My Celestial Ascension

The Imperial Family of the Holy Light Empire was in turmoil after witnessing the Holy Church's massive army marching through the city. Its sheer size instilled fear into their hearts.

They grew deeply concerned for the safety of the Lionheart Empire, knowing full well that its army was far smaller compared to the overwhelming forces of the Holy Church.

In the city, everyone—even their mothers—were whispering about the impending war between the Holy Church and the Lionheart Empire.

Some were enthusiastic, believing the war would bring glory to the Holy Church. In their eyes, victory was inevitable, as the Church possessed the most powerful army on the entire continent.

However, others were opposed to the war, viewing the situation through a logical lens. They understood that countless families would be torn apart, and many innocent lives would be lost in the chaos.

Because of this, a large portion of the citizens were unhappy with the war. Many had family members serving under the Holy Church, and they feared for their loved ones' safety.

"Is this war truly worth fighting for? I don't understand why the Holy Church is so obsessed with it. Wouldn't it be better for everyone to resolve this peacefully?" Empress Elendriel murmured as she gazed at the horizon, her expression filled with worry. She knew that countless citizens would lose loved ones in this needless conflict.

Even if the Holy Church won, what would the soldiers gain from it? Nothing. She understood far too well how the Church operated.

The Pope would claim they were fighting for their Goddess, for righteousness, and for the greater good—but Elendriel knew those words were hollow.

The Holy Church had become a hypocritical institution ever since its initial victory over the Demons. That triumph had inflated their ambitions. Now, they sought to conquer the world, to rule it from the shadows.

In that sense, they were no different from the Golden Skull Organization, whose goals were exactly the same—to dominate the world from behind the curtain.

"I have no idea what's going through the Pope's mind… He shows no concern for the people's lives. All he cares about is winning the war and taking control of the Lionheart Empire. He's a hypocrite!" Emperor Lucien said with a heavy sigh, praying silently for this war to end soon.

He didn't want his people to die needlessly in a war that had nothing to do with them. But the citizens were so blinded by faith in the Holy Church, they couldn't see the truth.

They accepted every word from the Church as divine law, as if they'd been completely brainwashed in the name of God.

Meanwhile, Yuan and his wives decided to leave their room. Since most of the Holy Church's followers had gone to war, it was safe enough—even if the remaining ones noticed them.

After all, Yuan and his wives could eliminate them before they had a chance to alert the Church. This way, they could cleanse the city of Holy Church spies from within, without drawing the Pope's attention.

It was the perfect opportunity to strike—by the time the Church realized what was happening, it would be too late for them to return.

As soon as Yuan and his wives stepped outside, Princess Livia approached with a concerned look. She was clearly anxious, having witnessed the massive army that had departed for war.

"Did you see the army heading toward the border?" Livia asked, though it was more of a confirmation. She was certain Yuan and his wives had already noticed it.

The commotion caused by the army's march through the city had been impossible to ignore, so she knew they had to be aware.

"We're already aware. What do you suggest?" Yuan replied, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her with curiosity.

Livia took a deep breath, then smiled broadly and said, "Since the Holy Church is practically defenseless now, with only a few capable Holy Knights left… isn't this the perfect chance to strike them?"

Yuan paused to consider her suggestion—and she was right. The Holy Church was vulnerable. Even if a thousand Holy Knights remained behind to protect the city, they posed no real threat to him and his wives.

This was the perfect time to destroy the Holy Church, while its main forces were distracted elsewhere. But they had to move quickly. If word of their actions reached the Pope, it would ruin everything.

"Excellent. This is our best chance to strike down the Holy Church once and for all," Yuan said with a wide grin, nodding in agreement.

"Absolutely!" Livia responded with a satisfied grin. "How about we move tonight? Most people will be asleep, and we can finish this without drawing attention."

"That's a brilliant idea," Mireya said, smiling faintly before turning to Livia with a more serious expression.

With that same solemn tone, she added, "But before we act, I have a few serious questions for you, Princess Livia."

"Lady Mireya, what kind of questions do you have for me? If there's anything I can help you with, please feel free to ask," Princess Livia responded with a kind smile, though curiosity flickered in her eyes at Mireya's serious expression.

Mireya stood silently for a moment, then slowly removed the bracelet from her wrist. The moment she did, her true appearance was revealed before Princess Livia.

Sylvia followed suit, removing her own bracelet to unveil her real form—no longer hidden by its magic.

Upon seeing their long ears and ethereal beauty, Livia stood stunned, her mouth agape in disbelief.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing—Mireya was a High Elf, and Sylvia a Dark Elf. Both were so stunningly beautiful that even other women might feel self-conscious in their presence.

'T-They're elves…?! The Elves?!' Princess Livia was overwhelmed by the revelation, so much so that she instinctively staggered back in shock.

Sylvia rolled her eyes at Livia's reaction, but Mireya remained composed. She had expected this—it was only natural.

Livia took a deep breath to regain her composure. Once calm, she looked at Yuan with a strange, unreadable smile.

"It's hard to believe you have two wives from the Elf race… and they're incredibly beautiful. They must be from royal bloodlines."

"I consider myself lucky to have them," Yuan replied softly, casting a warm glance at both Mireya and Sylvia.

"As you can see, we are elves from the Elven Kingdom in the Beast Continent," Mireya said, her voice serious and charged with authority. "And we're searching for our people—elves sold into slavery by humans."

Her words struck Livia deeply. The sheer presence in Mireya's voice made her feel as though she stood before a true Empress, someone who had not only ruled but protected her people with pride and strength.

'Why does she feel so… commanding? It's like I'm standing before a ruler… someone immensely powerful,' Livia thought, confused but unwilling to ask aloud.

"I'll get straight to the point," Mireya continued firmly. "I want your help to free our people. I want to bring them back to the families still waiting for them in our kingdom."

Her voice carried an unshakable resolve—one that made it clear she wouldn't accept no for an answer.

"Indeed. We're not some objects to be sold on the market—we are a noble race. A race far superior to humans like you," Sylvia added, her voice cold and her eyes fixed sharply on Livia.

"Absolutely," Mireya nodded, her expression serious. "We've done nothing wrong to the humans. In fact, we've only ever helped your people. And yet, your kind attacked our villages, kidnapped our people, and sold them like cattle in your slave markets."

"Is this how the human race repays kindness? How pathetic. A race overflowing with greed," Sylvia snorted coldly at Princess Livia, her hatred for humans evident—excluding Yuan and his wives.

"Sylvia, that's enough," Mireya said firmly, her voice laced with command. Sylvia immediately stepped back and held her tongue.

Mireya then shifted her focus to Livia, her eyes narrowing. "Now, Princess Livia, are you going to help us rescue our people—or not? If you refuse, we'll handle it our way. And that way will lead to bloodshed. The choice is yours."

"I-I don't know…" Livia hesitated, her shoulders slumping. "The noble families and aristocrats will never agree to this. Even if I beg them, they won't return the elves. It's… impossible to free them."

As her words reached Mireya and Sylvia, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew heavy and cold as a wave of killing intent surged from both women, thick enough to make anyone shudder.

"Impossible, you say?" Sylvia's voice was icy. "If we must slaughter every noble in this empire to free our kin, so be it."

Livia flinched. One look at Sylvia told her she meant every word—this wasn't a bluff. She was absolutely prepared to destroy every family that kept elves as slaves or toys.

'This is bad! I didn't know they were here for the elves! But this… this is all because of the Holy Church! They're the ones who started this, selling elves to nobles like livestock!' Livia cursed the Church bitterly in her heart, blaming them for the mess unfolding.

"Calm down, both of you," Yuan said gently, placing his hands on their shoulders. "It's not too late to save your people. And besides… I'm here. There's no way I'd ignore something like this."

Sensing the situation, Princess Livia quietly left with a conflicted, sorrowful look on her face—though deep down, she burned with fury at the Holy Church for dragging the empire into such darkness.

Once she was gone, Yuan pulled both Mireya and Sylvia into a tight embrace, feeling the warmth of their soft bodies pressing against him.

"All of us will help you rescue your people from those filthy bastards," Yuan whispered softly into their ears. "You have my word. Their suffering will end—soon."

Mireya and Sylvia gently nodded in response, their eyes misting with emotion.

Then Yuan's expression turned deadly serious.

"But first," he said, voice sharp as steel, "we destroy the Holy Church. Once they're gone, the arrogant nobles will lose their backbone—and no one will be left to save them."