Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 524 - 525: Picking a Fight [1/2]

Vinarola couldn’t understand Meliora’s behavior. She was puzzled as to why the great ’Dragon King’ would suddenly become so affectionate towards a girl she had never met before, even if she was the Girl of Destiny. After all, the Sacred Dragon King had previously shown disdain for the church and the chosen ones.

’Why now... why has her attitude changed so drastically? Why is she willingly following Mengxi?’

Vinarola was utterly baffled.

However,

As a loyal servant of the Sacred Dragon King, Vinarola chose to trust Meliora’s decision. After all, the Sacred Dragon King was so great and full of wisdom; she must have her reasons for doing this. As her servant, all Vinarola had to do was support her.

’If the Sacred Dragon King wanted to stay by the side of the Girl of Destiny, then I would cooperate’

With this thought, Vinarola calmed her emotions, gradually regained her composure, and deactivated her flying magic, slowly returning to the ritual platform. After all, standing dumbfounded in the air as the host of the ceremony was truly unreasonable.

Taking a deep breath and facing numerous complex gazes, Vinarola stepped in front of Mengxi and showed a kindly and graceful smile, expressing her congratulations to the Girl of Destiny.

"Congratulations, Miss Mengxi. Since the Sacred Dragon’s Heart has accepted you, you can now form a contract with it and even take it with you"

"Really, I can take it with me?"

Vinarola’s kindness made Mengxi slightly stunned.

"This is such a precious treasure, isn’t it?"

"Yes, because the Sacred Dragon’s Heart chose you," Vinarola said in a voice full of good intentions. "Besides, the person who gains the approval of the Sacred Dragon’s Heart becomes the true owner of this sacred object. This is the ’tradition’ of our Luminous Academy. So, you don’t need to feel burdened."

...

...

With the Headmaster’s statement,

Not only was the silver-haired girl herself surprised, but the audience below the stage also showed astonished eyes.

Obviously,

In their original expectations, Vinarola, as the Headmaster, would never easily give up the Sacred Dragon’s Heart to protect the interests of Luminous Royal Academy. It would be logical to look for various reasons to refuse to hand over the Sacred Dragon’s Heart.

Therefore, seeing Vinarola so easily accepting this fact, they couldn’t help but be taken aback.

—

However, after a moment of astonishment, the followers of Asumos Church, as well as the fans and supporters of Mengxi, couldn’t help but show overwhelming joy. They constantly cast congratulatory glances at the Girl of Destiny.

Among the crowd, Phillipe, the son of former Archpriest Nick and also Mengxi’s tutor, couldn’t help but wear a relieved smile on his handsome face during the applause. The look he gave Mengxi was filled with admiration.

"Truly worthy of being the Girl of Destiny! She has genuinely gained the approval of the Sacred Dragon’s Heart!"

Phillipe was quite delighted.

After all, gaining approval was the most challenging part of the first trial of the Saintess Examination. If Mengxi completed all the tests, she would become the first Saintess of the church in centuries. The spiritual significance of becoming a Saintess was immensely important to the followers of the Church.

However,

While feeling delighted, Phillipe didn’t fully immerse himself in joy like other nearby church members. Instead, he tightly gripped the sword at his waist and looked around cautiously, focusing on those silent academy teachers loyal to the Red Leaf Royal Family.

These people, with their solemn faces, contrasted sharply with the cheerful expressions of the followers of the Church. The loss of the Sacred Dragon’s Heart would significantly diminish Luminous Academy’s status and importance on the continent. The Red Leaf Royal Family would naturally not want to see the Church grow stronger after gaining the Sacred Dragon Heart, which could potentially overshadow royal authority.

For them, the Girl of Destiny gaining the blessing of the Sacred Dragon’s Heart was not a cause for celebration.

Phillipe knew well that these people from the Red Leaf Royal Family didn’t care if Mengxi could pass the Saintess Examination. All they wanted was for the Girl of Destiny to live and grow into a strong figure capable of fighting against demon kings.

As for the so-called Saintess Examination, it was just an excuse used by the Church to try to take control of the Sacred Dragon’s Heart.

Before attending the ceremony, Phillipe had learned from the officers of the "Shadow of the Dark Moon" unit that the Emperor of Red Leaf had issued an edict: [If Mengxi gained approval, we must not let her take the Sacred Dragon’s Heart away. We must do everything possible to keep this treasure within Luminous Academy.]

Now,

The ownership of the Sacred Dragon’s Heart being in Mengxi’s hands was almost a foregone conclusion. Phillipe couldn’t help but worry about those members of the royal elite force, the Shura Division, who were hidden among the crowd and constantly watching Mengxi’s surroundings.

Although he didn’t think that the Red Leaf Royal Family would be foolish enough to make a public move, it’s always better to be cautious.

Under Phillipe’s instructions, dozens of church members guarding near the ritual platform secretly activated their holy aura and gripped their weapons, keeping an eye on the Shura Division members swiftly moving through the crowd.

For a moment,

Though the plaza was filled with celebratory cheers, an undercurrent of danger was also spreading among the crowd.

"What will those people from the Royal Family do next?"

While quickly observing his surroundings, Phillipe pondered this question. As the person in charge of the ’Sunlight’ division, he tried to discern the intentions of the other party through their movements, preparing to counter any action. What he needed to do now was to follow his superiors’ orders and prevent those loyal to the Royalists from approaching Mengxi.

However,

At this stage, Phillipe clearly lacked the ability to fully execute this task.

Just as he was directing the Holy Knights of the church to guard Mengxi and prepare to leave Starlight Plaza, a sinister, extremely hoarse voice suddenly echoed in everyone’s ears.

"Congratulations, Miss Mengxi."

’What?!’

’This voice?!’

The moment he heard the voice, Phillipe shuddered and hurriedly looked behind him. Seeing the hunched old man who had appeared on the steps of the ritual platform without warning, Phillipe’s face changed dramatically.

"Bo... Borulov?!"

Phillipe exclaimed the old man’s name in panic. This terrifying old man, as gaunt as a skeleton with black and red eyes, was none other than the Grand Sorcerer of the Red Leaf Empire and the former third-ranked elite in the Void Spirit Tower. A wave of dreadful magical energy and soul pressure spread rapidly across the field as Borulov appeared, making everyone uncomfortable.

The noisy venue once again fell silent.

Everyone focused on this divine mage loyal to the Red Leaf Royal Family, speculating about his next moves. Regardless of what he planned, to Phillipe Borulov approaching Mengxi at this time could mean nothing good.

Seeing the old man, staff in hand, step onto the ritual platform and head toward the silver-haired girl, Phillipe bit his lip and attempted to step forward to stop him.

However,

The movement of Phillipe’s internal holy aura seemed too obvious and directly caught Borulov’s attention. The old man’s sinister, death-filled eyes slowly glanced at Phillipe. Just one look felt like he was swallowed by an abyss, and a sudden immense pressure made Phillipe involuntarily kneel, gasping for air and utterly incapable of stopping Borulov’s advance.

Reluctantly, he could only watch as the old man took step after step toward the Girl of Destiny.

On the other hand,

Mengxi on the ritual platform, along with Vinarola beside her, also couldn’t help but show grave expressions, cautiously watching the old man full of deathly aura from a distance.

No one knew what this 8th level elite,

’Intended to do by suddenly appearing on the ritual platform. Could it be that he wanted to forcibly seize the Sacred Dragon’s Heart?’

Vinarola clenched her staff, seemingly prepared for a possible conflict. Her eyes were full of worries; after all, if Borulov really intended to make a move, she, as a seventh level, would absolutely not be able to withstand this divine mage. Similarly, Mengxi, guarded by Vinarola, also showed a serious expression...

’Hehe, hehehehe~…’

’Ahhhhhh~,’

’This is the feeling~’

Feeling the atmosphere around him, as well as the wary gazes from Vinarola, the silver-haired girl, and everyone else, Borulov’s mouth cracked into a satisfied smile. As a top elite who places great importance on face and is full of vanity, he thoroughly enjoys the sensation of being feared by others. The attention from the entire venue, especially the awe in people’s eyes, made him quite pleased.

In some sense, it was to be the focus of everyone that Borulov chose to serve as the Grand Sorcerer of Red Leaf Empire, frequently appearing at various public events, even though his own image was not ideal.

"Sir. Borulov, What do you want?"

Vinarola cautiously asked.

However,

In response to the headmaster of Luminous Academy’s question, Borulov didn’t answer right away. After stepping onto the ritual platform, he silently stood still. Not until he had attracted almost everyone’s attention did he chuckle and focus his gaze on the silver-haired girl.

Finally,

The old man opened his mouth in a tone full of insincerity:

"I’m here, of course, to express the royal family’s blessings to Miss Girl of Destiny. It’s a truly joyous occasion to receive the Sacred Dragon’s Heart. However… I seem to have found some points of doubt…"

Under the puzzled gazes of everyone, Borulov’s tone suddenly changed. Slowly raising his hand, he pointed at the relic in Mengxi’s arms, emitting a divine light. His red eyes were full of suspicion.

"The reaction of the Sacred Dragon’s Heart is indeed abnormal, I suspect… huh??!!"

However,

Just as Borulov was preparing to express his opinions,

An untimely voice suddenly burst from the crowd:

"Fuck of, What the heck are you shitting about! Stinky old man, get out of my way!"

Borulov: "??!!"

The atmosphere was instantly shattered by the disrespectful outburst, leaving everyone, especially Borulov, stunned. It seemed like the serious atmosphere was not only disrupted but completely turned upside down.