LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 86 – Bad News And A Visitor?
After obtaining Lily's consent, Siegfried continued.
"Then, there's another story. This is something neither Reg nor Oliver know about yet, and I only heard it from His Majesty yesterday. Today, I have permission to tell you all... The possibility of 'Seven Stars Aligning' seems high."
"Eh?!"
The three, except Lily, exclaimed. It seemed they didn't quite grasp the concept of seven stars aligning. Lily, however, was surprised by their reactions.
"Wait a moment, Sieg. Isn't it ominous when stars align? And seven of them, too? Could it possibly... not be the Attribute Stars?"
Oliver, suddenly rising, raised his voice.
The Attribute Stars: Betelgeuse, the red star governing fire; Solar, the yellow star governing lightning; Rigel, the blue star governing water; Emeraldia, the green star governing wind; Proxima Centauri, the star of earth; Amethystia, the purple star governing darkness; and Sirius, the silver-white star governing light. These seven stars are what's referred to.
While it's not uncommon for about three of these stars to align, it's exceedingly rare for Amethystia and Sirius to be visible in alignment. It's believed that if either of them is visible, meaning six or more stars align, it foretells disaster—an event even taught in our academy classes.
"...Indeed."
Siegfried's response, sounding strained, made Oliver slump onto the sofa, muttering, "This can't be true."
"For about two years now, there have been signs of celestial disturbances. Some time ago, it was confirmed that five stars, excluding Amethystia and Sirius, were aligning... Recently, however, it seems Sirius's visibility has been inconsistent."
"And what about Amethystia?"
"It hasn't been confirmed yet. But such an alignment has never been recorded before. The last time five Attribute Stars aligned, excluding Amethystia and Sirius, was about 500 years ago, just around when our country became known as the Great Kingdom of Royal Grand Central... Aligning seven stars... that's reminiscent of the legend of the Maiden's Era."
Siegfried's bitter murmurs left everyone speechless.
It's also a tale recounted in the history of our nation's founding.
The First Maiden was the wife of the supreme god Saul, Lady Clair, and Lady Stella. Unfortunately, there's no recorded history of the Second Maiden.
Currently, what's passed down in the story of the "Two Maidens" refers to the Third Maidens, about a thousand years ago, as the legend goes.
"...Will the sky split?"
Oliver inquired, trembling.
"We don't know. It's not certain that seven stars align," Siegfried replied.
"But, they believe so, don't they?! The nation, the scholars, even the priests... After about a thousand years, the royal family... no, RGC and ECS must know!?"
Oliver's rare outburst was significant.
As Oliver mentioned, the nation formed after the First Maiden was Futulm (now the Great Kingdom of Royal Grand Central), and the religion formed was Illumi.
Futulm had changed its name several times during changes in royal leadership, and about 500 years ago, during the alignment of the five Attribute Stars, it became the current Great Kingdom of Royal Grand Central due to its geographical centrality according to prominent astrologists. Hence, it's conceivable that the Great Kingdom of RGC and the Principality of ECS have somehow inherited information from their founding. And this information comes from the Crown Prince of the Great Kingdom of RGC.
For a while, silence pervaded the room.
"What... if the legend does come true and the sky splits?" Althea asked timidly.
Siegfried lifted his gaze, looking at Althea before reluctantly beginning his response.
"...If the legend holds true... hordes of demons will assail the human world."
"And then, people will desperately search for the 'Legendary Maiden,' or as today's younger population terms her, 'The Legendary Saintess.' Though there's no guarantee she'll appear..."
Oliver added.
"There's... no guarantee... But women who have the potential to be chosen as the Maiden—"
Siegfried, Oliver, and Regalus fell silent, all looking at Lily.
"Me?... But... no, that's impossible... I mean, surely not... no, but then again... maybe..." Lily shook her head, lost in her thoughts.
Originally, Lady Clair ruled over the day, while Lady Stella governed the night. Thus, it's likely that they anticipate Lily, who possesses the Light attribute, to be the Maiden. If so, there might be a possibility that another Maiden could be someone with the Dark attribute...
Althea instinctively glanced back at Lily. Before she knew it, others were also stealing glances at Lily.
Lily possesses the Dark attribute. And so does her friend, Julia. Surely, everyone present here is considering the possibility of a Dark attribute woman being the Dawn Maiden.
In terms of magical prowess, Julia may have a slight edge, but for Althea, both of them are equally precious friends.
Somehow, we must find a way to 'stay alive'...
As everyone speculated various scenarios, Siegfried interjected, "However..."
"It's not all bad news," he continued.
All eyes turned to Siegfried.
"For one, we've managed to capture Tormandi. Once his enchantment is broken, we'll gain insight into the situation in Fulltale. His Majesty and his trusted cabinets are doing their best. Furthermore, other nations are rallying together. Particularly, Starry Stars, with their ties to the demon bloodline and the central hub of astrology, will provide significant support."
"...But what if we're being played?" Regalus, who had been silent until now, asked.
"Having ties to the demon bloodline may mean immunity to enchantment like in this case, but it also raises the possibility of siding with demons, doesn't it?"
"Indeed. It's not a certainty... As Senior Yugg mentioned, the last interaction with demons was about 500 years ago. Hence, the likelihood of aligning with demons is exceedingly low... Well, if you're worried, make sure to get assurances directly from him. He mentioned coming to the royal palace in RGC capital just before the end of summer break, so, Regalus and Oliver, sorry, but could you both stay in the palace? I'd like to discuss various matters and plan ahead for contingencies."
"We don't mind, but—"
"Excuse me!"
Interrupting Regalus, Althea raised her voice, drawing everyone's attention.
"Is there... nothing I can do?"
"Ah, then, maybe... my escort...?" Lily suggested, only to be promptly glared at by Lily. Lily flinched and shrunk her shoulders.
Regalus intervened, "Well... that's a possibility to consider. After all, Lily was targeted, so she does need protection. How skilled are Sol, Nina, and Lanie?"
"To be frank, they still have a long way to go."
"I see... What should we—"
As Regalus pondered, the door to the reception room suddenly swung open.
"No problem at all!"
A confident voice echoed through, and there stood Clara Monclair, accompanied by Ann, with an air of determination.
