Meet Hardy

They started going inside the temple

The people who took refuge in the temple were terrified to see them, but the priests calmed them down.

The priests, clad in flowing robes adorned with intricate symbols of their faith, moved swiftly among the frightened crowd, their voices soothing yet firm. "Fear not, faithful ones! The divine will protect us!" they proclaimed, their words echoing through the vast hallways.

After what felt like an eternity of climbing steep, winding staircases, they finally reached the main sanctuary. It is a vast chamber adorned with shimmering mosaics depicting ancient tales of gods.

"Visitors, Goddess Hardy will now descend here!" announced a figure that resembled a bishop, his voice booming with authority as he struck the ground with the base of his ornate staff. "Show her your respect!"

"Khm! As said, Lady Hardy will descend here," the priests continued, their voices rising in a chant-like cadence. They closed their eyes, their faces contorted in concentration, murmuring incantations that resonated through the chamber. Suddenly, a brilliant pillar of light shot down from above, illuminating the sanctuary in a blinding radiance. From within this celestial glow, a humanoid figure emerged, crafted entirely from pure white light.

Rory, Tuka, the Dark Elves, and the others instinctively knelt, their foreheads touching the cool stone floor. The atmosphere grew thick with reverence, but not everyone followed suit. A few remained standing, rigid as matchsticks—Ragnarok and his formidable bodyguards, who bore expressions of defiance.

Itami, caught in a whirlwind of emotions, managed a small bow before the ethereal woman. 'A hologram? Or is it magic? No, there's no trick here... So this is truly Hardy? The one who unleashed the flame dragon, bringing devastation to Tuka, Yao, and countless others?' He couldn't shake the feeling that she seemed oddly familiar. The realization struck him: Rory had mentioned that gods could take on any form they desired. "So she's essentially a plastic surgery beauty!" he mused internally.

"... What did she just say?" Itami whispered, bewildered.

"It's not plastic surgery! And why aren't they bowing?" Rory said.

"Ack... I'm sorry... Wait... Is she reading my mind?" Itami gasped, his eyes widening in shock.

"Sorry... She is not impressive enough to bow," Ragnarok retorted, a smirk playing on his lips.

"How blasphemous!" The head priest's voice rose in outrage as he struck the ground with his staff once more, his glare piercing through the tension. "You stand before Lady Hardy herself! Show your respect, or be condemned to the deepest pit of her realm, your head on a pike!"

"How dare you say that!?" one of the remaining worshippers cried out, indignation bubbling to the surface.

"Don't you dare try it! You'll find your head on the ground before you touch the prince!" YoRHa the android exclaimed, drawing her sword with a swift motion, the blade glinting ominously in the light.

"Eeeee!" a voice squeaked in fear.

"Ah! Calm down! I apologize for them," Itami interjected, trying to diffuse the situation.

Hardy, still hovering in her radiant form, made contact with Rory through telepathy. "She said she knew you. You are the Prince of the Sorcerous Empire. You ordered them to kill her flame dragon."

"Yes, my name is Ragnarok Ooal Gown. I am the second son of the Sorcerous Emperor Ainz Ooal Gown

. Additionally, I am the head of the Army of the Sorcerous Empire, stationed in special regions," Ragnarok declared, his voice echoing with pride.

Rory raised an eyebrow, intrigued. 'Huh! His mother is a Prime Minister Albedo! And the father is the Emperor! That's a bit strange.'

Hardy attempted to read the minds of Ragnarok and his bodyguards, but her efforts were met with an impenetrable barrier. The Divine-class items they wore shielded them from her probing thoughts, while the Dark Elves, trained in the art of mental fortitude, focused on maintaining a blank slate within their minds.

But as Hardy pushed against the defenses of the Supreme Guardians, a sudden pain shot through her head like a lightning bolt. "Ah! What happened?" she exclaimed, her ethereal form shimmering with distress.

"Impossible! Is Hardy in pain?" Rory gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Ah! I think Lady Hardy tried to steal information from the Supreme Guardians?" Ragnarok speculated, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Yes, she was," Rory confirmed, her tone a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Oh! It's actually a kind of defense system for the Supreme Guardians. If someone attempts to extract information from their minds or databases, it activates and inflicts pain on the intruder. But it won't last long," Ragnarok explained, his confidence unwavering.

"I-Impossible! Hurt Hardy in this form! How!?" The head priest stammered, his face pale with shock. The notion that a god could be harmed was unfathomable, and yet here they were, witnessing the impossible.

Just what the hell happened?!

'Oh! I think Sorcerous Empire magic is the most advanced. So they can hurt a god without physical contact,' Rory pondered, her mind racing.

"He says you guys are strong and attractive," Rory relayed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"..." Hardy's expression shifted as she began to scan the room, her gaze darting from one person to another, seemingly searching for something.

"What is she doing now?" Itami asked, confusion etched on his face.

"Looking for a body to possess," Rory muttered flatly, her tone revealing her disdain for the idea.

The priests, still kneeling in reverence, looked on with bated breath, their eyes filled with hope and anticipation. They believed that the descent of their chief god into their bodies would bring them closer to divinity, a privilege they yearned for.

"They are offering her the use of their bodies. It is regarded as an honor for your chief god to descend into your form…" Rory explained, though the thought of Hardy possessing her filled her with revulsion. Yet, she knew that for many, it was seen as a great reward.

"Wonder if the 'lucky one' survives the process," Itami mused, a hint of dread creeping into his voice.

"They usually don't. But it is expected that if something as great as a god enters your body, your mind will most likely be destroyed, and your body won't be able to bear the burden. However, priests who can endure it can rise to the ranks," Rory elaborated, her voice tinged with a mix of admiration and horror.

Hardy concentrated, her luminous form flickering as she inspected the candidates left and right. Yet, it became increasingly evident that none of her priests met her lofty expectations. With a heavy sigh, she shook her head, disappointment radiating from her ethereal presence.

"Well, she sure takes her time," Itami remarked, glancing at the priests who were still fervently praying.

"Oh! Lady Hardy, we have a gift for you," Ragnarok announced, his voice smooth and confident.

At his command, the Supreme Guardians stepped forward, revealing a coffin that had been carefully stored away. With a dramatic flourish, they opened the lid, unveiling the body of a stunningly beautiful woman, her features serene and lifelike.

"What is it?" Itami asked, his curiosity piqued.

"This is the body we artificially created for you. It's capable of withstanding your pressure for hundreds of years. When you inhabit it, you'll feel as if it's your real body," Ragnarok explained, his eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and mischief.

"Great!" Hardy exclaimed, her voice filled with delight as she gazed upon the offering.

Without hesitation, she descended into the body, her radiant form merging seamlessly with the lifeless vessel. The transformation was mesmerizing, a spectacle of light and energy that left the onlookers in awe.

Ragnarok's lips curled into a devilish smile as he watched the process unfold, a sense of triumph swelling within him. The temple, once a place of refuge, now felt like a stage for a grand performance, and he was the orchestrator of this divine spectacle.

As Hardy settled into her new form, the atmosphere shifted. The priests, once filled with hope, now felt a sense of foreboding. The balance of power had shifted, and the consequences of their actions were yet to be revealed.

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