102(2) – Bad Decisions!

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PART 3 – Meeting!

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Paradise, direct rivals of the Demon Realm and other evil dimensions. Not because they are the pinnacle of goodness and justice, but simply because they need that image.

They get involved in all kinds of conflicts, all in order to gather capable followers and subordinates, as well as conquer worlds.

They repeat the process throughout the ages. They are powerful, and mortals naturally accept them more easily than the Demon Realm, Asura Path, etc.

“In other words, they are beings who use virtue to hide their degrading acts, and when pointed out, they call it blasphemy and use all kinds of lame excuses to try to contradict it, then they use violence to be right about the issue,” Skarla said to Cellus and the other Elven Demigods.

Naturally, getting involved in conflicts with a God of Paradise is something no one wants, especially in the Sacred Land of the Elves, as it causes a lot of headaches.

But now he understands that the so-called “God of Children” and “God of Protection” is just a divine being with a twisted mind who has an equally twisted passion for childish characteristics.

Not even other Gods of Paradise consider him an equal. But he still has many allies, even outside of Paradise in more... heinous places.

The worlds talk a lot, so it is possible to extract a lot of information about various Gods. And since many worlds have a love and appreciation for their children, especially the younger ones, who are full of potential.

When a god starts to take them away by force, it becomes very blatant. Apparently, Paradise itself hates most of the Gods who live there, but it puts up with them, mainly because they are powerful, and that justifies even the worst atrocities.

Force is truth, for truth is irrefutable and absolute, and so is force.

There are cases where the truth is exposed, so the Gods of Paradise simply annihilated entire worlds to keep that truth, distorting it for others. In the end, force decides what is true.

...

“So this god, whose real name we don't know, wants my granddaughter?” Cellus frowned.

“Yes. From what little I know of that bastard, when he takes an interest in a child, he will do anything to get her. So we will see several attempts by him over the next 3 to 4 years.” Skarla said calmly.

Zindraliel appears to be 12 years old, which is usually the maximum age he accepts. But he has methods to reverse age, modify the body, and even shape the soul, all to suit the desires of this hideous being.

But there is a way to end his attention. He prioritizes purity above all else, something he does not believe is possible to recover. He “preserves” her because he does not see himself as something impure that destroys such purity.

So if Zindraliel loses her virginity, the god would automatically lose interest, seeing her as impure.

Skarla spoke about this, but the subject was not brought up again, as they know that Skarla would never allow anyone to touch his daughter. If any demigod dared to mention it, they would probably die.

Elves may be a libertine species, living for centuries to millennia, needing to have fun and pass the time. But they protect their children. There is a limit to when their children can enter this life.

Parents introduce them to this world, taking them to individuals of the same age. Of course, High-elves are different, tending to marry and lose their virginity in the process.

Zindraliel is not only a very special Half-Elf, she is not a mixed-race, nor a High-Elf, she is something different and unique. One could say that she has the right to name herself as a new species.

She is no different from royalty to the High-Elves. A child blessed by the world, receiving many gifts, she was born just a few weeks ago and is already approaching the physical abilities of a Master (Lv.15+), not to mention her natural control over nature. She wields magic with ease, and we have also added basic telekinesis.

Zindraliel is very blessed.

“Since he can reshape the individual to suit his desires, I don't think he'll give up anytime soon,” said one of the demigods with a sigh.

“Only when Zindraliel loses her virginity will he give up. We'll have to endure this for a long time, about five years? Should that be enough time for her to find someone she loves, or someone to experience it with for the first time?” asked a woman who fell silent under Skarla's intense gaze.

“Waiting around won't help at all!” Skarla nodded. “I'm going to settle this matter with Paradise, one way or another!”

“... What are you planning to do?” Cellus looked concerned.

“I agree to protect the princess, but...” Erzariel, the queen, swallowed hard.

“I'll try to resolve this by using someone higher up. I'll try to ask for a fair price, but if that's not possible... I'll have to request other measures.” Skarla's gaze was cold.

......

Skarla needed to meet with members of the Radiant Church, so on her way home, she stopped at an archipelago that had been growing in recent times.

This archipelago near Seahorse is under the strong influence of the Radiant Church.

Getting off, Skarla looked for the main church.

Upon entering the church, she received many glances from the priests.

“Hello, how can I—” A beautiful woman with long white hair, blue eyes, and white skin, with freckles on her face, approached Skarla and froze, wearing nun's clothes.

The woman trembled, fear rising in her eyes. Before Skarla stands an old acquaintance, someone she remembered for her striking features. Before her stands Anna Zlad.

“I didn't expect to see you here,” Skarla said with a cold look.

Anna is one of the few people Skarla has enmity with, as she betrayed her trust.

“Miss Skarla, do you need anything?” Anna forced a smile as she bowed, afraid, as she vividly remembered Skarla's words from many years ago.

Her aggressiveness... Anna felt that Skarla would kill her if they met again.

“I was told they sent you to an island,” Skarla says calmly.

"Yes, it was an island at first, but with the constant changes in the world, it expanded, becoming an archipelago. Most of the ships that go to Krugar stop here. A rich land for trade." Anna says calmly.

“Time has not been kind to you,” Skarla says. Anna is older, wrinkles appearing and her vitality diminishing.

Skarla senses some of her cultivation techniques in her, probably learned, but there are flaws, many flaws. It seems to be harming her more than helping her.

Anna laughed. “Yes, time has not been kind to me, but I think the same applies to you. I've heard of your incredible achievements, every month something new comes up, always busy, I'm not saying I envy that.”

Skarla watched her, Anna became calmer, but still very nervous in front of Skarla.

“Regretful?” Skarla asks, and Anna shudders.

“Of what?” Anna smiles slightly.

"You were beautiful, you still are. You were strong and extremely talented, you had a lot of potential, reaching legendary status would not be a dream for you. You had practically everything, beauty, wealth, and power. You could have achieved so much more, but here you are... growing old when you should remain young and strong. No one should know your name or remember your achievements. I doubt anyone in high positions in the church remembers your name or contributions." With each word Skarla spoke, Anna felt a heavy blow to her heart.

“Not to mention that you have no children, it seems that you have closed your heart.”

Anna looked down, thinking about her life.

“Your loyalty and faith brought you here.” Skarla looked around. “Was it worth it?”

“No.” Anna said. “It wasn't worth it!” She clenched her teeth. “But what can I say? That I regret it? Yes, I regret telling your secrets, but I would still have done the same, even if at the time I had known the results and where I would end up.”

Skarla watched her as she spoke loudly and trembled.

“I have faith in my lord, my loyalty is to him and the church. I wouldn't keep your secrets to myself, knowing that it could benefit the whole church.” Anna closed her eyes.

“So that's the consolation you tell yourself every night?” Skarla sneered. “The great Anna Zlad with immense potential, growing old and rotting away alone on an island, now an archipelago, but I doubt you make any difference here. This church needs a lot of maintenance, does it still receive any subsidies from headquarters? I noticed plantations around it.”

Anna shudders, then sighs. “What do you want, Skarla? Did you come just to humiliate me? I'm getting old and weak, I probably can't have children anymore, the world is forgetting me... it probably already has. Do you want to humiliate me? Go ahead, throw it all at me and leave, let me live the rest of my pathetic life.”

Skarla looked at her, the obvious regret and pain in her voice.

“I came here because I need to communicate with your headquarters. Send a message that I need to speak to a Saint,” Skarla said calmly.

Anna blinked. “But can't you just use your communication crystal?”

“I'm going home, but I have a lot to do and won't have time to stand around talking for long. So send word that I'm requesting a visit from a Saint to my lands. One of my wives will take care of everything, and when I return, I'll talk to her about what I need.” Skarla said calmly.

“I understand... I'll let her know.” Anna nodded.

Skarla turned to leave.

“Skarla...” Anna hesitated, but called her back. Skarla looked at her. “I... can I return to Seahorse?”

“Anna... I had forgotten about your existence until today. Your existence doesn't change anything in my life, so do whatever you want. I'm not your owner.” Skarla said calmly.

Anna nodded, her eyes reddened, and she thanked her.

Skarla froze at the thanks, looked at Anna, and memories of that time came flooding back... It was a short time together, but a meaningful one. Skarla was attracted to Anna; it was impossible not to be attracted to such a beauty.

But now... Skarla sighed and approached Anna, who was startled. Skarla's fingers touched her forehead, information being transmitted, at the same time that the cultivation technique in her body is readjusted, stagnant energy is fluid and used to slightly strengthen her body.

Skarla's palm recedes. “If you manage to rejuvenate, you can look for me, maybe there is something for you somewhere else.”

After saying that, Skarla disappeared, and Anna blinked, then clutched her chest and fell to her knees, beginning to cry.

Anna had long known that she had been walking on thin ice, and now it had broken and she had sunk. She admits that all of this is her fault, not Skarla's, nor the Radiant Church's, but hers. She betrayed her own honor, her friend...

She drowned and had been drowning all these years. The Radiant Church saw her drowning and turned its back on her... she felt useless, betrayed, but it was her fault.

But she, who should have been dead, having drowned, was suddenly pulled to the edge, not taken out of the water, but pulled up enough to support herself and catch her breath.

It was Skarla who pulled her. But she didn't save her, she gave her support, and now she needs strength to climb up.

An opportunity, something she has been praying for for years. It finally arrived, and it was at the hands of someone she never thought would give her anything. She didn't deserve it after betraying her trust.