074 [Adventurous Saint]Vilria
If Li Aozi were here, he would be surprised to recognize her origin.
She is Wilvia, the protagonist of the mainline NPC quest on White Candle Star, the [Hero of Felicia], known as the [Holy Maiden of Adventure].
"I—" Yavanna had just opened her mouth when Wilvia cut her off:
"I know who you are, Yavanna Huskisin. I've been watching you for a while."
Yavanna didn't extend her hand.
She stared coldly at Wilvia, saying nothing.
"How interesting, a council member of the [Secret Society], showing up on this planet."
Wilvia, unbothered, placed her outstretched hand on her shoulder. A small spider crawled gently over her snow-white shoulder as she lifted her hand, catching it with the back of her hand. Without looking at Yavanna, she spoke to the spider:
"Don't worry, I'm not a citizen of the [Secret Society]. My two mothers served on the secret council as [Adventurer] and [Saint] jurors, but—I'm a true native of the Star Abyss."
She chuckled, her tone as casual as it was flirtatious, and her beauty far surpassed Yavanna's, second only to Li Aozi, in Yavanna's mind.
"What are you trying to say?" Yavanna asked, unsure of her intentions. "You say you've been observing me and that you have a direct bloodline to the citizens of the [Secret Society]—frankly, just speak plainly."
"The wise do not fall in love; the foolish sink into it."
Wilvia held up the spider on the back of her hand, saying:
"Miss Yavanna, if you touch that memory crystal from the [Echoer], the temporal energy within it will destroy you—it's the Star Abyss' countermeasure against society's citizens."
Ha.
Yavanna shook her head, hands on her hips, looking deeply impatient.
"I won't touch it; you may leave now." Yavanna said. "Please don't interrupt my work and life."
"I've hinted to you multiple times, Yavanna. You really are someone without an artistic soul. And you're a [Tailor]; don't you understand romance at all?"
Wilvia regretted, holding the spider and glancing at Yavanna flirtatiously:
"I'm advising you not to indulge in men; you've mistaken your dependency for affection. At this rate, you'll fall into the abyss with nothing left of you."
Yavanna interrupted coldly:
"Who I harbor affection for is none of your business as an outsider. If you say another word, I'll have to ask you to leave."
"No rush." Wilvia smirked. "Miss Yavanna, I'm not targeting you, but your lover—or should I say, unrequited love?"
Yavanna raised her hand, and the hall was instantly covered in a web of pale spider silk, each strand as fine and resilient as nanofibers, emitting a mystical glow that made Wilvia's fair skin seem even more beautiful and alluring.
"You may go."
Yavanna said coldly.
"My love is humble, but for someone as sinful as me, it's enough."
The spider on Wilvia's hand scurried away, and she turned back to look at Yavanna with regret.
"With your upbringing, you should have become a princess, a queen."
Wilvia waved her hand lightly. "But by following Mr. Li Aozi, I'm afraid you're destined to be nothing more than a silent messenger."
"I never wanted that. My father gave everything to our country; he wouldn't choose someone as foolish and weak as me to be his successor."
Yavanna raised her hand, pressing it to her chest with a complex expression:
"I devoured my sister. I committed an unforgivable sin. With my guilt, I am not worthy of living in this world. It's only because Li Aozi needs me that I continue to live."
Wilvia gave her a sympathetic look.
"Poor child, that's just acting."
"No, Li Aozi, he needs me—"
"Oh please. Don't capitalists also 'need' workers? Are you going to teach workers to love capitalists?"
Yavanna froze, replying:
"That's not what I meant…"
"I think you need to understand something, dear fool." Wilvia walked around her slowly, saying, "You're now a citizen of [Society]. You're not yourself. Only within [Society] can you find a reason to live."
"…What about Li Aozi?"
"Silly, [Society]'s citizens have no independent will. You and your little boyfriend from the Star Abyss aren't even the same species."
Wilvia looked at her with pity:
"Both of my mothers were deceived before, fighting each other over a man, even betraying the Secret Society, only to be betrayed by the man they believed in. Ironically, it was [Society] that saved them—Mother Gaia saved them."
"Gaia…"
Yavanna murmured.
"Yes, Gaia. Without the [Secret Society], I might not even exist in this world."
Wilvia circled Yavanna, examining her from head to toe:
"You have the looks, the abilities, but you don't live for a man; you live for yourself. Yavanna, I hope you realize that [Society] and the Star Abyss are both terrible things. Their battles have left countless families broken."
"The [Secret Society] uses council members to manifest, devouring civilizations, while the Star Abyss wants to use your life to fill an endless warfront."
"Don't love them. Don't love grand narratives. Love yourself."
Yavanna sighed and asked, "What exactly are you trying to say?"
"I'm here to invite you."
"Invite me?" Yavanna looked confused. "I…I'm just a tailor."
"Yes. To invite you, Yavanna Huskisin."
Wilvia replied:
"This planet has already been infiltrated by [Society]'s citizens. Narrative-level civilizations are also constantly monitoring this place. Sooner or later, you will be discovered."
"If Gaia's people find you, they'll merge your will into the Aether, where you will be powerless to resist and instantly submit to [Society]."
"If discovered by a narrative-level civilization, they'll disassemble, destroy you, and turn you into weapons and equipment."
"Even your one-sided love, Li Aozi, would not hesitate to turn his blade on you if he knew you were a citizen of [Society]."
Wilvia looked at her seriously.
"I'm here to protect you, to protect people like you who refuse to submit to the Secret Society but are shunned by civilizations on the Star Abyss side."
"…I don't believe you."
Yavanna shook her head:
"Li Aozi, he would never harm me. I am absolutely certain of this."
"Oh, love truly does shrink the brain. I don't expect to convince you with just a few words."
Wilvia stopped beside Yavanna, glancing at the memory crystals, and said nostalgically:
"Li Aozi…Leoz. Such a generic, mainstream name, just like him. That man fits perfectly with narrative civilizations and the Star Abyss, beloved by this world. Isn't it a waste of time to pursue someone so high above, so innately talented?"
"Say no more."
Yavanna said weakly:
"He needs me, at least he's willing to need me."
"That inferiority complex of yours is pathetic." Wilvia tapped her forehead and said helplessly, "Since that's the case, I think it's necessary to tell you everything I've recently learned."
"And what does that have to do with me—"
"Of course, it concerns you."
Wilvia slowly sat beside the shrine, looking up at Yavanna:
"You don't realize it, but Li Aozi…this name sounds odd to me. I'll call him Leoz. You don't know what Leoz has become in these past two weeks. Staying too close to him, you'll end up like Icarus approaching the sun, burned to ash and falling from the sky."
"What is Icarus?" Yavanna didn't understand, but continued to press about what concerned her: "What's happened to Li Aozi?"
"Leoz, you were never in the same world."
Wilvia paused, organizing her words:
"In short, he is a god."