Chapter 112: Rivalry (2)

Words : 1129 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 112: Rivalry (2) The Hollow Mountain was darker than Sylvia remembered. The air was dense, almost pressing against her chest with every step she took inside. Subtle traces of mana and force still lingered in the atmosphere, and she could instantly tell they came from Nathira. ’That crazy yandere is up to no good again,’ Sylvia thought as she made her way deeper into the cave. She followed the faint sound of uneven breathing to what seemed to be the heart of the cavern. At the center, Nathira sat cross-legged, her hands digging into her thighs as energy swirled violently around her. Her blonde hair clung to her face, and the crimson glow of her red eyes still shimmered faintly beneath her tightly shut lids. Without saying a word, Sylvia stepped behind her and placed her hands gently on Nathira’s back. She let her mana flow into her, steadying the unstable core and calming the turbulent energy. After a few tense moments, Nathira’s breathing slowed, and her eyes gradually opened, then widened in surprise when she saw Sylvia. She stiffened slightly, then released a small breath of relief. "Hey," Sylvia greeted first. Nathira stared for a moment before giving a small nod. "Hey." They stayed like that for a while, sitting together in the dim silence without speaking. "How have things been?" Sylvia finally asked softly. "You ask like we didn’t just travel back from Falmouth City together." Sylvia gave a small, awkward smile, as though something was gnawing at her. "I guess so." Nathira glanced over at Sylvia, who sat beside her. "I don’t know..." Sylvia’s eyes widened as she met Nathira’s gaze, only for Nathira to quickly look away. "Well, at least since you sealed me and all." Sylvia’s lips curved into a strained smile. "I’m sorry... I don’t even remember doing that." "No need to be sorry," Nathira replied after a pause. "I don’t remember either." Sylvia’s smile faded, her voice quieter. "Do you hate me, Nath?" "No," she answered without hesitation. Sylvia hugged her knees closer. "I’m glad." But Nathira wasn’t done speaking. "Don’t think I’m not angry because I like you, it’s just that it would stress Art." Sylvia lingered on the name "Art," one she could recognize even in her sleep. "Do you think our past and our memories are really that important?" "What?" Nathira asked, eyes wide. "I meant... will our past memories help us now, or is there a chance they might ruin both us and those we love?" Nathira didn’t answer, her gaze fixed on the cavern wall. Sylvia broke the silence again, as if wanting to lighten the tension. "Nath, can you remember when we met as kids?" She smiled warmly as the memory surfaced. "You called me old, even though I looked like a child too, just because you were told I was a hundred years old." Nathira let out a faint smirk, replaying the scene in her mind. "Yeah... You yelled: ’Soon enough you’ll become like this too.’" Sylvia leaned her head back. "After we fought for an hour, we started talking about love." Nathira’s smile softened. "Right. We were always both romantics." Sylvia lifted her chin. "I was the sweet girlfriend and you were the obsessive one." Nathira chuckled under her breath. "We even turned it into a competition, who would fall first, and whose husband would be better." Sylvia nodded. "The irony that we both fell for the same guy." Her tone grew a touch more serious. "Even if we don’t know what led us here, what we do know is that we both ended up falling for the same boring, average, stubborn, depressed kid from Earth." She swung her legs idly like a child. "We both watched over him. Not for his looks or anything grand... but because there was something magnetic in his soul. Something that pulled us closer." Nathira couldn’t help but reminisce about those days. "Maybe... because you knew Beom-seok would fall for me first, that’s why you sealed me." Sylvia waved her hands. "No, no, that’s a classic Syr’Nathira move, not mine." She turned her eyes forward. "But who cares about that now? Not only us, but six more girls have fallen for that same idiot. That’s why I don’t see what’s so important in the past anymore." Her pale blue eyes softened. "I’m happy here. Not as some grand goddess, but as a girl in love with a crazy, sweet bastard. And I just want to love him forever." Nathira’s lips curved into a small smile. "For the first time in a thousand years... you’ve said something smart." Sylvia pouted. "I’m not even that dumb." Nathira leaned back, closing her eyes briefly. "You’re right, the truth about our past might get in our way now," she admitted. "But I still want to know. That’s why... I’ll search for it. Not alone, but with the one I love." "Me too," Sylvia said quietly. "Stop copying me, Sylvia," Nathira complained with a faint smile. Sylvia scoffed. "At least I’m not the idiot who wanted to sacrifice one of her ranks for her memories." Nathira didn’t respond, and they sat in silence for a moment longer before Sylvia spoke again, her voice steadier. "Let’s promise, Nath..." Her words caught Nathira’s attention. After a beat, she continued. "As Arthur’s oldest wives, the women who have watched him the longest, let’s protect him. Stand by his side, no matter what." Nathira smiled and gave a small nod. She glanced at Sylvia and asked, "So, where to now?" Sylvia stood and brushed herself off. "All our sisters are heading to the Holy City." She pointed behind her, as if that was where the city lay. "So why don’t we go too?" Nathira stood as well and looked her straight in the eyes. "I’m not letting you ride me." Sylvia immediately clung to her leg, pouting. "Come on, Unnie. One ride." "No," Nathira said flatly. "I am not becoming the dragon trained by the goddess." Unbeknownst to all of them, everyone who bore the name Val Arcain was moving toward one city. The City of Sand and Gods, the Holy City. ------ (Back in the Holy City) The carriage bearing the emblem of the Holy Empire rolled through the desert as it made its way toward the towering walls visible even from afar. "Saintess Ma...? Why exactly are we headed for the Holy City?" the man asked. "You know those people are psychos, even the Pope doesn’t go near them." A beautiful woman in saintess robes, with green eyes and pink hair, opened her eyes slowly, as though finishing a prayer. She hesitated, unsure of what to say. After a long pause, she finally murmured: "Destiny." ─── ✦ End of Chapter ✦ ───

Chapter 112: Rivalry (2)

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