Advent of the Three Calamities

Chapter 792: Seats of Solas [2]

“…Are you not going to speak?”

A voice boomed across the entire Cathedral. It appeared to belong to one of the Seats of Solas as the pressure they gave out was a lot more fierce compared to the Living Saint. Granted, the Living Saint’s presence was a lot calmer and mellow.

With all of the attention focused on me, I knew that I could no longer pretend to be a random member of the church.

’I’m surprised they found me this fast, but it isn’t like I didn’t expect this.’

I raised both of my hands in the air.

“Alright. Let’s all relax for a second.”

My voice drifted quietly across the entire place. I felt subtle shifts coming from Leon, Aoife, and the others behind me, but I stopped them before they could do anything drastic.

’Let me handle this.’

I whispered in a tone that only they could hear.

Of course, whether the Living Saint and the Seats had heard, I wasn’t too sure.

It didn’t matter.

“Who are you?”

The voice from before boomed once more, the windows at the top rattling at the sound of his voice.

I turned my attention towards the figure.

He was dressed like the others, but I could see from the outline of his figure beneath the hood that he was rather big. His golden mask gleamed under the bright glow of the beacon, and as I fixed my attention on him, I felt a heavy sense of suppression.

’Hoo. Let’s calm down.’

I needed to be careful with my words.

Slowly, I turned my attention away from him and onto the Living Saint.

This subtle snub didn’t sit well with the Seat, but I spoke before things could escalate.

“We meet again.”

Everything froze the moment the words left my mouth, the eyes of many changing. The Seat also looked surprised, his movements stopping for just the briefest of moments.

Staring at me, the Living Saint’s face didn’t change.

The smile lingered, and his eyes remained calm.

Eventually, his lips parted.

“Have we met before? I think I would’ve remembered someone of your strength had I met you.”

His words caused a shift in the atmosphere, and my lips twitched.

“Are you trying to waste time?”

The Seat’s voice boomed once more. This time, his voice was louder than before, and so was the pressure emitting from his body.

Subtle, yet clear cracking sounds echoed from his body as it started to expand.

’Oh, shit.’

I could see that he was about to attack, and without wasting another second, I reached for the mask on my face and removed it.

“…We have.”

I activated [Lament of Lies] at the same time that I removed the mask.

“Enough of your nonsense. Let me catch you first and extract some info—”

“Stop.”

The smile on the Living Saint’s face faded completely as his hand stretched to the side, stopping the Seat from downright attacking me.

“Living Saint?”

His actions brought confusion to the place, including the Seats as they turned their attention towards him.

He didn’t say anything and just kept his attention on me.

Eventually, his lips opened once more.

“I recognize the face, but unlike last time, I can tell that this is an illusion. Are you trying to imitate them?”

“No.”

I shook my head.

“…Back then, I used a different skill to change my face. Right now, I’m wearing my true face, covered by an illusion technique.”

The place fell silent.

With his gaze focused intently on me, the Living Saint didn’t say anything.

Every second felt as though it dragged on forever, my heart pressing tightly against my chest as I tried my best to remain calm.

However, it was hard.

With so many eyes on me, I found myself struggling to keep calm.

But then—

“He’s not lying.”

An’as stepped out from next to me, his hand over his mask, and pulling it away to reveal his face.

“I’m sure you can recognize me.”

The moment he took off his mask, the crowd stirred. The same was for the Seats.

Taking off a mask and showing one’s face was a sort of taboo, at least, for someone in An’as’s position.

Still, it didn’t seem like An’as cared as he kept his gaze fixed on the Living Saint.

“I can confirm that it’s the same Lazarus that you’ve met. This is just his true face.”

“I can also confirm.”

Another figure stepped forward, her hand reaching for her mask and pulling it away.

“…..”

“…..”

The place fell silent once more, the crowd stirring further as whispers echoed all over. The Seats also showed signs of unrest, their expressions focused on the Living Saint who remained standing in silence.

His gaze hovered between me and Anne before eventually turning towards the others behind me.

I smiled bitterly at the sight.

’It doesn’t seem like anything escapes his sight.’

I opened my mouth.

“They’re with me.”

He nodded subtly, turning his attention towards a different area.

The moment he did, he pointed his hand in that specific direction.

WHOOM!

A bright beam of light shot down from above.

The speed at which it moved was almost unreal. So fast that hardly anyone had time to react. And when it was over, the place where he’d been pointing was empty, nothing left but a dark scorch mark on the floor.

A heavy sense of oppression fell across the entire area, the crowd stirring further.

However, as though he wasn’t finished, the Living Saint pointed his finger across different areas of the Cathedral, his finger bringing a white light every time he pointed.

Each time, the result would end up the same.

A dark scorch mark on the floor.

Nobody had any time to scream. In just a fraction of a minute, several dozen people had been eliminated at once.

I felt cold sweat pooling down my back upon watching his actions.

I… had a feeling that my fate would’ve been the same had it not been for my present strength.

Still, based on what I was seeing, it was clear to me that I was still not strong enough to fight him.

’Maybe I can run away from him, but win? No, I don’t think so.’

“Alright.”

The Living Saint’s voice cut through the surroundings once more, the smile returning to his face as he turned his attention towards me.

“I’ve gotten rid of all the other intruders within the room. I hope that none of them were with you. Otherwise…”

“…You don’t have to worry about that.”

I replied, trying my best to keep my expression steady.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

The Living Saint’s gaze remained fixed on me.

“In that case, may I hear the reason for your presence here? I’m sure you’re not just here to listen to what is happening. Although I’d be honored to have you here and listen to our ramblings, this is a private discussion only allowed to members of the church. Unless you plan on joining us, then I’m afraid I can’t have you listen.”

“That’s alright.”

I didn’t really want to attend anyway.

My objective was something else.

“I’d like a meeting with the Goddess.”

“…..!”

“…..!?”

“…..!”

I did expect a sort of reaction the moment I voiced out my request. However, I didn’t expect the reaction that I was met with.

“What did you just say!?”

“How dare an outsider…!”

“This is blasphemy!”

“Outrageous!!”

The anger was palpable. It was almost as if I had spat on their entire family with my request. For a moment, I was taken aback.

’Just what is up with these people?’

Thankfully, the Living Saint was present. With a quick raise of his hand, he stopped everyone from attacking me on the spot.

“Calm yourselves.”

The moment he spoke, all noise died down.

I was able to breathe then.

He turned his attention back towards me. Feeling his gaze, I swallowed in silence.

“You want to meet with the Goddess…?”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

“…..”

A tense silence followed.

He kept his gaze directed at me, seemingly trying to read my thoughts. I didn’t shy away from his gaze, looking back at him without backing down.

Eventually, he pulled his gaze away from me and asked, “For what reason do you wish to meet the Goddess?”

“That’s…”

I frowned.

This wasn’t something that I could share. I couldn’t tell them that I wanted to ask about the whereabouts of my brother.

“…I am looking for someone. She’s the only person who can help me find him.”

I thought I had managed to answer the question appropriately, but that appeared to be a misunderstanding on my part as the Living Saint followed up with another question.

“Who?”

“Ehm.”

I frowned, unsure of how to answer.

In the end, I gritted my teeth.

“I apologize, but I can’t share this piece of information with you. If you can relay the message to the Goddess, I’m sure she’ll understand. You must already be aware of the fact that I met her in the past. It’s a very important and urgent matt—”

“Impudent!!”

A voice suddenly bellowed, cutting through my words.

Immediately, I shifted my attention away from the Living Saint and towards the voice.

’It’s him…’

I recognized the figure immediately. It was the same burly figure from before. This time, however, it looked like he had been completely taken over by his anger as the pressure bursting out from his body was even more suffocating.

Staring at me, and then shifting his attention towards the Living Saint, he spoke.

“Why are we even listening to him? Don’t you think his timing is a little bit suspicious? He’s coming here right after…” The burly man stopped, prompting me to raise my brow. I was able to pick up something from his voice. Did something happen to the Goddess?

“His presence is disturbing, and coming here to ask about the Goddess during the gathering is disrespectful. Give me permission to eliminate him at once. There’s no need to stain your hands. I’ll gladly do it in the name of the Goddess.”

Listening to his words, I frowned.

What was up with this guy?

I wasn’t looking for a fight, especially given the current setting. However, if he really did try to pick a fight with me, I wasn’t planning on holding back.

I could more or less tell his strength.

He was about Tier 8.

That was doable for me.

If he really wanted to die, then…

“Let’s leave it at this for now.”

Shattering the tension was the Living Saint, his hands coming together in a clapping motion as he turned his attention away from me and back towards the beacon.

“I’ll relay the message to the Goddess. For now, you may leave this place. We’re going to have an important discussion that we can’t share with out—Hmm.”

The Living Saint suddenly stopped, bringing confusion to the place.

Then…

Under the confused expressions of everyone present, he turned his attention towards me once more.

“It seems like you’re in luck. You may stay for the gathering.”