Chapter 183: Theological Hall, Council Chamber

After one of the main objectives of this trip was accomplished—honestly dealing with the situation and obtaining the support of the Cecelia Family, led by Edwina, regarding matters related to Eudora—the Priestess felt considerably relieved.

Eudora is already 12 years old this year. To deeply investigate certain events that occurred in the Holy Kingdom over a decade ago, it would be very difficult to do so relying solely on Miss Vilyric, an outsider, and pure brute force. Thus, assistance from seasoned local forces in the Holy Kingdom is needed.

However, Eudora’s identity as a Succubus undoubtedly limited the Priestess’s options regarding related matters.

After thinking it through, the only possible help left was Edwina.

To be honest, the Priestess was rather worried that this somewhat straightforward Holy Knight might show aversion or even hostility due to the doctrine’s absolute stance against demons. That would have made things quite troublesome.

Though Edwina probably wouldn’t be openly hostile, in the worst-case scenario, Miss Vilyric might have to temporarily take Eudora and leave the Holy City, affecting a whole series of subsequent plans.

Luckily, this little stickler wasn’t as rigid as she seemed.

After the negotiations, the three prepared to continue their original goal and venture into the Theological Hall to explore.

Of course, considering Eudora’s earlier discomfort, Miss Vilyric also cast defensive and disguise magic on her in advance, further hiding the little one’s presence as a Succubus.

This should ensure everything went smoothly.

The main entrance of the Theological Hall had no guards, or rather, there was no structure like a “door.” Dozens of thick stone pillars formed a passage that led directly to the inner hall and extended in all directions, making it look like anyone could wander around freely inside.

Not a chance.

“Indeed, it’s a barrier.”

Miss White Fox placed her hand on the faint white membrane of light in front of her and made that judgment.

Otherwise, would the Theological Hall be open 24/7, never closing?

Beside Miss Vilyric, a certain Holy Knight also attempted to stir the membrane with her hand, causing rippling patterns like water waves, yet she didn’t suffer any harm or encounter any abnormalities.

“It looks like a variant of the Divine Favor magic from the four gates of the Holy City. At the cost of weakening the power, it has enhanced sensitivity and monitoring effects… Seriously, why are these guys altering the faith magic bestowed by the Goddess again?”

The Holy Knight, also doing similar things, unwittingly voiced her complaints.

Immediately, she looked down worriedly at the pink-haired loli beside her, who was curiously inspecting the barrier but hadn’t dared to touch it physically, whispering:

“It seems this is the reason, Miss Xī. The Divine Favor, as a high-level faith magic that usually requires a formation, has extremely powerful detection effects. And since this is a modified version by the Theological Hall, even a Succubus, the race best at disguise among high demons, might… need another way?”

“It’s fine.”

Miss White Fox shook her head, gently took Eudora’s little hand, and actively reached toward the detection barrier radiating a holy aura.

“Uh… Little Fox Sister…?”

Although her eyes displayed hesitation, the little loli ultimately didn’t resist. Under the reassuring gaze of the girl saying, “Don’t worry,” she touched the glowing membrane covering the entire Theological Hall.

“Swish.”

The big and little white hands passed through without any obstruction, bringing nothing unusual along.

“Whew…”

Hearing the sound of that certain Holy Knight exhaling as if she had held her breath for a long time and then suddenly relaxing, Miss White Fox couldn’t help but turn to look at her, her tone slightly exasperated.

“So what are you really worried about…”

After all, it’s just a sixth-level magic.

Moreover, the principle of this thing, Miss Vilyric had already figured out back when she first entered the city. For ordinary demons, it might be like a “mirrors that reveal the truth,” making them unable to hide, but for… a Priestess who also possessed similar abilities, evading it was no difficulty at all.

Although in form it was vastly different from the city gates over there, even Miss Vilyric had to secretly praise the ingenuity of this place. But regardless of how it changed, the root of the matter remained the same.

Treating the anti-demon barrier as nothing, the three proceeded directly into the main hall of the Theological Hall. Just as Edwina had said earlier, though the interior was bustling with people, none of the bizarre scholars approached the three girls who had just entered.

Either they rushed past with thick books in their arms, giving them only a casual glance like the busy scholars on the academy road, or they completely ignored them, anxiously racing towards some direction, as if every individual were managing hundreds of thousands of gold coins every second.

“Mm… Little Fox Sister, everyone seems very busy.”

“Indeed, it’s even more hectic than I imagined. Is the research environment in the Theological Hall this tight?”

Listening to Miss White Fox’s murmured complaints, Edwina looked around and seemed to notice something, expressing surprise as she glanced towards a particularly crowded area.

“No, it shouldn’t be to this extent. This atmosphere… Could it be that a Council is being held?! Miss Xī, you wouldn’t have heard the news in advance and specially chose today to visit the Holy Academy, would you…”

“How could that be… So, what is the Council?”

Casually chatting, the three naturally followed the Holy Knight towards the spot that had caught her attention earlier.

As they got closer, the bustling noise began to amplify rapidly in Miss White Fox’s keen hearing, almost drowning out the explanations and clarifications coming from the blonde girl beside her.

“How to explain the Council? It’s somewhat like a results presentation meeting. The internal personnel structure of the Theological Hall differs from that of the academy; here, small groups are formed based on their respective research topics.”

“These small groups can have dozens of people or as few as two or three, even running individually, frequently changing and editing personnel. Such a structure also ignites competition among the groups, in order to…”

The passionate narrative resonated through the hall, filled with unique echoes. Even from several dozen steps away, Miss White Fox could clearly sense the speaker’s enthusiasm and vigor, like a salesperson fervently promoting their products.

“In summary! The development and utilization of geothermic energy will undoubtedly propel our nation’s comprehensive economic strength forward at an astonishing rate, overtaking both the Northern and Southern regions within decades, becoming the true meaning of the world’s strongest!!!”

At the end of the speech, there was a noticeably lowered statement, seemingly, “This concludes my speech,” followed by scattered applause in the hall. However, it didn’t sound very dense, and the noise gathered seemed even more faint than the previous speaker’s voice amplified by the sound equipment.

Oh… It seems like it was a failed speech. Was it because the expectations were too high?

Thinking this, Miss Vilyric finally heard the Holy Knight’s explanation that rose above the noise as the speech paused.

“Most importantly, the funds required for these small teams—the research society’s operation funds—are allocated based on the annual Council report and the reactions and comprehensive assessments from the judging panel.”

“If they can’t gain recognition and good results here, then their affiliated research society will have a tough time in the upcoming year. In the worst-case scenario…”

Edwina glanced at a certain scholarly young man with two beast ears, who had just walked out of the side door of the Council hall with a dejected look, shaking her head somewhat helplessly.

“There’s even the possibility that they might have to halt their research due to insufficient funds or even disband the research society.”

   

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