"Before asking such a question, think carefully in your mind what that legend truly signifies." The Goddess sneered, mercilessly mocking Riddle for his shallow understanding.
Riddle seemed thoughtful.
"Signifies what?"
The Little Wizard inquired.
He had always been troubled by the Path of Legends.
"It signifies you must become the core of a story, weaving through history." The Goddess did not conceal anything, she cast a meaningful glance at Ian.
"As for what kind of specific story, that depends on your ambition. The simplest, of course, is becoming a Dragon Slayer Warrior, though I suppose that's not the path you desire."
The eyes of this Goddess seemed capable of perceiving the human heart, carrying a depth more brilliant than the stars, as if able to see through the flesh directly to one's soul.
"I can sense that your path is to be greater than greatness."
She suddenly spoke.
Her speech was vague.
Leaving the Little Wizard confused and perplexed.
"Challenging a legend should surely count as being at the core of some story, though I don't know if it conforms to the rules of weaving through history." Ian was more concerned about whether his Path of Legends would be smooth.
"Perhaps."
The Goddess's answer was equally vague.
At that moment.
The shield enveloping the entire Dark Divine Hall finally perfected itself, with all the Priests prostrate on the ground, considering themselves as individual magic nodes to maintain the shield.
"Let's go."
The Goddess took a step to move.
Ian was about to follow.
A small hand grasped Ian's hand from behind.
"Deity, do you need me to sing for you? I heard you're going to confront a terrible and evil scourge." The little girl Cassandra looked up at Ian with worried eyes, youthful face lifted toward him. She was the only one who didn't participate in the previous Magic Ceremony, likely because she was too young to have learned that magic.
"If you think it's necessary, of course, it's alright." Ian patted Cassandra on the head, and placed a bracelet on her wrist.
"It will protect you."
Ian still remembered Pompeii's volcanic eruption. He had initially planned to mobilize the city's residents before the eruption, but Helbo unexpectedly emerged as a nuisance, leaving him no time to fully implement his mobilization idea, and ultimately he settled for saving at least one person.
"This must be a Blessing!"
Cassandra looked at the bracelet on her wrist with surprise.
"It's just a simple Alchemy tool."
Ian chuckled softly.
He glanced at the Priests prostrated on the ground and quickly followed the Goddess and the unwilling Riddle, who was hoisted like a Shield by the Goddess.
A soft song resonated from behind.
Sweet and beautiful.
"The first cheerleader came into existence ahead of time."
Ian did not look back.
He held his Magic Wand tightly, the Divine Hall remained eerily quiet, seemingly indifferent to their arrival. Yet, at the moment these three stood by the door, the grand door of the Divine Hall thundered to life, slowly opening. An ancient and mysterious aura emerged, accompanied by the creak of moving door hinges.
The sound was particularly jarring in the silent night. The opened door appeared like a massive black hole amidst the darkness, unfathomably deep. Even within this eerie atmosphere, the slowly opening door seemed to invite these unannounced guests inside, beckoning them to step into the mysteries of the Divine Hall.
"Could this be some kind of trap?" Ian was somewhat doubtful, but the true Fierce Warrior had already lifted Riddle, along with that large sword, and charged inside first.
"..."
Ian had no choice but to follow. As he crossed the threshold, a piercing cold rushed from his feet upward. The interior of the Divine Hall was far larger than it appeared from outside.
The walls were covered with glowing runes, writhing like living creatures, changing shape. The floor was crafted from some kind of black stone, giving a sense of subtle vibration when walked upon.
The entire Divine Hall seemed to be alive.
"Where's Helbo?"
The Fierce Goddess scanned around, her eyes luminous in the darkness, like two small suns, providing Ian with quite a bit of light to borrow.
"Avada Plague!"
Ian did not hesitate.
Directly unfolded his Domain first. Waves of green radiance spread from him as the center, bubbling on the floor as if it were boiling.
"Heh heh."
In the still Divine Hall.
Several mocking chuckles echoed.
"It's him! Helbo!"
Riddle covered his eyes in terror, his eyes blazing hot, as if some power was devouring his soul, visible black fissures spreading around his eye sockets.
"Riddle, you've certainly lived up to my expectations."
A hoarse voice arose.
Seeming to originate from every direction.
"You turned out to be a traitor!"
The Fierce Goddess gripped Riddle's neck tightly.
Her entire being lit up, radiant gold light instantly illuminating every dark corner, brightening the Divine Hall floor, glowing with Avada Plague.
Yet Helbo was nowhere to be seen.
"No! I'm not! I'm not a traitor!" Riddle frantically clawed at the Fierce Goddess's hand, which felt like iron tongs that couldn't be pried loose.
"Isn't it possible that he's just being used?" Ian saw Riddle nearly fainting, clearly sensing Riddle's fear and grievance.