Chapter 74: More bad news for Trinity.

The sun was barely up over the Capital, but Julia’s nervous system was already running on its tenth cup of lemon balm tea.

She hadn’t slept a single wink since returning back to the Mystic Sanctum the previous night. Her brain was a messy soup of panic. First, there was the terrifying news she brought back from Main Seven Island. Second, Specioza....the Divine Soul Maiden’s personal maid and the biggest gossip in the temple...had stopped her from meeting with Trinity.

"The divine Soul Maiden is not feeling well," Specioza had whispered, looking around like the walls had ears. "She said nobody enters her quarters unless the world is literally ending and the veil has shattered into pieces. Got it?"

That was last night. It was morning now, and Trinity still hadn’t stepped out of her quarters. To burn off her anxious energy, Julia marched down to the beast stables to take a look at Trinity’s half-life beasts.

It was something she liked to do because she was envious of Soul maidens. They could possess two half-life beasts. It was the ultimate cheat, in her opinion. Trinity’s two high level beasts were not exactly low maintenance. One was a Frost-Wing Swan that looked elegant but would happily freeze a human solid if he breathed too loud or simply annoyed it in any way.

The other was a Black Thunder Rhino that snorted actual lightning bolts when it was cranky. They were terrifying creatures feared by humans and mutated beasts alike. This was not because of their strength but because they could kill at the drop of a hat for the slightest reason.

It was a privilege reserved for half-life beasts of Soul maidens. And also, one of the reasons Malia made noise near Trinity’s temple in protest every other week. Thinking of Malia made her frown. Where was that headache of a woman hiding?

She opened her bag and whistled. Trinity’s beasts rushed to her, because they were accustomed to her. The Swan sniffed her bag, trying to rip it open.

"Stop pushing, you oversized beautiful bird," Julia grumbled, hiding the bag away. But the rhino was also trying to swallow it whole!

Her bag had eggs. The only thing these two snobby beasts ate were high-quality beast eggs. Luckily, being the Divine Soul Maiden meant Trinity was rolling in free wealth. The leaders from the four of nations constantly sent lavish offerings to the Sanctum, and a good chunk of those gifts were premium beast eggs and not just them...other people did the same.

So, while common hunters fought tooth and nail in dangerous dungeons just to get a glimpse of one egg, these two beasts were munching on them like breakfast cereal.

She put the eggs on the ground. The Frost-Wing Swan let out a soft honk of pure greed, swallowing an egg whole. The rhino followed quickly, looking at her for more.

"I am out, but there is more where that came from," Julia muttered. Suddenly, her phone buzzed against her hip. A voice came through once she picked. "The Soul Maiden will see you now."

Julia bolted. She practically flew through the marble corridors, skidding to a halt right outside the grand audience hall. But as she pushed the double doors open, she realized she wasn’t the first one there.

Logan, the capital mayor, was already standing before Trinity’s high seat. He was dressed in his usual ridiculously flashy clothes, looking every bit the oily politician. He was currently sweating through his expensive collar as he briefed Trinity on the hunt for the rebel named Malia Gravis.

"You still haven’t found her! What the hell are you actually good at?" Trinity’s voice shattered the silence of the hall. It didn’t sound like the voice of a calm, divine maiden. She sounded like a volcano about to blow.

The mayor shrank back, his face turning pale. "Divine maiden, we have searched all sectors but..."

"She is a mere woman!" Trinity snapped, slamming her hand onto the armrest. "She has no special abilities, and no hidden talents except for having a big mouth! How do you fail to find a completely ordinary human with a butterfly for a half-life beast? Are your soldiers blind, or are you just incompetent?"

"To be fair...your guards have not found her either." Logan countered, his still head lowered.

Trinity shot him a sharp look. Her rage was so intense that her pressure leaked out, cracking the polished stones. She clenched her fists so hard that her sharp nails sliced right through her own skin. Fresh, bright red blood began to drip onto the white floor.

Julia’s heart skipped a beat. She rushed forward, pushing past the trembling mayor. "Divine maiden! Please, you need to breathe. Calm down you are not well already." She gently took Trinity’s bleeding hands in hers. "Even if Malia is hiding in some deep hole, she’s an ordinary woman. She needs food and water. It is only a matter of time before she has to show her face. Don’t ruin your sacred health over this."

Letting out a soft sigh, Julia channeled her inner energy. She gently brushed her fingers over Trinity’s palms. A soft, green healing light flickered, and within seconds, the deep cuts closed up, leaving the skin perfectly smooth again.

Trinity took a shaky breath, pulling her hands back. She looked at Julia, her sharp eyes narrowing. "Forget my health for a second. What is wrong with you? Specioza told me you came back from Main Seven Island acting like you had seen a ghost."

Julia froze. She glanced uncomfortably at the mayor, who had immediately perked up his ears. His shifty eyes were darting between them, practically begging for some juicy gossip he could use for political leverage.

"Go on," Trinity commanded, noticing Julia’s hesitation. "Speak freely. The mayor is on our leash. He knows what happens if he opens his mouth."

The mayor offered a strained, corny smile. "Of course, of course. My lips are sealed, Divine Maiden."

Julia still didn’t trust him, the guy gave off major snake vibes, but she couldn’t disobey a direct order from Trinity, especially not in front of an outsider. She swallowed the lump in her throat and leaned in.

"I spoke with Samantha," Julia whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "She... she claims that a King level beast is about to make it through the Veil."

Julia was wise enough not to credit for the discovery. If it turned out to be true, and the beast was slain, Trinity would be the one taking credit. If it turned out to be false, someone would have to pay for spreading rumors and causing panic in the nations.

If a King beast actually made it through the veil and killed thousands of humans, Trinity would have to blame someone. Most likely, a delay in information would be used and the one who delivered the message would take the fall.

She had been part of this circle long enough to know how it worked. So... sorry Samantha, but it would not be her head on that pike!