The palace was tranquil at long last, the faithful of Chrunus were slowly being rooted out or converted to one true faith.
Cedric had returned, in tow with another beautiful woman. Aurelia couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy until it was confirmed that the darker-skinned woman was, in fact, a cherub.
She, too, was a Supreme Angel.
"Ah, thou must be Father's future wife?" Octavia gasped for a moment, "Forgive my insolence, you must be the First Star."
The colorful Cherub bowed deeply, her fan covering the bottom of her face.
Ariel reeled back slightly before snapping back with pride plastered on her face. "Yes, I am Cedric's fiancée! Or soon to be... I hope. If God wills it, of course."
Aurelia's gaze wandered to Cedric, gauging his reaction carefully, and to her wonderful surprise, he merely nodded, while not showing even a sign of annoyance.
Cedric approached the throne. "All in due time, Aurelia. Right now, there are important matters to deal with."
The queen tilted her head. "What is it?"
Was it a good idea to bring Aurelia? While it was dangerous, it was still her duty as the First Star. She deserved to know the happenings of the world.
"We finally have a path to invade Chrunus. We must go and meet with Ariel."
The Queen wasn't so foolish as to let her desires get in the way of God's mission; they could wait for when they returned home.
Despite that, she had heard of Ariel before.
The great commander of the Army of Silver. A trickster who forced demons to fight each other. She was one of the Angels she had admired, and yet she had never met her.
There was only one reaction appropriate for the current situation. "We should head right away, my love! I wanna meet the great commander."
"While running or flying there would be fast, I will grant Aurelia the teleportation skill in case of an emergency. We cannot afford to waste even a moment." Cedric turned back and made some distance before turning heel toward them.
[Mana Forge Bestow: [Teleport], [Defy Gravity]], A small tinge spread through her body, and yet, with her power, they had no issues.
"Your Guardians shall remain here and handle the Palace tasks. This should not take long. Let's go." With a simple order, Cedric teleported close to Ariel and Fortuna, shortly followed by Aurelia, Octavia, and Raguel.
The moment he had appeared, Ariel, now in a different form, dashed forward and knelt at speeds surpassing the light.
Shortly followed by the so-called goddess.
Cedric's eyes scrutinized her, her golden eyes were practically sparkling in excitement and fear.
However, what caught his attention was an accessory she wore around her neck.
'Ariel... did you really do what I think you did?' He creaked his neck towards Ariel, expecting an answer.
As on cue, Ariel prostrated herself, "Father! I didn't enslave her, I promise! She insisted on wearing it to prove herself!"
"It's not an issue... Anyway." He snapped back to the kneeling goddess. "Introduce yourself."
Fortuna gulped, her gaze widening as she scanned 4 individuals, especially Cedric.
To her, it seemed as if 3 suns stood before her while the girl behind him was the moon, bright and yet paling compared to Cedric, who seemed to eclipse them all.
"So he has a harem already... makes sense..." She muttered before coughing. "My name is Fortuna, a goddess of Fate and now Lady Ariel's pet!"
Cedric blinked as he turned to Ariel. "Ariel?"
The angel had cold sweat running down her face. "I only told her not to show pride!"
However, despite her odd behavior, it meant that the goddess truly wished to beg for help, with no price being too heavy to pay.
Perhaps Anna was right, maybe not all gods were to be purged. God was, after all very forgiving entity.
"Raguel, Octavia, Aurelia. What do you think of her?" He turned towards 3 women.
As Octavia plunged into thought, she brought the conjured fan in front of her mouth, "It seemeth that the goddess is genuine. She could perhaps be our way in."
Raguel nodded in agreement, "I agree, she seems to be genuine in her desire. While the title of goddess needs to go, that can wait once Chrunus is dead."
"I agree with Raguel and Octavia, I believe we should invade right away!" She brought her hand up in excitement.
"No, Aurelia, you are not going," Cedric stated.
"But!"
"No, you are the Queen. You must attend to your kingdom." Cedric approached her before gently placing his hand onto her shoulder.
Aurelia pouted, "But..."
Cedric sighed. The expression on Aurelia's face told him that if he merely denied her, she would follow them and perhaps even hurt herself. "If you do well, I'll give you a kiss when I return."
Her eyes widened in surprise as a flustered expression took over her face, "On... the mouth? This requires an appropriate reward if you want me to just sit idly!"
"Sure." Cedric had no reason to refuse her; if a kiss was all it took for her to remain in Valar, then it would be done.
"Deal! I will remain in Valar, but call for me if anything happens!" She stated with pride.
Fortuna stared at the quartet with wide eyes.
Cedric had just casually decided to send one of his wives away to protect what she assumed was his domain. The man was clearly confident enough that he did not need his entire force.
Her gaze turned to Ariel. The Angel was trembling as she stared at her Father.
Cedric's voice reached her, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Fortuna, how long does it take for you to open a path for us into the cursed realm of Chrunus?"
She smiled, "If it's only me, I can do it instantly... However, for more people, it would take a day to create a portal."
"Good, I want the portal to be ready by tomorrow. God's Legions shall march and destroy Chrunus. Deus Vult!"
Fortuna wanted to scream from joy; her wish would finally be fulfilled.