Chapter 359: Nightfall

"Ailag, that idiot!"

In the great hall, the light curtain shimmered, painting different hues across everyone’s faces.

Hoggu’s expression was the most spectacular of all. He slammed a palm down, shattering the armrest of his chair. His face shifted from red to purple, and then from purple to green.

He glared death at the screen, looking as if he might storm in right now and strangle the student he had once been most proud of—

That bastard. Getting his Illusion Magic broken head-on was one thing.

Getting captured was another.

But to actually... actually...

Wear women’s clothing?

And in front of so many people!!

Fine, maybe he didn’t know others were watching.

But where was the dignity of the Illusion School supposed to go?!

Did that bastard even want to get married anymore?!

"Marvelous! Absolutely marvelous!"

Beside him, Dodge was laughing so hard his body bent over, even casting a Memory Projection Spell he hadn’t used in decades just to preserve the scene.

"Hoggu, old man, I never thought your student would have such talent in this particular area! As expected of the Illusion School—just one outfit, and he looks better than the average little girl!"

"Shut up!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, getting flustered? I’m only telling the truth. Ask the others if I’m wrong."

"I said shut up..."

Hoggu covered his face with a hand, too mortified even to argue with Dodge.

He could feel the others, politely keeping quiet out of respect, yet their glances still darted toward him, faces twisted with barely contained amusement.

Humiliation...

This student was a lost cause.

"By the way, who is that yellow-haired boy? His power stands out, his speed far surpasses his peers, yet I’ve never heard of him."

Hoggu suddenly looked up at Dodge.

"Judging from your expression earlier, it seems you know him?"

"Oh? Surely even a great archmage like yourself isn’t planning revenge, are you?"

"I’m not that petty. I’m just curious."

"Well..."

Dodge pretended to think for a moment, then grinned slyly.

"I’m not telling you."

"......"

...

"Ahem, splendid. Truly a splendid match."

"Ah, looks like there’s a fight breaking out on the other side too. The Stone Cauldron Society... and who’s the other one?"

"Such sharp moves. Another remarkable one..."

The others, pretending not to have seen that scene, smoothly shifted the topic elsewhere—a perfect display of cultivated restraint.

Only, beneath the polite chatter, countless glimmers flashed. Click, click—the sound of recording magic filled the air.

Like rats stealing food, muffled giggles rippled through the crowd.

This was destined to become one of the most talked-about, vividly recorded moments of this Holy Baptism Ceremony.

"That Saintess candidate is impressive, being able to break through Ailag’s illusion."

The Pink Bear was still munching popcorn, uncharacteristically quiet today, not even trying to butt into the commotion.

Hearing Marquis Angus’s comment beside him, the bear glanced over.

"Anyone chosen by the Church as a Saintess candidate—would they not be impressive?"

"Of course, but this one, named Liya, isn’t well-known. People assumed she was weaker than the others."

Marquis Angus shook his head. "When her identity was revealed, I reviewed her entire record—nothing special. The one traveling with her, that young lady from House Bugaard, was truly outstanding. Shame she couldn’t come this time."

"Huh. So she wasn’t famous."

The Pink Bear turned to the screen, staring at the girl.

That girl always kept her head lowered, so few ever noticed her flawless, delicate face.

She also had a habit of following behind others—whether that flat-chested little brat or Muen himself.

"But still..."

"Doesn’t that just mean she spent the time others used to gain fame on more important things instead?"

The Pink Bear bit down hard on a kernel of popcorn. His black bear eyes gleamed faintly, as if recalling something.

...

...

"Liya really has grown up."

The Saintess looked at the image before her, expression unchanged, though something complicated flickered deep in her eyes.

"Even more remarkable than I imagined. And that God-Servant Knight who joined halfway—no wonder he was personally summoned by His Holiness the Pope."

"In that case, Your Holiness still thinks she’s the least likely to win?"

Lin, standing behind the Saintess, asked curiously.

"Well, who knows."

The Saintess didn’t answer directly. She only lifted her gaze toward the ceiling.

"Let’s set that aside. I was too absorbed just now—I didn’t even notice the bell. Lin, the time?"

"Noon. Twelve marks."

"Already? How fast."

The Saintess rose, extended a hand.

The light curtain at the center of the hall shrank, condensing into a glowing orb that settled into her palm.

"Your Holiness, what are you doing?"

Those who had been watching intently—or looking for their own students—stared in shock.

"The time is up."

The Saintess bowed slightly with a gentle smile. "As agreed, letting you all observe the inside of Kanteville was meant to reassure you. Now that it’s proven the Church wasn’t deceiving anyone—Kanteville truly is the legendary Lost Land, the Golden Nation—there’s no need to keep watching, is there?"

"But we haven’t seen everything yet."

Someone frowned.

"Give the children a bit of privacy."

Her voice was soft and melodious, carrying a playful lilt like that of a young girl. "Surely you wouldn’t want to keep watching if they were to, say, do something indecent?"

"Indecent...? Who would—at a time like this—"

"They’re young, impulsive—dry wood, quick to catch fire. You never know, do you?"

"For now, please rest. Normally, the Holy Baptism Ceremony isn’t meant to be spectated anyway, so you can relax."

Her smile didn’t waver. Ignoring the doubtful or even hostile looks from many, the Saintess bowed once more and turned to leave.

But as she turned, her gaze paused on the Pink Bear, quietly eating popcorn.

She hesitated.

"Mr. Pink Bear," she suddenly said, "would you come with me for a moment?"

"Huh?"

Meeting her calm eyes, the Pink Bear froze.

Why me all of a sudden?

Could it be... she found out about me selling those adult booklets and making money off Muen’s gossip?

"Don’t be nervous. I’m not concerned with your little side business."

The Saintess smiled, her tone gentle.

"I just have a small favor to ask, Mr. Pink Bear. Do you have some time~?"

"......"

Suddenly, the popcorn in his mouth didn’t taste good anymore.

Because, knowing this woman—

Even though her words dripped with sweet amusement—if he refused to go...

He would die.

...

Shortly after the Saintess ended the broadcast—

Click.

The sound of interlocking gears filled the air.

At that instant, everyone inside Kanteville seemed to sense something, instinctively lifting their heads.

Then they saw it: a curtain of darkness spreading slowly across the sky.

Blue sky, white clouds, soft sunlight—all swallowed by that black veil. Upon it, countless faint stars shimmered, mysterious ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) and distant.

At the center of the darkness, a full moon shone, casting a faint, silvery glow.

"This is..."

Even Muen couldn’t help looking up, murmuring in astonishment:

"Did... the sky just turn dark?"