Storm of Gods

Chapter 173 I Will Stand Behind You
Celia is playful and often runs around like a boy, which is a characteristic of the George family. The old count requires his family members to be well-behaved but not bound by convention. Celia takes Estella to places that are always new and exciting.

Celia also relaxed and took Estella to the dining hall of the Holy Order Academy at noon. The dining hall of the Academy was not crowded on the weekend, but it was still lively. Watching the Academy students chatting freely and laughing from time to time, Estella was envious. This was the Academy she had imagined, full of vitality and hope. In comparison, the Knight Academy was too strict and oppressive. In fact, the people on both sides were full of fighting spirit and goals, but the difference was that the Knight Academy had stronger desires and ambitions, while the Academy had desires and hopes.

“The conditions here are still a bit worse than at the Knight Academy, but for most ordinary people, it’s a rare find,” Celia said.

Estella ate significantly more than she had in the morning, trying various foods. While they weren't exactly delicious, they still gave her a good appetite. Both the Order Academy and the Knight Academy were integral parts of the kingdom, with no absolute superiority or inferiority. Currently, the Knight Academy was not only the main force but also the spiritual pillar of the kingdom's warriors, while the Order Academy was merely a supplement, a driving force propelling the Knight Academy forward. Regardless of what Celia wanted to express, these things could not be changed.

"Are the Viscera Harvesters causing a lot of trouble?" Estella suddenly asked.

“Yes, and many of the murderers wanted to use the Viscera Harvesters as a cover to fish in troubled waters. The Funeral Directors and various departments have worked together and have made good results, arresting quite a few people,” Celia said.

Is he the real culprit?

“They are all the real culprits, but it’s unclear whether they can all be caught in one fell swoop. It will take time to verify. But with a series of actions, the public’s fear has subsided.” Celia ate a piece of lamb chop. “The lamb chops here are quite good.”

“It tastes very good.” Estella nodded. “…Has that person not eaten for days?”

There was a table in the distance, and a figure was working hard with his head down. There were already a pile of plates and dishes next to him. Only this kind of "self-service" could satisfy Li Xin's appetite. Thank you, young master Simmons.

Li Xin truly enjoyed the meal. He patted his belly and let out a burp, but after taking a nap, he felt even hungrier.

"Li Xin, you can really eat!" Celia and Estella walked over.

"The main reason is that the food at the Faculty of Churches is good," Li Xin said with a smile when he saw Celia, and also nodded to the nun beside him.

"This is my good friend, Sister Arthur, and this is Li Xin, our Saint Ze's secret weapon. He can cook, he's very capable, and he can even write books, and they're quite good," Celia introduced.

"Hello, I am Li Xin. A cook who can't write novels isn't a good student of the Order Academy." Li Xin extended his hand.

Even Estella, who was playing the role of a cool and aloof nun, couldn't maintain her composure and smiled slightly, "Hello, I'm a rebellious nun who can't cook but loves reading novels."

She silently added in her heart... "She's a good princess."

The two gently shook hands. The nun's hands were so soft. Estella also carefully examined Li Xin.

“Sister Arthur and I will protect you during today’s trial, so go ahead with confidence!” Celia said.

"I'm fine with it, it just depends on whether Simmons is willing to go all out."

"There are no cowards in the George family!"

Li Xin cleaned up the dishes, and the three of them headed to the team's base together. Arthur didn't say much, but Celia kept asking Li Xin all sorts of questions, "You can actually write novels? How can that priest burrow underground? Will Dantes escape? How will he escape?"

"Miss Celia, is there still fun after you know the answer?"

"That seems to be true. Okay, keep writing. I'll support you with a copy of Hexbird News every week. Arthur likes it too."

"Nuns read this too?"

“I am a rebellious nun,” Estella said. “I think Mr. Li’s story is very interesting, and I look forward to what happens next.”

Both of them liked it, which gave Li Xin more confidence. He figured it wouldn't be cut short, since this was his main source of income for the foreseeable future. The three arrived at the base, where Simmons was already there. He had spent the morning making preparations, mentally rehearsing multiple attempts.

Celia introduced Simmons and Estella, and the two greeted each other with the etiquette of nobles and nuns. Only then did Li Xin realize that girls do not extend their hands first, and boys do not extend their hands first. Nobles have a hand-kissing ceremony, but nuns do not.

Simmons didn't care. The nun Celia brought was definitely extraordinary, but that didn't matter. He was determined to overcome his fear of the Thunder today.

Grandpa's words have always lingered in my mind: "Setbacks are sometimes the best arrangement." His sacred place was filled with the power of thunder, but he did not receive it. Is failure in the eyes of others really failure?

"Brother Li, today I want to conquer the Thunder Road."

“I think you have no problems at all, but may I offer a small suggestion?” Li Xin said.

“You say so, I’ll do it your way.” Simmons nodded firmly.

"This sacred place is a gift from God. You must experience it with your whole heart to achieve the best results. Take out what you prepared and let me see it."

Simmons nodded. "That's why I made ample preparations. This armor is from home and offers better defense. These potions include those that resist lightning damage and those that provide healing."

These armors are clearly better than the ones at the base. They're covered in runes, and the chest plates are inlaid with psionic crystals, providing maximum protection against energy damage. There are also several bottles and jars filled with liquids that look very expensive.

"I'll keep these for you for now. If you can't face the fear of thunder, you'll never be able to defeat it." With that, Li Xin pulled out a cloth bag and stuffed everything in.

Simmons's lips twitched, but he didn't say anything in the end. The four of them arrived at the Gate of Truth inside the base. In fact, Estella also knew how to use the Gate of Truth, but she just hadn't had the opportunity to practice it. Although it contained the divine relics of the Earth Mother Goddess system, her father did not allow her to get involved in hidden powers, as this was not in line with the noble and elegant status of a princess.

Estella didn't see any conflict between hidden power and elegance. Only those who lost themselves in power would fall into depravity. Mastering hidden power would make one more elegant. His Majesty the King, who was always so fair to outsiders, was not so reasonable to his family. She knew that in her father's eyes, the princess's "happiness" would be to marry someone who met the kingdom's requirements and was beneficial to the country.

Li Xin and Simmons stood in the center. Having worked together before, they were even more confident this time. Estella skillfully controlled the Gate of Truth, and with the light of truth, Li Xin and Simmons disappeared from Estella and Celestia's sight.

Having entered the Sacred Land twice before, I was a participant then. This is the first time I've been an observer, able to see the Sacred Land's condition through Celia's crystal ball.

Although she wanted to go inside and experience it, Estella didn't make that request.

Simmons and Li Xin, having entered the sacred land, arrived at the stone archway. Beyond the archway lay the stone bridge shrouded in thunder. Although Li Xin had crossed it last time, it had not fundamentally altered the progress of Simmons's journey through the sacred land.

Simmons swallowed hard. If he were alone, there wouldn't be such a strong variable, so he was well prepared. Now that his equipment has been stripped off, he could die—die in the sacred ground.

I've heard that some people, obsessed with obtaining more power from divine relics, have become fixated on progress in the sacred land. In their eagerness for quick results, they either get trapped in this hidden place or die here. The sacred land remains an unknown existence to humankind to this day.

Li Xin smiled, his fingers flashing with light. With a pull of his hands, psionic energy formed something as thick as a finger, which then wrapped around Simmons's waist.

"Go for it, young master Simmons, who's as strong as an eagle. If there's any danger, I'll drag you back." Li Xin was prepared; he wasn't really sending Simmons to his death.

Simmons tugged at the strange psionic rope, but it didn't budge, possessing unimaginable resilience.

"Brother Li, my life is in your hands now," Simmons said, swallowing hard.

"Don't underestimate our bond. Even if it's not for you, it's for the free food here," Li Xin said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)