I Am The Game's Villain Chapter 847: Veyra’s Saintess Advent [4]

When the crowd slowly began to calm down, especially the men who had reacted so strongly to Barbara’s arrival, King Aslan cleared his throat lightly.

It was rather obvious that much of the reaction had come from Barbara’s beauty more than her accomplishments. A great number of people likely did not even understand the full extent of what she had achieved for the study of mana. That was understandable in a way. Her work had mostly been done under particular circumstances, in regions and fields that ordinary citizens did not often hear about.

Still, Aslan chose not to linger on the matter.

"I do not believe a long introduction is necessary for our final guest," he said, his voice spreading clearly through the Grand Forum. "He is one of the most loyal men to Edenis Raphiel, to our realm, and to our faith. A protector, a knight, and a shield for every person who lives beneath the skies of Edenis Raphiel."

Aslan turned his head toward the corridor.

The sound of metal striking softly against metal echoed from behind the doors.

Then a tall man stepped onto the stage.

He had barely come into view when the crowd erupted.

John grimaced slightly as he watched the screen.

The man wore a complete suit of brilliant white armor. He was handsome, tall, and appeared to be somewhere in his early thirties. Jet black hair framed his face, marked by thin silver strands at the front of his bangs. His black eyes were sharp and his strong jawline only added to the severe and strong presence he carried. A beautiful sword rested at his waist, its sheath decorated with pale silver details.

He had everything women seemed to admire: strength, status, good looks, confidence.

Just as the men had been the loudest for Barbara, the women now filled the Forum with the most enthusiastic cheers. Their voices rose from every level of the amphitheater, though plenty of men applauded as well out of genuine respect.

King Aslan smiled at the reaction.

"The Great Commander of the White Knights Order, defenders of Edenis Raphiel," he said. "Lord Reginald Fitzgerald."

Another deafening wave of cheers and applause swept through the Grand Forum.

Reginald did not appear overwhelmed by the attention. He did not grin widely or attempt to draw more of it toward himself. Instead, a small and restrained smile touched his face as he raised one hand toward the crowd.

That simple gesture only made the cheers grow louder.

He crossed the crimson carpet and headed toward the remaining seat beside Barbara. Before sitting, however, he first turned toward Grand Priest Cornelius. With the solemn respect expected of a White Knight Commander, Reginald bowed his head deeply.

Cornelius, though blindfolded, seemed aware of the gesture. A faint smile rested on his lips as he offered a small nod in return.

Only then did Reginald take his place beside Barbara.

John watched him closely.

Reginald Fitzgerald was someone he remembered clearly from the Third Game.

He was one of the Pretenders.

Unlike most of the people involved in the academy, Reginald had not been a student, nor had he been part of the school administration, at least not exactly. Yet his influence on the story was huge. As Lord Commander of the White Knights, he became involved whenever threats arose in Edenis Raphiel. Because the major events of the Third Game naturally brought the heroines into danger, he would eventually cross paths with them as well.

That meant romance flags could appear.

He possessed the strength, influence, reputation, charisma, and appearance to rival nearly anyone. Yet what made him especially dangerous as a Pretender was that none of it felt false. Reginald was not a hypocrite hiding selfish intentions behind righteous words. He was not a man pretending to be honorable for public approval.

He truly had principles.

If John had to choose, Reginald was probably the best Pretender across all the games. A man people could respect even when he became an obstacle.

On the screen, Reginald finished showing respect to the Grand Priest before settling back in his seat. The dignitaries were now all present. Pope Francis, Brutus Sparrow, Alector Raonpherys, King Aslan, Isabel Arclight, Cornelius Aurelis, Barbara Attrias, and Reginald Fitzgerald.

Eight of the world’s most influential figures had gathered on one stage.

The cheers slowly began to fade.

In their place came anticipation.

Everyone knew there was only one person left to appear.

The Saintess.

King Aslan returned to the lectern and rested his hands lightly against its surface. His expression grew more solemn as he looked out over the massive audience.

"People of Edenis Raphiel," he began.

The entire Forum quieted.

"People of the world. Today, we are gathered for a special day. A day that will be etched into history, and into the eyes and memories of every person fortunate enough to witness it."

Above the stage, the golden tapestries stirred gently in the open air. Behind him, the doors leading to the backstage remained closed.

But everyone was staring at them.

The Saintess was about to appear.

"Our world has endured war, division, and grief. Nations have turned against one another, and too many lives have been lost to hatred that should never have been allowed to grow."

"Yet even through darkness, Eden has given us reasons to hope. Two years ago, the Prophetess appeared before the world. Today, another light is ready to stand before us."

The audience watched him without moving.

"The Saintess comes from the New Celesta Empire, and we honor the land that has protected and raised her. Yet her existence is a blessing for all Eden. She must not become a weapon of politics, nor a burden forced to bear the hopes of the world alone."

Aslan rested one hand over his heart.

"Peace cannot be created by one person. It must be built by all of us, through the choices we make and the future we choose to leave to those who come after us."

A wave of applause rose across the Forum.

"Let this day mark a new beginning. Let Edenis Raphiel, Celesta, Sancta Vedelia, and every nation willing to stand beside us seek cooperation instead of conflict."

Aslan turned toward the great doors behind the stage.

"People of Edenis Raphiel. People of the world."

The applause faded into breathless silence.

"Please welcome the Holy Saintess of the Garden of Eden."

The White Knights positioned at the doors raised their hands.

The doors opened slowly.

A soft white and golden light spilled from the building behind the stage, flowing across the crimson carpet as a lone figure appeared within the doorway.

Every breath in the Grand Forum seemed to stop as a lone woman emerged from the open doorway.

She wore a flowing white robe dress that fell below her knees, its fine fabric moving softly with each step. White silk covered the rest of her legs, leading down to elegant white shoes that made only the faintest sound against the crimson carpet. Delicate ornaments hung from parts of her dress, clicking gently whenever they brushed together.

At first, the light behind her made it difficult to see her face clearly.

Then she stepped forward.

Her hair came into view first, long and rich in auburn gold tones that seemed to shine under the light. It flowed down her back all the way to her waist, partly gathered into knots that rested against the white fabric of her dress. The warm color framed a face so breathtaking that even the enormous crowd remained silent.

She continued forward with calm steps.

Then she opened her eyes.

A wave of stunned gasps rippled throughout the Grand Forum.

Her gaze was unlike anything most people had ever seen. She possessed a mesmerizing pair of heterochromatic eyes. Her left eye glowed with a brilliant blue hue, clear and luminous like a piece of the open sky. Her right eye held a radiant golden light, warm like sunlight caught within an amber jewel.

"Maria Reina Paradis."