Chapter 231 - Artifact

    (3rd Person POV)

    Joshua and Elena felt amazed as they watched the champion and sacred knights acting like fools outside. The barrier''s illusion proved sophisticated enough to deceive even these powerful warriors.

    Despite their best efforts, the men continued searching fruitlessly for an entrance they couldn''t perceive.

    In the underground chamber, about forty thousand followers also observed the scene through their status scrolls.

    Initially, they had trembled with anxiety, knowing the Champions'' fearsome reputation from Elena''s warnings.

    But as they watched their would-be hunters fail to spot the entrance, protected by their Lord''s barrier, their fear gave way to amusement.

    "Look at those fools," someone laughed. "They''re so blind they can''t see the entrance right in front of them."

    "Your right. Are these really the powerful warriors we were supposed to prepare for?" Another follower said, feeling reassured by the champions'' apparent helplessness.

    Some who had just woken joined the watching crowd. "They''re still searching? I''ve had a full night''s sleep while they wandered around."

    "Hehe, if I''m counting right, they''ve been out there looking for the entrance for twelve hours now," another added.

    Elena and Joshua found themselves growing complacent, convinced the protection barrier would shield them from the Solarus Warriors indefinitely.

    "Are they really as powerful as you claimed?" Joshua asked in confusion. "They look like headless flies out there, circling aimlessly. They can''t be that strong."

    Elena felt her own skepticism growing about the Champions'' powers, but then she remembered how efficiently they had eliminated the other leading cults. "I don''t think they''re weak," she said thoughtfully. "It''s just that the protection our Lord provided us is incredibly powerful."

    Joshua nodded, accepting her explanation.

    The barrier''s strength exceeded all expectations. Initially, they had anticipated it would only hold for a few hours before the Champion and Sacred Knights broke through.

    They had prepared contingencies - controlling the entrance, creating mazes to confuse intruders.

    "Seems we won''t need to manage the controls after all," Joshua remarked, studying the gleaming sphere before them.

    Elena nodded, though caution still tempered her relief. Her years at Solarus school had taught her what Champions were capable of - their power could level entire districts. Despite the barrier''s apparent success, anxiety still gnawed at her heart.

    ***

    (Lance Ashford POV)

    Hours of searching yielded no entrance, despite our thorough exploration of the district. Yet this time wasn''t entirely wasted.

    Our prolonged search revealed something crucial - an invisible barrier of extraordinary power concealing what we sought.

    When we began to attack the barrier, it effortlessly absorbed our strikes as if they were nothing.

    This is no ordinary cult, I thought grimly.

    (3rd Person POV)

    Minutes after Lance''s order, the sacred knights, led by Jier, arrived at Angel City''s Solarus Church, making their way into the inner sanctum where the sacred meeting room stood.

    High Inquisitor Thaddeus''s eyes widened at their request. "What? Lord Champion seeks to borrow the Staff of Annihilation?"

    Jier maintained his solemn demeanor. "Yes. The ''Lord of Entertainment'' cult has proven more troublesome than anticipated. Their headquarters is protected by a high-level artifact generating an impenetrable barrier. Neither physical force nor powerful magic can breach it."

    "We''re being led in circles like common fools," Burt added gravely. "Our powers alone cannot penetrate this barrier. The Abyssal Tier artifact is our only option."

    The assembled priests and elders exchanged uneasy glances. Even for a Champion, lending such a dangerous artifact gave them pause. Yet church law was clear - under necessary circumstances, a Champion could request Abyssal Tier artifacts without impediment.

    With visible reluctance, they led the sacred knights through the vault''s heavy doors. The Staff of Annihilation would leave its resting place for the first time in decades.

    ***

    (Jier Bastion POV)

    As we entered the vault, my eyes swept across the chamber. Despite the numerous low-level or mid-level artifacts lining the walls, no staff was visible.

    At the chamber''s far end stood a solitary altar, bearing only a blood-red book. I turned to Thaddeus with a frown. "Where is the Staff of Annihilation? I see no staff here."

    Behind me, the newer knights whispered among themselves. "First time in a church vault," Milpy murmured excitedly.

    "Of course," another replied. "Even ordinary church vaults are restricted without explicit permission."

    I remained silent, considering my own position. Though destined to become Champion and future captain of the Sunforge Division after Lance, I''d rarely entered church vaults myself.

    Like many, I dreamed of exploring the legendary Holy Church vault and vast archives in Apollo Kingdom.

    My thoughts were interrupted as Thaddeus gestured toward the blood-red book. "The Staff of Annihilation''s power is too destructive to leave exposed. It''s contained within the Blood Seal Tome."

    My eyes widened at this revelation. "This city''s church possesses not only an Abyssal Tier artifact but also a rare containment vessel?" The implications were startling.

    I hadn''t expected a mere city church to hold such powerful relics. The Blood Seal Tome''s presence suggested Angel City''s church wielded far more power than commonly known.

    "The Blood Seal Tome was donated by the Champion who last wielded the Staff of Annihilation," Eryndor explained, gesturing toward the scorched, crumbling walls. "In his final testament, he specifically mandated its use to contain the Staff."

    "Before the Tome''s arrival, the Staff''s presence damaged the vault during its unstable phases. Though mostly dormant, its occasional instability proved devastating."

    "I see..." I nodded, processing this information. Champions naturally accumulated both wealth and rare artifacts during their service. A containment vessel, even one this rare, seemed fitting for a Champion''s collection.

    As we approached the altar, the Blood Seal Tome''s presence grew more oppressive. Its crimson leather binding seemed to pulse with dark energy, ancient runes etched in its surface glowing with a dull, threatening light. The very air around it felt heavy, as if the book itself rejected our presence.

    "The Tome remains sealed," Thaddeus continued, his voice dropping lower. "Opening it requires more than mere physical force. One must read the front page and establish a temporary blood pact with the Seal."

    My heart sank slightly at his words. Despite knowing the Staff''s destructive reputation, part of me had hoped to experience its power firsthand. That opportunity, it seemed, would belong solely to Lord Champion Lance.