Reborn As Noble - Chapter 385

Chapter 385: Ritual of Unity ( 385 )
Francesca turned her gaze toward Aria, still wearing that ever-gentle yet ever-terrifying smile.

“Now, Aria,” her voice was calm, almost musical. “I believe you’ve been having quite a bit of fun with my honey bun just now, hmm~?”

Aria, who had been fearless moments ago, suddenly stiffened. “U-Uh… Francesca… umm…”

For the first time since her arrival, Aria—the mighty Celestial—panicked.

She quickly glanced at Javier for help, but the boy was still recovering from his own near-death experience.

Meanwhile, the shy Ari took one look at Francesca and immediately hid behind Liana.

“This woman is scary!” Ari whimpered, clutching Liana’s sleeve.

Francesca’s sharp eyes landed on the small figure hiding behind Liana.

“Hmm… Aria?” Her tone was sweet, but there was an undeniable pressure behind it.

Aria, who had been boldly teasing Javier just moments ago, stiffened like a child caught stealing sweets. “Y-Yes, F-Francesca?”

Francesca’s gaze softened slightly as she looked at the shy girl peeking out from behind Liana. “You woke up Ari?”

Aria swallowed hard and nodded. “Y-Yeah, I just let her out.”

Francesca’s expression remained unreadable for a moment before she exhaled softly. “I see…”

Then she turned her sharp gaze back to Garius. “Now, dear?”

Garius straightened slightly. “Yes?”

Francesca’s smile was sweet—too sweet. “I believe you already explained everything to them?”

Garius sighed. “Yes… honey…”

“Good.”

Her gaze turned toward the Celestials once again. “Now, tell me—which one did they choose as their vessel?”

“Athine? Meira? Lithia?”

Then her gaze landed on Liana and Gloria.

“Or… Liana and Gloria?”

A heavy silence filled the air.

Ari, still hiding behind Liana, flinched at the mention of the names. Francesca’s sharp gaze immediately caught the reaction.

“Hmm…” She tapped her chin. “I see.”

Javier’s expression turned grim. Liana and Gloria instinctively stepped closer to him, tension crackling in the air.

“Javier, Liana, Gloria!” Francesca’s voice was sharp and commanding. “Think fast. We don’t have much time. Sealing them isn’t an option anymore.”

She turned her gaze to Aria. “The First Celestial is already awake. Am I right, Aria?”

Aria stiffened, nodding quickly. “Y-Yes, F-Francesca…”

Javier blinked. “Umm… Mother?”

“Yes, honey bun~?” She smiled sweetly.

“How do you know the First Celestial is free?”

Francesca pointed calmly toward a stone tablet resting on a pedestal nearby, its ancient runes faintly glowing. “See that stone over there? The one with the seven markings?”

Javier nodded. “Yeah…?”

“Look closer,” Francesca continued. “The seventh marking has always been glowing—because Aria was never sealed, just dormant.”

Liana narrowed her eyes, already catching on. Gloria’s fingers curled slightly, tense.

Francesca’s voice grew heavier. “But now the first marking is glowing too.”

Javier’s breath hitched. “…That means—”

“Yes,” Francesca confirmed coldly. “The First Celestial has broken free.”

Garius stepped forward, arms crossed and jaw tight. “And we have no idea who their vessel is.”

Silence fell like a hammer.

Liana’s eyes flicked toward Javier, uncertain. Gloria’s expression was unreadable, but her hands were clenched at her sides.

They were running out of time.

Francesca nodded firmly, her arms crossed and her tone decisive.

“So decide now, honey bun. Will you allow Aria and Ari to take Liana and Gloria as their vessels—or not?”

Javier didn’t answer right away. His gaze turned toward Liana and Gloria, searching, uncertain.

“If they become vessels… will they change?” he asked quietly.

Francesca looked at Aria and Ari, her eyes sharp and serious. “Will they?”

Aria shook her head confidently. “No. We don’t overwrite. We blend. Their minds and hearts will stay theirs.”

Ari nodded, her voice soft but firm. “We don’t want to erase anyone…”

Javier exhaled deeply and turned to the girls he cared for most. “…You two decide. It’s your bodies. Your lives. I won’t decide this for you.”

Liana smiled softly, her eyes warm and calm. Without hesitation, she reached out and gently took Ari’s hand. “If it helps Young Master and if you’re truly compatible with me… then I’ll accept.”

Gloria, who had been quiet until now, sighed with her usual cool composure. “As long as she doesn’t get overly clingy or disrupt my work routines… I’ll accept too.”

Aria and Ari looked at each other—then at Francesca and Garius—hope flickering in their eyes.

Garius calmly stepped forward, his expression unreadable. Then—

His right eye glowed.

A mystical pattern, ancient and constantly shifting like a constellation of runes, appeared across his iris. Magic pulsed from the symbol like ripples in calm water—peaceful, yet terrifying in its depth.

The air grew heavy.

Javier’s eyes widened.

Marcellus and Cedric instinctively took a step back.

Even Athine, Aelius, and Heres felt it deep within them.

“…Is this… Father’s real power?” Javier whispered, stunned.

Just as Garius’s powerful presence settled in the room, a radiant light flared from behind Francesca.

Wings—no, they weren’t feathered wings.

They were made of pure light, elegant and ethereal, like curved blades of moonlight—glowing softly but pulsing with divine energy.

She smiled sweetly.

“Ari. Aria.” Her voice was kind, but it carried a serious tone.

“If you don’t keep your promise—if you ever try to control their will…”

Her wings spread wider, casting long glowing shadows across the ground.

“I will personally seal you both away for eternity.”

Aria stiffened, her sly grin disappearing.

Ari swallowed hard and nodded quietly as usual.

Francesca’s calm voice echoed once more:

“Now, Liana. Gloria. Extend your hands.”

Without hesitation, both women stepped forward.

Liana, serene and composed, gently raised her hand.

Gloria adjusted her glasses before doing the same.

From the opposite side, Ari and Aria mirrored them—each raising a hand, their fingertips just inches apart.

Then it began.

A soft glow radiated from their point of contact—subtle at first.

Ari closed her eyes. Her body shimmered with a faint silver light.

Aria grinned, though her expression became focused and serious as golden threads of magic began to dance along her arm.

Garius’s eye ignited, the mystical pattern in his iris shifting like a divine mechanism unlocking.

A translucent symbol appeared in the air above them—a grand seal filled with layers of protective runes and ancient celestial writing.

His voice was calm, yet it carried undeniable power:

“Eye of Truth: Sacred Covenant.”

The seal lowered slowly, locking into place over the ritual like a key finding its slot.

At the same moment—

Francesca raised her hands.

A brilliant white light flared from her wings and palms, bathing the entire area in a soft, cleansing glow.

Her voice rang out like a bell in a temple:

“Blessing of Harmony—.”

The light surrounded all four of them—Liana, Gloria, Ari, and Aria—binding them in a glowing sphere of unity.

The magic pulsed, once… twice… then burst outward in a silent shockwave.

A warm, gentle breeze swept past them.

Then silence.

The ritual was complete.

( End of Chapter )