As Damian and the others returned to the church, the first thing they saw was the residual bloody water on the floor.
They looked toward the throne and saw Cerydra seated there, with Hysilens standing quietly beside her.
Damian felt a flicker of confusion when he saw Hysilens. However, he quickly suppressed his curiosity and began reporting to Cerydra:
"Lady Imperator, we have successfully wiped out all the ability users at the AMA branch. You may inspect the site whenever you are free. As for the researchers, we have captured them; I will make them work for us when the time comes."
Cerydra nodded with satisfaction upon hearing Damian's words.
"Regarding the destruction of the AMA branch, I was already aware of it the moment you finished. There is no need for an extra inspection."
This was the truth; after all, the system message was still displayed right there.
[Ordered subordinates to destroy the AMA branch in the Third District, Stellar Jade +800]
"So that's how it is. As expected of Lady Imperator!"
Damian did not doubt Cerydra in the slightest; instead, he immediately believed her words.
"No need for more flattery. I do not enjoy being complimented."
Cerydra's expression remained rippleless despite Damian's attempts at sycophancy.
"Since you have proven your worth, I now formally announce..."
As she spoke, the diamond-encrusted short scepter appeared in her hand. She pointed the scepter toward the dome of the church.
"You are qualified to become members of my subordinates, and you shall receive my protection!"
Upon hearing Cerydra's voice, bursts of cheers erupted from the crowd. With this declaration, it was as if they once again had a powerful backer. From now on, they no longer had to live in fear of being casually crushed by those four mega-corporations, nor did they have to worry about retaliation from the AMA.
"However, I must state one point."
Cerydra spoke again, and the crowd instantly fell silent upon hearing her voice.
"Becoming my subordinates does not mean you will receive my protection forever."
"If I discover that you have become stagnant over a long period because of this, seeking only to live in comfort under my protection..."
At this point, Cerydra's tone suddenly turned cold.
"Then you shall lose my protection and no longer be my subordinates."
The crowd fell into a deep silence as her voice faded. But in the next moment, Damian took the initiative to speak:
"Rest assured, Lady Imperator. We are already recruiting people through this incident and preparing to strike the AMA branches in other districts!"
"Mm, very good."
Seeing this, Cerydra said no more and nodded in approval. But then, she continued:
"Damian, I have a task to entrust to you."
Damian was startled, then immediately bowed slightly and asked, "Lady Imperator, what do you need me to do?"
"I am very satisfied with your performance this time," Cerydra said with a slight smile. "Therefore, I intend to prepare a banquet for you."
"This banquet will be a celebration for your victory, as well as a welcoming banquet for your joining of my ranks."
"As for the funds for the banquet, go and ask her for them."
After speaking, Cerydra provided Damian with Cipher's Terminal account information.
"Understood, Lady Imperator. I will certainly handle this matter well. Thank you for your generosity!"
After hearing Cerydra's words, a look of wild joy appeared on Damian's face. This was a form of commendation for them!
"In that case, the report ends here for now." She then turned to look at Hysilens. "Dux Gladiorum, let us go."
With that, Cerydra rose from the throne and walked toward the inner rooms of the church.
"Yes, Imperator."
Hysilens responded and followed Cerydra back.
While the others were curious about the sudden appearance of the Dux Gladiorum, anyone with eyes could see her uniqueness and her extraordinary relationship with Cerydra. Therefore, if Cerydra did not speak of it, they did not dare to ask.
Once the two had disappeared from the hall, some members belonging to the church remained to clean the floor, while the others left.
...
"Imperator, is this the force you have gathered in this world?"
On the way back, Hysilens asked Cerydra with some curiosity.
"Correct," Cerydra nodded. "But in reality, they are composed of various affiliated factions that were abandoned by a major power."
Hearing Cerydra's words, Hysilens lowered her head and thought for a while before murmuring to herself:
"Their strength... is not very ideal."
"I know." Cerydra was not surprised that Hysilens would say such a thing. "But after all, this is not Amphoreus. Their strength is considered upper-middle tier in this world."
"Apologies, I was being inconsiderate."
Reminded of the situation, Hysilens realized this was no longer their previous world and immediately apologized. Cerydra shook her head slightly to indicate it was fine.
Then, she looked at some rooms along the corridor. After a brief thought, she said directly:
"I will arrange a room for you. You will stay here for tonight."
"Alright."
Hysilens nodded submissively.
...
After settling Hysilens in, Cerydra finally returned to her own room.
The moment she entered and the door lock clicked shut, Cerydra's previously tense nerves suddenly went slack.
She locked the door behind her, rushed to the bed in a few steps, and threw herself onto the soft mattress without any regard for her image. She buried her face deep in the quilt and let out a muffled, somewhat crumbling whimper.
"Ugh... is it a bit too late to regret materializing Hysilens?" She rolled around in the quilt, her voice coming out muffled. "Maintaining that majestic image was already exhausting enough... now there's Hysilens beside me who knows 'Cerydra's' secrets... doesn't that mean I have to put on an act every single second? Help..."
After rolling a few times, she finally stopped and lay on her back staring at the ceiling, letting out a long sigh as if to exhale all her frustration.
"Forget it... I'll just have to be more careful. I'm used to it anyway."
She raised her hand to rub her temples and whispered to herself.
"It's better than letting Hysilens stay alone in that lonely deep sea. In that state, she, who was formed as simulation of the Path of Nihility..." At this, Cerydra's voice grew low and worried. "...would eventually be swallowed by Nihility itself."
"Furthermore, I couldn't keep summoning her forever. In that case..." She paused, her tone turning firm. "It's better to let her stay and have her manifest for real."