When I woke up, I felt refreshed.
The slight dizziness, the pulsating temples, the lethargic body, and feeling irritable—all symptoms due to lack of sleep—were completely removed. It felt like I was reborn.
"How long was I asleep for?"
I muttered as I looked around.
The surroundings were still dark, and the temperature was cold. It must still be nighttime right now. I packed the sleeping bag inside the storage ring before using [Shadow Movement] to leave the basement.
"...!"
The moment I saw the scene above ground, I knew that I was screwed. The village, although dilapidated, should be standing proudly as a testament to the time that has passed. But now it's gone completely.
'The Demon Tamers must've passed by here earlier!'
I quickly lowered my stance. Although nobody was present in the visible range, I stayed vigilant nonetheless.
Surely, they found a trace that I left and knew I passed by the village. Then, for some reason, they decided to blast the entire village to pieces.
"Did they discover that I was the System's Crowned Successor and come to kill me, no questions asked?"
I muttered in retrospect.
Whichever it was, I need to get out of this place. However, the problem is, where should I go? I don't know how many Demon Tamers have come to search for me here, so roaming around without a destination in mind would just increase the risks.
"..."
I focused my mind and tried to use the special link with the girls to detect their general direction. It was faint, but I think they're to the south.
With at least a direction to head in, I quickly reapplied the Presence Concealment Veil before spamming [Shadow Skip].
All I pray for is that I don't end up crossing paths with a Demon Tamer.
---
Luo residence, meeting hall.
There, history was being made.
For the very first time, four of the God tamers gathered together in a single room. They were all usually too busy to gather together like this, but for today, they were present at the same time.
"It's been a while, everyone."
A tamer with nice features, looking like he's around his early twenties, sporting short blue hair, and a cool smile greeted. He was wearing a plain white shirt and blue jeans. The man was none other than Blue Zeshion.
As the most powerful god-tamer of all, he was designated as the leader of this dream team.
"We don't have time for greetings. Hours were already wasted waiting for these two."
A woman with wavy red hair flowing like a river of fire said in a dissatisfied voice. As usual, she wore her black and white polo tied in front of her large chest and her battered-looking dark blue jeans.
She was Vermeil Raven, the third-ranked among the god tamers. She commented so while she pointed to the two others beside her. As the one who had already gone to the site where Will was taken, she was assigned the role of guide.
"Shut up, you whore. I'm always busy, unlike you."
A thin man with sharp green eyes and medium-dark-green ruffled hair like seaweed muttered in a disgruntled voice. He was wearing a khaki jumpsuit with a plain white shirt underneath. He had his hands inside his pockets as he harrumphed toward Vermeil. Although he was as good-looking as Zeshion, his slovenly appearance made him look plain.
"What did you say, you toothpick?!"
Vermeil quickly flared in anger, but Zeshion diffused the situation before it even started.
"Stop bickering, you two. And Ajax, although I get what you mean, don't just call your colleague a whore."
The man he called out, Ajax Prasinos, the second strongest of the four, just snorted his nose while looking away. Rather, it was Vermeil who reacted strongly to Zeshion's words.
"Even you?! For your information, I'm not a whore; I'm still a virgin! Wait, what are you guys making me say?!"
Zeshion and Ajax just smirked at Vermeil's slip of the tongue. At this moment, the last figure finally spoke in a gentle and soothing tone.
"Everyone, aren't we in a hurry?"
The last person, a woman in a pure white clergy outfit, said it with a seemingly gentle smile. However, the other three quickly shrank back and quieted down.
The woman seemed to be normal, seemingly around her late twenties, with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She had a round face that gave her a gentle and motherly vibe. But for some reason, the other three were obviously scared of her. Even Zeshion, who was older than she was, was forced to take a step back.
"In the first place, if you're worried about virginity, I told you to just enter the temple with me instead. Now you start minding others picking on you about that?"
"Urk..."
Vermeil looked like she was about to cry, hearing the woman's words.
"And you, little Ajax. You speak strongly like that, but you still faint when touched by a female even now, don't you? Grow up."
"I-I don't faint anymore, okay?!"
Ajax's facade of being cold and uninterested quickly crumbled. He was just like a mischievous child getting scolded in front of her.
"W-Well, let's set these things aside. We got off topic."
Zeshion hurriedly tried to steer the conversation back, but he was too late.
"And you, Grandpa Blue. You're older than all of us here combined, so act a bit like your age!"
"..."
Zeshion could only smile wryly at her words. In the entire world, only she, who was raised by Zeshion from childhood, was allowed to call him grandfather. If others dare use such a title in front of him, they'll surely say goodbye to their tongues.
This woman was the weakest amongst them in terms of battle power, but she stood shoulders above them in terms of support and moral high ground. She was the head of the Temple of Life, the head priestess, Mother Colette Blanc.
Zeshion clapped his hands, breaking the weird atmosphere.
"Anyway, as I've said, we're short on time."
His expression turned serious, making the others quickly focus on listening to him.
"As you all know, Agor kidnapped Will. He's the current highest administrator of the taming system, so Agor must be planning to once again snatch the highest authority to do as he pleases."
This bit of information was already given to them before they got called, so it wasn't a surprise to them. However, the last bit that Zeshion added was a different matter.
"And to add... although I guess Agor doesn't know of it yet, Will is also the System's Crowned Successor. So, we must quickly save him lest a repeat of the past tragedy might occur."
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