Akatsuki Translations

Isralia Continent, Capital Nation of the Grand Federation, the 【City of Sin, Proudia】

The Sin Cities of the Isralia Continent each possessed their own unique characteristics and prosperity. However, be it the priests, the city dwellers, or even the Nameless who drifted in from the outside, they all proclaimed, “Proudia is the place where humanity has flourished the most on this continent.”

There were several reasons for this, but the foremost among them was undoubtedly the 【Barrier of the Sun】.

It was an incomparably robust barrier that repelled evil, bestowed upon all temples and cities. The greatest blessing granted by the Sun God. When the dungeons and evil overflowed, it was the ultimate shield that allowed humanity to maintain their living space without complete loss.

The barrier that enveloped Proudia was the strongest and most expansive on the Isralia Continent.

Proudia had no satellite cities or production cities. Because it did not need them. The colossal and overwhelming barrier encompassed every necessary element for constructing a city on the current Isralia Continent.

There was no need to deliberately separate the main star and satellite cities to disperse the risk of monsters.

To distinguish it from the usual barriers, it was called the Solar Aegis.

It was the strongest barrier, made possible only by the mercy of God and under the auspices of Wise Heavenly King.

With few land restrictions, Proudia had the largest population among all the city-states. The risk of invasion by monsters was also extremely low, which was why many people gathered there. Inevitably, all the technologies and cultures cultivated throughout the continent converged in Proudia.

Thus, those who lived in Proudia would say, “There is nothing that does not exist here.”

The prosperity of Greed,

The pursuit of Lust,

The abundance of Gluttony,

The mechanisms of Envy,

The alluring brilliance of Sloth,

And the mysteries and prayers of the now-fallen Wrath…

Everything existed in Proudia.

That was the pride and the norm for the residents of Proudia. The vast majority of them were convinced, even if subconsciously, that the place they resided in was the center of the world.

However, on this day, their confidence and pride were to be slightly wounded.

In the face of the 【Dragon-Devoured Uuga】, a colossal mobile city unlike anything anyone in Proudia had ever seen before.

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Outside the 【City of Sin, Proudia】, in front of the Solar Aegis domain

『Wow, that’s quite a crowd, 』 Rock remarked.

《Everyone’s got time on their hands, 》 Akane commented.

『Well, it’s only natural they’d want to catch a glimpse, 』 Rock said.

Rock and Akane were gazing towards Proudia from the rear of Uuga.

In front of them, the radiance of the great barrier of Proudia, the 【Solar Aegis】, was visible. From Uuga’s position, the City of Sin, Proudia was still far off in the distance. However, the barrier already enveloped this place, even though it was neither an urban area nor had any defensive walls.

Many city residents had gathered in front of the barrier, observing Uuga through it.

“It must be quite a hassle for them to come all the way outside the city,” Ur commented, also observing the scene beside them. While Uuga might be a curiosity for those on the other side, the behavior of the residents was also unusual for Ur and the others. Even though they were within the Solar Aegis, they had rarely seen a situation where so many people gathered outside the city.

『Aren’t they afraid of monsters? 』 Rock asked.

“Probably not. The 【Solar Aegis】 is even stronger than the 【Barrier of the Sun】 that typically envelops cities. It not only hinders the advance of monsters but also prevents them from approaching in the first place,” Ur explained.

The more human presence there was, the more monsters would gather and attack. However, the city residents who had come to observe Uuga easily exceeded a hundred in number, yet there were no signs of monsters outside the barrier.

The presence of Uuga certainly played a role, but the residents’ trust likely lay in the power of the barrier and the 【Wise Heavenly King】 who had created it.

『Is it really okay to go and greet a king with such an amazing barrier? 』 Rock asked.

“I don’t know,” Ur admitted.

『Hey now, 』 Rock protested.

“Things have been so hectic lately that I haven’t had time to mentally prepare myself,” Ur said, somewhat resignedly. One could say he was being defiant.

To fulfill the task given by Black of “building up achievements by dealing with problems that arise in Proudia,” Ur and the others first needed to have an audience with the 【Wise Heavenly King】. According to Diz, if they wanted to participate in the 【Sun-Devouring Ceremony】, the king’s permission was absolutely necessary.

Using her connections and the influence of the 【Heavenly Demon, Greylei】 through the Envy Knight Order, they had managed to forcefully secure an audience with the Wise Heavenly King, but…

“To be honest, forcibly squeezing into the Wise Heavenly King’s extremely busy audience schedule already gives a terrible impression, so I don’t even know how to make amends at this point. Hahaha,” Ur laughed nervously.

《Nii-tan’s in quite a mess,” Akane observed.

Normally, to request an audience with the Wise Heavenly King, one had to apply at least several months in advance, or even a year in advance under usual circumstances, and wait their turn. Diz had informed them of this. Since they had cut in line, it would be a miracle if their impression hadn’t worsened.

During their travel, Ur had tried to keep himself busy and avoid thinking about it, but now that the audience was approaching, his sense of being out of place and his anxiety were grating on his nerves.

“Well, don’t worry… I won’t say that, but Lacretia and I will handle the explanations and negotiations,” Diz reassured him as she appeared behind Ur, dressed in formal attire. Perhaps because it was her first homecoming in a while, she had put extra effort into her appearance. With her makeup properly done, she looked even more dignified. If the situation were different, Ur might have thrown a compliment her way, but now all he could do was rely on her.

Lacretia had already arrived at the location as well. Her presence was also essential in explaining the true nature of Uuga.

“Originally, we needed to report about Gradol’s new Shinra anyway, so it’s not like we’re cutting in line that much since we’re doing it at the same time. Ur, you just need to keep your head down,” Diz said.

“In that case, I’ll make sure to keep my mouth shut and my head bowed,” Ur replied.

If he could just silently entrust all the responsibility to others, he would gladly do so. He had no desire to make a good impression on the Wise Heavenly King. He was fully intent on getting through this without any issues.

“However, when it comes to the 【Heavenly Sword】, be sure to—” Diz was about to give some advice when it happened.

『…Huh?! 』Rock exclaimed.

《What the?! 》 Akane yelped.

The air was suddenly enveloped in a coldness that seemed to freeze everything for a moment. Rock and Akane must have noticed it too, as they jumped up in alert. Rock’s hand even reached for the hilt of his sword.

The freezing presence gradually climbed up Uuga’s tail. It was only then that they realized it wasn’t the presence of monsters, but that of a human. The heaviness in the air was too much to believe it was caused by a person.

Without riding a carriage or being accompanied by attendants, a beastperson with short, deep blue hair appeared alone.

A girl clad in the armor of the Sun Knights. She seemed to be the same age as Ur, if not younger. However, the aura emanating from her was completely at odds with her lovely appearance.

As soon as the girl saw Ur and the others, she let out a small snort.

“For someone who forcibly squeezed into an audience with His Majesty the Wise Heavenly King, this is quite a shabby welcome, 【Hero】,” she said.

“Hey Yuri, long time no see. How have you been?” Diz greeted her casually.

“I was doing well until you went and messed up the king’s schedule and threw the guard assignments into disarray. Please die,” Yuri retorted.

As soon as she said that, 【Heavenly Sword】Yuri Seira Bluesky drew her sword.

Ur inwardly screamed, thinking that if he had just kept his head down and prostrated himself, things might have gone smoothly.