Youngest on Top - Chapter 187

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 187

* * *

The first preliminary round of the Sacred Maiden selection was divided into a total of ten brackets.
I was assigned to the seventh bracket.

‘Only Sacred Maidens are participating… Since it’s the first preliminary round, they’re keeping it simple.’

As the rounds progressed, my children would participate alongside me.
Still, it was unusual.

‘Even in the first round, they usually require at least one leader to accompany the participants.’

When I arrived at the gathering place, there were Sacred Maidens who had come earlier.
Some Sacred Maidens who knew each other were already clustered in small groups, while others stood apart, casting sidelong glances and subtly sizing each other up.
It seemed they’d developed connections through their external activities.
I didn’t know any of the Sacred Maidens here.

‘Amelia must have been assigned to a different bracket.’

That’s when it happened.

“Oh my, you’re the Sacred Maiden from Artemisia, aren’t you?”

A shrill voice called out to me.
Five Sacred Maidens approached me.

“Goodness. So you really are participating?”
“We heard you might not come to the Sacred Maiden selection. You’ve been so reclusive, after all.”
“There were rumors that you’d fallen ill.”

A Sacred Maiden falling ill.
That essentially meant having no power whatsoever.

‘So they’re trying to seize the initiative.’

When surrounded by unfamiliar people and attacked from multiple sides, even the brightest person tends to shrink back.
The competition hasn’t even started yet, and they’re already playing politics.

“The Emperor must have something wrong with him, seeing how he overlooked your failure to respond to the summons….”
“Your body seems fine though. Ah, could it be that you injured your head?”

I smiled brightly.

“First, would you introduce yourselves? I’m not sure which temple you’re from.”

Who does this nobody think she is, acting all high and mighty?
At those words, my opponent’s face went pale.

‘The reason they targeted me specifically is because I’m the most famous.’

If they’re picking a fight because they feel threatened, then I should scratch that wound in return.

“W-what did you say?!”
“How dare you look at us like—”
“Hmm? I was just asking for an introduction. Why are you so upset?”

I blinked innocently, and their face turned bright red.
The Sacred Maidens watching from the side let out snickering laughter at them.
I didn’t join in their mockery and blinked again innocently.

‘This makes them even more frustrated.’

That’s when it happened.

“Everyone has gathered, I see.”

The moderator holding a voice amplification artifact entered the hall.

“It’s an honor to meet those blessed with the qualities of a Grand Sacred Maiden. I’m Marian, and I’ll be overseeing this preliminary round. Thank you for your cooperation.”

As the moderator bowed, the Sacred Maidens smiled and applauded.
Even the Sacred Maidens who had been picking a fight with me welcomed the moderator with warm expressions.
Then they spoke to me sweetly.

“Saelika, you haven’t been very active in public affairs, so most people here don’t know you well, right?”
“We’ll take good care of you. Let’s do our best going forward.”
“…?”

Ah, cameras.
I wondered what was going on, and the camera magical artifacts had their lights blinking.
Most of them were pointed directly at me.

“Hehe, everyone seems nervous. So the first competition theme I’ve prepared is simple. Everyone, please relax.”

The host pulled a card from the envelope.

“Now, inside this mission envelope is a mission card. From now on, each competition’s mission will be written on a mission card like this. This mission is—”

Gulp.
I could hear the nervous Sacred Maidens swallowing.

“—introducing yourselves!”
“…?!”
“…?”
“Haha! Everyone seems surprised. But we can’t send you all to monster-infested zones or contaminated areas right away, can we?”
“….”
“Of course, you’re all renowned individuals, but the Continent is vast. It means there are still many people who know nothing about the Sacred Maidens.”
“….”
“So shouldn’t you start by introducing yourselves to the public? After all, the Sacred Maiden who receives the most love from the people is the one who can be called the Grand Sacred Maiden!”

* * *

‘Finally, my chance has come!’

Rimildar, the Sacred Maiden standing beside Saelika, wore a smile of conviction.

Born into a renowned provincial noble family and awakened as a Sacred Maiden.
She had dreamed of a happy future where everyone would shower her with respect and love.

But reality was different.
The small, unknown temple she belonged to lay outside people’s interest.
No matter how noble and extraordinary Rimildar was.

‘If I had been a Sacred Maiden of the Octagon like Artemisia, I would have shone far more brightly.’

And now, an opportunity had arrived when the public’s attention was focused.
In fact, the lack of backing from a prestigious temple was even better.

A Grand Sacred Maiden from a minor temple.
A growth narrative that couldn’t be heard without tears.
Who could dislike that?

“I am Rimildar, a Sacred Maiden of the Antkar Temple. Ah, the Antkar Temple is located in the west. It’s in the same region as the Artemisia Temple of the Octagon.”

Rimildar glanced at Saelika and smiled shyly.

“I feel embarrassed to be mentioned alongside such a grand place as Artemisia. However, I believe my heart to help those in hardship and to heal the sick is no less than anyone’s.”

Whoooosh!
A radiant halo burst forth from behind Rimildar.

“I am always praying. May happiness grace all the people of this continent.”

Rimildar clasped her hands together as if in prayer, concluding her introduction.

‘Perfect. Even I think it’s flawless.’

Rimildar glanced at Saelika.
Saelika simply stood there without much reaction.

‘Hmph, pretending not to care!’

Rimildar let out an inward scoff and smiled brightly toward the camera.

* * *

-The Grand Sacred Maiden preliminaries seem to have started. The broadcast is up.
-Amelia is the 10th seed!! Everyone go to the 10th seed
-What’s the 7th seed? There’s only Saelika as a famous Sacred Maiden. And she’s been quiet for years anyway.
-Such blatant favoritism toward Saelika. Ridiculous;;
└What favoritism?;; The 7th seed broadcast has the lowest viewership right now. How does it make sense to put Saelika in such a dead bracket?

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 156]
The public’s reaction to the Grand Sacred Maiden was largely lukewarm.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 159]
-Oh. A pearl discovered in mud at 7 Seed.
└You’re talking about the Sacred Maiden introducing herself right now? Rimildar!
I totally got drawn in too. The silver hair and blue eyes—that saintly aesthetic with the halo effect was just perfect lol
└Since when were silver hair and blue eyes the Sacred Maiden standard? Go look at the holy paintings first.
In the meantime, Saelika seems to be on edge—I guess she faced a lot of persecution because it’s a minor temple.
-So Saelika already imposed discipline as the Octagon ;;?
└??? Why do people keep spreading this rumor?
└Then why mention it cautiously during her introduction and try to undermine her? It’s reasonable suspicion.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 169]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 171]
What the heck. Ever since then, everyone’s been copying Remilda’s aura ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Did you know? I didn’t introduce Lemilda’s family, but Integra is from that house.
└Wow, a noble house. Why didn’t she mention it?
He’s incredibly humble ㅠㅠ

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 177]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 179]
-Finally Saelika appears!!!
-I turned on the 7 Seed broadcast just to see this.
-Ugh; I can already predict the atmosphere at 7 Seed. Fandom power ;;.
I wonder how he’ll introduce her lol. I saw that saint at the imperial palace a few years ago and she’s lowkey annoying lol.
└Yeah~ If you’re nobility, then I’m royalty.
-I think Rimildar, who first unleashed the halo impact, will take all the attention anyway.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 187]
People stared intently at the screen.

-????!?!?!?!???
-What did I just see??
-No way, she’s doing that there??!??
-Where’s that noble who said it was pathetic after seeing it at the Imperial Palace earlier? I apologize.
-Are you insane lolololololol

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 198]
Boom!
A powerful blast erupts through the speakers.
Fragments of shattered marble scattered everywhere.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 203]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 205]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 207]
-Salvation (physical)
-Right, right. If you take down a monster before anyone gets hurt, you’ve obviously saved the world.
-??? She’s a strength-type? With that face??
-??!?!?!??? The Sacred Maiden is a strength-type??

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 213]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 215]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 217]
-She was about to say she’s confident in beating, right??
-Shh! Our Sacred Maiden said she’s confident in salvation (pummeling)!
-What is this. Somehow I’m convinced. She could be the Grand Sacred Maiden…
-Now that I think about it, Saelika is an angel’s name, and her epithet is the Bloodied Angel.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 225]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 227]
“What is this monster?”
“Could it be that Saelika brought it in deliberately to draw attention—.”

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 231]
The confused Sacred Maidens protested.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 234]
“I don’t think so. Saelika wouldn’t have brought a monster deliberately. Using a monster just to outshine others and stand out… that would be absolutely terrible, wouldn’t it?”
“Ah…”

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 238]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 240]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 242]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 244]
“Then none of you sensed it?”
“Pardon?”
“I felt the monster’s presence from the moment we entered here.”
“…!”
“W-well, that was just because I was nervous…”

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 251]
Rimildar spoke gently with a smile.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 254]

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[UNTRANSLATED LINE 260]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 262]
“So the monster was here from the beginning? Why would the operations headquarters make such a dangerous mistake—.”

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 265]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 267]
“The first mission was far too simple, wasn’t it? It would be such a waste to just introduce ourselves and leave.”
“….”

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 271]
Snap!

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 274]
‘What is this? Why would they turn off the camera….’
‘Monsters and now the camera shuts down.’

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 278]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 280]
Thirty Sacred Maidens per seed.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 283]
“As we progress to the later rounds, the competition among the most exceptional Sacred Maidens will intensify. To focus on that, we’ve decided to quickly eliminate those lacking in ability from the very beginning.”
“….”
“Only half of you will advance to the next round.”
“Half?”

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 289]
The Sacred Maidens murmured at the unprecedented elimination rate on the very first day.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 292]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 294]
The host surveyed the Sacred Maidens.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 297]
“Kill each other.”
“…!”

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 303]
Several websites were ablaze with talk of the Grand Sacred Maiden selection tournament.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 306]
“A Grand Sacred Maiden selection? Ah, what’s all this fuss about the world ending and whatnot?”
“Honestly, it doesn’t make any sense. Why would a perfectly fine world suddenly collapse?”
“Right, monsters have actually been decreasing lately.”
“It’s just a conspiracy to scare people. It’s political infighting among the higher-ups, you know? There’s been noise about the imperial succession.”

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 312]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 314]
“That’s not the problem! The Sacred Maidens are killing each other!!”

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 317]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 319]
“Are they insane?!”
“Is the Grand Sacred Maiden selection always like this?”
“I heard there’s supposed to be some kind of life-or-death duel at the end….”

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 324]
It wasn’t just the public who were shocked.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 327]
“This is absolutely absurd…!”
“We must lodge a protest immediately!”
“It was already strange that only Sacred Maidens were supposed to participate!”

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 332]
It was preposterous.
Everyone would feel the same way.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 336]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 338]
At the Adjutant’s words, the Duke of Noishurael gazed quietly at the screen.
The camera light had gone out, but the broadcast continued.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 342]
“…They used their head.”

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 345]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 347]
“The Operations Division won’t need to handle the dirty work you’re imagining.”
“…?”

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 351]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 353]
The screen displayed the flustered faces of the Sacred Maidens.
The Duke’s azure eyes were fixed on just one of them.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 359]
-Heard they’re filming a battle royale, so I came to check it out.
-But why is only seed 7 like this??
-Do we really have to kill each other?
└You can forfeit. Then you’re disqualified and it’s over.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 365]
The website began updating at a completely different pace than before.
It wasn’t just one site.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 369]
-But why aren’t they forfeiting? Do they really want to become the High Priestess even if it means killing others;;;;
-Seriously.
-If this is what a High Priestess is, I don’t want it.
-They’re pulling aggro like crazy. Wow the site’s about to crash lolololol
└I wasn’t interested but I came in anyway

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 376]
[U-us, let’s all forfeit together. If Sacred Maidens withdraw en masse like this, the Operations side will surely—.]
[They’re only selecting one High Priestess anyway. It doesn’t matter how many drop out!]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 380]
-Lol but killing others seems like even more of a disgrace.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 383]
[I can’t fail. Not this time. This is my last chance. I—.]
[Have I lost my mind? Why am I drawing out my power?]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 387]
-Wait, is she actually going to kill her??
-This isn’t right at all;;

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 391]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 393]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 395]
A crisp, clear voice rang out sharply.
All eyes snapped toward the source in an instant.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 399]
[D-Don’t stop me! Artemisia might be fine without becoming a High Sacred Maiden, but I—.]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 402]
Boom!

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 405]
The Sacred Maidens swallowed hard.
If a real battle royale were to begin, the victor was already clear.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 409]
[This is boring, so stop playing around.]
[….]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 413]

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————