Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard
Chapter 104: A mess outside- Part 2

Chapter 104: 104: A mess outside- Part 2

Lola’s frustration boiled over. The call went unanswered.

"That wretched bitch! Is she thinking of abandoning me right now? If so, then I will make sure she gets dragged through the mud with me as well."

She hissed, her grip tightening around the phone before she shoved it back into her dress. She was on her own.

Straightening her spine, she forced herself forward, stepping past the threshold of the purified half of the chamber and into the untouched darkness beyond. Here, at least, her magic still held sway.

She needed to act fast before the purification spread further.

______

Meanwhile, deeper within the castle, Auriel and Sophia pressed forward, their surroundings still thick with lingering traces of dark magic. The air was heavy, oppressive, as if the walls themselves were groaning under the weight of the corruption.

Sophia, who had been unusually quiet for the last few minutes, exhaled sharply, her steps slowing ever so slightly.

Auriel noticed immediately. Her keen eyes flickered to Sophia, observing the faint sheen of sweat on her forehead and the slight tremor in her fingers.

"You need to rest."

Auriel said, her voice firm but not unkind.

Sophia forced a smirk, waving a hand dismissively.

"I’m fine. A little magic use never hurt anyone. If anything, I’m just getting started."

Auriel didn’t believe her. The signs were clear—Sophia was pushing herself too hard. But Auriel also understood pride. If she pressed the issue, Sophia would only resist more.

Instead, she let out a small sigh and gave a slow nod. "

Alright, but don’t overdo it. This isn’t over yet."

Sophia grinned as if she had won some small battle. "

Wouldn’t dream of it."

Despite her bravado, she subtly adjusted her pace, ensuring she didn’t fall too far behind.

The pair continued their path deeper into the corrupted halls, unaware that Countess Lola was not far ahead, desperately trying to regain control of the chaos unfolding within her domain.

______

Auriel and Sophia finally reached the last chamber, but the sheer density of dark magic made it nearly impossible to move forward.

The air was thick, suffocating, and every step felt like wading through a tar-like substance.

The walls pulsed with an unnatural energy, almost as if they were alive, breathing with the corruption that had taken root in this place.

Sophia instinctively reached for her magic, but even attempting to summon a spell made her vision blur.

Her exhaustion was catching up with her, and she knew that forcing herself any further would only make her a liability.

Auriel, noticing this, extended a hand and cast a shimmering golden shield around Sophia.

"Stay here. This magic is too thick. You need to rest. Let me handle the purification."

The goddess instructed, her voice calm but firm.

Sophia wanted to argue, to insist that she could help, but even she had to acknowledge her own limits. With a deep breath, she gave a reluctant nod.

"Fine. But don’t take too long."

Auriel allowed herself a small smile before turning away and stepping forward.

As she moved deeper into the corrupted chamber, golden light began to radiate from her body, pushing back against the oppressive darkness.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, raising her hands in front of her.

"I will now begin the purification ceremony. It is a delicate process, and I cannot be interrupted."

She called out to Sophia.

Sophia, still catching her breath, nodded.

"I’ll keep watch. Just focus."

Auriel began her work. The golden light surrounding her expanded, forming intricate symbols in the air.

Ancient divine words left her lips in a steady, rhythmic chant, and the symbols began to spin, spreading across the room.

The dark energy fought against her magic, writhing and twisting like a living entity unwilling to be erased, but Auriel did not waver.

She pressed on, her divine power flooding the chamber, pushing the darkness back inch by inch.

However, just as the purification was taking effect, a figure emerged from the remaining darkness—Countess Lola.

Her eyes widened in horror as she took in the scene before her. The corruption she had nurtured for years was vanishing before her eyes, erased by the very presence of the goddess.

"No... no, no, NO!"

She shrieked, panic lacing her voice.

Countess Lola had lost her connection to the chimera. The carefully constructed dark magic had unraveled. If it all disappeared—if Auriel completed this purification—she would be exposed. Worse, she would die.

In a desperate frenzy, she rushed forward, her hands glowing with unstable dark energy as she made a beeline for Auriel.

Sophia, who had been watching warily from the shield, saw the movement instantly. Her muscles screamed in protest as she forced herself up, willing her drained body into action.

The shield surrounding her was strong, meant to keep her safe, but Sophia didn’t have time for safety.

With a fierce cry, she pushed against the divine barrier with all her remaining strength, shattering it in a burst of light.

Then, without hesitation, she threw herself forward, colliding with Countess Lola just before the woman could reach Auriel.

The impact sent both of them crashing to the floor.

Sophia groaned, her limbs feeling like lead, but she forced herself up enough to keep the countess pinned.

Auriel, undisturbed by the commotion, continued her ceremony. The golden light expanded further, swallowing the last remnants of darkness.

The chamber, once an abyss of corruption, was now bathed in holy radiance. The imperial castle—its very foundation tainted by dark magic—was finally purified.

A heavy silence settled over the room.

Sophia exhaled deeply, the weight of exhaustion finally pressing down on her. It was over.

Or so she thought.

A choked, strangled sob came from beneath her.

She looked down and found Countess Lola staring at the purified chamber with utter devastation. Her hands trembled as she clutched the empty air where dark energy once lingered.

What the countess had worked so hard for...it was all ruined. Now she truly had nothing left.