Chapter 375: Opening the Door
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 375: Opening the Door
"Did she succeed?"
In the silence, someone’s whisper drifted through the air.
Those who still had the courage to remain were all staring blankly at the slender figure before the gate, watching tensely as the countless particles of light surrounding her began to dissipate.
It was like witnessing a miracle.
The wait felt eternal.
Finally, after a long moment, the girl took a step back, her hands leaving the surface of the gate.
Countless threads of mana retracted into her fingertips, and the holy radiance vanished completely.
Under the gaze of the multitude, she first surveyed the golden gate with the appreciative eyes of an artist looking at their masterpiece, ensuring that every last threat had been neutralized.
Then, as if using the last of her strength, she nodded.
"Yes. I succeeded."
Her voice echoed.
The crowd fell silent once more.
Then, they erupted in cheers!
She... she actually did it!
This Saintess Candidate, who had been completely unknown until now, had used such jaw-droppingly powerful methods to turn the tide. She had pulled everything back onto its proper course just as it was on the verge of total collapse.
Hundreds of magic arrays had been constructed in a matter of minutes. Using them as a foundation, she had reconnected the progress of the others and completely dismantled the complex seals and mechanisms layered upon the gate.
It was nothing short of a miracle.
Before this, almost no one had held any expectations for her.
Meanwhile, the person most people had pinned their hopes on... had nearly destroyed everything with his own hands.
It was all so dramatic—and yet, it felt entirely right.
"I..."
Narishigi’s face was ashen. His fists were clenched so tight his nails dug deep into his palms, only for his hands to slump dejectedly a moment later.
He couldn't even bring himself to say something like "it was probably just luck" to save face. Having watched the scene from such a close distance, he understood perfectly that this result was the product of the girl’s profound knowledge—a depth of expertise that left him in awe—and the immense foundation she had built through days and nights of hard work.
It all came from her effort.
And effort was something that could not be refuted.
"Not bad at all."
Annie stood with her arms crossed. Though she still looked down her nose at everyone with her usual arrogance, there was a clear sense of gravity in her eyes. It was as if she were seeing this seemingly fragile girl for the first time.
However, after catching an accidental glimpse of the girl's chest—a fullness she could never hope to match in her lifetime—her expression soured again.
"Truly admirable." Margarita also showed a rare softness in her expression, nodding with a smile.
"Thank you," Liya replied shyly. She opened her mouth to say more, but her slender body suddenly swayed, and she nearly collapsed.
The miracle just now hadn't been easy. Constructing such a massive number of magic arrays in a short time, combined with the complex decryption work, had nearly drained her spiritual power dry.
Even standing was a struggle now.
Fortunately, at that moment, a pair of familiar, warm hands caught her, just as she expected.
"Are you alright?"
Muen’s handsome face entered Liya’s vision. Her eyes, which had grown dim from exhaustion, instantly brightened with a joyful spark.
"I'm fine."
She shook her head gently. "I'm just a little drained."
"That's good."
Muen reflexively handed Liya a handkerchief. "Wipe your sweat."
"Okay."
Liya took the handkerchief, but as she went to wipe her brow, her hand suddenly froze.
She looked up, her clear, beautiful eyes searching Muen’s calm face.
"What is it?" Muen asked, feeling a bit self-conscious under her gaze.
Liya only offered a thin smile, her eyes sparkling even more.
He looks so calm and composed, as if he knew this would happen all along.
But in truth... he didn't even realize that his own sweat had already soaked the handkerchief.
Hmph.
*
"The difficulty of cracking the gate was higher than I imagined."
Brian walked back to Freya’s side and respectfully handed a small black orb back to her. "But fortunately, thanks to that Saintess Candidate, there was no need to use this."
"Thank you for your hard work, Brian."
Freya took the small black orb and held it in her palm, observing it closely.
It was a creation that resembled an eyeball, appearing quite lifelike and emitting a mysterious, divine glimmer.
The Ancient Artifact: All-Knowing Eye.
However, it was a replica.
The true All-Knowing Eye was currently in the hands of His Holiness the Pope, used to monitor the Evil Gods and the Abyss.
But even as a replica, this All-Knowing Eye was enough to see through the structure of the golden gate.
While seeing the structure only increased the success rate slightly, it was indeed the source of the confidence she had used to reassure Muen earlier.
But she hadn't expected...
"You truly are Teacher's most beloved disciple."
Freya’s gaze moved past the All-Knowing Eye, past the crowding throngs, and finally landed on the delicate girl.
Her eyes were filled with a complex emotion.
"Should I find an opportunity to kill her?" Brian asked, a cold glint flashing across his face.
"Do you want me to be killed here as well?" Freya glanced at him coldly.
Brian immediately lowered his head, his expression respectful. "I wouldn't dare."
"My dear Brian, you are too impatient."
Freya reached out and stroked Brian’s cheek, her expression returning to its usual holy and gentle mask. "Now is not the time, and there is no need to be in such a rush. Everything is still under control. All we need to do now is wait."
"Yes."
Brian leaned into Freya’s palm like a kitten, a fanatical, fiery light gleaming in his eyes.
Freya smiled faintly and looked up once more.
"Besides..."
This time, her gaze fell upon the golden gate.
The gentle curve of her lips now carried a strangely eerie undertone.
"It isn't over yet. Everything... has only just begun."
*
"Oh my, how much longer are you two going to stay all lovey-dovey here?"
Fei'er’s voice suddenly cut in. Flustered and shy, Liya scrambled to pull away from that warmth, looking like a startled fawn darting into the depths of a forest.
She then pretended to fix her hair as if nothing had happened, though her cheeks remained stained with a heart-stirring crimson.
It seemed she was recovering quickly.
Meeting a certain someone’s murderous glare, Fei'er didn't continue teasing the girl. Instead, she changed the subject.
"Aren't you going to open the door?"
That’s right—the door!
Only then did the crowd remember the most important task at hand. Their excitement turned into eager anticipation, and the area became rowdy once more.
However, no one moved first. According to the contract they had signed earlier, the ones who cracked the lock held the priority right to open the door.
Then again, being the first to open the door wasn't necessarily a good thing, as what lay behind it remained a total mystery.
"Who’s doing it?"
Annie scanned the room. Seeing that no one responded, she thought for a moment before her gaze landed on a tall, thin figure.
"You go."
"Eh?" Narishigi blinked, pointing at himself. "Me?"
"Who else? You were one of the decrypters; you have the right!"
"But I..."
Narishigi started to protest, but Annie’s icy stare immediately shut him up.
Atonement... this is atonement...
Narishigi shook his head miserably and walked silently to the front of the gate.
Actually, it wasn't so bad. Everyone had put in all this effort just to open this door, hadn't they?
If I go first, maybe I can even get a head start!
Comforting himself with these thoughts, Narishigi put his weight into it and pushed open the golden gate.