episode_0159

Episode 159. Eustia Holy Nation (1)

The smell of death rising from the deep underground to the surface.

‘As expected, it’s not ordinary.’

Even in its sealed state, its energy is seeping out. If it’s faintly emerging even with another god blocking it, I can roughly estimate the ‘Black’ deity’s power.

Of course, in addition to that reason, the energy is felt more strongly because it’s thrashing around, trying to break free from the seal. But no matter how much it resists the seal, it still can’t come out.

‘At least not yet.’

Anyway, there was ‘one’ person besides me who sensed the energy of Black.

“Hyung, don’t you think this place feels a bit strange?”

“Not really.”

“Really? Hmm, something feels uncomfortable under my feet….”

“It must be your imagination.”

Evan tilted his head, but his thoughts didn’t progress any further. At Evan’s level, it was still difficult to feel this energy clearly, making it impossible to identify its true nature.

As he said, it’s only slightly uncomfortable right now. To capture the energy more clearly and enter the stage of suspicion, his level must be higher.

More importantly.

‘The energy seems stronger than I expected….’

According to what was described in the novel, you should only be able to feel the energy underground. It shouldn’t extend to the surface.

‘Should I give a warning, just in case?’

In the story, the seal isn’t supposed to be released at this time. However, the opponent isn’t just some human or monster, but a god. There’s no harm in being careful.

Of course, even if I reinforce the seal, it will be released somehow. It must be fulfilled. That was the main episode.

“Professors, please follow me. I will guide you to your lodgings.”

Elena said that and took the professors away.

“……”

And among the departing professors, I felt one gaze. It was Ruina-sunbae’s gaze.

Sunbae looked like she didn’t want to go, but she seemed to steel her resolve and followed Elena. Her fulfilling her duty as a professor was admirable.

The professors left, leaving only the students behind. Estella looked at us remaining and shouted.

“We should unpack our luggage and take a break, right? Follow me, I’ll guide you!”

At her lively voice, the students followed her as if possessed.

I also wanted to unpack my luggage first, so I chased after Estella. Of course, most of my belongings were in subspace, but I also brought some items separately.

Crunch, I heard a sound of teeth grinding next to me. It was Chloe’s.

“What’s wrong with you again?”

“Hmph, I won’t tell you.”

Chloe turned her head away with a dissatisfied whine. She even avoided the eyes that had been meeting mine all the way here. It seems to be because of my scolding earlier.

Moreover, judging from the sincerity in her words, it wasn’t an act to get my attention. If she had such intentions, I wouldn’t have bothered to deal with her like this in the first place.

“Are you really acting like that just because I said a little something?”

“It’s not that, okay?”

What do you mean it’s not. Your tone says otherwise.

“Just get along with Estella. You get along well with other people….”

“Are you comparing other people to that bitch? Don’t say ridiculous things, Sunbae.”

“Haa, what are you even….”

“I hate what I hate! Mehhhh!”

After teasing me like that, she ran to Lana.

“Lana-unnie! Sunbae is…!”

“…Sigh.”

I can only sigh. But I decided to let it go since I’m seeing that side of her for the first time.

As we moved following Estella, many gazes gathered. They were the gazes of the holy nation’s believers and the students of the Sacred Academy.

-Are those the Tianis students?

-I’m seeing people from the Empire for the first time!

-They all seem frail.

They seemed curious about us. Humans may exist in other faiths as well, but it’s probably rare to see people from other countries.

Moreover, since it’s an academy attended by believers of the holy nation, there are also various races.

Beastmen, Elves, Dwarves, etc. Races that are hard to see in the Empire are everywhere. If you go to a place with water, you might even see merfolk or mermaids.

But the Sacred Academy students’ interest didn’t end there.

-But is that person the Saint?

-I think so? Isn’t he the only one with fierce eyes?

-I guess so.

Such murmurs reached my ears. The attention that was directed at the Tianis students had shifted to me.

-I heard from Hatan-nim that he’s incredibly strong!

-Oh, should I apply for a duel later?

-That would be fun!

Those were the conversations of the Beastmen.

-That person is the one who saved Elena-nim…

-Should I say hello later?

-Elena-nim said not to talk to that person. She said his words are as fierce as his eyes, and it’s frustrating.

…Those were the conversations of the Elves.

-I want to examine that sword….

-I have a feeling he won’t show it.

-Then shall we secretly steal it?

-That’s a good idea!

Those were the conversations of the Dwarves conspiring.

Anyway, the conversations themselves are full of racial characteristics. And from those conversations, I could clearly see what kind of hardships I would face in the holy nation.

“We’ve arrived!”

In the meantime, we arrived at a building. And it was very alien.

“Is this the lodging?”

“That’s right. This is the lodging where the students from Tianis will be staying.”

“But….”

“Is there a problem?”

“It’s not that… is the lodging a tree?”

The lodging Estella guided us to was none other than a tree. A giant tree that stretched high into the sky.

Of course, since six gods and different races live here, there are many unique buildings. However, having a tree standing tall among artificial buildings was very out of place.

Then Estella said with a proud face.

“This is the sanctuary used by the Elves of the Eustia Holy Nation. The World Tree-nim prepared it for this exchange event.”

“Ah, no, but….”

“Don’t do that and come in. There are no mosquitoes at night, and it’s clean!”

Estella climbed the wooden stairs and entered the tree. The Tianis students were not used to such natural architecture and hesitated slightly, but soon followed her.

Then they saw the inside.

Brown and green were harmoniously blended, and everything was made of wood. It was quite an impressive sight.

“Wow… it’s really clean.”

“It smells good too. So this is where the Elves live….”

“I want to live here forever.”

The students also expressed their admiration. Everyone had a fascinated expression on their faces at the sight of the lodging.

But that was only for a moment.

“First, unpack your luggage and then gather again. Men to the left, women to the right. The order is by grade, 1st, 2nd, 3rd year, and the names are written on the doors, so find them well!”

Following Estella’s instructions, the students moved to their assigned rooms. I also headed to the room given to me.

The tree lodging was large, so it was also tall. To help with that, the leaves in the center acted like elevators, so there was no need to climb the stairs.

The room I arrived at was a single room, and it was pretty good. Sunlight came in well through the windows, and the inside was warm. Of course, the bed was also soft.

-Yahoo!

-I missed the bed!

…The soundproofing was a bit lacking though.

I looked around the room a bit and unpacked my luggage. Most of the items I brought directly were clothes. I put important items in subspace.

After putting the clothes in the closet and organizing them, I sat on the wooden chair and took a rest. I was tired from walking for 4 hours, and there was still time until the gathering.

“The smell is definitely good.”

The unique scent that can be smelled in the forest tickles the tip of my nose. I didn’t like that this tree was a space created by the World Tree, but this scent was okay.

After spending some time in the room, I checked the time and moved to the first floor. Everyone gathered on the first floor on time.

Estella opened her mouth only after confirming that all the students had arrived.

“As you all know, the exchange event starts tomorrow. And the other academy students haven’t arrived yet. So today is free time.”

“Oh, free time….”

“Can we go around the academy?”

At the word free, the students poured out various questions to Estella. Everyone looked excited.

“You can, but that’s after you eat. Aren’t you all hungry?”

“Yes, we are hungry!”

“I wonder what kind of food they have at the Sacred Academy.”

At the word food, most of the students’ eyes sparkled. They had taken breaks and eaten snacks while coming here, but it wasn’t enough to fill their stomachs.

“So you can do your activities after you eat.”

Immediately after she finished speaking, the priests standing behind Estella came forward. Judging by the white robes they were wearing, they were followers of White.

“These people will guide you to the dining hall. See you tomorrow, Tianis students!”

“Please follow us.”

Following the priests’ words, the Tianis students moved their feet. My group was in the front, and I was at the very back, so it took time to get out.

And just as I was about to leave the tree lodging, Estella grabbed me.

“Where are you going, Saint-nim?”

“Where else would I go? I’m going to eat. What’s the matter?”

It was clear that she had something to say when she grabbed me.

“Ah, White-nim said she wanted to see Saint-nim. She told me to bring you after I finished guiding.”

“Alright, guide me.”

I nodded in agreement. Since I had something to tell her too, it would be good to meet her.

“Hehe, thank you. Then shall we go see the god we serve?”

“Stop talking nonsense. Who serves her?”

I will never serve a god.

Anyway, I followed Estella towards White.