Chapter 230: Sorry Tiya... - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

Hero? When Shia realized the significance of this revelation, he stood frozen, unable to move. This was the sacred prophecy that had existed in the Saint Laurent Empire since ancient times, an insight passed down from generations ago. One day, when the long-standing war between humans and demons reaches its peak, a man chosen by the Holy Tree will bear the glory and weight of human civilization, using unparalleled strength to shatter the darkness and end the war that has lasted tens of thousands of years. The prophecy was vividly described, igniting the passion in every young heart within the Saint Laurent Empire. Even Shia, who was from the borderlands, firmly believed in it. Despite always demonstrating abilities beyond ordinary people and rapidly advancing once he joined the military, he never imagined that one day he would become the figure foretold by the sacred prophecy. Gazing at the towering Golden Holy Tree and feeling the sacred aura surrounding it, Shia's heart raced. At this moment, he paid no mind to the chilling fear he had just felt nor did he dwell on his enmity with Lynn. No man doesn't dream of a moment in the spotlight, being crowned in front of all the nobility and citizens of the country, receiving endless praise. Especially when such an unprecedented honor unexpectedly fell upon him. Shia took a deep breath and slowly approached the branches of the Holy Spirit Tree. Ordinarily, this area would be a forbidden zone reserved for royal family members possessing the "Blood of Saint Laurent." Yet now, having been acknowledged by the Holy Spirit Tree, he was unprecedentedly breaking this barrier and appeared there, unnoticed by anyone. Simultaneously, a grand and distant voice emanating from the depths of his heart seemed to be aware of Shia's hesitation and urged once more. "Place your palm on the trunk to feel the pulse of the Holy Spirit’s power. Communicate with the Golden Holy Tree to activate the proof of being the 'Savior Hero.'" The voice was icy cold, yet it carried a familiarity he couldn't shake. Almost as if... it belonged to someone he once knew, someone very close. Moreover, the voice seemed somewhat fragmented, as if impeded by an intense interference during transmission to his mind. Where did this voice truly originate? In the past, the voice had warned him countless times of various dangers and pitfalls, making his life perilous on several occasions. For this, his heart was filled with gratitude. But in this moment, a sense of absurdity, as if his destiny was being manipulated, began to surface faintly in his mind. Thinking back, whenever he was about to make a significant decision that might alter his life, this voice would resound in his ears. Shia could not help but take another deep breath. "Who are you?" Although he had asked his inner self countless times before, the voice had never responded. Yet as events unfolded to this extent, he refused to blindly activate the Golden Spectacle of the Holy Spirit Tree and decided to uncover the truth. For this reason, Shia unprecedentedly decided to defy the promptings of the voice from his heart. He bit his lip, suppressing the desire to become a hero, clenched his fists, and took two steps back, showing his stance and determination. Little did he know, these two steps back would alter the destiny originally set for him. The next moment, the cold voice, which had repeated its warnings countless times in the past, suddenly stopped. With this pause, Shia distinctly perceived an emotion named "hesitation." It was as if the owner of the voice was in the midst of an intense internal struggle. Time passed by second after second. Just when Shia, after waiting so long, believed there would be no response, the voice began anew. And this time, the once cold and distant voice possessed a hint of humanity. At the same time, upon understanding the content of the words, Shia's pupils trembled slightly, his entire being struck with disbelief. Because what the voice said was this: "I am the you from one hundred thousand years into the future." --- “Your Highness, aren't you going to seek shelter?” came the anxious voice of a noblewoman beside Shirina. At the moment, the entire Moonlight Audience Hall was in chaos, frightened out of their wits by the strong tremor and shock which seemed to emanate from the deepest parts of the earth. They hurriedly fled, escorted by attendants and guards. Mrs. Belmont, who had been seated beside the Grand Princess, also rose pale and anxious, holding her daughter as she earnestly suggested: "Your Highness, seek refuge quickly." Hearing this, Shirina's slightly furrowed brows relaxed a little, but she did not heed the advice, merely shaking her head gently. "You go on ahead; I will follow shortly." As a high-level transcendent and having a powerful rank-0 seal in her possession, how could she possibly be injured in an earthquake? What concerned her more at the moment were the ominous signs on the moon's surface and the tremendous shock whose origin remained unknown. Noticing the empty seat in the distance, Shirina realized that her third sister, Yveste, had suddenly disappeared. Indeed. She, who had always shown no interest in such public events, surprisingly attended the Moonlight Consecration this time, revealing that there had to be an underlying purpose. With this thought, Shirina slowly stood up. She couldn’t fathom any connection between Yveste and the Silent Church, thus deciding to follow and investigate further. However, the chaotic fate seemed to have been set back on track by an invisible hand. The next second, intense golden hues began to dye the sky, as a radiant light beam shot up from the Holy Spirit Tree's location. The divine aura swept through the entire city, illuminating Glostin as if it were broad daylight. "?!" Witnessing this astounding spectacle that one could remember for a lifetime, Shirina’s heart skipped a beat. Did the Holy Spirit Tree experience a change? Was it her father? Or perhaps... For some unknown reason, she subconsciously recalled a scene from "Chronicles of Xeno." This was her favorite book, one she had read countless times, and Xeno, the protagonist, had profoundly influenced her life. Even as she grew older, her admiration for the "Savior Hero" did not wane with time but deepened. Reflecting on the possible phenomena related to the Holy Spirit Tree, the wavering in her beautiful eyes became more apparent. Could it be that the hero described in the sacred prophecy has finally appeared? For some reason, her heart began to race slightly. Whether from excitement or shyness, she could not discern; her attention completely shifted from the ravaged Moonlight Consecration to the direction of the Holy Spirit Tree. A moment later, as the bell on her wrist softly rang, Shirina’s tall and graceful figure vanished into thin air. More than what was happening with Yveste, she longed to uncover the occurrences on the other side near the Holy Spirit Tree. Am I... nervous? Gazing at the delicate and pearled face of the appealing young girl, her pose inviting like a swallow returning to her nest, Lynn's heart began to beat faster. In facing such a situation, how could any man muster the resolve to refuse? Though he just fought a life-and-death battle with a deity, he now found himself indecisive when it came to matters of romance. “Lynn... hold me.” Tiya's tearful voice echoed in his ears. The emerald green eyes of the young girl shimmered with crystalline tears, laden with desires and vulnerability meant to unhinge any rational mind. Even Lynn was no exception. After a brief struggle, the warmth of longing overpowered his guilt towards the princess and the witch. Or perhaps, in the face of the omnipotent illusion created by the wishing jar, even someone with Lynn’s resolute will faltered, succumbing to desire. As her soft fragrance enveloped him, the delicate touch of her curvaceous form and the exquisite contours of her slim waist made Lynn’s tenseness gradually fade. Meanwhile, Tiya was sobbing uncontrollably, tearfully gazing up at him as if she had cast aside all decorum and forgotten any shyness. In the moment he scooped her up, she instinctively wrapped her slender arms around his neck, curling into his embrace silently like a little child. “Lynn.” The girl’s voice was tender yet slightly hoarse, as if a kitten's paw was gently scratching at the strings of his heart. “I’m here.” Lynn held her securely as he walked out through the portal leading to the Divine Moon’s chasm. “Lynn.” “I’m here.” “Lynn.” “I’m here.” It was as if Tiya hadn’t heard his responses and kept calling Lynn's name persistently. Lynn didn't say anything, patiently answering Tiya each time she called his name. At this moment, Tiya still felt as if she was trapped in a dream, a surreal sensation surrounding her. She could only confirm the reality of the situation by repeatedly hearing Lynn's responses. Noticing the boy's indulgence towards her, Tiya's heart gradually settled. While gently wiping her tears away, she placed her ear against his chest, listening intently to his intense and passionate heartbeat. Under normal circumstances, even after confirming their relationship, Tiya would never be so bold. It was the result of an overwhelming soul impact that left her in a daze, leading her subconscious to behave in a way completely unlike her usual self. As the distance from the Moon Goddess's consciousness increased—and with Lynn having thwarted her attempt at possession—Tiya's consciousness gradually cleared, returning her to her senses. Now she fully realized how embarrassing her earlier actions had been. Feeling their intimate stance, held in a princess carry by Lynn, Tiya bowed her head in embarrassment. A captivating blush spread across her previously pale cheeks. Oh dear, what have you done, Tiya? She reminded herself of the Goddess's teachings, but then realized that as someone who betrayed the goddess, this line of thought was not appropriate. A sense of guilt slowly surfaced in her heart. She finally admitted to herself an important realization. Tiya instinctively looked up, as if she had something to say. But sensing her hesitation, Lynn glanced down, and their eyes met in mid-air. Her gaze flitted nervously, resembling a startled rabbit, before she softly asked in an almost inaudible voice, “What happened to the Goddess?” Her last memory was of their surrounding space being destroyed, with the Moon Goddess's consciousness reforming into a ball of light, suspended amid chaotic energies, her fate uncertain. “Oh, her?” Lynn quickened his pace slightly and replied casually, “She’s powerless for now. Her true form is severely polluted, and the fragment of her consciousness cut out to fit your body is exceedingly weak. I managed to exploit this.” Tiya accepted his words with a soft "Ah," her eyes tinged with sadness, though what exactly she pondered was unclear. Moments later, with some hesitation, she spoke softly, “The power within you is volatile. If not purified in time, it could leave severe side effects.” Despite the boy appearing fearsome like a demon, there was no trace of dislike in Tiya’s eyes. Instead, gazing at the black mire consuming Lynn's flesh and blood, her eyes reddened in an expression of heartache. She knew all too well that it was the power borrowed to save her. But it was no time for words that could distance them. She simply bit her lip and kept her eyes glued on the suffering he endured, determined to burn it into her memory. Lynn chuckled softly at her words: “Remember the story I told you at the inn?” Tiya seemed to recall something. “... The witch?” “Yes, that great being has always backed me up, and the power currently within me is indirectly granted by her. So there won’t be any problem.” His voice was gentle and confident. “Oh,” Tiya replied softly, her eyes drifting away, lost in thought. As the disrupted space, shattered from Lynn's previous strike, gradually calmed down, the silver portal connecting the Silent Church and the moon’s gap lit up once again. This meant that with just one more step, they could fully escape this dreadful place. Understanding this, a sudden panic seized over her. Earlier, she had been reckless, throwing all caution to the wind, but now, with reality fast approaching, she had no choice but to contemplate the genuine issues ahead. Thinking this, her small hands around Lynn’s neck tightened, revealing her inner turmoil. “Lynn,” Tiya's voice carried a tinge of sadness, “What should I do once we’re out?” Her social connections lay in shambles, and she had seen the ugliest side of the church. There was no going back to her previous life. What did the future hold? Her heart was filled with anxiety. Luckily, Lynn's reassuring words calmed her worries: “Don’t worry, you’re not alone.” “No matter what, I will stay with you.” “Mm.” Stunned for a second, Tiya then buried her head silently in his embrace. At the same time, familiar spatial fluctuations surrounded them. Not long ago, she had been forced into the peculiar realm of the moon’s gap by clergymen. Despite the short period that had passed, the situation had transformed entirely. Perhaps this signaled the beginning of a new life—a chance to leave the past behind and live happily with the one she loved. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all. For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, a hint of joy crept into her heart. Yet the next moment, she felt herself enveloped by a sensation of weightlessness, as if being tossed aside. Tiya staggered back several steps before hitting the collapsed wall behind her, finally managing to steady herself. Perplexed, she looked up, not understanding Lynn’s sudden action. Now separated by the silver portal, what seemed like mere inches appeared to be an insurmountable distance, inducing a feeling as if a world was between them. “You—” Her eyes wide with shock, she attempted to speak but was abruptly cut off by him. “Sorry, Tiya,” Lynn’s expression bore a trace of helplessness, “I lied to you again.” “Please forgive my dishonesty, but severing the links between you and Beatrice was essential.” In Tiya’s startled and desperate gaze, Lynn took a step back with a smile. Then, just as she lunged forward to breach the portal of light, he brought his fingers together like a blade and decisively shattered the sole passage connecting reality to the moon’s gap. Chapter 230: Sorry Tiya, I lied again