Darn it, why now?
I hesitated but put away the novel.
I could read later; missing this would be a one-time loss.
Looking down, as Syl said, something unusual was happening.
Most candles were snuffed out.
Black curtains were drawn over locked windows, blocking the faint moonlight.
Boom—
The tower’s heavy entrance doors shut with a dull thud.
As if on cue, the crowd stopped talking and gathered toward the hall’s center.
From afar, they looked like a restless black tide surging in a dark river.
Unlike before, when the floor was bare, a faintly glowing pattern now appeared in the center.
It resembled a variant of a six-pointed star, with intricate runes at the corners and middle.
It looked familiar, but I couldn’t place it.
Epoch’s occult and magical systems spanned millennia, with dozens of basic spell formations, not to mention countless variants.
Maybe I’d seen something similar in my past life.
To my surprise, Syl recognized it. “A variant of the Mind base spell, used to make people reveal their inner thoughts. Religious groups with faith ties often use it to stabilize believers or interrogate heretics.”
She paused, her tone shifting. “But for soul-related matters, it’s been banned publicly.”
“You know so much, Syl…” I said, gaping.
“Just trivial knowledge.” Syl said, brushing it off and looking at the center. “Your Highness, Claire’s here.”
Prompted by Syl, I saw five figures emerge from the crowd below.
Claire led them.
Though too far to see details, her familiar voice carried clearly in the quiet hall.
“Are all members present?” Claire asked.
“Yes, Lady Claire.” someone replied.
Cloaked in a black robe, her face barely visible, Claire nodded. “Bring the new members forward.”
“As you command.”
One of Claire’s followers slipped into the crowd.
Soon, five figures in similar black robes were led to the glowing magic circle in the center.
“It’s like they joined a pyramid scheme.” I said, feeling a bit sorry for them.
The eerie atmosphere was far more intense for those five than for me.
They glanced around nervously, but the dim surroundings showed only black-robed figures.
It was like a tidal wave swallowing light and sound, pulling them into a bottomless abyss, amplifying their unease.
“I sense your fear, your dread, your hesitation. What makes you, sheltered by holy light, warriors who should fear nothing, look like cowards?” Claire’s voice was cold and low as she approached them.
Faced with the leader’s question, some shrank back under pressure.
Others, after hesitating, mustered courage to voice doubts. “This doesn’t feel like the Holy Light Conclave. It’s more like…”
Not just everyone in the hall, but Syl and I knew the unspoken words.
Or rather, we saw it clearer.
From every angle, this resembled a cult gathering—think FFF or SOX.
Claire knew it too.
She stepped before the questioner, her indifferent yet sharp gaze locking onto them until they looked away. “Only in darkness can you know the brilliance of holy light.”
“You’ve entered this hall after thorough observation and testing by our Conclave. I believe each of you has the potential to grasp the true essence of holy light.”
Claire lowered her hood, letting her black hair cascade over her shoulders.
Her gaze swept deeply over each new member’s face, like a general selecting soldiers. “Now, tell me, what is holy light?”
Under her stare, the five calmed inexplicably, pondering the best answers.
But holy light’s definition was vague.
Even the Church of Light offered no clear answer, as ambiguity better rallied believers’ faith.
This made it tough for the five.
One gave a broad, abstract definition. “Holy light is a philosophy of existence, what we cherish in our hearts.”
“Holy light is absolute justice, the judgment of all unfairness.” another said confidently, with a righteous expression.
Another quoted scripture. “Holy light is the collective truth and goodness of humanity. By steadfastly pursuing and upholding this will, we earn its response.”
“Holy light is the most beautiful thing.” came a clever, formulaic reply.
“Good. At least you didn’t say holy light is for slaying demons.” Claire said, nodding and calming their rising emotions. “You’re all correct. Now, answer the most important part.”
Faced with relentless questions, the five exchanged glances, hesitantly offering answers like “love,” “peace,” and “freedom.”
Unsatisfied, Claire shook her head and waved to the crowd.
The signaled members closed in, shouting at the five in the center. “Look into our eyes, face your hearts, and join us in answering the call of holy light. Shout the answer deep within!”
Here it comes.
Let’s see your true colors.
I held my breath, waiting for the pivotal moment.
Syl, beside me, rarely looked so serious.
But the unified, repetitive shouts that followed stunned not just the new members but us too.
The five, after initial shock, seemed to hear the call of holy light.
They saw themselves in the crowd’s eyes.
“What is your heart’s love? What is absolute justice? What should you steadfastly pursue? What is the most beautiful thing?” Claire shouted, pressing them again.
The hall fell silent.
The crowd’s gazes met, nodding with mutual affirmation.
This time, the others didn’t hesitate.
Their devotion to holy light united them with everyone here.
After a brief silence, the hall erupted in identical, heartfelt cries.
“Loli!”
Loli!
Loli!
Loliiiiiii!!!
“…”
“…”
The chant echoed repeatedly.
Syl, on the high ledge, was silent.
I gave up thinking, mechanically opening my novel for comfort.
“…What… what is this…?” Liya squirmed uneasily, terrified by the changes in her body.
“Truly, you’re the most perfect puppet I’ve seen.” the mad laughter from the darkness grew, like a demon from the abyss claiming the girl.
But the despairing tone shattered in the next moment with Liya’s words.
“This outfit is too embarrassing!” Liya shouted, face red, trying to remove the cute, floaty dress.
“Fair enough, it doesn’t suit you.” a thoughtful voice came from the dark gate.
A massive hand produced more clothes. “Try these—this one, that one, and this.”
“No way! I’m not wearing such weird stuff!” Liya said, eyeing the revealing or overly ornate doll-like dresses, shaking her head firmly.
But a voice from the gate made her abandon her shame. “Then I’ll destroy the world.”
“Ugh… Are you… satisfied now…?” Liya said, biting her lip, clutching the hem of her new outfit.
“Indeed, Lord Abedo. You’ve achieved what we couldn’t.” a new voice said.
The young earl and his fiancée entered, elegant and composed.
But seeing the scene, they dropped their calm.
“Oh, Liya’s cutest in this outfit!” the earl said, rushing forward, eyes gleaming like a rabid fan.
Before he could make any criminal declarations, his fiancée kicked him aside. “Get lost! This outfit suits Little Liya best. Try it on for big sis, Liya!”
Liya stared at them, feeling they were strangers. “What… what’s going on…?”
“Nothing.” the voice from the gate said. “I just taught them a thing or two. Now, my loyal followers, tell this girl the world’s true essence.”
The earl and fiancée paused, their expressions turning serious.
The guards, previously corrupted by the demon, appeared behind them in the basement.
In unison, they shouted their heartfelt answer.
“For loli!”
The End.
“…”
“Hey, Syl, maybe this world should be destroyed.”