Chapter 1224 - 528: Moving the Heavens (Part 2)

During the first week, there were no rumors, but now the streets and alleys of the Plain Ancient City are filled with talks of the Saintess.

If she had made a public appearance after showcasing her power, gave some speeches, or organized some events, the people of the Ancient City might have responded enthusiastically, but the level of discussion might not be as intense as it is now.

Although the Saintess came to the Ancient City and displayed her power, she hasn't done anything else, and her whereabouts are even a mystery—this sense of mystery has piqued people's curiosity, resulting in every tavern in the Ancient City being filled with topics about the Saintess.

The rumors are varied. The one with the least circulation, which would be ridiculed if mentioned, is that the Saintess suffered severe injuries while battling the Pale Knight and had to secretly recuperate.

Some say the Saintess has actually left the Plain Ancient City long ago.

Others say that the Saintess obtained clues about the end of the world from the Fantasy Species' spoils of war and is currently engrossed in research.

In short, there's a myriad of stories, and everyone has something to say.

If it weren't for the basic public opinion control by the Church Court and the Kingdom Government, the news of the Saintess's unknown whereabouts might have already made the headlines of various newspapers, spreading throughout the Kingdom.

But so far, these rumors are still circulating only within the Ancient City.

Among them, there's a widely circulated version that even the bards are singing—

The Saintess, who easily vanquished the Fantasy Species and Magic Creatures, had her power attract an invitation from the Dungeon.

And the Saintess, who has always been fearless and invincible, readily accepted the Dungeon's invitation.

That is to say, the Saintess entered the Dungeon a month ago and, at an unprecedented speed, reached deep layers where no one had ever been, all before anyone could discover her.

When the Saintess reappears, it will be the day the Starless Dungeon is conquered.

This rumor is the most widespread, yet opinions on it are polarizing. Some are convinced that the Starless Dungeon will definitely be conquered by the Saintess and have even started short-selling properties in the Ancient City. Others scoff at this, believing the Saintess has likely been unknowingly swallowed by the depths, leading to a riot in the tavern when making such claims.

Although everything is still in the realm of rumors, and no one has witnessed the Saintess in the depths, it hasn't yet caused widespread upheaval. However, the recent increase in security incidents is a fact.

This is the influence of the Shining World Saintess today.

So the Ancient Capital Bishop had predicted that similar issues would eventually come to his attention.

Even the other Clerics of the Ancient Capital Church do not know the whereabouts of the Saintess. After all, other things can be faked. But the kitchen's consumption cannot.

The only one who can solve this problem is the Ancient Capital Bishop, who has had direct contact with the Saintess.

But at this moment, facing the many eyes below, even the Church staff beside him were drawn to the question, looking at him expectantly, yet the Ancient Capital Bishop was somewhat evasive.

"Regarding this matter..."

Before the Hero stepped into the Dungeon, he had discussed related topics with her, and it was she who prepared the transfer documents for that Mute Girl, the Second-turn Medical Practitioner, so the Ancient Capital Bishop had a rough idea that the worries in the rumors—the Dungeon being conquered or the Saintess perishing—would not happen.

She knew that the Saintess had indeed entered the Dungeon.

But she couldn't possibly say that the Saintess is no longer the Saintess, could she?

Originally, to not interfere with the Saintess's actions, she had always diligently performed her duties, treating that Mute Girl as an unknown subordinate. But now, as the rumors grow wilder, she feels she can no longer let it go.

If that child wasn't the Saintess, this much trouble wouldn't be caused just by not showing up, right? That's why she was against the existence of the Saintess's position...

Thinking this, the Ancient Capital Bishop sighed lightly and finally spoke:

"Today, I will go find Lady Saintess and confirm—"

Her words abruptly stopped.

The people below were eagerly waiting for her response, and seeing her suddenly choke, they all showed puzzled expressions, their brows furrowed.

But soon, some professionals with outstanding Perception also froze, their pupils contracting sharply, looking incredulously in a certain direction.

Pointing towards the direction of the Star Knowledge Tower, the direction of the Dungeon.

The strange and unified response of these people sparked more confusion, leading more people to whisper and inquire quietly about what had happened.

But the Ancient Capital Bishop did not pay attention to the commotion below. In the next moment, her figure turned into a beam of light and disappeared, appearing instantaneously on top of the church spire.

The wind fiercely filled her robe sleeves, her white hair fluttering in the wind. She stood beside the Heart Star Badge at the spire, gazing in the direction of the Starless Dungeon, murmuring to herself:

"...This is not what was agreed upon, Lady Saintess."

The ground vibrated, starting from a soft hum and growing into a dull roar.

Then, layers of dazzling ripples began to appear on the plaza in front of the Star Knowledge Tower, and light spread from the ground, rapidly expanding and climbing, reaching the dome with halos of light, painting the skyline in rainbow colors.

It was a shocking surge of great Magic Power, coming from underground, breaking through layers of sealing, making the Star Knowledge Tower light up layer by layer like a torch, each windowpane bursting with blazing holy light.

The overwhelming sensation dizzying the mind, accompanied by the howling gale, surged into the five senses; it was an intrusion from the Otherworld, enough to let everyone in this world instantly feel an anomaly of crisis.

The air became sticky and heavy, the halo flowing amidst the clouds, changing, chaotic yet brilliant colors, causing many professionals who stared directly at this scene to sway, their vision blacking out, collapsing to the ground.

The massive amount of information, the appearance of forbidden knowledge, was enough to make one lose consciousness upon witnessing it.

In the alleys of the Ancient City, shadows began to wriggle, with the faint sound of pages turning, but at this moment, no one cared about this unobtrusive change.

Because in the eyes of the professionals who still had the strength to look up, an even more stunning scene was happening.

Accompanied by the surging of vast Magic Power, within the churning colorful clouds, a massive shadow began to emerge.

Initially, its existence was so immense it suffocated, casting shadows over half the city, its enormity making those nearby unable to see its entire form, only feeling an incomparable sense of oppression from above, as if the whole sky was collapsing.

But soon, under everyone's fearful gaze, that shadow began to rise into the sky, rapidly shrinking.

Despite its continued strong presence, the Ancient Capital Bishop finally saw clearly what that thing really was.

Even though she once ventured into the depths and experienced adventures in the Otherworld, at this moment, her eyes were full of astonishment.

"...Floating City?"

→☆→☆→☆→✧←★←★←★←

[The Four-winged King will be excluded from the Hero's destinyDestiny—Round (8+cool)]

D10=10

[Extreme Failure~]

[The Four-winged King used Skill: Dual Holy (without Critical Success, directly enter immobile & defenseless state)]

2D764=(222+346)