Chapter 345: Confirmation

As the choir’s performance came to an end, the most solemn phase of the service concluded, and the scene began shifting toward that of an ordinary banquet...

Yet the unseen air in the hall grew ever more turbulent.

Although they stood upon Church grounds, under the watchful gaze of the Goddess, where no one dared harbor any extraordinary thoughts or commit any transgressive acts, everyone qualified to attend this ceremony was without exception a genius—or rather, an elite—from various factions and ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) nations.

Many among them had long since gained renown not merely within their own territories or countries, but across the entire continent—rising stars carrying the hopes of countless people.

And elites naturally act like elites.

With such a golden opportunity, of course they weren’t truly here just to listen to hymns, sip the Church’s free wine and crackers, or ogle the nuns’ legs.

A rare—one might even say unique—gathering where every participant was present could only be complete when spiced with tests of strength, exchanges of intelligence, alliances and betrayals, and even the intricate schemes long sown beneath the surface.

Simply put, everyone here was grinding at full speed.

But of course, none of that had the slightest thing to do with Muen anymore.

Ever since he’d made up his mind not to get involved in this whole mess, his place had happily shifted from the sharp-edged stage to the comfortable seats of the audience below. In fact, since he’d likely be waiting in the Church for his own Holy Light baptism for some time, he’d even managed to snag a free VIP seat.

As long as I lie flat enough, your drama can’t touch me.jpg.

So facing the scene before him, Muen not only didn’t panic—he was actually a little hungry, itching to buy the best melon in the Holy City and become a blissful spectator.

Fight, fight—come on, the more dog-brains get bashed out, the better.

Mundane sights could no longer stir his interest. He just wanted to see rivers of blood!

As for that pit the Pope might be quietly digging for him...

Heh. I know it’s there. Only an idiot would jump in.

Forget those trials so many people are flocking toward, or the rich rewards afterward—even if you stuffed that pit full of a hundred pairs of black-stockinged long legs to tempt me... alright, that one’s admittedly a little tempting.

But aside from that, if you want me to go down there—no chance.

Even if I, Muen Campbell, starve to death today, jump off this balcony, or get stabbed by a yandere knife in the future—I absolutely will not!

“Ugh, disgusting.”

Beside him, Pink Bear watched Muen suddenly flash an evil grin and rubbed his chin.

“Kid, don’t tell me you’re actually planning to sneak into the nuns’ dorm tonight for your beloved black stockings! I’m warning you—that’s a crime! If that girl Celicia finds out, she’ll definitely shove a high heel straight into your mouth!

...Wait, no—that might be a reward for you.”

“You think I’m as perverted as you?”

Muen rolled his eyes. “I only like Celicia’s long legs in black stockings, thank you.”

...Though his senior’s were nice too.

And Anne’s were absolutely divine.

Muen indulged in those lovely, heart-stirring memories for a moment, then casually speared a cracker with his fork and popped it into his mouth.

Mm. Once his mood lifted, even the Church’s free communion snacks started to taste better.

“But speaking of which, what’s the Church gathering all these people here for? Don’t tell me it’s just to sit back and watch the show for fun?”

Muen took another sip of red wine and asked offhandedly.

“Hmm? Junior Muen, you don’t even know that?”

Senior Fanny’s expression looked like she was staring at a caveman who’d just walked out of a museum.

“Tonight’s when the Church reveals the identities of the five Saintess candidates! Even if the Church hadn’t invited us, we’d have found a way in no matter what!”

“Reveal... their identities?”

Muen froze.

Then realization dawned.

Right—how could he have forgotten that?

Even though this had turned into a gathering of young geniuses and elites, no matter how exceptional they were, they couldn’t possibly be the stars of the show.

Whether tonight or during the ceremony to come, the true protagonists were only those five—who, having completed their hidden-identity mortal trials, would now return to the Church and face their final test as Saintess candidates!

“But if this is the moment their identities are to be revealed—”

“Muen!”

Just then, amid the noisy hall, a familiar voice broke the air.

It burst forth like fireworks blooming in a summer night sky, scattering hazy light.

Muen could feel countless gazes around him subconsciously converge upon one point.

And at the very center of that glow stood a slender figure in a light-colored gown, moving like a dancing butterfly as she skipped toward him.

Crossing the edge of the crowd, the fluttering butterfly stopped gracefully before him.

It was Liya.

Her skirt swayed gently, the ribboned waist hugging her figure, highlighting that subtle yet breathtaking curve. Higher up, her pale neck and shoulders gleamed like polished mutton-fat jade, dazzling the eyes.

Her long hair was neatly tied behind her head. Her adorable face bore no makeup, yet—perhaps under the light—the faint smile coloring it was far more enchanting than it had been days ago.

“Miss Liya, you truly look stunning tonight.”

Muen took a deep breath, stilled the ripples in his chest, and smiled in praise.

“Do I? Thank you for the compliment. Mr. Muen looks handsome as always—though, hmm, I don’t see much change.”

Liya blinked her big eyes; the corners of her lips curved with delight, but the smile soon faded. A flicker of tension crossed her face as her gaze swept over Muen again and again.

“By the way... you’re really alright, aren’t you?”

Even though the Saintess teacher herself had said Muen was safe, Liya couldn’t help but worry.

After all, the last thing she remembered was Muen charging toward the Calamity without hesitation—and those...

“Of course I’m fine.”

Muen flexed a strong arm with a grin.

“As you can see, I’m eating great, sleeping great—could beat ten of my old selves without breaking a sweat. But you, Liya—”

“I’m fine too! I might not be able to beat ten of my old selves, but one and a half is definitely doable.”

Liya mimicked Muen’s pose and bent her arm, but even straining with a flushed face only made a small bump rise on her arm, which made Muen chuckle.

For some reason, Liya looked especially cute tonight.

“Senior Fanny, Professor Pink Bear, everyone—it’s been a while.”

Liya clasped her hands behind her back, tilting her head as she greeted the others.

“I’m really glad to see you all safely arrived in the Holy City.”

“Uh... Li-Liya, it’s been a while. We’re happy to see you too.”

For some reason, though they’d grown close enough on the journey here to joke freely, now that they faced Liya again, everyone seemed oddly restrained.

But Liya didn’t mind. Her eyes soon returned to Muen, carrying an apologetic glint.

“Sorry, there are still some things I need to take care of for the Church. I just came to say hi.”

“I know.”

Muen nodded.

Since the Saintess candidates’ identities were about to be announced, Liya could no longer remain among them as a student of Saint Maria Academy.

She was about to step onto her own battlefield.

Thinking that, Muen clenched his fist toward her in encouragement. “Good luck.”

Light bloomed deep within Liya’s eyes, then vanished in a flash—so quickly one might think it only a trick of the lamps.

The corners of her lips lifted as she nodded firmly. “I will.”

Liya turned, preparing to leave.

Yet before taking even a full step, she suddenly paused, as if recalling something, and turned back again.

Her skirt flared in an instant, like a lily opening beneath morning mist.

“Oh, right. One more thing.”

The girl drew a deep breath, as though drawing from the air the courage and resolve she needed.

Then she stepped forward—

Toward Muen.

Suddenly,

she walked into his arms.

Her head lightly touched his chest.

“Huh?”

Muen’s eyes flew wide.

The faint fragrance from the girl’s hair filled his nose, making his heartbeat seem to skip.

Though they had once come into close contact under duress, this was the first time she had ever approached him on her own.

But before he could even react, the girl merely pressed against his chest for an instant—as if confirming something—then quickly stepped back.

“That’s great.”

Liya patted her chest lightly and murmured words Muen couldn’t make sense of:

“There wasn’t a thump sound.”