"Though I'm unsure what you want to do, you can use these. These are still fresher than the ones we've already experimented with," Seraphina said, her voice filled with curiosity.
Orion nodded solemnly. "Can you both give me a bit of privacy for a while?" he asked, his expression serious.
Seraphina and Greta exchanged curious glances, eagerly awaiting what Orion had in mind. However, their excitement deflated when they heard his request.
With a hint of disappointment, they nodded in understanding, rising from their seats and leaving the room. Although curious about Orion's plans, they respected his need for privacy.
They understood he wouldn't keep any secrets from them without a valid reason.
Within the room, Orion exhaled deeply. Though he wanted to reveal Aerialia to his wives as it would make things a lot easier, he was unsure what would happen afterwards. After all, the knowledge that he possessed a literal goddess with him might do more harm than good.
Arranging those thoughts at the back of his mind, Orion summoned the Crimson greatsword, and with it, Aerialia appeared beside him.
"What is it?" Aerialia asked, her gaze fixed on Orion curiously.
She was aware that Orion didn't disturb her unless it was something serious, and after taking a brief look at the alchemy workshop before her, she was a bit curious about what it might be.
"I need your help with something," Orion said as he securely placed the Crimson greatsword on the ground before opening up the sealed container, revealing the potential four-star Vylkr vine inside.
Aerialia was about to ask Orion about what he needed her help with and if it had something to do with any one of his women again; however, the moment Orion raised the lid of the container, her lips immediately sealed shut as she stared at the butchered dead Vylkr vine within.
Orion nodded approvingly at Aerialia's behaviour because it appeared that she could sense something wrong with the Vylkr vine, which meant that his plan had worked. "Can you sense anything strange from these Vylkr vines?" he asked.
However, instead of answering, Aerialia shifted her focus towards Orion and narrowed her eyes at him. "Where did you get this?" she asked.
"I killed it yesterday after it attacked some of my close friends," Orion replied, beginning to recount everything about the potential four-star Vylkr vine, from the encounter the previous day to the events of the meeting that had taken place earlier today.
Aerialia remained silent briefly before responding, "Yes, I can sense something strange within it."
Orion's ears perked up. "What is it?" he asked eagerly.
"It's divine energy," Aerialia replied solemnly.
Orion's eyes widened in response before he quickly regained his composure. "Are you sure?" he asked, trying to conceal his astonishment.
Aerialia nodded, a frown creasing her lips. "Although the quantity of divine energy is small, I can sense several traces of it within the Vylkr vine," she responded.
A deep frown suddenly appeared on Orion's face as he pondered the matter deeply. 'Was it the divine energy that caused the unusual changes in the Vylkr vine?' Orion wondered.
However, he couldn't figure out how the Vylkr vine had come in contact with divine energy. Unless --
Orion's eyes widened as he snapped his head back towards Aerialia.
"Do you think that the Aegis of the Arctic Deity shield might have caused this situation?" Orion asked, his gaze fixed on Aerialia.
Aerialia shook her head in response. "I don't think so. Aegis of the Arctic Deity uses his divine energy as a protective barrier for the Orion's Cities, deterring the Vylkr vines and preventing them from infiltrating and corrupting his divine energy. That's why the Vylkr vines avoid this area," she explained.
"So you're saying something else caused this?" Orion asked, his brows furrowing in confusion.
Aerialia nodded. "Yes, it seems this Vylkr vine directly consumed divine energy, so this has to do with direct contact," she said, her gaze shifting abruptly to her Crimson greatsword lying securely on the ground.
Then she returned her focus to Orion, narrowing her eyes. "Orion," she called out.
Orion was engrossed in his thoughts about Aerialia's earlier words but still responded to her call, "Yes?" he said, turning his attention to her.
Noticing Aerialia's intense scrutiny, Orion furrowed his brow, "What's on your mind?" he asked, his voice tinged with scepticism.
"I believe I may know how the Vylkr vines obtained the divine energy," Aerialia said.
"Where?" Orion's excitement was obvious in his expression. If Aerialia had indeed uncovered the source of the Vylkr vines' access to divine energy, it would not only help prevent future incidents but also provide a strategy for dealing with any other occurrences within the dead forest.
"How many encounters has that blade had with the Vylkr vines?" Aerialia asked.
"I've wielded it countless times," Orion began, but his words trailed off as he realized Aerialia's implication. "You don't mean..." he started to say, but Aerialia swiftly cut him off.
"Yes, I don't think that Aegis of the Arctic Deity was the culprit responsible for this matter, but instead, you," Aerialia replied, rubbing her temples gently.
Orion stared at her in disbelief, his expression dumbfounded by her revelation.
"But... how could that be possible? Wasn't the Crimson blade already refined?" Orion's voice cracked with disbelief as he stared at Aerialia.
"Yes, it should not be possible since I personally refined the blade as the goddess of the forge. However, we must remember that we are dealing with Vylkr vines, vicious, unnatural and insatiable entities whose sole existence and purpose is to seek out various sources of life and consume them."
"They are responsible for the Vylkr energy, an energy potent enough to harm divine energy and potentially surpass it in ranks. Furthermore, the blade is not just any divine weapon; it was forged from my blood, soul, and essence, making it an extension of myself," Aerialia explained.
"Under normal circumstances, such a thing would be deemed impossible. However, as we know, anything associated with Vylkr energy defies common sense. So, if there's a chance the Vylkr vines could absorb divine energy from my Crimson greatsword, my answer would be, without a doubt, yes," Aerialia said, her gaze locked on the butchered Vylkr vine.
