Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard
Chapter 53: Do not wander alone- Part 2

Chapter 53: 53: Do not wander alone- Part 2

It was evident that the two priestesses were hiding a lot from Aurie. But she let them have their secret this time.

Lilith nodded fervently, her usual bubbly demeanor replaced by a rare seriousness.

"We just want to make sure you’re safe, Goddess. Please let us escort you back to your quarters."

Auriel considered their words, her instincts telling her that there was more to the story than they were letting on. Still, she knew they meant well, and their concern for her safety was genuine. She opened her mouth to agree when a sudden shift in the room caught her attention.

The believers of Minerva, who had been deeply engrossed in their prayers, had apparently overheard the conversation.

Slowly, their chanting ceased, and one by one, they turned their attention to Auriel and the two priestesses. The atmosphere in the chamber grew tense, the air heavy with unspoken questions.

The leader of the group, an elderly man with a long white beard, stood and stepped forward. His gaze was sharp, filled with both reverence and curiosity. He bowed deeply before addressing Auriel.

"Pardon us, Divine One, but... may we ask what brings you here today?"

He inquired, his voice trembling slightly with awe.

Auriel hesitated, unsure of how much she should reveal. She glanced at Carol and Lilith, both of whom looked uneasy under the scrutiny of the worshippers.

Finally, she turned her attention back to the man and offered a small, reassuring smile.

"I was simply passing through and heard your prayers. I was moved by your devotion and wanted to observe"

She said gently.

The old man’s eyes lit up with admiration, and he bowed even lower.

"It is an honor to have you grace us with your presence, Divine One. We are but humble servants, seeking guidance from the Goddess of Wisdom."

Auriel’s smile faltered slightly at his words. The mention of Minerva brought a pang of guilt and sadness to her heart. These people were so devoted to a goddess who could no longer hear their prayers, and they had no idea.

Before she could respond, another member of the group, a younger woman with fiery red hair, stepped forward. Her expression was fierce, almost accusatory.

"If you are truly a goddess. then perhaps you can tell us why Minerva has remained silent for so long. Why has she abandoned us?"

She said boldly.

Gasps erupted from the other worshippers, and the old man turned to scold her.

"Lila! Mind your tongue! You are speaking to a goddess!"

But Lila didn’t back down, her gaze fixed on Auriel.

"We’ve prayed and prayed, yet there has been no answer. If the gods truly care about us, then why are we left to suffer in silence?"

Auriel felt the weight of the question settle heavily on her shoulders. She could see the pain and desperation in Lila’s eyes, the longing for answers that no one could provide.

She wanted to say something to ease their hearts, but the truth was too harsh to share.

Before she could formulate a response, Carol stepped forward, her voice firm and commanding.

"You will not speak to the Goddess in such a manner. She has graced you with her presence, and you will show her the respect she deserves."

The room fell silent, the worshippers bowing their heads in shame. Even Lila seemed to shrink under Carol’s stern gaze.

Auriel placed a gentle hand on Carol’s shoulder, silently thanking her for stepping in. Then she turned back to the group, her expression soft and compassionate.

"I understand your pain. And I know it is difficult to keep faith when the answers you seek do not come. But I assure you, the gods have not forgotten you. Your prayers are not in vain. However, I cannot tell you what has happened in God’s realm."

She said quietly.

Her words seemed to soothe the group, though Lila still looked unconvinced. The old man bowed once more.

"Thank you, Divine One. Your kindness gives us hope."

Auriel nodded, her heart heavy as she turned to leave with Carol and Lilith. As they exited the chamber, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the encounter had stirred something deep within her.

Unbeknownst to them, a shadowy figure watched from the far corner of the room, hidden in the darkness. Its gaze followed the trio as they walked away, a faint smile curling on its lips.

"So, the Goddess is as compassionate as they say. This will be interesting. I wonder how she will react when she finally sees the pot I have stirred."

The figure murmured, its voice barely audible.

The figure stepped back into the shadows, disappearing without a trace.

______

"Elder, why did you stop me from asking the goddess about Goddess Minerva? This was our one chance to know what happened to our goddess and why she stopped answering us. Do you not feel that it is fair for us to ask this question?"

The young woman named Lila almost yelled before catching herself just in time. However, the fury in her eyes did not subside. If anything, it burned even brighter as she directed her question at the elder.

It seemed unfair to her that she had to wait endlessly for an answer while the goddess loitered around, appearing indifferent to her and her people’s suffering.

The elder walked toward Lila before grabbing her face and slapping her. The force of the slap was enough to turn Lila’s head to the side, and she looked shocked by what had just happened.

"Get a hold of yourself, little one. Our goddess is in a dire state of need, but that does not mean we can abandon everything to save her or help her out. As Goddess Auriel said, gods have their own rules they must follow, and sometimes, that includes not being able to help us."

The elder spoke in a firm voice, but his words caused Lila’s lips to tremble with agitation and emotion. It looked as if she might cry at any moment.