Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 6] Chapter 18

[Vol. 6] Chapter 18: The All-Seeing Eye

The Western Origin Spirit Kingdom is vast, divided into seven provinces and twenty-two counties.

Unlike the Human United Kingdom on the other continent, power here is more centralized and unified. There is no concept of nobility, and all officials responsible for governance are directly appointed by the supreme ruler, the Western Origin Saint, who has the authority to revoke or reassign their positions at any time.

This system of governance naturally involves a strict hierarchy of power.

Beneath the Saint and the various officials in the capital, each of the seven provinces is overseen by a Provincial envoy. Within the provinces, each county is governed by a Prefect, and below them are various local officials responsible for towns, villages, and smaller settlements.

Every one of these officials, regardless of rank, even a small village chief like Zeng Xianzhi, who managed just over a hundred households is registered in the capital’s archives and personally inspected by the Saint.

By abandoning the outdated hereditary system to a certain extent, the Western Origin Spirit Kingdom has flourished over the millennia, achieving its current era of prosperity.

“So, Violet, there’s no need to feel burdened. While a Prefect is the head of an entire county, they are ultimately just a capable individual selected from among the people. There’s no intrinsic difference in status or worth compared to ordinary citizens. Just keep a calm heart.”

“Uh, you misunderstand me. It’s not that I’m nervous… I’m not nervous, okay?”

Walking along the streets of Yangyuan City, the black-haired girl, who had seemed noticeably distracted since they entered the city, responded helplessly to Ling Feng’s kind reassurance.

The gray-haired girl, dressed in a simple long skirt, was unperturbed and instead looked at her with open curiosity.

“Then what is it? Could it be that the bustling crowds of Yangyuan City make you uncomfortable?”

“That’s even less likely… Don’t make me sound like some shut-in.”

How strange.

All these people, merchants, residents, even Ling Feng and Bai’er, did none of them notice?

The gaze.

A strange and intense sensation of being watched had lingered persistently around Violet ever since she crossed the city gates.

That uncomfortable feeling, as though countless eyes were spying on her, had compelled the priestess to glance back several times, searching for the source.

Yet, in reality, no one was actually peeping at them. Such a thing would never escape Violet’s sharp perception, nor could anyone maintain such surveillance since the moment they entered the city.

However, if the source of the gaze wasn’t human, or something visible to the naked eye, that was an entirely different story.

In a bustling city like this, Violet couldn’t recklessly extend her SP too broadly to locate the unidentified observer. Still, even a small-scale scan was enough to detect something unusual.

Her previous distraction had stemmed from this realization.

Demonic energy.

Floating high above the city was an array of energy clusters, akin to evil auras but calmer, more stable, and with steady fluctuations. These intangible entities resembled countless invisible “eyes,” perpetually watching everything and everyone within the city.

What the hell is this nonsense…?

Honestly, Violet felt an overwhelming urge to unleash a wide-range ability and wipe out the cluttered mess in the sky. Although it was invisible to ordinary sight, knowing that her every move was being monitored by something out there sparked a growing sense of frustration and annoyance.

But this wasn’t the right time or place for such drastic actions. Moreover, the three of them were new arrivals, and Violet had no clue about the origins or purpose of these entities. Proceeding cautiously was the only sensible course.

Finally, after enduring a long stretch of irritation and resisting the near-unstoppable impulse to blast the skies of Yangyuan City, they arrived at the recruitment site.

The area was already swarming with people.

In addition to local residents of Yangyuan City, there were also numerous individuals dressed in exotic clothing. Some crowded around outside, while others queued in long lines, entering the outer courtyard of the spacious compound in groups.

Most of the people who entered quickly returned with dejected expressions, their attire visibly disheveled, clearly having been beaten during the process. However, a few stronger individuals seemed to pass the selection and didn’t reappear alongside the rejected candidates.

This… must be the purpose of the recruitment.

The three girls exchanged glances before silently taking their places at the end of the queue. Amid the bustling conversations and chatter of the crowd, they waited patiently.

Although the selection process seemed to move at a decent pace, the sheer number of participants made for a long wait. It was only after more than an hour of slow progress that Violet and her companions finally stepped into the courtyard.

The spacious outer courtyard featured a high platform and a square table. Dozens of guards clad in full armor and wielding long staffs stood on either side, maintaining order. Behind the table sat a middle-aged man, wearing a square hat and a dark, intricately patterned robe.

The man’s features were well-defined, and his stern, square-shaped face exuded an imposing aura. A short beard graced his chin, making him appear to be in his forties. At this moment, he was scrutinizing the entrants with a sharp, evaluating gaze.

Clearly, this was the Prefect of Yangyuan City and the surrounding Yangyuan County.

Nearby, ten other individuals stood in a row. Each was dressed differently, but their calm and composed presence marked them as seasoned experts, likely the examiners for the selection process.

Standing amidst the crowd, Violet discreetly glanced toward the sky.

Hmm… there don’t seem to be as many gazes here. Do those demonic entities only monitor public areas?

That was somewhat reassuring. She decided to investigate further later.

The selection process appeared to involve bringing in dozens of people at once, completing the evaluation, and then allowing the next group to enter. This approach avoided the need for repeated explanations from the assisting official.

As Violet and the two girls entered the courtyard as part of the last group of this batch, a young man dressed in a slightly lower-ranking version of the Prefect’s uniform stepped forward and announced loudly:

“Thank you all for participating in Yangyuan City’s recruitment competition. The reason for this event is something you should all be aware of, so I won’t repeat it,” the assistant official announced.

“As of now, [Tidal Deep Valley] has been completely surrounded and sealed off by the city’s military forces. No one may enter without permission. The only legitimate way to gain entry is through approval by the Prefect and by joining the official exploration team.”

“Any other unauthorized entry attempts will be treated as acts of rebellion. If caught, you will be immediately imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, no excuses!”

After this brief explanation and warning, the assistant official turned to the square-hatted, square-faced Prefect behind him, stepping aside to give him the floor.

The Prefect nodded and swept his gaze across the diverse group of dozens gathered for the recruitment. With a calm demeanor, he spoke:

“I am Wen Fu, the Prefect of Yangyuan County. I assure you all that as long as you pass the evaluation and agree to join this exploration, regardless of the outcome, each participant will receive 500 Four-Saints Gold Coins.”

“However, [Tidal Deep Valley] is extremely dangerous. I urge you all to act within your abilities and not to throw your lives away needlessly.”

It seemed that Prefect Wen Fu had repeated this speech countless times. Though not indifferent, his tone betrayed a hint of weariness. Finishing his address, he waved his hand and said, “Begin without delay.”

“Yes, sir,” the assistant responded.

With the formalities out of the way, the first candidate stepped forward without hesitation. At the assistant’s signal, he strode to the front, placing a massive iron hammer on the ground with a loud thud. Flexing his muscular arms under his rolled-up sleeves, he declared:

“San Niu! Eleventh-generation head of the Hong Family Hammer Style! Whatever test you’ve got, bring it on!”

“Ugh…”

Watching the scene unfold, Violet couldn’t help but cringe.

A textbook muscular brute making his debut, practically waving around “elimination” flags with every move.

Good luck, big guy…