Bab 24: Chapter 24 - The First Trial: Curse and Blessing of a Divine Herald's Power
"What is a Divine Herald? These guests are intriguing, their powers are unique. They indeed seem strong and possess extraordinary abilities, but it's still not enough to defeat the strength of my power." the Princess proudly said and with a tone of amusement still evident in her voice.
She kept her gaze fixed on the guests trapped inside the box enveloped by her power.
"Divine Heralds have powers that emerge from parts of their bodies, often from their palms, which have a hole. Although this power is strong, it is considered both a blessing and a curse. This kind of power, though bestowed by the deities and ancestors who possessed such abilities, is extremely destructive. Anyone who inherits this power will undoubtedly face severe challenges. It can bring tragedy to those around the Divine Herald, as this power is difficult to control. It can also lead to the demise of the Divine Herald if they fail to master it. The poison from their power gradually spreads through their body. This is because the strong energies and powers are stored within them, and once they use their power, these energies activate and can harm their internal organs. Therefore, the elders regard this as a curse passed down from the ancestors, given by the gods who bestow powers." Noble Estifon explained at length about the Divine Herald.
Noble Hilda was left speechless, staring at her brother after he provided information about the Divine Herald. She didn't expect that her brother's extensive reading in their mansion's library would be helpful, giving him vast knowledge about various unique powers of the Aruhas.
"I think I might start locking myself in the library and read a lot of books too." joked Noble Hilda.
"So, the Divine Herald trapped in the princess's power box will die because of the spread of poison from the power stored in their body? Look at him; he looks like he's in severe pain from using and releasing his power." said Noble Rufino, looking seriously at the Aruha named Kenro with interest.
"Different Divine Heralds have varying abilities to deal with the poison. Some only need enough rest. If the poison hasn't spread too much throughout the body, the body can endure it until the energy and power are no longer active. When the Divine Herald stops using their power and closes the hole in their palm, they just need to endure, and they can survive." explained Noble Estifon to his sibling's question.
"I think they can handle it. These guests have potential. With a little more training, they can surely control and hone their powers." said Noble Hilda.
"Well, let's see how far their skills and powers go. The harder they struggle, the more entertaining the challenge I've given them." the Princess said with a grin.
Meanwhile, Yana was amazed by the powers displayed by Kenro and Qrolo. It felt like she was watching anime characters with different abilities, still unable to believe that what she was witnessing was real. However, she also felt intense worry for Kenro and Qrolo and frustration at herself for being unable to help them escape from the box surrounded by the Princess's power.
Even though Kenro and Qrolo failed to break the box's wall, the other Aruha participants were greatly impressed by their displayed powers. Several participants were still trying to find a way to escape the box.
Kenro remained kneeling on the ground, still enduring the pain from his palm, even though the bleeding had stopped because Qrolo had bandaged his hand. However, the pain he felt had not diminished.
"I—I'll just rest for a—awhile. Once I regain my strength, I'll try again to find a way to break the box's wall and get us out of here." Kenro said haltingly, struggling to speak because of the pain he was enduring.
"Kenro, don't think about getting out of here for now. Focus on recovering, and Qrolo and I will think of a way." Yana said worriedly.
"Yana is right, Kenro. Rest until you regain your strength." Qrolo added, equally concerned for his friend.
Kenro forced himself to rest and regain his strength while Qrolo and Yana tried to come up with a plan. Despite still feeling weak, Qrolo had recovered some of his energy and attempted to use his power again. He created various objects that might break through the walls of the box, but all his efforts using his Somnial Artifice power failed to break the box's walls.
Qrolo also tried to teleport Yana and Kenro out of the box, but the Princess's powerful counter-magic, embedded within the box's power, prevented his teleportation ability from working. They were all frustrated, especially Yana. She felt like she was failing to prove herself worthy of being chosen as the destined one.
Yana looked at the other Aruha who were struggling to get out, but none of them succeeded. Some had completely given up and were sitting down, exhausted from overusing their powers. Others, however, refused to surrender. She wondered if the princess was really this cruel and why she was making everyone, including them, suffer so much in this trial.
Qrolo was also exhausted and had sat down on the floor, his power completely drained. Yana closed her eyes in frustration and clenched her fists.
"What should I do? It's really hard to think when you're not smart. Whoever the deity in this world is, please help me and lend me wisdom and power because I can't bear to see them like this, struggling and giving their all while I can't do anything to help." Yana whispered softly to herself.
"Yana, think and squeeze your tiny brain." she whispered again to herself.
Slowly, she opened her eyes. She observed the entire environment inside the box. Many Aruha were already resting and seemed to have given up. But she felt there was still hope and wanted all of them inside the box to escape and pass the princess's trial.
Suddenly, an idea sprang into Yana's mind, though she wasn't sure if it would work. She approached Kenro, who was now sitting on the ground and seemed to have regained some of his strength and power.
"Kenro, I have an idea." Yana said seriously, causing Qrolo, who was sitting next to Kenro, to turn and look at her.
"What are you thinking Yana?" Qrolo asked, surprised.
"It looks like Kenro is gradually recovering his power. But I think his strength isn't enough yet, and he needs more rest." Yana said.
"What are you thinking?" Kenro asked as well.
"I thought that we could collaborate with all the participants here in the box. If we all work together, wouldn't it be easier and increase our chances of winning and getting out of here?" Yana suggested.
Qrolo and Kenro became more serious, waiting for Yana to continue.
"My plan is to talk to all the participants here and ask them to cooperate with us. Kenro, I believe your power can help us escape from this box. Now, my question is, does your power have the ability to absorb the powers of the other Aruha participants here?" Yana asked Kenro.
"What are you thinking, Yana?" Kenro asked, a bit hesitant. He kinda didn't like Yana's idea.
"Just answer my question first. Can you absorb their powers using the power in your palm?" Yana asked again.
"I think I can. My power has the ability to absorb things, but I'm not sure if it can absorb others' powers." Kenro answered.
"That's what we need to find out. I thought that if we could combine all the participants' powers within your palm, you could create a destructive and powerful force, Kenro. I think the combined powers of the participants absorbed by your power might be enough to break this box and get us out." Yana explained seriously.
Qrolo was amazed by Yana's idea. He didn't expect her to come up with such a plan, something even he hadn't thought of.
Kenro was hesitant. While he now understand and liked Yana's idea, he thought about the great danger it posed to his body. He worried that his body might not be able to handle the combined powers entering his palm. It could be his end. But he realized they had to try; they wouldn't get out of the box if they didn't attempt the ideas they had. So, despite his hesitation, he agreed to Yana's plan.
"Alright, I agree with your plan. I'll do everything I can to make it a success. Now, we need to convince the other Aruha participants here to cooperate with us." Kenro replied.
Yana felt a surge of joy as Kenro agreed to her plan, hopeful that they would succeed. Inside the box.
Meanwhile, the Princess and the three Noble siblings could hear all the conversations of the Aruha trapped inside, including Yana, Qrolo, and Kenro.
"She has a good idea. Do you think she'll succeed?" Noble Hilda asked.
"That's extremely dangerous. Estifon mentioned that a Divine Herald's stored power acts as a poison in their body when they use their abilities. What if absorbing the other Aruha's powers also has a poisonous effect on him? Only two outcomes are possible: they succeed, or that Divine Herald dies a pitiful death." Noble Rufino said, shaking his head.
"Is that possible, Noble Estifon?" the Princess asked.
"It's possible, your Highness. But as I mentioned earlier, it depends on the Divine Herald's body and whether it can withstand the poison and the immense power entering it. There are different types of Divine Heralds: strong, very strong, and extremely strong. We'll find out which one he is once they start their plan." Noble Estifon explained.
"These guests are really entertaining me. I can't wait to see what happens next." the Princess responded excitedly.
"Well, let's see if they can convince the other Aruha participants to cooperate with their plan." Noble Hilda said with a grin, thoroughly entertained by watching the Princess's trial for the guests and participants.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone