Chapter 602 453 Is Broken, I Became a Succubus (with Popular Science)
The crescent moon is the white goddess, symbolizing luck and dreams;
The full moon is the green goddess, symbolizing birth and growth;
The waning moon is the black goddess, symbolizing fate and death.
The holy trinity of Elsa, Lilith, and Mora'ig Heggar occupies an important place in Asrai culture.
From the moment of conception, Aslay's lives are shaped by Elsa, who governs their birth and continues to weave the threads of life as they grow.
Asrai's hopes and dreams are shaped by Lilith, through whom they seek guidance and inspiration to achieve their vision.
When Asrai died and became one with the forest, they entered a realm ruled by Mora'ig, who held sway over their ultimate destiny.
"? What about me? Do I have no sense of existence?" - "Pale Queen" Erth Hayiai.
In fact, the elves who died in Athel Loren had nothing to do with Erth Haiai, just like the Asur who lived in Ulthuan.
Elsa is known as the mother of the elven race, mother earth, and protector of the natural order. Aslay believed that the natural world was Elsa's divine body, made up of forests, mountains, and rolling hills. The rivers and oceans are her blood, and the fertile soil is her womb, constantly giving birth to new life. She gives soul to every living thing, animals, plants, rivers and even rocks and thunder.
All Asrai revere Mother Earth to varying degrees, because natural harmony is the ultimate path to spiritual tranquility. Their worship of Aisha is reflected in all aspects of life. Priests who believe in other gods will also take time to worship Aisha every day. Pray that Elsa's name will be praised as priests of Vaal obtain crafting materials, or as worshipers of Kurnos celebrate their kills. If necessary, they will perform even cruel acts to enforce Elsa's will.
Respect life and all its gifts.
Thank Elsa before you harvest from the forest, and take only what you need.
Honor your family and loved ones because their lives are with you.
Tend the world's gardens and receive Elsa's blessings.
Remember Elsa’s love at the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice.
This is Aisha's creed and principles that Aslay understands.
The priestesses of the Order of Elsa serve as intermediaries between elves and forest spirits, maintaining the harmony of souls within the natural order. They wear robes and carry staffs like other spellcasters, but their unique aura of divine serenity is apparent to magically aware beings.
Priestesses play a leading role in all fertility rites, including Ostalis, which celebrates the rebirth of Orion and Ariel in Athel Loren. Followers of Elsa, both male and female, are considered particularly fertile, and the order's maids sometimes marry childless nobles just to produce offspring. These fertility contracts increased the order's influence among the nobility, and male administrators of the order often volunteered to become surrogate fathers in exchange for gaining status in the clergy.
It's all related to the birth rate. Aslay's birth rate is inexplicably low, so low that it's unbelievable, and it's so low that it's outrageous. Unlike the Aenir who live in Lauren Loren, Aslay in Athel Loren rarely have parents with more than two children.
Isn't this because Aslay doesn't work hard? Fertility rituals are considered the most sacred form of magic, and Asrai is taught about fertility at an early age. As adults, their casual attitude toward sex often makes other elves uncomfortable... but it just doesn't work out. Maybe the root cause is not Aslay, but influenced by the environment? Dominated by the Garden of the Ancient Ones?
Lilith, the goddess of dreams and luck, was classified by Asrai as a minor deity among the gods despite being Elsa's daughter, but in fact she was a highly influential member of the Trinity. Because she symbolizes innocence, luck, and untapped potential, she is the goddess of prophets and seers.
With the exception of Liv, a master who can tell by digging his staff into the ground, Aslay usually uses water as a medium for divination, by observing the reflection of stars on the calm surface of a water bowl, pond, or lake. The water infused into the Winds of Aegir is thought to reflect constellations not visible to direct stargazing, and even reveal fleeting images of distant events. Asrai can see Elsa's will through divination, and they can learn which paths of destiny must be followed in order to achieve harmony with nature.
The truth of dreams is not the truth of the waking world.
Never refuse to listen to another person’s dreams.
Sprinkle dirt where you sleep or in the wind to appease Lilith.
Never disturb still water, for it holds the future.
This is the creed and principle understood by the priests of Lilith. They are holy, pure and independent. When they reach adulthood, they will voluntarily join the Neighbor Gang and take a vow of celibacy. They believe that their devotion makes them invulnerable to corruption, and those prophets who break their oath are considered traitors to Asrai and are usually banished from the forest, or must atone for their sins by undergoing dangerous trials. Prophets who wish to leave their neighborhood participate in a special exit ceremony in which their vows are revoked.
Morayig Heg, the goddess of fate and death, is also called the soul guardian or the crone by the Asrai. The Asrai believe that she will guide the souls of deceased relatives from the forest to the other world, and then return like lightning at the right time. As for what the other world is... it is what Daxus saw that day. She is also believed by the Asrai to know all the secrets of mortals. The fate of the living is contained in a leather bag, which she often wears to cover the prophecy of Lilith.
To put it bluntly, the unreliable prophecy of Lilith is thrown on Morayig Heg.
In the songs of the Asrai, crows often appear as harbingers of Morayig Heg. They gradually learn to read the migration patterns of crows and understand unique metaphysics. They will distinguish good or bad omens based on the time of the crow's appearance.
Once is accidental, twice is coincidence, and three times is a sign of fate.
Whisper the name of the deceased to Morayig so that she can find the deceased.
The Crone's name should not be mentioned during pregnancy, as the fate of the unborn child is yet to be determined.
Incense is burned in honor of the Morayg, and raven feathers are worn to show respect for the Crone.
The followers of the Morayg are itinerant, wandering the forest aimlessly to outsiders, but in fact they follow an instinct that leads them to a settlement that will soon require a death ritual. They are usually not welcomed when they appear, but after the predicted death occurs, they are briefly respected, at least until the death ritual is over. As the hands of fate, they will also temporarily prevent the inevitable from happening in exchange for services.
The largest of the triad is Kurnos.
Kurnos, god of beasts and hunting, appears as a beast of the forest, representing the wild and untamed forces of nature. Although dangerous and unpredictable, his bestial fury is only directed at those who provoke him.
The biggest disagreement between the Asrai and other races is in the treatment of animals. They reject the concept of raising animals and believe that humans raising livestock is disgusting. They consider this to be a blasphemy against Kurnos and a crime against nature. They believe that they have found a balance between rational thinking and the primitive impulses of every creature.
Thank the animal spirits that sustain your life.
Ask for Kurnos's blessing to hunt and you will never go hungry.
Protect the creatures that live in Kurnos's domain and judge those who trespass without permission.
Beastmen are a distortion of Kurnos' image and are not allowed to survive.
The priests of Kurnos are immortal, however, most of Kurnos' followers do not use the title of priest, but call themselves Wild Riders. Their sacred duty is to find an Asrai worthy of being reborn as Orion, to oversee the union of Orion's immortal spirit with the Asrai, and then accompany Orion on the Wild Hunt and perform blood sacrifices after the kill. When the hunt ends and winter comes, they also perform sacred horn dances.
Asrai do not know the origins of the Wild Riders, and some spellcasters speculate that the Wild Riders may be those Asrai who survived the trials of the Hunter's Valley and were later promoted to holy servants of Kurnos, or those Asrai who survived the slaughter in the Wild Hunt.
It is said that some hunters who hunted only to test their skills violated the forest agreement and angered Kurnos. These law-breaking hunters would encounter a prey that lured them into a realm called the Hunter's Valley. After passing through the magical vine gate, the hunter would become the animal they had harmed and was then hunted by Kurnos' ghostly incarnation. Those few hunters who survived would become devout followers of Kurnos, who would be blessed with immortality and be awarded the title of Wild Riders.
Apart from the Trinity and Kurnos, there are only a few relatively niche gods left, three of which occupy the front row. This is like the existence that looks at the world with open arms, and then derived various interpretations, and regarded each other as heresy and opposed. Fortunately, since Druki, Asur, Ainir, and Asrai do not communicate much, there is no religious dispute over the right of interpretation.
Loik, the god of trickery, music, and revelry, occasionally called the Harlequin or the God of Laughter, is the spirit of freedom in Asrai society. He appeals to the playful nature of the Asrai, who believe that laughter can free them from troubles and make it easier to communicate with gods and spirits, but they must be cautious. Joy should always be combined with an equal amount of serious reflection to maintain balance, so the god of forging, Val, is sometimes worshiped as Loik's counterbalance.
Loik often inadvertently causes more trouble than good, although the final result is positive. Unlike other gods, he intervenes more directly in the lives of the Asrai, by sending his divine servants to guide or mislead the Asrai.
Don't worship in temples, but in your heart.
Trust yourself, only the dull and clumsy need armor.
It is better to die for freedom than to suffer under oppression.
As a guest, perform to earn your dinner. As a host, perform to demonstrate your status.
Don’t sheath your blade until it has served its purpose.
Lok's most famous followers are the Wardancers, exquisite performers who reenact history through complex dance rituals, leading the Asrai in music and festivities. Although the cult has no structured hierarchy, the leader of each neighboring band is considered his priest, the Shadow Dancer. Every year, the Wardancers of the twelve Bodhisattvas gather at the Wardancers' Banquet Hall in the Deceiver's Forest, where the followers of Loik informally call each other brothers and sisters and enjoy festivities and competitions together.
However, the existence of the title of "Wild Dancer" makes the competition more intense, and bloodshed is the final event. With the title of Wild Dancer, it is also considered to be the champion of Loik.
Val, the god of forging and craftsmanship, is sometimes called the Cripple or the Chained God. In the songs of the Asrai, he is described as a once noble god who is now blind and lame. It is said that this is due to the injuries he suffered in the battle of the celestial realm, but in fact... He acts as a balance in the visionary mind of the Asrai, focusing and grounding the Asrai's creativity. The Asrai see him as the protector of the forest, and he is often worshipped by the Asrai as the opposite of Loik.
Before extinguishing the flame, thank the Vaal.
Only use weapons whose makers you know.
Metal is precious, treat the work of the Vaal kindly, and retrieve every arrow.
Pray for the help of the Vaal when creating, and seek inspiration from difficulties.
The priests of the Vaal are usually concentrated in Tegovan, the Starlight Forge. Due to the relatively special geographical environment, they regularly offer sacrifices to the fire god Adaeus to appease the volcano located in Tegovan and use magic to control the crater. The most devout priests believe that the joy of creation must be accompanied by pain, so their ritual scars symbolize the injuries suffered by their sacred guardians.
The storm god Maslan, as the patron saint of lost guardians and explorers, he became the god of storms and rivers in Athel Loren without sea and ports... Most Asrai see him as a rainmaker and river guardian. The most interesting thing is that the song has been passed on for some reason, and he has become Lilith's father and Aisha's former lover. This... Cain said he has something to say. No wonder Kunos is so green, and Lilith's generation has been reduced by another generation.
In fact, Asrai has some basis for thinking so. They believe that Maslan allowed his daughter Lilith to reveal Aisha's ever-changing will through his waters.
Tears can calm Maslan's anger.
Hanging wind chimes can make Maslan sing to you.
Don't catch more fish than you need.
Wearing shells and fish bones can please Maslan.
Strangers traveling together should be like relatives, because we will turn to relatives when we need help.
Asrai is not a sea nation like Duruchi and Asur, so although Maslan has a great influence, he is still considered a minor god. However, the situation can change sometimes. For example, in drought, Maslan's priests will perform rain-praying ceremonies to summon rain, but this situation is very rare.
As for the priest of Maselan... She is now in Dacus's arms. She is more like Maselan's daughter than a priest. Unlike Arinasa, Maselan's daughter is very beautiful and has a strange sense of emptiness. Maybe it's because she is in contact with water frequently?
"Okay, okay." Dacus said shyly with a blushing face.
"Why did you come now? I've been waiting for you for a long time."
"Did you get delayed on the way?" Sairenni's words made Dacus unconfident, and he said in an uncertain tone.
Sairenni, the daughter of Maselan, is a stunning elf girl. Her beauty is like the sea surface at dawn, dazzling. Her long hair is as blue as the deep sea, shimmering in the sun, like the sea dancing between her hair. Her eyes are like the ocean, deep and mysterious, revealing an elusive power and wisdom.
A shining robe made of iselama silver wrapped around Serene's body. The robe was blue like the flowing waves, gently swaying with her every movement. The silver thread embroidery on the robe was like the white spray splashed by the waves hitting the rocks, shining on the blue robe. The blue robe contrasted sharply with the green of the forest, making her look like a messenger from the ocean, carrying the mystery and power of the ocean.
However, this sense of mystery also made the residents of Athel Loren full of vigilance and uneasiness towards Serene. She was not well-received in Athel Loren because Asrai believed that she inherited the perverse and irritable temperament of Matheran, and could bring unknown variables and shocks at any time like a sudden storm.
Matheran was sometimes calm and sometimes turbulent, unpredictable.
"It doesn't matter, dear Dacus, welcome to the Flowing Water Palace." Serene smiled as she stepped back. She exuded unparalleled beauty and power. Her every move was as graceful and powerful as the waves, making it impossible to ignore her presence. Her blue robe fluttered in the wind, as if the waves were dancing in the air, bringing a fresh sea breeze that was fascinating.
Darkius had a strange feeling. After seeing Serene, he smelled a salty smell. This salty smell did not refer to the rotten stalk, but the pure breath of the sea, like the waves hitting the rocks on the shore.
The Wind of Aegir surrounds Serene like an invisible wave, extremely strong, almost becoming substantial. The air is filled with the smell of the sea, with a salty and humid feeling, as if the sea breeze is blowing on Daquus's face. The Wind of Aegir not only surrounds her, but also gives her some mysterious power, like the undercurrent in the sea, unpredictable and full of incredible power.
"Is this a demigod?" Daquus smacked his lips in a low voice. He had only seen the power of Serene in Malekith, Morathi, Anasara, and the second-generation Slann magic priests. Serene's spellcasting power should have reached the terrifying legendary level. He thought that only Ariel in Athel Loren had the power of a legendary spellcaster, but... maybe Leandra is also.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, your amulet?" Daquus changed the subject and led the conversation to the amulet on Serene's neck.
"Oh, this is the amulet my father gave me." Serene lowered her head and took a look, then took off the amulet while speaking.
The Maslan Amulet, a fish-shaped pendant hanging on a pearl necklace, was a gift from Maslan to Serene as a lucky charm for the journey to the Elsin Arwen colony. Although she looks like a girl, she was born in the Golden Age of the Elves and has lived for a thousand years. After wearing it for a thousand years, the amulet has absorbed a lot of Aegir's wind and is closely connected with her temperament. When she is at sea, she can use the amulet to launch four attacks: low tide, high tide, high tide and low tide, stirring up the sea.
"I also have the amulet your father gave me." Daquus took the Maslan Amulet and untied the Holy Soul Reef around his neck.
"The Trident of the Sea, the Holy Soul Reef, and the Deep Sea Scepter? When are we going to find the Deep Sea Scepter?" Serene carefully held the Holy Soul Reef in her hands, looked at it for a few times, and then raised her head and smiled at Daquus.
"Don't worry, I have other things to do." Dacus gave Serene the same smile. Combined with Serene's previous words, he knew Serene's subtext. This is what he wanted to see. For the elves, he is the chosen one of Marselan, and Serene is the daughter of Marselan. This is like a king bomb for those elves who run on the sea and believe in Marselan.
"What are your plans next?" Tyrandor, who was watching Dacus and Serene interacting on horseback in the distance, asked in a cautious tone.
"He is the chosen one of Loik. I follow the guidance of Loik and my father. What about you?" Hegria, who was standing aside, responded expressionlessly.
"Me? I don't know... Look, the forest is moving." Tyrandor pointed to the distance and changed the subject.
Part of the border of Fir Darrick borders Agraviron. Looking across the Grismeri River, Serene's Flowing Water Palace is located at the waterfall at the junction of the two territories. Both Tyrandor and Heglia knew of Serene's existence, but they only knew...
"Kaia, and that one." Alatar whispered to Maranul, pointing to Beloda, who was standing on the Triceratops platform and looking at the distance intently, with a changing expression, and then said, "And this one now, I can feel that she is very powerful, that feeling is like... I saw your mother."
"The third high priest of the Stormweaver? No... maybe?..." Maranul was stunned halfway through his words. He squinted his eyes and looked into the distance. He felt that the forest was moving quickly.
"Would you like to sit inside? There haven't been any guests in the Flowing Water Palace for a long time." After exchanging the amulets, Serene made an invitation gesture.
While Daxus put on the amulet, he raised his head and looked at the Flowing Water Palace. The full name of the Flowing Water Palace is "River Fairy Waterfall Courtyard", which is located across the waterfall of the Grismeri River and connects Fir Darrick and Aggviron.
There is no doubt that the Palace of Flowing Waters is a landmark building, the courtyard and residence of Serene. The palace is like a masterpiece of nature and magic, amazingly strange and magnificent. The walls of the palace are made of pure and flawless crystals. These crystals are not only transparent like air, but also reflect the magic brilliance through the wind of Aegir in the water, making the palace sparkle charmingly in the sun.
The palace at the top of the waterfall is like a huge crystal waterfall, hanging from the sky, and the water flows down the crystal walls, forming countless crystal clear water curtains. For those without second vision, this palace is almost invisible, and only streams of water can be seen flying in the air, like a never-ending dream.
When you approach the palace, you can feel the powerful magical power contained in it. When the river fairies protect the Grismeri River in Athel Loren, they usually appear in the form of deadly water elements. But in this palace, they will transform into charming fairies, wearing robes woven from crystals and moonlight, and gracefully walk through every corner of the palace. Their singing is like the hum of flowing water, full of mystery and charm, making those who stray into it linger and fall into it.
In the year 2513 of the Imperial Calendar, Duke Tancred II of the Principality of Quinaris issued a mission to find his successor. For some reason, his son who was looking for the Holy Grail got lost in the Flowing Water Palace for seven years.
Darkius was not going to go now. He did not think that the Flowing Water Palace could accommodate so many people. His team, Tyrandor's relatives, and the war dancers led by Heglia, totaled more than a thousand people. It was really too small to accommodate them. To be honest, he liked it here. This was the first time he saw a stone building after coming to Athel Loren. If possible, he would rather live here instead of living in a tree like a monkey. Moreover, it was very close to Phil Darrick. If everything went well, he was also prepared to have in-depth exchanges with those war dancers.
"There are too many people. I will stay in Athel Loren..." Darkius explained. When he was halfway through his explanation, he felt the ground shaking.
"You have guests." Serene looked into the distance and smiled.
"Oh no, I became a succubus." (End of this chapter)