Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard
Chapter 38: The tomb of Dark Magic - Part 1

Chapter 38: 38: The tomb of Dark Magic - Part 1

The party moved cautiously through the crumbling ruins of the temple, the oppressive air growing heavier with every step they took. Auriel raised a hand, her fingertips glowing softly as she murmured an incantation under her breath.

A warm, golden barrier expanded outward, enveloping everyone.

"Protection magic. I have a feeling we’ll need it."

Auriel explained.

Duchess Amara tilted her head, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"How thoughtful of you, Goddess. Your instincts are as sharp as ever."

Auriel didn’t respond, her focus instead fixed on the ominous aura emanating from deeper within the temple. The air felt thick, and the faint hum of dark magic prickled at her senses.

As they walked, Duchess Amara began to speak, her voice casual yet carrying a certain pride.

"This temple used to be the pride of my territory. The people here once worshipped Goddess Kana, the Goddess of War. She was our protector, our guiding light in times of strife."

Auriel’s steps faltered ever so slightly at the mention of Kana, her heart tightening.

Memories of her fellow goddess surfaced—Kana’s fierce determination, her unyielding spirit, and the bond they had once shared. Auriel had left her behind, as she had left so many others.

Kana...I wonder how you’re doing now. Do you even think of me anymore?

Auriel thought, the weight of guilt pressing on her chest.

"Goddess Auriel, is everything alright?"

Duchess Amara’s voice cut through her thoughts, and Auriel quickly masked her emotions with a small nod.

"Yes, I’m fine. Just... thinking."

Amara’s eyes lingered on her for a moment longer, curiosity flashing across her face, but she didn’t press further.

The party continued, the dark magic becoming almost suffocating as they approached the heart of the temple.

The once grand walls were now cracked and weathered, and the faded murals depicted scenes of battle and triumph.

Auriel couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing as she recognized Kana’s visage in some of the artwork.

Before she could dwell on it further, the ground beneath them trembled violently, a sudden quake shaking the temple.

Auriel’s balance wavered, and she reached out to steady herself against the wall. Behind her, the others stumbled, struggling to remain upright.

"Is everyone alright?"

Auriel called out, her voice laced with urgency.

"I’m fine. What about you, Goddess Auriel? But what was that?"

Carol muttered, brushing dust off her robes as she regained her footing. Her gaze darted around, sharp and alert.

"A quake. It’s not uncommon in this region, but this... feels different. It’s as though the temple itself is reacting to us"

Duchess Amara said, her expression unusually serious.

Auriel’s unease deepened as she scanned their surroundings, her magic senses on high alert.

"Stay close. Something isn’t right"

The faint echo of distant whispers began to drift through the air, barely audible yet chilling enough to make the hair on the back of Auriel’s neck stand on end. Whatever awaited them deeper inside was stirring—and it didn’t feel welcoming.

The group moved cautiously, the oppressive darkness within the temple thickening as they ventured deeper. Auriel’s golden aura of protection shimmered faintly around them, providing a fragile sense of security. Her steps slowed as an inexplicable sensation prickled at the edge of her consciousness—a presence.

"Wait!"

Auriel said, her voice low but firm. She held up a hand, signaling the others to stop.

"What is it?"

Carol asked, her tone sharp, her staff at the ready.

"There’s someone... a human...heading toward us."

Auriel murmured, her gaze fixed ahead.

Duchess Amara frowned, folding her arms as she peered into the shadows.

"A human? Here? That’s impossible. I issued an order to keep everyone out. No one should be in here at this time."

Auriel didn’t reply. Her senses were sharp, and she could feel it clearly—a flicker of life moving toward them from the depths of the ruins. But something about it felt wrong.

"Stay on high alert."

Auriel instructed, her voice calm yet commanding.

The group formed a defensive stance, with Carol gripping her dagger tightly and the Duchess stepping protectively closer to Auriel, her staff glinting in her hand.

From the shadows, the faint shuffle of footsteps grew louder. The figure emerged slowly, dragging itself toward them. It was a man—barely conscious, his body hunched and trembling. His clothes were tattered and stained, and his skin was pale, almost grayish.

Auriel’s breath caught as she noticed the black veins crawling up his neck and arms, pulsing faintly as though alive. The man’s head lolled weakly, and his glassy eyes struggled to focus on her.

"Help..."

The man croaked, his voice hoarse and barely audible. He staggered forward, his legs buckling beneath him.

"Something’s wrong with him,"

Carol whispered, her grip tightening on her dagger.

Auriel’s heart sank as she observed the man more closely. It wasn’t just the black veins—his entire aura was tainted, a sickly, unnatural energy radiating from him.

The man reached a trembling hand toward Auriel, his lips moving as he tried to form words.

"...Danger... it’s here... can’t... escape..."

"Stop! Don’t come any closer!"

Carol shouted, raising her dagger.

The man froze, his body shaking as if struggling against some invisible force. His eyes, now filled with desperation, locked onto Auriel’s.

"Please...Save... me..."

Auriel stepped forward instinctively, her heart aching at the sight. But the moment she moved, the black veins on the man’s body began to writhe, spreading faster across his skin.

"Goddess Auriel, don’t!"

Carol cried out as Auriel stepped forward to check on the man.

Auriel hesitated, her instincts clashing with her compassion. The man’s body convulsed violently, and a guttural scream tore from his throat. The sickly energy around him surged, filling the air with a dark, malevolent force.

"He’s not human anymore. That magic—it’s controlling him"

Duchess said grimly, stepping in front of Auriel.

Auriel clenched her fists, her glowing aura intensifying. She could feel the torment radiating from the man, the remnants of his humanity trapped beneath the suffocating darkness.

"I won’t let this consume him. Prepare yourselves. I’ll try to purify him."

Auriel declared. She raised her hands, golden light gathering at her fingertips.

The man let out another agonized scream as the darkness within him fought back. The temple seemed to respond, the whispers growing louder, more insistent. The air itself seemed to ripple, as if the temple were alive and angry.

Duchess Amara and Carol took their stances, ready to act. Whatever they were dealing with, Auriel knew it wasn’t just the man—it was something much, much worse.

Auriel’s magic collided with the darkness in the man and he tried to fight back.

Despite how much pain and suffering this man was in, his instincts to protect himself had not dulled, and he tried his best to stay conscious.

"P-Please...save...me..."

The man spoke one last time before his body gave in, and he fell unconscious in Auriel’s arms. There was nothing else she could do to help the human without breaking the taboos of the gods, so Auriel decided to step back.

"I am afraid that this is all I will be able to do for this human. His body is at its limit, and whatever happens next will depend on his will," Auriel spoke softly.

But the man in front of her was not ready to die yet. He raised his hollow eyes, narrowing them at Auriel before suddenly attacking her.

His hand almost scraped Auriel’s face, but she managed to dodge in time.

"Goddess Auriel! You bastard! How dare you—"

Before Carol could finish, Duchess Amara grabbed her staff and dealt a heavy blow to the man’s head, knocking him off balance.

The man looked disoriented as he glanced around. Understanding flashed across his eyes when he saw the Duchess, and finally, a peaceful smile spread across his face as he lost consciousness.

"Is it over yet? I don’t think we should take any risks," Carol whispered, grabbing her dagger and stabbing the dead man a few times to ensure he stayed down.

She would have continued if Duchess Amara hadn’t grabbed her hand and given her a disapproving look.

"Priestess Carol, I know you feel frustrated, but this is not the time for such behavior. You’ll give our dear Goddess a bad impression of humanity," the Duchess said seriously, though her face still wore a smile.

Carol wanted to argue but glanced at Auriel instead. She suddenly fell quiet, clearly unwilling to cause further conflict.

Auriel, feeling awkward, didn’t know what to say. In the end, she remained silent and allowed the Duchess to take the lead as they headed deeper into the temple.

The farther they walked, the more oppressive the dark energy became. The aura thickened with every step, making it harder for Auriel to ignore.

At this rate, she feared they were heading toward some kind of ritual involving dark magic.

"Should we turn back now? I have a feeling this place is not something we should show the goddess."

Duchess Amara spoke softly and this was the first time Auriel heard her speak like this.