Chapter 217 Saintess Ceanna Paxton’s Pledge, System Upgrade

The journey from the Steele Estate to the nearby city of Koplov took the better part of a day, even traveling at a brisk pace facilitated by Alaric’s subtle wind magic assisting their mounts. Koplov wasn’t the largest city in the Steele territory, but it was strategically important, bustling with trade and serving as a hub for adventurers, hunters, and mercenaries operating in the vast, wild lands that bordered the estate.

Their group cut an imposing figure as they rode through the city gates.

Alaric, at the forefront, projected an aura of calm authority, his handsome features drawing appreciative glances.

Beside him rode Rosalind, her practical attire doing little to hide her striking beauty, her expression sharp and focused.

Saintess Ceanna, radiant despite the travel dust, emanated a gentle holiness that seemed at odds with the grim determination in her eyes.

Brita Kuusk, effortlessly seductive even in sturdy traveling leathers, observed their surroundings with keen, emerald eyes, a faint, knowing smirk playing on her lips.

Behind them followed the disciplined unit led by Guard Captain Valerius – a dozen imposing figures, Master level Martialists radiating competence, led by the stern-faced Grand Martialist captain. They moved with practiced efficiency, their presence deterring any potential trouble.

‘Koplov,’ Alaric thought, scanning the familiar streets. ‘A useful stepping stone. We need more boots on the ground for this hunt, and reliable intel.’

Their destination was the heart of the city’s adventuring community: the Radiant Pearl Guild Hall.

“Rosalind,” Alaric said, turning slightly in his saddle as they neared the impressive stone building that housed the guild. “You know the protocols here better than anyone. Handle the recruitment and information gathering.”

Rosalind nodded curtly, her expression confident. “Leave it to me, Alaric. I know how these guilds operate.” Her past experience as a member of the Silver Raven Guild, before she was called to return to the Steele Family by her dear friend Alaric, had given her invaluable insight into the inner workings, politics, and negotiation tactics of such organizations.

‘Her experience is invaluable here,’ Alaric acknowledged inwardly. ‘She knows how to speak their language, how to press the right buttons.’

He continued, adding a layer of instruction. “Make it clear this is a directive from the Lord of the territory. Cooperation is expected, not merely requested. Use my name. Use the Princess’s connection. We require their best available hunters and mercenaries, screened for reliability, and comprehensive data on all known Sixth and Seventh Order beast lairs within a three-day radius.”

“Understood,” Rosalind confirmed. “They rely on Steele patronage and protection. They won’t dare refuse or price gouge excessively, especially with your current standing.” She smirked slightly. “Leverage is everything in these halls.”

‘Precisely.’ Alaric trusted her to handle it efficiently. She knew how to blend charm, intimidation, and the weight of his authority.

As Rosalind dismounted and headed towards the guild hall entrance with Captain Valerius and a few guards for support and presence, Alaric turned to the others.

“Ceanna, Brita, the rest of you, with me,” he commanded. “We’ll gather information through other channels while Rosalind deals with the bureaucrats.”

They dismounted, leaving their horses with other guards, and began to walk through the bustling streets of Koplov. Alaric wanted a feel for the city’s pulse, the mood of the populace, any whispers or rumours that might not reach the guild’s official reports.

Ceanna walked beside him, her expression troubled as she observed the people around them. Brita trailed slightly behind, her gaze constantly scanning, missing nothing.

It didn’t take long for Alaric to confirm his suspicions. The news had indeed spread.

He heard snippets of anxious conversation from merchants huddled in doorways, saw the worried faces of common folk gathered near notice boards, felt the underlying tension simmering beneath the surface of the city’s usual clamor.

“…King Thaleon… fallen?”

“…the fortress breached… demons pouring through…”

“…are we next? Is Eryndal safe?”

“…the Queen is in charge now, but for how long?”

‘So, the official story is out,’ Alaric mused. ‘Thaleon’s defeat at the Demon Fortress. It traveled faster than I anticipated.’

He exchanged a brief glance with Ceanna. She had heard it too, her brow furrowing with concern.

“This is not good, Alaric,” she murmured, her voice low. “Fear is spreading. Panic won’t be far behind.”

“Order is holding for now,” Alaric observed calmly, nodding towards a patrol of city guards firmly dispersing a small, agitated crowd. “The local authorities, the guild’s own enforcement… they’re keeping a lid on it. For now.”

He knew the presence of the Steele family as the regional power provided a degree of stability here that might be lacking elsewhere in the kingdom. And the fact that Queen Margaret was apparently maintaining control in Eryndal helped prevent immediate, widespread collapse.

‘But it’s fragile,’ he acknowledged. ‘The demonic threat is real, and growing. Without strong leadership, without hope… chaos is inevitable.’

As they continued their walk, moving towards the market district, Ceanna suddenly stopped, her gaze fixed on a small group gathered around a makeshift stall.

Several figures in the distinct white and gold robes of the Radiant Church were addressing a crowd of weary-looking citizens. Their voices were loud, filled with fervent promises.

“…the Radiant God offers salvation in these dark times!” one priest proclaimed.

“…only through His divine light can you find protection from the demonic scourge!” another added.

“…cast aside your worldly doubts, embrace His glory, and be saved!”

But Ceanna’s eyes, trained by years within the Church, saw beyond the uplifting rhetoric. She noticed the desperation in the eyes of the listeners, the subtle pressure being applied by robed figures mingling in the crowd, the way families were being separated for ‘private consultations’. She saw packets of food being offered, but only after individuals agreed to recite oaths or wear holy symbols.

She saw lies. Coercion. Exploitation of fear.

Then, she noticed something even more disturbing. A few individuals, recently ‘converted’, were being subtly directed towards another group, their expressions filled with a dangerous, fanatical light. Whispers were exchanged, furtive glances cast towards the city guard patrols.

‘They aren’t just recruiting,’ Ceanna realized with dawning horror. ‘They’re… inciting. Using these desperate people, filling them with false hope and fanaticism, likely planning to use them to cause disruption later. To destabilize the city from within.’

Her heart clenched. This wasn’t the Church she believed in. This wasn’t spreading faith; it was preying on vulnerability for political gain, using the demonic invasion as a tool for expansion.

‘The Pope…’ The realization struck her with the force of a physical blow. ‘This must be his directive. Using the chaos in Eloriath to swell the Church’s ranks, to gain influence, perhaps even territory.’ It was a cold, cynical calculation.

And the Radiant God? The entity she had served her entire life? Would He truly condone this? Using demons, allowing suffering, just to gain more followers through deceit and manipulation?

The disillusionment that had been growing within her, especially after witnessing the Church’s inaction and questionable priorities regarding the demonic threat, crystallized into cold certainty. The institution she had dedicated her life to was corrupt, its leaders manipulative, its god perhaps indifferent or even complicit in suffering for His own inscrutable ends.

She felt heartbroken. Betrayed.

Her gaze drifted to Alaric, walking calmly beside her, seemingly unaware of the turmoil raging within her. Alaric, who wielded immense power yet seemed focused on protecting his people, his territory. Alaric, who had offered her an alternative path. A different kind of ‘Saintess’.

He had spoken of a system, a source of power he could share, capable of strengthening his allies dramatically. She had seen the evidence herself – Lyra, Cassandra, Fiora, their martial prowess leaping forward at an astonishing rate, far beyond normal cultivation. He attributed it to this system.

She had hesitated before, bound by her lifelong vows, her faith. But now? Seeing the true face of her Church, the callous manipulation… the choice became clear.

Her path did not lie with the Radiant God any longer. It lay with Alaric. Whatever his system was, whatever power it offered, it felt more genuine, more real than the hollow promises and cynical maneuvers of the Church.

‘I will do it,’ Ceanna decided, a fierce resolve hardening her features. ‘I will sever my ties. I will accept Alaric’s offer. I will become his Saintess.’ She trusted him. More than she trusted the Pope, more than she trusted the God she had served.

She had no idea, of course, of the true nature of the ‘Harem God System’. She didn’t know it was designed for seduction, for binding women to him body and soul. She didn’t know that by becoming its Saintess, she would be tying her very essence to Alaric, making herself incredibly vulnerable to his influence, his charm, his darker desires. She didn’t know he saw her not just as a powerful ally, but as a future conquest, another ‘beloved slut’ to add to his collection.

All she saw was a path away from disillusionment, towards a power that could perhaps make a real difference, guided by a man who, for all his complexities, seemed determined to protect those under his care.

Later that evening, after Rosalind had returned from the guild hall with promising reports – mercenaries vetted and hired, detailed maps of potential beast lairs acquired – and after the group had settled into a private wing of Koplov’s finest inn secured by Alaric’s authority, Ceanna sought him out.

Alaric was in the inn’s secluded garden, enjoying the cool night air.

“Alaric,” Ceanna began hesitantly as she approached.

He turned, a questioning look on his face. “Ceanna? Is everything alright?”

“Yes, well… Mostly,” she admitted. “Could I… could we perhaps take a walk? There is something important I wish to discuss with you. Privately.”

Alaric regarded her for a moment, his ruby eyes seeming to pierce through the darkness, reading her earnest expression. ‘Ah,’ he thought. ‘She’s made her decision.’ He hid his inner smirk.

“Of course,” he agreed smoothly. “A walk sounds pleasant.”

They strolled away from the inn, along a quiet, moonlit path that wound through the garden’s edge, the sounds of the city muffled by distance and foliage. The air was cool, scented with night-blooming flowers.

They walked in silence for several minutes, Ceanna gathering her thoughts, Alaric patiently waiting.

Finally, Ceanna stopped beneath an ancient, spreading willow tree, its leaves whispering in the gentle breeze. She turned to face Alaric, her expression solemn, resolute.

“Alaric,” she began, her voice clear and steady now. “Today… I saw things. Actions by members of my Church… actions I cannot condone. Actions that have made me realize… my path lies elsewhere.”

Alaric remained silent, letting her speak, his expression carefully neutral.

“For a long time,” Ceanna continued, her gaze unwavering, “I have served the Radiant God. I believed in the Church’s mission. But I see now… it is flawed. Corrupt, perhaps. Its leaders pursue power, not true faith. They exploit suffering.” Her voice trembled slightly with emotion. “I cannot serve such masters any longer. I cannot serve a God who permits such things.”

She took a deep breath. “You offered me… an alternative. A chance to serve a different power. Your power. Your system. You said you needed a Saintess.”

“I did,” Alaric confirmed softly.

“I hesitated,” Ceanna admitted. “My vows… my faith… they held me back. But no longer.”

Determination flared in her eyes. “Alaric Steele, I wish to accept your offer. I wish to dedicate myself to your cause, to wield the power you offer, to become the Saintess of your system.”

She then knelt before him on the soft grass, a gesture of profound significance for someone of her station and former faith.

“But first,” she declared, her voice ringing with conviction, “I must sever my old ties.”

She closed her eyes, clasping her hands together. A faint, pure white light began to emanate from her. It pulsed softly, warm and familiar – the light of the Radiant God she had channeled for years.

“Radiant God,” she intoned, her voice echoing slightly, “Source of the light I have borne, hear me now.”

The light around her flickered.

“I, Ceanna Paxton, your devoted Saintess, have witnessed the actions taken in Your name. Actions of deceit, coercion, and the exploitation of suffering. Actions that betray the very principles I swore to uphold.”

The light dimmed further, becoming unstable.

“I can no longer serve a power that allows such darkness to fester under the guise of holiness. My faith in Your Church is broken. My devotion to You… is ended.”

She spoke the final words with painful clarity. “I renounce my vows. I relinquish Your light. I sever the connection between us. From this moment forth, I walk a different path!”

With a final, convulsive flicker, the pure white light surrounding Ceanna snapped. It didn’t fade; it vanished instantly, plunging her into the dim moonlight, leaving behind a profound sense of emptiness where the divine connection had been. She swayed, gasping, looking pale and drained but also strangely liberated.

Before Alaric could react, Ceanna began the next part. Drawing on residual holy energy and sheer force of will, she initiated a simple but potent ritual of oath-swearing. Faint golden lines began to trace patterns on the ground around her kneeling form.

She looked up at Alaric, her eyes shining with fierce devotion.

“Alaric Steele!” she declared, her voice filled with newfound purpose. “Source of the new path, wielder of the system I now embrace! Hear my oath!”

The golden lines pulsed brighter.

“I, Ceanna Paxton, formerly Saintess of the Radiant God, do hereby pledge my undying loyalty, my service, my faith, and my very being to you and the system you command!”

“I willingly cast aside my past and embrace this future!”

“I vow to serve as your Saintess, to wield the power you grant me for your purposes, to follow your guidance, to uphold your will!”

“Let my spirit be the vessel, let my heart be the anchor! From this moment until my last breath, I am yours to command! This I swear, by my soul and the nascent power I now feel!”

As she finished speaking, the golden lines flared brilliantly, then sank into the earth, sealing the oath. A faint, almost invisible thread of energy seemed to connect her kneeling form to Alaric.

At that exact moment, a series of notifications flooded Alaric’s vision, unseen by Ceanna.

[Host has successfully guided a Holy Saintess to renounce her former deity!]

[Holy Saintess Ceanna Paxton has willingly pledged allegiance to the Host and the System!]

[Analyzing Saintess Ceanna Paxton’s potential and compatibility…]

[Compatibility: High!]

[Potential: Exceptional!]

[Integrating Holy Saintess into the System…]

[Integration Successful!]

[Congratulations, Host! You have acquired the first Holy Saintess for the Harem God System!]

[Acquiring a figure of significant holy power triggers System Evolution!]

[SYSTEM UPGRADE INITIATED…]

[…]

[SYSTEM UPGRADE COMPLETE!]

[Harem God System has evolved into: Divine Harem God System!]

[System functions enhanced!]

[System range expanded!]

[New parameters unlocked!]

[Divine Harem God System – Core Functionality Update:]

[System effectiveness is no longer limited to human females.]

[System abilities can now affect Demonic Females and Angelic Females.]

[Target limitation: System abilities effective on targets up to ONE Great Realm higher than the Host’s current cultivation.]

[Current Host Rank: Grandmaster Mage.]

[Effective Target Ranks Include: Archmage, Archdemon, Archangel.]

[Existing System Abilities have been upgraded due to Divine Evolution!]

[Ability Upgrade: Charm Aura -> Enhanced Charm Aura!]

[Description: Host emits a passive aura of attraction and trustworthiness. Increased range and effectiveness. Now exerts a subtle but noticeable pull on women of higher status and power, lowering resistance more effectively.]

[Ability Upgrade: Heart’s Whisper -> Resonant Heart!]

[Description: Host can subtly implant thoughts, desires, and affections directly into a target’s subconscious. Increased potency and speed. Can now resonate more deeply, making suggestions feel like the target’s own genuine feelings.]

[Ability Upgrade: Seductive Gaze -> Captivating Gaze!]

[Description: Host’s gaze can mesmerize and enthrall, significantly lowering inhibitions and amplifying desire. Increased duration and power. Highly effective against strong-willed individuals, including powerful mages, warriors, and nobility.]

[Ability Upgrade: Dreamwalker -> Fantasy Weaver!]

[Description: Host can enter and manipulate dreams with greater control. Can now weave specific, irresistible fantasies tailored to the target’s deepest desires OR induce targeted nightmares to break resistance. Subconscious implantation is deeper and longer-lasting.]

[Ability Upgrade: Soul Bond -> Sovereign Soul Bond!]

[Description: Upon successful seduction/acquisition, Host can forge a powerful bond. Loyalty intensely amplified. Host gains a larger fraction of bonded individual’s power/skills. Grants subtle two-way emotional awareness and allows for stronger direct influence.]

[Ability Upgrade: Allure of the King -> Emperor’s Presence!]

[Description: Host projects an overwhelming aura of command, charisma, and desirability. Passively causes significant attraction and inclination towards submission in nearby females, especially high-ranking ones. Active use inspires awe, devotion, and near-irresistible desire to please the Host.]

Alaric blinked as the flood of information processed. ‘Divine Harem God System? Demons? Angels? Arch rank targets?’ A slow, predatory smile spread across his face. ‘Interesting. Very interesting.’

He looked down at Ceanna, still kneeling before him, looking up with earnest, devoted eyes. He could feel the subtle shift in the air around him, the enhanced potency of his passive auras.

And he could see the effect on her.

Ceanna felt a sudden warmth spread through her chest, her heart giving an unexpected flutter. Looking up at Alaric, bathed in the moonlight, he seemed… different. More imposing. More… captivating. The air around him seemed to thrum with a power that resonated deep within her soul, pulling at her in a way that felt both terrifying and exhilarating. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she felt suddenly, inexplicably flustered under his gaze.

‘The upgrades are working immediately,’ Alaric noted with satisfaction. ‘Emperor’s Presence… Enhanced Charm Aura… she’s already feeling the pull, even without conscious effort from me.’

He reached down, gently taking Ceanna’s hands, pulling her to her feet.

“Rise, Ceanna Paxton,” he said, his voice imbued with the subtle authority of his newly upgraded Emperor’s Presence. “Rise, my Saintess.”

Ceanna stood, still feeling slightly dizzy from the ritual and the strange new sensations Alaric’s proximity evoked. “I… I have sworn my oath, Alaric.”

“I know,” he replied, his ruby eyes seeming to glow in the dim light. “And I accept your oath. Welcome to my service, Saintess Ceanna.”

He smiled, a charming, reassuring expression that did little to quell the sudden racing of her heart. ‘This is right,’ she told herself firmly, pushing down the unfamiliar fluttery feelings. ‘This is the path I have chosen.’

Alaric saw the faint blush on her cheeks, the slight tremble in her hands, the way her gaze kept flicking away from his before snapping back. ‘Oh yes,’ he thought, anticipation stirring within him. ‘Binding her to the system was the first step. Making her mine completely… that will be the next. And it will be glorious.’

The night was far from over, but a significant shift had occurred. The game had changed. New powers, new targets, and a Holy Saintess now bound to his will. The future just became infinitely more interesting.