First Level Trial

The reason why Emilia is a little worried is because she is afraid that the villagers still see her as a monster, just like before.

But to her surprise, there is no hostility in the eyes of the villagers in Sanctuary now – on the contrary, they are full of gratitude.

"Emilia-sama, you are safe and sound!"

"Thank goodness, Emilia-sama is okay!"

"Thank you, Emilia-sama, for saving our lives last time!"

Listening to everyone's discussion, Emilia is amazed. She did not expect the villagers to treat her like this.

"For the villagers, you are their former savior, they will never forget it." Ayanokouji whispered in Emilia's ear, "Go and say a few words to them, let them know that you will undergo a trial for them."

He was observing the villagers when he first entered this abandoned church. There are about a hundred people living here on beds on the floor. The ground is covered with trash and dust, and the air is filled with the smell of urine and sweat, and the faces of the villagers are full of helplessness and confusion.

The church is not small, but with so many people living here, it seems very crowded. Instead of seeking refuge in Sanctuary, this church could be described as a prison, and everyone is held in rooms like this concentration camp. It is a sight that can only be seen during wartime.

Ayanokouji observed the expressions of the villagers. Now they need a spiritual leader – at least a presence that can give them hope. No matter who that person is, beauty or identity does not matter, as long as their presence can lead them to escape, it is enough.

And Emilia is currently suited to be that person.

Although these residents seem to be able to live now, Ayanokouji understands that if social creatures are confined to a very limited area and their freedom is restricted, sooner or later they will rebel. This may make the situation in Sanctuary more chaotic.

He does not want this to happen.

So Ayanokouji chooses to let Emilia stand out, which can not only enhance her reputation among the masses but also stabilize the hearts of ordinary people.

"The village over there has been rebuilt and is waiting for everyone to return..." Initially, Emilia was a little hesitant, but her tone gradually changed as she spoke. "I will definitely lead everyone out through the trial!"

Ayanokouji carefully watched the crowd. The helplessness and confusion on their faces at first had basically disappeared, replaced by gratitude and hope.

Under Emilia's speech, these people will not do anything extreme for now, but if Emilia fails the trial, then their hope will turn into disappointment, and what happens next may be difficult to control.

"For now, let's find a way for Emilia to break through the trial."

He began to guess in his mind what the so-called trial content was.

According to previous conversations with Echidna, there are many trials, and they must be designed. So with her abilities and character, what kind of trial would she conduct?

Ayanokouji remembered Echidna's abilities. In her spiritual world, she could sense the memories of others. With her malicious character, she might use this as part of the trial.

However, nothing is certain. He has to let Emilia undergo the trial before he can be sure.

The camera changes, it is already night, and the dark night sky covers the entire Sanctuary.

Otto drives the dragon carriage, taking Ayanokouji and the others to the ancient ruins where they were during the day.

The hot and bright flames danced at the foot of the lamps around them, and the ancient building emitted a current of light. Only on a night like this can Emilia qualify to enter the ruins to participate in the trial.

"The light of the ruins means you qualify to challenge the trial." Garfiel crossed his arms in front of his chest and said.

"I will participate in the trial now!" Emilia took a deep breath, turned to Ayanokouji and said with a smile, "Ayanokouji, can you give me a boost?"

"I hope you succeed." Ayanokouji nodded and blessed the others without fluctuating tone.

"Thank you!" A joyful smile immediately appeared on Emilia's face, and she nodded enthusiastically.

"Truly, you are a very great person, why are you so childish?" Beatrice pouted and said, as if she was already an adult, but these words coming out of her mouth were not convincing at all.

"In that case, I'm off!" Emilia waved her hand and walked quickly towards the ruins.

Ayanokouji turned to Emilia and looked at Garfiel next to him, "If Demi-Humans qualify for the trial, why don't you challenge it?"

"If I could, I would have gone a long time ago..." Garfiel said with his hands on his chest, his eyes filled with reluctance, which made Ayanokouji start to speculate whether this trial condition required Emilia to participate, or Garfiel had challenged it before but failed.

In other words, what if the people in Sanctuary cannot break through the barrier even if they pass the trial?

In this case, the so-called trial seems contradictory.

The light of the ruins in the distance suddenly dimmed, and its light disappeared.

"What? What's happening?" Everyone looked at the scene in front of them with great confusion.

"Why did the light disappear while the trial is still ongoing?" Garfiel also looked surprised.

"Has the trial ended?" Ayanokouji was also slightly puzzled. He quickly walked towards the door of the ruins. The others followed behind him. Only Garfiel stopped in his tracks and seemed indifferent.

Then the ruins lit up again – this means among the people heading towards the ruins, there is also someone who qualifies for the trial.

Ayanokouji stopped in front of the door. He remembered that if he did not qualify for the trial, he would be rejected or even injured if he forced his way into the ruins. If it were Roswaal, it would be a bit excessive.

So why was there a reaction in the ruins? Except for Garfiel in the distance, there were no other Demi-Humans?

Ayanokouji speculated in his mind that perhaps when he met Echidna, she gave him the qualification for the trial.

However, Ayanokouji was not sure about this, and he did not want to try directly and feel the risk if he was rejected in the trial.

"It seems someone qualifies for the trial." Ayanokouji said slowly, his eyes on Otto next to him, "Could it be you, Otto?"

"Ah, me?" Otto was surprised, "How could I qualify for the trial?"

"Didn't you say you have some kind of special power, so most likely you qualify for the trial." Ayanokouji continued, "Why not give it a try."

"Oh, this? It's not that great." Otto touched his head in embarrassment.

"It's really annoying. Go and try now. At most, your bones will be crushed like Roswaal-sama." Ram said somewhat impatiently.

"Hey... at least don't refer to me as a Kusir and what you just said about Roswaal-sama?" Otto's eyes widened.

When everyone met Roswaal earlier, he was not involved, so he did not know how badly the others were injured.

However, Otto himself was also a little curious about this trial. If he really qualifies for the trial, he might become a hero. But as soon as he took a step, he felt a piercing pain in his body, and he fell to the ground powerless.

"Ahhh! It hurts!" Otto's cry echoed at the entrance of the ruins.

"It seems it's not you, Otto." Ayanokouji's eyes turned to him. From his behavior, Otto felt severe pain, but there seemed to be no clear trauma that did not qualify for entering the trial site.

So why was Roswaal severely injured? Either the feedback effects differ for each person, or as he judged before, Roswaal was injured by mistake.

Ayanokouji also hesitantly walked towards the gate of the ruins, but he felt nothing.

"What?" Garfiel, who watched all this from a distance, was stunned. He didn't know why the others could enter the ruins directly.

Ayanokouji was walking carefully inside the ruins, and the walls and ground around him emitted a strange green light.

At the far end of the door, he saw the door open, and a white figure lying on the cold ground. The girl named Emilia seemed to be in a coma at the moment.

Ayanokouji did not make a sound. He considered whether there was a trap or the possibility of someone else in the ruins, and slowly approached Emilia's body.

At that moment, he suddenly felt his consciousness becoming blurred, as if there was a gravitational force pulling him to the ground.

"Is this a trap... No... It's Echidna..." Ayanokouji's consciousness immediately disappeared completely.

The scene changes, but he finally opens his eyes.

He looks around, surrounded by all white, white walls, white ceiling, white floor, and a group of children wearing white clothes.

"Is the content of the trial to reveal past memories?" Ayanokouji spoke to himself.

"Long time no see, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka." Echidna slowly walked, her black dress also began to dance, showing her slender figure.

"Have you given me the qualification for the trial?" Ayanokouji did not turn, but stared at the woman next to him with a sharp gaze.

"That's right."

"But you didn't tell me."

"I just didn't tell you, but I didn't say you didn't qualify, right?" Echidna smiled and stuck out her tongue, her face looking a bit mischievous.

"As expected, even though you promised to tell the truth, you won't say all the facts." Ayanokouji said calmly, "Is it because it's interesting?"

"Bingo!"

Echidna flicked her finger. Ayanokouji knew that words like that should not come out of his mouth. Echidna learned it by reading his memories, "It seems Ayanokouji already knows me well!"

"So how do I pass this trial?" Ayanokouji turned and shifted his gaze to Echidna. At this point, Emilia should also be in the trial stage, and Echidna appearing here, she could create many clones in the spiritual world, or she has decided that Emilia's trial has failed.

"You will find out." The smile on Echidna's face became even clearer, and her black eyes showed a deep gaze, which seemed out of place with the white surroundings.

"I also want to see what you experienced in the past, Ayanokouji." Echidna narrowed her eyes slightly, "This plan is called the White Room."