"Why? Why has the Corruption tainted the branches of Irminsul?"
Beneath the World Tree on Apricot Grove, a woman in pristine white robes—ethereally beautiful, like a banished celestial—appeared. She pressed one hand firmly against the trunk, her emerald-green eyes—seemingly harboring an entire world within them—overflowed with bewilderment, doubt, and sorrow.
"Could it be...?"
The woman seemed to realize something, murmuring faintly to herself, unheard by anyone.
"It seems I must... Who's there?!"
Sensing something, the woman whirled around. The bewilderment, doubt, and sorrow vanished instantly, replaced by icy sharpness. Golden-green light coalesced in her hand, forming an ornate staff as she barked out a sharp command.
As the camera zoomed out, the target of her gaze came into view: a patch of lush, emerald-green grass—clearly exceptionally healthy.
"Did you get the shot? I'm tired. I want to lie down now."
In the next moment, the woman's expression abruptly shifted to one of lazy indifference. She tossed the staff carelessly into the air, where it dissolved into light and vanished. Covering her mouth, she let out a massive yawn.
"Mhm~"
Afterward, Lumina stretched languidly, yawning widely.
[Recording complete. With your acting skills, you'll be promoted to an Aeon of Acting within just a few Amber Eras!]
The System recorded Lumina's entire performance and turned it into a short cutscene. Recalling the astonishing realism of her acting, the System couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
[With acting skills like yours, why bother being a Saintess destined to save the world? Wouldn't becoming the Aeon of Acting be a better fit?]
[Hmm... Come to think of it, I was the one who made her the Saintess of Salvation in the first place... Never mind then.]
"Heh."
Seeing the System's internal monologue appear on the screen, Lumina's face instantly frosted over. She wanted nothing more than to drag the System out of its digital realm and give it a thorough beating.
Back then, she had genuinely believed its ridiculous promises, diligently toiling for several Amber Eras, only to find it still "charging"...
If she hadn't finally grasped the essence of slacking, she might never have seen the day it finally "booted up."
[Um... I mean, it was purely coincidental that you started slacking off right when I activated, okay? You believe me, right?]
Faced with Lumina's glacial expression, goosebumps rose across the System's Soul. It forced an awkward chuckle and stammered out its defense.
"I believe you, of course I believe you," Lumina said, her icy expression vanishing instantly, replaced by an incomparably gentle one.
[Don't do that, I'm scared...] Witnessing Lumina's sudden shift in demeanor, the System wished she would revert to her previous coldness.
After all, a smiling tiger was the most terrifying creature of all!
Hmm... but maybe I don't need to be scared. She can't even touch me, can she?
With this thought, the System calmed down, but to avoid provoking Lumina, it kept its mouth shut, saying nothing.
"..."
Witnessing all this, Lumina maintained her outwardly amiable facade, while her mind churned with calculations.
Fine, I'll just add it to my little notebook for now... I'll settle the score later...
Though Lumina desperately wanted to give the System a severe lesson, she had to admit, as it had implied, she truly couldn't touch it.
But that's fine. I may be powerless now, but that doesn't mean I'll be powerless forever. I'll jot everything down in my little notebook, and wait for the day I can exact my revenge...
Lumina thought to herself, her resolve hardening.