Mirexia should also be among the senior students.
Vinny thought this way.
But it’s not certain. As the student council president, and with her own ‘activity’ to coordinate tonight, it’s reasonable for her to make some preparations in advance.
Tonight, she also has to host the prayer work for the Holy Healing Festival.
After that, she needs to bathe and change into a nun’s attire to pray alone in front of the holy statue.
This is also part of the Holy Healing Festival, where the most favored and blessed by the goddess among the vibrant contemporary youth are chosen to pray alone in front of the Radiance’s resting place.
This is a long-standing tradition. In theory, it’s an honor that only the most favored by the goddess can receive.
But with the fall of the ancient empire and changes in inheritance, this selection has gradually shifted to the ‘President of the Carillian Academy’.
Because the student council president represents the most promising and outstanding student of this generation, it also means she is the most favored by the goddess among this year’s students.
Therefore, there is no dispute that this honor is awarded to the student council president.
Vinny now understands. What the [Bronze Blood] meant by knowing Mirexia’s movements on the day of the Holy Healing Festival refers to this.
It can only be said that these bastards have the guts to act in the Saintness Selina Cathedral, and even in front of the saintness’ resting place, Radiance’s resting place.
But this is normal. After all, they are followers of the Demon God Pillar.
They don’t recruit people with normal brains. What can you expect from a group of lunatics who worship the Demon God Pillar? It’s not surprising for them to do anything.
Vinny’s gaze wandered through the crowd, catching sight of Aesphyra, who had been walking at the front of the line, standing out like a crane among chickens.
After entering the cathedral, unlike others who were shocked and curious, she appeared very calm, paying little attention to the interior decorations and furnishings, just glancing a few times, yet not lacking basic respect.
She’s been here before, hasn’t she?
Led by their mentors, the students entered the Saintness Selina Cathedral for a visit.
The senior students, having spent the Holy Healing Festival in the cathedral before, were not as excited.
Others were like they were visiting an art exhibition, only Vinny looked around, trying to find the combat mentors hidden in the cathedral.
Of course, he found nothing. If even someone of his level could find the combat mentors, how could the [Bronze Blood] be unaware?
“What a beautiful palace, and the exhibits inside are truly amazing.” Shikondell, who had been following him like a little tail, clasped her hands together, her eyes filled with little stars.
This cathedral is probably almost as big as her home.
But now, she has no home.
“By the way, Vinny, this cathedral enshrines one of your ancestors, right?” Shikondell asked.
“Yeah, seems like it.” Vinny said casually.
Whether it’s his ancestor or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that if he calls her, she won’t respond.
“Wow, that’s amazing. So, Vinny, have you felt any resonance, sensed your ancestor’s call since coming here?” Shikondell asked curiously.
“Tch, what resonance could he have? His identity is fake. If Saintness Selina were watching from above, she’d probably wonder why someone with no blood relation to the saint’s family bears the name Varelis.” A delicate voice filled with mockery came through.
Vinny looked over and, unsurprisingly, saw a certain golden-haired elf brat making faces at him, her expression full of displeasure.
“Milian, please watch your words. Such slanderous rumors are very hurtful!” Shikondell pouted, glaring at Milian.
“How is this a rumor? Everyone is saying it! Dell, you must have been deceived by this guy! He’s been living with you every day, subtly instilling these subjective ideas in you, making you think he’s wronged.
But in reality? It’s not strange to be disliked by one person or a group, but if everyone excludes and dislikes you, there must be something wrong with you!” Seeing Shikondell immediately defend Vinny and attack her, Milian’s jealousy flared up.
“Miss Milian!” If it weren’t for the fact that this was a holy cathedral, Shikondell would have almost shouted these words. She gritted her teeth, speaking in a low tone. “Aren’t your ideas «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» subjective too?”
“Not just me but everyone is saying it, there must be some truth to it. Otherwise, why does everyone think he’s a fake? Dell, believe me, this human monkey is definitely no good! Listen to me, my sister said...”
“Please stop saying such things! I don’t want to hear what the Golden Elf Queen says. I only know that this makes you, Milian, very rude and annoying.” Shikondell snorted, grabbing Vinny’s arm and pulling him away, giving Milian a fierce glare before leaving.
“Dell, Dell! I...” Hearing Shikondell even say such words as ‘annoying’, the golden-haired brat was once again defeated, her hair drooping listlessly.
‘Virtue + 100.’
‘Current Virtue: 154.’
Both she and Vinny, who knew a bit about Shikondell’s personality, knew that this gentle and soft moon elf would never normally say such harsh words. If she did, it must be because she was extremely angry.
Tsk, this foolish golden elf brat, truly blinded by jealousy.
Vinny pouted, amusedly looking at Milian, who stood there dazed and lost.
After visiting the front hall, the students arrived at the open square of the cathedral.
In the center stood a holy silver jade statue of a six-winged goddess, taller than the bell tower, her crown made of luxurious rose gold. In front of this massive statue was another small praying statue, life-sized, of a Saintness with six wings.
She wore a saint’s robe, holding a holy staff, her appearance strikingly similar to the Goddess of Radiance behind her.
“That is the statue of the Goddess of Radiance in the Saintness Selina Cathedral, the largest Goddess of Radiance statue besides the one in the Radiance Church headquarters. From anywhere in the Saintness Selina Cathedral, you can see the full view of this statue.” The guide assigned to the first-year students explained proudly.
“Normally, no other statues are allowed in front of the goddess’s statue, but the Saintness Selina Cathedral is an exception. Because Saintness Elusa Varelis made remarkable achievements, saving countless lives like her ancestor Radiance, her statue is placed in front of the goddess, signifying her role as the goddess’s spokesperson, the saint leading the believers.” The guide explained.
At the sight of the goddess and saint’s statues, almost all the students sincerely clasped their hands and prayed devoutly.
After all, in any human country, the Goddess of Radiance is worshipped.
Even many non-humans would follow local customs and pray with their classmates.
Among them, those with church backgrounds even knelt down, greeting the goddess with the highest etiquette.
Why say almost? Because there were also those who neither knelt nor prayed.
Vinny had his hands in his pockets, watching as everyone paid the highest respect to the saint and goddess, showing no reaction.
What’s the point of praying? Praying for two hours only gives so much virtue? He doesn’t care for it now.
But fortunately, everyone’s attention was on the goddess statue, few noticed him, otherwise, he would definitely be severely criticized.
After the prayer ended, the crowd began to move again.
“Vinny is quite unique~”
Just as Vinny was drifting with the crowd, a voice he hadn’t heard in days made his hair stand on end.
“...It’s you? Damn, can you teleport? Weren’t you just at the front of the line??” Seeing Aesphyra suddenly appear behind him, Vinny deliberately looked towards the front of the line, as if she could clone herself.
“Your behavior is truly unique.”
“What? What’s wrong with that? Whether to pray or not in the cathedral is a personal choice. You can’t force people to pray, right?” Vinny said indifferently, subconsciously moving a few steps towards Shikondell, away from Aesphyra.
Tsk, a pleasant day ends the moment you start talking to Aesphyra.
“I’m not blaming you, Vinny. I’m just curious.” Aesphyra tilted her head. Even though she was much shorter than Vinny, she gave him the feeling that he had to look up at her.
“Curious? Then keep it to yourself. Don’t ask, it’s pointless. I won’t tell you, so stay curious.” Vinny said rudely.
“Vinny, do you have any special feelings coming here?” Aesphyra completely ignored Vinny’s sharp words, speaking on her own, a mysterious smile on her lips.
“Special feelings? No, not at all.” Vinny raised an eyebrow.
“But this place enshrines your two ancestors, doesn’t it?”
“So what? If I call them, they won’t answer. Forget that, if I’m in danger here someday and call for them to help me, save me, will they come?” Vinny glanced at Aesphyra.
“I’m a very practical person, Aesphyra.”
“Practical things.” Aesphyra murmured softly. “So, for these practical things, how much would you give?”
“? Huh?” Vinny was confused by Aesphyra’s question. “That depends on the specifics, doesn’t it?”
“Vinny, perhaps it’s not that the Saintness and goddess don’t want to save you, but that they can’t save you.” Aesphyra said meaningfully.
“Ah, I know, I know. After all, in your eyes, I’m not a member of the Varelis family, so it’s even more reasonable for them not to save me.” Vinny raised an eyebrow.
“Always twisting my words, Vinny. This is both your strength and your weakness.”
“...Huh?” Vinny was confused again.
Damn, he’s about to be pissed off by this riddle-loving Aesphyra.
“Hey, small bun, stop with the riddles, okay? If you have something to say, just say it.” Vinny frowned.
But Aesphyra shook her head, giving him her usual enigmatic smile before leaving.
“......”
“Vinny, what did Aesphyra mean by all that?” Shikondell thought they were having a private conversation, so she had been secretly eavesdropping while pretending to admire the goddess statue.
But listening to them, it felt like they were speaking in code, and she couldn’t understand a word.
“You don’t understand?” Vinny glanced at her, asking. “That’s good, because I don’t understand either.”
Damn this small bun, always teasing him is one thing, but at crucial moments, she also speaks in riddles, as if speaking clearly would kill her.
If forced to explain, Vinny could only understand it as Aesphyra warning him again.
Including the dinner a few days ago, Aesphyra has been warning him a lot recently.
Vinny suddenly thought of a possibility. Could it be that in the original plot, Vinny was involved in the chaos caused by the [Bronze Blood]?
Otherwise, there’s no explanation for why Aesphyra keeps warning him.
But...
Why is Aesphyra warning him??
Vinny doesn’t understand.
If he were Aesphyra, he wouldn’t need to warn Vinny.
To deal with this destined-to-go-evil shrimp who once had a life-and-death friendship with her, just wait for him to go evil, then show up and finish him off.
Why keep warning him? Is she trying to stop him??
That shouldn’t be the case. In the previous life, Vinny killed Aesphyra. In this life, Aesphyra should be eager for him to die.
Moreover, no matter how much Aesphyra warns him, it’s useless.
In this life, he’s a model citizen, staying far away from anything shady.
He has no connection with the Demon God Pillar disciples, no evil spirit techniques, and has even repaired his relationship with Mirexia, becoming good friends.
It can be said that he’s galloping down the path of redemption, unstoppable.
He’s being honest now. Tonight’s events have nothing to do with him. It’s Mirexia and the academy’s business. He only handled some peripheral tasks.
Tonight, he just needs to follow the main group in praying in the Saintness Selina Cathedral, stay where the main group is, and not worry about anything else.
He just needs to pretend he knows nothing and get through tonight with the main group.
Vinny guessed that Aesphyra would take some action tonight, after all, she knows the plot.
But she probably also realized that the plot had long since gone off the rails due to her rebirth and is no longer under control.
Does she still have the advantage of knowing the future?
Hard to say.
Ah, forget it, why think so much? None of this concerns him. Whatever Aesphyra does tonight, whatever actions she takes, it’s none of his business.
He just needs to know that he’s an honest person, knows nothing about the plot, knows nothing about the [Bronze Blood]’s actions, and will stay in the cathedral with the majority of the students tonight, doing nothing.
If the sky falls, the destined female protagonists will handle it. Most of the all-star lineup that beat him up is still in Carillian Academy. What could possibly happen?
He, a character striving to transition from a former villain cannon fodder to a background NPC, shouldn’t get involved in such matters. If he gets caught in some random AOE, it would be troublesome.
By the way, it seems several card buddies, including Fred, haven’t shown up for days?