The Second Trial

Naru and Midori walked the dark path inside the chambers when they saw a black figure. It was huge, at least two meters tall, and held a broken axe in its right hand. It murmured some words and dashed towards Midori. Naru pushed her away and blocked the hit with his katana. He dodged another attack and unsheathed his blade, revealing a dark blue sword. He stepped back—dodging another strike—and swung his sword upwards, hitting the black 'beast' on the chin. The beast seemed angered and stomped the ground, sending both Naru and Midori flying away before it could land another hit, which broke Naru's left hand.

"Was this another trial?" Naru thought, holding his broken arm.

The pain was unbearable. He couldn't think straight, but he knew he had to act quickly. He looked around and saw Midori unconscious on the ground. Once he was sure he wouldn't hit her, he imbued his blade with mana...

~~~

**Naru's POV**

I saw a black figure. It looked like the demi-humans from before, but it was taller and bulkier. I couldn't see it clearly, and this scared me. It reminded me of a certain man who always wore black and had met me during a time of despair. I dodged some attacks and blocked a few with my katana. It was trying to kill Midori. Why? Why would it try to kill her? This was my test, so why?

(Crack)

I got hit.

It used its enormous axe to strike both Midori and me, sending us flying across the room. I almost passed out. My left arm was in agony, the pain overwhelming. I struggled to keep my eyes open, but I couldn't. Then I thought of Midori. She had been hit too.

I looked around, just to find her unconscious on the other side of the room. I made sure she was okay and that I wouldn't harm her, and—with difficulty due to my broken arm—I held my katana and imbued it with mana.

The blade glowed, and I dashed towards the beast. I dodged its attacks again and again, faster each time, all while landing hits on places that would normally be vital points. They didn't seem to have any effect, so I decided to go for the head.

The head...

Just before my blade could cut through the beast's throat, I thought of Midori again and glanced toward her. A big mistake, as this distraction meant a strike to my neck by the large axe.

I was about to die. The final blow was coming, but Midori stepped in and took the hit herself.

The beast stepped back and muttered some strange words.

I couldn't understand them. I didn't even want to.

Midori... Midori was dead? How? Why?

I fell to my knees. I started crying and screaming over her lifeless body. Midori...

I raised my gaze just in time to see the same axe that killed Midori coming towards me.

"Okay, you can die now."

I dodged with unnatural speed and decapitated the beast with a single strike. It collapsed, spilling blood everywhere—adding to the pool of blood already stained with hers.

I wanted to kill myself. I placed my blade on my chest, ready to pierce my heart, until I heard a voice.

A golden lady... No, a... child? It looked like a projection of a girl around seven years old. She walked toward me, her extremely long hair touching the ground and making an almost inaudible sound.

"You have already paid the price for your sins, Lord Naruhito. Don't take my hopes away now," she said.

"You have passed the second trial."

---

-- "suicide " attempt --

**(Stella POV)**

I was a kid when I was taken from my family and told that I was special. I was told I would become a priestess, every girl's dream. The only problem was that it was nothing like what we were taught. We were supposed to devote ourselves to the gods. We couldn't go out to play with the other children because we had to study all the books from the Eternal Library of the city in the south. We couldn't go out and see people, as we were supposed to only be seen as the priestesses of the gods. And, of course, we couldn't get married or have children, as we were supposed to fully devote our entire body, soul, and mind to the gods. It was a torture I had to endure every day for the past twelve years of my life—yes, I was taken when I was five years old.

Fortunately, the family that took me in had a daughter, a girl near my age who found it hard to make friends. When I met her, she was somewhat cold towards me, and I kept her at a distance as I wasn't allowed to let anyone close to me. But over time, we bonded. Seris and I would sneak out of the palace, something forbidden to do, just to see the festival held every year to worship the god of light. The same festival that the bald man was planning to use to ruin my people's lives...

I had always been a naughty kid, unfit for the role bestowed upon me, but yet, when I had to appear as "the priestess of light," I played my role perfectly. It wasn't until six years ago that my life got a little bit easier, when my adoptive parents passed away, releasing me from the constant pressure. Now I only had to be the priestess in front of others.

---

I had asked Seris to meet me, to explain everything to her. But I couldn't. To me, she was my beloved sister, and I could never tell her what I was planning or let her see the consequences. I was asking her to commit treason and go serve a kid who would probably die, but I didn't think it was the wrong choice. I loved her so much that if I could keep her alive by hurting her, then I would. I sent her away because by morning I would probably die—and I would have taken Seris with me as well.

Maybe it really is a suicide attempt...

~~

I walked into the bedroom and took every dress I had out of the chamber. I placed them all on my bed and started to look for one that would be best for my "mission." It took me about two and a half hours to choose clothes, perfume, and an alcoholic drink I had ordered Seris to bring me. I also put some poison inside that would supposedly kill anyone who drank it in about seven minutes. Amazing, I thought.

I went out and ordered the servants to prepare the room on the northern side of the palace for the bald man to sleep in. They also sprayed aphrodisiac in the room, so anyone who stayed there too long wouldn't be able to think straight.

That's for making dirty jokes in my presence, I thought, smiling to myself.

~~

I went to the temple and prayed. I was the priestess; people prayed to me, yet I was now the one praying. I asked for the forgiveness of the gods, as well as help and protection.

I placed a dummy on the floor with my clothes and kissed it. Then I prayed more, closed the door, and left.

I ran back to my bedroom. It was cold, yet I knew what I had to do. I removed all my clothes and started getting dressed again with some parts of my dresses. I tried to make the sexiest outfit I could, but it was really difficult. I didn't have any revealing outfits.

After I finally made a decent dress, I sprayed it with perfume and walked out of my room.

~~

As I opened the door to the northern room, I smelled strong alcohol as well as something new—the aphrodisiac—I thought.

The drunk, horny bald man turned his head and looked at me. He saw me slowly removing my clothes and proceeded to do the same.

I was doing something forbidden. For the sake of my people, I was going to have pleasure...

The bald man pushed me down and started moving from behind me. It hurt; it hurt too much. I was starting to regret the fact that I decided to sacrifice myself for my people... This man was too aggressive; I thought my insides were going to be ripped out.

Then the man stopped, drank some alcohol, and lay down. He placed me on top of him and ordered me to start moving again.

"Yes... I'm going to move..." I said. But I didn't move in the way he wanted; instead, I reached for my knife and cut his throat—or so I thought.

He caught the knife, then turned and placed me under him. Now, without any sexual intent, he placed his left hand on my throat and started pressing. I was starting to feel dizzy. My eyes slowly closed.

Everything turned black...

**Hello my dear readers,**

I'm thrilled to have finally finished the starting volume and to begin the main plot. As you may have realized, this volume will be much, much darker than the first, and I'm going to do everything I can to give you an outstanding story that will get you hooked!!

Please leave me some comments and reviews to let me know your thoughts about the story!

- SoE