Mystery Paradise: Wishing Power Demon

Shandela looked into the other’s eyes and, unable to help herself, nodded.

Just then, the banquet hall suddenly became pitch black, and the crowd around them seemed to fade away, leaving only her and Ryan.

What’s happening?

She tried to push Ryan away, only to find that she couldn’t move at all!

"That’s pretty rude to say, aren’t people polite these days?" a voice came from behind Ryan.

Then Kokomoqi walked out from beside him, "Although Yu has been in seclusion for several hundred years, I am still a proper divinity. Now to be told by a young brat that I’m incapable of anything, it’s really annoying. By the way, do you know what magic is?"

What do you want to do!

Shandela tried to speak, but no sound came out.

"Magic is miracles, oh, turning the impossible into possible, it’s not about being incapable of anything. For instance, like this..."

The girl reached into Ryan’s waist, as if searching for something. His clothes seemed like air, offering no resistance to her action! Seconds later, she withdrew her hand, revealing a vividly beating object in her palm.

As soon as Shandela recognized what it was, she felt a sharp squeeze in her chest!

What Kokomoqi held in her palm was a lively, beating heart!

No——!

She cried out loud.

Put it back!

"You want Yu to put it back, right?" Kokomoqi smiled, "That’s no problem. But do you still think I’m incapable of anything now? By the way, you can speak now."

Shandela opened her mouth and found her throat could finally move. In that moment, she calmed down, "I’m sorry, please forgive his disrespect. Your magic is truly wondrous, please spare his life!"

The girl nodded in satisfaction and stuffed her hand back in.

But the heart had already been removed; even if put back, could it still be pieced together? With her eyes wide open, Shandela watched every move, her heart filled with trepidation.

Before she could prepare for what to do next, the banquet hall suddenly brightened back up, the silence shattered, and from all around, the buzz of conversation flooded in. Kokomoqi was nowhere to be seen.

Shandela instinctively looked up at the stage and saw that the girl was still standing in her original spot, as if she had never moved from the beginning.

Ryan, who had been holding onto her shoulder, also "came back to life," his face showing surprise as he inspected Shandela from left to right and even reached to touch her neck.

"What are you doing?" Shandela slapped his hand away.

"Ah... Sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it, just wanted to check to see if your head was really back on..."

Back on?

Shandela was momentarily stunned, then understood what had happened. "You saw my head being cut off by that girl? To make you take back what you said earlier?"

"Uh... and she made me admit the wonder of magic... wait, you saw it too?" Ryan said in surprise.

"I saw her take your heart out." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

His face turned pale, and he quickly felt his chest. Then he let out a sigh of relief, "Thank goodness, my heart is still here, and it’s beating normally..."

"It seems we all witnessed a similar scene," Shandela said with a stern face. "It might just be an illusion, or perhaps she truly can do such a thing, but either way, this is definitely not something humans could achieve."

"Damn, that little girl really holds a grudge, doesn’t she? I was just—uh—"

Ryan was cut off mid-sentence as Shandela reached out and firmly covered his mouth with her hand.

"Have you lost your mind? You want to go through that again? And she’s not just some little girl. Age-wise, she’s older than your great-grandfather’s great-grandfather," Shandela said irritably. "I don’t want to have to apologize for you a second time!"

"Mmph, mmph!" He blinked, signaling that he got the message.

Once she released him, Ryan complained, "I’ve apologized plenty of times for you too. I almost knelt down for her."

Shandela felt both angry and amused, almost ready to kneel and yet still not learning his lesson. This guy really was a fool.

"But don’t divinities always change their forms? Take the Goddess of Abundance, for example. The scripture always depicts her as a figure of beauty and gentleness, as tall as a three-story building. Nobody would ever think of her as a little girl! But this Magic Goddess has to appear as a little girl. How can you blame this on me..." Ryan muttered softly.

"Enough, enough. If you say less, no one will think you’re mute!" Shandela said, holding her forehead. Just then, she caught Lord Kakomoqi smiling faintly in their direction.

"Ladies and gentlemen, standing before you is the protector of the Snow Country and the lifelong faith of our families. This esteemed lady is none other than the legendary Magic Goddess, Lord Kakomoqi!" Luoxia announced loudly. "She had been in seclusion for hundreds of years, but now, feeling the threat of the Longjiu Family and the God of All Machines, she has appeared once more to guide us!"

"Is this for real... Am I dreaming?"

"I believe Lord Luoxia. She would never deceive us!"

"Yes... This is great, our divinity has returned!"

After some murmuring amongst themselves, the crowd of people gradually burst into a chorus of enthusiastic cheers.

They believe it, just like that? Shandela looked in surprise at the other nobles... or was it because they too had experienced the same illusion she had?

"Long ago, the Snow Country believed in the power of magic. Or rather, the settlement of humanity in these frozen mountains depended heavily on the power of magic." Elise Ben had approached from behind without her noticing. "But as architectural technology advanced, magic in the world began to vanish, and the goddess fell into slumber... All of these events have been recorded in the historical archives of the Snow Country. The last time I read it was eight years ago. Back then, I finished the whole book like reading a story. I never imagined that one day I’d see the deity in person."

"So, you’ve seen her before?" Shandela asked in a low voice.

"Yes, and there’s more than just her among the divinities currently in Zhaixing City."

What? There are other divinities here?

Shandela was so shocked she couldn’t speak.

Divinities usually seemed so distant, unreachable, but now it appeared they were here in droves.

"Who are they?" Ryan asked curiously.

"You’ll find out when you meet them. The Duke doesn’t wish to disclose this publicly, probably for reasons of confidentiality," Elise replied. "Don’t worry. You won’t have to wait long because the coalition forces are about to take action."

"So, the purpose of this banquet is to introduce the existence of the Magic Goddess to everyone?" Ryan looked towards the platform, where Lady Xia and Lord Kakomoqi were stepping down the stairs, warmly engaging with the people coming up to meet them. If one overlooked the girl’s identity, it would seem perfectly plausible that the Duke was introducing his daughter to fellow nobles discussing kindred matters.

"No, the purpose is to formally inform everyone that we are going to war with Duke Longjiu. But before that, we need to make sure no one among the lords and great families of the mountainous region harbors divided loyalties. If we were to speak with each one individually, it might offend the truly loyal and alert those with other intentions. Organizing a banquet that everyone attends is more in keeping with the traditions of the Snow Country."

Shandela was reminded of the "trial" she had experienced earlier.

Could it be... the real reason the Duke had the divinity make an appearance was to initiate a major purge among the upper ranks?

She looked instinctively at Elise, who nodded almost imperceptibly, "After this banquet, some people will be forever silenced. After all, you’ve witnessed the power of the Magic Goddess, haven’t you?"