Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 373 - 374: Goddess’s Disappointment [2/8]

Throughout history,

On the power-obsessed Ancita continent, any entity that could improve cultivation proficiency naturally held immeasurable value.

The main reason Archbishop Nick sent her to the Luminous Royal Academy was not only for her to learn knowledge in various subjects and noble etiquette, but also to receive the blessing of the Divine Dragon Heart.

Acquiring the blessing of the Divine Dragon Heart wasn’t a difficult task for Mengxi. She just needed to make it to the top ten in the annual comprehensive grades.

However,

If she were to take the Divine Dragon Heart away…

Though the Luminous Royal Academy claimed that anyone who could gain the approval of the Divine Dragon Heart could take this treasure away, Mengxi had always been skeptical about this statement. In Mengxi’s view, this was nothing more than a gimmick to attract students, especially considering the astronomical price of the entrance examination registration for this royal academy.

They wouldn’t let you gain any so-called ’approval’.

Even if you did,

The academy and the people behind it, the Red Leaf Royal Family, would never let you take away their treasure.

So,

"The regular way of bringing this Divine Dragon Heart back to Asumos Church seems a bit unrealistic..."

Thinking about this, Mengxi squinted her eyes slightly, a touch of seriousness surfacing on her face,

"But, the Pope said, bring back the Divine Dragon Heart? Bring back? ... It seems he didn’t specify how to go about it?"

Which means,

If the conventional approach doesn’t work,

Can she adopt some unconventional methods?

If they refuse to hand it over, should she just snatch it...

As the Girl of Destiny, if she were to forcibly take the Divine Dragon Heart, wouldn’t that cause the Church to fall out with the Red Leaf Empire’s Royal Family? What on earth is the Pope, thinking...

Or is there,

Some other method?

"hmmmm…."

"Should I seek Sister Yumo’s assistance? Hmm..."

Mengxi delicately pressed her slender finger against her soft pink lips, drifting into a brief moment of thought.

’No, I must stand on my own two feet first, for my future family status... I can’t rely on Sister Yumo for every little thing...’

Mengxi firmly made a silent decision in her heart.

Just as she decided on her next course of action,

The atmosphere around her changed suddenly.

An unexpected guest,

Suddenly broke into Mengxi’s perception, causing the silver-haired girl to wrinkle her brow in surprise. Before Mengxi could react, a voice, gentle and kind, slowly resonated in her ears,

"Hello, Miss Mengxi."

’?!?!’

’Huh? Who?’

Somewhat on guard, Mengxi turned her head following the direction of the voice,

At that moment,

A man with golden hair appeared a short distance behind Mengxi, and elegantly stepping toward her.

His deep enchanting blue eyes, his sharp nose, thin lips, and eyebrows sharp as swords, with strands of black hair falling onto his temples. He was handsomely perfect. While he may not be as striking as the Son of Destiney, he was undoubtedly a rare sight.

However, in comparison to Xue Tianao, the blonde man before her had an unmistakably more solemn air.

Though it was Mengxi’s first meeting with this man, she instantly recognized his identity from his signature deep blue eyes and the long robe symbolizing a bishop’s status.

One of the three major Archbishops of the Asumos, Mokaro -Bafiya.

’What bring this man here... Why are you looking for me?’

Mengxi wondered inwardly,

Despite her uncertainty, Mengxi promptly responded to Archbishop’s call,

The girl slowly bowed, gracefully paying respect to Mokaro,

"May the Goddess bless you, Archbishop Mokaro. What can I do for you? Is there something you need?"

In response to Mengxi’s straightforward query, Mokaro smiled slightly and didn’t continue with any pleasantries.

Waving his hand, indicating the others from the Church to step back, Mokaro then kindly looked into Mengxi’s beautiful light purple eyes,

"Haha, it’s nothing, I just wanted to ask about your health... also, if I may, I have a few small questions for the Girl of Destiny."

"I’m in good health, thank you for your concern... And the questions? Please go ahead, Archbishop Mokaro."

Seeing that the silver-haired girl showed no resistance, Mokoro’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. He then placed his hands behind his back and slowly walked alongside Mengxi,

"Actually, it’s not a serious issue. I was just curious, as the Girl of Destiny, how do you view Asumos Church?"

Mengxi: ’Huh??’

--

At the same time, elsewhere, inside the central cathedral of the Church,

After Mengxi left, only Nick, Bai Yanluo, the Pope, and his four Sacred Envoys in white robes remained in the expansive cathedral. The atmosphere shifted drastically with her departure; the vast hall fell into such deep silence you could hear a pin drop.

This sudden calm unnerved Bai Yanluo and Nick, who had just managed to regain their composure, plunging them back into an ocean of worry.

’What’s going to happen now? Why ask Mengxi to leave but keep us here?’

Nick couldn’t help but voice this question in his heart.

While pondering,

Nick subconsciously looked up, anxiously gazing at Pope Kael, who was praying under the goddess statue.

…

Finally,

Under the anxious gaze of Nick and Bai Yanluo, the Pope, after a prolonged silent prayer, finally stirred.

Kael ended his prayer, lowered his hands, and turned to face Bai Yanluo and Nick behind him. The sight of the Pope’s eyes left both of them startled.

At this moment,

In the Pope’s eyes, there was an overwhelming sadness, even some tears seemed to overflow. This only made the two feel more anxiety…

Nick’s brow furrowed further, a bad omen blooming in his heart,

’What’s he... up to?’

Just as Nick was thinking,

Kael’s voice suddenly reached his ears,

"Nick, my friend, regarding your role in SkyDome incident..."

’What?! ’

’Huh?! SkyDome?! ’

’Why is he suddenly bringing that? ’

Upon hearing these words, Nick’s face changed dramatically. He quickly stepped forward and said anxiously,

"Your... Your Holiness! The matters of SkyDome, hasn’t it been settled already? You said it wasn’t my fault, and... and you wouldn’t hold me accountable, right?"

Facing Nick’s distress, Kael slowly nodded,

"Yes, indeed, I do not wish to pursue it, my friend."

With that said,

Kael placed a hand on his chest, looking devoutly at the majestic, magnificent golden statue of the goddess behind him,

"I am not pursuing it... but that doesn’t mean the Goddess will not."

"Your... Your Holiness? What... What do you mean by that?"

"The Goddess has given an oracle."

Upon uttering the words ’oracle’, Kael’s previously half-closed eyes gradually opened, revealing his deep, haunting dark-red pupils,

"The Goddess said that while you couldn’t prevent the SkyDome incident, you failed to carry out your duties as an Archbishop during the evacuation."

"M...My duty?"