Magic Academy Bans Harem

Chapter 340 The Temple of Truth
Even now, Millie still can't quite understand what she's going through or what she's witnessing.

If it weren't for their experiences in the "carrier pigeon" region and the information they gathered, then the existence of this snow-capped mountain region is shaking the entire fairytale world created by "bedtime reading."

As before, even though the "return" of the golden apple had begun, Millie was still able to linger on a spiritual level for a period of time through her understanding of the soul.

What she is witnessing now is a scene similar to that of the "Pigeon" region during its collapse.

Fragments of paper-like objects emitting white light drifted like snowflakes in the gradually disappearing area.

Based on experience, these pieces of paper should be the memories and cognition of the people who created this area.

However, unlike Charlotte's memories, these fragments of memory dissipated quickly. As a result, Millie rapidly moved between the various fragments of memory, but all she saw were fleeting and incomplete scenes, which she could not piece together into a continuous picture for a long time.

Until, amidst the countless fragments of memory, Millie saw a large fragment of memory surrounding "Estria," falling alongside her like her feathered robe.

Even in the form of a soul, Millie still felt some apprehension towards Estria, who had utterly crushed the area. Therefore, she didn't let her curiosity get the better of her and immediately touch the fragments of memory. Instead, she observed Estria's movements.

After falling from the sky, Estria arrived around Aran in the diffused world.

"Aunt Yalan."

In an incredibly soft voice, Estria's lips trembled as she called Alan's name.

Alan, who always had a cold expression, first looked at the girl in front of him with a slightly puzzled expression, and then revealed a kind face.

"Welcome back, Estheria."

If you disregard the world around them, which is already in complete chaos and is rapidly collapsing, it is a rather touching scene of a long-awaited reunion.

When Millie saw that Estria's attention was entirely focused on Alan, she quietly approached and touched the largest memory fragment with her hand.

When Millie opened her eyes again, she saw that the scene around her was shrouded in what the goddess of bathing had called an "old movie filter."

Compared to Charlotte's past memories, Millie's memories are very blurry. Moreover, the rate at which they are passing through her mind is extremely fast.

She could only vaguely make out that this scene from her memory was densely packed with people. A rough count revealed there were nearly a hundred of them.

These people, each carrying their own luggage and looking weary from their journey, seem to be heading in a certain direction along the paths of the "maze".

"Why is it that we are the ones who have to leave? Eileen and the others did it all to create this 'new world'!"

In the scene of memory, a voice, from who knows who, rang out.

Upon hearing the name "Eileen," Millie felt as if she were dozing off in class and suddenly her name was called upon by the teacher. A slight tremor ran through her body, followed by a chill that ran down her spine, along her neck, and straight to the back of her head.

She reassured herself that "Eileen" was just a very common name, and sometimes she would even run into several Eileens of different ages and genders while shopping, so there was nothing to mind. Then, she looked for someone to speak.

Before she could find the person who had spoken earlier, Alan, who stood out even in the nearly three-digit queue, carrying a heavy sword, responded.

"What are you complaining about now? Let those so-called new worlds be left to those 'new humans' who plan to live underground as rats forever. Or are you planning to become a rat with them? It's not too late to turn back now, no one will stop you."

In the memory, Alan was very young, and looked to be no more than the middle of his thirties.

Unlike his later, dejected self, Aran appeared quite spirited and energetic during this period.

"How could you say that, Sister Alan! I was just complaining a bit, I didn't say I wanted to go back. We, the people of the 'Hall of Truth,' must always be on the path of seeking truth, even in death we will be 'investigators'! So, no matter what happens, I will never associate with those who plan to live their whole lives in that city!"

Although she was somewhat unforgiving and domineering, Alan, who was generally called "Big Sister" by this group of people, was clearly loved and respected by everyone.

Following the earlier "speech," a chaotic cacophony immediately erupted around them. The laughter, curses, and cheers of the self-proclaimed members of the "Hall of Truth" mingled together, eventually coalescing into a triumphant, upbeat laugh filled with anticipation for the unknown future.

Amidst the chaotic sounds, Millie couldn't make out what was being said.

Finally, Alan and several people around him lifted a bewildered-looking child, only a few years old, high into the air.

This young girl, with horrific scars on her face as if it had been cleaved open diagonally, was like the future and hope of this group of people, bathed in everyone's blessings.

The scenes in my memory keep flashing by.

It was only then that Millie realized that all these memories came from Estheria, a girl who had suffered severe facial trauma when she was very young.

From a certain point in time, the members of the "Hall of Truth" established their base in the huge cavern that Millie had also visited, where the Goddess of Bath and Charlotte were housed, and which was also located underground.

Estria grew up day by day.

Everyone in the Temple of Truth seemed to become her teacher, imparting to her a vast amount of knowledge across almost every field.

While enduring immense pressure, Estria undoubtedly also received everyone's expectations and love.

However, Millie, as an observer, could not understand why the members of the Temple of Truth, including Alan, would do such a thing.

Why is Estria so special, and to what extent does Estria need to grow before they are satisfied?

Given that the world was already on the verge of destruction, did the people of the Temple of Truth hope that Estria would become an omnipotent being and the spark of human civilization?
As Millie remained puzzled, the scene continued to flash by rapidly.

As time went by, many things also happened at the Temple of Truth.

They've had their share of infighting, and they've also risked their lives exploring the world on Earth for extended periods. Some have left, some have died of illness, and some have even brought infected "newcomers" back to their base without authorization, leading to tragedy.

No matter what happens, there is only one thing in common.

That is, the number of members in the Temple of Truth is constantly decreasing.

Aran, the leader of the group, grew old, haggard, and desperate.

Alan seemed to always want to avoid unnecessary things affecting Estria, but her control over the Temple of Truth was gradually weakening, and Estria was also gradually developing her own ideas.

So, Estheria began to follow the members of the Temple of Truth, constantly traveling to the world on Earth to explore and search.

The outside world is far more cruel than Millie and Estria imagined.

Often, those in the temple of truth are simply wasting their lives in vain, or just looking for a place to give up.

When Estria officially became an "Investigator," all innocence and smiles had vanished from her face. And the number of people remaining at the Temple of Truth's stronghold had dwindled to no more than ten.

On the day Estria officially came of age.

Aran announced that the Temple of Truth would launch its third and final "Salvation Plan".

Millie didn't know what the real plan for salvation was.

However, judging from the results presented by the memory,

The eight strongest remaining members of the Temple of Truth stormed into the core area of ​​the pseudo-World Tree. The other members, including Alan, used all the resources they had accumulated over the years and sacrificed their own lives to restrain the enormous face that resembled the "Tree Witch."

Estria, on the other hand, made her way into the interior of the pseudo-World Tree.

It was at this moment that, in what had previously been a relatively stable memory, aside from being somewhat blurry and having rather random broadcast speeds and scenes, intense static and chaotic, colorful visuals began to appear, showing a tendency to collapse at any moment.

Estria's memories ultimately settled at the deepest part of the pseudo-World Tree.

It was an exceptionally unpleasant scene.

The entire floor, walls, and ceiling are made of plants, and for some reason, they exhibit a texture that is almost indistinguishable from flesh and blood, except for the different colors.

Within this strange, hollowed-out mass of flesh and blood, there was the figure of a boy, seemingly embedded in a wall of flesh and blood made of green plants. His hands, which were not embedded, were bound and pulled up by vines hanging from the sky.

The boy's features were completely obscured; the only distinguishing feature was his striking blond hair, which remained remarkably visible even in the dim light.

Suddenly, the blond boy, who had been keeping his head down, seemed to say something to Estria, who had come before him. But at the very moment his voice rang out, Estria's memories shattered completely.

In the area that is about to dissipate.

Facing Alan, who had raised her since childhood and was like a mother to her, Estheria could no longer suppress her emotions upon hearing Alan's words, "Welcome back." She collapsed to the ground and wept bitterly.

At this moment, she didn't look like the powerful "Tree Man" who had crushed the enemy with absolute force before; she looked like a young girl who had been lost for a long time and finally found her parents.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Alan. Even if it's this way, I should have done it sooner."

"But I didn't have the courage. I... I let everyone down."

“I failed. Utterly failed. I couldn’t save anything. I destroyed it all.”

"'He' is not a god at all. He's just a wicked, utterly wicked 'he' who deceived me. He just arbitrarily manipulated this world."

Even if it's a world like this, it's still mine, our world. How can 'he' act like a child dissatisfied with his toy?

Clutching tightly at Alan's arm as he came to help her up, Estria could only weep in despair and grief.

Even if I went back to the 'past,' I couldn't do anything. I couldn't do anything at all!

"And even if we could do it, what would be the point!"

"Without it, everything I know will cease to exist."

"It's all gone! There's nothing left!"

Alan simply held Estria, who was on the verge of collapse, in a gentle embrace.

She listened silently to the other person's repeated apologies and angry accusations.

Alan, who had fallen into despair even earlier than Estria, showed no curiosity whatsoever, even though he didn't understand what she was talking about. He simply patted Estria's shoulder and back gently, just like when they were children, comforting the girl who had always been prone to crying.

"It's actually a good thing you can still cry, Estria. Although you might not listen to me, someone who has long since given up on everything. But since your heart hasn't died yet, and there's still room to struggle, then don't give up!"

Alan slowly bent down, gently lifting Estria's face, and roughly wiped away the tear stains on her face with his empty sleeve.

"There's nothing to miss about this hopeless world. If we've become a burden to you, just let us go. However, to keep you from getting lost, it's better to keep that 'axis'."

"I believe that, no matter what kind of world it is, there must exist things that only you, as the last inheritor of the 'Hall of Truth,' can do!"

Soon after.

After experiencing countless changes, Estria finally stood up again with Alan's encouragement.

"Although Aunt Alan always says—'Pshaw—we shouldn't be bound by the past—if it weren't for my obsession with the past, I probably wouldn't be able to see you again like this now."

Estria, who felt no shame in front of familiar elders, said while sniffing hard.

"Really? Hmm. If it were a few days ago, I might not have thought so. But after seeing a face I miss these past few days, I can understand how you feel."

As if remembering something, Alan smiled and said,

"And with you in the mix... even if everything else is destroyed, I shouldn't have any regrets. I never imagined that someone like me could leave with a smile in the end."

"Aunt Yalan."

Looking at Alan, who seemed even more aged than she had imagined, Estria couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.

Perhaps the only thing that can comfort her is that everything she has witnessed and experienced is nothing more than some illusions within her own heart.

"In the 'past,' I met my father. And I probably understand why everyone was unwilling to say his name before."

In her final moments, with incredibly complex emotions, Estheria said these words to Alan.

"Is that so? If you didn't admit your mistake, it must be a very disheartening feeling, right? Actually, he wasn't always like that. Any explanation you give for him sounds like a weak excuse."

Alan shook his head with a wry smile, and couldn't help but scratch his empty arm.

"Now, Aunt Alan, can you tell me who my mother is? It's not that I'm obsessed with my background, but Aunt Alan also said that I am the inheritor of the 'Hall of Truth' and the last 'Investigator'. Now that I've guessed who my father is, there's no need to hide my mother's identity, right?"

Unlike Estria's words, her expression was full of longing, clearly indicating that she desperately wanted to know the answer.

Estria, who possessed some understanding of the "reality" of the world, was well aware of this. Even though she was currently in an illusion generated based on her memories and perceptions, the people who truly "existed" in this illusion were very likely aware of things beyond her comprehension.

"There's really not much to hide, it's just that it's been a little difficult to talk about it all along. Your mother... she is..."

Just as Alan was about to give the answer that Estheria so desperately wanted...
Suddenly, the fragments of memory surrounding her shattered.

It was at this moment that Estria discovered the presence peering into her past within her memories.

"who!?"

In her spirit form, Millie met Estria's gaze, and she was clearly more flustered than the latter.

Fortunately, the process of "returning" the golden apple ended at that very moment.

Ever since.
With Estria's angry roar, the entire enigmatic snow-covered mountain region vanished completely.

The girl, whose mind was in complete turmoil, reappeared beneath the golden apple tree along with her two companions who had slept soundly.

(End of this chapter)