A festive atmosphere reigned in the Astrological Tower of Glencia.
It was the long-awaited day of the inauguration of the new head of the astrological order, and it was a day many had been waiting for with bated breath. In honor of this joyous event, Glencia had made an exception, and it was a rare occasion when outsiders were permitted into the central astrological tower. Thus, in addition to the high dignitaries of the order, many noble guests had also been invited to this ceremony.
The main hall of Glencia was solemnly decorated, and absolutely all the important figures of the organization had gathered there. Hundreds of people, in robes embroidered with celestial bodies, were animatedly conversing with one another.
Given the authority and influence of the order within the empire, the inauguration ceremony of the new chief astrologer could be compared to the ceremony of appointing an heir in the imperial palace. Thus, the dignitaries of the astrological order considered themselves an elite with no less pride than imperial officials.
"...I am sure that with Lady Alseid at the helm, our organization will continue to be in safe hands!"
"The appointment of a new chief astrologer is always exciting. Doesn't it mean that even better times await us in the future?"
The order's dignitaries respected Iliana Alseid's abilities, which were well known, so they did not judge her by her relatively young age. If you had abilities, you deserved respectful treatment. Soon, everyone present fell silent because the door opened.
The eldest daughter of the current chief astrologer who entered was not yet thirty years old, yet she had already achieved such a serious position and was about to take over the management of the entire astrological order. Everyone stared intently at her. Beside her was also the current head of the cult and her father, Halias Alseid.
When these two appeared, the person who was to conduct this ceremony trembled and spoke.
"...Since His Eminence and the young head have arrived, I would like to officially begin the procedure. Therefore, witnesses, please rise."
The master of ceremonies was a man who was currently one of the most respected dignitaries of the order in a high position. Essentially, it was he who had replaced Padelio Xian and performed his duties after his sudden disappearance.
And now this very man was to conduct this extremely important ceremony.
Father and daughter slowly approached and ascended the stage where the ceremony was to be held.
Everyone quietly stood up.
As Iliana Alseid passed by the areas where the ceremony guests were seated, her gaze involuntarily slid towards the first row. This was the front row, the seats of which were occupied exclusively by the most noble and respected personages of the empire. And among these people was also... the Lord of the North.
When Iliana's emerald eyes met the woman's golden eyes, she involuntarily shuddered. The Lady of the North, however, smiled at her quite benevolently. She behaved calmly, and there was no hidden threat in her gestures.
Iliana swallowed but immediately pushed those thoughts away. She also averted her gaze from Asil, as she could no longer look at her. Ultimately, she knew what was supposed to happen today anyway.
"Your Eminence, young head, please take your places." Iliana obediently took her place on the stage and stood opposite her father. Somewhere, delighted sighs were heard.
Father and daughter, standing opposite each other, indeed presented a magnificent sight. This was because they were so similar, and it was not just about appearance. Their characters also seemed similar to many people. They were both calm and professional when it came to performing their duties.
Thus, most of the people present were confident that after Iliana's inauguration as the new head, their organization would only continue to prosper.
The master of ceremonies noticed the delighted sighs and whispers of the people and continued.
"Young head, who is to take the oath, please come forward."
Iliana stepped forward without any hesitation.
In the center of the hall, by the stone pedestal, the two now stood.
"Your Eminence, please continue the ceremony." The master of ceremonies said obediently and stepped slightly aside.
Halias Alseid stood upright, and his appearance still bore that same unwavering sternness thanks to which he had led the order for so many years. In his hands was an astrolabe—an ancient symbol of power, a sign of authority passed from one head of the order to another.
He took a step forward.
The silence in the hall became complete and absolute.
When he spoke, his voice sounded clear, even, without unnecessary emotion—as befits this moment, when words carry no less weight than the ritual itself.
"Members of the Astrological Order, guardians of knowledge and witnesses to the celestial order," he began slowly. "Today we have gathered here to fulfill the duty prescribed to us by tradition and to affirm the continuity of the power upon which our Order is founded."
He paused briefly, allowing his words to resonate in the silence.
"Since its foundation, the Order has served neither crowns, nor peoples, nor individuals. We serve a different order—an order that existed long before us and will exist after. Our duty is to observe, interpret, and preserve knowledge of celestial regularities, without distorting them or subjecting them to our own will."
His gaze stopped on his daughter.
"The power we pass on is not a privilege. It is a responsibility placed upon one who can maintain impartiality where others succumb to fear or hope. It is a burden requiring not strength, but fortitude."
He raised the astrolabe slightly higher.
"During my years of service, I have fulfilled the duties entrusted to me to the best of my ability, guided by the Order's charter and the unchanging laws of the heavens. Now, at the appointed time and in accordance with our tradition, I transfer authority to the one deemed worthy to continue this service."
The silence grew even deeper.
"You assume office not as an heiress to a name, but as a bearer of responsibility. From this moment, you take upon yourself the duty to preserve the integrity of knowledge, maintain order within the ranks of the Order, and act in accordance with what is prescribed not by men, but by the very course of the heavens."
Halias took another step forward and extended the astrolabe.
"Accept this symbol, and with it—all that it signifies."
Iliana Alseid slowly extended her hands.
And accepted it.
The moment of transfer passed almost unnoticed, but in this brief gesture, all the gravity and formality of the ritual were concentrated.
The man released the instrument and stepped back.
"From this moment onward," he pronounced clearly, "you are confirmed in the position of Head of the Astrological Order."
He bowed his head.
And following him, in a strict, measured motion, all those present bowed as well.
The atmosphere was as serious as at the official coronation ceremony of an heir in the palace.
The master of ceremonies, observing what was happening, belatedly said after a moment's stupor.
"This concludes the official ceremony of title transfer. The Celestial Luminaries also watch over you, so this will be an oath before the heavens, which shall never be broken."
After the solemn pause that followed these words, clapping and applause rang out in the hall. People rose from their seats and applauded, supporting the new head of the order. It was indeed a very triumphant moment.
Asil Nara Ashelot also slowly rose from her seat and began to clap. On her face was a pleasant, light smile, a sight on this woman's face akin to an unprecedented rarity. And yet...
The people who were next to her and also occupying seats in the front row looked at her disapprovingly out of the corners of their eyes. In fact, the presence of this woman here seemed simply outrageous to many. No one could understand what she was doing here, and why she was occupying a seat in the front row among the most respected persons.
This is simply like mockery, or in the worst case, blasphemy, isn't it?
The woman who, as everyone knew, was cursed by the death star. Her very presence in this sacred place and at such an important ceremony seemed simply unacceptable. And yet... People could only purse their lips, as they couldn't even say anything or voice their complaints.
Rumor had it that Iliana Alseid herself had insisted that the Lord of the North be present at this ceremony. And this despite the fact that Halias Alseid, like many other dignitaries of the order, was against it. And yet... What do we see? That disgusting monster was present here after all. It was simply outrageous!
Those gathered merely curled their lips contemptuously and clicked their tongues, secretly glancing at the Lord of the North, who looked quite enthusiastic about the proceedings. Ultimately, this was all they could do in this situation. After all, they were not suicidal.
Nevertheless, the attention of the spectators very soon returned to the stage. For something truly shocking happened there.
Halias Alseid, the former head of the order, suddenly staggered. Blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, more and more of it. A huge dark stain rapidly spread on his robe.
This is...
"Blood!" someone from those present exclaimed. "The former head is wounded?!"
Halias slowly lifted a shocked gaze to his daughter. His emerald eyes met the emerald eyes of the woman opposite him. Iliana Alseid hesitated for only a moment. But in the next moment, she raised the dagger again and this time slashed open her father's abdomen.
The title transfer ceremony, which was supposed to be a solemn event, instantly became bloody chaos.
"You... you..." the man's eyes widened, and his pupils darted wildly, but he couldn't even say anything, as blood already filled his mouth.
"...Forgive me, Father."
Despite her words, Iliana coldly finished the deed and withdrew the dagger. The former chief astrologer didn't last a few seconds and died immediately, due to profuse blood loss and a serious wound. He fell right before her.
Absolute silence reigned in the hall. A few shocked exclamations gave way to frightened screams. No one, indeed, could understand what was happening now?!
The master of ceremonies, who had directly witnessed what happened up close, also let out a belated frightened cry and rushed away from the stage.
Meanwhile, Iliana Alseid raised her eyes and looked at the woman with silver hair standing in the front row. The expression on Asil's face had not changed at all. The same benevolent smile. The same calm. Her silver eyelashes rose and fell calmly, as if nothing special were happening at that moment.
Iliana Alseid cleared her throat before speaking. But she was not going to back down. Ultimately, the deed was done.
"The Astrological Order..." the woman paused, and her voice was hoarse. "Offers its deepest apologies to the Lord of the North."
Dead silence filled the hall.
"As the current head of the order, I immediately and unconditionally swear allegiance and vow from this moment to obey the will of Her Highness Princess Nara."
As soon as Iliana finished speaking in complete silence, she knelt down.
At that moment, not even the sound of breathing was heard in the hall. Everyone probably thought Iliana Alseid had simply gone mad. Because what was happening before their eyes at that very moment was sheer madness.
Meanwhile, Asil slowly and leisurely ascended the stage. Like a predator that had already trapped its prey and was in no hurry. When the princess ascended the stage, she approached Iliana. The woman knelt before her and did not raise her gaze.
Until this moment, the princess of the north had thought she would feel at least some emotion from this moment. But in reality, the only thought that crossed her mind now...
"This is amusing."
A slightly puzzled expression appeared on Iliana's face. Asil looked at her intently and suddenly raised her eyebrows. A sinister aura spread around her mouth, and Iliana frowned.
"What is it...?"
Asil also leaned down to whisper these words directly into Iliana's ear.
"That was a good job. Well done, Lady Alseid."
The woman with green eyes looked at her with a serious and cold gaze. She had to speak through clenched teeth.
"You promised..." she whispered. "You promised that if I did this, Gardenia... She..."
"Ah, right. The younger Lady Alseid, correct? I almost completely forgot about her."
Iliana's gaze suddenly became more wary.
"What are you..."
"No, really, Lady Alseid, where did you hear such nonsense?" Asil smiled as she lightly patted her shoulder. "How can the devil resurrect a person?"
Iliana's heart skipped a beat. She suddenly caught her breath.
"I can only take life, but not return it. That is outside my competence."
The woman kneeling stared at her in shock. She couldn't even find words.
Meanwhile, Asil stood up again and calmly looked down at her. Her golden eyes became cold again, but mocking lights danced in them.
"But that doesn't mean I intend to break my promise. Not at all. You will indeed meet your sister, just like your dear father..."
"..."
"...In hell."
Less than a fraction of a second passed, and Iliana Alseid's severed head was already rolling across the floor. Only absolute shock was forever frozen in her emerald eyes.
Nevertheless, Asil enjoyed this spectacle for only a few moments. Soon she looked at the woman's head rolling before her with a bored expression.
"Well, perhaps that was a little more fun than last time."
In the hall, chaos and panic had long since reigned. But Asil didn't pay much attention to all that.
"My Lady."
As usual, the princess sensed a foreign presence near her.
"Hm, yes. Kill everyone here," she tossed out indifferently.
"Yes," Boris merely nodded obediently.
"No, wait. Leave a few people alive. After all, someone has to tell about what happened, right?" Asil smiled faintly.
"Yes," the servant nodded once more.
Soon he left and joined the other warriors who had already begun the slaughter here. Warriors in dark robes appeared from nowhere and completely filled the hall, depriving people of all possible escape routes. Screams and blood gushed everywhere. How many noble and respected heads were truly supposed to roll today? It was difficult to count.
Meanwhile, the princess herself was not going to linger here too long. Before leaving, she looked once more at the head lying at her feet. For the first time in all this time, Asil Nara Ashelot experienced a genuine emotion. Even if it was almost fleeting.
"...You shouldn't have reached for my wife."
The princess said this irritably.
The next moment, Asil irritably kicked Iliana's head, having decided that it was unworthy even of being eaten by dogs.