"The Unholy Revelation?" Iris said. "A prophecy?"

In her mind, fragmented knowledge about the Deities emerged. She couldn't remember reading about it, but she intrinsically understood it. This knowledge was ingrained into her soul; it morphed and shifted according to her will as if she had spent years learning it.

Is it Speculative Divinity? My memory about its content is fuzzy. I can remember the act of reading it, but the knowledge I gleaned from it is blurry. Is it because I'm too weak?

"Yes, Lady Iris. You seem to know something about them?" Morbi said. "Indeed. Anyone who came here through the void must have a story behind them. It isn't surprising that you have some curious knowledge."

"Only a little, Lady Morbi. I've read about the Holy and Unholy Deities in an ancient record before I came here."

Morbi nodded and did not pursue the truth further. Everyone had a secret; the tacit understanding of such was essential for a Secret Organisation to flourish.

"I used to work with a few Evil Cults. They are the pawns of the Evil Deities, their ultimate goal the descension of their Deities." Morbi caressed the black gemstone on her ring. "Chained Corpse Vessel's faith is the Evil God of Chain. Their members specialise in spell formations, necromancy, and anything that impose restrictions and subjugation."

"Morbi, what do you think is their goal for this operation?" Ludmint said. "Iris and I were coincidentally in one of the sites. We saw a White Carcass intentionally triggered the Grand Formation."

"As far as my knowledge goes, there is no ritual that requires this operation."

"I've received the location of most incidents," Parmin said. "The operation range is the entirety of Donhalgen, but I cannot yet determine the common factor between them. My initial guess is they are preparing for something big."

"To figure the limit of the Evil Punisher Grand Formation?" Iris said. "If I were them, I would accomplish something else to conceal the truth. For the descension of the Evil Gods, I'll repeatedly figure out the limit of the Imperial Family and the Churches. This is a preparation for the awakening rite. If I'm correct, we will see the chaos ramping up."

This Unholy Revelation is not related to me, right? I was flung here by chance; Ludmint found me by chance; I ended up in Donhalgen by chance; these are coincidences. Gulia and Lilith aren't Evil Deities; they are Foreign Existences.

My status as a transmigrator must be kept in total secrecy. I thought there would be a consequence, but not this serious. If the world knows of this, they will hunt me down. I might even implicate Lenmia and the others.

When Iris pushed back her thought, she found Parmin, Morbi, and Ludmint staring at her. She blinked and tilted her head.

"Was my speculation drastically wrong?"

"You’re quite something." Ludmint dryly coughed. "You escalate the situation too high. Please don't frighten us."

"Because you haven't mingled with them, it's reasonable you don't know the specific." Morbi took a big gulp of her herbal tea. Her pale skin slightly brightened. "The descension of the Evil Gods is not something easy. I don't know the truth, but there has not been any major descension for millenniums."

Parmin nodded. "We can't dismiss it entirely, but it is indeed implausible. I speculated that they might be after something the Imperial Family has. My source told me there has been an emergency meeting between the Imperial Family and the Churches."

"It's getting close to the Ten-Night Festival too." Ludmint frowned. "The Crown Prince is going to visit the Church of the Seven Goddesses during the Ten-Night Festival. That might be the main target."

While the three Condensation Phase Monster Girls discussed their intelligence, Iris silently listened. She wanted to participate, but she utterly lacked the knowledge regarding everything. She could only sigh and find an empty seat to sit, listening to their meeting, committing the keywords to her memory.

After a while, she dozed off. The fragrance in the lounge soothed her mind, and the cold air relaxed her body. Her thought wandered around, slowly digesting the content she memorised from all the books in the Legacy Ground as well as Speculative Divinity.

"Iris, wake up!"

Iris snapped her eyes open and looked around. Ludmint was standing in front of her, smiling. Parmin and Morbi remained in their seats, their gazes fixed on Iris, who forced a smile and tidied her clothes.

"Too many things happen today; I'm too tired and accidentally doze off," Iris said. "The atmosphere here is too suitable."

"I forgot to tell you, but the fragrance in this room is for relaxation. It is naturally harmless, but you, as a Transformation Phase Monster Girl, might get somewhat affected." Ludmint laughed. "Don't worry. It'll only make you sleepy and stimulated."

Iris perked up; her body turned pink, sensitive. She blushed hard, then glared at Ludmint. "Did you intentionally overlook this? I hate you!"

Iris wanted to get up and hit Ludmint, but she feared that Ludmint might hug her and make her mind go haywire. She could only take a deep breath while Ludmint held back her giggle.

"Iris, Ludmint is just joking," Morbi said. "This fragrance won't arouse you. I made it myself; it's only for relaxation and contemplation. It would be counterproductive if it stirred our heart."

"What? Then . . ." Iris's cheeks reddened. Are those thoughts all mine?

"Let's not tease our Iris any further." Parmin tabbed the glass table. "If there is nothing else, shall we conclude this emergency meeting? I want to go back to knitting my napkin."

"I also want to take a nice nap. Iris's sleepy face makes me quite envious." Morbi smiled.

"How about this?" Ludmint said. "We'll let our newest senior member close the meeting. She needs to get used to it for the official meeting."

The three turned to Iris, who tensed up. "Me? Senior member? But I just joined . . . ."

"You're special, Iris. You came through the void, from the Central Continent, and have no relationship with anyone except us." Parmin smiled. "We want to pamper you, to attach you to our side. You can become our representative when dealing with the Central Continent's organisations."

Lady Parmin is very direct. Iris paused for a moment, then nodded. "I understand. I'll repay this favour in the future."

"I want to promise you that we, Court of Indulgence, will help you in every matter possible, but unfortunately, I'm not the Court Founder. We don't know where and when she will appear. When she returns, I'll take you to see her."

"Did she know about me?"

"We consoled her about your matter; it is her who suggested taking you in as a senior member."

"Then I must thank her myself." Iris beamed.

She is the one who thought up the plan of bringing me to her side. Either she is lucky, or she knows something about me. I need to be careful when I meet her. She might have a Shadow Heart Fragment with her. If she realises I have the Core and demands it, my life in Donhalgen will end.

It isn't like I'm greedy and want to keep the Core, but my very existence trembles when I think of throwing away the Core. Lilith must have done something. The Shadow Heart Core might have already become my Slime Core, which is why I didn't have one when I transmigrated.

With no choice, Iris stood up and went to the middle of the lounge. Smiling, she gracefully curtseyed.

"It's my pleasure to bring this emergency meeting to a tender closure." Iris raised her head. "Lady Ludmint, Lady Parmin, Lady Morbi, please accept my gratitude."

Iris emulated the speeches from her previous life. The meeting concluded successfully. Parmin and Morbi summoned the attendants from the outside and let the quiet yet lively atmosphere resume its flow. Ludmint led Iris out of the lounge to meet up with Secain, who was leaning on a wooden wall, staring at her reflection in the mirror, trying to bring out her charm.

"Lady Iris, do you think I'll look good in the maid uniform?"

"I'm sure your charm will prevail in any clothes you wear." Iris wryly smiled. "If you don't feel like it suits you, you don't have to wear it."

"But you, my mistress, wants to see me in one."

I shouldn't have asked her that question. Iris sighed. "Then think about the style most suitable for yourself."

Secain's eyes flashed as she solemnly nodded. Her figure rapidly dispersed into the air. Though she was still around, Iris couldn't see her anymore.

The thought of having someone invisible protecting me is assuring but also frightening. Will she be watching me change? Will she stare at my soft, pink body? No, her job is to protect me, not to do anything lewd!

"Ludmint, is there actually no screening process?" Iris said.

"Why do you think that? Is our date not fun enough?"

"It isn't a date! Wait, so you just bring me to shop for fun?"

"It's been a long time since I had a chance to shop with a friend, especially one with a refined grace."

"Complimenting me isn't going to make me forget about your lie."

"But you enjoyed it. Is it really a waste of time?"

"It . . . is not."

Ludmint smiled and hugged Iris, who attempted to struggle out of the embrace. The commotion attracted a few gazes, but they paid Iris and Ludmint little attention before going back to their routine.

"What, then, can I do to make you forgive me?" Ludmint said. "You can punish me, on the bed, during the night. I won't resist."

"Give me a few preliminary scholar books and papers. And you must teach me the common knowledge of the Eastern Continent. I can exchange it with my knowledge about the Central Continent or even my exploration of the ancient ruins."

"Can I exchange it for pleasure and courtship?"

"Then forget it."

"I'm sorry! I'll teach you everything." Ludmint faked panicking. She liked to tease Iris, but she also wanted to know more about the Central Continent and the ancient ruins. "I'll apply for your premium membership of the Prime Archive. You will gain access to everything except the confidential files of the highest order."

If I accept this offer, I'll be too indebted to you that I might not be able to refuse climbing up your bed if you wish so. Iris shook her head. "I'll gain the approval myself. If I used you, the scholars would only look down on me. Nepotism is a dangerous thing in the academic field."

My knowledge about ancient history and culture should be enough for me to become a member of the Prime Archive. I'll also try to enter the Royal Magic Academy. I can't just keep relying on Ludmint and Court of Indulgence.

It was already dusk when Iris and Ludmint arrived at their place. After they parted, Iris went to her bedroom and sat in front of her desk. Her Virtual Space Ring glowed and put out Speculative Divinity. She read the book until her mind spun and her body exhausted, then looked outside.

Darkness descended and engulfed the cityscape. The moon palely radiated coldness, accompanied by the stars. Unfortunately, the star which Iris imprinted was too dim to connect with Flamira today.

With nothing to do, Iris sighed and shifted her attention to an empty notebook she bought.

The nap in the afternoon was too effective. I should note down my knowledge about ancient history. It'll be my gateway to the academic world, the first step to gaining a footing in the Garcient Kingdom.