Inside the Grand Hall of the Wisdom Divine Palace.
Lorria sat at the head, her mirror-like eyes scanning the people standing below.
At this moment, she was noble and imposing, divinely radiant. Every word and action exuded the solemnity of a Divine King.
"The choice has been given to you. How you decide is up to you."
The ones standing were, naturally, the one hundred chosen Divine Handmaidens.
However, there were only ninety of them present.
Previously, Lorria had informed them of the disbandment of the Divine Handmaidens.
Similarly, she had given them the right to choose.
Now, they had two paths before them.
First: To continue staying in the Temple of Destiny. As for what they would do in the future, Lorria had not elaborated.
The second path was, of course, to return to their respective families or factions. The Temple of Destiny would not force them. Not only that, but they would also receive some compensation.
In short, the Temple of Destiny would not treat them unfairly.
"I will give you ten minutes to make your choice. During this time, you are allowed to contact your families or factions," Lorria stated, giving them the maximum flexibility. "After ten minutes, give me your answer!"
With that, her figure vanished from the high seat.
This magical feat drew a wave of astonishment from the crowd.
As soon as Lorria left the hall, she encountered Nainer, who was waiting there.
"Yo! Giving them some psychological suggestion when they leave, isn't that a bit much!"
Nainer said with a smile, arms crossed.
"I don't think this counts as suggestion!" Lorria replied dismissively. "I haven't interfered with their choices!"
"Tsk! Who believes that!"
Nainer suddenly stepped forward and slapped Lorria's rather elastic and shapely behind. She was completely the image of a playful rogue. "Hmm! The elasticity has improved!"
"You..."
This slap almost made Lorria jump. She looked embarrassed and indignant. "Nainer, if you keep this up, believe it or not, I..."
"You... what will you do?"
Nainer completely ignored Lorria's threat, clapped her hands, and presented her most prominent feature to Lorria. "How about I let you slap mine too? We can compare?"
"You... Hmph!"
With a flash of golden light, Lorria simply left.
"Hahaha!"
Seeing Lorria flee in disarray, Nainer burst into uncontrollable laughter.
But slowly, her smile faded. "You've done so much for him, it seems I can't fall behind either!"
...
Inside the Grand Hall, after being granted permission to contact the outside world, almost everyone reported back to their respective forces.
However, a few exceptions remained.
People like Emily and Thea, for instance.
Because they truly possessed the right to make their own decisions.
"Sister Emily, it seems our cooperation will continue for a long time."
Thea walked up to Emily and said softly with a smile.
"Oh! I thought you would be leaving the Temple of Destiny?" Emily gently brushed a strand of hair from her ear, appearing exceptionally beautiful and alluring.
"Sister, you are quite the joker!"
Thea once again linked arms with Emily. Standing side by side, they looked like a pair of stunning sisters who outshone everyone else.
"I haven't even met the Divine Lord yet, how could I possibly leave?"
As she spoke, Thea kept pinching Emily's waist area. "Judging by this feel, Sister, you might be my biggest competitor!"
Although the so-called "Divine Maiden" selection had been canceled, for some, the competition had not ended.
Emily did not get angry when pinched twice. Instead, she looked towards a graceful figure in the distance. "Sister's opponent is not me, but... her!"
At this moment, Thea also followed Emily's gaze.
Where their gazes met, stood a woman about 1.7 meters tall, with hair as black as ink, styled in bangs. She had large eyes, a high-bridged nose, and skin as fair as snow, so delicate it looked as if it could burst with a single touch.
A single glance revealed that this woman was a mixed-race. She possessed the elegance of the East and the casualness of the West.
"I remember her name is Yekawa Keiko, and she's from the Eastern Islands!"
Emily provided information about the woman.
"Yekawa? That surname is also quite... special!"
Thea understood the implication of Emily's words.
"Indeed! It is quite special!" Emily looked at Yekawa Keiko, her eyes shifting. She continued, "Since Lady Lorria kept her by her side, it seems she must have other exceptional qualities!"
"It looks like things are going to get lively from now on!"
Thea found it increasingly interesting.
...
Ten minutes later, Lorria returned to the high seat.
"Alright! Now, make your choices!" she said, looking at everyone. "Those willing to continue staying in the Temple of Destiny, stand to my right. Those who wish to leave, stand to my left."
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone moved and chose their positions.
Soon, the results were in.
In the end, seventy-eight people chose to stay, while the remaining twelve decided to leave.
"Good! I respect your choices!" Lorria stood up and said to those on her left. "You may now leave the Temple of Destiny. After you exit, someone will deliver your compensation."
"Thank you, Lady Lorria!"
"Thank you, Lady Lorria!"
"..."
After they left, Lorria turned her gaze to those on her right.
"First, on behalf of the Temple of Destiny, I welcome you."
Lorria walked down and approached them, a relieved smile on her face. "At the same time, I congratulate you on making a wise decision."
"Because from now on, a door filled with fantastical colors will open for you."
As she spoke, everyone's hearts trembled.
"What I am about to tell you may subvert your worldview, so please prepare yourselves mentally!" Lorria said solemnly. "Furthermore, after understanding what follows, you will be unable to leave the Temple of Destiny for one year."
"If anyone wishes to withdraw now, I can give you one more chance!"
After Lorria finished speaking, she remained silent for another minute, giving everyone another opportunity to choose.
The result was that not a single person withdrew.
"Good! Follow me!"
Lorria was not surprised by this outcome at all.
After all, the magical methods she had displayed when they were leaving had ignited everyone's curiosity.
Coupled with the mystery in her words.
The people present were not foolish. They could already vaguely guess something.
And now, it was time to change their destinies.