Chapter 348: The Predecessor
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 348: The Predecessor
"You little rascal..."
As soon as Liya gracefully vanished into the crowd, Pink Bear leaned in, throwing an arm around Muen’s shoulder. He teased him with a sleazy, mocking grin.
"Come on, spill it. What kind of 'shameful things' did you do with her back in that little grove? The way she’s acting toward you... something’s definitely up!"
"The only thing that's 'up' is your head," Muen said, swatting the bear paw away with a look of disgust. "What are you even thinking? Liya and I are just ordinary friends."
"Really?" Pink Bear looked skeptical. "Ordinary friends just come over and throw themselves into your arms?"
"You call that throwing herself into my arms? I didn't even touch a single strand of her hair, alright?"
"Don't give me that! According to the 'normie radar' I’ve developed over twenty years of being single, there is definitely something going on between you two!"
"The only thing wrong is you. Stop reading those perverted books; you're going to lose your hair." Muen rolled his eyes and added offhandedly, "If I really had an improper relationship with Liya, let me be stabbed to death by a cleaver. No, let me be stabbed to death by many cleavers."
"Hmph, you’re full of it. Just watch me—"
Pink Bear snorted disdainfully, preparing to say more, but the words died in his throat.
The atmosphere in the hall shifted.
The noisy crowd fell into a sudden hush. At the center of a gathering of light, a holy figure emerged from behind the scenes with elegant steps. From her pale golden hair to the divine Goddess's Mark, down to her remarkably broad bosom, every inch of her radiated the sanctity of the title "Saintess." In an instant, she commanded the attention of everyone in the room.
The current Saintess had made her entrance.
"Is it starting?"
Even the lazy Muen couldn't help but perk up. Even if he wasn't participating in the ceremony, it was still a grand occasion where all five Saintess Candidates would appear. Naturally, he felt a spark of anticipation.
However, amidst his anticipation, Muen couldn't help but cast a suspicious glance at the man beside him.
This fellow, Pink Bear, became terrifyingly quiet every time he faced the Saintess. It was completely unlike his usual self.
Could it be...
Does he actually have a thing for the Saintess's white silk stockings? Is he harboring some indecent thoughts about her?!
"It seems everyone who should be here has arrived."
Standing on the high platform used for chanting holy hymns, the Saintess scanned the cathedral hall. Her gaze was warm, carrying that gentle smile capable of melting the coldest ice.
She wore a solemn ceremonial dress that only revealed her calves, which were clad in white silk.
Muen took one look and then looked away.
Hmph, we are clearly not on the same path!
"Since everyone is here, I shall not say much more. You all know the purpose of this gathering, so let us get straight to the point."
The Saintess nodded slightly. After a moment of thought, her gaze locked onto a specific spot, and she called out softly:
"Please come forward first, my child—Margarita."
As the Saintess’s magically resonant voice rang out, the crowd parted. A young girl dressed in an intricate, magnificent gown stepped out into the spotlight.
The girl’s platinum-blonde hair was pinned up high, and her skin was as white as snow. Her flawless face featured the high bridge of the nose characteristic of the Slavs from the north, making her cold, wind-swept features appear even more profound and three-dimensional.
"Is that the Platinum Princess of the Slav Kingdom?"
"She’s so beautiful..."
"Her reputation has grown more and more prominent over the years. I’ve heard of her even in the south."
"As expected of a Saintess Candidate. Such excellence..."
Noisy discussions broke out among the crowd.
"A princess?" Muen was stunned. "The first one out is already such a heavyweight?"
Although the original novel had certainly mentioned the appearance of these Saintess Candidates, they were minor characters with very little screen time. It was difficult to remember them clearly. Muen could only try to recall details as he cross-referenced the information he was seeing.
"The Platinum Princess, huh..."
Pink Bear had returned to his usual flamboyant self. He picked his nose while offering his commentary. "She’s no simple character. In terms of fame across the continent, she’s on par with that 'iceberg tsundere' of yours."
"What about in other areas?"
"I said her fame is on par," Pink Bear said, shrugging.
"Alright, I get it."
In other areas, the iceberg tsundere still wins by a landslide, right?
No, wait—more than just a landslide.
Muen’s gaze swept over the Platinum Princess’s chest, which was as flat as the northern plains, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.
Fortunately, Ariel wasn't here right now.
Otherwise...
Four of a Kind.
Boom.
"You’ve grown, Margarita."
The Saintess watched the girl as she gracefully knelt before her, her expression as tender as ever.
"Did your Mortal World Trial yield any results?"
"Yes, Teacher. I have learned much."
"I see. But before we proceed, I must ask you this question..." The Saintess reached out her hand and asked softly, "Are you certain you wish to abandon your former identity and status to walk this cruel path?"
"Yes, Teacher," Margarita, the Platinum Princess, replied without a hint of hesitation as she placed her hand in the Saintess’s. "I will persevere and move forward."
"Very well."
Holy light gathered in the Saintess’s palm, condensing into a pure crystal.
The Saintess placed the crystal into the girl’s hand and said, "Call for your knight."
"Yes."
Margarita turned, lifting her swan-like neck as she looked toward a certain direction.
"Come here."
With that command, the crowd grew noisy once more.
But if the mood earlier during the reveal of the first Saintess Candidate was one of curiosity and excitement, it was now one of caution and scrutiny—as if they were about to face a wild wolf.
Compared to the Saintess Candidates, whose skill points were mostly not invested in combat, the assistants who followed them—those who would help them secure final victory and earn the title of "God-Attendant Knight"—were the ones most people were wary and jealous of.
"A God-Attendant Knight, huh." Muen rubbed his chin and muttered, "To be honest, I don't quite understand."
"Oh? What don't you understand?" Pink Bear replied casually.
"Since this Holy Ceremony determines who becomes the Saintess, and the candidates need God-Attendant Knights to help them, why don't they just call their strongest people and have a brawl right here? Isn't all this extra stuff just a waste of time?"
Muen voiced the complaint he’d had since reading the book in his previous life.
"Hmm... while you have a point, choosing a Saintess isn't as simple as you think."
Perhaps influenced by the surrounding atmosphere, Pink Bear showed a rare bit of interest and explained patiently, "The predecessor of the Holy Ceremony actually dates back nearly a thousand years, to the end of the Great Chaos that swept the entire continent. Back when the Church was first establishing its supreme position, they held a specific event to select the one who could truly lead the believers—the Saintess War."
"War?" Muen chewed on the word.
"Exactly," Pink Bear said coldly. "Back then, it was a literal war."