Chapter 234: Hall of Awakening

"This is... crazy."

Killian’s voice came out as barely more than a whisper, his breath caught in his throat as he took in the breathtaking, yet chilling, scene before them.

Everything was gold.

And this was not meant metaphorically, rhetorically, or theoretically...

Everything was gold— literally.

It was not merely that things had turned golden; it was as if time itself had been halted and alchemized.

As if the very fabric of reality itself had been touched by the cursed hand of greed.

The towering trees loomed like cathedral pillars, their trunks coated in solid gold, branches stretching overhead like gilded arms trying to embrace the sky.

Each leaf shimmered like a delicate pendant, gently rustling in a breeze that no longer existed.

The light refracted from the canopy above bathed the entire area in a soft, divine glow, as if the sun itself had paused to mourn what had been lost.

Birds perched on the branches mid-song, their feathers gleaming like molten sunlight, frozen in place along with their golden nests and unhatched eggs.

Golden squirrels clung to the sides of trees, mid-scamper.

A cat, its back arched and fur bristled, stood on a branch forever reacting to a moment of unseen fright.

Butterflies hovered eternally between blooms, and even the wind-blown petals scattered on the ground lay untouched, transformed into fragile flakes of precious metal.

There were park benches, where people sat mid-conversation, laughter carved into their faces.

One couple held hands, heads turned slightly toward one another, smiles forever suspended.

A street performer nearby was frozen in the act of juggling, golden spheres could be seen on the ground near his feet.

A woman, mid-twirl, her skirt cast wide around her, was frozen like a statue in dance.

Children dotted the grassy fields— playing, running, reaching.

A girl crouched with an innocent grin, weaving a crown from once-lively flowers, now metal.

A boy stood with his net raised high, poised to catch a dragonfly whose golden wings hovered inches from flight.

A group played tag, their expressions locked in joy and motion, never to finish the game.

A fountain stood at the center of the plaza, its cascading water captured in mid-fall, droplets like strands of liquid gold frozen in air.

Even the ripples in the basin were halted, the mirror-like surface now still and solid.

And yet, beneath this splendor, there was an undeniable silence; a heavy stillness that pressed against the skin.

It was too quiet.

Too perfect.

Too still.

It was haunting.

It was beautiful.

It was horrific.

The entire scene was like a dream sculpted into reality, a masterpiece painted in suffering.

What should have been a monument to wonder instead whispered of tragedy— of a power awakened in panic, of people who had once laughed, cried, and breathed in this place... now turned into a golden graveyard of joy.

Regis felt the weight of everything settle in his chest.

The gleam of gold blinded the eyes, but not the heart.

This was not a blessing.

It was a curse in the guise of splendor.

’It very much deserves the name Ruins of Gold...’

Glancing at Aurelia, he was able to notice the guilt deep within her eyes.

In that instance, Regis was able to catch a glimpse of the weight her conscience had long been carrying.

On the other hand, Pandora’s expression had barely moved since they had entered the Ruins of Gold.

Her nonchalance provided Aurelia with some unknown, inexplicable comfort.

Noticing the silence that had settled over everyone, Aurum took it upon himself to break it.

"This park was built around the Hall of Awakening. Since it was meant to be a place where children of age could spend time and play with each other before undergoing their awakening."

He paused for a moment and continued with a wry chuckle, pointing at the large building in the distance.

"Coincidentally, the Hall of Awakening had also been one of my very first collaborative projects with the Montrelle City Council when my organization was just starting to take off."

Beside him, Regis, Killian, Pandora, and Aurelia all listened attentively.

"It had been my dream, as a kid who grew up in poverty. To provide every child in my hometown the chance to awaken; that was the purpose of that building."

At this moment, Killian asked softly, "But wouldn’t that be..."

"Taking a loss?"

"Yes." He replied with a faint nod.

Aurum smiled wider, "For me, the point of business isn’t just making money. It’s being able to spend it how I want."

His words made them pause in thought.

Aurelia tilted her head, "But Dad... isn’t that still kind of selfish?"

"Exactly!" Aurum burst out laughing, "It just so happens that I’m a really good person, so my selfishness works out for everyone!"

His words were like a bomb— sudden and completely out of the blue.

But they made Regis and Killian shake their heads as smiles bloomed on their faces, while Pandora and Aurelia let out soft giggles.

Seeing that he had managed to lift the mood, a satisfied smile formed on Aurum’s face.

As they walked in the middle of the golden landscape, Regis commented, "I know that it’s not right to say this, but... It’s beautiful."

"That’s true, Brother." Pandora nodded in agreement.

Aurelia did not respond, but a soft blush bloomed on her cheeks.

Seeing this, the end of Aurum’s lips subtly curled up as he looked at the sky, ’My love, our daughter has made some good friends. If what we’re about to do doesn’t work, then I think I can leave her in their hands without worries...’

"By the way, Regis."

Hearing Aurum’s call, Regis promptly looked at him, "Hm? Yes, Uncle?"

"Thank you for what you did earlier."

Aurelia had quietly informed him about Regis’s peculiar ability and how he stopped the man with ill intentions from running his mouth.

The unexpected gratitude made Regis pause for a moment, "It’s nothing, Uncle. But I did notice some strange people earlier; do you have enemies in this city?"

"Hmmm..." His words made Aurum think thoughtfully.

But before they could continue discussing the topic, they had already arrived at the grand entrance of the Hall of Awakening.

The grandeur it was exuding was further amplified by the fact that it had fully become gold.

Seeing this, Aurum and Aurelia both took a deep breath while Regis, Pandora, and Killian silently gave them space.

After a few minutes of silence, Aurum relaxed his posture.

He placed one hand gently on his daughter’s shoulder and, with the other, gestured toward the door.

A calm smile rested on his face as he glanced back.

"Let’s go."

Without further ado, the group stepped into the grand building.

A red carpet stretched from the entrance to the center of the hall, flanked by polished pillars and symmetrical staircases leading to a second-floor balcony.

People filled both the upper and lower levels, nobles and commoners alike, each wearing expressions of excitement and pride, their attention focused on the event unfolding inside.

Their faces were frozen in joy, captured in a moment of pride and hope for their children’s bright future.

At the center of the hall stood a platform, where golden statues of children were frozen mid-movement, each holding up an empty vial.

Servants in uniform lined the side of the platform, trays of primers poised in their hands, eternally ready to be distributed.

Near the podium, the host of the event stood motionless, captured in gold like the rest, mouth open as if in mid-speech, eyes wide with enthusiasm.

And amidst the crowd of statues, three particular golden figures stood out, drawing the silent attention of both Aurum and Aurelia.

A woman with a loving expression was frozen mid-embrace, holding a boy and a girl who bore a striking resemblance to both her and Aurum.

The father and daughter walked, slowly approaching the three golden figures before stopping a few meters away from them.

After a few moments, Regis spoke softly, "May I?"

Aurum, who was on the verge of tears, hugged the sobbing Aurelia, "Go ahead."

"Killian. Pandora."

At Regis’s words, the two immediately moved.

Pandora cast a barrier that enveloped the entire building, while Killian walked a short distance away, positioning himself near the entrance.

Closing his eyes, he heightened his senses with aura, yellow sparks of lightning crackling faintly around him as he stood watch.

As soon as the two were done, Regis stepped forward, "I’m sorry that it took this long."

"It’s fine... What matters is that we’ll be with them again." Aurum spoke, his voice tight as he tried to suppress the sobs.

His golden gaze watched the boy— upon whom he had placed all his hopes— walk toward the golden statues of the people most important to him.

’Martha... Auryn... Patti... Dear Lemetina above... Please... let my family be whole again... I beg of you...’

The thoughts of the wealthiest human echoed desperately within the walls of his mind.