Ch.7575. Assembly

At the end of the dark cavern, a sweet, melodious voice echoed.

“Three seats remain empty.”

The girl dressed in deep blue sacred vestments slowly half-opened her eyes. The light emanating from her pitch-black pupils sparkled like the Milky Way captured within them.

“I understand. Everyone is carrying out their duties in distant lands.”

The number of people gathered in the space—which could easily accommodate hundreds—was merely seven. Yet they exuded an otherworldly atmosphere that set them apart from ordinary people.

That was only natural.

This was a temple dedicated to the worship of Pandemius, the god of chaotic disorder. Moreover, this wasn’t the corridor where any member of the order could enter, but the innermost sanctum accessible only to an extremely select few among thousands of believers who had been specially recognized.

A forbidden ground where only the Saint of Chaos resided. Though the Saint, beloved by the deity, wielded absolute power within the order, this didn’t mean she could do everything as she pleased. To issue commands, she needed valid reasons. Especially on days like today when she had summoned the high clergy of the order.

“Isn’t it about time you explained what this is all about?”

An elderly man with dull gray hair spoke up. He held the position of Cardinal, fourth in the hierarchy of the order, overseeing all parishes spread throughout the continent. Nevertheless, his voice addressing the girl was exceedingly respectful, and the reason was simple.

While the position of Cardinal could be replaced by anyone with suitable abilities, the position of “Saint” was symbolic—one that no one but the girl before them could fill.

He merely asked on everyone’s behalf, as the others harbored similar questions. The girl answered with a gentle smile.

“A divine oracle has descended.”

At those words, everyone except the man silently keeping to himself in the corner widened their eyes.

This was a world where gods existed. Through dungeons, gods created followers and exerted influence on the mortal realm, but they rarely intervened directly in human affairs. In the distant past, the gods had made a pact—a covenant forbidding them from manifesting in physical form. This was to prevent the destruction that indiscriminate interference might bring.

However, there was a loophole in this covenant—they could deliver messages to believers through vessels such as Saints.

In such communications, when a god commanded with significant intent, it was called an oracle.

Indeed, it was reason enough to summon the high clergy, and the people nodded slightly, erasing their puzzled expressions.

“Cardinal Aleph. You recently entrusted a seed to a young priest.”

“I believe that matter was handled by Archbishop Gideon.”

The Seed of Chaos is a sacred artifact imbued with Pandemius’s divine power. While sacred artifacts were typically strictly managed by the order, seeds were given to promising novices. The reason was that those who had reached the Radiance stage could no longer receive the powers bestowed by the seeds.

Receiving the Saint’s gaze, Gideon spoke in a cautious tone.

“I gave it to a monk named Conrad. He ascended to Sacred Flame at the age of thirty-three, so I judged him talented. I initiated it, but I recall that the other archbishops, as well as the Cardinal, approved.”

“Ah, Conrad. A name I’ve heard before. Was he from the Liberta parish? I’m not trying to blame anyone. I asked because Pandemius’s oracle is closely related to this Conrad.”

“The oracle… you say?”

“Do you know Conrad’s current whereabouts?”

The Saint lightly ignored the question and asked in return. Gideon didn’t mind. Conrad. Though his position as a priest was far inferior to that of an archbishop, having entrusted him with a sacred artifact, they wouldn’t have neglected him.

“Conrad is preparing for the seed’s hatching in Lindvale, a barony in Liberta. The last update I received was half a year ago, so it’s almost time for the regular communication.”

“As I thought, you don’t know.”

The Saint shook her head with a regretful expression.

“The communication won’t come.”

“…Pardon?”

“He is dead. The Seed of Chaos has also been destroyed.”

The expressions of the clergy, including the Cardinal, hardened. Especially Gideon, who was in charge of Conrad, turned deathly pale.

It wasn’t the shock of Conrad’s death that affected him. No matter how talented, he was just a priest who hadn’t even approached the Radiance stage. Replacements were abundant. If he had fallen before rising, it was merely regrettable, not even worthy of sympathy.

But the destruction of a sacred artifact was different. Even if the Seed of Chaos had more restrictions than other sacred artifacts, that didn’t mean it could be carelessly lost.

‘I even sent a believer with him to prevent the worst-case scenario. Was he discovered by knights? I warned him repeatedly to be patient and wait for the right opportunity!’

If the sacred artifact was truly destroyed, the responsibility would naturally fall on him. Gideon looked at the Saint with an anxious face. The Saint, still wearing a benevolent smile, clasped her hands together and murmured.

“Do not be anxious. While the destruction of the sacred artifact is indeed unfortunate, thankfully, Pandemius did not mind at all. In fact, he was pleased.”

A crystal orb floated up, suffused with a faint light. The interior of the orb flickered momentarily, then projected a dark scene. It was the interior of a dungeon, and the view focused intensely on a boy who appeared to have just left childhood.

“This is the one who destroyed the sacred artifact. Conrad and the believers assisting him must have died by this boy’s hand. A tragic affair.”

“He looks quite young… Are you saying this kid is really the culprit?”

“Are you doubting Pandemius now?”

“…I apologize for my indiscretion.”

The one who had inadvertently asked the question hurriedly bowed as the Saint’s expression turned stern. After piercing him with a sharp gaze, the Saint raised the corners of her mouth again and said:

“Considering the exceptional circumstances, I’ll let it pass this time.”

“Ahem. Anyway, how should we deal with this boy? It seems we could quickly avenge this by dispatching a few holy knights.”

When the Cardinal asked with a cough, the Saint answered decisively:

“He must not be killed.”

“What do you—”

“I repeat, he absolutely must not be killed. Pandemius has taken an extremely strong interest in this boy.”

“…Then what exactly are we supposed to do?”

“Shaharon.”

At those words, someone who had been observing the meeting with an indifferent attitude from the corner of the cavern slowly raised their head. It was a figure whose gender and age were difficult to discern, as dark shadows clung to their entire body. The only indication that they were human was the vague outline of limbs and body.

“I need your help.”

The Saint said with a transparent smile.

“Pandemius has commanded. Bring that boy to the order as soon as possible. He instructed to halt all current tasks and make this the highest priority.”

As the Saint closed her mouth and stared intently, the man muttered in an indifferent tone:

“…Lindvale.”

“Yes, Lindvale.”

“Far.”

“Yes, it is far. Lornarck is at the extreme north, and Lindvale is at the extreme south. It would take at least half a year round trip, wouldn’t it? But you must go. I will pray for you every day until your return.”

“Not necessary.”

The man muttered in a cold tone as he rose from his seat.

“I will requisition one holy knight.”

“Is one enough? Lindvale is a major city. If a disturbance occurs, it could be quite troublesome.”

“……”

The man left the temple without any response. The Saint murmured softly as she watched his retreating figure.

“Above all, do not forget that he must not be killed.”

In truth, the question about a disturbance being troublesome was a lie.

The question about one person being enough was also close to a joke.

Neither the Saint nor even the archbishops gathered here worried about that man.

That was only natural.

He was the pinnacle of the current holy warriors. A demigod who was said to have completely transcended human limitations.

An Apostle.