Sha, sha, sha...

A rustling sound came from the mist, unsettling, as if countless beasts were slowly moving through it, rubbing against grass and tree trunks.

Gulp.

In this unspeakable silence, Joanna could hear the sound of her sisters swallowing nervously.

"..."

They didn't know what they were about to face, or what might emerge from the curtain.

They knew nothing.

And it was this fact that weighed on their hearts with fear.

The unknown.

Always the greatest fear in the hearts of living beings.

Joanna's demeanor seemed better than the others—at least on the surface.

She tightened her face, pressed her lips together, clenched her fists tightly, and silently recited the name of the Ice and Snow Goddess.

She could not show any weakness at this moment.

But even as she repeatedly admonished herself in her heart, she couldn't help but want to cry out when she remembered what Sofia had said earlier.

"Our Lord has returned."

What does this mean?

Is it the arrival of the divine?

Or has He returned from somewhere?

Or...

Joanna thought anxiously, finally placing her hopes on that esteemed person, glancing sideways to try and glean some hint from the "Divine Favorer."

As a result, when she saw Yunier's expression, she was completely stunned.

Because, at that moment, the esteemed one had withdrawn their playful smile, and was frowning tightly, squinting to look into the depths of the mist.

Even the Cold Winter Goddess must take this seriously!!!?

Even She finds it troublesome?

Goddess above!

My Lord, what kind of being are You collaborating with!!?

As a loyal devotee, Joanna was truly worried about her Goddess's safety...

Gulp!

But just as Joanna waited anxiously, that overwhelming pressure gradually retreated.

Mm?

The Half-Elf Priest blinked in confusion, unsure if her perception was mistaken.

The dangerous aura had surprisingly weakened, and even the rustling sound had gradually disappeared.

What was happening?

Joanna couldn't understand what this meant, but she sighed with relief.

Perhaps I was overthinking!

"Phew..."

After the pressure retreated, Joanna couldn't help but relax, turning to look at Yunier again... only to be stunned once more.

Because, at that moment, the esteemed one's expression was several times more serious than before!

This is!!?

Joanna's previously relaxed heart rose again, directly to her throat.

Could it be that the identity of the other is more special than I imagined!!?

Even She needs to be this vigilant?

The Half-Elf Priest became increasingly uneasy, worried that the situation before her wasn't something she, a young Half-Elf just over a hundred years old, could handle.

Yunier looked tense, but was this truly the truth?

And the true reality... was far more complicated than Joanna imagined!

The Cold Winter Goddess couldn't discern the other's identity at all.

"...Hmm?"

Uphemia's avatar squinted, thoughts racing through her mind, even doubting her own perception.

"Does this feeling seem right?"

She analyzed desperately, trying to discern anything about the mist, but all efforts proved futile.

The mist enveloped everything, assimilating everything.

She could only sense a smattering of hints from the other's aura—mingled with many other ancient presences.

"There's the icy aura of Hecayas, the solar aura of Albertas, and several indistinguishable ancient presences..."

Who exactly is the other!!?

Uphemia was not one of the original few Divine Spirits at the world's inception, but was still an ancient presence born early in the world.

Yet even She did not recognize, and felt ancient... just what kind of person was the other?

This question made Uphemia's attitude increasingly serious, collecting Her aura tightly, nearly stripping all will away from "Yunier."

As the Ice and Snow Goddess Priest Order stood ready, the slowly approaching shadow finally broke through the layered mist, entering their view.

It was a towering figure.

The entire body was drenched in black-red bloodstains, obscuring the face, making it impossible to discern the original appearance.

A dense miasma continuously emanated from his body, almost tangibly, icy cold, seemingly freezing the surrounding air.

!!!

The young women of the Priest Order were visibly startled by this figure, involuntarily stepping back.

They tightly gripped their chains, war axes, hammers, long whips... trying to gain some sense of security through such actions.

But it was all to no avail.

Against the absolute might, mortal resistance was so feeble.

However, what Joanna didn't expect was that the eerie being's subsequent words were surprisingly gentle.

"Oh? Everyone's already here?"

The presence nodded toward the Centaur Heroic Spirit, praising, "Sofia, well done, you did not disappoint me."

And the praised Spirit became visibly excited, raising her head high with pride, her chest puffed out.

The voice was gentle and peaceful, no sense of arrogance at all, even strangely entrancing, feeling utterly close, inspiring submission... no, no, wrong!!!

I am my Lord's Priest, loyal only to the Goddess, how could I find Him close!

Joanna bit her tongue, jolted awake by the sharp pain, hastily averting her gaze.

Indeed.

Definitely indeed!

This captivating beauty... this must be the embodiment of a god in the mortal realm!

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