Chapter 260: Ordeal Democracy [2]

Chapter 259

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Episode 66 - Ordeal Democracy [2]

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Five days later.

The sound of the train wheels rolling along the tracks echoed loudly.

I sat inside the compartment, my head resting against the train window.

Sitting across from me was my master, who had taken on a human form. She sat with her legs crossed, occasionally letting out a sigh.

Anyone observing her from any angle could tell that she was quite nervous.

I let out a sigh and said:

"I don’t understand why you’re so nervous, master."

At my question, she replied:

"I already told you. Today, I had a really strange bad feeling."

"About what?"

"I don’t know. Maybe it’s related to today’s objective, or maybe it isn’t. I simply don’t know what that strange feeling was."

At first, I hadn’t paid much attention to it, but now that she genuinely seemed uneasy, I began thinking about it as well.

’A premonition...’

What exactly was a premonition?

Sometimes, it could mean a bad omen, as if some kind of calamity were about to occur.

It could be a drought, a natural disaster, or anything else that involved some kind of danger.

However, it didn’t necessarily have to be a bad omen directed toward the person experiencing it. Rather, it could be a sort of warning about something that would affect the people around them.

’I’d like to use Pandemonium to see the future, but...’

There were several implications associated with using the effect of my Eyes of the End: Pandemonium.

The first was its limitations.

I could only see a maximum of ten minutes into the future.

And today’s objective wasn’t going to happen within the next ten minutes.

Therefore, I would have to use Pandemonium at the right moment, just before a battle in which I would likely die or, at the very least, where there was a possibility of failure that would ultimately result in my death.

On the other hand, using Pandemonium required Willpower, and the amount it consumed was simply too great.

’And, above all, there were the two side effects I suffered after using the Eyes of the End.’

If I used Pandemonium now, it meant using the Eyes of the End, and for obvious reasons, I would have to endure their side effects afterward.

They lasted for up to two days, and in reality, I didn’t have any time to spare.

So, even if I could see beyond those mere ten minutes into the future right now, given the circumstances, I couldn’t afford to use it.

’The Mission Window appeared this morning.’

Then, with a simple thought, the Mission Window appeared before me.

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■| Chapter No. 3: Holy Church.

Category: Main Story.

Difficulty: ★★★|★★★|★★★

Description: Rinna, the future Saint and Chosen of Light, possessing immense talent, was summoned by the Pope of the Holy Church for unknown reasons. However, the Pope, who is nearing the end of his life, has plans for Rinna to prevent her life from reaching its end.

∆ Time Limit: 15 hours.

∆ Reward: Relic of the Progenitor Mage: Holy Grail.

∆ Failure: Death of Saint Rinna.

∆ Status: In Progress.

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At that moment, I was traveling by train to the Ordeal Democracy.

Several months had already passed since I completed the Chapter Two, Part Two mission, so the required waiting period had finally ended.

Upon reading the difficulty, I honestly wasn’t surprised.

’I already knew these missions were somehow related to my Dark Destiny.’

Although I still didn’t know whether completing these missions and obtaining their rewards was connected to some future objective.

Or, on the other hand, whether completing these missions was necessary to ensure my survival until the day of my death.

’Some Missions are meant to save one of my friends. For example, this one.’

Another case was the mission in Black City, whose objective involved saving Clana. Or, for example, the very first mission I completed.

That one had two possible outcomes in the event of failure.

The death of Clementine or the deaths of Charlotte and Leon.

So far, I didn’t know what would happen if I simply ignored the conditions of these missions and focused solely on keeping my friends safe.

However, I didn’t want to take the risk, even if that wasn’t actually the purpose of these missions.

Perhaps, once I recovered my memories, I would discover the true purpose behind them. For now, I only had to wait a couple of weeks.

’However...’

I read the reward again.

In theory, I more or less knew what the word ’Holy Grail’ meant.

However, since it was a Relic created by the Progenitor Mage, that Relic had to possess something special.

’It could be... Miracles.’

The Progenitors were, ultimately, Gods who apparently fought against some kind of enemy before suddenly disappearing.

Therefore, the Holy Grail had to be a Relic that possessed Divine power, which meant its power had to be extraordinary.

’But what am I supposed to do with that Relic?’

Every reward from these Main Missions had a use and a purpose.

Of course, I still wasn’t sure what the purpose of the Compass of Destiny was, but sooner or later, I thought I would find out.

Therefore, perhaps I would also end up discovering the purpose of the Holy Grail.

’Well, whatever it is, I’ll find out soon enough.’

Coming out of my thoughts, I looked at my master, who was still uneasy, and said:

"There’s no point in getting nervous, master."

My master let out a sigh and crossed her arms.

"Ugh, it’s just really annoying."

"I’ve prepared myself, so don’t worry. Besides, I’m going to look into the future at the right moment. If something unexpected happens, I’ll be able to change the outcome, right?"

My master nodded slightly. Even so, she continued sighing for the rest of the journey to the Ordeal Democracy.

Five hours later, we finally arrived at the Ordeal Democracy.

After getting off the train with my master, I calmly walked through the streets until I entered an alley.

My body dissolved into a black liquid and merged with the shadows. Then, I traveled through them toward a massive structure located in the center of the city.

It was none other than the Holy Church.

***

The train trembled slightly as Rinna felt it begin to slow down.

At that moment, she opened her eyes and let out a long yawn before looking out the window of her compartment.

’Back home after a year, huh.’

Ever since she had entered the Holy Academy, Rinna had not returned to the Ordeal Democracy.

Not even during the summer vacation back then.

However, her expression did not reflect the joy one would expect from someone returning home.

The Holy Church might seem like a place where anyone could find peace and happiness. And, to be honest, Rinna, who had inherited the title of Saint from the previous Saint, should have had not only many friends but also people close to her, such as the Apprentices who aspired to join the Orders of Inquisitors or Holy Knights.

But reality was different.

Her expression was rather bittersweet, with a hint of exhaustion.

Rinna had grown up practically confined within the Holy Church, so she had never actually had any friends. Moreover, the Pope, along with the Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops, imposed extremely strict rules on every aspect of her life.

Whenever they ordered her to do something, she had to obey faithfully, following the strict rules that had been imposed and taught to her since childhood.

Rinna did not resent them. She knew that being a Saint was not simply about being a good person, as if she were living in some fairy tale.

Her title came with countless duties and responsibilities that she was expected to fulfill.

Of course, there were also moments when she could be alone and enjoy a certain degree of freedom—moments when there were no rules to follow and no orders to obey.

When she entered the Holy Academy, Rinna had finally felt like a truly free person.

She was far away from the rules and the constant obligation to follow the orders of the people in that place.

Moreover, for the first time, she could freely talk to anyone she wanted.

Eventually, the train came to a stop, and Rinna got off.

After leaving the train station, she took a deep breath and continued on her way.

As she walked through the streets, she looked around at the people calmly going about their daily lives.

Workers, vendors, and street merchants filled the streets.

The sun was at its highest point. It was a sunny day, completely free of clouds that might bring a storm or torrential rain.

Rinna continued walking toward the center of the great city, where the enormous structure of the Holy Church stood.

After a few minutes, she finally arrived at the main entrance.

As she approached, a Holy Knight guarding the entrance glanced at her before bowing.

Without saying a word, the guard simply opened the main door, allowing Rinna to enter.

Clank!

A moment later, the doors closed behind her.

It was then that a man suddenly appeared, dressed in loose-fitting white and gold robes.

"You took your time coming after the Pope’s summons. What is your excuse?"

Rinna lowered her head and directed her gaze toward the floor.

"I woke up late and had to take the seven o’clock train."

The man’s expression did not change. After silently observing Rinna for a few seconds, he spoke in a stern tone:

"According to the Rules, appearing before the Pope after being summoned and arriving even a second late warrants severe punishment."

Rinna nodded slightly, her expression remaining blank.

"However, because today is an important day for the Pope, you will not be punished."

"....?"

Rinna couldn’t help but be surprised by Cardinal Abraham’s words.

’An important day for the Pope.’

From the beginning, she had wondered why the Pope had summoned her specifically today, on Friday.

Since she had not had time to announce her withdrawal from the Academy, she had probably received a few penalty points.

More importantly, Rinna had absolutely no idea why the Pope had summoned her.

"Come. Follow me. We’ve already wasted enough time discussing your disrespect toward the Rules."

"I’m sorry. It won’t happen again."

At that moment, Cardinal Abraham’s voice took on a mocking undertone.

"There will be no next time. Keep that in mind."

Rinna nodded, unaware of the true implications behind those words.