Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard-Chapter 70: Timely interference - Part 1

The usually busy plaza at the mage’s tower was deadly silent. Not a single mage was in sight, and Auriel could instantly tell why.

"Ugh, the air here is heavier than I expected. Is that the rumored tree that is sucking away all the vitality in people? It feels so gross just standing near it."

Princess Evelyn complained from where she stood. Her body was feeling the side effects of being in a magic-less environment.

Usually, people did not need much magic to survive. But for people who could use magic, like the magicians from the magic tower and even Princess Evelyn, being in a magic-less environment was bad.

Since they could not use magic, it sapped away at their energy resources and made every task much more burdensome to perform.

"Is it too hard for you, Princess Evelyn? Here, I will help you out. It will not make you feel 100% better, but you should stop feeling the discomfort for some time."

Priestess Lilith put her hand on the younger princess’s shoulder before she pushed her divine energy inside the princess.

The results were instant, and the princess looked better.

Divine energy could be used as a substitute for magic in most people, but it was still not the same. It was purer and raw, making it hard to control at times. Plus, it had different properties, making it not easy to absorb and use.

’It is not the time to be thinking about all this. I should focus on the tree in front of me.’

Auriel dragged her eyes away from the pair behind her and toward her target in front of her. She took one step toward the tree, and everyone froze.

"Goddess Auriel, it might be rude of me to say, but please be careful when you are dealing with that. If you feel anything wrong, please abandon what you are doing. Your safety is our top priority."

Priestess Lilith spoke in a way that seemed as if she was supporting Auriel’s decision. But something about her body language screamed her disapproval.

Auriel had no doubt that the older-looking female would drag her away if it seemed like Auriel was in danger.

"Don’t worry. This bug cannot do anything to harm me. But just in case, you all should stand a little further away. I can’t promise you that nothing will happen when I get close to it."

Auriel promised as she stepped toward the tree.

Priestess Lilith and Carol looked reluctant to step back. Their feet looked glued to the ground, but Princess Evelyn decided to follow Auriel’s instructions for the first time.

She grabbed the pair by the back of their clothes and proceeded to drag them away.

"Alright, this is enough. The divine one asked us to step back, so let’s follow her decision. Goddess Auriel, please call for us the second you feel the need to. I will run over to help you out."

Princess Evelyn’s words sounded almost rude, but for the first time, it actually felt like Auriel’s words were being followed.

Even if the princess sounded rude, she was not doubting Auriel’s capabilities as a goddess and was even giving her space.

’Tsk, how pathetic. To think that I am feeling touched because of this. I’ve truly fallen so far behind.’

Auriel sighed before she got to work.

The closer she walked to the magic-sucking creature, the more it tried to shrink away. But it was impossible for it to fully escape Auriel.

"Sorry, but it is time for you to rest. I can’t have you hurting more people."

Auriel reached out to grab the tree-like creature, but she did not get to do anything else. And it was all because of that loud shout that made her lose her focus.

"W-WAIT! GODDESS, PLEASE WAIT! I-I NEED YOUR HELP. PLEASE!"

Auriel’s first instinct was to ignore that loud shout and continue to do what she had been doing. But when that presence began to get closer and closer to her, even breaking into the magic-less zone, Auriel could not keep pretending that she could continue.

"G-Goddess, please—! Help me out."

A young girl collapsed near Auriel, forcing the goddess to give up what she was doing in favor of helping her out.

Auriel’s gaze flickered between the collapsed girl and the monstrous tree behind her.

She knew she couldn’t simply leave the creature unattended, but she also couldn’t ignore someone in need.

With a sharp exhale, she raised her hand, golden divine energy pulsing around her fingertips.

A shimmering golden barrier surged forth, encasing the tree-like organism in a protective dome.

The air within the plaza seemed to shudder at the sudden shift, and then, as if a great weight had been lifted, magic slowly trickled back into the surroundings.

The suffocating sensation of emptiness began to dissipate, and the people of the magic tower, still weak but now breathing more easily, stirred in relief.

Auriel turned to her companions, her voice firm but laced with concern.

"Come quickly. We need to get her inside before she loses more strength."

Princess Evelyn was the first to move, unsheathing her sword and keeping it at her side as she rushed forward. Priestess Lilith and Carol followed suit, kneeling beside the unconscious girl.

"She’s still breathing. But her magic reserves are completely drained."

Carol noted, pressing two fingers to the girl’s wrist.

Auriel furrowed her brows.

"Then it wasn’t just the tree that weakened her to this extent this fast. She must have done something to get this close."

Priestess Lilith gently brushed the girl’s disheveled hair away from her face, studying her features.

"We should move her somewhere safe. I don’t think she’ll wake up anytime soon, and leaving her here isn’t an option."

With a nod, Auriel lifted the girl effortlessly in her arms.

The girl was light—too light, as if she had been suffering for far longer than just this moment. Without another word, the group turned and made their way toward the magic tower.

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