Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!
Chapter 695: First Of Many

Chapter 695: First Of Many

"A blank slate, huh?" Having heard everything Helga had told Raven, Athenia’s mind explored the possibility of humans being the nexus from which other humanoid races emerged. A plausible theory given the potential of humans and their great affinity to mate and reproduce with all kinds of other races. "Impurities can be purified if they’re run through the base of their creation."

Like adding more water into a soup turned too thick, the humans of Atlaris were, after all, the most basic ingredient for the existence of many. Not all of them, however, could be attributed to them, as monsters were the making of Nerva’s dreams. The same went for horrors, and it also explained why both of them chased after humanoids; for their souls and their genes in their offspring.

"I wonder if that paladin girl, mangled by numerous varied ancestors, can be purified in the same way?" For a moment, her mind wandered to the paladin, Flitza. The girl’s body was an amalgamation of many species, half of which countered the other’s special traits and abilities.

Her hollow, harpy legs could barely carry her much heavier upper body, and despite having wings, her demonic scales and torso prevented her from taking flight.

In her musing on the topic, Athenia heard a sudden snapping sound echoing in the distance. Lifting her head, she glanced in the direction of the infinite library when the voice of her clone, who was supposed to stay within, reached back to her through their mental link.

’Yup, it is what you might be thinking. One of the books snapped out of its slot. I think I can take it out completely and bring it to you in about three days or a week.’ Although her heart and mind raced with excitement, all the momentum her joy could’ve had was squashed the moment Athenia remembered how long it takes to come back from the library. Not to mention the fact that even if her clone reads the book, the only way for them to share those memories was for her to fuse back with the true body. Either way, she had to wait for the clone to come back with the book before she could read it.

"What’s the title of the book?" Quiet took hold for a full three minutes, the goddess was well aware that even sounds and thoughts took their time before they could travel out of that place.

’It’s in Arcane–encrypted with magic too.’ Being written by Murdok, the book held a hex–one that could only be lifted once Athenia held the book herself. But before the clone could read that fact from the back of the book cover, it took another three minutes before the words travelled back. ’Only you may read it, my daughter. No clone, no imposter. From Murdok.’

With the sound of the clone clicking its tongue, Athenia was both frustrated and encharmed by the outcome. On one hand, she was frustrated with the clone for being annoyed at something her father did, on the other, she was delighted that he left a message for her on the book. In the end, however, both she and the clone were justified in feeling what they were feeling, and although they were the same, the time away from the real body often altered the way the clones think–and not always for the better.

"Bring it to me, I’ll wait." Conjuring the looking mirror with a flourish of the hand, Athenia cast her gaze down at the numerous others who required her attention still.

The holy order gathered at the church, getting ready to march alongside their brothers and sisters who’d stayed in the army as veterans of the last war. Their destination was the castle where Regalia was already rousing the men and women to get ready for another harsh war. Their ears bled to the warning, all the while, the fanatics of the holy order raised their ankh-tipped flags. Holding the likeness of Athenia coming down from the flags, they marched through the streets clad in armor befitting a paladin.

Reina had worked tirelessly to finish the heavy armor design with countless other steelworkers topping it with embellishment and deep decorative grooves. Not all were perfect, but through divine blessing cast down upon them, each man and woman adorned with that steel was as strong as ten horrors and graced with the command of holy magic.

The flag raised their morale, and their chants of Athenia’s name lit their hearts with an undying fidelity to their goddess. The very city was echoing with the words ’For the child of abandon that embraced us all!’

A smile fluttered across the goddess’s lips, for once she felt cherished by others as she had been by a handful thus far. Their devotion; it moved her–it moved her in a way nothing else can. Once a child abandoned by her mother, and now she has so many children who look up to her, instead of hurling scorn like she did towards her mother. And that feeling made her realize what a god was meant to be, the light at the end of the tunnel and everything her children could ever want.

Her heart heavy with emotions, Athenia brushed her hand in front of the mirror. Checking up on everyone else, she watched the reunion between Aradin and June, as well as Shamisha talking to Linkle about everything that had happened. Then there was something rather confusing going on, the Mistress walking through the streets holding onto a violet umbrella. She was moving with purpose with a destination in mind, but since there was little use in trying to judge what was going on in her head, the goddess turned her attention elsewhere.

Maria, Hayley and the centaurians were getting ready to head for Eclanor for better diplomatic talks with the giants. Meanwhile, Mono was waiting for the dead automaton’s family to arrive at the castle for the burial. A lot was going on, especially with the threat of the demon general still looming overhead, yet leaning back in her throne, Athenia closed her eyes and awaited her clone’s return with the book from the infinite library.

’I feel like...’ Leaning her head back, she smiled. ’Everything’s going to be fine.’