I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 846: Veyra’s Saintess Advent [3]

Following Isabel Arclight’s striking arrival among the honored guests, the atmosphere inside the Grand Forum became even more animated. Excited voices surged through the enormous crowd, and the applause seemed reluctant to fade.

The five figures already seated on the stage were all people of immense influence. The Holy Pope of the Church of Eden, Lord Brutus Sparrow of the Eden Council, Lord Alector Raonpherys of the Holy Tree, Isabel Arclight of Arclight Industries, and King Aslan himself standing before them. Any one of those names could have drawn enormous attention alone.

Yet they had all gathered here together.

And three more important guests still remained to be introduced.

It did not take long for the sixth figure to appear.

This time, however, the entrance carried a completely different atmosphere.

The sound of footsteps came slowly against the crimson carpet. There was something strangely peaceful about it, as if the restless noise of the Grand Forum had softened for a moment. Even people who did not recognize the man emerging from the right corridor watched him with interest.

A middle-aged man stepped onto the stage.

He wore long ceremonial robes that rustled faintly as he walked. His dark hair fell neatly around his face, and despite his calm, dignified bearing, a blindfold covered his eyes. At his side walked a younger woman with blond hair tied neatly back. She wore a similarly formal outfit and held his arm with careful familiarity, guiding his steps across the stage.

That was why he walked so quietly.

The man was blind, and the woman beside him was leading him toward his seat.

Aslan turned toward him with clear respect in his expression.

"No one in Edenis Raphiel could ever mistake our Grand Priest and the Guardian of the Monolith," Aslan said, his voice softer than when he introduced the others. "Lord Cornelius Aurelis."

Cornelius chuckled softly at the introduction.

The reaction from the crowd came right after.

Cheers erupted with a force that even surpassed the welcome given to the Holy Pope. The sound rose from every terrace, thousands upon thousands of voices calling out in admiration. The devotion in their response made it clear that Cornelius was not merely an important official to the people of Edenis Raphiel.

He was someone deeply revered.

"Damn," Rodolf muttered as he watched Cornelius take his seat with the assistance of his attendant. "I do not even know who he is, but he is obviously famous."

On the screen, Cornelius settled into the scarlet velvet chair. He turned his face slightly toward the young woman beside him and thanked her in a voice that could not reach the Crown Terrace over the thunderous cheers.

She smiled respectfully before taking her place behind his seat.

She was likely the only person permitted to stand beside the dignitaries without being one herself. As the Grand Priest’s personal attendant, she was clearly an exception to every normal rule.

"Well, if you asked someone from Edenis Raphiel about our Guardian before all of this, they probably would not have known much either," Amelia said.

"I guess that is true," Rodolf replied with a nod.

It was all a matter of perspective.

Back in Sancta Vedelia, Alector was known as the Guardian of the Holy Tree and a figure of extraordinary importance. Here, in Edenis Raphiel, the same kind of reverence belonged to Cornelius Aurelis, the man entrusted with guarding the Monolith.

"At least he has a hot chick beside him," Rodolf added, glancing at Cornelius’s attendant. "Though it is a shame he cannot see her."

Cylien turned slowly toward him, her expression stern.

Rodolf immediately cleared his throat.

Victor gave a small laugh before noticing Selene’s crimson gaze settle on him. The amusement vanished from his face at once. He leaned farther into his seat, suddenly deciding it was safer not to add anything.

On the screen, King Aslan moved closer to Cornelius. Since neither of them spoke directly into the transmitting device, their words could barely be heard through the cheers. Still, their expressions made it clear that they were exchanging respectful greetings.

Aslan seemed to hold the Grand Priest in particularly high regard, despite Cornelius appearing no older than a man in his forties.

After a brief exchange, King Aslan stepped back toward the lectern.

The Forum gradually quieted again.

Aslan reached the speaker, then turned toward one of the guards waiting beside the corridor doors. With a small nod, he gave the signal.

The guard bowed, then motioned toward the person waiting behind the entrance.

"Our world has known, throughout countless generations, a great number of gifted individuals. Yet even among those talents, there have always existed rare geniuses who stand above the rest. Those who manipulate mana as though it runs through their bodies instead of blood. A genius among geniuses in spellcasting and mana control, a woman who revolutionized the very arts and wonders of mana."

The moment Aslan finished speaking, the sound of heels tapping against the crimson carpet echoed from the corridor.

A gorgeous woman stepped onto the stage.

Almost every man in the Grand Forum turned toward her.

She appeared to be at the height of adulthood, somewhere in her middle to late twenties. Her fiery orange hair was arranged in a refined bun, though a few elegant strands fell beside her beautiful face. Sharp almond shaped orange eyes shone beneath long lashes, giving her expression an air of confidence that bordered on danger.

She wore a knee length skirt that revealed her white legs, paired with a fitted blouse with a deep V neckline. The outfit was classy, professional, and stunning, yet it only enhanced the natural beauty she already possessed.

"Lady Barbara Lindlum Attrias of Ruthelphia," Aslan announced, extending one hand toward her with a gentle, welcoming smile.

Barbara glanced at him.

For the briefest second, John could have sworn her eye twitched.

Then she raised a hand toward the audience and walked across the stage beneath a thunderous wave of applause and cheers.

The loudest cheers came from the men.

"Do you know her too?" John asked Amelia.

"No," Amelia replied, staring the screen. "But her name sounds familiar. She comes from the Western Continent, though, so I do not know much about her."

"Hm."

On stage, King Aslan continued speaking.

"Lady Barbara has not come to Edenis Raphiel solely to witness the Saintess’s reveal," he said. "She will also serve as an instructor at the Holy Academy, and as its Headmistress."

This time, the response came from the young people gathered throughout the Forum.

Future students cheered with excitement. Some rose from their seats, especially those who seemed familiar with her reputation. The arrival of a legendary mana genius as the Headmistress of the Holy Academy only made the academy appear even more prestigious than it already was.

John, however, sat frozen in his seat.

He could not remember any Barbara from the Third Game.

Of course, he barely remembered many details from that game in the first place. Still, he was certain the Headmaster should have been King Aslan himself. Aslan had been the one connected to the academy in the memories he possessed.

Was this another change caused by the butterfly effect?

John glanced toward Eric.

Eric had already been looking at him. The moment their eyes met, Eric gave a small shake of his head. He did not know either.

John leaned back and released a quiet sigh.

He should have expected it.

The world had already changed too much for him to assume every detail from the games would unfold exactly as before. He could only hope that replacing the academy’s headmaster would not change anything too important.

"That camera director, whoever he is, knows exactly what he is doing," Amelia muttered from behind him.

John looked toward the nearest screen.

The camera was still focused on Barbara as she took her seat. She crossed one leg over the other, and the angle lingered far too long. It showed her face from every flattering side, traveled across the line of her body, then returned to her crossed legs and even her feet enclosed in high heels.

Amelia grimaced.

"That is not even subtle."

A sharp slap suddenly rang out nearby.

Several people turned toward Jayden.

Arete sat beside him with a stern expression, while Jayden stared forward with one hand pressed against his forehead. It was obvious she had caught him looking.

"Eyes forward," Arete said coldly.

"I was looking at the screen like everyone else though?!" Jayden defended himself.

"You were staring at the screen too hard."

Just besides, Cylien had both hands over Rodolf’s eyes.

"Hey!" Rodolf complained, trying to pull her hands away. "I cannot see anything."

"That is the point," Cylien replied sweetly.

"I was not even looking!"

"You were about to."

Meanwhile, Barbara’s sharp orange gaze lifted toward one of the hovering cameras.

The look she gave it was cold enough to silence an entire room.

Almost immediately, the camera angle changed back to Aslan.