Chapter 772: Unlocking Authority

With Gwen’s sponsor now obtained, their next step was to actually track down the beast.

Meaning, they needed to visit another branch of the Sun Church.

But unlike this time, it didn’t require an extended visit. Rather, Gwen submitted a request, and they would give it to her once they arrived.

While they were on the boat leading to the mainland branch, Alice closed her eyes.

According to Cayla, named sovereign beasts were a different kind of battle altogether.

They were anomalies much like herself, though to a lesser extent.

These beasts that have been granted the title of Sovereigns have the greatest chance of achieving Lordship and it’s a way for the Abyss to mark anyone with potential.

Of course, this was a double edged blade as it also meant that others can tell when they have abilities that far surpass those of the same species.

It’s akin to hitting a jackpot if you’re strong. The moment one is found, information would be passed around and those looking for the Sigil will be scrambling to claim the bounty.

However. . .

These usually result in bloodbaths thus many have begun to avoid these Sovereigns unless they wish to gamble their life.

Once you fight, it’s life or death. No running, no in between. You either win or you die.

One such was documented in Caelan’s library. Nyzel the Sky Sovereign. Her reign of terror against the Sun Church was one that had been documented. with her even managing to kill a Lord while fleeing.

‘And to think Ria managed to hunt that beast down.’ Alice couldn’t help but smile.

But with this smile, came a sense of foreboding. No matter how impressive the feat may be, their opponents were no slouches.

Achieving this kind of performance simply allowed you to stand at the starting line, not finish the race.

Take Alice for example, her Sixth Sigil belonged to an Apostle. Not only that, but she is able to access a plethora of other powers to help her fight and close the gap between her and the dangers they face.

There’s no doubt that they’ll be fighting Lords, Apostles, Outer Gods. . . the occupiers of the Divine throne themselves and even potentially the Great Ones of the Outer Gods.

With that kind of threat looming in the future, just performing to this standard was not enough. One had to be an anomaly similar to Alice.

‘We’re also running low on time. There’s no telling when everything would just collapse and all hell breaks loose.’ Alice sighed inwardly.

[What’s gotten you in such a hurry?] Cayla asked curiously, surprised by Alice’s sudden act of reflection.

‘Probably the unsealed Lord right?’ Alyss yawned before revealing a serious expression.

‘Mnm. The stronger we get, the more we see the hidden secrets of this world. Take Yvael for example. . .’ Alice glanced down and clenched her fist.

‘I know full well that she did some sh*t with Nyer to create me. In fact, I can even put money on the fact that my spacing out are a result of her experiments. Even if I was adaptive in the past and have ideas, they’ve never been like this.

‘Hitting out of no where and even giving me ideas for experiments that would violate everything Allura has taught me. I know you haven’t been saying much about it but you know it too right?’ Alice sighed, turning to Cayla who nodded after a moment.

[Yeah you’re right. As it stands, too many variables are floating around right now. This world is essentially a room filled with explosive gas and it needs just one spark to ignite everything. None of the three churches have been idle.

[Famine is hiding, Kazira is dead. We don’t know what the moon are up to yet. The Sun is in turmoil and then there’s the unsealed Lord. Tiamat is still out there with her seals partially undone. Then there are the Outer Gods with one stealing Kazira’s body. And last of all. . .]

‘The Will.’ Alice finished Cayla’s sentence as she nodded.

[We know that he’s preparing you to be a vessel of some sorts. We just don’t know the extent of his plans. All of these are happening simultaneously and it’s just what we found out thus far. It’s not even including everything we don’t know about the Zenia family and that Doctor.]

‘To face all of this, I don’t think any of our friends are ready with the exception of maybe Egil and Selen. Selen has her time stop and perception manipulation, Egil has become a tenacious fighter on the frontlines. Ria and Luke are. . . Still lacking. While Luke can provide great buffs and Ria has speed, it’s not enough.’ Alyss analysed.

‘I think it’s time we look towards finding out what we can do for them instead of making ourselves stronger for now. There are too many battles for us to handle alone.’ She suggested with Alice folding her arms.

Improving her own strength was one thing but she can’t forget about the others. She wasn’t arrogant enough to think that she alone will be enough because she’s not.

Strong as she may be, abnormal as she is, she hasn’t reached the level of strength where she could claim herself as unbeatable.

Thus the weak need to band together in order to fell the strong.

[I think we need to start looking towards what can be done with the relics of the Abyss. They are the key to Velouria’s divinity after all. And as the Divine Throne of the Abyss, she was stronger than the others.] Cayla chuckled.

‘I think the first thing we need to figure out is how to allocate bounties properly. Velouria was able to do that and even create shrines where people can choose. Rather than leaving it up to chance, we need to figure out a way for me to control that phenomenon as a whole.

‘At least with this, I’ll be able to assign the bounties that people want, potentially even bestowing a path to Lordship.’ Alice pitched the idea with Cayla thinking about it for a moment then nodding.

[I’m not sure how feasible that is but it doesn’t hurt to give it a try. You have to remember that Velouria’s divinity has been left unattended for a long time. Meanwhile, the Will has been doing whatever it wants.

[Some authorities that she had in the past may not be open to us.]

‘I know. But that was Velouria. With her artifacts, I’m not becoming the next Velouria. I’m becoming the next Goddess of the Abyss. Inheriting and obtaining new authorities are something completely different.’ Alice grinned.

‘Every part of my instincts are telling me that it’s possible you know? Rather than simply inheriting, I can create and obtain new authorities that weren’t open to her. The Will and the Abyss are two separate entities, even if the Abyss used to be an extension. He no longer has a monopoly over it, it’s beyond his full control.’

[A tug of war then.] Cayla smiled.

‘Yep, a tug of war. If I can wrestle the entire realm under my control, then just like what he did to Velouria, I’ll be able to leverage this over him.’ Alice chuckled.

‘A little ambitious. But what are we if not ambitious?’ Alyss laughed.

Their plans were laid out.

Long term goals were to wrestle over the authorities of the Abyss.

And as for short term goals. . .

She’ll figure out how to activate one of Velouria’s authorities.

“What are you grinning to yourself about?” Gwen asked, seeing Kaia grinning by the railings.

“Just thinking about some exciting things.”

“Hou? Naughty exciting things? Iya~ How lewd.” Gwen jokingly cried out as Kaia rolled her eyes.

“Not naughty things. Combat stuff.”

“Boo~ How boring. You only got fighting in that head of yours. I swear, you’re one of those that aunty Shiera call combat sexual.” Gwen sighed.

“Anyways, when we reach the branch don’t cause any trouble okay? We’re only going to be there for a short while.” She warned with Kaia raising her hands in surrender.

“What do you mean? I’m innocent.” Kaia whistled.

“As if. Even though that ritual was one to tell the truth from lie, I’ve dealt with people enough to know when they’re only partially telling the truth okay?” Gwen rolled her eyes, causing Kaia to choke on her saliva.

“But~ I also know it wasn’t on purpose. Plus, it’s their fault for not keeping a Lord sealed properly and instead unsealing it. They can only blame themselves.” Gwen laughed.

Kaia’s smile twitched. Even without the ritual, one could tell that Gwen’s faith towards the order was faltering. If not, why else would she act this way?

“The fact that you even got a sponsorship from Solaris is starting to seem more and more impressive.”

“Well, if he’s going to overwork my dad, I might as well get more from him. It’s not like giving a sponsorship is a lot of effort either and yet the lazy b*stard almost refused to do even that. Honestly.” Gwen ranted.

“In fact, he should be grateful I stayed faithful to this church for so long because of my dad. If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t even care.”

Alice was speechless. The fact that someone with her views could become a cardinal. . .

She could only give her a round of an applause. The benefits of being a nepo baby was not to be underestimated.

Even Solaris, in a sense, was a victim as he’s forced to give her a sponsor due to the work of her father.

###

“Hm~ Now aren’t you an unfamiliar visitor. Did you miss seeing me after so long?” A faceless white silhouette grinned seeing a twisting spot of darkness within his realm.

However, the visitor didn’t say anything. He simply glared at the Will of the Abyss.

“What’s wrong? You went through all that effort to reach my realm and you won’t even say anything?” The Will leaned back, creating a throne for himself.

The one who stood in front of him.

The great betrayer.

Nyer.