Key

You must be the one who contacted me if you're able to find me in the crowd, right?

That's right.

I guess so, your face is so gloomy that water could drip from it, as if you're telling the whole world that you have a deep-rooted enemy.

Why not smile? Your smile must be as beautiful as an oasis.

Even if you put on a fake smile on your face, who can you deceive? Can you deceive yourself?

Stop this topic, Miss Killer, I didn't find you to have a heart-to-heart talk, but just want you to help me get something.

You just said it, ''Miss Killer.'' I am a killer, stealing things like this...

Um-hum?

Liquid Echo Crystal and Iridimorphite, so luxurious, I'm tempted.

This is the deposit, as long as you agree, these are yours, and there will be more after completing the task.

Why didn't you take it out earlier? Tell me, what do you want me to help you get?

That thing is in the center of the Land of Souls, and that's all I can tell you.

That's it?

No more, my money is not easy to get.

Hi, Yarena, how's business going lately?

Please stay away from me, I don't want to be seen hanging out with you.

Don't be like that, I'm willing to pay for the information.

Even if you don't pay me, what can I do to you? You are a powerful killer, and I am just a weak dancer.

And you also have a criminal record.

Ahem, I'll definitely pay this time. Have you heard of the Land of Souls?

Land of souls? Herispos? Your target this time is the Nebu Holy Land? You've got guts.

Sacred land? Isn't the sacred land at Bifrost?

Who said that Nebu only has one sacred place? However, it's normal that you haven't heard of Herispos, because it has been abandoned.

That place was originally where the priests selected Celestials. After the failure of the second Northern Campaign, the priests either died or fled, leaving the place mostly deserted.

But don't underestimate that place just because it's abandoned. The trials there are prepared for the guardians, and your small body might not be able to handle them.

This is really amazing intel, I owe you a favor.

You want to go back on your word again!?

No! The favor I owe is not money, right? The price for hiring me is quite expensive.

I am just a delicate dancer...

Stop reciting, stop reciting. Let's say I owe you half a favor, how about a 50% discount?

If you want to continue getting intel from me in the future, pay in full.

Bah!

Yarena's intel is as accurate as ever, but it's just too expensive.

The Land of Souls, Herispos, has indeed been abandoned for a long time.

Who goes there?!

Hmm? Guard? How can there be a guard?

Is it a thief trying to sneak into Herispos? How arrogant! Catch her!

Not a normal thief, huh...cough cough.

Forgive me for being blunt... but you guys can't even stop a normal thief, can you? Old man?

Normal thieves wouldn't resist at all; they would run away as soon as they saw us.

Well, it seems like you guys have bad luck today.

The regular army wouldn't be as weak as you guys. Who exactly are you?

...According to official statements, we are the private army of the priests.

No, we are the defenders of faith!

Telling these useless things to people outside is pointless.

Priest's private army, are there still such people nowadays?

Nebu is formed by an alliance based on faith, as long as there is faith, there will be priests to maintain it, it's just a matter of status difference.

Well, as for this powerful lady, I don't know what your purpose is for coming here, but whatever it is, you're going to be disappointed.

Because there is nothing here.

Now that Nebu has just restored peace, Herispos hasn't started rebuilding yet, and you won't get anything.

Do not draw conclusions arbitrarily before knowing someone's purpose.

My employer asked me to pick up something from the Herispos Center, it's not my problem if I can't find it.

The center of Herispos?

Is there any problem there?

No, not all, but most of the roads to the center have been blocked, leaving only one left...

There is only one test road left, which was used in the past to test the abilities of the Celestials.

Oh? Interesting, I think I understand what the employer wants me to take away. Can you guys take me there?

If you want to challenge that path, we have no reason to refuse.

The road is right ahead.

Really exciting, worthy of being a place to test the Celestial.

Hmph, don't be proud, you only passed because the priests have left.

If the priests were still around, there would be more than just these mechanisms on this road, as well as various guards and pre-arranged traps...

If the priests hadn't left, I wouldn't have come here, and your assumption makes no sense.

There's no need for you to remind us of the facts, even if we forget, this city - Helispos - won't forget either.

This city? Isn't there not many people left?

Is the city in your eyes only made up of residents? The institutions you just passed by, and these buildings engraved with deities, are also part of this city.

Those mechanisms can no longer be used, and these buildings have begun to develop cracks due to lack of maintenance.

Crack? The sacrificial ceremony should have left not many years ago, right?

This is the condemnation of the unfaithful by the gods.

In simple terms, the Echo Crystal in the building has not been cleaned, and the erosion is getting faster and faster. In a few years, I'm afraid you won't be able to see this city anymore.

Echo Crystal, well, it seems like we can't get away from this thing anywhere.

In plain terms, the Echo Crystal is just a catalyst; what truly destroyed this city was human nature.

...Should I be surprised to see the employer at the mission target location?

My dear employer, as you can see, I have arrived at the heart of the Land of Souls.

But I didn't see what you were talking about.

It seems that I have failed in this task.

No, no, no, the fact that you've made it here means you've already succeeded halfway.

As for the remaining half...

Hey, I'm telling you, this is the sacred land of Nebu, don't have any dangerous thoughts.

Dangerous ideas? Perhaps, but the danger lies not in Herispos, but in you.

Black eating black?!

Phew, that's right. Just now, the decryption of the trial channel's game, plus this battle, the conditions are almost met.

I just won, didn't I? Don't act like you were the one who won.

In fact, it's almost the same, and my goal has been achieved.

Alright, now we just need one more witness. Come out, ''Witness.''

Wait a moment, I need Healing!

Thank you, where is the witness? Shouldn't she appear by now?

Yo, ''Miss Killer'', you're looking pretty good.

Yarena?! How are you here? What does ''witness'' mean?

The three conditions to become a Celestial are: first, to pass the trial; second, to defeat the guardian; and third, ...

Third, a third-party witness is required to vouch for the Celestial.

The witness will stay in Herispos, and if it is later found that the guardian has engaged in fraudulent behavior, the witness must atone with their life.

Of course, that was when the priests still had great power. Now, it's good enough to have witnesses.

So you and this woman were in collusion from the beginning?

Hmm? You think you can pay for the intel on the Land of Souls with your favor?

I will tell you my intel because the employer has already paid for it.

Let's talk about your matter later, let me wrap up this hiring task first.

Finishing up?

Next, I will completely destroy this central platform, and the ceremony of selecting the Celestial will become eternal history.

Afterwards, I will spread the news of Regina obtaining the Celestial qualification through my channels.

So, this hiring task is over.

Wait wait wait, I haven't heard of such a thing...

This is the follow-up reward for this hiring task.

So many Liquid Echo Crystals?!

Also, if you have no doubts about the arrangement I just mentioned, then, it will be the second hiring task I give you.

Compensation?

There will only be more than this time.

Okay, I did it!

So, what am I supposed to do next?

Let me think, since your intel will be distributed to many people, you need to disappear for a while.

As for the time you disappeared, you can pretend to be a liberated person.

Huh?

Don't worry, I will teach you how to disguise, and by the way, I will also splash some dirty water on those ''liberated'' people.

Liberated ones? Those slaves under Garula's minions? This is definitely not a temporary plan, and I'm already starting to regret taking this task.

Yarena has already sent out the news, and now it's too late for you to back out.

Hello, is this the camp of the liberators?

This place is indeed... Wait, what are you going to do?

Please, save me!

I am a slave to a female priest, and after hearing about your situation, I stole the key to the shackles and ran out.

You are the liberators, right? You will definitely save me, right!

There is actually such a thing, come in quickly, we welcome all compatriots.

Thank you, thank you!

(So they just sneaked in like this? These slaves are a bit too naive...)

Come here, this way.

What happened here?

There aren't many people here, so there are some things I need to tell you in advance.

What is it?

Although everyone has accepted the task, your participation seems rather perfunctory. Your clothes, well...

If someone asks, just say that your owner treats you like a pet, giving you very high treatment, but does not allow you to speak.

So you are also... I understand now.

There are many more surprises for you, remember what I said.

Now, follow me, and I'll help you with your identity verification.

Sister, there's a newcomer.

Newcomer? Where did they come from? It seems that there haven't been any old aristocrats falling recently, right?

Not liberated by force, but escaped. Her master was a female priestess, you know.

I understand, what is your name?

I... I am Heavenbird.

Her owner kept her as a pet, and she originally had no name.

How pitiful, then I'll register Heavenbird, don't worry, no one will persecute you anymore.

I really want to take a break.

This is too tiring, rather than living like this, I might as well go back to being my own pet.

Don't say that, Heavenbird, not every liberated person has your kind of luck.

The freedom we have now is obtained at the cost of our lives, and your behavior is disrespectful to those compatriots who have sacrificed.

I understand, I'm just venting.

In the past, I didn't even have the freedom to complain like this, so there's no way I can go back.

Great!

Let's go, we still have things to purchase next.

Got it.

Sorry, we only accept full payment here...

Please rest assured, we brought enough money.

But...

Are you not willing to sell things to us?

Because we are slaves?

Heavenbird! What are you talking about!

No! I also feel sorry for you guys, but the store manager doesn't want me to serve you...

We are not pitiful at all!

I can't do anything about the store owner's decision, please don't make a scene!

Heavenbird, what are you doing!

This store looks down on us, she just said it!

Let's just go to another store and avoid making a scene!

Haven't we already gained freedom? Why do we still need to be so cautious?

We now have human freedom, and we also have human responsibility.

Listen to me, bow your head, and apologize.

...Hmph.

Did you hear that? We have human freedom, and we are just like you, not pitiful at all.

Hurry, apologize to me.

I'm talking about you! Heavenbird! Bow your head! Apologize! Otherwise, get out of the liberator!

No, don't do this, I'll apologize.

When will this end? I have to live a hard life and follow your script for drills. I'm going crazy.

Almost there, almost there.

I feel like you were really into the role when you were drilling just now.

It seems like you're enjoying yourself.

That's my dedication to work.

Also, you keep saying it's coming soon, is there a specific time?

Yes.

Once my people infiltrate the city defense army, your tier segment mission will be considered complete.

I knew there would be new tasks, sigh.