The High Priest’s Revelations and Rayne’s True Motive

The High Priest’s words were clearly intended to awe his two listeners, compelling them to revere the Sacred Temple’s grandeur and might.

However, both had grown accustomed to his endless praise of the Divine Dragon Continent. Furthermore, his claims of controlling the world’s magical energies sounded utterly fantastical.

Consequently, their reactions remained entirely unenthusiastic.

The High Priest immediately grew displeased.

Yet, he hadn’t forgotten that his extensive speech primarily aimed to reassure Mizuki Aoi, ensuring she had no worries and felt hopeful about her future.

As for Rayne, the High Priest had just conceived an excellent method to punish him.

“There’s no point in speaking further when we don’t see eye to eye. Since you’re content to remain a frog in a well, I won’t stand in your way.”

With that, the High Priest cast a soundproof barrier, excluding Rayne from their conversation.

Glancing at Rayne, who first gaped in astonishment before his expression soured with vexation outside the barrier, the High Priest smugly settled beside Mizuki Aoi.

“Princess Mizuki, let us continue. Earlier, we discussed how the Sacred Temple caused an uneven distribution of magical energy across the continent. Can you guess why?”

Mizuki Aoi wasn’t sure of her true worth in the High Priest’s eyes, but she knew that appearing either too dull or too clever would undoubtedly lead to trouble. After a moment of deep thought, she spoke hesitantly, her expression uncertain.

“Is it related to the exile of criminals?”

“Precisely.” The High Priest nodded with great satisfaction. He had indeed intended to test Mizuki Aoi, for upon returning to the Divine Dragon Continent, she wouldn’t merely be a pretty face. “Before we delve deeper, we must understand this: where there are criminals, there are naturally wardens. After all, we designated an entire continent to house these transgressors.”

“Why not execute or imprison these criminals?” Mizuki Aoi asked, a sudden realization dawning on her face.

“Not executing those wretches is due to that accursed abolition of the death penalty.” The High Priest grew visibly agitated at the mention of it, even though he himself benefited from the rule.

“But let’s return to the wardens. While they are law-abiding citizens, the mountains are high and the emperor far away. They’ve spent extended periods mingling with these criminals. Thus, the Sacred Temple devised a solution: to weaken the magical energy in the regions where the wardens resided and restrict them from leaving those areas for long periods. This, in fact, is the true reason the Vermillion Bird Kingdom halted its expansion.”

Although the High Priest had deliberately or inadvertently omitted any mention of imprisonment, the information he revealed astonished Mizuki Aoi so much that she forgot to conceal her intelligence. She instinctively blurted out, “The wardens you speak of… are they the former Four Quadrants Nations?”

“Precisely. More accurately, they were the Four Sacred Families. After the Sacred Temple sealed off access to the Divine Dragon Continent, they established the Four Quadrants Nations and became the rulers of this Europa Continent.”

The High Priest initially showed a flicker of jealousy, but it swiftly morphed into scorn.

“Alas, they were merely a group of collateral descendants, lacking foresight and vision. Before long, they fractured due to unequal distribution of benefits. After several centuries, they even forgot their ancestors’ origins…”

Mizuki Aoi suddenly understood.

Five years prior, the Vermillion Bird Kingdom had ceased its expansion after reclaiming the former territories of the Four Quadrants Nations.

The world had offered numerous theories for this halt: some speculated the Saintess was willing but powerless, others believed the kingdom needed time to consolidate its internal annexations. Never had anyone imagined this to be the true reason.

“Then, the ruins excavated by various nations… could they be?” Mizuki Aoi suddenly thought of something else.

“Those are simply remnants the Sacred Temple didn’t take with them. The Four Sacred Families, for a time, couldn’t fully decipher or activate the true defense systems, which is why they remained. After a decade, these defense systems began to age and decay. It’s hardly surprising that no one would value such obsolete goods now.”

“Of course, there were some valuable items among them…” He continued, “After what I’ve just told you, I imagine you have a question. With so many restrictions on the wardens, and their magical energy inferior to the criminals, how did they manage to deter the convicts for centuries…?”

Mizuki Aoi’s heart pounded.

“Magical artifacts?”

“Precisely! And that artifact is now in my possession! Therefore, you needn’t fear any pursuers; no one on this continent is my match. Even if that ‘false Saintess’ were to arrive… it would be no different!”

****

Not long after, their conversation concluded. The High Priest set up a formation to conceal their tracks and prevent Mizuki Aoi from wandering off, arranged for night guards, and then retired to his luxurious tent to sleep.

“He’s truly audacious, camping here instead of traveling through the night.”

Rayne shook his head repeatedly as he walked over to Mizuki Aoi.

“I apologize, Mr. Rayne. I seem unable to tell you the rest of the conversation.”

Mizuki Aoi’s mouth opened slightly, but when no sound emerged, she could only offer an apologetic look.

“It’s fine. Just understand the situation. Although that fellow is arrogant and conceited, he’s not foolish enough to be careless about the most crucial matters.” Rayne waved a dismissive hand, speaking nonchalantly.

“Thank you, Mr. Rayne.” By now, Mizuki Aoi fully understood that Rayne had done all this for her sake. She quickly curtsied in gratitude.

“No need for thanks. I merely feared you might entertain thoughts of escaping. Don’t be fooled by his seemingly foolish demeanor; the blood on his hands likely outweighs that of everyone in this camp combined. Don’t do anything reckless.”

“I won’t run.” Mizuki Aoi offered a wistful smile. “I have nowhere to go.”

Seeing this, Rayne scratched his head in annoyance. “Look on the bright side,” he said. “That Divine Dragon Continent truly seems to be as good as that fellow claims. You know, our empire abandoned its long-standing strategy of propping up the Western Faction, suddenly switching to support this guy, and even cooperating on equal terms. I don’t know how many benefits he offered the higher-ups, but it’s certainly more than an ordinary exiled force could produce.”

“Yes, I know… I’m alright, Mr. Rayne. You don’t need to trouble yourself with comforting me.”

“I’m sorry, but all I can do is protect you until you safely leave the Europa Continent.” Rayne sighed.

“It’s fine, Mr. Rayne, that’s your duty.” Mizuki Aoi decided to lift her spirits slightly. “Speaking of which, Mr. Rayne, you give me a completely different impression than everyone else. Why did you get involved in this matter?”

Although their acquaintance was brief, even Mizuki Aoi could discern that Rayne was a relatively upright person. The other Sakura Nation individuals in the camp, however, were either fanatical devotees of the High Priest or shameless opportunists driven by self-interest. At the very least, she could tell they didn’t regard her as a human being.

“I’m not as good as you think. I actively requested to participate in this operation.” Rayne shook his head with a guilty expression. “It was to lure someone here.”

“Someone?”

“My master is Thunder Battle Lord.”

Mizuki Aoi had heard that name before and instantly understood.

“You’re here to seek revenge on my sis… the Saintess?”