HPDBC Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Chapter 93
"It's not immediate, so they'll contact us eventually. But they don't seem to like it very much, do they?"
"Would they have any reason to like it?"
She let out a cold smile.
"Even though I've fallen, I was still an angel. Do you know what angels desire the most?"
"Hmm, don't tell me... a Stigma?"
She didn't answer right away.
After a brief silence, she spoke quietly.
"A place bathed in divine radiance, where one receives God's blind love. A place that all angels desperately long for."
Even archangels, who exist only to follow God's will without ego, are not permitted to enter.
"Stigma are granted only to those who desire them. From an angel’s perspective, how could they look kindly upon a human who, after receiving what they longed for, rejects and despises it?"
She revealed a truth that, if known to the world, would cause shock.
Stigma are only allowed in the Middle Realm.
Angels had longed for them so much, yet the one who received them despises them—how could that not be resented?
Of course, from the saintess’s point of view, it might feel unfair.
"Then, when we set up the teleport gate in the Hael tribe’s territory, I’ll leave you behind."
At my suggestion, she gave my stomach a light thump and turned her head away.
"No."
Up and down, back and forth—it’s not easy to keep up with her.
* * *
A week had passed since Melissa arrived at the House of Count Berner.
In that time, a rumor had begun to spread in the Empire.
It was said that with a special artifact, one could enjoy a beach experience from the comfort of their own home.
Supposedly, this beach was identical to reality but without any of its inconveniences, and it offered breathtaking scenery rarely seen in the real world.
Those who had visited the place once found themselves unable to forget the convenience and joy it provided.
Even if they managed to leave, they longed to return.
"Hah. Obviously, that's nonsense, isn't it?"
At a tea party, a noble young lady scoffed, causing the other ladies to sparkle with curiosity.
"But wouldn’t it be wonderful if it were true? You wouldn’t have to worry about getting sunburned, and you could enjoy a vast sandy beach without anyone watching."
"That’s true. I heard that the sea there is so clear you can see right through it, and the corals and fish are so beautiful that they don't even run away when people approach."
"I also heard that there are all sorts of delicious things to eat there—sweet fruits and tasty drinks."
Aside from the one skeptical noble lady, everyone was eagerly invested in the rumor.
"If such technology existed, the Magic Tower would have developed it already. Aren’t you all paying too much attention to a baseless rumor?"
A red-haired young lady refuted sharply, but the others paid her little mind and continued their conversation.
"Lady Mera, aren't you curious about that artifact?"
"Hoho."
The girl called Mera smiled confidently as if she had been waiting for this moment.
"In fact, I already know the truth about that artifact."
"Oh my, is that so?"
"Yes. I happened to visit the House of Count Berner, and Lady Berner had one in her possession."
The young ladies who had never seen it for themselves could not hide their curiosity.
"Really?"
Lady Mera relished the attention, basking in the feeling of being the center of the story.
Everything she had seen, everything she had experienced, and everyone she had met there—
"Of course. It was an utterly unexpected but marvelous experience. I attended Lady Berner’s tea party to congratulate her on her upcoming marriage, and by chance, I got to experience it myself."
Her eyes gleamed with longing.
Thus, at present, the nobles of the Empire believed that the artifact was either a secret, custom-made item commissioned by Count Berner for his soon-to-be-married daughter or that someone within the household had created it.
To make matters worse, even the Magic Tower couldn’t hide its curiosity and started sending inquiries.
The problem was that Count and Countess Berner were currently away from the Empire, handling governmental affairs in another country.
They had promised to return before their daughter’s wedding, but with this situation escalating so quickly, Lilia Berner was left to deal with all the attention alone.
* * *
There were several Magic Towers within the Empire.
And in these towers, high-ranking mages regularly gathered for meetings.
Though they called them meetings, they were ultimately just sessions for boasting and keeping each other in check.
Normally, they would be showing off their disciples or discussing new magical systems, but today was different.
"Let’s begin."
At the short command, the mages, all draped in heavy robes, slowly lifted their heads.
The suffocating atmosphere made lower-ranked mages gulp nervously.
'So this... is the Magic Tower’s imperial meeting....'
'The pressure is unbelievable.'
They couldn’t take their eyes off their masters, seniors, and the elder figures in the room, who exuded a chilling aura.
But they did not belong in this meeting.
"We shall take our leave."
One by one, the lower-ranked mages retreated, and the doors to the meeting chamber shut firmly.
Mana spread across the room, sealing it completely.
In the suffocating silence—
Shff.
The mages simultaneously pulled back their hoods.
"Phew. It’s hot as hell in here."
"Damn it, we keep doing things just for the sake of appearance."
"Tsk, tsk. Let’s hurry up and discuss matters. I promised my granddaughter I’d take her on a picnic today."
"That old man—these days, he values his granddaughter more than magic itself."
"Of course! Isn’t that obvious? Ha-ha!"
It was almost suspicious whether they were the same people who had just been putting on an intimidating act.
"Alright, let’s get to the point quickly."
"Our tower isn’t much different."
"Same here."
The discussion flowed swiftly, and each Magic Tower’s stance was revealed.
Regular meetings had long become a dull affair, and without much happening, they were bound to grow tiresome.
Then, one of the elder mages voiced his opinion.
"Let’s put this pointless chatter aside—have you all heard?"
"Heard what?"
"The thing that’s causing a stir across the Empire."
At that, the mages’ eyes sharpened.
"Ah, you mean the virtual reality fantasy artifact."
"I’ve heard that it actually exists. What does your tower think about it?"
All eyes turned toward the speaker.
It was no surprise—this wasn’t just some minor noble family gossip.
Even a high-ranking royal had been so impressed that she wanted to send gifts to the Berner family.
Moreover, noblewomen who had used the artifact even called it "the gateway to paradise."
"There must be a way to make something like that. An artifact that perfectly deceives the senses and induces a hypnotic effect."
"Then why haven’t we made one yet?"
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