Just Enchanted by Her Strength

Chapter 11: Trial Invitation

"…You truly are an odd one."

Daphne stared at Phoenix for a long moment. She couldn't detect even a hint of reverence for God in his eyes, and she muttered the words almost to herself.

A fellow who held such playful disrespect for God… he was truly kindred spirit to her, a natural-born hybrid.

Phoenix said with a casual air, "Some are great because they are born so, while others are great because they choose to be… the Great The Aurelian Oak clearly doesn't belong to the latter category, and therefore doesn't earn my full respect. Compared to the The Aurelian Oak, I admire your strength far more."

He was taken aback by the strength and resilience displayed by a mere sixteen-year-old girl.

Phoenix put himself in her shoes. If he had known in advance that his suffering was a crucible for rebirth, perhaps he could have grit his teeth and persevered.

But to suffer without a glimmer of hope… that was truly defying the heavens.

Daphne forced a wry smile. "What is there to admire… it's simply unavoidable."

Though those were her words, the ever-so-slight upturn of the silver-haired girl's lips betrayed her feelings at being sincerely praised by Phoenix.

Phoenix wasn't attacking God just to appease Daphne; his stance had always been clear.

What He possesses, I can take!

Not only did he lack reverence, but he also intended to poach from the The Aurelian Oak!

In the game, Daphne eventually underwent all of the "Withering-Glory Blessings," ascending to become the The Aurelian Oak's Demigod offspring in the mortal realm, the ruler of the Empire: the Withering-Glory Dragon Emperor.

That iron-blooded Emperor, having cast aside all weakness, would unite the fragmented Empire with her own will in the Godless, bleak future, participating in the struggle for supremacy and claiming endless victories and glory.

But that was still years away. Now that Phoenix had the power to interfere with the future, he had to consider how to maximize his own benefit.

Seize Daphne while she was still a hidden dragon, and bring her into his fold!

Poaching from a God sounded like a recklessly suicidal act, but the The Aurelian Oak was a corner worth cutting.

If it were a God like the Eternal Gale Equestrian Deity or the Cannes Emperor, Gods who had ascended from mortals, they would likely be quite human and would not take kindly to having their chosen progeny snatched away, and would demand a reckoning.

However, the The Aurelian Oak was a tree.

Its thoughts and ideas were vastly different from those of mortals. While it desired to elevate Daphne to Demigod status, if she were unwilling to become its offspring, the The Aurelian Oak would simply deem that she "had not withstood the trial" and give up.

It was all about chance.

Moreover, in future versions of the game, under the invasion of the Old World's chaotic tides, all the Gods would sever their connection to the mortal realm, making the heavens high and the Emperor far away.

Therefore, even knowing that the The Aurelian Oak was watching Daphne, Phoenix dared to sow discord directly:

"I had thought that, at the very least, under the Sacred Laws, there would be clear rewards and punishments."

Phoenix frowned. "Anyone could be at fault in that matter, but you were the exception. The spite of the mediocre can be understood, but for a God of such immense wisdom to inflict such punishment is truly unjust."

"What can a mortal do to defy the God Ancestor's decisions, no matter how bitter they may be?"

Daphne crawled from the bedside to her wheelchair, listening to Phoenix championing her cause. The silver-haired Imperial Princess even allowed a happy smile to play on her lips.

"There is only acceptance. Whatever the God Ancestor bestows, we can only accept. I have no power to refuse. The only thing I can do is to mock all the suffering that failed to kill me, and scorn all the torment that cannot make me weep."

Phoenix listened to Daphne's confession with the earnest attention of a disciple, nodding inwardly.

What was this? This was the heart of a champion!

To scorn fate, to mock suffering… no wonder she would become one of the strongest beings in the mortal realm in the future.

"However, I do have some doubts."

Perhaps having finally found someone to confide in, Daphne continued to open her heart. She touched the dragon horns on her forehead and said,

"If the goal was to punish my filth and impurity, shouldn't these dragon horns have been the first thing to be stripped away? And to empty me out while using power to extend my life, would the The Aurelian Oak really engage in such a tasteless, pointless judgment?"

"I even suspect that this is a trial given by the God Ancestor, the idea of 'no pain, no gain'… ha, what laughable wishful thinking."

Phoenix's brow furrowed as he listened. Daphne's conjecture was already dangerously close to the truth.

He silently stood behind Daphne and began pushing her wheelchair, saying,

"Since no one truly understands the thoughts of God, why not go ask the God Ancestor yourself?"

"Even the prayers of an Emperor might go unanswered, but there is one occasion where He will surely respond to the seeker."

Daphne turned her head, her eyes widening. "Are you talking about… the Secret Realm Trial?"

The Aurelian Oak Festival, held every three years, was a grand celebration of the God Ancestor, the The Aurelian Oak. During this time, even the Gods would personally descend to organize events.

One of these events was the Secret Realm Trial, a favorite pastime of nearly every God. They would create a small world as a stage, and participants would perform to their hearts' content, displaying bravery and wisdom to please God.

All participants who pleased the God Ancestor would receive generous blessings, and those who performed exceptionally well could even make a wish to the God Ancestor!

Besides Gods, demons or the natural spirits of holy lands could create similar secret realms, but their creations paled in comparison to those of the Gods.

This was essentially the dungeon mechanic in "Wheel of Fortune".

Phoenix affirmed, "Participate in the Secret Realm Trial and earn the right to ask the God Ancestor a question."

"…I thought my own speculations were already outlandish."

Daphne looked back at Phoenix, her eyes practically screaming "humor."

Which Secret Realm Trial wasn't a competition where the Empire's most brilliant talents competed for glory? Of so many gifted individuals, only a tiny fraction were noticed by the God Ancestor and received blessings, let alone the right to make a wish, which hadn't happened in nearly a century.

On the grand stage created by God, if one wanted to gain the favor of the God Ancestor, one would have to demonstrate absolute bravery, wisdom, and charisma, performing a play that would captivate and amaze the Gods.

Such a miracle was rare, occurring perhaps once every hundred years.

"How would you know if you don't try? People always need a reason to dream, don't they?"

Phoenix finally revealed his true purpose. He happened to know what this trial's secret realm was like, and he had already run it countless times.

All the key information and every tiny detail was deeply etched into his mind; he could pull off something big.

Unfortunately, he simply didn't have enough cards in his hand. Even if he dragged Eleanor along, he would only have a Rank 2 [Elite] and a Rank 3 [Eminent]. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't make much of a difference.

But if Daphne were on his team, everything would be completely different.

Therefore, Phoenix coaxed her.

"Lady Daphne, why not join me in the Trial?"

"Mr. Phoenix, are you unaware? I, a hybrid rejected by the God Ancestor… I am not permitted to participate in the Trial."

"…"

There was such a rule?

Phoenix only knew that Daphne was a child favored and cherished by the Aurelian Oak. Wasn't the Secret Realm Trial tailor-made for her?

But on second thought, how would mere mortals know this? In their eyes, a Dragoness with tainted blood was absolutely f*******n from participating in the sacred Trial.

"Besides, in this state, what's the point of participating?"

Daphne shook her head slowly but firmly. "Mr. Phoenix, it's already enough that you came to see me. You don't need to do anything more for me."

"Alright… would you like to go outside for a bit?"

Phoenix had no choice but to abandon the idea of inviting Daphne to participate in the Trial.

It didn't matter anyway. Getting Daphne's talent was the most crucial thing.

"If it's not too much trouble, I would appreciate it."

The silver-haired Imperial Princess no longer resisted Phoenix's kindness. Normally, according to her principles, she would never accept help.

Phoenix pushed the wheelchair out of the palace, leaving behind that prison-like chamber. Even the sky above the Aurelian Oak Palace seemed brighter and wider.

"Where would you like to go?"

Phoenix asked.

Daphne pondered for a moment. "The garden below, perhaps."

In the past, since she had to descend the steep steps to reach the garden, it was difficult for Daphne to manage alone, so she rarely visited. But with Phoenix's help, the steps were no longer an insurmountable obstacle.

Phoenix lifted the wheelchair directly and brought Daphne to the palace garden.

The magnificent and sacred pillar structure harmonized with the exotic flowers and plants, together with the faint golden Aurelian Oak phantom, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

Under the The Aurelian Oak, even ordinary flowers and trees would receive blessings, growing lush and beautiful. No matter how hard the court artists tried, they could not reproduce the vivid colors.

The swirling sea of flowers drifted with a refreshing fragrance that could soothe the soul. The blessed riot of colors possessed a magic that could calm the heart.

Even as a despised and hated hybrid, Daphne was still of the Tree God's bloodline and loved the beauty of the flower-filled garden from the bottom of her heart.

Pure light flooded the young girl's eyes, reflecting the dreamlike, enchanting garden.

She raised her head to greet the gentle breeze, her eyes slightly lowered.

"It's truly beautiful,"

The silver-haired girl said with a sigh.