Chapter 32
"I have a question for you.
How would you react if someone took away your free will?
Free will is the freedom to make our own choices.
Some philosophers believe it is our only true freedom because no one can take it away from us.
But is that really true?
Is it truly an absolute freedom?"
Standing in front of an office, a man dressed in priestly robes spoke softly. His voice sounded warm, yet the woman standing before him could sense an inexplicable chill beneath his gentle tone as he asked the question.
The question caught the woman off guard. Standing before the desk with a puzzled expression, she pondered for a long moment before finally answering,
"I don't believe our freedom of choice truly belongs to us. But when it comes to making decisions, it is our absolute freedom."
Hearing her answer, the black-haired priest with golden roots simply nodded with a gentle smile.
Back in the car, everyone remained seated in silence, each occupied with their own affairs as time passed quickly.
After what felt like twenty minutes, the car slowly came to a stop.
Adam, who had been focused on his tablet the entire ride, finally raised his eyes and calmly surveyed the surroundings before turning his attention to the two people seated in the back.
"We've finally arrived. Welcome to Solaria City Hall, one of the most important places on the entire planet."
Adam introduced their destination.
Having put away her handheld game console to admire the scenery, Elara couldn't help but let her eyes sparkle. For a moment, she even forgot the sadness she had been carrying.
Even Stephanie's usually cold face showed a trace of surprise.
Adam calmly opened the door and stepped out.
The instant he did, thunderous cheers erupted.
Countless voices echoed in unison.
"Long live His Holiness!"
"Long live the Lord!"
"Long live the Sun God!"
Adam simply answered with his usual warm smile, gently waving to the crowd.
Inside the car, Elara flinched at the sudden outburst.
She cautiously poked her head outside to get a better look, and what she saw left her stunned.
"So many voices praising father... Why do they all seem... possessed?"
She whispered quietly enough that no one else could hear.
Without realizing it, she cast a meaningful glance toward Stephanie.
"You should step out and greet them. From today onward, you are no longer simply Elara, an unknown little girl. You are "Lucia", the Saint's daughter. Do not bring shame upon your father."
A cold voice, softened by a trace of gentleness, sounded behind Elara.
It was Stephanie.
The moment she heard herself called "Lucia", Elara frowned.
In truth, she disliked that name.
She much preferred the one her mother had given her.
But since it was her father's decision, she remained silent, even though a tiny spark of resistance still lingered within her heart.
As she slowly stepped out of the car, her hesitant demeanor contrasted sharply with Adam's composed confidence, easily drawing attention.
After all, the appearance of a six-year-old girl following the Saint could only mean there was something significant behind it.
Whispers spread throughout the crowd.
Elara instinctively clenched the fabric of her dress with all her strength.
Stephanie, who never stopped watching over her, noticed the gesture immediately, yet remained silent despite Elara's obvious anxiety and stress.
Adam continued walking without once looking back.
The two girls followed behind him, though Elara's steps were noticeably hesitant.
Meanwhile, the man who had driven them quietly departed in another direction.
After several minutes of walking, they reached the grand entrance of City Hall.
Two guards stood before the massive doors, backs perfectly straight and eyes fixed ahead.
Upon seeing Adam, both men saluted him formally before opening the doors.
Having never attended an event like this before, Elara couldn't suppress the emotions welling up inside her already overwhelmed mind.
As the doors slowly opened, brilliant light poured over the three of them, and the sounds from inside became audible.
The enormous hall could hardly be described with a single word.
"Incredible..."
Elara whispered.
Everything about the room radiated nobility, wealth, and power in perfect harmony.
Adam's arrival did not go unnoticed.
Quite the opposite.
The previously lively hall instantly fell into complete silence.
In perfect unison, as though they had rehearsed it for months, every guest lowered their head and placed their right hand over their chest.
Unlike the crowd outside, however, no one uttered a single word.
Everyone remained silent, heads bowed.
Even Stephanie couldn't hide her surprise.
She suddenly felt nervous and out of place.
After all, gathered within this room were the most powerful people on the entire planet.
Without realizing it, she clasped her left hand around her right and gently rubbed it.
"Unlike the Saint, who is always warm and compassionate... I can't say the same for everyone gathered here..."
Whether it was intuition or something else, Stephanie couldn't help but think as she observed the silent room.
Meanwhile, Adam maintained his gentle smile as he slowly looked around the room, meeting everyone's gaze without the slightest hint of haste.
"Good morning, everyone. Please forgive my lateness. I had to finish a few last-minute preparations."
Adam greeted the guests before apologizing for his delay.
Only then did everyone raise their heads to observe the people standing behind him.
"There is no need to apologize, Your Holiness. We all know how tirelessly you work for our planet.
In truth, it is we who should thank you for finding time to visit your beloved 'subjects' despite your demanding schedule."
As the speaker finished, they lowered their head respectfully, a smile permanently fixed upon their face.
Looking more closely, Elara's eyes widened for several seconds when she recognized the woman who had spoken.
She was a young fox-woman with crimson hair and ruby-red eyes, her appearance exuding the charm of a mature woman.
After all, the two could be considered acquaintances.
The fox-woman was none other than Clara.
As Clara raised her head, her eyes briefly met those of the purple-haired little girl.
She offered Elara a tiny smile before returning her attention to Adam.
"At least... the day has finally come.
All the actors are now in place.
All that's left is for the performance to unfold smoothly...
My dear daughter, I hope you'll come to understand the purpose of this event.
Still... unforeseen variables can always arise...
Even so, the final outcome must become exactly what I desire."
Adam thought as he cast a brief glance toward his daughter.
He had barely spoken to her throughout the entire journey for two reasons.
The first was because he had been working.
The second...
...was because he wanted to force Elara to grow up.
He knew his behavior could be perceived as cold.
But he didn't need a child.
He needed a future leader.