Within the great hall, silence fell at once like the undisturbed surface of the lake beside the temple outside the window, rippling no more. All that remained were echoes drifting away and the faint chiming of crystal ornaments swaying on the chandelier.
The reflections dancing across the marble walls, momentarily scattered by the wind outside rustling through the leaves, gradually settled back into an orderly cadence.
The contentious atmosphere from moments ago seemed quietly blown away as well, replaced by a solemn, sacred tranquility.
The Ice Snow Witch's silver eyes had already regained their familiar chilly detachment.
Standing to one side, Hyperion watched the Ice Snow Witch's expression and finally let her taut nerves relax, privately resolving to be far more cautious before bringing out the Poet of Great Love in the future.
"Hyperion, keep an eye on that summon. Don't let her run wild in the Protos Empire," the Ice Snow Witch said, fixing her gaze upon Hyperion.
She had no idea why that summon acted so strangely, covering her face. In truth, thinking about it carefully, with such a shapely figure, fair skin, and delicate features, she couldn't possibly be unsightly—in fact, she might very well be an extraordinary beauty.
It was just that her personality was utterly dreadful.
Because of that, no matter how beautiful she turned out to be, Almis wouldn't feel the slightest bit of surprise.
"Rest assured, Teacher. No matter what, she listens to me," Hyperion responded, reassuring the Ice Snow Witch.
"That's good. Once you reach the Northwestern Province and settle into your identity, you can head to Box Mountain Province. From there, taking the mana rail train straight south will let you leave the Protos Empire's northern controlled zone and arrive at the imperial capital, Herrom."
The Ice Snow Witch rested a hand gently on Hyperion's shoulder, her softened expression tinged with reluctance to part. "The greatest danger lies between the Northwestern Province and Box Mountain Province, where claws of the Extinction Branch lurk all along the route. You must be careful of the Holy Son of Extinction. Once their eyes are on you, escaping will be exceedingly difficult."
Once they parted ways today, Hyperion would embark on that perilous journey.
Three clerics well acquainted with Hyperion would escort her to the Northwestern Province via a pristine, previously unused route prepared by the Church of the Goddess of Fate. They would then remain stationed in the Northwestern Province to wait and provide support, preventing too many targets from adding unnecessary difficulty and scrutiny to Hyperion's infiltration of the imperial capital.
After leaving the Northwestern Province, through safety or peril, she would be entirely on her own.
"Don't worry, Teacher Almis. If anything goes wrong, I'll run away! Escaping is the one thing I have utter confidence in!" Hyperion clenched her fist with conviction and replied.
"Sigh."
Although the Ice Snow Witch found it hard to imagine a contemporary demon royal declaring such a cowardly stance so righteously, she let out a helpless chuckle. "It is a pity that the supporters we can wholly rely upon within the Protos Empire can offer you very little aid."
It wasn't that there were no high-ranking figures or prominent powerbrokers in the Protos Empire who leaned toward the Church of the Goddess of Fate, but none could be completely trusted.
Hyperion's mission was strictly confidential; every detail was a matter of life and death. Rashly reaching out for assistance might instead put her in grave peril.
"It's fine. A local city-state lord who can grant me an identity and sanctuary is already a tremendous help!" Hyperion said with utmost seriousness.
The Church of the Goddess of Fate had already created all the preliminary conditions for her. What remained for her was to overcome a series of grueling challenges where no one else could easily assist.
However, the very first step was to see if she could catch wind of Lanqi in Herrom.
Right, his name was Luoqi now.
Hyperion worried greatly about how he and Boss Cat were faring in the distant Protos Empire. Every night before pulling up the covers to sleep, she would gaze up at the ceiling and wonder for ages.
"Thinking about him again, are you?" the Ice Snow Witch asked, observing Hyperion's brief daze.
"Haha, I can't help worrying about him." Having her thoughts seen through, Hyperion sheepishly lowered her head and rubbed the back of her neck.
"Do your best, Hyperion."
The Ice Snow Witch cheered her on once more, though it was hard to tell just what layer of meaning lay behind it.
There was an added hint of earnestness in the gaze she directed at Hyperion.
Hyperion paused slightly in confusion, but nodded nonetheless.
Hyperion had always felt that Teacher was a woman of deep intellect and refinement. According to the priests, aside from healing others, the Ice Snow Witch's singing could stir one's heart to its depths or bring tears to one's eyes, yet Hyperion had never experienced her teacher's melody magic firsthand.
"Anyone who loses always loses for a reason..." the Ice Snow Witch murmured wistfully.
"Such as?" Hyperion asked, puzzled.
"For instance, imagine a romance story where the losing heroine is either eating or holding food every time she appears on the scene. Tell me, can she really complain about losing?"
The Ice Snow Witch pulled a book from the shelf. It seemed to be *Romance of the Holy War*, which had spread over from the Protos Empire. Set against the historical backdrop of a century ago, it was penned by a historian from the Protos Empire who had gained some renown in recent years.
"Well, if she managed to win, that would actually be quite entertaining," Hyperion analyzed from a different angle.
Still, she genuinely hadn't expected Teacher's bookshelf to hold this sort of history book.
"Is that so?"
After a momentary daze at Hyperion's remark, the Ice Snow Witch seemed to see through something. Chuckling with a sigh, she gave the book to Hyperion, suggesting she could leaf through it if she grew bored on the journey to the Northwestern Province.
"Regardless of the outcome in a month or so, when I see you next, I will have a ship prepared for your return to the Southern Continent. So come back safely. May the Goddess protect you."
Turning toward the goddess statue, the Ice Snow Witch prayed devoutly for Hyperion.
"Thank you, Teacher."
Hyperion gave the Ice Snow Witch a lingering look, safely stowed away the magic card and book given to her, bowed in final farewell, and turned to walk toward the hall's exit.
Her steps were steady yet tinged with a touch of reluctance. Down the temple corridor supported on either side by snow-white stone pillars, a crystal floor lamp cast a warm yellow glow between each pair of columns, peaceful and serene, as though bidding her farewell.
Hyperion walked slowly along this path.
Though she had traversed it countless times, now that the hour of departure had come, a pang of parting sorrow welled up after all.
It was here that she had been ordained as a cleric, made many like-minded friends, and come to wish she could protect this pure, wondrous haven.
At last, Hyperion reached the temple's grand entrance. As she pushed open the heavy, carved metal doors, a beam of bright sunlight instantly washed over her face.
In her slightly dazzled vision, the trees shimmered under the midday sun. Tender green shoots seemed to herald the arrival of spring.
The temple appeared exceptionally pristine on this early spring day. In the flower beds to either side, buds had already burst into blossom, petals swaying gently in the breeze and wafting a faint fragrance.
Ahead of her, the Protos Empire she was bound for would be fraught with thorns, far from such beauty and peace.
Yet she was ready.
Through her training during this period, she had learned to keep her heart as still as water.
Once she met Lanqi again, no matter how absurdly off-the-wall he was this time, her emotions wouldn't waver in the slightest.
Full of anticipation, Hyperion took her first strides and stepped out beyond the temple.
Chapter 322