Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard-Chapter 82: Vow to not tell- Part 1

The quiet streets of the night city felt eerie. It looked as if no one was currently out on the streets, yet Auriel’s senses still picked up on the human presence all around her.

Most people were hiding in the shadows, waiting for their chance to jump out and assault a passerby to take everything they had.

Auriel suppressed her presence as much as she could to avoid being found out and quickly made her way to the place where she had promised to meet the kid during the morning hours.

She did not immediately see the kid when she reached the alley, but Auriel’s senses told her that he was nearby. The scent of black magic dominated the air, and Auriel felt a wave of dizziness as she stood near it.

’Don’t let it get to you. Pay attention. I need to remain vigilant so that I am not accidentally taken advantage of by someone.’

Auriel kept her back straight as she walked up to the place where she sensed the kid and waved her hand.

The magic that had been hiding the boy immediately fell apart, and he looked shocked to see Auriel’s capabilities.

"Y-You... can use magic? Not that I’m complaining! The Holy Sanctuary would welcome anyone, and they would be extremely happy to have people capable of using magic. Please, don’t take it the wrong way and think I’m complaining here."

The kid was quick to apologize and bow his head. He kept his face down, a sudden flush spreading across his cheeks.

Despite his earlier confidence, this proved that he did not have much experience dealing with people. His awkwardness made it clear that he had no idea what to do.

Auriel could have easily grabbed the kid by now and forced him to tell her where the Holy Sanctuary was. In fact, that was what she should have done.

But instead, Auriel simply smiled at him in a reassuring way, showing that she was not a threat. She kept her attitude as open and unthreatening as possible.

"I’m fine, kid. Magic is somewhat of a hobby for me, and I’m not particularly proficient in it. Please don’t expect too much from me, or you’ll be disappointed."

Auriel lied through her teeth, but her words carried no trace of deceit.

The kid looked disappointed at her response, and she could visibly see his shoulders sag at the sad news.

"I-I see! In that case, please forget anything I told you about. But... before we head there, I need you to take an oath with me. I know you’re trustworthy, but it’s our rule to have people swear not to reveal the existence of the Sanctuary."

The kid remembered this just in time before he turned to face Auriel and held out his hand.

"I, Ludwig, will be the guarantor of your vow. Place your hand here and swear that you will keep the Holy Sanctuary a secret from everyone except other disciples. Once you take the oath, we can get going."

Auriel placed her hand over Ludwig’s and, with a steady voice, repeated the words of the vow.

A strange warmth spread through her fingertips as the magic of the oath settled in place. It was a binding contract, but one that did not truly affect her—not with her divine nature.

Still, she played along, keeping her expression neutral as the vow was sealed. Auriel needed to pretend she was under vow if she wanted to fool the kid and the others.

Ludwig visibly relaxed once the ritual was completed, a bright smile spreading across his face.

"Thank you for trusting us. Now, follow me—I’ll take you to the Holy Sanctuary."

The boy moved quickly through the empty streets, and Auriel followed closely, carefully observing everything.

The route he took was winding, avoiding the main roads and instead cutting through narrow alleys and side streets. He moved with the confidence of someone who had walked this path many times before.

Finally, they arrived at what appeared to be an ordinary pub. It was run-down, the wooden sign above the entrance barely legible, and the windows covered with grime.

From the outside, it looked like any other forgotten drinking hole—certainly not a place that held any great religious significance.

Auriel couldn’t sense anything unusual.

No lingering magic, no strange aura, nothing. If Ludwig had not brought her here, she would have never suspected that something was hidden beneath this place.

The boy stepped inside confidently, and Auriel followed. The inside of the pub was just as unimpressive as the outside—dimly lit, half-empty, and filled with the stench of cheap alcohol.

A few drunks slouched over their mugs, and a bartender wiped down the counter with a rag that was probably making the surface dirtier rather than cleaner.

Ludwig didn’t hesitate. He made direct eye contact with the bartender and subtly raised two fingers. It was a quiet, practiced signal.

The bartender gave him a barely perceptible nod before turning away, seemingly uninterested.

Auriel raised an eyebrow, wondering if this was some kind of test. But then Ludwig gestured for her to follow, leading her toward a door near the back of the pub. He pushed it open and revealed a dimly lit staircase leading down into darkness.

She stepped inside without hesitation.

The air grew colder with each step she took, the musty scent of damp stone replacing the stench of alcohol. It wasn’t until they reached the bottom that Auriel finally sensed it—dark magic.

Ludwig, still oblivious, reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black coin. He pressed it against the stone wall, and a deep red glow spread across the surface. A second later, the wall shifted, revealing a hidden entrance.

The moment Auriel stepped inside, the sheer weight of dark magic slammed into her senses. It was suffocating, thick, and potent.

And yet, Ludwig didn’t seem to notice anything. His face was filled with awe as he gazed at the underground sanctuary with proud eyes.

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