NOVEL NEXT Chapter 151: First Mission
After getting back on his feet, the butler remembered something important and rushed to inform.
"My lady… we've arrived. The main gate is just ahead, but it's heavily guarded. That's why I stopped here, at a safe distance. Crossing won't be easy without force. I recognized several of your uncle's men."
Jax stayed silent for a few seconds, watching calmly. Then he turned his eyes toward Seraphina, who stood by his side, expectant.
"Then," he said, his voice low and seductive, "this will be your first task as priestess of the God of Dreams."
He stretched out his hands and Seraphina trembled as her body filled with energy, a warm and overwhelming torrent flooding through her veins. Before her, her common dress unraveled into glowing threads of light, replaced by a silver gown laced with golden filigree that shimmered with a divine glow. With his other hand, Jax conjured a scepter out of nothing—its shaft dark, its head crowned with a crystal that sparkled like it contained stars.
"From now on you are the priestess of the God of Dreams," Jax declared. "You cannot fear anyone. Go and take what belongs to you. I'll stay here inside the carriage… and I'll only come out if you truly need me. But remember this: I'll punish you if you fail."
His burning, seductive gaze sank deep into Seraphina, making her shiver. She pressed the scepter against her chest and nodded firmly.
The butler, who had heard everything, fell to his knees right then.
"I swear I'll give my life so that my lady won't fail!"
Jax watched him with a half-smile.
"I see your body… and it's a disaster."
With a snap of his fingers, the butler's clothes disintegrated into black dust. His body was exposed, covered in scars, old wounds and the marks of time.
"You've endured too much. That body… is not worthy of serving my priestess."
Jax flicked his fingers and the butler's body unraveled into smoke, only to reform from scratch—flesh and bone reborn under a dark radiance. Before Seraphina's eyes, the old servant transformed into a young man of barely twenty, muscular, vigorous, his skin clean of scars. His breath quickened, unable to comprehend the miracle.
And Jax didn't stop there. With a wave of his hand, a black armor molded itself onto the new body, edged with glowing purple lines that pulsed with sinister power. A long, curved black sword appeared in his grasp, etched with violet runes that throbbed like living veins.
"From this moment on," Jax proclaimed, "you are the guard dog of the priestess. But if you wish for a name of your own, a title that endures you'll have to earn it."
The butler dropped to his knees again, tears of fervor burning in his eyes.
"Not necessary, my lord! I'll forever be the most loyal dog to my lady. I need nothing else."
Jax smiled in satisfaction.
"Then so be it."
He leaned back in the carriage seat, closing his eyes with a calm smile. His fingers moved with a faint gesture, and instantly a vision floated before him everything outside projected to him like a crystal clear movie.
"Now… let's see how far your faith takes you, Seraphina," he murmured darkly.
The young priestess took a deep breath, clutching her scepter. Inside, her resolve burned: I must do the impossible… I cannot fail. I must please the envoy… I must please my god.
The rejuvenated butler stood with his black sword gleaming, his armor glowing with purple light. He stepped into the carriage and said firmly:
"My lady, let us advance. No one will stop the priestess of the God of Dreams."
The carriage rolled forward, its wheels screeching against stone as they neared the great gates of Lumina. The tall white walls gleamed under the sun, banners bearing the city's insignia fluttering proudly.
But before they could cross, a group of guards intercepted them. Five men, armed with spears and swords. One raised his hand to halt them.
"Stop right there!" the leader barked, a robust man with the Hallwick insignia on his chest. "No one enters without council authorization."
The butler frowned, but before he could speak, the guard squinted and instantly recognized Seraphina.
"It's her!" he said with mocking surprise. "The niece of Lord Hallwick… the useless blind girl."
Another guard laughed.
"And what now? Back to begging entry into Lumina? Sorry, girl, but your uncle left clear orders—you're not welcome."
Seraphina clenched the scepter, humiliation burning inside her. Her guardian stepped forward, his black sword glowing with a menacing light.
"Mind your words!" he roared. "You speak before the priestess of the God of Dreams."
The guards laughed shamelessly.
"Priestess?" one spat on the ground near her feet. "What a joke."
Seraphina inhaled deeply. She could feel Jax's gaze even from inside the carriage, weighing her, waiting. If she failed, punishment awaited. She couldn't allow it.
She stepped forward, raising the scepter with both hands. Her voice rang out clear and commanding, stronger than it had ever been before:
"I am Seraphina Hallwick, priestess of the God of Dreams! I've come to claim my place in Lumina. Whoever dares to bar my path, defies not only me… but the will of a god!"
A heavy silence fell over the gate. The guards exchanged uneasy glances. But their leader growled, hardening his tone.
"A god? Foolish girl! The only authority here is your uncle, Lord Hallwick. As long as I breathe, you won't take a single step into Lumina."
The guardian unsheathed his sword, ready to spill blood, but Seraphina raised her hand to stop him. Her eyes blazed with new light, a mix of faith and fire.
"Then let's see… who has greater authority: your master… or the God of Dreams?"
The air tightened like a bowstring about to snap as the guards called for reinforcements. Soon, the wall was swarming with soldiers, crossbows aimed, even massive siege ballistae being readied prepared to end them once and for all.