Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 235:chapter3/3 ] Determination

Mengxi and Yumo illustrate have been posted in chapter 00 (Charectar)

The position of the Holy Maiden or Holy Son is second only to the Pope within the Asumos Church. They are the second in command, wielding great power. Even the three Archbishops treat them with utmost respect, and in matters of divine revelation, the authority of the Holy Maiden surpasses that of the Pope.

However, ever since the previous Holy Maiden (Saintess) was killed by a Demon king called "Higanbana" over two hundred years ago, the position of the Saintess has remained vacant. During this time, the people of the Asumos Church have been trying to find a new Saintess or Saint.

(Higanbana è (red spider lily) in Japanese)

But being a Saintess is not a role that just anyone can fulfill. First and foremost, they must possess an extraordinary affinity for holy magic that goes beyond ordinary people. In terms of this requirement, 85 percent of the faithful are disqualified. In addition to the mandatory affinity for holy magic, candidates must pass a series of challenging assessments.

The final and most difficult task is to gain the recognition of the sacred beast of the church. Only with this recognition can one truly become the Saintess or Saint. Over the course of a hundred years, a few people have completed the assessments but ultimately lost their qualification to become the Saintess or the Saint because they failed to gain the recognition of the sacred beast. Even Bai Yanluo herself participated in the Saintess Assessment in the past and lost her qualification when she was blasted away by the sacred beast.

Undoubtedly, the position of the Saintess is not easily obtained.

However, Mengxi was different!

She is the fated girl of prophecy! Including Bai Yanluo, most of the believers in the church firmly believe that if Mengxi is willing to participate in the Saintess Assessment, the position of the Saintess will surely be hers!

But there lies a problem. Until now, Mengxi has shown no interest in participating in this assessment.

Being the second in command of the church, the duties of the Saintess are naturally immensely burdensome. The workload is extremely high, and they have to engage in various diplomatic activities on behalf of the church, attending social events as the face of the church. Mengxi, who has no interest in power and such activities, refused to participate in this assessment.

After passing the test of affinity for holy magic and obtaining the title of "Candidate Saintess," she simply neglected everything else...

No matter how she and Archbishop Nick tried to persuade her, Mengxi remained disinterested in the position of the Saintess. How could she suddenly change her mind today after showing such disdain for the position not long ago?

Thinking of this, a look of astonishment crossed Bai Yanluo’s face, revealing a trace of confusion. Even the Asumos Church members who had come to find Mengxi were similarly incredulous, looking at her with eyes filled with disbelief as if to say,

"Are you serious?"

After hesitating for a moment and suppressing the shock in her heart, Bai Yanluo cautiously leaned close to Mengxi’s ear and asked in a low voice,

"Um, Mengxi, are you serious? Or... are you still not sober?"

In response, Mengxi raised her hand to her forehead in exasperation and amusement.

" Sister Bai, I’ve been sobered for a while now. Besides, do I seem like someone who enjoys joking around?"

[am1]

"Well, not really…"

"Then there you have it."

"You really want to participate in the assessment?"

"Yes."

"And you want to become the Saintess?"

"Yes."

"Did those members of the Black Rose Family brainwash you last night?"

"Sister Bai, that’s enough."

"Fine, one last question. Mengxi, are you serious? Weren’t you so disgusted with it before?"

"Sigh~"

Letting out a sigh, Mengxi looked into Bai Yanluo’s azure eyes with seriousness and patted the shoulder of the white-haired girl.

"I’m serious, Sister Bai."

"..."

Having received Mengxi’s affirmative answer, Bai Yanluo, after a moment of silence, swept away the doubt and confusion in her eyes and instantly showed a joyful and excited expression. She jumped up and hugged the silver-haired girl in front of her, overflowing with joy.

"Hahaha!! That’s great! Mengxi! You’re finally willing to participate in the Saintess Assessment! With you, I’m sure you’ll pass! Then I’ll have a wonderful little sister as the Saintess! Hehehe~"

"Do you have to be this excited..."

Being embraced by Bai Yanluo, Mengxi, slightly out of breath, couldn’t help but comment.

To this, Bai Yanluo playfully stuck out her tongue, unbothered.

"Of course, I’m excited! After all, it has been a hundred years since we had a Saintess! You should know that she is the symbol of our Asumos Church’s spirit~"

"Um~"

Upon hearing Bai Yanluo’s words, Mengxi couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

"Sister Bai, it doesn’t matter to you what it symbolizes, does it? You probably just want me to become the Saintess so that you can have a higher salary and reduce your workload, right?"

Having spent so much time with this Haven apostle, Mengxi already understood Bai Yanluo’s personality very well. After hearing Mengxi’s words, Bai Yanluo’s face turned slightly red, and she leaned closer to Mengxi’s ear, sounding slightly displeased.

"There are people around! Don’t say it so directly!"

"Okay, okay, I got it,"

Mengxi replied with a touch of helplessness in her voice.

"Hehe, Mengxi, my dear little sister, I will fully support you! I’m sure you’ll succeed. After you become the Saintess, remember to give me a higher salary. Oh, and when I slack off, don’t deduct my performance."

"Ah,"

Mengxi let out a sigh. A bitter smile appeared on her exquisite face.

"Please, Sister Bai, becoming the Saintess is not that easy to achieve. There are still many people within the church who don’t want me to become the Saintess..."

--

On the other side, inside White Star Manor, in Miss Yumo’s room, Yumo, who was completely unaware that her actions had already disrupted Mengxi’s plans, slumped onto the sofa with a lack of energy. Undoubtedly, there had been quite a lot of trouble recently. The Duke and Duchess were arrested, Yuan’er went missing, Kalina was captured, the Son of Destiny was causing chaos, and then there was the unexpected incident involving Mengxi’s drunken escapade.

All of these events left Yumo feeling exhausted. If it weren’t for the children of the Black Rose Family watching her, she would have had the impulse to disregard her image and throw a tantrum on the sofa.

And at this moment, an old butler knocked on the door and elegantly entered the room with his hands behind his back.

"Miss Yumo."

When there were no outsiders present, Sebastian addressed Yumo with her original title.

"Hmm? What is it, little Sai?" Yumo, who was resting her eyes, slowly spoke.

"Miss Yumo, we have ’finally’ figured out the situation in the SkyeDome Prison," Sebastian said.

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing this, Miss Yumo opened her eyes wide after a long period of closing them and immediately sat up from the sofa, looking at Sebastian with a hint of unease.

"And what about Kalina? How is she?"

"Don’t worry, Miss Yumo. Kalina is perfectly fine now."

"In that case, once we have clarified the situation, can I secretly go and see her?"

"Certainly, Miss Yumo, but you will have to wait for two days."

"Two days? Why is that?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of awkwardness flashed in Sebastian’s eyes.

"Well, although we have deciphered the defense barriers and monitored the movements of various alarms, there is still a substantial number of guards lingering near the prison. It would be challenging for Miss Yumo to enter without raising their suspicions. If we were to alert Xue Tianao, it could put Kalina at risk. However, if we wait for two days, the guards will be occupied with Xue Tianao’s coronation ceremony, and their vigilance will naturally diminish... Moreover..."

Sebastian proceeded to explain to Yumo, offering reasons and justifications, advising her against haste, and encouraging her to wait for two days before seeing Kalina.

Of course, these words were merely excuses. The genuine motive required some time to be more convincingly staged. If Yumo were to go now, it might expose their true intentions. If Yumo were to discover the plot and join forces with them, it could put numerous individuals in jeopardy.

At the thought, Sebastian’s inner self trembled.

"Therefore, Miss Yumo, let us wait for two days."

Fortunately, Yumo had always placed great trust in him regarding her child, and Sebastian’s imperfect acting didn’t raise any suspicions. Yumo only displayed a disappointed expression and sighed helplessly.

"Ah, I understand."

"Miss Yumo, how are you holding up?"

Observing Yumo’s despondent state, Sebastian feigned curiosity and inquired.

"Do you really think I could be alright?"

"Well, perhaps, why not? Miss Yumo, since we rarely visit the Sky Dome, why not venture outside and find solace? Along the way, you can also appreciate the splendid scenery."

"Seek solace, you say?"

Yumo cast a contemplative gaze toward the window, speaking in a subdued voice.

"I suppose remaining cooped up inside the room would only worsen my mod… Very well then, let us step out for a stroll."

"Understood, Miss Yumo."

Nodding slightly in agreement, Sebastian glanced thoughtfully at a nearby horned girl.

" Xizhi, aren’t you quite familiar with this place? Miss Yumo desires to venture outside and relax. Would you accompany her and introduce her to the culture, history, and perhaps some ’local peculiarities’ of the Sky Dome?"

Upon receiving Sebastian’s instructions, Xizhi respectfully nodded.

"Understood, Lord Sebastian."

As she replied, a meaningful smile curled up on the corners of the horned girl’s lips.