Beneath the colossal Azerlisia Mountain Range, which divides the Empire from the Kingdom, lies a hidden city of legend.

Though its master remains in a long, unbroken slumber, the inhabitants themselves proudly named it Shinshi—"The Divine City"—believing it to be a place crafted by the gods and blessed with their grace.

This massive structure spans six distinct layers, shaped like an inverted triangle with its two lower sides curving inward.

Each layer serves a specific purpose, strictly regulated under the authority of the Twelve High Priests and the upper echelons.

The First Layer is the general residential district—a vast, advanced metropolis interspersed with various natural environments, home to most of the royal's citizens and its slaves.

The Second Layer is the mining zone, a sprawling expanse of stone and steel-rich land, where countless minerals lie exposed in open veins. While it produces no metals deemed rare by Shinshi's—formerly Yggdrasil's—standards, many of its ores are still considered precious in the outside world.

The Third and Fourth Layers form the dungeon zones, their scale shrinking drastically with depth. The Fourth Layer is only half the size of the Third, but exponentially more dangerous. The Third Layer serves as a training ground for the young and inexperienced, while the Fourth is a crucible where one tempers their life on the edge against foes that would be legendary outside. Though monsters slain here dissolve into mana and yield no materials, the combat experience they provide is priceless.

The Fifth Layer is the restricted residential area, forbidden to slaves and most citizens. Once the dwelling place of the gods themselves, it is now home to the "divine citizens"—those who, blessed by the gods, have been freed from the limits of mortal lifespan—and their descendants, separated from the rest of the populace since the great upheaval 150 years ago.

The Sixth Layer, accessible only to the Twelve High Priests, the highest-ranking officers, and specially invited guests, houses the Grand Temple where their assemblies are held, the Throne Hall where the slumbering god rests, and the sealed Vault of Shinshi.

Together, these layers encompass an area greater than that of a small nation. Though hidden underground, the First Layer alone extends beyond part of the Azerlisia Range above it.

This is the Divine City—the true form of the once-mighty Yggdrasil alliance guild The Twelve Guardian, which ruled the Sixth World of Yggdrasil, Jotunheim, and was formally recognized as a sovereign nation through negotiations with the GMs.

Though the guild's golden era has passed—its twelve divisions now reduced to one, most of its players gone, and many NPCs stripped of guild status—the kingdom still stands as a proud monument to its former glory.

Only one guild member remains to enjoy it, yet the city thrives.

Divine citizens, blessed with immortality; royal citizens of divine lineage; honorary citizens and slaves who have been integrated over the centuries—all live under Shinshi's banner.

From the meager three to four thousand souls that first arrived in this world, the population has grown over 200 years to tens of thousands.

This growth is sustainable, for Shinshi's people, unlike those outside, devote themselves to constant training and refinement, living far longer than the average mortal.

Their meritocratic system admits only the most gifted from beyond, ensuring that even newborn children inherit exceptional talent.

The Twelve High Priests are charged with assigning each citizen a role suited to their abilities and ensuring they serve the city's prosperity.

Governors enforce law and order, while the priests oversee their respective domains—such as Drake, the Dragon High Priest, who co-rules with the governors; Kima, the West High Priest, who manages finances and trade; and Kaguya and Orochi, the Earth and Serpent Priests, who nurture magical talent while cooperating with the Tauros, Mary, and Holstein Priests of the production sector to enchant and craft items.

Amid these diligent stewards, however, one priest stands apart.

While others devote themselves to their duties, this one exists almost entirely apart from the system.

"Hm… I have a bad feeling about this."

With a crimson crest like a crown atop his head and a sharp yellow beak clicking in place of lips, his long white hair flows down past his shoulders, interrupted by the feathered tufts sprouting naturally above each ear.

This half-human, half-avian figure is Pride, the Celestial High Priest—a man who lives up to his name by maintaining an air of unshakable arrogance. He has no assigned duties—or rather, no one dares to assign him any.

All twelve High Priests have their own assigned duties and work diligently in their respective fields—except for Pride.

Uniquely, he has no official role. Even his residence is tucked away in a corner of the special residential district. Yet no one seems to mind.

"Feels like trouble is coming… Now, what should I do about it?"

The reason is simple: Pride is far too arrogant. His ability is undeniable—after all, to say a High Priest has no skill would be to claim all of Shinsi's people are powerless. Any High Priest could carry their weight in any field if needed.

But no one ever calls on this man. Entirely because of his attitude.

His words are always vague and lofty, his manner lazy, and even when speaking of the gods, his tone drips with disrespect.

He is laziness and apathy made flesh, an image that naturally irritates those who devote themselves wholeheartedly to the gods. It's no surprise everyone dislikes him.

Once, the Beast High Priest—driven to rage—had even shouted, "If you refuse to work sincerely, I'll deep-fry you alive—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—and offer you to the gods!" before charging at him.

Yet, none of the High Priests are unaware of Pride's importance.

If Drake were to step down, there would be someone else to govern in his place.

Without Kaguya, they might lose access to super-tier magic, but a substitute could still be found.

Likewise, if Kima, Tauros, Holstein, Mary, or any other priest were absent, replacements could take their place, even if with slightly less ability.

But Pride is different.

His abilities are far too unique to be replicated.

Clatter, clatter. Several oddly-shaped stones and wooden sticks shook in his hand, producing a dry sound. He frowned. The result was… troubling.

"Hmm… should I cast again?"

Among Pride's many classes is Astrologer.

In Yggdrasil, it was a magic class linked to the alignment of celestial bodies, but upon arriving in this world, that power manifested in a strange new form.

Now, Pride can divine approaching misfortunes—not so much foreseeing the future as sensing calamities already on their way.

He cannot pinpoint the details, but simply knowing whether misfortune is coming is an invaluable gift.

The problem is, he cannot tell what it is, or who it's coming for.

Moreover, his readings sometimes reveal more than ill omens—they hint at the nature of what approaches.

"A string of 'Misfortunes' followed by a 'Great Misfortune'… and yet I see a 'Great Blessing' as well. How peculiar…"

This ability—to read fate from the stars—was something he awakened to after arriving in this world.

Though born from Yggdrasil's mechanics, it merged with this world's laws to become something unique.

While Pride would like to study it in detail, the power is too abstract, and so it is treated as one of his personal arts.

At times, he can dispel lesser bad luck through his own power or by offering sacrifices. But stacked misfortunes, especially of the "Great" variety, cannot be removed.

This, he suspects, is the work of that kind—the same beings who appear once every century. Perhaps their side, too, has a god akin to the one Shinshi serves.

Yet judging by the feeling he gets, their god is unlike theirs—awake, active, and brimming with relentless energy. Its presence is so ominous that he dares not even think of challenging it.

"If our god awakens, all will go well… The god's power can even twist the flow of fate itself."

But that power is immeasurable, far beyond any known limit. Since falling into this world, their god has reached a realm so lofty that even his closest aides cannot grasp it. After 200 years, none can say what kind of being their god has become.

"…But the reading is too vague."

He feared that revealing it might only spread confusion.

What should he do? What could he do? After a moment's thought, Pride simply let it go.

The times are chaotic. Whether he acts or not, he cannot overturn the current state of affairs. Unless the god rises, there is nothing he can do but watch.

"Eh, whatever."

And so Pride stopped thinking. The soft grass cradled his body.

Today, too, Shinshi's weather was perfect—ideal for an afternoon nap.

--------------------------

[The Slothful Diviner Who Never Crows]

Name: Pride

Title: 12 High Priests of Shinshi – 10th Seat, Celestial High Priest / Rooster High Priest, Astronomer of Shinshi

Residence: Officially owns a mansion, but prefers a wandering life in the open fields, so he has no fixed abode.

Alignment: Neutral (Karma Value: 0)

Height: 1.85 m

Total Level: 100

Race Levels: Chickenkin 10, Phoenix 5, Others (Total 25)

Class Levels: Shaman 10, Astrologer 10, Onmyoji 10, Medium 10, Sage 5, Others (Total 75)

Notes: Known as the worst outsider in all of Shinshi, shunned by everyone. His defining traits are laziness and lethargy. Though his master gave him the name Pride, no one interprets it as its literal meaning.

************************

************************

A/N: I know most of you can't wait for the MC to wake up, but it will happen soon. Also, I've already left a sign, and after that, you'll learn more about the MC and his creation. I can't wait for you guys to read it—I promise you won't regret it!

And of course, if you can satisfy me with power stones, I might even drop a bonus chapter.

If you want to read 10 advance chapters ahead.

Visit my patreon: patreon.com/Vanity01