Unbeknownst to everyone, Aglaea's Golden Thread had already permeated every corner of the city. Just like casting magic, releasing Divine Magic required a preparatory phase. The Artemis Priests, who were halfway through casting their Divine Magic, suddenly found their hands bound together.
In the next instant, the priests' entire bodies were wrapped in layers of the Golden Thread, hoisted into the air like puppets. No matter how violently they struggled and twisted, their frantic movements proved futile.
Feidric, Aria, and Douglas froze, stunned by the sight. Could this mysterious figure in the Black Robe not be an enemy after all?
It was then that Douglas noticed why the crowd of commoners had suddenly frozen and parted to create a path: each person was entangled in Golden Threads, their hands, legs, and waists bound like marionettes.
Douglas ceased his own Divine Magic and rose to his feet. At the same moment, Feidric saw Cipher, the cat who had been right beside him, suddenly tremble. She swiftly curled into a defensive crouch, burying herself behind Aria.
Feidric was taken aback. This was the first time he'd ever seen Cipher look so frightened...
No, that's not quite right, he thought. It's more like a guilty expression.
Meanwhile, Aglaea continued her ritual. Golden Threads materialized above the city, intertwining to form a massive, impenetrable net.
The threads then emitted a bright, yet gentle golden light, bathing the entire city in an artificial daylight. The crimson beam descending from the sky was intercepted by Aglaea's golden net, blocked from entering the city.
At that moment, all the foreign visitors who had been frozen in place snapped out of their stupor. Their eyes regained their focus as they glanced upward, captivated by the radiant golden sky. But they quickly realized it should be nighttime—and weren't they here for the Artemis Festival?!
Looking down, they discovered themselves surrounded by motionless figures in crimson robes, and panic seized them.
"Holy shit! What's happening?!"
"What the hell is going on?"
Faced with this incomprehensible situation, fear began to spread. Aglaea slowly removed her hood, then leaped lightly, the heel of her right stiletto landing precisely on a Golden Thread in mid-air.
Her weight caused the Golden Thread to sag slightly. Balancing on one foot, she stood poised, not yet speaking, but at that moment, almost every foreigner's gaze was fixed on her.
Aria blurted out, "What a beautiful Big Sister!"
The others shared her sentiment. Aglaea's striking appearance was one thing, but her dramatic entrance truly maximized the atmosphere.
Against the backdrop of a golden sky and countless interwoven Golden Threads, she shone like a sun suddenly rising in the night, radiant beyond measure.
Aglaea spoke in a calm, steady voice, "Artemis has long been corrupted. These Artemis Priests and Believers seek to corrupt you, to expand their influence over this world."
Ordinary people couldn't see the crimson divine power descending from the heavens. However, the eerie blood-red flames of the central bonfire and the surrounding mob of red-eyed civilians were unmistakable signs of corruption.
Thus, almost the instant Aglaea spoke, the vast majority believed her words. Of course, belief didn't eliminate all doubts.
"What's wrong with these locals?"
"Artemis has been corrupted?!"
"What exactly is going on here?"
"Excuse me, who are you...?"
The crowd buzzed with questions, but Aglaea had no intention of answering them individually. Instead, she manipulated the red-robed locals with Golden Threads, creating escape routes from the area. "Please leave this place as quickly as possible," she urged.
Feidric was deep in thought. If what this golden-haired beauty had just said was true—a True God corrupted—the news would be explosive!
Under normal circumstances, no one would believe such a claim. In fact, sharing it with the wrong person might even get you beaten up!
But another question arose: had this golden-haired beauty intercepted Artemis's corrupting descent, protecting all the foreigners in the city? That seemed a bit far-fetched too.
Seeing the other foreigners gradually departing, Feidric decided not to overthink it. Getting out of this dangerous place was the priority. But as they took only two steps, he noticed the figure in the sky turn her gaze directly toward him.
Aglaea said, "Cifera, how long are you going to keep hiding? It's time to go home."
Hearing this, Feidric reacted the fastest. He whirled around to see Cipher's tail snap ramrod straight, the fur slightly bristling. The cat sprang to her feet, twisting around to bolt.
She's after Cipher?!
In the next instant, a dense web of Golden Threads materialized around Cipher, binding her tightly.
Aglaea had previously tried to bind Hyacine, but the girl was too petite and lacked any sultry appeal. This time, Aglaea had intended to bind Cipher more seductively, but then hesitated. Would it be appropriate to play like this in public?
I'll just wait until we're back home and try it in private, she thought. The Golden Threads continued to coil around Cipher, quickly turning her into a round, golden ball of thread, with only her head remaining exposed.
Seeing this, Feidric, Aria, and Douglas immediately prepared for battle. They didn't understand what was happening, but this golden-haired beauty had turned into an enemy again!
Though their opponent seemed incredibly powerful, abandoning their companion to save themselves was out of the question.
Cipher struggled tentatively a few times, but when her efforts proved futile, she cried out, "Seamstress, let me go, meow~ I don't want to go back!"
Hearing this, Aria, Feidric, and Douglas froze in surprise. Feidric turned to Cipher and asked, "Do you know this blonde woman?"
Before Cipher could answer, Aglaea addressed the trio, "You three proposed a collaboration with Okhema through Castorice. My Teacher has agreed to your request. You may accompany me to Okhema shortly."
The three adventurers exchanged bewildered glances. "Huh?"
-
PS: Little Owlbear, Half, and Little Squirrel are resting in their room at the Adventurer's Guild inn, having skipped the Artemis Festival. The former two, being pets, weren't suited for such events, while Little Squirrel, overwhelmed by social anxiety, simply preferred to stay behind and look after Little Owlbear and Half.