Chapter 70: Fleeting Shadow

Volume: Volume 3

Chapter 70: Fleeting Shadow

“Ariel, are you alright?”

Ewan gazed at Ariel, whose expression was vacant and eyes devoid of light. He felt utterly bewildered. Just as he was about to cautiously ask a few questions…

Suddenly.

With a thud.

Ariel collapsed to her knees, first casting a bewildered glance at the sky. Then, she hunched over, pounding the ground in anguish, and let out a roar that seemed to emanate from the depths of her soul.

“No—my money—”

“The north wind whistles—snowflakes flutter—”

“What are you singing?!”

Ariel looked up, glaring fiercely at Ewan.

“Ah, no, it just felt too much like déjà vu. I sang it subconsciously.”

Ewan rubbed his nose, offering an awkward smile. He then deftly maneuvered around Ariel—who, despite the unknown circumstances, seemed best left undisturbed—and approached Professor Planck.

“My apologies, the preparations took a little longer than expected, and I’ve kept you waiting. I’m Ewan Campbell, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Ewan first offered an apologetic smile to the group. There was no need for pleasantries with Liya and Senior Fanny, of course. He then walked over to the three less familiar individuals, greeting them politely.

“Vicky Morse, just call me Vicky.”

“Aaron Mack. I saw your previous battle; we definitely have to spar sometime.”

“Marshall.”

After exchanging a few casual words with them, Ewan turned to Professor Planck. “Professor Planck, where is the accompanying teacher for this trip? Have they not arrived yet?”

It had been said that the accompanying teacher was a mysterious top-tier powerhouse, no weaker than a Crowned One. Ewan had been quite looking forward to their arrival.

“There, they’ve arrived.”

Professor Planck pointed disdainfully behind Ewan.

“Oh?”

‘They’ve arrived already? I didn’t even notice.’

‘As expected of the top-tier strongman Professor Planck described, who is as formidable as a Crowned One, if not more so.’

Ewan turned in the direction Professor Planck indicated and saw…

A comical pink teddy bear, which had somehow clambered onto the first carriage of the convoy. It was now pawing at the two terrified, trembling Dragonblood Horses.

As it stroked them, it chuckled lewdly. “Good horses, truly good horses. Look at those rumps, those thighs, and those exquisite curves. One of them must be worth millions of Emils. Heh heh, if I could sell them, I wonder how many boxes of top-tier cigars and saintess photos I could buy…”

‘…’ Ewan stared blankly for a long moment, watching the pink bear’s swaying posterior, before finally snapping back to reality and cursing. “What the hell, why is it him?”

‘The Pink Bear Dean? That utterly unreliable-looking teddy bear?’

‘He’s the strongman Professor Planck was talking about? Can he even handle this?’

“Hm?”

As if sensing Ewan’s thoughts, the Pink Bear sharply turned its head. Its beady black eyes fixed on Ewan, and suddenly, a furry hand emerged from its bear mouth, gesticulating. “Brat, looking down on me?”

“No, how could I!”

Ewan’s eyes widened, and he immediately adopted a righteous expression. “Dean, you are wise and mighty, exceptionally handsome! I couldn’t be more thrilled that you’ll be protecting us to the Holy City. How could I possibly look down on you?”

“Hmph, smooth talker, aren’t you?”

The Pink Bear twirled its furry hand, scratched its rear, and sighed. “But I’m not a dean anymore. Just call me Pink Bear, alright? Sigh… To think I, the handsome and extraordinary Pink Bear, would be reduced to babysitting little brats. The world is truly in decline, and hearts have grown cold!”

‘…’ Ewan’s mouth twitched. He leaned closer to Professor Planck and whispered, “Is this really going to be okay?”

“Don’t worry, his strength…”

“I wasn’t talking about his strength.”

Anyone who could act as interim dean during Hathaway’s absence must be extraordinary in both strength and status, despite appearing to be a comedic character. Ewan knew this much.

“I mean… he seems incredibly unreliable.”

“He isn’t just ‘seemingly’ unreliable; he *is* unreliable,” Professor Planck stated expressionlessly.

‘…’

“However, rest assured, I have a way to handle him. At least during this journey, he will serve to protect you all. With his strength, coupled with yours…” Professor Planck glanced at the last carriage. “Under normal circumstances, there shouldn’t be any issues. Teachers from the academy have already gone ahead to the Holy City and will meet you there.”

“Furthermore, given that fellow’s identity, you might try to build a good relationship with him. It won’t do you any harm.”

“Identity?”

‘…’ Professor Planck shook his head, offering no answer. He turned his gaze to the Pink Bear, his eyes narrowing as he spoke sternly. “Former acting dean, just as I told you before, your beloved collection of cigars and your treasured photos have already been sent to the Holy City ahead of time.

If you don’t want to see them get ‘torn up,’ then you’d better deliver these children to the Holy City without a single hair harmed!”

Ewan: ‘…’

The others: ‘…’

“Tsk, you despicable old geezer.”

The Pink Bear clicked its tongue in annoyance, then twisted its body, lying on its side on the front compartment of the carriage. It waved a paw at the group. “Alright, enough talk. Let’s get going! What if my treasures in the Holy City suffer some grievance because of a delay? They can’t be exposed to the light there!”

Ewan turned to Professor Planck. “Then we shall depart, Professor.”

“Go on.”

Professor Planck patted each person’s shoulder in turn. A rare hint of tenderness softened his stern face. “This trip to the Holy City may be somewhat unique. You’ll understand the specifics once you arrive. Until then, simply treat it as a journey.”

“Yes!”

The group responded in unison, their gazes unconsciously falling upon Ewan, as if awaiting something.

Ewan paused, then smiled faintly.

“Six carriages in total. The last one is a bit special and cannot be moved. Therefore, aside from Pink Bear and myself, who each get a carriage, the rest of you seniors and juniors will be paired up, two per carriage. Any objections?”

“None!”

‘What objections could there be to riding such magnificent carriages for free?’

“Very well.”

Ewan extended his hand and waved it decisively. “Then, let our St. Mary’s Academy representative team depart! Our destination: the Holy City!”

“Yes!”

The echoes were loud and vibrant, full of youthful vigor.

Yet, for some unknown reason, they were also tinged with a certain individual’s utterly unwilling, yet helpless, and despairing wail—a cry so profound one might imagine them howling from a rooftop.

****

The convoy journeyed far, and the students gradually dispersed. The once bustling academy slowly sank into a profound silence.

Professor Planck stood at the academy gate, leaning on his silver staff, watching everyone disappear into the distance.

Suddenly, the space beside him warped, and Mera, clad in a pink nightgown, stepped out.

“Mentor Meradomir.”

Professor Planck bowed in greeting.

Mera nodded lightly, looking into the distance, though not in the direction Ewan had departed. Her gaze was fixed on the center of Belrand.

“Quite lively, isn’t it?”

“Indeed, quite lively.”

Professor Planck followed her gaze. With his exceptional eyesight, he could easily discern the massive procession winding its way through Belrand’s urban area.

That was also a convoy heading to the Holy City, representing the Leopold Empire’s official delegation. Besides the accompanying retinue of etiquette officers, knights, officials, and various other personnel, there were also several carriages laden with gifts from the Empire to the Church.

After all, the Church of Life’s Sacred Ablution Ritual happened only once every few decades, so all parties would naturally make some gesture of respect.

However, for most, the true significance of this occasion wasn’t the ritual itself. Who became the Saintess held little impact for the majority.

What truly mattered was…

“The Lost Land of Cantwell…”

Professor Planck sighed. “Everyone estimated that the Church of Life would need at least another twenty years to decipher the entrance to that ancient kingdom. To think they unearthed it so much earlier was truly sudden.”

“The Moon’s death, in some ways, brought quite a few benefits, didn’t it?”

Mera shrugged casually, her gaze quickly shifting from the winding procession. It then pierced through countless obstacles, landing on her own disciple.

‘Now, all the various factions, using the pretext of attending the ceremony and offering congratulations, are stirring like ants drawn to honey.’

‘Boy, I wasn’t just humoring you this time. Many benefits and surprises truly await you on this trip to the Holy City.’

‘However…’ Mera’s words trailed off as she seemed to perceive something, her tone becoming inexplicably strange. ‘For you, it seems even this path won’t be an easy one.’

****

Above Belrand, a biting cold wind swept through the air.

Yet, amidst the deep winter chill, an extremely faint shadow, like faded ink, rapidly streaked across the sky.

The shadow circled above the city, finally catching sight of the swiftly departing convoy.

Soon, the shadow dove into a tall chimney, solidifying continuously as it descended.

Ultimately, it transformed into… a robin.

The robin landed, scanning the silent, breathless animals around it, before its gaze settled on the majestic tiger in the center. It nodded slightly.

“Everyone.”

The tiger abruptly stood on its hind legs, declaring in a deep voice, “Prepare yourselves. Our time has come.”

****

“Hm?”

Ewan suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

He averted his gaze from the rapidly retreating scenery, swiftly searching for the source of his unease. Yet, he only caught a fleeting glimpse of a bird’s shadow out of the corner of his eye.

‘This isn’t the academy. Spring hasn’t arrived, so where would a bird come from?’

The sensation of being watched pricked at his skin like needles. Ewan frowned slightly, then suddenly leaned out of the window, craning his neck forward as he called out, “Uncle Pink Bear, can you go any faster?”

“Damn it, don’t call me uncle! I’m still in my prime, determined to flirt with a hundred beautiful women with big chests and long legs!”

The Pink Bear cursed, then kicked the Dragonblood Horse’s rump, laughing heartily. “But if you’re looking for excitement, I can certainly deliver! Hold tight, little ones!”

The Dragonblood Horse neighed, pulling the carriage forward like a gale, soaring onward.