Chapter 323
Chapter 323
Chapter 323
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 323 – Huperion Sets Out, Full of Expectation
Inside the grand hall, silence returned — as still as the lake beside the temple outside, no ripples left behind, only the fading echoes of voices and the faint clinking of crystal ornaments on the swaying chandeliers.
The light and shadows reflected on the marble walls, which had been slightly disturbed by the wind rustling the leaves outside, gradually regained their rhythm and order.
The tense atmosphere from moments ago had quietly dissipated, replaced by a solemn, sacred calm.
The Ice Witch’s silver eyes had once again returned to their familiar, cool clarity.
Huperion stood quietly to the side, watching her teacher’s expression. The tension that had gripped her chest finally loosened, and she secretly resolved that in the future, she must be far more cautious about bringing out the Great Love Poet.
“Huperion, keep a close eye on that summoned being. Don’t let her cause trouble once you’re in the Protos Empire.”
The Ice Witch looked at Huperion intently as she spoke.
She still didn’t quite understand why that summoned spirit insisted on hiding her face. Thinking about it carefully, that elegant figure, pale skin, and delicate lips suggested she couldn’t possibly be ugly — she might even be a stunning beauty.
It was just her personality that was unbearable.
Because of that, no matter how beautiful she might be, the Ice Witch would not have been the least bit surprised.
“Don’t worry, Teacher. No matter what, she always listens to me.”
Huperion’s answer reassured the Ice Witch a little.
“That’s good. Once you’ve settled into your cover identity in the Northwestern Province, you’ll move on to the Box Mountain Province. From there, you can take the magic rail train south, out of the Protos Empire’s northern control zone, and eventually reach the imperial capital — Helrom.”
The Ice Witch’s hand rested gently on Huperion’s shoulder. Her expression softened, tinged with reluctance.“The most dangerous part will be the journey from the Northwestern Province to Box Mountain Province — the Scourge’s branch cultists have a strong presence along that route. You must be extremely careful of the Son of Scourge. Once they set their eyes on you, escape will be nearly impossible.”
After parting today, Huperion would be setting out on this perilous journey.
Three clergy members familiar with Huperion would escort her through a special route prepared by the Church of the Goddess of Fate — a path that had never been used before — taking her safely to the Northwestern Province. There, they would wait for her return rather than travel onward with her, to avoid attracting additional attention and making her infiltration of the imperial capital more difficult.
Once she left the Northwestern Province, whether in safety or danger, she would be entirely on her own.
“Don’t worry, Teacher Almis. If things go wrong, I’ll run. At least when it comes to running away, I’m very confident!”
Huperion clenched her small fist, her words brimming with conviction.
“Ha…”
The Ice Witch almost couldn’t imagine a member of the modern demon royal family saying something so timid with such righteousness — yet she couldn’t help but smile helplessly.“It’s a shame. Even among the few trustworthy allies we have in the Protos Empire, there’s very little they can do to help you.”
There were people in the Protos Empire who held great power, even some favored by the Church of the Goddess of Fate — but they could not be fully trusted.
Huperion’s mission was one of absolute secrecy, and any mistake in detail might mean her death.
If they recklessly tried to involve those people, they might end up doing more harm than good.
“It’s fine — I already have a city-state lord who can grant me an identity and protection. That’s already an enormous help!”
Huperion’s tone was serious.
The Church of the Goddess of Fate had laid all the groundwork for her. What she needed to do now was face a series of challenges that no one else could face for her.
But first, she had to see if she could gather any information about Lan Qi in the imperial capital Helrom.
Right — he was called Rocky now.
Huperion worried about whether he and Cat Boss were doing well so far away in the Protos Empire.
Every night before bed, staring up at the ceiling, she would think about them for a long time.
“You were thinking about him again, weren’t you?”
The Ice Witch’s gaze fell on Huperion, who had briefly fallen into a daze.
“Ha… yeah, I can’t help worrying about him.”
Caught so easily, Huperion scratched the back of her head with an embarrassed smile.
“Do your best, Huperion.”
The Ice Witch encouraged her once again — though it was hard to tell how many layers of meaning that “do your best” carried.
Her gaze toward Huperion had grown more serious.
Huperion blinked in slight confusion, then nodded.
She had always thought of her teacher as a woman of great wisdom. The temple priests often said the Ice Witch’s singing could heal not only the body but also move hearts to tears — yet Huperion had never personally experienced her teacher’s music magic.
“Anyone who loses… loses for a reason.”
The Ice Witch murmured with a sigh.
“For example?”
Huperion tilted her head curiously.
“For example — think of a love story, where the ‘loser heroine’ always appears eating, or holding food. Do you think she deserves to lose?”
The Ice Witch plucked a book from the bookshelf — a novel titled Holy War Romance, written by a minor but rising historian of the Protos Empire, inspired by events from a hundred years ago.
“Well… if she actually won in the end, that would make for pretty entertaining drama.”
Huperion began analyzing from another angle.
She hadn’t expected her teacher’s shelves to hold such a book.
“Is that so…”
The Ice Witch seemed momentarily taken aback by Huperion’s perspective, then smiled and sighed. She handed the book to Huperion, suggesting she read it on the road if she got bored on the way to the Northwestern Province.
“No matter what happens a month from now — when I see you again, I will arrange for your safe passage back to the Southern Continent. So, come back safe. May the Goddess bless you.”
The Ice Witch turned toward the statue of the goddess, offering a sincere prayer for Huperion’s safety.
“Thank you, Teacher.”
Huperion gave the Ice Witch a deep, serious look, put away the magic card and the book her teacher had given her, bowed respectfully, and made her final farewell before turning toward the exit.
Her footsteps were steady, though tinged with reluctance. The temple corridor, supported by tall snow-white stone columns, was quiet and solemn. Between each pair of columns stood a warm yellow crystal lamp, as if softly bidding her farewell.
Huperion walked slowly down the hall.
She had walked this path many times before, but at the moment of departure, she finally felt a sense of bittersweet attachment.
This was where she had become a priest, where she had made many like-minded friends. She wished she could stay here and protect this pure, beautiful place.
At last, Huperion reached the great doors of the temple. She pushed open the heavy carved metal panels, and a beam of dazzling sunlight fell across her face.
The brightness stung her eyes slightly, but through the glare she could see the trees glittering under the noonday sun, their fresh green leaves announcing the arrival of spring.
On this early spring day, the temple seemed even purer and cleaner than ever. Flowers were already blooming in the beds on either side, their petals swaying gently in the breeze, releasing a faint, fresh fragrance.
Where she was going next — the Protos Empire — would be a thorny road, nothing like this beauty.
But she was ready.
Her training had brought her heart to complete calm.
When she saw Lan Qi again, no matter how strange or chaotic he was this time, she would not let her emotions waver.
Full of expectation, Huperion took her first step beyond the temple doors.
(End of Chapter)