MTLNOVEL Chapter 76: Pulled in
Beatrice had no fond memories of her late husband.
Their marriage had lasted barely two months before he was killed in the same ambush that claimed her father.
If there was anything—anyone—that still reminded her of the man she once called her husband, it was her daughter.
Her Peri.
That bright, precious child was the reason Beatrice remained standing after losing the pillars of her life. Peri was her anchor, her motivation, the little voice that pushed her to carry herself as a queen should.
For her daughter, she dreamed of a peaceful world.
That was why Beatrice had even swallowed her disgust and stayed silent about the sacrifices made to feed the deity slumbering within the Samaran Temple. A necessary evil, she had told herself, for the stability of the realm.
She never imagined the day would come when that same deity—the one they had served for generations—would demand Peri.
Her innocent, undeserving Peri.
Outrage burned in her chest, but no amount of pleading or resistance could stop it. For days she knelt at the temple's doors, offering herself, her crown, everything she owned in exchange. Anything but her daughter.
But the deity was unmoved. Prayer and brute force alike crumbled before its will.
And so, Beatrice was left staring once more into the same abyss she had faced with the coffins of her husband and father—helpless, powerless, her arms empty.
She had locked herself away in her room, stripped of any hope of ever seeing her daughter again.
Her little girl had been the only reason she kept pushing forward. But now, without her, Beatrice felt hollow—like someone had reached inside and stolen a piece of her soul.
And then… a flicker of hope appeared on the horizon.
Someone stepped into her sight.
Fiery red hair. A gaze that burned like embers. A presence so intense it made those nearby instinctively wary.
But Beatrice didn't hesitate. She moved toward him at once.
"Were you the one who opened the door?" she asked, her voice quick, almost breathless.
The boy—Hades—looked startled at the sudden appearance of the woman who, to him, seemed almost otherworldly. But he quickly collected himself.
"Yes, it was me," he replied. "But it wasn't on purpose. I was just tracing the pattern with my fingers… and then the door shifted."
At those words, Ralph stepped forward, his expression sharp.
"Who are you, human? Where did you come from?"
The directness made Hades pause for a heartbeat, but he answered truthfully.
"My name is Hades, and this is Luna. We came here from Bavech." He left it at that. If they looked into it, they wouldn't find anything.
Ralph's eyes narrowed. "The town where the Sage lives… Are you connected to her in some way?"
Hades considered for a moment, then nodded. "She sent us here… but didn't tell us why."
An older elf's eyes widened ever so slightly. "If it's that personage, then she must know something about what's happening here."
Hades had a similar thought… perhaps the Sage had sent him here for this very reason—to help them with their problem.
Before he could say anything, Luna suddenly asked, "Is it true that the Princess was taken into the Temple?"
The question seemed to drain the air from the group. A heavy gloom settled over everyone.
All eyes slowly turned to Beatrice.
The Queen's voice trembled as she answered, "Yes… my little daughter. But now—" her gaze softened, shimmering with tears, "—now, there is a way to save her."
For the first time in weeks, her heart dared to believe. The thought that she might hold her daughter in her arms again felt almost real.
"Soldiers, take formation!" Ralph's sharp voice broke the moment.
The soldiers who had been holding their spears toward Hades and Luna immediately pulled back, falling into disciplined lines. More soldiers poured in, each one ready to charge at a moment's notice.
Beatrice's eyes hardened. "I will lead the unit. Ralph, in my absence, handle things here."
The blond elf sighed… why had he not expected anything different?
Hades quietly stepped aside.
He had no intention of setting foot inside that temple of uncertainties. There was a Primordial being within—one that was eager to break free.
At his current strength, he had no chance against it. And with Luna here, the choice was even clearer. He wasn't going to leave her behind… and he certainly wasn't taking her in with him.
The soldiers moved into formation—four in each row, seven rows deep.
Beatrice took a spear from a nearby soldier and positioned herself behind them, ready to follow wherever they went.
No one tried to argue. In truth, knowing the Queen's love for her child, only a fool would dare stand in her way.
A brief silence hung in the air.
"Advance!" Beatrice commanded.
The soldiers obeyed without hesitation, their steps steady despite the danger that lay ahead.
Hades couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration. Their courage—and their loyalty to their Queen—was something rare.
The heavy thump of boots echoed in unison as the soldiers marched forward, one after another, into the temple's shadowed entrance.
Those who had witnessed countless failed attempts to breach this place could only stare, their eyes wide in disbelief.
What changed today? they wondered.
But their hope was misplaced.
"Ah—" The soldier at the very front was the first to feel it.
A crushing, repulsive force struck him, halting his every movement. The entire formation froze, the sound of boots falling silent.
Beatrice's brows are knitted. But before she could speak—
"Ahhhh!"
Painful cries rang out as soldiers were lifted and hurled into the air, one after another, as if an unseen giant's hand was tossing them away like ragdolls.
Luna reacted instantly. Her eyes darted to each flailing figure, her magic surging.
In a breath, small, greenish orbs materialized around each soldier, catching them midair. The sudden weightlessness made their bodies drift instead of crash, suspended safely in her spell's embrace.
The Queen was frustrated…after coming this close, they were still pushed out?
"I think she doesn't want any unwanted guests." Beatrice turned towards the red haired boy who was standing nearby.
The blond lady turned towards the darkness before her. Shaking her head, she said, "No…I am not going to miss-" she couldn't finish her sentence as suddenly a bluish-green energy wrapped around her torso and lifted her.
"Your Majesty!" Ralph panicked, seeing the Queen being lifted off and pulled inside the temple
Hades, who was the closest to her, instinctively reached out to hold her hand.
"Agh!" He groaned as he held Beatrice by her arm and tried to pull her, despite her protest.
The others ran towards the duo including Luna—however, just then, another wave of energy seeped out and wrapped around Hades's torso.
"Shi…." Hades cursed as he was also pulled inside the temple alongside Beatrice before the stony door slid closed.
"Hades!" Luna cried, slamming her hand against the door.
But there was no response.
He was already pulled by the deity residing within the temple.
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A/N:- Thanks for reading.