"Phew…"
The ceremony and the party finished pretty nicely. I mostly spent my time in the resting room with Eli and Tris until Sana interrupted us, asking me to give a closing speech.
I also managed to secure 2 [Moon Stones] for Alesia and… myself. Juriel gave it to me even though I told her that I would be fine, so I just put them in my inventory for now.
Juriel also asked me to accompany her back to the Holy City tomorrow. I planned to go on a journey immediately, so that wasn't a problem. Even my fiancees didn't stop me, making me feel guilty for doing this to them.
It was like I was a scum husband who didn't take any responsibility and only aimed for sex and their wealth.
'I hope they don't see me that way.'
Anyway, I couldn't even return home after the party and asked to stay in the church because we would go to the Holy City the first thing when the sun rose tomorrow.
I was given a room on the second floor, a spacious one that didn't fall short of the Holy Room where Juriel currently rested. I had never been in this one before, and it was pretty neat.
One thing that I found interesting was the Pope couldn't be active for more than 12 hours a day. She needed to sleep to regain her MP and maintain the barrier between the Holy City and the world's edge, even when she was away.
'That's why she has a <Holy Shroud> whenever she's out and stays in the Holy Room as much as possible. She has a glaring weakness that she can't even cover or fix. Well, maybe with a good bodyguard, that weakness will be covered, but…'
Thankfully, this was a guarded secret that only the Cardinals and a select few knew. Naturally, Sana, being so close to Juriel, knew this as well. But not even Ertha knew about this secret. That was how well-guarded this fact was kept within the church.
'And I was told about it as if it's nothing because I am the Paladin.'
I sighed and looked at the window. In a place far away enough that I couldn't see, dangers and excitement were waiting for me. Finally, after more than 2 months, I would be away from Academy City for a long time.
'Somehow, I am getting excited.'
***
Far away from the Academy City or any other settlement, deep within the fog of no return, loud voices could be heard grumbling and roaring.
They were monsters that lived inside the fog, guarding the secrets of the southern world edge. No one had ever passed this place before. At least, that was what was known by history.
"Sit. Shut up."
A voice filled with authority rang from the crowd of scary monsters covered in the fog. Those giants, scary monsters, immediately stopped what they did and sat like a good dog. They lowered their heads down to the ground; their noses touched the gravel.
It was like they were welcoming their King, the absolute ruler within the fog. A loud, thumping noise rang after the commotion reduced into silence.
The ground shook due to the sheer force of the footstep, seemingly from a monster bigger than the others.
A shadow was cast in the distance. Its shape looked humanoid, with 6 arms and 4 legs. Its exact figure was a mystery hidden behind the shadow. No one… And no one but that foreigner had ever seen its appearance directly, as this monster was too shy to show even his own figure.
Moving ever so slowly, the monster lowered his hand, piercing the thick fog. A light shone on it, revealing a cold, dark hand. When it moved closer to the light, a figure covered in darkness and a red dress could be seen walking elegantly.
The figure was smaller than the others, having wavy silver hair covered in a red, frilly headband with red butterfly ornaments.
She moved her arm, covered in red gothic, frilly sleeves, slowly. The thick fog parted around her and revealed a throne, which she approached and sat on without hesitation as if it were hers.
"Grrr!"
"Awoooo!!"
The monsters began to get excited. They made noises, welcoming her.
"Shut up."
Once again, she spoke, and silence descended. Her voice was soft, unlike the hard, cold authority behind it. They immediately fell into the ground once again, not even trying to thwart back.
How could such monsters follow her words? Two answers.
One was the giant that stood behind her throne. It was the overseer of all, protector of all, and the boss of all monsters within the fog. It wouldn't allow anyone, anything, not even a single dust to enter or leave the fog.
As it guarded a massive secret.
"The world is now strange."
The woman spoke in a low voice. Everyone could hear or understand her, though.
"The fog also begins to waver. It's not as thick as before."
If there was someone who heard that, they would probably think that she was crazy. The fog hiding the massive secret in the southern border was still as thick as before. No one could ever see the difference. Yes, no one but this woman.
"We shall move. Colossus also agrees with me."
The humanoid figure behind her moved its head. A strong wind passed the area with just its slight movement, sending all fog away and revealing an army of monsters. They were above Level 60, a terrifying army that could destroy the Kingdom anytime if they were let loose.
"A danger approached this place." The woman stood from her throne. Her dress moved along her elegant movement, "And a protector shall arrive. Which one shall arrive first, and which one should we welcome?"
A terrifying, inhuman smile appeared across her face. Her blood-red eyes shone through the darkness, dispelling anything in her gaze.
With a human appearance, this woman was fit to be called the Queen of monsters. Who was the enemy she mentioned? And who was the protector?
No one knew. It was all hidden beneath the thick fog, which would never reveal any secret to the outsider.
In a far, far away Academy City, three people stood on a magic circle. An elf woman holding a staff chanted something in a low voice.
"I will teleport us now."
And with those words, the magic circle shone brightly, and they disappeared.
