The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix’s Novels Also Desires Happiness - Chapter 292



70. Shadowplay

“Ariel, are you okay?”

Looking at Ariel, who stood before him with a dazed expression and vacant eyes, Mu En felt completely confused and was just about to cautiously ask a few questions…

Suddenly.

With a thud.

Ariel knelt down, first gazing blankly at the sky, then bent over in anger and pounded the ground, releasing a roar that seemed to come from the depths of her soul:

“No—my money—”

“The north wind is howling—snowflakes are drifting—”

“What are you singing!”

Ariel looked up, glaring at Mu En.

“Ah, no, I just felt an overwhelming sense of déjà vu and instinctively started singing.”

Mu En touched his nose, giving an awkward smile, then turned to walk around Ariel, who, although he didn’t know what had happened, felt it was best not to provoke her, and came to Professor Plank’s side.

“Sorry, the preparations took a bit longer than expected, thank you for your patience. Let me introduce myself, Mu En Campbell.”

Mu En first smiled apologetically at everyone; Lya and Senior Fenny naturally had nothing to say, so he took the initiative to walk over and politely greet the remaining three whom he wasn’t very familiar with.

“Vicky Morse, just call me Vicky.”

“Aaron Mack, I saw your fight before; we must spar sometime.”

“Marshall.”

After exchanging a few casual pleasantries with them, Mu En turned to Professor Plank and asked:

“Professor Plank, what about the accompanying teacher? Hasn’t she arrived yet?”

It had been previously mentioned that she was a mysterious top-tier powerhouse, no less than a crowned one, so Mu En was somewhat looking forward to it.

“Here she is, already arrived.”

Professor Plank disdainfully pointed behind Mu En.

“Hmm?”

She’s already here?

He hadn’t noticed at all.

No wonder she was described by Professor Plank as a top-tier powerhouse even better than a crowned one.

Mu En turned back in the direction Professor Plank pointed, and then he saw…

A comical pink teddy bear that had somehow climbed onto the first carriage of the convoy, beginning to paw at the two dragon-blooded horses that were trembling in fear.

While touching, it also leered:

“What a fine horse, truly a fine horse. Look at this rear, look at these thighs, and check out this graceful curve; one of these must be worth over a million Amiel, heh heh. If I could sell it, I wonder how many boxes of top-notch cigars and Saint Lady photos I could buy…”

“…”

Watching that pink rear swaying back and forth, Mu En was stunned for a moment before finally coming to his senses and exclaimed:

“What the hell, how is it him?”

The Pink Bear Dean?

That unreliable-looking teddy bear?

Is he the muscular man that Professor Plang mentioned?

Can he handle it?

“Hmm?”

As if sensing Mu En’s thoughts, the pink bear turned sharply, its beady black eyes glaring at Mu En. Suddenly, a furry paw extended from the bear’s mouth, gesturing back and forth:

“Hey, kid, do you look down on me?”

“No, how could I!”

Mu En widened his eyes, immediately adopting a righteous expression:

“Director, you are wise and powerful, exceptionally handsome, and capable of protecting us on our journey to the Holy City. I’m truly overjoyed, how could I possibly look down on you?”

“Hmph, I’ll give you that, kid, you have a sweet tongue.”

The pink bear turned its furry paw and scratched its backside, lamenting:

“But I’m not really a director anymore. Just call me Pink Bear. Sigh… I used to be so dashing and extraordinary, never thought I’d end up in a position like this, babysitting kids. Truly, the world is declining, and people have lost their morals!”

“…”

Mu En’s mouth twitched as he quietly approached Professor Plang, whispering:

“Is it really okay?”

“Don’t worry, his strength…”

“I’m not talking about strength.”

To become the acting director during Dean Heatherway’s absence, it was clear that this seemingly comical character, the plush bear, was not simple in either strength or status.

“What I mean is… he seems very unreliable.”

“Not seems, he is very unreliable.” Professor Plang’s expression was deadpan.

“…”

“But don’t worry, I have ways to manage him. At least on this journey, he will serve to protect you. With his strength, plus your…” Professor Plang glanced at the last carriage and continued, “Under normal circumstances, there shouldn’t be any issues. The teachers from the academy have already gone ahead to the Holy City, and they will come to meet you.”

“And with that guy’s status, you might want to try to build a good relationship with him; it won’t hurt you.”

“Status?”

“…”

Professor Plang shook his head, not answering. Instead, he turned to the pink bear, squinting his eyes, and said sternly:

“Former acting director, as I mentioned before, your beloved limited edition cigars and collectible photos have already been sent to the Holy City.

If you don’t want to see them torn to shreds, you’d better take these kids there without losing a single hair!”

Mu En: “…”

Everyone: “…”

“Tsk, despicable old man.”

The pink bear clicked its tongue in displeasure, twisting its body and turning to lie sideways in the front chamber of the carriage, waving its hand at the group:

“Alright, enough talk, let’s hurry up. If we waste time, what will happen to my treasures in the Holy City? They can’t be seen in the light there!”

“…”

Mu En turned to Professor Plang. “Then we shall set off, Professor.”

“Go ahead.”

Professor Plang patted each person on the shoulder in turn, a rare hint of kindness appearing on his serious face:

“This trip to the Holy City may be a bit special, but you’ll understand the specifics once you arrive. Until then, just think of it as a journey.”

“Understood.”

Everyone responded in unison, then, almost instinctively, their gazes fell on Mu En, as if waiting for something.

Mu En paused for a moment, then smiled gently.

“There are six carriages, and the last one is a bit special and cannot be moved. So, aside from the pink bear and me each having one, all of you seniors will share two to a carriage. No objections, right?”

“None!”

Who would have any objections to riding in such a luxurious carriage for free?

“Alright then.”

Mu En raised her hand and waved it vigorously. “Then our St. Maria Academy representative team shall set off! Destination! The Holy City!”

“Yes!”

The echo was resounding, full of vigor.

Yet, for some reason, it was mixed with the unwillingness of someone, helplessness, sorrow, and despair, as if they longed to howl a lament from the rooftop.

……

……

As the convoy set off, the students departed one by one, and the once lively academy gradually fell into a deep silence.

Professor Plang stood at the academy’s entrance, leaning on his silver-white cane, watching everyone leave.

Suddenly, the space beside him twisted, and Meila, dressed in a pink nightgown, stepped forward.

“Mentor Meila Domir.”

Professor Plang bowed in greeting.

Meila nodded gently, gazing into the distance, but it was not in the direction Mu En had gone; rather, it was towards the center of Belrand.

“Quite lively, isn’t it?”

“Indeed, very lively.”

Professor Plang followed her gaze, and with his exceptional eyesight, he could easily see the massive procession winding through the Belrand district.

That was also the convoy setting off for the Holy City, representing the Leopold Empire officially, accompanied by ceremonial attendants, knights, officials, and various personnel traveling together, along with gifts from the empire to the church, filling several carriages to the brim.

After all, the sacred ceremony taught by life comes only once in decades, and all parties are sure to show some form of respect.

But in truth, for everyone involved, the ceremony itself isn’t what matters most, because who becomes the saintess has little impact on the majority.

What’s important is…

“The Lost Land of Canterville…”

Professor Plang sighed, “Clearly, all parties expected the Church of Life to take at least another twenty years to unlock the entrance to this ancient realm, yet unexpectedly, it was unearthed so much earlier. It’s truly sudden.”

“The death of the moon, in a sense, has its benefits, doesn’t it?”

Mela shrugged casually, her gaze quickly shifting from the winding line to her own disciple, cutting through countless obstacles.

“Now, all the factions are moving like ants drawn to honey, using the excuse of attending the ceremony to congratulate.”

“Kid, I’m not kidding you this time. There are indeed many benefits and surprises waiting for you in the Holy City.

However…”

Mela paused, seemingly sensing something, her tone suddenly taking on an odd quality:

“For you, it seems that this path isn’t going to be easy.”

……

Above Belrand, the sharp winter wind blew.

Yet amidst this deep winter chill, a faint shadow, like faded ink, swiftly darted by.

The shadow circled above the city, finally locking onto the rapidly retreating convoy.

Soon, the shadow dove into a towering chimney, continuously solidifying as it descended.

In the end, it transformed into a… robin.

The robin landed, surveying the silent surroundings and the animals holding their breath, finally resting its gaze on the imposing tiger at the center, giving a gentle nod.

“Everyone.”

The tiger suddenly stood upright, announcing in a deep voice:

“Prepare yourselves, our moment has arrived.”

……

“Hmm?”

Mu En suddenly felt a chill.

He shifted his gaze from the rapidly receding scenery, quickly searching for the source of his unease, but only caught a glimpse of a bird’s shadow out of the corner of his eye.

“This isn’t the academy; spring hasn’t arrived, where would the birds come from?”

The feeling of being watched pierced his skin like needles, and Mu En frowned, suddenly leaning out of the window, stretching his neck to shout ahead:

“Uncle Pink Bear, can you go any faster?”

“Damn it, don’t call me uncle! I’m still in my prime, determined to charm a hundred beautiful girls with big chests and long legs!”

The pink bear shouted angrily, then kicked the dragon-blood horse’s rear, laughing heartily:

“But if you’re seeking excitement, I can certainly deliver! Hold on tight, little ones!”

The dragon-blood horse neighed, pulling the carriage forward like a whirlwind, racing ahead.