Chapter 677 The Start of the Quest
Ren greeted the Princess with a knowing smile. "Hello there, Princess. Remember me?"
For a moment, Princess Lorelai remained silent, her eyes narrowing in curiosity. "How do you know who I am?" she inquired.
Ren nonchalantly shrugged. "Well, that insignia you gave me belonged only to the royal family. I did some digging, connected a few dots, and here we are."
Rather than being upset that her secret had been uncovered, Princess Lorelai laughed lightly.
With a graceful motion, she removed her helmet, revealing her stunning face.
Her presence seemed to illuminate the surroundings as if she carried her own radiant light. The sheer beauty of her appearance dazzled those who laid eyes on her.
Ren couldn't help but speculate that her extraordinary beauty was likely a result of her royal lineage, although he wisely kept that thought to himself.
However, a sharp stomp on his foot from Evie suggested that his observation had not gone unnoticed, and he stifled a small laugh.
Princess Lorelai's laughter tinkled like wind chimes in the breeze, and she admitted, "I suppose I was a bit careless in giving you that insignia."
With a flick of her hair, Princess Lorelai cast a captivating aura that left half the room enchanted.
She beamed at Ren and the others, her eyes sparkling. "Looks like you're not affected by my charms," she said, her tone playful.
"We're immune," Ren replied calmly, though the stomping on his foot continued, a constant reminder of Evie's disapproval.
In the midst of their conversation, Elena found herself leaning on Ren's other arm, her words filled with affection and longing.
She spoke tenderly, asking him if he missed her, her eyes reflecting her affection.
The stomping on Ren's foot intensified, but he was determined to focus on the urgent matter at hand and chose to overlook the distractions.
The two women vying for his attention could wait.
Right now, Ren's mind was consumed by the pressing issues.
"Good to know that my [Charm] doesn't affect you," Princess Lorelai said, taking her seat.
Her demeanor shifted, her expression turning serious. "Princess Elena briefed me about what's been happening. At first, I didn't believe her. Salister Kane has served this empire long before I was even born."
She paused, her eyes reflecting the weight of the situation. "But given the recent events unfolding around us, I could no longer ignore it. Something sinister is at play, and I intend to find out what."
"Salister Kane is a devil," Ren stated bluntly, his voice carrying the weight of undeniable truth. "He's meticulously gathering souls, preparing for a ritual to pry open the gates of the Demon Realm.
"And now, with enough souls at his disposal, he's on the verge of returning to the Netherworld. If he manages to come back, he'll be unstoppable."
Though it was he who had made that happen, she didn't need to find out that part.
Princess Lorelai's brows furrowed in deep concern. "That can't be true," she protested, her voice laced with disbelief. "I wanted to believe it was a mere rumor, but . . ."
She sighed, her gaze drifting upward as if searching for answers in the ceiling. "The recent events are too difficult to ignore, and some of the people I knew who perished indeed had contracts with Salister."
Elena posed a direct question, "Will you help us, Princess?"
While Evie remained silent, a stoic figure on the sidelines, she accepted the reality that another princess was entering their ranks.
As long as she was powerful and could help Ren in his goals, then she was fine with anything. However, her feet continued to land purchased on Ren's boots.
Princess Lorelai nodded resolutely. "Whatever is causing this disturbance," she declared firmly, her voice unwavering, "I must put a stop to it. I will stand with you if you're planning to stop this madness."
A moment of tense anticipation filled the air as the decision was made.
[Princess Lorelai has temporarily joined your party!]
Ren rose from his seat. "Then, let's head to Salister's lair."
That was one goal achieved. With Princess Lorelai with them, defeating Salister Kane would be a breeze. What's more, it would open up the Heaven Realm too.
Princess Lorelai looked puzzled. "His . . . lair?" she questioned, seeking clarification.
"It's the Chapel of the Grand Benefactor," Ren explained, leading the way. "Just a ten-minute walk from here."
He halted abruptly and turned to face Princess Lorelai, his expression serious. "I hope you're ready. Once we enter Salister's lair, there's no going back."
Princess Lorelai met his gaze with steadfast confidence. "Who do you think you're talking to? I'm always ready," she declared.
The group, now bolstered by their newfound alliance, made their way to the Chapel of the Grand Benefactor.
Salister had sealed its doors, ensuring no one could disturb his dark endeavors. Above the chapel, an ominous cloud twisted with thunder, occasionally lighting the night casting a perpetual darkness over the building.
Ren issued a cautionary warning. "I have to warn you, the chapel is different from the first time you were here, so be prepared," he said, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency.
Everyone nodded in acknowledgment.
Elena turned to Princess Lorelai, her voice laced with concern. "Are you going to alert your father about this?" she asked, her eyes searching for reassurance.
Princess Lorelai hesitated for a moment before replying, "I want to see it with my own eyes first."
"So, you don't trust us?" Evie remarked, her tone pointed.
"It's not that I don't. I just wanted to make sure first what we're dealing with."
The group stood in front of the imposing double doors of the Chapel of the Grand Benefactor.
The chapel, once a place of worship and solace, now radiated an aura of foreboding darkness. The ornate carvings on the doors depicted intricate scenes from ancient lore, twisted and distorted under the influence of dark magic.
Intricate spells woven with ancient runes sealed the entrance, guarding the secrets within.
"Looks like he sealed it with a powerful spell," Elena commented.
"Can you dispel it?" Ren asked Princess Lorelai. Her divine powers were greater even than Elena's, so she was the right person for the job.
"Something like this wouldn't pose a problem for me." Princess Lorelai stepped forward. With a confident grace, she extended her hand towards the door, her fingertips glowing with a soft, ethereal light.