Grand Lust Sovereign

Wild beasts roamed the wilderness.

Julien and Jackie saw quite a lot of them as they moved towards the temple.

The journey was uneventful.

If a monster was stronger, the three would avoid it. If it was weak, they would kill it if it attacked them.

Monsters in the real world did not give loot or essence like the ones from the Tower, so there was no point unnecessarily killing them.

Broken stone ruins were scattered in a flat clearing as the three neared the temple.

A narrow entrance led to an underground stairs, with the end not visible on sight as everything was dark.

"Strange. Usually, a broken temple gives off an eerie feeling. This one…" Amelia faced the underground entrance.

"This one…?" Julien turned to her and asked.

"…it feels holy and calm." Amelia answered.

Being a former nun, she had experience with dark places. The church members and her used to go on exorcism expeditions around the county, so such places weren’t new to her.

However, this was the first time a broken temple gave off such a holy feeling.

If there was a temple in ruins, it usually meant that evil spirits resided there or there wasn’t anything at all.

"A broken temple giving off holy energy could only signify two things. First, a divine entity is still there, or second, a significantly strong evil power might be residing in the depths, one that isn’t afraid to disguise itself as holy." Amelia explained.

"Can’t it belong to a holy god who has perished?" Julien asked.

Amelia shook her head. "If a holy god has died, then the place is quickly taken over by evil. If it isn’t, the temple is cleared by the people out of respect for the god. At least, that is what has happened in the world’s history. I do not know how it is in the Tower."

This was an intriguing fact Amelia shared.

Julien did not have to rack his brains to know that this place would definitely contain evil.

His luck was outstanding. It would always do him justice by forever being bad and letting him know in advance that he was going to be screwed over and over again.

Julien kept it in mind and said, "If what Amelia said is true, then I believe this place has an evil entity that isn’t afraid to disguise itself as holy."

"It could have a holy god too though." Jackie argued.

Julien shook his head. "The chances of that happening are very very low. I suggest we are prepared for the worst."

"If Master says so…" Jackie clutched her daggers and took the first step forward.

Following her was Amelia and then Julien.

Jackie kept watch on the front while Julien kept guard on the back, ready to protect his priestess if the need arose.

The passage was dark and even with a fire torch Julien and Jackie had trouble moving.

Much to their surprise, Amelia had no problems walking down the stairs.

The steps were rough and contained small pebbles that could make their feet slip, but Amelia’s footing was always precise and she did not miss a single step.

Julien wondered how she was able to do it.

He asked, "Amelia, how are you able to walk properly in such rough conditions?"

"It’s all god’s grace, Master. All my senses except sight are heightened. I am sensitive to my surroundings and can hear, feel, and perceive a lot of little things around me. For example, right now as we are walking, there are no bugs or insects in the way. This place also has proper ventilation through minute holes in the walls and ceilings that bring fresh air from outside."

Julien was baffled but also quite proud of his lady for having such amazing powers.

Compared to her, he was just an average guy. He wasn’t disheartened by it, but this fact made him more amazed to have Amelia by his side.

While indulging in light talk, the trio kept moving down the stairs.

Eventually, they heard a faint sound coming from the distance.

The three moved to the source of sound and it got louder with each passing second, until eventually, they could hear what it was saying loud and clear.

"…help… help… help…"

The voice was more of a sob and seeking help constantly.

The trio frowned and became more alert.

Julien moved past his two teammates and stood at the front.

"Jackie, stay behind Amelia and protect her from a sudden attack. And also, you two, run away immediately if I ask you to." Julien instructed.

The two had no choice but to nod their heads in understanding.

They had a pact. It was to follow all of Julien’s commands when they were out adventuring whether they liked it or not. This was for everyone’s safety as differing opinions could land everyone in serious trouble.

The trio walked towards the sound’s source and the cries for help kept getting louder.

Eventually, the passage ended with rusty dual doors at its end.

There were heavy chains hanging from one of the door handles.

Julien put the torch down and could see a picked lock attached to the chains.

He frowned and thought, ’Is this perhaps a type of door that shouldn’t be opened?’

He was more alert than ever.

"HELPHELPHELP—!"

The voice was booming at this place.

Even with such thick metallic doors in front, the three could hear the sound as if the person was right beside them, screaming into their ears.

’Jackie and Amelia will not die. So… I can venture deeper.’

Julien opened the door and blinding light flashed in front. His eyes shut close in response and he did not open the door completely.

When he slowly opened his eyes, he could see a well illuminated hall on the other side.

Julien opened the door and had a look inside.

This hall had a massive ceiling with a marble statue of an angel in the middle.

This Angel had one of its wings torn apart.

The wing lay right at his feet and he was looking down at it, his eyes covered by his long hair.

"HELPHELPHELPHELPHELP!"

The cries for help boomed in this hall, coming from the side where a puddle of bright blue water lay.

Julien gestured to Jackie and Amelia to stay near the door and went towards the puddle of water.

As he reached, the sight he saw within the water made his hair stand on their ends.

"HELPPPPPPP!"