From Hogwarts to Strixhaven.

Chapter 544 Revenge Against the Dark Lady
The world of Toril is teeming with gods; this is no exaggeration.

The realm of the gods encompasses every aspect of the world. From the earth, water, light, and darkness that represent nature, to war, commerce, music, and prosperity that are closely related to the social activities of intelligent life, and of course, all stages of the life process, including birth, death, disease, plague, and even corruption.

Therefore, it is extremely difficult for people living on the continent of Faerûn to become true atheists. Every aspect of life belongs to a certain deity, and their divine power is always closely related to this world. However, at least the large number of deities influencing mortal life means that mortals also have a great deal of choice.

He can offer his faith to different deities at different stages of his life and pray for protection. If these deities have a good relationship with their churches, it usually won't cause any major problems. After all, the gods have a large number of followers, and unless they call on a large number of believers to convert collectively, no deity will usually hold a grudge about this.

However, the problem lies in the fact that there are too many gods in the world of Toril, and the diversity of gods is also very rich.

In addition to the deities we've already discussed, there is another type of being known as racial gods.

For example, Corellon Laresian, the creator and chief god of the elves, rules the elven pantheon known as the Sylderin gods. Thanks to the prosperity of the long-lived elves, the Sylderin gods are considered powerful throughout the entire world of Toril.

Similar pantheon structures can be found in many large races, such as the Mordinsaman pantheon ruled by Moradin, the chief god of the dwarves, and the orc pantheon ruled by Gruul'sh, the god of war.

Aside from humanity, which boasts the greatest diversity and has experienced several different pantheons, the pantheons of most intelligent races have remained largely unchanged. This also means that the relationships between their followers are very close, and they are generally quite tolerant, allowing different beliefs to spread within their races.

Everything in the world of Toril is composed of two opposing sides and the middle ground between them, so naturally there are also very demanding racial gods.

For example, the Dark Sylvanas gods, who split from the Sylvanas gods, are led by Lolth the Spider Queen. These drow race gods have great control over their followers.

Besides demanding blood sacrifices from time to time, she also punishes individuals who betray her faith. Lolth, the Spider Queen, essentially rules the drow's faith through fear.

Therefore, if a drow elf leaves the Underworld, leaving the domain of Lolth, the Spider Queen, it is usually considered a betrayal. The Spider Queen never hesitates to unleash her wrath and malice; she will send assassins, fabricate charges, and even use her divine power to cast her own minions from the Abyss onto the Material Plane, all to eliminate such betrayals.

For the drow who have come to the surface, the air of freedom is so alluring, but it also represents fear from the past and from underground.

If they fail to find a deity who can provide protection in time, the fate of these surface drow is almost certain.

However, Lolth, the Spider Queen, possessed such immense power that ordinary gods would not risk angering the chief god of the Dark Sylderin Pantheon for the sake of a drow elf from a place with a completely different social atmosphere.

The drow elves who come to the surface have few choices, and the goddess of the night, Shar, is the most likely deity to accept them (she never turns anyone away).

It is precisely because they are acutely aware of the terrifying nature of Lolth, the Spider Queen, that these drow who have left the underworld display an extraordinary fanaticism for converts; even describing it as reckless and selfless falls short. Compared to the terrifying atmosphere brought by Lolth, even Shar, who acts covertly, frequently stirs up various conspiracies in the city, and enjoys altering the memories of her followers, is a relatively human-like being.

Viconia Devel was a drow elf who, out of fear of Lolth, the Spider Queen, turned to Shar. She thought she had found her home, after all, she had lost her life underground, her home, her family and brothers, and even her former self.

But now it seems that darkness offers no refuge; it merely plunges everyone into its depths, turning them all into darkness. And once one becomes darkness, it's difficult to truly be oneself.

Ivy used memory magic to restore Viconia's sense of self, which had been taken from her by Shar, and this also meant that she would remember her fear of the Spider Queen Lolth.

Fortunately, as a powerful deity, Shar always used and discarded her tools. She would never think of recalling or destroying items like Viconia, which showed signs of damage before the battle.

After all, Viconia isn't a Selenne voter. Why would Shar go to all that trouble to create an insignificant drow?

"You intend to turn me into a drow slave?" Viconia sat in the corner of the cell, showing no intention of moving even during her earlier argument with Jashira. "To become your bed partner and handle all the trivial matters of your life?"

Ivy sighed. Drow elves have long lifespans, which means they also have an exceptionally long shelf life as women, but Ivy wasn't there for anything indecent: "I saw you fighting at the Shadow Embrace Monastery. You were quite skilled and had excellent combat intelligence. Jahira was a high-ranking harpist at Baldur's Gate for a hundred years. There aren't many people who could defeat her and Minsk together."

Viconia scoffed. "Whether underground or above ground, I am a priest. That means all my power comes from the gods. Now... Shar has completely given up on me. I'm of no use to you except in bed."

“Hmm.” Ivy nodded. That was true. A priest’s spellcasting ability came from the gods. Once he lost his faith, he was no different from a lowly warrior who couldn’t use magic.

Even if Viconia regains her lost memories and her former self, it would be difficult for her to go to the front lines as a combatant. Her unique fighting style has been largely rendered useless, and relying solely on a shield and a spiked mace would hardly be enough to maintain her reputation as a hero of Baldur's Gate.

“That’s exactly what I value about you as a former priest.” Ivy never bothered to hide her motives. “As a priest, I think you should be very clear about the nature of divine power and the relationship between gods and believers. That’s what I’m missing.”

Viconia chuckled: "You intend to dabble in the secrets of the gods? That's quite the ambition befitting a mage."

"It's mainly because my enemy is planning to become a god, and behind him have stood several true gods," Ivy patiently explained. "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."

“Supreme God…” Viconia curled up one leg, her calf muscles numb from not changing position for so long. “You think it’s qualified to be a true god? As the mastermind of the Mind Flayers?”

“It seems that Shar’s followers have indeed infiltrated Baldur’s Gate to the point of being riddled with holes. But that’s not bad either, at least it saves me from having to explain the cause and effect.” Ivy did not doubt Viconia’s strategic vision. After all, she was the leader of the behind-the-scenes force who was the first to try to find a way out of the mind flayers’ mortal enemy, much earlier and more effective than the Harpists Alliance, who claimed to be overthrowers of tyranny.

“The Supreme God’s divine authority can be understood as that of a supreme god. Although it sounds incredibly unrealistic, because the mainframe can directly control the thoughts and minds of its followers, it means that its followers are extremely fanatical. If these followers can truly provide it with faith and divine power, then the intensity and scale will far exceed our imagination. Not to mention that the Supreme God also has extremely strong exclusivity. Even the major gods of Faerûn, whose faith has continued for thousands of years, cannot achieve control over the entire Sword Coast region.” Ivy did not exaggerate the threat posed by the Supreme God.

In the past, the number of Mind Flayers was limited by the incubation cycle and food, so they could only form small tribes centered around a single Mind Flayer. After all, if all the food was consumed, the Mind Flayer would really have no future.

However, the followers of the Supreme God do not experience the fully hatched Mind Flayer tadpoles. Although their average strength is hard to match that of the Mind Flayers, at least their food is not only scarce but also difficult to produce: the brains of intelligent beings.

Furthermore, the decline in faith levels in the Sword Coast region could potentially affect the ability of other deities to project their power through Baldur's Gate. After all, until now, the powerful beings from the outer realms that Ivy has encountered are either demonic dukes or magical goddesses and dark ladies who don't rely on believers. Serene and Losanda have divine blood beings as their sustaining force, so they might not fall into this category. "...I never thought such blasphemous words would come out of my mouth." Viconia had probably already started to lay it all out; before Ivy could even explain the consequences, she proactively began to recount her journey as a former priest.

Ivy provides an in-depth analysis of the origins of holy magic and how priests act as conduits to guide the power of the gods.

As for the relationship between divine power and faith, she spoke very vaguely. After all, she was just a conduit, not the deity herself. Even if she had a vague sense of the transformation of divine power, it was all just her personal speculation.

“I will find someone to change your living environment, Ms. Deville,” Ivy promised. “I have established a new city east of Baldur’s Gate. If you can regain the approval of a certain god, or demonstrate sufficient ability—not the kind you have in bed, of course—I might appoint you as an official of the city.”

"The Lord and Lady of Morningstar City are so generous?" Viconia asked provocatively, "They actually show mercy to those who harmed them?"

“Perhaps it’s because I didn’t explain it clearly.” Ivy paused by the door. “But you’re just a tool of Shar’s. A qualified lord won’t hold a grudge against a tool, but will only assess its use and the cost of using it. If you can gain their trust, perhaps the Chief Intelligence Officer position would be a good place for you to utilize your strengths.”

Ivy vividly remembered the intelligence-gathering abilities of the Shar followers, especially the fact that they could obtain information without using magic or other mystical powers.

Viconia Deville, as the Abbess of the Shadow Embrace Monastery, has proven her leadership skills and has mastered the complete training methods of the Shar spy.

As a regional regime, Morningstar City of Ivy cannot rely solely on his own magic for intelligence gathering; having its own intelligence agency is crucial. And Viconia is precisely the one who can solve this problem.

The only problem now is Viconia's own wishes, and how Ivy can ensure her loyalty.

However, matters of the territory should ultimately be left to the destruction of the Supreme God. Ivy did not remain in the cell but went to his study. He planned to use a short message spell to summon Archdruid Halsin back from Dawnstar City, since Jahira had already agreed to perform the Eternal Body ritual, and it was certainly not feasible to fail to prepare in advance.

Before the message to summon the Archdruid could be sent, Ivy encountered the Lady of Morningstar City in the corridor. She was wearing a moon-white evening gown and was stunningly beautiful.

“Hello lover.” Yingxin and Aiwei pressed their cheeks together and left a kiss on his neck. “Even though it was just for a little while, I’ve already started missing you.”

"How are your parents? Are they satisfied with their place of residence?" Ivy's implication was that Yingxin should stay with her parents, since they had just reunited.

“They met Eileen and Isobel, and they should be having a good chat right now.” Yingxin half-pushed, half-pulled Ivy to the bedroom door. “I have a surprise for you.”

Things had finally taken a rather vulgar turn. Ivy was mentally prepared, even somewhat looking forward to it, though he had thought it would at least be nighttime: "But it's still daytime now..."

“It’s not easy to find a time when we’re both free. Now that Serene has taken up my parents’ attention, I’ve finally managed to get a little free time.” Yingxin opened the bedroom door, and a faint and wonderful fragrance wafted out. The candlesticks on the wall emitted an ambiguous light. This place was very different from when Ivy left this morning.

With a beautiful woman on her date, how could Ivy possibly refuse? Not to mention, the magic in Shadowheart's hands had linked her to a goddess.

Although it was Ivy who orchestrated it, the forbidden and blasphemous psychological expectation still made his heart race.

It is said that the goddess of darkness is allowed to experience mortal emotions, but what could better represent the impulse and vitality of life than composing a harmonious symphony of life?
"You've hidden something else?" Ivy looked at the large four-poster bed draped with velvet curtains, where a bulge was faintly visible.

"It's a surprise," Yingxin encouraged Ivy with her eyes.

Ivy was completely stunned when she lifted the soft, down-filled blanket.

She was a completely naked red-haired woman, her skin flushed a pale pink from shyness and excitement.

Ivy turned to look at the Lady of Morningstar City and asked in astonishment, "Your surprise is... an evil thought?"

“I know you won’t refuse.” Yingxin was already lying down next to Xie Nian, and the hand that was engraved with the curse of Shar and the magic mark of Aivi stretched out two fingers to play the role of a little person and began to wander on that sacred land.

“Actually, she brought it up first.” Shadowheart’s fingers danced across her delicate skin. “She said it wouldn’t matter if she were just a tool, after all, she’s been Baal’s killing machine for a long time. I didn’t agree at first, but your magic changed my mind. Sharing doubles the joy, but it also doubles the harm Shar suffers.”

A complex lust flickered in those emerald green eyes, a lust that was a mixture of love and a desire for revenge.

“You’ve attracted almost everyone in this little group. If Asdalon hadn’t made it clear to me that you don’t like men, we might be in the bathroom right now.” The lewd words that came out of Yingxin’s mouth shocked Ivy time and time again. In the past, Ivy was the one who took the lead in these kinds of things, but he never thought that his lover was much crazier than himself.

"You won't refuse, will you? After all, evil thoughts are family members connected to us by blood."

“I…” Ivy struggled to clear his throat. The shock of this surprise was indeed beyond his capacity to bear, and it had also crossed his bottom line.

Fortunately, his bottom line has always been relatively flexible, so he can quickly adjust his mindset.

"What else can I say?" When Ivy used magic to remove the last line of defense on Shadowheart, she immediately let out a scream mixed with pain.

Shar was not prepared to sit idly by and wait for her fate; her curse once again brought pain to Shadowheart.

"It's her jealousy!" Yingxin's shout was a mixture of joy and relief.

(End of this chapter)