Chapter 32: Hram Black Crown
Regardless of the reason, the fact that I knelt down upon seeing Yonglan cannot be changed.
Even now, every cell in Ate’s body, from her limbs to her very core, thrummed with a yearning, driving her to obey her instincts and prostrate herself before the man once more.
If it weren’t for the pride and restraint of Golden Blood struggling to hold her back, she probably would have already succumbed to kissing Yonglan’s toes, shamelessly fawning over him.
With such a mortifying display, how could she possibly face Yonglan to offer an evaluation? Would she dare to say Yonglan was unqualified? That would be slapping herself in the face!
Ate could only carefully choose her words and slowly began:
“Even if Mr. Yonglan is not of Golden Blood, based on my personal… personal experience, his origin is undoubtedly pure and noble. However, while the guarantor’s bloodline is one aspect, there are also strict requirements for achievements.”
The nun cautiously glanced at Yonglan and said:
“Brother Yingxing mentioned that the melody originating from Chang has something to do with you. If that’s true, it constitutes a great achievement and is more than enough to guarantee an Atoning Demon Race.”
Yonglan nodded expressionlessly, “So, what is your judgment?”
He had already deduced that Ate was the one with the authority to make the decision, so he stared directly at her.
Under his aggressive gaze, Ate felt as if she were burning and averted her eyes. She clutched her rose rosary, pressing it to her fair chin, seemingly lost in thought. After a long pause, she finally spoke:
“You undoubtedly have the qualifications…”
As the nun finished speaking, Zhenxian was overjoyed. In contrast, Scathach gritted her teeth. Just as the Inquisitor was about to say something, Ate preempted her:
“However, I must remind you that vouching for a demon to claim their crown means taking full responsibility for them from beginning to end. If the person you vouch for commits any act of betrayal or blasphemy later on, you will be implicated as well.”
Collective punishment, right? This was to be expected.
If vouching and recommending didn’t entail responsibility, it was hard to say what kind of system this would be. The people of the Pillar of the Holy would be blessed.
Based on Yonglan’s observations over the past few months, the rule of the Pillar of the Holy was quite good. Although it couldn’t be called fair and just – after all, they openly practiced a Caste System – it was still astonishing in terms of integrity and efficiency.
Ate’s gaze cautiously lingered on Yonglan’s face.
“For this reason, we have always been extremely cautious in our examination of Atoning Demonkin. Only after ensuring they pose absolutely no threat and have sincerely repented do we return their Black Crown. As for this offender… she is truly too young. You have had so little interaction with her, perhaps you don’t understand her well at all. Can you bear this responsibility?”
“Yes.”
Yonglan answered without hesitation, “I am prepared to vouch for Zhenxian.”
Seeing Yonglan’s resolute attitude, the nun had little else to say. The embarrassment from their first meeting had completely depleted her courage. Every second she stood before Yonglan was an erosion of her willpower.
Ate made the sign of the cross over her chest and said,
“In that case, Sister Scathach, please escort them to claim their crown.”
“…Yes.”
The Inquisitor’s expression was grim as she reluctantly bowed.
The Holy Descendant races addressed each other as brothers and sisters, but this did not mean there was no hierarchy. When a Chanter spoke, resistance was futile.
Before Yonglan and the others departed, Ate suddenly said:
“Mr. Yonglan, you may have the potential to become a Priest. Would you be interested in pursuing this path?”
Although Yonglan was not a Saintly of Golden Blood, it didn’t matter. As long as their bloodline was sufficiently pure and noble, it could be of use to the Pillar of the Holy.
After her tumultuous thoughts settled, the nun extended an olive branch immediately.
Yonglan waved his hand, “We’ll talk about it later. As long as it doesn’t take up my free time.”
After leaving the hall, they headed directly to the underground of the high tower. Led by the Inquisitor, they passed through numerous heavily guarded checkpoints and arrived at the place where the Black Crowns of the Offenders were stored.
It was a spacious room where countless particles, condensed into rectangular shapes, pulsed rhythmically. Scathach stepped forward and operated on a screen visible only to her. Soon, a dark gold cube was lifted by the particles and presented before the Inquisitor.
Scathach emotionlessly opened the cube, revealing a wispy, pitch-black crown.
“Your Black Crown is here. Tsk… truly an unpleasant piece of filth. The thought of this being a gift from a Fiend makes me sick. Take this defiled crown and rarely appear before me again, or I can’t guarantee I won’t habitually open fire.”
The Inquisitor’s barbed words no longer affected Zhenxian. In fact, the moment she saw the Black Crown, the only thing in the gray-haired elder sister’s world was the fragmented ring.
Zhenxian slowly stepped forward, accepted the Black Crown with both hands, and placed it on her head.
“Ding—”
A burst of sound seemed to echo in the void. The obsidian-like surface began to shimmer with a subtle glow. The structure of the Black Crown dispersed and separated, transforming into a fragmented ring suspended above her forehead, complementing the sharp angles of the latter.
“Hoo—”
Zhenxian trembled slightly, her eyes tightly closed, and she couldn’t help but let out a sigh of utmost satisfaction.
“This is no place for you to slowly adapt. Since you’ve retrieved your crown, you can get out.”
Seeing Zhenxian’s state, Scathach became enraged and said impatiently.
“Mhm… Thank you.”
Zhenxian opened one eye and winked playfully.
She then linked arms with Yonglan and left the high tower. The sky outside had already darkened, covered by the veil of night. However, Yonglan was not in a hurry to go home and log in. Instead, he accompanied Zhenxian on a walk in the park.
The gray-haired elder sister tilted her head back and took a deep breath, sighing,
“Finally… complete.”
Yonglan: “How do you feel?”
“Very good, extremely good. I’ve never felt better in my life.”
Zhenxian extended her slender, fair arm, gazing at it with adoration.
“This is the knowledge and power passed down by our ancestors. I finally understand why the Pillar of the Holy guards it so fiercely.”
The Atoning Demon Race living under the Holy Church had their talents, their Black Crowns, stripped away at birth. There was a natural necessity for this.
Because if the Black Crown were not removed, the Pillar of the Holy would truly not dare to educate the demons.
The Boundless Land comprised so many races, yet only a few were recognized as upper-class races. When discussing the strongest races, one could not fail to mention the “Upper Three Banners”:
Dragonborn, Holy Descendants, and Demonkin.
If political factors were disregarded, and evaluated purely objectively, the Hram clan could arguably be considered the strongest among them.
Perhaps even surpassing the Dragonborn and Holy Descendants.
