Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1313: Official Engagement of Aether...

”Was this the right choice?” Kaelen’s voice was quiet, heavy with uncertainty as he turned to the Elder.

The Elder managed a weak, sorrowful smile, whispering his answer back, ”It’s the only option we have right now.” His eyes flicked to Aether, gaze turning grave and determined.

”This man... we cannot lose him. If Victor were to take him under his wing, then everything we’ve worked for—all hope of finding our way back to the right path—would vanish. Who knows what they’d do? They might use this chance to exploit us, to turn our weakness into their advantage. So... it is better to share him than to risk losing everything to danger.”

The Elder then turned to Aria, voice lowering to a personal, apologetic whisper.

”Again, I’m sorry to say all this, truly. I know it feels as if we’re forcing this upon you, but—right now, I ask you to think only about yourself. Not about Empires or their future, or even our ambitions. We are looking to you because you’re the one who found a way into his heart, the one who got closest to him.”

He shifted to face Maelona as well, his words gentle but firm. ”Please understand... sharing is the only option before us now. We are not trying to use her, not as a pawn. If you feel any resentment, if you do not want this—then you are free to leave this place at any time.” He looked to Kaelen, seeking support.

Kaelen nodded with a grave expression, ”We still have my mother. There is another option. You can leave if you do not wish for this life, and no shame will fall on you.”

Aria’s lips trembled at the words. She glanced at Aether, hope and regret warring in her eyes. A sigh slipped out, her face clouded with confusion and loss, as if she were caught between two worlds, neither belonging to her.

Another Elder’s tone softened, as if trying to persuade her heart itself. ”You may not see it now, but perhaps he loves you more than anyone else. There is still a chance—you could find your way to him again. Did you not hear? He said it himself. He still loves you.”

Aira’s hand clenched into a fist, knuckles white with restrained feeling.

Meanwhile, the Aurora group sat utterly taken aback—sharing?

Their Archpriest?

The very notion seemed to strike at the foundation of their faith.

It was the ugliest, most revolting thought any of them had ever known.

Some of them had never even considered that marrying more than one person could be legal in any Empire, let alone theirs.

But as the Elder had calmly stated, this was their only remaining path. Their Archpriest had already shown his disappointment in them; that was the true reason he had chosen not to marry.

If things were different, if they had not betrayed him... they knew without doubt he would have chosen them, and only them.

But now... now, there were no other choices left.

All because of their stupid actions!

What should they do?

Could they simply walk away, even as it went against the deepest vows and faith that had defined their very existence?

The kind of faith they had never thought would be challenged within their own Empire.

The High Priests and followers exchanged anxious, troubled glances. Their eyes drifted to the Zephyra group across the hall... it was plain to see that they, too, found this idea deeply unsettling.

Aria herself was sickened by it.

Of course, she was... what sane woman could willingly share the man she loved with another?

The thought curdled in her stomach, and yet, what else was left for her?

Desperate, they all looked up, searching their Archpriestess for an answer—hoping for some revelation, some spark of hope that might yet deliver them from this impossible fate.

The Archpriestess stared at the table, her fingertips tapping slowly. The silence stretched out, heavy and expectant, before she finally leaned closer to her followers and whispered,

”This... this goes against everything in our Faith. And if he chooses this path, he might lose his title.”

The moment those words left her lips, her followers’ faces drained of colour.

The weight of what was at stake struck them all at once... not only would they lose their Archpriest, but he would also lose the very title that bound him to their homeland.

Their hands trembled.

Some bit their lips, eyes wide with worry and disbelief. What should they do now?

Were they supposed to give up on him—just like that?

Were they supposed to abandon everything they’d dreamed of, everything they’d sacrificed, for a faith that had raised them and defined their lives?

But then, from the back of the group, the one follower who had offered up his virtues to Aether took a steadying breath. He leaned over and murmured to the High Priest,

”We were the ones who were ready to give up our lives... Some of us nearly abandoned our faith back then—now we’re hesitating because of this?

If this is the only way to get him back, are you all going to cling to a faith that nearly slipped away from you before? Tsk, tsk...”

His words cut through the uncertainty, and the Aurora group fell silent, turning their gaze to Aether.

His expression was clouded with confusion... he could hardly believe what was unfolding in front of him, all these struggles and sacrifices on his behalf.

He too was thinking deeply!!!

The High Priests exchanged a meaningful glance, then nodded in silent agreement before turning to the Archpriestess and whispering,

”If it is the only way... then let’s do it. For our people, for our future.”

The Archpriestess raised her brows in doubt. ”Are you sure? The people... our faithful, they might not accept this, not even from my lips.”

But the High Priests and followers smiled with grim resolve. ”You don’t have to worry, Archpriestess. We will speak to the people ourselves. We will make them understand what has happened here. There are no other choices left for any of us.”

The Archpriestess frowned deeply, ”I’m not certain... This could draw down the wrath of Mother—”

”Please, Archpriestess!” one of the followers interrupted, almost desperate. ”Mother left us when we needed her most. And if she returns in wrath... then let her.

We’ll face her judgment together! If we perish, so be it—but right now, right here, we cannot abandon him.

Never again!” His voice rose, trembling with raw feeling, before he realised the outburst and quickly blushed, lowering his eyes and calming himself.

The Archpriestess sighed and turned to the Saintess, her voice soft but direct. ”And you... Are you fine with this? You realise what sharing means—he may never love you in the way you hope.”

The Saintess’s hands gripped her skirt, knuckles trembling. Her breath caught as she glanced at Aether, hope and resignation mingling in her eyes. Her voice shook as she replied, almost inaudible,

”Even if he doesn’t love me... I know he will still take care of me. And that... that’s enough. I’m fine with it.” Her words were heavy with dejection.

The High Priests and followers could hardly hold back their tears, overcome by the Saintess’s sacrifice.

Compared to her, their own doubts and hesitations seemed so small, so selfish.

What a wonderful Saintess they had—a soul willing to set herself aside for the sake of her Empire!

The Archpriestess straightened, ”Then I acknowledge this”, she declared.

Everyone in the chamber raised their eyebrows in shock—some in disbelief, others in awe at the Archpriestess’s sudden declaration.

Even Aether stared in surprise, his voice trembling as he stammered, ”A-Archpriestess... what are you doing? This... this goes against our fai—”

But the Archpriestess silenced him with a sad, broken smile. ”You are their faith now, Archpriest,” she whispered.

Aether blinked, the words catching him off guard. Tears gathered in his eyes as he turned, searching the faces of the High Priests and followers. ”Guys, this is wrong. You can’t—”

But they only smiled, their warmth radiating in a single, united voice,

”If this is the path we must take to reach you, then we accept whatever punishment it brings to our hearts. This will be our retribution—a reminder of what we have done, of the faith we lost, and of abandoning you. It will be forever etched in history, and in our souls.”

Tears spilled freely down Aether’s cheeks. ”I... I... I don’t get it... I told you I forgave you all, so why are you doing this?”

Seeing his tears, the Aurora followers broke down, weeping openly. ”P-Please don’t cry... w-we did what we had to do,” one said, her voice thick with grief.

Another added with trembling conviction, ”Even if you’ve forgiven us, that only shows how immense your heart is... But as someone who failed, as a man who betrayed his god, I must accept this punishment. Didn’t I tell you? Many of us would give our lives for you!”

Aether’s lips trembled as he watched the raw faith and fierce love in their eyes. It was overwhelming... and, if he was honest, a little frightening.

Their devotion seemed boundless, even dangerous. He made a silent vow to himself: he needed to be careful around them, for their sake as much as his own.

”I... acknowledge this,” came a voice from the Zephyra side. Aether flinched and turned to see Kaelen standing.

Kaelen’s eyes were grave yet gentle as he spoke. ”As our Elder has said... This is for the people. Even if you did not know us as deeply as you know the Aurora Empire, our people know of your greatness, Lord Aether. That is enough.”

Aether gulped, worry clouding his face. He glanced at Aria, who still sat with her head bowed, lost in a world of conflicting hopes and sorrows.

Then, a cool, commanding voice broke the tension. ”I guess... that leaves only me, then.” Empress Sandra stood, drawing every eye in the hall.

Her tone was cold and sharp as winter wind, and she scratched at her hair with a frustrated gesture, ”Tsk, I should have married him to my daughter the moment she announced her love. Tsk, tsk... This is my fault for waiting so long.”

Everyone looked at her with apprehension, unsure if she would agree or oppose what had become an unlikely alliance.

Sandra sighed, long and deep, ”Hmm... fine then.”

The groups stared, genuinely surprised. Many had expected her to refuse outright, to challenge them all to the bitter end. But it was clear... she understood what was happening, saw the shifting tides of fate, and recognised that if both Empires had yielded, Aether could not choose her alone.

She had made her own tactical calculation... Power and hearts alike had to be shared, for the world itself was changing.

Still, the Elder asked quietly, ”Without your daughter’s presence, are you truly certain about this, Empress?”

Just then—

”Who said I am not here?”