Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1104: End of Third Trial: Part-1

Aether was honestly surprised—truly surprised—by just how closely he resembled Iteration No.25. His garments, the posture of his body (Real body), the aura he emitted... everything about him now, except for the distinct black hair, felt eerily identical to Iteration No.25.

The only thing he lacked... was the spear. That weapon which No.25 wielded with divine authority... And yet, even without it, the resemblance was undeniable.

He inwardly let out a quiet, dry chuckle. ’Life really does work in the most mysterious ways,’ he thought.

After everything, he never imagined he would once again stand in front of them—as their Archpriest.

”And now... Our Archpriest will deliver his speech to his People,” Helena announced, her voice solemn, her face glowing with reverence as she raised her hand gracefully towards Aether.

He nodded softly, gently acknowledging her, and then turned his gaze toward the gathered crowd.

The people before him stood frozen—some in awe of his striking, almost celestial beauty, others too stunned to even take a breath. There was something about his presence that demanded attention... something deeper, unsettling.

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Aether ran his fingers through his dark hair and stepped forward, his voice ringing clear and calm, ”Good morning, my dear citizens of Elysiumis Aurora...”

He paused for a moment, allowing his words to settle into the hearts of the people.

”I know this moment feels sudden to many of you... overwhelming, even. You may be struggling to make sense of the changes, of the unexpected faces standing before you. And to be honest... so am I. I, too, am overwhelmed.”

His hand lightly rested over his chest.

”Me, an outsider—once forgotten, once invisible—now chosen to stand as your Archpriest... This is no small honour. It is the greatest trust, the heaviest burden, and the highest calling that your beloved Archpriestess has placed upon me.”

He looked around the silent crowd, his gaze sincere yet edged with something deeper.

”I don’t know if I’m worthy... I truly don’t. But even so,” he raised his hand toward them, open-palmed,

”I stand before you and make this vow. In the name of.... Seraphina Ashwood and Helena Sunfire, I will serve this Empire with every breath I have. I will protect it, uphold it, and honour it—as your Archpriest.”

Helena and Sera blinked, visibly startled by his words.

/What the heck are you saying right now?/ Sera’s voice shouted into his mind.

/Aether? What are you doing?/ Helena’s thoughts stumbled with uncertainty.

The people’s expressions shifted subtly. Some furrowed their brows. Others began to murmur. There was something missing—something vital. The name... of the Mother.

Aether grinned inwardly, his thoughts sharp and deliberate. He glanced at Helena and Sera’s shocked faces and replied telepathically, /You gave this title to me... You didn’t ask, you simply handed it over. And now you expect me to sing praise to that twisted ’Mother’ of yours? Sorry... that’s not how I play./

His grin widened.

Helena and Sera’s faces turned pale.

He was planning something.

But Aether kept his voice pure, soft, and unwavering as he continued,

”Even if the world itself chose me, I know my worth. And so do you. All of you. People of Elysiumis Aurora... this is a turning point. A moment that will define us. The world is shifting, evolving, just as nature always does. And I, the one chosen by your Archpriestess and Saintess—not by destiny or fate, but by will—stand here to ask you.../

His tone slowed. His expression hardened, serious and commanding.

”...Who do you believe in?”

A wave of silence swept over the crowd like a cold breeze.

Aether repeated it, voice firmer, more resounding, ”Who do you believe in?” He extended his hand toward them, palm up—inviting, yet challenging.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then, a single voice cried out, ”MOTHER!!”

And like a spark igniting dry leaves, others joined in. Soon the word echoed in the air—”Mother! Mother!”—a chant, almost like prayer.

Helena and Sera’s throats tightened. They looked around nervously, then back at Aether, who now wore the wicked grin.

’That smug face again!’ Sera groaned inwardly.

’I... I don’t like where this is going,’ Helena silently added.

Aether raised his hand again, commanding silence, and when the crowd obeyed, he spoke once more.

”Yes, you believe. You believe in what you were taught, what you grew up hearing in stories and prayers. You believe in what you’ve felt in your darkest moments, what gave you strength, what you’ve made right with your hands and your hearts. You are grateful—deeply grateful—for having someone to protect you.”

The people nodded. Some even smiled, yet... others began to feel something unfamiliar stir within them.

Aether’s voice softened—aching, even.

”But I don’t.”

A hush fell.

”I wasn’t taught like you were.

I wasn’t embraced by warm arms or given gentle truths.

I haven’t felt what you’ve felt, nor walked the same path.

I’ve made mistakes... many, in fact.

I’ve failed more times than I can count.

And yet, your beloved Archpriestess didn’t choose you—she chose me. Why?”

Sera’s throat went dry. ’W-What is he trying to do now?’ she wondered, glancing at the crowd, feeling their collective gaze slowly drifting toward her.

”Don’t look at her,” Aether suddenly said, and his tone turned sharp—authoritative. The people flinched.

”Look at yourselves.”

He extended his hand and slowly pointed toward the crowd.

”Ask yourself this: Why him... not me? You prayed day and night. You gave your everything to your beloved god. You sacrificed. You obeyed. And still... she never even glanced your way. Never thought you were worthy of a chance. Instead, she gave everything—everything—to an outsider.”

His voice echoed now, not just in volume but in power. It carried the truth—raw, unnerving, and impossible to ignore.

’She’, He clearly meaning the Mother, not Archpriestess! They could understand that!

”...” His words brought complete silence across the gathering.

Aether’s expression slowly softened, his voice gentle yet firm, ”That’s all I needed to say, my beloved citizens of the Elysiumis Aurora Empire. Just think for yourselves... Don’t let blind faith steal your voice. Don’t let tradition replace your own heart. Ask yourself—truly—are you not seeing the efforts your Archpriestess is making for you? Huh?”

He took a step forward, raising his voice, not in anger—but in raw passion.

”The time has come to face the truth. Your so-called gods... where are they now? When disaster strikes, when fear creeps in... where are they? You tremble, panic like a child who’s lost their parent—and yet, you’ve been told you are protected!”

Each word landed heavy, sharp, piercing into their hearts like glass.

Unknowingly, almost shamefully, the people began to lower their heads. They didn’t even understand why, but something inside them twisted—a strange guilt, a silent regret.

Aether noticed it. Inwardly, he gave a small nod. His voice continued, unwavering.

”Your Archpriestess asked me to speak to you, to reassure you, to say how protected you are... but I said no.

Not because I disrespected her words—but because I couldn’t stand the illusion that protection means blindness.

People like her will come and go. Gods... they will rise and fall.

But permanence? That’s not given by divine hands.”

He extended his arms wide, as if trying to embrace the entire Empire through his voice alone.

”Permanence... is decided by you. The most powerful force in this world... is not the gods. Not the saints.

It is you.... And you ALONE.”

The crowd stood frozen, as if something inside them was being carved open.

”Thank you.”

He nodded gently, respectfully, then turned to leave—but not before brushing his hand along the hem of his white robe, where delicate ice particles shimmered with every movement. His footsteps echoed as he walked out, the frost catching the light like fragments of memory.

The Archpriestess blinked in place, momentarily speechless. ”W-Well... be careful,” she finally muttered under her breath, before quickly turning and rushing away.

Helena was already gone.

Outside, past the protective shelter, Sera and Helena caught up with him, their breaths short, their expressions wild with disbelief.

”What the hell did you just do?!” Sera shouted, her face a mix of horror and confusion.

Aether smiled calmly, almost playfully. ”Don’t worry,” he replied. ”The seed has been planted. It might not grow overnight like my Empire did... but it will grow. Slowly. Surely.”

He tilted his head slightly.

After all... Mother wasn’t the only one with the ability to manipulate, right?

Aether too... knew how to shape situations, how to bend moments to his will.

The Mother had made her first mistake—she let him in this Empire. And now... he was going to take it all.

’Sorry, bitch... but your world is mine now~’ Aether thought, his sly grin widening.

All throughout the day, Aether’s words echoed in the minds of the people. It was as though his voice had stitched itself into their thoughts.

And strangely... they couldn’t tell if he was right or wrong.

All they knew was—something had awakened inside them.

Something that had been sleeping for far too long.

As the sky dimmed into deepening darkness... the weight of what was coming grew heavier.

The collision was near.

Inside the massive Thruster Station, Aether, Sera, and Helena stood at the command core.

”Lyirrs? Are you ready?” Aether called out in a mic like crystal.

An image shimmered into view through a glowing crystal—Lyirrs appeared, standing tall in the light. ”Yes. Everything is in place. The people on the outer edges have already been evacuated. We’re waiting for your position.”

Behind her, several familiar faces appeared—Maelona, Aria, Kaelen, and Liora. They stood quietly, watching, waiting.

”We’re ready too,” Aether added firmly, then turned toward the massive lever at the console’s heart.

He placed his hand on it.

”Well then...” he murmured, voice low and steady, ”Let’s fix the puzzle.”

A slight smirk crept across his face as he slowly pushed the lever forward.

Spark... Spark...

BOOOOOFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!

The Thrusters roared to life, fire spilling from their mouths as the engine ignited, shaking the very earth beneath them. Towering flames propelled through the ducts as the Empire itself began to move—slow, powerful, unstoppable.