Panel Sixty-Seven: Consequences

In front of the Shadow Prison, the dark gate rippled as Sena stepped out. He felt countless streams of energy surge toward him, nourishing his parched body, making him sway involuntarily. Someone beside him reached out to steady him. Struggling to lift his eyelids, he muttered, “Aslan, what are you doing here? The network is blocked here—if Her Highness needs you, what then?”

Aslan waved him onto a nearby chair. “She’s in Aya’s class. How do you feel?”

Sena seemed to recall his recent experience in the Shadow Prison, shuddering. “Taking care of the young is no easy task. I swear, from now on I’ll treat them with nothing but care—no matter how mature their personalities, they deserve to be nurtured like seedlings of the World Tree, so they know the world is bright and warm... The ten great mysteries of the Temple—who devised the punishment for bullying the young? A genius, truly.”

Sena’s actions hadn’t been grave; after all, intent was not considered, and Sang Sang had suffered no real harm—in fact, had even gained some benefit. Thus, his punishment was to have his powers sealed and to undergo ten cycles of reincarnation within a magical vessel, personally experiencing the torment of a bullied child.

“You should be grateful Sang Hongye wasn’t crushed or driven mad, or you’d be facing far more than just a cycle of illusions,” Aslan said after a pause. “There are rumors you did this out of spite, to take revenge for the Holy Maiden of a Hundred Flowers, using Sang Hongye as a pawn.”

Sena drank a vial of restorative potion. “It wasn’t deliberate, nor did I avoid it. I know her nature; once Her Highness’s abilities are recognized, if I so much as show a sign of rising again, she’ll strike. She’s always been the most favored among us, unable to tolerate failure, naively believing everyone owes her kindness, bold enough to try anything. When Her Highness stumbled in the Forest of Ten Thousand Trees, I sensed her hand in it, though I said nothing. If Her Highness ever left the Seminary, she’d be accused of attacking young ones—not just losing some benefit but being truly punished. But as it stands, she suffers no real consequence.”

Aslan said, “I saw Saint Void before coming—he thanks you for warning him back then. He wants a child, and until the child is born, he’ll protect the Holy Maiden of a Hundred Flowers. After that, he’ll let her fend for herself.”

“No need to thank me,” Sena shook his head. “I only couldn’t stand her using children as expendables. That’s not what talent is for. I can’t stop her, but sooner or later, she’ll meet her match. Many seek power, but there are always those who refuse to use living beings as their shortcut. Better she learns her lesson now than crash into a greater wall later and be utterly destroyed.”

Aslan frowned. “Do you still have feelings for her? Saint Void told me that, lately, nearly a hundred elders have inquired about the Holy Maiden’s potential as a mother. If no one intervenes, she’ll end up a mere breeding tool.”

Sena mocked himself. “Whatever feelings I had, her caprice has long worn them away. My motives this time have nothing to do with her. I don’t want to follow the clergy’s path anymore—pursuing power never stirred my passion. Serving as Her Highness’s steward for half a year felt right; I’m considering becoming her full-time assistant. This incident will show me if she truly deserves my allegiance.”

Aslan smiled. “Your senior priest credentials are still valid. Bishop Anthony was planning to promote you once things quieted down—bring you to his side. As your friend, I should advise you. But since you’ve chosen to support my student, you have my full support.”

Sena raised an eyebrow. “I haven’t given you my decision yet. You have a lot of faith in your student.”

Aslan looked at him. “Don’t you think she’s worth it? You already call her ‘Your Highness’.”

“Having seen darkness, she knows the world is not black and white; she doesn’t shy from unconventional methods, controls her temper, and her will isn’t swayed by others. Most importantly, she works hard, understands her own strength matters most, and she’s never tried to cling to others for advantage.” Sena smiled. “For now, she hasn’t shown any glaring flaws. The crucial issue of resources was resolved with the Star City, and the faith power from contracted followers solved her immediate crisis. She’s financially prudent—if she invests wisely, tames a few minor worlds, and establishes zones of faith, she’ll have a solid foothold in the Temple.”

After a short rest, Sena regained some strength and got up to leave. The Tribunal blocked all outside communication, and he still felt uneasy.

Stepping out, the sunlight seemed surreal. Sena squinted, almost believing he saw the Holy Maiden of a Hundred Flowers. He laughed at himself—impossible. This was the Tribunal; he’d been punished with ten cycles for publicizing Sang Hongye’s minor misdeeds. The Holy Maiden, who’d devoured more than a dozen children, would be sentenced to a hundred cycles as an abandoned orphan. She wouldn’t dare come here.

“Brother.” The Holy Maiden sat in a shuttle, looking up at Sena, her face pale and tearful, pitiful in her fragility.

Sena blinked, realizing it wasn’t an illusion. His smile faded; his voice was cold. “Get out. Don’t dirty my car.”

“Please, brother.” Her face went even paler, and two crystalline tears slid down her cheeks.

Aslan turned. “Do you need some privacy?”

Sena shook his head. “No...”

“No, Sena, please—for old times’ sake, help me. I don’t want to be a breeding tool.” The Holy Maiden gripped the chair to steady herself, swaying. “I know I was wrong. I’ll listen to you from now on. You never changed your car’s password or blocked my access; you were always waiting for me, weren’t you?”

Aslan took three steps back. As Sena’s expression twisted, he climbed into the car, and right in front of the Holy Maiden, Sena added her to the blacklist and motioned Aslan aboard.

The Holy Maiden was ejected from the window, staggered to her feet, and looked up just in time to see the shuttle’s silhouette vanish into the distance. Disbelief flooded her face. When she noticed the Judgment Knights at the Tribunal’s gates watching her, she shivered with dread.

The next moment, the shuttle turned back. The window rolled down, revealing Sena’s face.

The Holy Maiden forced a teary smile, about to speak, but Sena cut her off.

“I don’t trust you. I’m now the assistant to the future Holy Maiden, Sang Hongye. If you are truly repentant, prove it to me.”

The shuttle sped off again, this time tearing through space itself, leaving nothing behind but a ripple in the air.

Aslan snorted softly, watching endless streams of light flicker past the window as the shuttle traveled the spatial corridor.

Sena cleared his throat. “It’s not that I forgive the Holy Maiden. The intelligent steward, Little Gold, told me Her Highness is interested in the laws of birth. After passing the selection, she must intern for a month with an official Holy Maiden. Given the Hundred Flowers Maiden’s mentality, if I mention this, she’ll volunteer to mentor Her Highness—to clear her own reputation, she’ll do her utmost, no matter how much she resents it inside.”

“Quite reasonable,” Aslan replied, though his tone was perfunctory.

“I didn’t expect her to have the nerve to get in my car—otherwise I’d have already blocked her.” Sena shook his head. “She’s still so naively bold. What makes her think I’d risk offending Saint Void for her sake? Or that I could actually help her? Or that I’d overlook her betrayals? It’s always the same trick; does she think her talent is some kind of enthrallment?”

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