The New Cult Leader and the Great Research

After Celia spoke those words, the hall fell into a dead silence.

Whether they were elders of the Truth faction or the Restorationist faction, they all looked at each other, their eyes meeting in a complex exchange, yet not one dared to actually speak.

Celia was being so direct that even if someone had an objection, they wouldn't dare voice it. Wouldn't that just make them an immediate target?

Besides, after the news of Samantha's death arrived, even the hardliners who had previously opposed Celia didn't dare to have an opinion now...

It was said that Samantha had been dealt with quite swiftly, dying like a dog... and even Seance, who arrived later, had been easily repelled.

No one knew exactly what had happened in Maplewood Town that day. All they knew was that the Church of Holy Light had subsequently sealed off the news, suggesting that something monumental had occurred...

"Why is everyone so quiet?"

Celia frowned slightly, her gaze sweeping left and right. "Don't be afraid. I allow everyone to speak freely here. Besides... I'm not as strict as Samantha. After I become the Cult Leader, if you have any opinions about the cult, you can voice them, and I will do my best to solve them..."

Solving the person who raises the objection? Elder Barnes couldn't help but criticize inwardly.

"Cult Leader Celia is being serious." Ansu broke the awkward atmosphere with a smile. "If you feel it's inconvenient to say it to her face, you can relay it through me."

Aren't you two in this together? Elder Barnes's eye twitched slightly, feeling even more helpless.

The atmosphere in the reception hall remained incredibly silent as Ansu and Celia shared a silent look.

Actually, the two of them really were being serious.

They currently had a very significant research plan that required manpower. These elders, all of whom were high-tier mages, would certainly be useful to keep around.

Besides, the Echoes of Truth would no longer be a cult organization in the future, but rather an 'academic organization' focused on basic theoretical research. Why keep the atmosphere so terrifying?

As long as they remained loyal to the cult, the two of them certainly wouldn't be overly harsh on these elders.

Unfortunately, the impression Celia had left previously was far too terrifying... No elder dared to believe them on a whim now.

"None of us have any objections..."

In the end, it was Elder Barnes who, after whispering with the others for a moment, spoke up on behalf of the entire room.

"Very well." Celia nodded slightly.

Elder Barnes stepped forward slowly, facing everyone with a serious expression. "By the unanimous approval of the Council of Elders, please bear witness together—"

"Lord Celia has officially become the new Cult Leader of the Echoes of Truth!"

All the elders bowed slightly in unison, lowering their heads in respect.

"From this day forward, the cult shall have a leader who is powerful, pragmatic, and farsighted!"

"We shall follow your guidance to realize the great ideals of the cult, explore the truths of the world, and restore the brilliance and glory of the Ancient Magic Era..."

"Long live the Echoes of Truth!" Elder Barnes tapped his left chest and shouted.

Ansu and Celia also tapped their left chests, responding in low voices, "Long live the God of Magic."

Bursts of applause rang out in the hall, and the atmosphere finally felt less stifling.

The elders watched the new master of the cult—the young demon girl within the magic projection—with varying looks in their eyes.

Whether they supported or opposed her, no matter how cautious they were... at least from this moment on, the Echoes of Truth had a legitimate and undeniably powerful new master.

After the meeting, Ansu emphasized the matter of searching for the Squirrel Party in Norvigel and the upcoming massive research plan before waving his hand to dismiss everyone.

Some Truth faction elders who were going to be permanently stationed in Norvigel prepared to return to their respective residences, while those who lived in remote areas or even across the continent used teleportation magic or items to depart—

But the continuous surges of powerful mana did not trigger any reaction from the outside world, nor did a large group of clergymen from the Church of Holy Light come knocking.

This was thanks to Ansu registering the name of a 'Magitech Research and Development Company' combined with the Lawrence family's noble status.

Of course, the environment in Norvigel itself was indeed relatively relaxed, especially concerning magic.

After most of the elders had left, Barnes and Elder Matthew of the Truth faction stepped forward.

"Cult Leader, Hermit... what exactly is this 'research plan' you mentioned?"

Barnes knew the Hermit intended to keep the elders with the most solid magical theory and the most studious and scholarly spirits in Norvigel for the sake of this plan.

Although it would be announced sooner or later, Barnes couldn't help but be curious. What exactly were they going to research that required the strength of the entire cult?

"I can give you a little preview now. I was planning to have a specific talk with the two of you this week anyway."

Ansu, who was sharing a few quiet words with Celia, shifted his gaze back to the two elders.

The Truth faction within the cult had always been the most 'fundamentalist' branch. They believed the meaning of the cult's existence was magic itself—seeking the truths of the world and obtaining the great power of the gods. The two men before him were the current pillars of the Truth faction.

"This research of ours," Ansu said seriously, "is aimed at solving the problem of magic pollution."

"Hm? What!"

Both Barnes and Elder Matthew were somewhat surprised, almost thinking they had misheard.

"That's right, you didn't mishear." Celia explained calmly, "Although we have been trying to solve this problem for thousands of years, and many elders have spent their entire lives studying it without any progress, Ansu and I are still going to give it a try."

Barnes and Elder Matthew looked at each other, momentarily unsure of what to say.

Ansu joked with a smile, "Why aren't you two excited at all? You should know that this is a great research project that will change the status of us mages."

If they could solve the problem of magic pollution, it would become the strongest trump card in his hand.

At that time, forget about cleaning up the reputation of the Echoes of Truth; even the entire magic faction would be able to completely turn things around. They would no longer be 'minions of a false god' or be disparagingly called 'black mages.'

"This... is indeed the greatest research, but..." Elder Barnes sighed. Along with his skepticism, he also had a nearly pessimistic clarity.

It had been a thousand years, and not a single mage had been able to solve this problem. Why were these two so confident that they could bring about a change for them?

He advised with a sincere tone, "The two of you are exceptionally talented, and I can understand your youthful vigor, but it would be best not to pour too many of the cult's resources into this research..."

"In fact, the Truth faction has always been dedicated to solving the problem of magic pollution. Three elders have been working on it, and they've even spent their entire lives on it..."

"But we all know that this is still a research project destined to be in vain."

"I understand your concerns." Ansu instinctively looked toward Celia. She was quietly watching him, her eyes filled with the same certainty as his own.

"But why not choose hope? We might truly bring a turning point to the magic world."

"Perhaps..." Barnes didn't say it was impossible, but he still didn't hold much expectation in his heart.

He simply smiled along with the atmosphere and said no more.

After the elders had left one by one, the reception hall finally became empty.

The glow of the magic projection fluctuated slightly in the silence, and Celia's figure flickered lightly to appear before Ansu.

"Congratulations, Cult Leader Celia!" Ansu joked with a smile.

"Why are you being so formal with me?" Celia gave him a gentle look, her projection leaning in close as she pretended to straighten his collar, which wasn't messy at all. "We've both become so busy lately. When you're not busy... have you missed me?"

"I have." Ansu looked into her eyes. "I think about you even when I am busy."

A touch of softness flashed through Celia's eyes, and her lips gradually curved upward. The projection formed by magic leaned even closer.

As the magic glow flickered slightly, she stretched out her arms to gently encircle Ansu and closed her eyes, as if she could truly feel the warmth of the embrace through the light and shadow.

"If only our treasure vault could be moved at any time..."

She murmured, "For this research plan of ours, I have to stay here and analyze ancient magic. I don't know how long I'll have to keep watch."

"It almost sounds like you're the one being locked in a little black room..." Ansu chuckled first, then answered her seriously, "It shouldn't be too long, believe me."

Celia looked up at him, always feeling that he had a level of confidence far beyond normal for this nearly impossible research...

"Mhm... I believe you." She let out a helpless sigh.

"Don't I always believe you?"

This rare moment of being alone made Celia a bit reluctant to leave. Just as she was about to say something more, the door to the reception hall was pushed open.

"Ah, you two..."

Freya stood at the door, momentarily stunned to see the two of them in an intimate embrace.

The expectant smile on her face slowly faded, and she lowered her head, her gaze following suit as it dimmed.

"Lord Ansu asked me to come, saying there was an important mission." Her voice grew quiet. "Am I... interrupting you?"

She had thought it was only Lord Ansu. She hadn't expected this woman to be here as well...

Celia glanced at her indifferently and released her hold on Ansu, criticizing silently in her heart.

"Oh, right..." Ansu felt the atmosphere turn mysteriously awkward, so he coughed and explained to the little Holy Maiden:

"I did ask Freya to come over. For the time being, she will be living in this newly purchased manor of mine..."

Before he could finish, he felt the witch's gaze move quietly back to his face.

Ansu immediately finished his sentence: "Of course, it's not just her. Professor Duncan, Eddie, Leon, Danielle and her husband... six elders of the Truth faction, and even Radish... everyone will be moving into Lawrence Manor together."

"Oh..." Celia nodded, her tone unreadable. "So there are that many people. I see."

"Yes." Ansu smiled. "Everyone is here for this great research."