The First Pope - Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Although the time spent with Olivia on the bridge enjoying nectar was leisurely, when Cynthia learned that the God Race members who had fought alongside her beneath the Ice Lake had also been brought back by the Elves, she decided to go see Chloe and the others.

The God Race she met beneath the Ice Lake this time were completely different from Sarah and the others she had met before. They were also different from the God Race described by the Vampires as being as weak as humans-they were not weak at all.

Although they couldn't use Light Magic, they had researched a way to activate the Divine Stones, giving them the strength to fight against the Vampires.

It was unexpected for Cynthia, but it was undoubtedly good news.

When Cynthia found Chloe, Darcy, and the other God Race members, they were gathered around Sarah, listening to her recount Cynthia's great deeds. This was already the fourth day they had been listening to Sarah's stories, so when Cynthia suddenly appeared before them, they all felt a dazed sense of unreality.

According to Sarah's description, this God Race member had developed Light Magic and Healing Spells on her own, found humans with a "Light Constitution" who could practice Light Magic, snatched a Godhead from the hands of the Vampires, and was even an ally of the Elf Race with a very good relationship with the Witches.

It sounded like a deliberate exaggeration. If Chloe hadn't personally witnessed the battle between Cynthia and Andre beneath the Ice Lake, she wouldn't have believed a single word Sarah said.

But now... Chloe looked up at Cynthia, who was walking toward them against the sunlight, her expression complex. Setting everything else aside, this God Race member had indeed developed Light Magic-she had seen it with her own eyes.

Normally, establishing a complete system of magic requires a great deal of time for research and experimentation. It had only been two or three years since the God Race discovered that their blood could unseal the Divine Stones, leading them to realize they possessed the Power of Light within their bodies.

Chloe had already prepared herself to spend hundreds, or even thousands, of years building a magic system for their people from scratch.

But she never expected this God Race member to have developed it on her own. And from what Sarah said, this Light Magic system was already taking shape.

The God Race members were all looking at her with very strange expressions. Cynthia raised an eyebrow, touched her own face, and said with a smile, "What's wrong? Do I still have scars on my face?"

Darcy was the first to react. She stepped aside to make room and said with a smile, "You've already recovered? Don't you need to rest for a few more days?"

As she spoke, she subtly sized Cynthia up, her gaze deep.

Such severe injuries, and this God Race member had healed in just four days.

Cynthia shook her head slightly. She walked over to Darcy's side, saw Sarah standing in the middle, and reached out to pat her head.

When she had gambled her life against Andre, she had forgotten that Sarah and the others were still beneath the Ice Lake. Andre's sudden burst of dark power had nearly turned them to ash along with the mountains. Fortunately, Hanni had been jolted awake by the Power of Darkness and, despite her discomfort, managed to erect a wolf domain. That, combined with the God Race members who were leading them out desperately unsealing their Divine Stones, allowed them to resist the dark power.

Elves like to live in forests, so the temporary resting place they chose this time was also a forest.

Being surrounded by dozens of God Race members was not a suitable environment for a conversation. Darcy looked around, pointed to a wooden cabin built by the Elves for them to rest in, and suggested, "Let's go over there to talk."

They had many things they wanted to confirm with Cynthia, and she guessed that Cynthia certainly had many questions for them as well.

The cabin wasn't large, but it was still quite spacious for three people. Seeing the nectar the Elves had provided on the table, Cynthia picked it up and poured a cup for herself, Chloe, and Darcy. "Things were rather urgent at the Ice Lake, so we didn't have time for proper introductions. My name is Cynthia, a member of the God Race who has been wandering alone."

"I'm Darcy." Darcy pointed to Chloe opposite her and introduced, "This is Chloe, the clan leader of our people."

Cynthia had already learned from their conversation beneath the Ice Lake that Chloe was the clan leader of the God Race, so she wasn't particularly surprised.

Cynthia pushed the wooden cups filled with nectar toward Chloe and Darcy. She glanced out the window at the God Race members outside and asked, "Are these all the people the God Race has left?"

"Of course not." Darcy followed her gaze and explained with a smile, "Chloe and I brought them out to find other wandering God Race members. We have over two thousand people in our clan, and they are currently in a relatively safe place."

Ever since discovering the secret of the Divine Stones, the previous clan leader began making plans to find their wandering kin. In the past year or two, they have already brought back several hundred.

However, there are too many young children among the God Race, and they aren't suited for a life of long journeys and hiding. So, they could only be temporarily settled in a remote but safe location.

Over two thousand members-fewer than the Elves and the Wolf Race.

Cynthia mused, "Is there any news of other wandering God Race members at the moment?"

Darcy nodded. "The Divine Stones we use for sensing are still reacting, so we're certain there are still clan members out there."

Cynthia nodded. Just as she was about to ask something else, Chloe, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up. "How did you develop the Light Magic you use?"

Cynthia looked up at Chloe, thought for a moment, and asked, "Are you familiar with the witchcraft of the Witches?"

"I drew inspiration from their witchcraft incantations. As for the core of the magic, that was thanks to the help of the Elf Queen."

Chloe frowned and exchanged a look with Darcy. Neither of them knew what to say.

Developing Light Magic from the witchcraft of Witches? It sounded like a fairy tale.

"Since you know that blood can activate the Power of Light within the Divine Stones, you must already know that the God Race can sense the Power of Light, right?" Cynthia took out a stack of parchment and placed it on the table. "These are the incantations for Light Magic. You can teach them to the other clan members to practice."

"The Power of Light has a restraining effect on the Vampires, so the God Race has a greater advantage in fighting them compared to the Elves and the Wolf Race."

"Your Divine Stones are powerful, but they have too many drawbacks."

Chloe stared at the parchment on the table without speaking. Darcy's hand, resting on the table, tapped the surface a few times. She glanced up to observe Chloe's expression, then said in a joking tone, "If we had found you sooner, I wouldn't have had to waste so much blood."

She gathered the parchment from the table. "I'll have them start practicing right away."

Although they had only just met, Cynthia was not at all reserved in their presence. Even knowing that Chloe was the clan leader of the God Race, she showed no signs of nervousness.

Cynthia's demeanor was so natural it was as if she were the clan leader, and she and Chloe were the ones who had been found wandering and brought back.

A sudden noise at the door interrupted Darcy's thoughts. She turned to see the cabin door being opened from the outside. The powerful Elf Queen stood there, and beside her were several tall, equally powerful, white-haired members of the Wolf Race.

Cynthia was also taken aback to see Olivia. "Olivia, what are you doing here?" she asked.

She scanned the Wolf Race members beside Olivia as she stood up.

"This is Clan Leader Helen." Olivia gestured to the wolf-person beside her and said coolly, "She heard that you saved Hanni several times, so she came specifically to thank you."

Although the wolf-person standing next to Olivia was as tall as the others, her aura was actually somewhat weak. At first, Cynthia had assumed she was just an ordinary member of the Wolf Race and never imagined she would be the clan leader.

The Wolf Race's naturally strong physique and combat abilities, which were no weaker than the Vampires', made it seem as if the word "weak" could never apply to them. Just standing there casually, they exuded power.

But Helen seemed to be an exception among the Wolf Race. Not only was her aura weak, but her face was also pale. A snow-white gauze covered her eyes, and her pale lips made her look as if she were recovering from a serious illness.

Although her eyes were covered by the gauze, Helen seemed to know Cynthia was looking at her. She gave a slight nod in Cynthia's direction, a friendly smile on her lips.

The small cabin, now welcoming more guests, began to feel crowded. Helen sat down opposite Cynthia and was the first to speak. "I've heard everything from Hanni. You saved her life and healed her wounds. If it weren't for you, she would be a corpse by now."

"Hanni is a very important person to our clan. Thank you for saving her."

Helen's voice was soft and gentle, just like the gentle aura she exuded.

Cynthia replied politely, "There's no need to thank me, Clan Leader. Hanni has also saved my people."

"She has caused you trouble."

Cynthia shook her head. "No."

"Actually, aside from thanking you, I came here today because there's something I'd like to ask for your help with." Helen tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking a little embarrassed.

Ask for her help? Cynthia was startled and instinctively looked at Olivia. Receiving her gaze, Olivia explained, "It's about Hanni."

At the mention of Hanni, Helen sighed. "Hanni is actually a candidate to be the next leader of the Wolf Race. A while ago, she lost a duel against another candidate and was scolded by her mother, so she ran off in a fit of pique."

"And now she refuses to come back with us."

So Hanni had run away in anger, not come here to scout the area alone as she had claimed. But... Cynthia blinked. Why were they asking for her help with a child throwing a tantrum and refusing to go home?

Perhaps sensing Cynthia's confusion, Helen hesitated for a moment before saying, "She said she wants to follow you."

"Follow me?"

Helen also seemed helpless about Hanni's willful request, but she was a child she had watched grow up, and they couldn't just forcibly tie her up and drag her back. She took out a Space Gem and placed it in front of Cynthia. "Inside are some Light Gems. Please consider them a gift of thanks."

"Although Hanni has only just come of age, she is very talented. She won't cause you any trouble by your side."

So was this a forced transaction? Cynthia glanced down at the Space Gem Helen offered, her expression subtle. As expected, no matter how gentle she appeared on the surface, the inherent stubbornness of the Wolf Race would never disappear.

After settling the matter with Hanni, Helen exchanged a few more pleasantries with Cynthia and then left. Olivia departed with her. Helen had been an old friend of the previous Elf Queen, so Olivia treated her with a degree of respect.

"How is the Tree of Life?" Helen tilted her head up slightly into the gentle breeze, the white gauze over her eyes fluttering. The scent of flowers drifted on the wind. She raised the corners of her mouth and said softly, "It's been a long time since I've sensed such a rich power of nature."

The territory of the Wolf Race was an ice field, where plants were pitifully scarce.

"As long as the Vampires are not driven out, the Tree of Life will always remain in that state." Olivia's voice was cool. "You already know about the Vampires destroying the temples, don't you?"

Helen's brow furrowed slightly, and she nodded slowly. "Joanna told me. I brought my people to track these third-generation Vampires this time specifically to stop them from destroying more temples."

But it seemed these Vampires hadn't targeted a temple this time. It was just a pity that the Ice Lake had been so thoroughly destroyed that nothing could be found.

"We only know the locations of a few temples, but the Vampires certainly know of more." A hint of worry colored Helen's tone. "I suspect the Vampires no longer wish to live on this continent with the other races."

Olivia's expression turned cold. "Given the Vampires' greed, that's not impossible."

Helen let out a deep sigh. "I will continue to lead my people in tracking the Vampires and do my best to stop them."

She turned her head toward Olivia and asked, "Will you come with me?"

Olivia lowered her gaze slightly and didn't answer right away. Helen waited a moment, then spoke with understanding. "It seems you don't want to go."

Olivia said hesitantly, "I..."

"Is it because of that God Race member?" Helen seemed to realize something and let out a soft laugh. "I heard from Hanni that you two have a very good relationship."

"It's not that good." After her denial, Olivia explained, "It's just that I promised to help her find her people, and in return, she will help me find the Temple of Light."

"But haven't her people already been found?"

Olivia paused for a moment, then frowned. "But her people are still very weak." The current God Race was in no position to help her seize the Temple of Light from the Vampires.

Having to help this God Race member find her people and then protect them as they grow... Helen shook her head and chuckled. "It sounds like you're getting the worse end of the deal."

Was she getting the worse end of the deal? Olivia thought about it seriously, and a faint curve appeared on her lips. She had indeed been at a disadvantage.

When she, as the Elf Queen, made this pact with an unknown, minor God Race member, she was already at a great disadvantage.

However, thankfully, Cynthia had never let her down.

"Cynthia is very capable." Olivia's pale green eyes were no longer as cold as before, and her tone softened slightly. "The future strength of the God Race will definitely surprise you."

"Oh?" Helen pursed her lips in a light smile and said softly, "It's rare to hear you praise someone. I'm starting to look forward to the growth of the God Race."

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