Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 144

Chapter 144: Holy Water Drops!
With a quick decision, Ryan set his course.

First, the bustling market had quieted, its vendors and patrons drawn away by the event, leaving little reason for him to linger. More importantly, his intrigue was piqued not just by the promised “water drop blessing” but also by the mysteries of the Libra Holy Church itself. The main hall was said to house the “Holy Libra,” a sacred relic reputedly left by the gods. The prospect of glimpsing such an artifact was too compelling to ignore.

Furthermore, Ryan’s prior run-in with the “Black Cat Fortune Telling House” had inadvertently set him at odds with the Libra Church. Gaining insight into their stronghold could prove invaluable for any future encounters.

Thus, Ryan melded seamlessly with the swelling crowd, all drawn by the allure of the “Water Drop Princess.” The throng thickened as they neared the church, enveloping the sacred site in layers of eager spectators. Ryan’s robust build allowed him to navigate closer to the front, securing a spot that was inconspicuous yet afforded a clear view of the unfolding scene.

The majestic gates of the Libra Holy Church were flanked by rows of elite kingdom knights, their spiritual energy palpably intense, signaling no less than second-level prowess. Ryan’s gaze swept over the impressive edifice before him.

The main hall resembled a traditional church in structure yet stood out with its grandeur. Clad in platinum with stained glass windows casting kaleidoscopic patterns, its splendor was undoubted. But the true marvel was the enormous scale sculpture crowning the building. Each pan of the scale lay perfectly balanced, adorned with intricate, eye-like designs that seemed to surveil the gathering below. This divine observer instilled a palpable sense of awe and reverence in the crowd, dissuading any thought of impropriety.

Though Ryan was too far to catch the finer details of the “Holy Scale,” the sheer aura of authority it projected confirmed the artifact’s revered status.

Lost in his observations, Ryan was brought back to the moment as the grand metal doors of the church creaked open, revealing a platform high above the ground, bordered by ornately carved columns. A slender figure came forward slowly from the shadows of the doorway, stepping into the light.

Clad in a resplendent gown adorned with motifs of the ocean deep and accents of gilded embroidery, her skirt swept the ground with regal majesty. A sheer veil obscured her visage, rendering her stunning features a mystery yet to be unveiled. Nonetheless, the glimpse of her mesmerizing blue-gold eyes evoked the profound depths of the sea, embodying its serene embrace and its fierce tempestuousness in equal measure.

This enigmatic figure was none other than Ariel, the esteemed eldest daughter of the Santos royal lineage, affectionately heralded as the Water Drop Princess.

Among the throng, Ryan’s expression tightened subtly.

Positioned too distant to discern the detailed attributes of the “Water Drop Princess” from the introductory panel, his instincts nonetheless intuited her formidable prowess, surely on par with a third-tier hero, if not surpassing it.

Such was the legacy of the Santos royalty, whose influence rivaled even that of the Libra Holy Church, custodians of the revered “divine artifact.” The mere hint of their might commanded immense respect.

“Princess Ariel!” cried voices in adoration.

“Your Highness!” echoed others.

Their fervent cheers reverberated through the air, causing even the banners around the Libra Holy Church’s headquarters to flutter in response.

Amid the fervor, Ryan feigned enthusiasm to blend seamlessly with the crowd, his guise undetectable.

Soon, a commanding voice, deep and solemn, resonated across the square, “The ceremony of the Water Drop Blessing shall now commence…”

“—please, silence.”

The command came from a stalwart female knight who had silently positioned herself behind Ariel. She was clad entirely in gleaming white armor, her presence unyielding and formidable.

As her words swept over the assembly, the cheers ceased instantly, as if the world itself had been muted.

“What a strong spiritual force!” Ryan marveled internally, recognizing a power that even eclipsed the formidable “Iris Knight” he had once contended with.

Was this prowess beyond the third tier, he wondered?

From the platform, the Princess, with lips parting gently, her tone both clear and celestial, addressed the crowd: “My dear people… Thank you for your warmth.”

“Please, accept my heartfelt blessings.”

With those words, she gracefully flicked her wrist, releasing ten shimmering droplets of blue-gold liquid into the air. They arced gracefully before descending into the eager crowd below.

A wave of movement surged as people scrambled to catch these blessed droplets, each believed to carry fortuitous luck.

Amidst the chaos, Ryan was swept along, disinterested in the frantic rush for the “holy water.” His thoughts lingered on the potential strings attached to such “luck.”

Could these mystical droplets be more than they seemed? What hidden costs might accompany their promised fortune?

Ryan had always dismissed fanciful notions as mere “pie in the sky.” Yet, as he wove through the dense crowd at Santos City, a peculiar event challenged his skepticism. Despite his best efforts to dodge the celebrated “holy water drops,” one iridescent droplet seemed to pursue him with unnerving precision, altering its trajectory with each step he took.

Before he could react, the droplet accelerated, striking him squarely on the face. More precisely, it landed on the [Overturning Mask No. 7] that obscured his features.

As the droplet made contact, a familiar voice resonated beside him, its timbre calm and assured. “No. 7 Purple Wind, this is No. 1 Red Kite speaking. Do not be alarmed. Princess Water Drop has formed an alliance with our Overthrow Temple. This ‘Holy Water Drop’ is not just a token; it’s a conduit for communication among members of our order. Consider it a perk of our collaboration.”

The voice continued, divulging more details, “Alongside you, No. 4 Azure Tide and No. 5 have also been graced by the water drop’s touch.”

This revelation stopped Ryan from ripping off the [Mask No. 7 Overturned]. His attention shifted to the mask’s description on the digital panel:

[Mask No. 7: A derivative of the arcane treasure A09 from the Overturned Palace. It allows the wearer to simulate various facial appearances or become transparent to reveal their true form, evading detection and tracking. To teleport to the “Overthrow Temple,” mentally recite “Temple of Subversion.” This function is available once every half-month, without depleting if teleported during a summon.

The mask now bears a ‘holy water drop,’ which will enhance your fortune by +1 for the next week. Additionally, the droplet forms an ‘anchor’ facilitating voice communication within a specified range.]

“Luck +1? An anchor for voice communication?” Ryan mused, his brow furrowing slightly.

In his world, the notion of “fortune” was significant, encompassing a broad spectrum of potential impacts, both beneficial and detrimental. However, it was the concept of the “anchor point” that intrigued him more deeply.

If the dispensation of these “holy water drops” was under the precise control of Princess Water Drop, Ryan pondered her motives. Public records showed that similar rituals had been performed repeatedly, yet the total number of “anchor points” left behind remained a mystery.

What was Princess Water drop’s intent in embedding these anchors among so many? As the eldest scion of the royal family of Saint Toth, why would she align with the secretive operatives of the Overthrow Tample? Was she perhaps “Red Kite No. 1,” or one of the other undisclosed members of the palace?

Ryan’s gaze deepened with contemplation. Being an “anchor point” was hardly shocking; even without the “Holy Drop,” the Temple of Overturning could ascertain his whereabouts via the mask.

In a world woven with secrets and hidden alliances, each revelation carried its blend of opportunities and risks. Ryan knew this all too well, it was the nature of his existence.