Book 4: Chapter 54: Funeral
âA kill orderâ¦â
Pope Delanceâs hands trembled slightly. âIsnât that a bit too much?â
âSeems like Pope Delance hasnât understood the crisis weâre facing! Iâm not overreacting. The human race, no, Xedrios continent is already in grave danger!â Professor Marlin slammed his hands on the table. He was so heated that his spit was flying everywhere when he shouted at Delance, âIf Golden Demon Htilil finds a way to attain the demigod realm in the ancient ruins, who among the human race could possibly stop her?!â
âNo, thatâs never going to happen.â
Taylor picked his nose. âIn this world, creatures with short lifespans like humans will never be able to set foot into the divine realm.â
âHow are you so sure?â
âBecause I⦠Well, there has never been a demigod born in the history of the human race. So itâs impossible for one to be born in the future.â
âPast is past! Just because it didnât happen in the past doesnât mean that it wonât happen in the future! The ancient ruins⦠thatâs something left behind from nine million years ago! That was an era where gods could be found everywhere. So how are so sure that there isnât any clue to becoming a mere demigod left in there?â
Taylor scratched his cheek. âThereâs nothing I can do if you choose to think that way. Well⦠I shall take my leave now. I canât keep the little snake demon lady waiting. As for Golden Demon Htilil, Iâll definitely help you crush her once I manage to find my princess.â
âHey, wait, about the kill orderâ¦â
âOn behalf of the Holy Dragon Empire, I have no objection!â Taylor waved his hand and announced.
Pope Delance suddenly raised a question, âTaylor. What if that princess of yours ends up being named the enemy of the entire human race? What would you do then?â
âWho would dare to do such a thing? Iâll be the first to beat the s̲h̲i̲t̲ out of him!â
ââ¦..â
âAlthough I have never met Her Royal Highness, I heard from the Queen that she is adorable, beautiful, kind, gentle, polite and intelligent. Who would possibly name such a perfect princess their enemy?â Taylor rubbed his chin and continued, âIf thereâs such a person, then he must be an idiot.â
ââ¦..â
âForget it.â Delance rubbed his temples. âSince the Aurora Dragon, Lord Taylor, has called his shot, then I shall⦠not involve myself in this any further. Do what you guys want. Whoever wants to be that idiot, go ahead. I shall excuse myself now too, bye.â
After saying that, Delanceâs projection disappeared. He went offline just like that.
âHmph, he is really a man who canât see the big picture.â
Novak subconsciously made a feminine hand gesture and quickly put his hand away in embarrassment when he realized it. âThe Shadow Theocracy completely agrees with the suggestion proposed by Professor Marlin.â
He then went offline in a hurry.
âHaha, Iâll leave too. My little snake demon lady is probably tired of waiting by now.â
Taylor disconnected too at the same time.
Seeing Delance, Novak and Taylor went offline so suddenly, Neharch shook his head and sighed. âAlthough this old and frail man canât help much, I can still offer a little help in small matters like this. Kloster Kingdom has no objection on Golden Demon Htililâs kill order.â
âMacedonian Empire has no objection.â
âSouthern Federation has no objection.â
âScabbia City-State Alliance has no objection.â
âMerked Kingdom has no objection.â
âCaviach has no objection.â
When the other important figures gave their approval, a broad smile appeared on the vice dean and Professor Marinâs faces for the very first time. âThank you very much, everyone.â
âNo problem, this is our duty as a member of the human race.â Chairman Durdur continued, âWe will issue the kill order, regardless of the outcome of Golden Demon Htililâs hunt in the ancient ruins. Not only that, but we will also immediately send qualified candidates to St. Caroline via teleportation array. Please make the necessary arrangements as soon as you can, vice dean.â
âDefinitely.â
The vice-dean stood up and bowed, âThank you again for everyoneâs cooperation. I hereby announce that the second square table conference of St. Caroline Academy has come to a satisfactory conclusion!â
Scattered applause rang out in the room and the important figures disappeared one after another.
Vice-dean plopped down on his chair and let out a long sigh. âSeems like we wonât be able to catch any breath soonâ¦â
âDonât worry, you still have us, Vice-Dean.â
Vice-dean turned his head and met everyoneâs caring gaze. His lips curled into a warm smile.
â¦â¦
â¦â¦
The sky gradually turned bright. The night was about to pass in just the blink of an eye.
Thea pulled Brea through the academyâs forest sneakily. Due to her lack of physical strength, she wasnât that fast on her feet.
âT-Thea, where are we going?â
âRunning away.â
âI know that, but why are we heading toward Dragon God Lake? If Theaâs concerns are correct, arenât we walking right into their trap?â
âWe have to find Lilith first, then run away with her. I canât possibly abandon a friend.â
âB-Butâ¦â
Brea frowned. âIf Lilith is still there, she must have been caught by the professors. What is the use of us going there?â
âDonât worry, Lilith wonât be caught,â Thea assured her. âMore like, weâre the ones that will easily get caught. After all, we arenât as rich as Lilith to have all those powerful scrolls. So weâre doomed if we get noticed.â
âDoomedâ¦?â
Thea and Brea turned their heads around stiffly at the familiar voice.
âMr. Miguel⦠Why are you hereâ¦?â
Miguel was leaning against a huge tree, his arms folded in front of his chest. âWhy canât I be here? You girls thoughâ¦â
âWeâreâ¦â
Thea and Brea were at a loss for words, like deers in headlights,
Miguel observed both of them, then looked as though he suddenly understood something. He nodded understandingly, âSo, as Lilithâs close friends, you two are leaving behind this sad place?â
âYes, yes, weâre leaving⦠Huh? What do you mean by this sad place?â
âAlthough I understand your feelings as a teacher, I still hope that both of you can attend Lilithâs funeral.â
âFuneral?â
Miguel sighed. âCome with me. I can only hope that you two wonât be too upset later to bid Lilith farewell.â
Thea and Brea dumbfoundedly followed behind Miguel.
The academyâs biggest arena was usually used to hold various contests but today, it was used for a different purpose.
The atmosphere was solemn. Although the place was crowded, no one was speaking.
Everyone lowered their head, almost like they were afraid to look at the smiling face on the huge monochrome photo standing at the heart of the arena.
The band that the academy hired from St. Caroline city was playing mournful music.
A banner was fluttering in the wind above the arena.
âMourning the heroic sacrifice of Lilith who died defending our academy! / Pre-expedition ceremony!â