Home Visit

The Grand Cathedral.

Around a pristine round table stood seven ornate chairs, six of which were occupied by figures clad in sacred robes, leaving one seat empty.

"What's going on? Why is there a disturbance in that labyrinth? And how did a chimera even escape?" A middle-aged man spoke first.

"Perhaps the time is near. The labyrinth can no longer be fully contained," said an elderly man beside him, his murky eyes opening slightly. "It has been nearly a century since the previous generation of bishops passed this plan down to us. It's time to fulfill our duty."

"Shouldn't we wait for Kalein to return?" Someone glanced at the empty seat. "He hasn’t sent any word since he left for the Nameless Village."

"Hah, that guy has a habit of chasing skirts. Maybe he got distracted by some pretty girl," said a young man in holy robes, propping his legs up on the table. Yet, no one reprimanded him.

"No matter. As long as the ritual here is completed successfully, the revival of the Hero is within reach... The Nameless Village is just a minor detail," the elder said solemnly. "A century of effort... We are in the final stages now. Failure is not an option."

"The Hero... I wonder just how strong he is." The young man grinned, lowering his legs from the table. "If he revives, I hope he’ll spar with me."

His name was Roy—the most prodigious genius the Holy Church had seen in a century. No, "genius" didn’t even suffice. He was a monster. Master of divine arts and combat techniques, tempered into an indomitable body—he was born for battle.

Becoming a High Bishop at his age was nothing short of a miracle.

"A brat like you would be crushed in an instant by the Hero," remarked an expressionless woman.

"That sounds thrilling." Roy wasn’t offended. Instead, he licked his lips in anticipation. He had longed for a worthy opponent for far too long...

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside.

"What now?" Roy frowned. "Have they forgotten their place?"

"Your Excellencies!" A priest shouted frantically from beyond the door. "An emergency! Someone is forcing their way into the Grand Cathedral!"

"Huh?"

Not just Roy, but every bishop present stiffened, their faces flickering with disbelief.

This was the Grand Cathedral... Who would dare invade?

Their expressions turned peculiar, as though doubting their own ears.

"Did the guards fail to stop them?" the elder asked.

The cathedral’s guards were rigorously trained and armed with powerful magitech weapons. Ordinary troublemakers stood no chance.

Then again, ordinary people wouldn’t dare cause trouble here.

"T-they couldn’t stop him! That man’s strength is beyond estimation!" the priest reported.

"Interesting." Roy slowly rose from his seat. "I’ll go play with him... Let’s see if he lasts a minute."

......

Liyana watched curiously as Mo Lini carefully inserted the magic core into Little Lan’s gelatinous body.

A slime’s exterior was covered in a transparent, rubbery membrane—its skin—so holding one wouldn’t leave you wet. Inside, however, was a corrosive, jelly-like fluid.

The slime’s skin was highly elastic. Even after swallowing an entire core, it sealed seamlessly, showing no sign of strain.

The process... somehow felt oddly suggestive to Liyana.

She shook her head, dispelling the strange thoughts.

The previous ice crystal had been nearly fully absorbed by Little Lan... yet the slime’s size remained largely unchanged.

But according to Aina, Little Lan had already completed its evolution.

From now on, Little Lan was destined to become an extraordinary... slime.

For now, though, the little creature couldn’t speak. It merely bounced atop Mo Lini’s head like a tiny jellyfish.

"Liyana, let’s go," Xia Lun said.

Liyana blinked. "Huh? Where to?"

"The Grand Cathedral."

"Uh... Shouldn’t we prepare a bit more?" Liyana hesitated. They had only arrived in Abandes yesterday, and now they were charging straight into the heart of the Twilight Apostles’ stronghold.

"Prepare what?"

Liyana shrank slightly. "I-I don’t know, but barging into their lair like this feels... off?"

"We’re already here. Best to settle things quickly," Xia Lun replied flatly. Efficiency was his way.

"Stay close to Aina with Mo Lini. No need to fight—leave the rest to me."

Aina chuckled. "How reliable, Xia Lun."

Mo Lini nodded vigorously, making Little Lan wobble atop her head. She wasn’t sure how she could contribute anyway.

"But Xia Lun, do you have a way to identify the Twilight Apostles?" Musen suddenly interjected.

As a priest of the Goddess’s Church, he still struggled to believe the Grand Cathedral had fallen to heretics.

"I can tell," Xia Lun said with a faint smile. "If it’s a misunderstanding, Aina can just erase their memories."

"Xia Lun, memory-wiping magic is exhausting," Aina cut in.

"Then I’ll give you a massage tonight."

"Deal."

Liyana blinked. She wasn’t entirely sure how innocent Xia Lun’s "massage" was.

When they reached the cathedral’s entrance, the same guard as before barred their way.

"No entry for unauthorized personnel."

The guard’s magitech pistol gleamed coldly, radiating intimidation.

Spotting Liyana, the guard frowned slightly. "Elf. You were here yesterday."

"Hehe." Liyana scratched her head sheepishly before pointing at Xia Lun. "He wants to go in."

"Who are you here to see? Do you have an appointment?"

"Nope." Xia Lun smiled disarmingly. "Just need to check on a few things."

"Unauthorized—"

Before the guard could finish, his vision blurred. In the next instant, his pistol was somehow in Xia Lun’s hand.

Shocked and furious, the guard wasted no more words. His magitech-armored frame lunged forward like lightning, aiming to subdue the intruder.

Clang! Clatter!

A moment later, the guard’s armor lay scattered on the ground, revealing a bare, hairy chest and a pair of white shorts.

"Ah, my bad." Xia Lun seemed genuinely apologetic upon seeing the minimal attire. Then, he vanished.

A sharp strike to the nape, and the guard slumped into unconsciousness.