who hesitated for two seconds, furrowing her brow, neither refusing nor agreeing.

Celia didn't mind, and instead gestured for her to eat and drink, and they would talk after they finished eating.

It would be a sin to waste food that the church has prepared so much.

……

—A moment later.

“Um… Your Holiness the Pope.”

Millie Alde put down her cutlery, her slightly hesitant voice breaking the silence among them.

She glanced briefly at Celia beside her and whispered to Ronan:

"Has Lady Celie always been this unrestrained?"

"I don't quite understand, because this is the first time I've met you, and I'm the emperor's man. From a standpoint of perspective, I should be your enemy."

"Why is Lady Celie trying to recruit me outright? Aren't you afraid I'll betray you?"

“Betrayal?” Ronan laughed upon hearing this.

He picked up his wine glass and took a sip, his tone calm and composed:

"She doesn't care who you are or what your identity is, as long as you're an elf, that's enough."

"Ask yourself honestly, if a conflict arises between the Empire and the Elves, would you choose to help the Empire or the Elves?"

"Don't tell me that you feel more attached to the Empire than to your own race. You're over four hundred years old, aren't you?"

"The time you spend with the emperor may only be a fraction of your life."

Upon hearing this, Miliearde fell silent.

Indeed, though the words may be crude, the principle is sound. She is first and foremost an elf, and only secondly a resident of the empire.

In addition, being deceived caused me to lose my purpose in life...

“…I understand.” Her voice carried a hint of relief, as if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart.

After exhaling, he lowered his head and confessed:

"I must admit, you've convinced me. However, I still have some things to take care of. Could you give me a few more days?"

"Furthermore, I have another question... Your Holiness, have you ever seen the goddess?"

Celia is aloof and taciturn to outsiders because they can't understand her, but she's different.

The pope was very attentive and caring upon meeting her, and he seemed to know a lot about her.

Millie Alder felt that she and he might have many common topics to discuss.

Ronan paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on Miliearde for a while, as if he were thinking about something.

Then he nodded and said:

"Goddess? Of course I've seen her. What, you also want to join the Goddess's Church and meet her?"

Could this be another guy trying to run for sainthood...? To Ronan, the question of whether the goddess even exists is utterly meaningless.

But they couldn't resist the probing of those hundred-year-old elves.

Milie Alder sighed helplessly:

"I'm sorry, you may have misunderstood me. I don't want to join the church because I like to drink."

"Since you say that goddesses exist, then I will reluctantly believe it."

"Does this mean that heaven exists after death?"

"What do you think of the Land of Souls in the far north? I've heard that the goddess resides there."

"Hmm?" Upon hearing this, Ronan frowned slightly.

The goddess's address? He had never heard of that before.

He has been in this world for almost two months now, and there are still many things he is slowly exploring and understanding.

He turned to Celia and asked her a question. Celia thought for a moment and replied:

"The place where the soul returns? I don't know if it's the location of heaven, but there are rumors that it is."

“I once went to explore it, but I found nothing; there was only endless ice and snow.”

"However, based on my last contact with the goddess, I roughly understand that it is because the goddess has not awakened that the passage to heaven cannot be observed with the naked eye."

Although Celia's deduction might not be accurate, Ronan still nodded thoughtfully.

He paused, put down his wine glass, and said:

"In that case, after things are settled here, would you be interested in coming with me to the Land of Returning Souls?"

"All that we have seen so far are incarnations of the goddess, and the demons in the far north have all migrated, leaving the place desolate."

"This is a good opportunity to develop."

"Hmm?" Celia raised an eyebrow. "How do we develop it?"

So the two of them started talking about it, completely ignoring Miliearde who was standing to the side.

Although Miliald couldn't understand their conversation, seeing how familiar they were, she couldn't help but think to herself that their relationship was exceptionally good.

Those unaware of the situation might think the two were friends who had known each other for hundreds or even thousands of years.

But when she recalled the topic of the complete migration of the demon race, she couldn't help but frown.

What did Lady Celia and the Pope do together? What happened to the Demon race?

She wanted to ask, but couldn't find an opportunity to interject.

until—

An enticing aroma filled the air as the dragon meat roasted. Ronan's thoughts were pulled back, and he finally stopped discussing the transformation of the far north.

Then he heard Milield's question, but did not give her a clear answer.

Millie Alder pursed her lips.

Although she didn't care much about the lives of the demons, it concerned the goddess's condition...

She couldn't help but ask:

"What conditions are required to obtain this information? Is loyalty to you, or rather, loyalty to Lady Celie, enough?"

"I have made up my mind. If the goddess really exists, then it will be my honor to serve Lady Celie."

Ronan gave her a deep look, his gaze scrutinizing her.

Then, he looked at Celia and asked:

"What's your stance? Are you going to tell her about this?"

Because the church is his stronghold, he can discuss things without any scruples.

Influenced by the goddess, these clergy members would not easily reveal secrets.

but…

Celia knew what Ronan wanted to say, and she nodded slightly, saying indifferently:

"It's okay, just tell her. I trust her. This child might even become an asset to me in the future."

"At four hundred years old, it is the perfect age to strive."

She put down her cutlery and leaned forward slightly.

"Miliarde, I'll ask you one more time, are you interested in joining me? Or, are you interested in becoming my apprentice?"

"If you'd like..."

She paused for two seconds, looked around, and then took the tangible bottle of wine from in front of Ronan.

She shook the bottle, then poured herself a glass, moved it to Millie Alder, and spoke solemnly.

"Drink it if you wish, as a symbol of severing ties with the empire."

"..."

Millie Alder didn't quite understand why wine would become a symbol, and the crystal-clear red looked very strange, like human blood.

But... she had no choice. After hesitating for two seconds, she picked up her glass, gritted her teeth, and downed it in one gulp.

Glug...

At the same time, in the distant imperial palace, the emperor couldn't help but cough twice.

He gazed out the window at the distant view, where dark clouds gathered and rolled silently, and a sense of foreboding welled up in his heart.

teacher…

Chapter 135: A sword cleaves the sky, the emperor's compromise; the goddess is furious, and the consequences... (6k)

"very good."

Seeing Milie Alde drink the beverage, Celia's face lit up with joy.

She nodded and sat down, saying, "From now on, you are my sixth disciple."

"In that case, I can tell you some things related to the demon race."

"Remember to keep it a secret."