ALL NOVEL Chapter 37 : Holy Communion
Throne Room of Azaroth, June 25th, 11:00 PM.
At this moment, Alice is seated on her throne, legs crossed like a boss in a major corporation. Her current mood is one of pure joy, having successfully obtained some interesting things during the conquest of the goblin village.
Initially, the conquest of the goblin village was driven by Alice's paranoia about external threats, compelling her to subdue the creatures surrounding Azaroth. However, her objectives have evolved significantly.
Conquering the goblin village is no longer just about Azaroth's security; it also comes with numerous advantages, allowing Alice to summon three of her Servants from another dimension. This means Alice can now have a total of five Servants at her disposal, but she decides to summon two for now.
Alice's gaze is fixed on her subordinates in the throne room. Initially, they intended to kneel as she sat on the throne and await her next command, but Alice wanted something different as a celebration of their successful conquest of the goblin village.
She thought of a wine feast. Alice and all her subordinates in the throne room are now holding glasses filled with pure wine from Alice's stash. Alice herself is sipping from her glass.
Alice doesn't want to maintain a formal atmosphere at all times, so she decides to have them enjoy wine together as a small celebration.
(This is better than having them kneel and bow their heads.)
(Yes, world leaders should do this when they celebrate something.)
Currently, all of Alice's subordinates in the throne room are standing, awaiting Alice to kick off this small celebration event. Although Alice sees it as a minor celebration, her subordinates consider it a sacred feast for having completed a significant task.
Alice's current subordinates in the throne room include four Servants: Arina, Aether, Exypno, and Alicia. There are also all the Ancient Liches, including Ivara and Gherrrar, the Brain Doppelganger, several Karma Elves, including Saphielle, several high-level Dryads, including Veris, and many others.
For the undead race among them, they hold glasses containing a gas-shaped beverage made from spirits. This spirit can be considered special, and the beverage can be considered their "wine" for the undead race.
"All of my esteemed subordinates, you have executed your tasks excellently. I am very pleased with your performance over these past few days," Alice begins the conversation with a firm tone, asserting her authority as a ruler.
Alice's subordinates are eager to kneel and bow their heads as an expression of gratitude for being praised for their performance. However, Alice raises her left hand slightly as a signal that no one should kneel.
"I understand your feelings, but for now, I allow you to speak to me informally," she continues.
Some of her subordinates appear hesitant, but Alice stares at them sharply, surprising them and reasserting that her command is absolute.
"Many things have transpired in the goblin village, so we need to revise our plans and determine our future goals," Alice states, swaying the glass of wine in her right hand while seated on her throne like a ruler. However, not a drop of wine spills.
"But before that, I want to hear the opinions and thoughts of those of you who worked hard during the goblin conquest. First, Gherrar, you almost died if Arina hadn't arrived in time."
Gherrar, who feels he failed, is ready to prostrate himself and apologize for almost being killed, but Alice's current order prohibits any kneeling. Trembling, Gherrar begins to speak.
"Forgive me for my weakness, Alice-sama. I am ready to accept any punishment."
Alice then gazes sharply at Gherrar with her glowing red eyes.
"No need. You have done an excellent job, even at the risk of your life. I truly appreciate your efforts."
"But I..."
Gherrar desperately wants to decline Alice's praise, but she immediately resumes speaking, cutting off his words.
"Do better in the future."
"I will execute your orders more effectively in the future, Alice-sama!"
Alice then shifts her attention to Aether, who seems quite relaxed, holding his glass of wine.
"Next, Aether, you were the key to the goblin village conquest. Do you have something to report?"
"Yes! The goblins have designated June 25th as a sacred day and will perform a ritual."
"Is that so? What kind of ritual is it?"
"Starting this year and continuing, June 25th will be celebrated as the day of the Goddess's descent, and every goblin is required to bring their best offerings."
Alice slightly leaned forward because she was very interested.
"Today? Did they perform it this morning?" Alice inquired with a curious expression.
"Yes, some of the offerings are still in the temple. Saphielle will provide more details after this feast, but some offerings have already arrived in Azaroth," her subordinate replied.
Hearing this, Alice became very excited and curious about what offerings they had brought. After the conquest of the goblin village, Alice decided to return to Azaroth and slept from morning until evening. No one dared to wake her up. While she couldn't feel physical fatigue or sleepiness, Alice experienced mental fatigue from constant activity without giving her mind a break.
"What were the best and worst offerings the goblins provided?" she asked.
"Their best offering is some untouched virgin women. The worst offering is their food supply," her subordinate explained.
Alice thought for a moment. She remembered instructing Aether to bring back some human women from the goblin village for a specific purpose, and now she had obtained them, including virgins.
Alice didn't have negative intentions; she merely wanted to gather information from these women. Once she had the necessary information, she wouldn't care about them.
There were several options for what Alice could do with these women after obtaining information from them:
First, they could be enslaved. However, Alice had no interest in making the weak into slaves.
Second, they could be used as food for some of the creatures she summoned.
Third, they could be killed and raised as undead.
When Alice contemplated the fourth possibility, her expression suddenly changed to one of surprise. She hadn't expected her mind to come up with such a brilliant idea.
(Make them spies in human settlements.)
But Alice decided to think more about that later.
"I see. Very well, I have a suggestion. It's best to find a girl from the goblin race or any other race, it doesn't matter, to be a sacred maiden. This maiden will lead every prayer and ritual to worship me," Alice suggested.
Aether was delighted to hear Alice's words and had already started looking for a suitable candidate since the conquest of the goblin race, although he hadn't found one yet.
"I've already begun trying to find a suitable candidate," he said.
Suddenly, Alice remembered something.
"What about the Abyssal Forest's recovery?" she asked.
"I'll do my best to complete it within two days from now," Aether assured her.
"Good work, Aether. Next is Exypno, the one who designed this entire scenario," Alice acknowledged.
"I'm very pleased to have designed the conquest of the goblin village, which was also the first stepping stone for Alice-sama," Exypno replied.
"No problem, Exypno. Is there something you'd like to convey?" Alice asked.
"I suggest we expedite the conquest of all the races in the Abyssal Forest and begin focusing on the kingdoms around the Abyssal Forest," Exypno recommended.
"Of course, we will do that. For the conquest of the other races in the Abyssal Forest, I will entrust that task to you," Alice stated.
"Thank you, Alice-sama," Exypno replied with a broad smile, as if her mouth had been torn and his eyes glowed red with excitement after being given a new task by Alice.
"Next, Brain Doppelganger Krobs. Your comrade has perished, and it was a beautiful sacrifice. You've performed your duties well, but unfortunately, a vile creature intervened in your mission. I will grant you any one request," Alice said.
"I prefer to be given a new task because I am eager to serve Alice-sama," Krobs responded.
"Very well, if that's your wish. If you lose, you can return to the goblin village in the form of Krobs, which you mimicked," Alice agreed.
"Thank you very much, Alice-sama," Krobs acknowledged.
"Next, Saphielle, you played a significant role in this village conquest, and your performance was exceptional. What do you desire?"
Saphielle's expression, previously elegant, changed. Her face reddened considerably as she contemplated the request she was about to make to Alice.
"I want a virgin woman to become my slave and satisfy my desires," Saphielle boldly stated.
Alice was quite surprised by Saphielle's request, which was far from her expectations. Alice had anticipated Saphielle's request to be related to a new task, similar to the other subordinates, or something like an item.
However, Alice didn't have an issue with it as long as her subordinate was content. Alice was also unaware of the same-sex desires of female Karma Elves.
(Since when do female Karma Elves have desires for other women?)
(Well, it doesn't matter, and her performance has been good according to Veris's reports.)
"Very well, I will provide it later," Alice agreed.
"After this celebration, I want to meet those human women. Arina and Exypno, prepare a meeting room with the details I've sent," Alice instructed.
"Yes!" they responded.
Alice then looked at all her subordinates and raised her right hand while holding a glass of wine.
"Please enjoy your drinks! And feel free to speak now!"
"Cheerss!"
All of Alice's subordinates began to raise their drink glasses just like Alice.
"To Alice-sama!"
Not long after, someone with a petite, childlike body began climbing the stairs and approached Alice, carrying a glass filled with milk.
The child had a very innocent look and long white hair with a curl just like Alice's.
"Alice-sama... I... want... to... sit... in your lap..."
Alice quickly adjusted her sitting position to be more normal and allowed the child to sit on her lap. She also didn't forget to smile gently, like a mother to her child.
"Come here, Alicia,"
Alicia then sat on Alice's lap, and the two of them enjoyed the sight of all of Alice's subordinates chatting casually. Alicia was Alice's strongest servant and had the nickname "Guild Weapon."
When Alicia sat on Alice's lap, she suddenly remembered her past. This was just like when she was with her younger sister, and Alice's younger sister often sat on Alice's lap. This nearly brought tears to Alice's eyes as she remembered her original family.
But at least she had a new family now. Alice also stroked Alicia's soft, white hair, just like holding cotton with an extremely soft texture.
"Can... I... call... Alice-sama... as... mother...?"
Alice was momentarily surprised, but she smiled and nodded slightly.
"Of course, Alicia,"
Although Alice was currently seated on a throne as a leader, she looked like a good mother after Alicia sat on her lap. They both had very similar appearances, to the point where Alicia could be considered a young Alice with an innocent nature.
Alice and Alicia were like a mother and her daughter.
"Thank you, mother,"
Alicia glanced at Alice and smiled very sweetly. Alice returned the smile.
======================
6 days later...
In her private room, Princess Ivy was sitting and reading a novel. Not long after, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in,"
A large man entered Princess Ivy's room and immediately knelt while bowing his head. Princess Ivy was quite puzzled because the man's face looked rather anxious.
"What is it, Mikami? What do you have to report?"
"I apologize, Ivy-sama, I have some news to convey."
"Explain in more detail."
"First, Demon Lord Astaroth has recently lifted the isolationist policy, and the demon forces are becoming more active at the southwest border of the Igrasian Empire."
"Second, in a few days, a high-level conference of Western nations will take place, attended by Demon Lord Astaroth, Empress Marin of the Drazon Empire, King Hargath of the Dwarfen Kingdom, and King Crawford of the Lumeria Kingdom, with the location yet to be determined."
"Third, our expedition forces in the Abyssal Forest have discovered anomalies, with many dangerous creatures disappearing without a trace. They also found a goblin settlement that seemed very strange. According to the expedition forces, these goblins worship someone known as the White Goddess."
"There's almost no damage in the Abyssal Forest as if the previous explosion never occurred. Everything appears normal, and the trees are still very dense."
Princess Ivy was greatly surprised by the three pieces of news Mikami delivered. This situation was truly urgent, especially since her territory bordered directly the Demon Lord's domain, the Drazon Empire, and the Lumeria Kingdom.
She clenched her teeth in frustration and immediately threw her novel to the floor.
"Damn!"
Still, in her pajamas, Princess Ivy stormed out of the room with an extremely irritated expression, and Mikami followed her from behind.
