Chapter 355: The Beginning
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 355: The Beginning
Emiel Cathedral, the Supreme Place.
Beneath a pitch-black sky, spherical objects forged through alchemy moved with precision along predetermined celestial tracks, shimmering like stars.
The sounds of clockwork and gears filled the world. Here, the silver moon and the golden sun converged, and the trajectories of countless stars aligned, tracing profound lines amidst the vast, swirling Holy Light.
Deep beneath the earth, the Relic Projection—shrouded by towering barriers—had supplanted what once stood there, becoming the most gargantuan creation in this space.
Yet, under that false sky that seemed capable of replacing reality itself, it still appeared remarkably small.
"Ulrons."
Beneath the firmament, above the projection.
The white-robed elder stood upon the void, casting a solemn gaze down toward the ruins.
"I am here."
"How is the analysis of the Lost Homeland proceeding?"
"The outer perimeter is essentially complete."
A phantom voice echoed from an indeterminate source.
"However, the interior remains unknown. Someone must open the passage."
"And the results of the analysis?"
"Everything is normal."
"Everything is normal... is it?"
The Pope stood with his hands behind his back. His aura was worlds apart from the kind, gentle old man who had granted Muen an audience earlier. Though he was smaller than everything else in this space, his presence made it feel as if the entire world revolved around him.
He lowered his eyes, weighing those words as he looked down at the Relic Projection, lost in thought for a moment.
"What of the Shuzao Holy Temple and the Judgment Temple?"
"They have completed their assigned tasks."
"And the Saintess?"
"She is offering her prayers to the Goddess."
"Very well."
A sharp glint flashed through the Pope’s weathered eyes as he issued his decree:
"Then let them begin. The children can hardly wait."
"Understood."
The responding voice faded away, leaving the vast space to the thundering roar of the shifting star tracks.
*
"What are you dazing off for, kid?"
The Pink Bear wiggled his rear as he sauntered into the meeting hall where everyone had gathered. He scanned the room before slinging a cheeky arm around the distracted Muen, teasingly whispering:
"You’ve been acting weird ever since you sneaked out with that girl and came back. Tell me, did you two do something naughty behind my back?"
"Naughty? It was definitely 'bad' in a sense."
Muen slapped the bear paw away and sneered. "I’m currently considering where to bury a certain thick-skinned bear-suit freak who’s been slandering me. Do you have any suggestions, Uncle?"
"Hmm, I suggest burying me in a beautiful girl’s cleavage. That would put me in such a good mood that I might just decide not to tattle on you to Celicia."
"Tattle about what?"
Muen puffed out his chest, looking perfectly righteous. "My hands are clean and my conscience is clear!"
"Tsk, tsk. That’s what every scum man says."
"I am not a scum man!"
"That’s also what every scum man says!"
"You don’t even have a girlfriend! What right do you have to call me a scum man!"
"I—"
"Muen."
A melodious call interrupted their bickering.
A young girl, now wearing a different, pale green dress, stood beside Muen, looking radiant.
"I’m sorry, I’m late again. You’re not angry, are you?"
Her long hair flowed down her back, and she held her hands behind her. The new dress made her small face look even more adorable. She looked shy yet vibrant, a striking beauty.
The hall, which lacked bright lighting, seemed to brighten up just by her presence.
"Holy shit."
The Pink Bear’s eyes widened. He gripped Muen’s shoulder. "Look at this! You’re supposed to be going in there to roll up your sleeves and fight, yet she specifically changed into new clothes—and a skirt that shows off her thighs with the slightest movement! You call this 'clean and clear'—"
A crystal card appeared before the Pink Bear’s eyes.
"There’s two hundred thousand in there. Go buy some lollipops."
Muen held the card between his fingers, his expression blank.
"Understood, Lord Muen, the most devoted of men."
The Pink Bear’s furry hand snatched the card away. He straightened up and said seriously:
"I, the Pink Bear, have always been tight-lipped. You can rest easy. What happened today stays between you, me, and the heavens—"
"Scram."
"Scramming right now."
The Pink Bear gave Muen a comical gentleman’s bow, made a zipping motion across his mouth, and then scurried back to the Academy’s group.
He possessed absolutely zero dignity as an elder.
"What were you two talking about?" Liya blinked, asking curiously.
"We were discussing the Pink Bear’s favorite lollipop flavors. That guy actually likes 'little girl' flavored lollipops. He’s a total pervert; you should stay far away from him."
After nodding a greeting to Senior Sister Fanny and the others from the Academy, Muen turned back with a smile.
"Let’s not talk about that. How did you sleep last night?"
"A bit nervous..."
Liya clenched her small fists. "But I got enough sleep!"
"That’s good. That means Liya’s chances of becoming the Saintess have increased by at least another ten percent..."
"Heh..."
A disdainful sneer drifted into his ears.
The white-stocking loli named Annie intentionally squeezed past him, the Monster behind her casting a heavy, oppressive shadow.
Muen frowned slightly but said nothing, simply stepping aside to let them pass.
"My, my, so energetic this morning. Have you already set your sights on the Saintess’s throne?"
On the other side, Paul followed behind the Platinum Princess, greeting Muen with practiced familiarity.
However, as he passed by, he suddenly leaned in and whispered:
"You’d better be careful, Muen Campbell."
"Oh?"
Muen raised an eyebrow and looked at him.
"Don’t look at me with such a scary gaze. I’m not here to issue a challenge."
Paul squinted and smiled. "It’s just a bit of insider info. It seems some people have already marked you as a soft persimmon."
"I see."
Muen nodded, not surprised in the least.
"That’s to be expected."
He didn't think that simply throwing a fork the other night would be enough to intimidate everyone. These elites and geniuses weren't the type to be easily scared; if anything, they likely viewed his previous actions as a provocation.
Between a "scum man" pretty boy who only knew how to cling to a Princess's coattails and monsters with terrifyingly exaggerated track records, any fool knew which one to pick on.
"You really are interesting, Muen Campbell."
Paul stroked his chin, observing Muen’s unchanging expression, but the Platinum Princess shot him a glare, and he quickly hurried after her.
Muen watched his back, then shifted his gaze, happening to lock eyes with another pair of eyes as warm as a spring breeze.
Surrounded by a crowd, Freya nodded and smiled at Muen.
From her shadow, however, came a murderous malice.
Simps never win, Muen thought to himself, looking away.
Elsewhere, Miss Fei'er Siegel was still half-asleep, with the adventurer known as Thunder Spear standing behind her.
"It seems everyone is here."
The chatter died down, and the hall fell silent.
A clergyman dressed in solemn robes appeared. With a wave of his hand, magic-pulsing scrolls landed in everyone’s hands.
"Spatial Magic Scrolls. They will activate automatically if you encounter a life-threatening crisis, teleporting you back. However, you only get one chance. Therefore, I hope you will think carefully before you act."
The clergyman looked at everyone with a stern expression.
"I believe you are all familiar with the rules. Your task is to explore the depths. Anything you find belongs to you. Beyond that, if anyone can uncover the secrets of Cantville lost a thousand years ago, they will receive an additional reward from His Holiness the Pope."
"—The magic notebook of the legendary Origin-Tier Grand Magister, Mela Domir!"
"What?"
"The one from the textbooks?"
"A Grand Magister from a thousand years ago?"
"That’s worth no less than an Ancient Artifact!"
The crowd grew increasingly restless, except for Muen, who looked utterly bewildered.
The old loli’s magic notebook?
What the hell do I want that for? To use as a lid for my instant noodles?
But before he could think of any other use for it, golden doors swung open before everyone.
From within, one could almost smell a breeze from another world.
The trial known as the Pay Homage to the Sage Ceremony had officially begun.