Chapter 791: Seats of Solas [1]

“They haven’t changed their ways. They’re doing things like they did in the past.”

Certain images flashed in Atlas’s mind.

A distant past.

Back then, they cared nothing for the situation. They’d all assumed it was just some popular drug that was making the rounds of the market.

They all had more important matters to tend to.

Why would any of them waste time on things that others could handle?

Such thinking was likely what had led to their past failures. Had they realized the importance of stopping the so-called drugs from spreading across the world, perhaps things would’ve turned out differently.

“I’ve heard multiple reports of the same thing happening. I’ve also checked the material, and it’s indeed the same thing.”

Atlas continued to speak to the chained figure.

And yet—

“…..”

There was no response at all.

He remained quiet, his gaze focused on the floor.

Atlas paid this no mind as he continued to speak.

“If we’re to allow them to continue, it won’t be long until they develop their own army of people that they can control. Although we have far more people at our side compared to the past, it’ll still be much harder to handle. Thankfully, we’ve also learned from the past.”

Atlas’s gaze flickered as he focused his attention on the chained-up figure.

Eventually, his gaze dropped towards his chest.

“…We’ve got a cure.”

Atlas’s voice lowered.

“Your blood is the perfect counter source to their blood. So long as we use it and reconstruct the bodies of everyone who has been affected, we’ll be able to get rid of their influence on the bodies. This will, in turn, help us stop them from creating another dimension.”

Atlas’s gaze darkened at the thought.

“We’ve come so close to achieving freedom. I won’t let the same situation repeat twice.”

Finished saying what he wanted to say, Atlas turned around.

However, as if suddenly recalling something, his lips pulled into a thin smile as he turned his attention towards the chained-up figure once more.

“Oh, right.”

There was a trace of something in his expression. Amusement? Worry?

“…I found out the whereabouts of Julien. He seems to be in Panthea’s territory.”

The chained-up figure trembled slightly, his mind churning once more as he slowly lifted his head to look at Atlas.

With a purse of his lips, Atlas mumbled, “I hope that he’s the same Julien that I know. Otherwise, if Panthea comes to learn of his real identity…”

Atlas stopped there, but his words were enough to cause Noel’s face to show cracks.

There was a reason why Noel never wanted Emmet to reveal his identity to Panthea, and had made sure it wouldn’t happen.

It was for a simple reason, and only one reason.

Panthea…

She was obsessed with Emmet.

***

It was rare for the Seats of Solas to come together and talk.

They were all usually spread across all major territories governed by Panthea, and in the times that they did come together, it was in times of emergencies.

“The recent spread of that weird substance is the reason for the sudden meeting. I’m not really sure why they’d call one over something like this, but apparently, it was ordered by the Goddess herself.”

“It was ordered by the Goddess?”

This piece of news didn’t come as a surprise to me. Although not all of my memories of the past had returned, I could more or less recall bits and pieces. It was also there that I understood that something similar had occurred in the past.

‘It was some kind of drug incident. I don’t think it was anything major before I died, but judging from how things are unfolding, and Panthea’s sudden emergency meeting, I can only assume whatever’s happening now is extremely dangerous.’

“Here. Take this.”

An’as suddenly handed all of us bronze masks.

The masks were fairly plain, with only two hollow sockets for eyes and faint outlines of a nose and mouth, more for decoration than detail. It was also rather light to the touch, and once I put it on, my cheeks cooled down subtly.

“These should suffice to hide your identities. We’re technically not allowed to bring any guests, so I’m sure you can guess that what I’m doing is pretty dangerous for me.”

An’as’s tone was heavy as he spoke.

I could see why as I touched the mask on my face.

‘Right, they’ve always been like this. Even in the past. These people didn’t really like showing off their faces and identities.’

It was a lot more strict for the lower-end guys, but it was still a rule followed by the upper echelon.

An’as was indeed taking a risk by doing this.

“Since I owe Lazarus quite a big favor, I don’t mind doing this. Still…” He suddenly gave me a weird look, and I frowned. What? Why was he looking at me like that? For some reason, I started to feel a little offended.

“Don’t do anything that might give your identity away. Just stay quiet and listen.”

“Huh?”

What sort of—

“…Ah. I see what’s going on.”

“I’m sorry in advance.”

I turned around to see Kiere, Leon, and the others all apologizing. I felt wronged. How much of a troublemaker did they think I was? Also, weren’t they supposed to be angry at me? Weren’t they all supposed to still be wary of the fact that I could potentially be putting on an act?

I opened my mouth, thinking about protesting, but soon gave up.

On second thought, they weren’t wrong.

Trouble did indeed follow me.

“Let’s go before I regret my decision. The gathering should be happening any time soon.”

An’as proceeded to leave his house.

Anne followed from behind, and I did as well, looking back to see the others putting on their masks.

As I followed him from behind, a certain thought crossed my mind.

‘…How should I handle the incoming trouble?’

Dong! Dong—!

A deep toll rang out across the city, the sound rolling through every street and alley. Heads turned instinctively toward the grand Cathedral at the city’s center, the Ashen Spire rising high and piercing the gray sky above.

The once closed gates of the Cathedral opened, and hundreds of hooded figures wearing different colored masks entered the once quiet place.

Going into the Cathedral, we encountered no trouble.

Mainly because of An’as and his influence, but also because of my Emotive Magic.

A sea of orbs greeted my sight, and the moment I noticed anything abnormal, I made sure to adjust it quickly.

This enabled me to escape any rising suspicion.

Thankfully, there were only a couple.

“…This place is quite massive.”

I looked around.

Despite having been here before, I’d never really taken the time to admire it. The ceiling stretched high above, supported by tall white pillars that gave the place a certain ‘holiness’ to it.

Murals covered the upper walls, each one depicting a different scene, their colors faint but still alive beneath the light.

At the far end of the Cathedral stood a large podium, where a single beacon of light formed, born from the way the sunlight streaming through the windows converged at that very spot.

It looked majestic, and as my focus shifted towards the beacon, a certain sound picked up in my ears.

Step.

It was the sound of a step.

The moment I heard it, my head subconsciously drifted in its direction.

I wasn’t the only one.

As if it had the power to draw the attention of all those who heard it, all the heads within the Cathedral turned in the direction of the step.

Step. Step.

Several other steps joined it.

The entire place fell silent, all eyes shifting towards the beacon as several figures started to appear at once. A heavy sense of oppression swept through the room, pressing down on everyone as the figures slowly revealed themselves in the light.

Each one donned a different hood, their faces covered by golden colored masks.

I felt the back of my neck tingle at the sight of them, my heart pressing tightly against my chest as I started to tense.

‘They’re pretty strong.’

They weren’t scary strong, but quite strong.

To some extent, they were all around my strength, some even higher.

Stopping before the beacon, each of the golden-masked figures went still, their attention fixed on the light that glowed at its peak. A strange silence followed, and just as I began to wonder what they were doing, another set of footsteps echoed through the hall.

Step.

This step felt different compared to the other steps.

It was lighter and less oppressive.

Just that step alone was enough to push back the tension that lingered across the room as a figure walked in not long after.

Unlike those with the golden masks, he wore no mask.

He carried forward with a smile, his entire body radiating light as I found myself squinting my eyes.

However, the moment I got a good look at him, my heart paused.

He…

“All hail the Living Saint!”

Shouts filled the Cathedral at once, prompting me to follow along as I lowered my head.

‘It’s that bastard…’

I could still recall this guy.

He was the same guy who had left the area while I was busy battling against Xa’hurl. Although I didn’t blame him, considering how he was simply looking out for his own people, it still rubbed me the wrong way.

“It brings me great joy to see so many gathered here today. Your faith in the Goddess has not faltered.”

His voice was soft, and yet carried through every corner of the place.

One look at him was enough to give anyone a good impression.

My brows twitched slightly.

That…

‘Doesn’t it feel familiar?’

I thought for a moment before something suddenly clicked in my mind.

‘Emotive Magic? He’s an Emotive Ma—’

“Although I’m happy with the sudden attendance of so many people, I’m also a little troubled by the appearance of a certain few.”

Suddenly, I felt a cold chill run down my back as I felt a pair of eyes locked directly in my direction.

Immediately, all heads turned my way.

Thousands of eyes locked on me in that instant.

My throat tightened as the Living Saint smiled.

“It doesn’t appear like you’re a follower of the Goddess. You also seem too strong for someone of your position.”

The smile on the Living Saint’s face faded slightly as his eyes flickered.

“Who are you…?”

A certain pressure locked onto me, causing every part of my body to tense.

It had all happened so fast that I barely had any time to react.

The only thing I found myself able to do was laugh to myself.

‘I expected trouble, but not this fast…’

Fucking hell.