Chapter 294: Passing Shadows
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 294: Passing Shadows
"Ariel, are you alright?"
Looking at Ariel, who stood before him with a vacant expression and lifeless eyes, Muen felt utterly bewildered. He was just about to ask a few cautious questions when...
Suddenly.
Thud.
Ariel collapsed to her knees. First, she gazed up at the heavens in a daze, then she doubled over and struck the ground in grief-stricken indignation, letting out a roar that seemed to erupt from the very depths of her soul:
"No—! My money—!"
"The north wind howls—the snowflakes drift—"
"What are you even singing?!"
Ariel looked up, glaring at Muen.
"Ah, no, I just felt a sudden, overwhelming sense of déjà vu. I started singing instinctively."
Muen rubbed his nose and gave an embarrassed smile. Then, with a quick twist of his body, he bypassed Ariel—deciding it was best not to provoke her when she was like this—and approached Professor Prang.
"Sorry, the preparations took a bit longer than expected. I kept you all waiting. Allow me to introduce myself: Muen Campbell."
Muen first offered an apologetic smile to the group. There was no need to say anything to Liya or Senior Fanny, so he took the initiative to walk over and politely greet the three he wasn't well-acquainted with.
"Vicky Morse. Just call me Vicky."
"Aaron Mack. I saw your battle before. We definitely have to spar when we have the time."
"Marshall."
After a few casual pleasantries, Muen turned back to Professor Prang.
"Professor Prang, what about the escort teacher? Haven't they arrived yet?"
It had been agreed upon that the escort would be a mysterious, top-tier powerhouse no weaker than a Crown Bearer, so Muen had been looking forward to it.
"There, they're already here."
Professor Prang pointed a finger behind Muen with a look of pure disdain.
"Eh?"
Already here?
He hadn't sensed a thing.
As expected of the "top-tier macho man" Professor Prang described—someone who wasn't a Crown Bearer but was superior to one.
Muen turned around in the direction the professor was pointing, and then he saw...
A ridiculous pink puppet bear. At some point, it had scrambled onto the first carriage of the convoy and was currently groping the two Dragon-blood horses, who were trembling in terror.
As it felt them up, it let out a lecherous, snickering laugh:
"Fine horses, truly fine horses. Look at those rumps, look at those thighs, and look at those elegant curves. One of these must be worth over a million Emiels, right? Heh heh, if I could sell them, I wonder how many boxes of top-shelf cigars and Saintess photo books I could buy..."
"..."
Watching that pink backside wiggle back and forth, Muen stood stunned for a long while before finally snapping out of it and blurting out:
"Holy crap, why is it him?"
The Pink Bear Dean?
That unreliable-looking puppet bear?
He was the "macho man" Professor Prang was talking about?
Could he actually handle this?
"Hmm?"
As if sensing Muen's thoughts, the Pink Bear spun around sharply. Its beady black eyes glared at Muen, and a furry hand suddenly emerged from the bear's mouth, gesturing wildly.
"You brat, are you looking down on me?"
"No, of course not!"
Muen's eyes widened, and he instantly adopted an expression of righteous integrity.
"The Dean is wise, divine, and exceptionally handsome. I couldn't be happier to have you protecting us on our way to the Holy City. How could I possibly look down on you?"
"Hmph, at least you've got a silver tongue."
The Pink Bear shifted its furry hand to scratch its butt and sighed.
"Though, I'm not the Dean anymore. You can just call me Pink Bear. Sigh... To think that I, the handsome and charismatic Pink Bear, would be reduced to being a babysitter for children. The world is truly going to the dogs; people just aren't what they used to be!"
"..."
Muen's lip twitched. He leaned in close to Professor Prang and whispered, "Is this really going to be okay?"
"Don't worry, his strength is..."
"I'm not talking about his strength."
To be the Acting Dean while Dean Hathaway was away, anyone could guess that this puppet bear—despite looking like a comic relief character—was no simpleton in terms of power or status.
"I mean... he seems extremely unreliable."
"He doesn't just 'seem' it; he is extremely unreliable," Professor Prang said expressionlessly.
"..."
"But don't worry, I have a way to handle him. At the very least, he will protect you during this journey. With his strength, plus yours..." Professor Prang glanced at the final carriage and continued, "Under normal circumstances, nothing should go wrong. Other academy teachers have already gone to the Holy City ahead of time; they will meet up with you later."
"Besides, given that fellow's identity, you should try to get on his good side. It won't hurt you."
"Identity?"
"..."
Professor Prang shook his head without answering. Instead, he turned to the Pink Bear, narrowed his eyes, and said sternly:
"Former Acting Dean, as I said before, I've already had someone take your beloved limited-edition cigars and limited-edition photo books to the Holy City in advance.
"If you don't want to see them 'executed,' then get these children to the Holy City without losing a single hair on their heads!"
Muen: "..."
Everyone else: "..."
"Tsk, despicable old geezer."
The Pink Bear clicked its tongue in annoyance. With a wiggle of its body, it turned and lay sideways on the driver's seat of the carriage, waving a hand at the group.
"Alright, enough talk. Let's get moving. If we're delayed and my babies suffer in the Holy City, what then? They can't stand the light of day over there!"
"..."
Muen turned to Professor Prang. "Then we're off, Professor."
"Go on."
Professor Prang patted each of them on the shoulder in turn. A rare trace of kindness appeared on his usually stern face.
"This trip to the Holy City might be a bit unusual, but you'll understand the specifics once you arrive. Until then, just treat it as a vacation."
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone responded in unison. Then, instinctively, they all turned their gaze toward Muen, as if waiting for something.
Muen blinked, then smiled faintly.
"Six carriages. The last one is special and cannot be used. Therefore, aside from the Pink Bear and myself having our own, the rest of you seniors will be two to a carriage. Any objections?"
"None!"
Who would object to a free ride in such a luxurious carriage?
"Very well."
Muen raised his hand and gave a forceful wave. "Then the St. Maria Academy representative team... set out! Destination: The Holy City!"
"Yes!"
The response was loud and full of youthful vigor.
Though for some reason, it was punctuated by someone's extremely reluctant, helpless wail of grief and despair—a cry so wretched they looked ready to jump off a rooftop.
*
The convoy traveled into the distance, and the other students gradually dispersed. The once-bustling academy slowly sank into a deep, profound silence.
Professor Prang stood at the academy gates, leaning on his silver cane as he watched everyone depart.
Suddenly, the space beside him distorted, and Mela, dressed in a pink nightgown, stepped out.
"Mentor Mela Domir."
Professor Prang bowed in greeting.
Mela nodded slightly and looked into the distance. However, she wasn't looking in the direction Muen had gone, but toward the center of Belland.
"How lively."
"Indeed, very lively."
Professor Prang followed her gaze. With his exceptional vision, he could easily see the massive procession winding through the streets of the Belland district.
That was the official delegation heading to the Holy City, representing the Leopold Empire. Aside from the accompanying heralds, knights, and officials, there were various other parties traveling with them, as well as several carriages full of gifts from the Empire to the Church.
After all, the Holy Ceremony of the Life Church only happened once every few decades. Every faction had to show some form of respect.
But in truth, the ceremony itself wasn't what mattered to these factions. Who became the Saintess didn't really affect most people.
What mattered was...
"The Lost Homeland, Cantville..."
Professor Prang sighed. "Everyone estimated it would take the Life Church at least another twenty years to crack the entrance to that ancient kingdom. No one expected them to unearth it so much earlier. It was quite sudden."
"The Moon's death was quite beneficial in a way, wasn't it?"
Mela shrugged casually. Her gaze quickly shifted away from the winding procession, piercing through countless obstacles to land on her disciple.
"Now, every power has moved like ants smelling honey, using the ceremony as an excuse to observe and offer congratulations."
"Kid, I wasn't teasing you this time. There really are many benefits and surprises waiting for you in the Holy City.
"However..."
Mela paused, seemingly sensing something. Her tone turned strangely peculiar.
"For you, it seems even the road there won't be easy to travel."
*
High above Belland, a biting cold wind blew.
Yet, within this midwinter gale, a faint, faded shadow—like diluted ink—flickered past at high speed.
The shadow circled once over the city before finally locking onto the departing convoy.
Soon, the shadow dived into a tall chimney, its form solidifying as it descended.
Finally, it turned into... a robin.
The robin landed, looking around at the animals waiting in the silent shadows with bated breath. Finally, it fixed its gaze on the majestic tiger at the center and gave a slight nod.
"Everyone."
The tiger suddenly stood on its hind legs, announcing in a deep voice:
"Prepare yourselves. Our time has come."
*
"Hmm?"
Muen suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
He shifted his gaze away from the scenery rushing past, quickly searching for the source of his unease. But he only managed to catch a glimpse of a flying bird out of the corner of his eye.
"This isn't the academy, and spring hasn't arrived. Where did a bird come from?"
The sensation of being watched pricked his skin like needles. Muen frowned, suddenly leaning his head out of the window and shouting toward the front:
"Uncle Pink Bear, can we go any faster?"
"Dammit, don't call me 'Uncle'! I'm still in the prime of my life! My life's ambition is to flirt with a hundred beautiful girls with big chests and long legs!"
The Pink Bear cursed, then promptly kicked the Dragon-blood horse's rump and laughed loudly:
"But if it's excitement you're looking for, I can certainly provide! Hold on tight, brats!"
The Dragon-blood horses neighed and pulled the carriages forward like a gale, flying across the land.