Golden, fertile starlight gradually rose from beneath the ground, like a faint dawn, slowly lifting toward the sky.
Under the hazy, flowing golden glow, the scattered spiritual lights, like countless stars, spread out like a distant tide.
Deep in the forest, the demi-humans who were still training carried heavy stones on their backs as they ran across the grass.
At some unknown moment, golden light appeared beneath their feet, passing through their fur like threads of water.
They gradually stopped and looked toward the distant source of that golden glow.
At the same time, the golden light of abundance slowly fell from Michaela's body onto Gwen, who was as cold as ice.
Bright and gentle golden light gathered, bathing Gwen in warmth.
Michaela looked at her with those eyes that seemed to swirl like nebulae and calmly explained, "I'm using the power of the Goddess of Abundance to guide you."
"If the Goddess of Abundance is willing to accept you, then all external influences on your body will be removed, and you will return to normal because of it."
As she said this, a comforting and confident smile appeared on Michaela's face.
It was as if she was speaking of the goddess's broad heart and kindness.
The golden light in the sky gradually faded, and the bright sunlight that had pierced through the heavens was once again covered by drifting clouds and disappeared.
Everything returned to calm, yet Gwen still stood in place without making any other movement.
Silence, a silence like death itself.
"Uh?"
Michaela stood there, a bit stunned.
'Why didn't anything happen?'
Michaela felt confused.
'Was it that the Goddess of Abundance hadn't accepted Gwen, or was it that deep in her unconscious, Gwen still held onto her faith in the Goddess of Justice?'
She didn't quite believe it.
There had to be something wrong with the ritual.
Thinking this, she raised her head again.
Looking at the bright sky, golden light surged from her body once more as she murmured incantations under her breath.
The moment the ritual chant came from Michaela's lips, Gwen finally moved.
She drew the blade at her waist, flames flickering red along its edge. Her silver armor brushed past the swaying grass as she dashed straight toward Michaela.
Seeing Gwen rush at her with such sharp killing intent, Michaela didn't react in time.
Clang!
The next second, a black figure blocked in front of her.
In an instant, Viktor appeared beside Michaela.
In his hand, wooden vines twisted together into a wooden sword, easily blocking Gwen's flaming strike.
As the two collided, a violent wind surged up, and the air exploded with a sharp crack.
Even the black nun's robe on Michaela was lifted by the shockwave, her long garments fluttering loudly.
Viktor and Gwen stood locked against each other, their arms pressed together.
Gwen was restrained by Viktor.
Seeing Viktor suddenly appear in front of her, Michaela was so surprised she couldn't even speak.
'Wait, isn't Viktor a mage?'
No, then why did his fiancee suddenly attack her?
Questions popped into Michaela's mind one after another.
She couldn't make sense of it.
The next moment, Gwen pushed slightly with her arm, knocking Viktor's wooden sword aside and stepping back a few paces.
Then her legs burst with strength again as she charged at Michaela once more.
The flaming sword pointed straight at Michaela's eyes, as if it intended to stab them out completely.
And once again, Viktor turned into an afterimage, stirring up a gust of wind.
He raised the wooden sword horizontally and blocked the crimson attack again.
Watching the two confront each other, Michaela couldn't help but clasp her hands tightly to her chest.
Although she felt a strong sense of safety from Viktor, she still felt that Gwen's current state was caused by something going wrong with her divine ritual.
Instead, she felt a bit guilty and spoke to Viktor with some apology, "P-please wait a moment, Mr. Viktor, I think I can find out the reason."
"No need."
Viktor easily blocked Gwen's relentless attacks while replying to Michaela, "I already know the reason."
On his shoulder, Vega was informing him of Gwen's current physical condition.
Michaela's divine ritual was effective.
Under the gentle influence of the Goddess of Abundance, Gwen's consciousness had already fallen into sleep.
What was still supporting her body now was only her body's instinct.
Her subconscious treated Michaela's ritual as a threat.
So it instinctively drove her body to resist.
And it was precisely this bodily instinct that caused Gwen to become the way she was now.
The question Viktor had always been curious about finally showed some clues.
For example, why did Gwen develop such a self-protective instinct?
Perhaps something had happened when she was young.
To uncover this problem, many more steps were still needed.
At least for now, this was only the beginning.
Clang!
Viktor effortlessly knocked away Gwen's attack, then without even turning his head, spoke to Michaela behind him, "From today on, your church might be attacked by those extremists."
"If anything happens, go find Priscilla."
"After that, I'll help you deal with it."
These words left Michaela momentarily unable to react.
She opened her mouth to speak, but the sudden surge of wind swallowed her words.
The violent wind carved a path through the grass, kicking up layers of dust and even scattering the golden light in the air.
The storm swept through, and in the next moment, Viktor turned into a wisp of illusion, taking Gwen with him into the rushing wind.
Along with a swirl of black and silver, they vanished into the eye of the storm.
The wind howled as it rushed toward the sky and into the distance.
In the sudden stillness, only Michaela remained, standing alone in the wind, her clothes in disarray.
Her nebula-like, heavy and mysterious gaze followed the direction the wind had gone, slightly lost in thought.
But the sound of chewing grass nearby drew her attention.
She turned her head to look.
It was the white horse Gwen had been riding earlier.
The wind had taken Viktor and Gwen, but not this horse.
At that moment, it was lowering its head, happily munching on grass.
The grass grown by the Goddess of Abundance's power was wide and lush, damn tasty.
"..."
Michaela fell silent, because she suddenly realized Viktor had really left.
'Just… like that?'
'What does he mean by being attacked by extremists?'
'Is Gwen really a divine envoy, or is she some kind of incarnation of a goddess?'
Michaela's thoughts grew more and more tangled, until she suddenly realized the most serious problem.
She seemed to have become a tool.
Used at will, then mercilessly left behind.
And now what? Where was this? How was she supposed to get back?
Suddenly, rustling sounds came from the nearby bushes.
Countless demi-humans of various appearances, builds, and features walked out together.
At the front was a very strong-looking tiger-man.
But this tiger-man was strange. It didn't have a human-like face, more like a powerful tiger standing upright.
Seeing the tall figure and the group of demi-humans appear, Michaela was startled.
Her legs went weak, and she collapsed softly onto the grass.
Those starry, deep, mysterious eyes looked at the group of demi-humans with confusion and fear.
'My heavens… these hairy creatures are all… demi-humans?'
'They're not going to eat me, are they?'
Gradually, the demi-humans approached Michaela and surrounded her.
Frightened, Michaela closed her eyes, and a tear of humiliation slowly slid from the corner of her eye.
'God… it seems I'm destined not to offer my pure body to you.'
But the next second, the tiger-man's heavy voice sounded above her head, "When Mr. Viktor left, he informed us to safely escort you back to Shulben."
These words made Michaela pause, and she opened her eyes with some doubt.
When she saw the demi-humans all bowing to her together, she became even more confused.
"And also…"
The leading tiger-man spoke in an extremely respectful tone, "Mr. Viktor hopes that you can take in these companions of mine."
"From now on, they will follow you and live with you."
Looking at the scene around her, Michaela's already confused mind began to feel dizzy.
"Ah?"
'S-so many demi-humans, I had to support them all by myself?'
'How much food expense would that be!'
Images of gold coins floated through her mind one by one.
But Viktor's request made her grit her teeth.
She raised her hand and pulled the black veil back over her star-like eyes.
Then she stood up and returned to her usual gentle, spring-like demeanor.
"I understand."
"But after we arrive at Shulben, I have one request."
Michaela looked at the cow and sheep demi-humans lying on the ground chewing grass, steadied her emotions a little, and said, "Please don't randomly eat the land and crops of Shulben!"
———
Aurelian walked back and forth in the large garden courtyard, her mind in complete chaos.
The female tiger-man stood beside her, hands behind her back, like a solemn statue.
Priscilla sat on the chair Viktor had just been sitting on, holding a fresh cup of hot tea, steam rising into the air.
She sat quietly, watching Aurelian pace back and forth.
After finishing the tea in her cup, Vanilla beside her proactively refilled it.
Priscilla felt a bit flattered and replied timidly, "Th-thank you."
Then she picked up the cup and continued drinking with her head lowered.
This was already the eighth cup.
She kind of… wanted to go to the bathroom.
But out of politeness, and because this catgirl maid was a servant of the mage, and she had always been by the imperial princess's side, her status must be quite high.
If such a person served her tea, she had to drink it.
Vanilla just stood there, smiling politely at her.
But in reality, a bit of confusion quietly rose in her heart.
She had never seen someone drink this much before.
Was this new master really that thirsty?
And wasn't it hot?
The next second, the two accidentally made eye contact and both smiled politely at each other.
Time passed quietly in this wordless silence.
Finally, as a gust of wind swept through, everyone raised their hands to shield their eyes.
When they opened them again, that familiar coat appeared before them.
Viktor had returned.
However, in his arms, he was holding someone.
It was Gwen, whom he had forcibly knocked unconscious.
When Vanilla saw Viktor return, she was very happy, and her tail couldn't help but sway.
When Priscilla saw Viktor, she was also very delighted.
Because she finally didn't have to keep drinking tea.
She set down the cup and stood up from the chair.
Aurelian's nervous mood also eased when Viktor appeared.
Because Teacher Viktor had returned early, her mood stabilized.
But after that, she felt a bit strange.
'Why is Teacher carrying Teacher Gwen back?'
'Where is that other woman? Where did Teacher left that nun just now?'
Viktor called out to Vanilla, "Vanilla."
Hearing Viktor's voice, Vanilla quickly put down the teapot and stepped forward.
Very sensibly, she took Gwen from him and held her in her arms.
As a demi-human, although her body was small, carrying an adult woman in armor was not a problem.
As she carried Gwen into the mansion, Aurelian opened her mouth, about to say something.
But Viktor's voice interrupted her first, "Let's go, we're going somewhere else."
She forgot what she had been about to say and asked in confusion and curiosity, "Where?"
"A place where you can study with peace of mind."
As he spoke, Viktor turned his head and looked at Priscilla, who seemed a bit embarrassed, "Priscilla, come along too."
Priscilla was very obedient, but her steps were a bit unsteady, her posture slightly awkward as she stood behind Viktor.
Just as Viktor was about to cast teleportation magic, Priscilla tugged at the hem of Viktor's coat.
Viktor couldn't help but feel curious and turned back to look.
He saw a faint blush on Priscilla's pale face.
Her body trembled slightly, her head lowered, her legs bent.
Her other hand gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, pressing it down.
Along with her somewhat embarrassed voice, which came out softly, "Mr. Mage…"
"I want to pee… I need to go to the bathroom first."