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Chapter 42: The "Devout" Believer
"It’s about time."
Byron glanced at his watch. Typically, a saint would complete their baptism in around twenty minutes—it had already been half an hour.
Using the time wisely, as was his habit, Byron had finished handling his duties at the art gallery while conducting preliminary investigations on this new saint.
The individual’s information security measures were impeccable—Byron was certain of it. No matter how deeply he probed, all he found was fabricated data. In the reports, Viya Fanyar’s tracks never once overlapped with those of the Aria faction.
Her unfamiliarity with the baptism process earlier hinted strongly that she wasn’t a high-tier Ascender. Coupled with other subtle details, Byron easily drew one conclusion:
Someone powerful—and likely a senior member of the Esoteric Sect—was backing her.
Maintaining his composure, Byron pushed open the door to the chamber.
To his surprise, he saw the new saint pacing back and forth around the statue. Clearing his throat, he said, "Lady Saint, congratulations on basking in the glory of our Lord for the first time."
He could sense the distinct aura emanating from the young woman before him; there was no doubt she’d completed the baptism ritual and understood her mission.
"What?" Byron blinked in confusion.
"Grayson Noenta. Does that name ring any bells?" Viya asked.
"...Yes." Byron hesitated before replying, "He was a follower of the Envious faction, a second-ring Ascender. However, he betrayed us some time ago."
He realized that this name must have been revealed to Viya during her baptism as part of her divine mandate.
"And you’re not pursuing him?"
Lin Qi glanced at the level-four indicator hovering above Byron’s head—the highest-level NPC he’d encountered so far.
"He’s concealed himself well, and given the current sensitive period, we simply can’t spare the resources," Byron explained.
He added, "We even suspect he may have fled the country."
Fled the country? Really?
Lin Qi opened the map, staring at the purple quest marker clearly indicating Grayson’s rough location. It was still moving—right within Rothesia’s capital, practically under their noses.
But instead of questioning further, Viya turned toward the staircase, ready to leave via the same route she came.
"..."
Byron watched her retreating figure, momentarily stunned. Initially, he’d assumed this new saint had come to Rothesia not only to fulfill her mission but also to pursue her own ambitions. That would be normal.
To rein her in subtly, Byron had prepared countless speeches, imagined various scenarios, and even planned for potential confrontations—if necessary, using force to assert dominance.
But what he hadn’t anticipated was her leaving immediately after completing the baptism, seemingly intent on carrying out the mission bestowed upon her by the gods.
"How devout..."
Byron couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Reflecting on how cynically he’d judged such a sincere believer, he felt ashamed.
---
Viya ascended the stairs back to the ground floor of the art gallery. Perhaps because they’d seen her arrive with Byron earlier, none of the cultists hiding in plain sight reacted to her unfamiliar face. One even kindly opened the locked door for her.
"The hour is growing late."
Lin Qi’s comment referred not just to the in-game clock but also to real-world time—it was indeed getting late.
"That’s enough for today. I’ve pushed through a major plotline. Tomorrow, I’ll grind through the rogue-like levels for some experience, then dive deeper into the cult storyline."
Rubbing his eyes, strained from hours of screen time, Lin Qi saved the game and logged off without ceremony.
---
Even though it was seven or eight o’clock, the streets remained bustling with activity. People flowed like rivers, chatting, laughing, and enjoying the night. Compared to the outer rings, nighttime in the inner circle marked the beginning of another lively chapter.
"Has Mr. Yog left?"
A cool evening breeze swept past, and Viya suddenly realized control of her body had returned unnoticed.
What should I do next? She thought, shivering slightly. The street feels so cold tonight… Why is the temperature so erratic lately? After pondering for a moment, she decided to head back to her dormitory and collapse onto her soft bed.
Passing through Central Plaza, she noticed it was packed with people. Children played and laughed, while parents sat on nearby stone benches under warm yellow lights. The scene radiated coziness and tranquility.
Many students without classes also gathered here—to chat, stroll, relax, sip drinks, complain about their challenging coursework, or gossip about seniors they admired or disliked.
This sudden burst of “everyday life” struck Viya with a strange sensation. Just moments ago, she’d delved into the shadowy underbelly of the city alongside Mr. Yog, witnessing how a group of fanatical cultists operated beneath the veneer of prosperity.
It was like a fantastical drama painted in shades of gray!
And now, the play had ended. As an “actor,” she needed to step away from the thrilling narrative and return to normalcy—buying a bubble tea, strolling leisurely back to her dorm, and drifting off to sleep.
With these thoughts, Viya let her mind wander aimlessly as she walked toward the academy. When she snapped out of her daze, she realized she’d somehow bought herself a cup of bubble tea.
"This habit really needs fixing."
Viya sighed, sipping the tea with a wry smile. It was a childhood quirk—whenever she saw something she wanted, financial hesitation would paralyze her decision-making. By the time she came to, she’d already purchased it unknowingly, often greeted by the shopkeeper’s cheerful grin.
This habit made saving pocket money nearly impossible when she was younger.
Things quieted down significantly after entering Rothesia Academy.
"I don’t have class tomorrow!"
"Lucky you, picking the right professors... Wait, isn’t she that person—"
Some students recognized Viya—or rather, since the training field incident, almost every returning student knew the fierce individual who could train for six straight hours.
Though they whispered, their words reached Viya’s sharp ears loud and clear.
"Whoa, it really is that person! Quick, let me take a picture!" One student fidgeted, reaching for her shadow screen.
"Taking photos without permission is rude," another chided gently. "If you want to approach that person, why not just say hello?"
That person? Seriously? Have I already lost my name after just one day at school? Viya thought wryly.
Feeling their intense stares, she quickened her pace, hoping to escape the awkward situation as quickly as possible.
Viya abandoned her earlier notion—a normal campus life was utterly nonexistent for her!
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