Without acknowledging Anastasia, although Wayne had no interest in the Holy Maiden, giving back her body was merely to let her live on; his starting point was to save lives.
As for what would happen afterwards, Wayne had not considered that; he hoped that Anastasia would hold on.
At this time, Anastasia was not in The Sealed Land; through a portal, she arrived at a secretive base in Icebound Continent.
Once distant from The Sealed Land, she took the initiative to contact Dark Goddess as the Holy Maiden, hoping through the Goddess’s hand, to dissipate herself once and for all.
In a pitch-dark hall, Anastasia, maintaining her form as a Dark Elf, heard the Goddess’s voice.
"Anastasia, what’s wrong with your body?"
A chilly voice arose from an unknown place, impossible to trace, yet it reached Anastasia’s ears accurately.
The maiden who had forsaken her own faith prostrated on the ground, silently awaiting the Dark Goddess’s judgment.
"Speak, what exactly happened, who took you away?"
Anastasia said nothing, for Wayne had not imposed any restrictions; her will allowed her to communicate with the Goddess, this was the limit, and she couldn’t mention Wayne’s name or reveal the truth.
"You’re as devout as before..."
The Goddess’s voice resounded in her ear, and Anastasia felt sharp pain sweeping through her body, as the grand will descended, taking over her body.
Anastasia stood up and stared blankly at her own hands, memories flooded her mind, and a smile gradually formed on her lips.
"Darkness, death, the sun, moonlight, the combined choice of the natural five gods..."
"I don’t recall choosing him at any time..."
"However, he indeed stole the power of darkness and even grasped the essence of life because of it."
Anastasia murmured, a thread of thought sank into the flesh, and moments later, she frowned and retracted it.
The Dark Goddess sensed infinite vitality and endless possibilities within Anastasia’s body, influenced by Wayne, this body was all bright.
So bright that it showed a clear path to the Dark Goddess.
With the Essence of Life of the Dark Goddess, she couldn’t care less for Anastasia’s physical body, but during the recent contact, something happened that greatly intrigued her—a miracle.
The mind of a god was impacted by the flesh!
Though negligible, dismissible, an impact was still an impact, and the Dark Goddess wouldn’t deny it.
"Only higher life forms influence lower life forms..."
"His life form is above mine..."
"The evolution of Ancient Gods... or is it an Ancient God that has descended, or possibly a kin of Ancient Gods?"
"Young child, you’re indeed too outstanding!"
"Whether or not you stole the power of Twilight Deadlock, you have become my Knight, that’s indisputable..."
The corners of Anastasia’s mouth deepened with a smile, sensing that her body was beginning to counterattack her mind, and, without understanding the full situation, rationally chose to leave.
Anastasia awoke from her confusion, prostrated on the ground, listening to the Goddess’s Divine Decree.
"Anastasia, you need not beg for forgiveness; you haven’t done anything wrong. On the contrary, you’ve done well; you remain the Holy Maiden of the Dark Church." The Goddess affirmed Anastasia’s act of betrayal.
This greatly surprised Anastasia: "Goddess, my faith is no longer with me, I have my own master now, can I really remain the Holy Maiden ?"
Anastasie: Goddess, not to threaten you, but I could lose my purity at any moment.
The Dark Goddess declared firmly, if she said it was possible, then it was possible; even if Anastasia lost her purity, her faith, her self, she would still be the Holy Maiden of the Dark Church.
Anastasia’s face showed a bitter smile, as clever as she was, she had guessed at the Goddess’s thoughts, and reluctantly said: "Goddess, I can’t betray my own faith. If you have other plans for me, I can only say that I cannot fulfill the mission!"
"That’s okay, do as you wish, fully embrace your faith."
The Dark Goddess spoke slowly: "Anastasia, I give you a mission, go to Lundan and establish a base for the Dark Church; from now on, you will stay in Lundan, serving your faith."
Goddess, after so many years of serving you, can you really bear to see me fall?
Alright, alright, if you are unkind, then don’t blame me for being unjust!
Comparing subconsciously, Anastasia felt her prior faith was too cruel; her new faith wouldn’t be so heartless, her master would only cherish her.
No, that’s not right!
Anastasia shook her head rapidly, dismissing the wild thoughts in her mind, and directly said: "Goddess, I will tell my master about these matters, I am unable to hide them."
"I will erase this memory, you won’t know what happened."
The voice of the Dark Goddess echoed: "Also, I will leave something inside your body to ensure I can contact you later and descend into you."
Anastasia felt a shiver in her scalp and said with a wry smile: "Dark Goddess, what do you desire?"
"Go meet Wayne, leave behind his information, I will naturally obtain what I want..."
Twelve thousand eight hundred words, asking for monthly tickets!
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