When the plot-skips players into the game world

Whether he can become an Angel Envoy... it all depends on this final archaeological expedition!

Reduced to ashes, or stepping into eternity—

Precisely because of this, Professor Bard holds this expedition in extraordinary regard.

Since the employer, "Master Durer," intended to hire a top-tier team at a high price, Professor Bard didn't even bring his own team. He traveled overseas alone... although he was escorted by the Gryphon Legion upon arrival, he had to take care of his daily needs on his own.

The quality of the expedition team also left him quite satisfied.

Six Fourth Level protectors, including a Temple Guardian Monk, a Dream Traversing Monk, a Great Mage, a Trap Master, a survival expert, and a Great Sorcerer. One from the Path of Devotion, two from the Path of Wisdom, two from the Path of Adaptation, plus one from the Path of Transcendence—and the employer himself, holding the Preserver profession of the Path of Dusk—the role distribution could be considered extremely well-thought-out.

With this arrangement, their team could address hallucinations, traps, toxins, rituals, runes, and demon beasts comprehensively.

—Only a pity, they still couldn't get a high-level Priest.

Professor Bard touched his chin regretfully.

If there were a Priest capable of supplementing their measures against Undead and curses, and even providing real-time healing abilities... the team could truly be said to have no flaws.

"Mr. Durer."

Professor Bard asked, "Are you waiting for someone?"

Since this morning, their employer, Albrecht Dürer, had been sitting motionlessly at the entrance of the villa they rented temporarily.

The villa served as their base. After all, gathering people progressively requires time. To ensure these talents didn't leave, providing them with a good living environment became a necessary condition.

Though their team seemed complete, Mr. Durer still hadn't moved to depart. Even being asked, he merely replied, "It's not time yet."

Considering that every day they delayed brought a hefty daily salary, the other team members patiently stayed and enjoyed themselves in the Narcissus Duchy. It was almost like a holiday they gave themselves... only Professor Bard seemed somewhat anxious, though not excessively so.

The third academic term hadn't started yet, and he still had several months to spare. In any case, for this archaeological expedition... even his teaching duties could take a back seat, as everything could be sacrificed for this supreme endeavor.

Recently, the snowfall summoned by the Winter Celestial's ascension had just dispersed. Snow could still be seen lingering on some rooftops. The slightly warmer April sun shone on this snow, offering an impression of warm sunshine with a gentle, refreshing breeze.

Thus, most of the other team members went out to explore.

Aside from Albrecht Dürer and Professor Bard, only the Temple Guardian Monk remained, meditating quietly.

Meanwhile, the silent and reticent Mr. Durer offered no response.

Professor Bard felt a bit bored and shook his head, habitually asking, "By the way, do you know where the name 'Protagoras Territory' comes from?"

This wasn't out of a desire to show off knowledge, but merely to find some enjoyment during idle moments.

He always enjoyed telling stories, possibly one of the reasons he liked being a teacher. However, the stories he told were often dull, causing even his students to yawn incessantly.

"—This name comes from Protagoras, the Angel Envoy of the Great Sage and a Mage Lord during the Imperial Era of the Helasal Empire."

The one who answered Professor Bard wasn't Mr. Durer; instead, it was a voice familiar yet oddly distant emanating from outside the door: "The Narcissus Duchy has a Mage Tower named 'Protagoras.' Its name derives from Protagoras's spell lineage... According to the 'Mage Tower Land Management Act,' Mage Lords were granted powers akin to noble rulers of other nations, including naming rights.

"Generally speaking, the names of various territories within the Narcissus Duchy originate from the surnames of local Mage Lords, unless a Mage Lord specifically named a piece of land otherwise..."

The voice grew clearer as its source approached. Suddenly, Durer lifted his head and gazed toward the doorway.

After finishing his explanation, Aiwass stepped through the door.

He looked at Professor Bard, a smile playing at the corners of his lips: "Tell me, did I get it right?"

"—Teacher?"

"Aiwass!... Aiwass?!"

Professor Bard stared in astonishment: "Aren't you—"

Weren't you supposed to be serving in the Holy Nation as Vicar Pope? How do you have time to come here?!

Just as he was about to say this aloud, he spotted the decorations and runes on Aiwass's robe.

A single glance told him everything: "Hollow Carving of Ancient Scripture in Gold, Nine Saints Pattern Gold Buttons, Nine-Inch Antlers with Thorn Engraving... it truly matches the specifications of the Eternal Pope's ceremonial attire."

Unbelievable.

Though he had heard rumors that his student had become the Vicar Pope, he had already been stunned once. But the notion felt so absurd at the time that it lacked any sense of reality.

Now, it was different.

He was seeing it for himself—

In that instant, the sense of absurdity that had accumulated over the past few months overwhelmed him.

—My student really became a Cardinal Archbishop? My student really became the Eternal Pope? Why has His Holiness the Pope shown up in person? Are you here for the archaeological expedition too? Does leaving the Holy Nation without a Pope not cause issues?

A cascade of questions flooded Professor Bard's mind, leaving him wide-eyed and speechless.

Meanwhile, Durer stood and offered a deep bow to Aiwass: "Your Holiness."

When looking at Durer, Aiwass's exaggerated "Ah-ha, bet you didn't expect this" smile subsided slightly. He nodded warmly: "May the Pillar God protect you, Master Durer... or should I say Amber Master."

"...So, you really do know my identity."

"I've met Mr. Grunevald. You must have learned of my arrival from the correspondence there, right?"

Still smiling, Aiwass raised a finger to his lips: "But remember... don't reveal my identity to the others. No need to conceal it intentionally either—just call me Aiwass or Moriarty."

In the past, Aiwass had often used the alias "Aleister."

Yet now, for some inexplicable reason, he found it awkward and unwilling to use it.

At this moment, a somewhat hesitant voice came through from Professor Bard: "Who is she...?"

It was directed at the girl accompanying Aiwass, someone with pure white, long hair—a shade icy as snow.

She exuded a cold and solemn aura, silent like a lifeless sculpture. Her hair, cut sharply as if severed in one stroke, gave an impression of frostbitten crispness.

The Amber Master nodded to acknowledge Aiwass's words but then turned to gaze at the young girl.

He glanced briefly, paused, and then stared wide-eyed to scrutinize her closely.

"...Mechanical?"

Amber sounded confused: "And a soul?"

"This is Cardinal Galatea."

Aiwass introduced her: "A Star Spirit born of the Age of Amber, and someone I summoned as a helper."

"—She might have better insights into the ruins."

At this moment, a sudden sense of foreboding rose in the Amber Master's heart.

Three Fifth Power Levels, six Fourth Levels... the number of Transcendents had unknowingly reached nine.

Nine—

...The 'ultimate' number, also the quantity required for grand rituals.