Chapter 233: A blessing in disguise.

The floods continued to go down, but no one dared to come out of their places of safety just yet, especially not the folks from the first and second class. Up in their fancy sanctuary, those rich folks were clutching their silk clothes, peeking through golden telescopes with terrified faces at the Beasts trekking through the mud.

Trinity sat back in her chair, spinning a cup of tea in her hand. Reports had already come in: huge sea beasts were stomping through the capital and other areas of the world, knocking over houses like clay pots and roaring loud enough to shake the heavens.

At first, the news made her brow furrow. But then? A slow, sharp smile spread across her face. What a delightful blessing in disguise, she thought.

Recently, the third- or lower-class citizens had become quite ungrateful. They had forgotten who saved their miserable lives during the apocalypse! They took peace for granted, gossiping that the Soul Maidens were no longer useful.

"Bunch of short-sighted fools," Trinity whispered, taking a sip of tea. "It’s time to remind them who owns this New Earth. Without us Soul Maidens, they’d all be floating mutated sea beast food."

Without wasting another second, she sent out messages to every Soul Maiden across the land. The message was simple, bold, and dramatic: Eliminate all the King and high level beasts from the face of the Earth! Show the people our divine might! We are to meet at the Sanctum within thirty minutes.

On the Kaelion side, Sabrina’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, read the message and let out a cold, sharp laugh.

"Look at this, Andrea," she said, tossing the phone to her loyal daughter. "Our dear leader wants to play hero again."

Andrea caught the phone, her eyes skimming the message. "Is she insane? Hunting king-tier sea beasts right after a major flood? We have never even seen one until now and there are dozens of them. I do not want to go out there."

"Oh, it’s not insanity. It’s pride. It’s a scheme for glory." Sabrina smirked, cracking her knuckles. A violent spark of energy flickered around her fingertips. "Trinity wants a grand show that glorifies her. But I see an opportunity. I’m going to slay twice as many beasts as she does. I’ll show every single person on this planet that I am ten times stronger than her. The position of Divine Soul Maiden belongs to me. I cannot lose that position too on top of what I have lost so far."

"You have a point mother, and we have new secret Somnivore tech recovered from beyond the veil six months ago. Let us test it out." Andrea said, strapping two heavy blades to her back.

The two of them set off immediately, riding their transport beasts toward the Mystic Sanctum. When they arrived, the place was in total chaos_ the good kind. Formations were glowing, weapons were being loaded, and armored maidens were rushing everywhere like angry bees.

"Ah! Sister Sabrina!" Trinity’s sweet, sugary voice echoed across the courtyard. She glided down the steps in her flawless, long, snow-white fur coat, looking like a gentle goddess descended from heaven. She grabbed Sabrina’s hands with warm affection, her eyes brimming with fake tears of joy.

"I was so worried that you would not show up. Seeing you here makes my heart burst with happiness!" Trinity squeaked.

Sabrina felt a wave of nausea hit her stomach, but she forced a bright, sisterly smile onto her face. "Oh, Sister Trinity! You know me, bad weeds always make an appearance. I wouldn’t miss your hunting party for the world!"

Anyone watching would think they were loving soul sisters. In reality? Both were secretly calculating the best angle to push the other into a monster’s mouth.

Trinity quickly turned to address the crowd of Soul maidens. Drones armed with small button cameras sent by the top news channels were hovering in the sky, recording every single thing.

"My dear sisters!" Trinity announced, her voice booming with energy so everyone and every news camera, could hear. "Today, we showcase the glory of the Soul Maidens! Let the mortals witness our sacrifice! Let them see our holy power!"

Sabrina stood near the front, rolling her eyes so hard she almost saw her own brain. "Give me a break. If she talks any longer, the sea beasts will die of old age," she muttered under her breath.

"Excuse me_ Senior Sabrina?" a quiet, trembling voice whispered near her elbow.

Sabrina turned. Standing there was a young girl, no older than twenty four, wearing a bruised, dirt-stained academy uniform. She was holding a cracked wooden spear, her knuckles white from gripping it too hard.

"What’s your name, girl?" Sabrina asked, dropping her annoyed tone.

"I-I’m Adelphina," the girl stuttered, looking around nervously to make sure no one was watching them. "Senior Sabrina_ please. You have to help us."

"Help you with what?"

Tears began to pool in Adelphina’s eyes. "The Academy," She whispered, "It’s a nightmare under her rule. The wardens treat us like slaves! During the flood evacuation, they didn’t care about those that stayed back. They made sure the rich Soul maidens fled first, so many of my friends were swallowed by the wave, Ma’am! So many!"

Sabrina’s eyes narrowed. "Is that so?"

"Yes! We can’t tolerate her anymore!" Adelphina wiped her nose with her sleeve, her small face twisting with deep hatred. "We don’t want her rule! We want to escape! Please, Senior Sabrina_ if you help us run away, we will do anything!"

A dark, dangerous joy bloomed inside Sabrina’s chest, but she kept her face completely calm, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the girl’s tears with practiced, motherly gentleness.

"Shh, don’t cry, little one," Sabrina said softly, her voice full of fake warmth. "My heart bleeds for you all. Trinity has truly strayed from the righteous path."

She leaned closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. "I can help you. I can give all of you a safe place, food, and high fighting techniques. But tell me, if I do this, where do your loyalties lie?"

Adelphina didn’t hesitate for a single second. She gripped Sabrina’s sleeve, her eyes burning with fierce determination. "Every single maiden agrees! If you were the Divine Soul Maiden, things would be completely different! We only bow to you!"

Sabrina almost let out a wild laugh right then and there.

A spark! she thought frantically, her heart beating with pure excitement. All I needed was a single spark to ignite a rebellion, and Trinity just handed it to me on a silver platter!

"Good girl," Sabrina smiled, tapping the young girl’s shoulder gently. "For now, act completely obedient. Wipe your tears, put on a fake smile, and go back to your squad. Don’t let Trinity suspect a thing. When the time is right, we strike."

Adelphina nodded eagerly, her small fists clenched tight. "I understand!"

As the girl hurried back into the crowd, Andrea leaned over to Sabrina. "You’re really going to start a civil war right in the middle of a beast tide?"

Sabrina unsheathed her sword, watching the glowing reflection of the camera drones floating above Trinity’s head.

"Why wait?" Sabrina grinned, her eyes flashing with cold ambition. "The stage is set, the audience is watching, and the monsters are hungry. Let the games begin!"