Hearing Lucifer's words, Oracle Master Synthia Holygrill was stunned.
Never in her life had anyone been able to ignore her charms. Men were one thing, but even women had always fallen for her. Synthia's beauty was more than enough to seduce and arouse both men and women alike.
Until today.
Her charms weren't some special skill or ability. It was simply that she was so flawlessly beautiful that anyone who looked at her couldn't imagine anyone more stunning. Deep down, Synthia had grown a quiet arrogance about this—knowing that whoever saw her would inevitably become infatuated.
But today, watching Lucifer remain completely unaffected, that arrogance shattered. The final blow came when he openly declared that the only one who could ever seduce him with charms was his mommy—the Supreme Goddess.
Synthia accepted defeat. No matter how beautiful she was, she knew she could never surpass the Supreme Goddess.
Yet at the same time, a strong curiosity stirred inside her. She wanted to see Lucifer's mother, Mia. She needed to understand what made her so special that Lucifer would compare her to the Supreme Goddess.
As she pondered this, another question arose: *Even if he sees his mother as equal to the Supreme Goddess… how does he express love to a Goddess? She isn't human.*
Then it hit her—Lucifer had spoken of his mommy and the Supreme Goddess as if they were one and the same.
*Supreme Goddess…* she thought. *Who is she? I've never heard anyone mention her before.*
Synthia only knew of Goddess Velia, Goddess Nara, and God Augustus. In the north, most people worshipped Goddess Velia, the Goddess of Life and Fertility, and celebrated her with an annual Fertility Festival. In the south, devotees followed Goddess Nara, the Goddess of Love and Compassion, and God Augustus, the God of Light and Hope.
So who was this Supreme Goddess that Young Master Lucifer kept referring to?
After thinking it over, Synthia turned back to Lucifer with a light, practiced smile.
"Young Master, I think I understand what you're trying to say. There are still a few things I don't quite grasp, and I'd like to discuss them with you later. But first, may I ask—why have you come to the Oracle Hall today? Why did you want to meet me?"
Lucifer placed a hand on Crotivia's shoulder and looked at Synthia.
"Lady Synthia, this is Crotivia. I want you to use your divination, oracles, and spirit medium abilities to find out where her father is right now and what condition he's in."
Synthia tilted her head slightly. "Very well, Young Master. I'll do as you ask… but what will you offer me in return?"
Aria's eyebrows furrowed the moment she heard this. *Aunt has never asked for payment before. Not once. Why is she doing it now?*
Lucifer answered without hesitation. "Lady, ask me for anything. I'll give it to you without a second thought—even if you ask for my life."
Synthia laughed softly. "No, Young Master, I won't ask for your life. Let's make this a sacred barter instead. What do you say?"
"Agreed," Lucifer replied. "If you can give me Sir Valdren's location or any information about him, you may ask me for anything in return. I swear this on the sacred barter and by the Supreme Mother Goddess."
The mention of the Supreme Goddess sparked Synthia's curiosity again, but she held it in. "I accept, Young Master."
She beckoned Crotivia closer and asked her a few basic questions about her father, Valdren. Once she had the answers, she looked at both Lucifer and Aria.
"I will now summon the spirits of this world through my spirit medium. I'll speak with them and ask what they know about Sir Valdren."
Synthia took a deep breath, sat once more in lotus position before Goddess Velia's idol, and began the summoning.
"O beautiful spirits of this beautiful world,
You sustain the needs of this world.
You are the divine caretakers who know all things. Please heed my call and help this humble girl who seeks your aid.
O beautiful spirits of this beautiful world, you are the bridge that connects us to the Mother Goddess. You are her angels. Please help this devoted follower and answer my call."
She continued reciting many such incantations.
After some time, a voice finally echoed inside her consciousness.
"Synthia, my child… I am Sylphclare, the lesser spirit of wind. Tell me, what troubles you that you have summoned me again?"
Synthia replied in her mind, "O mighty one who commands the wind and sees all things, please help me locate a man named Valdren. He was once the king of the small island nation of Eldoresia, surrounded by majestic seas on all sides."
Sylphclare's voice returned, gentle yet firm. "My dear daughter, I will tell you everything I know about that ill-fated man. But first, you must tell me—why do you wish to know about him? He is not related to you in any way, is he?"
"It's true I have no relation to him," Synthia answered. "But this is the request of the man whom the quasi-divine spirit Elyxia has declared to be my life partner, my better half."
"You have met Lady Elyxia?" Sylphclare sounded surprised. "If I remember correctly, she does not involve herself in mortal affairs. Are you telling me the truth?"
"Yes, mighty one. I swear it on my faith and devotion to the Goddess and the divine Valkyrie Keria."
Synthia continued, "Last time I summoned you, you said you had no authority to speak about the Westirifer Duchy and left. After that, other spirits advised me to call upon the quasi-divine spirit Elyxia or divine spirit Merlina. Only they could answer. After much effort, I managed to summon Her Grace Elyxia, and she answered my questions."
Sylphclare paused, then asked with a hint of amusement, "So that's what happened. Tell me then—who is the lucky one who will become your life partner?"
Synthia replied, "He is the man standing behind me. His name is… #&#&@&#, and he belongs to the Velmora family of Westirifer."
The moment Sylphclare heard the family name "Velmora," she froze in shock. She couldn't even grasp the young man's name clearly, but the family name was unmistakable.
Looking through Synthia's consciousness, Sylphclare saw the figure behind her—a being whose entire body was a pure violet void, staring at her with glowing violet eyes.
A single glance from him felt powerful enough to erase her entire existence. The sheer, unimaginable power radiating from him reminded her of her own creator Goddess.
Behind him, she also caught a faint feminine silhouette intimately embracing the violet figure. Sylphclare knew exactly who that was.
Terror filled her. She began shivering uncontrollably inside Synthia's mind. Now she understood why she had no authority over Westirifer—why not even divine spirit Merlina had it. Because *he* lived there… and *she* lived there with him. A being who could annihilate the entire world with a mere thought.
Synthia sensed the spirit's sudden fear but didn't understand it. Still, she pressed on. "O mighty spirit who wields the wind as your weapon, please tell me where Sir Valdren is now and what condition he is in. I ask this on his behalf."
Sylphclare thought bitterly, *On his behalf? Who am I compared to him? I'm not even worthy of the dirt beneath his feet. He could command me, and no one could refuse. And you're asking me… on his behalf?*
Yet she answered hurriedly, almost in a panic:
"Valdren, the former king of Eldoresia, is currently imprisoned in the torture chamber of the Malakar Royal Family in the Risen Kingdom.
Some members of the Narkul noble family are pleading for his release, but more than half of the others want him executed in the same way they killed his wife.
In his current state, he will not survive more than two weeks."
Without another word, Sylphclare vanished from Synthia's consciousness.