Surviving as the Third-rate Extra: I Can Plunder Talents-Chapter 60: Seven Hero Bloodlines

The Seven Hero Bloodlines were in deep introspection upon learning that the Hero Academy’s Counselor, Caelen Sol Caelthorn, perished on Ranaya Island without knowing that he had turned against humanity by joining the demonkind, thus receiving the mark known as [Soul Penitent].

That’s why when the sole candidate from the Astraea Family opened her eyes from slumber and informed the other bloodlines through communication artifact, they doubted her words and called for her presence to an ancient and sacred dimension known as the [Judgement Chamber].

It was an isolated dimly lit place of one circular platform surrounded by seven lofty stone pillars, where the subject of [Trial for Truth] would stand in the middle and would eventually be judged by the Hero Bloodlines’ Family Heads.

Only the truths should echo in such a place. Or else, death by light would follow.

Alana Sol Astraea, steeling her resolve after waking up from deep slumber filled with fragmented dreams, prepared her mind and spirit before being escorted by her very family’s horse-drawn carriage to the warp gate in the capital.

The territories of the Seven Hero Bloodlines were scattered throughout the continent. Based on the will of the Founding Hero, as old as recorded history had told, the seven families were to live their own way while being dedicated to protecting every corner of humanity.

In other words, their influence ran deep as some of them were founded and belonged to different existing empires. Yes, at least three of them were formed and had thrived outside of the Holy Empire of Divinia, though their reaches still existed within the mainland of the Church of Luminary.

In the four cardinal directions of the Holy Empire, there was the Solmourn Family in the North, the first line of defense against any threat, especially from the Abyss Lands that swallowed the northern continent—that’s why they were known as the Family of Sun Warriors.

On the East, the Cindareth Family was continually safeguarding the empire’s people from the threat of the [Luther Republic], the central power from the Arya Empire of the Central Continent. After all, this empire bordering every other major superpower was politically volatile and had cut itself off from the rest of the world, believing that the Seven Hero Bloodlines were already obsolete in this era of technological advancement.

On the other hand, the West of the Holy Empire harbored the Orravelle Family. Although this family’s main duty was the preservation of the Hero Bloodlines’ history, they were still formidable in terms of fighting power—because the Founding Hero built everything through faith and blood, not the former alone.

Then, located in the South of Divinia was the Astraea Family, where the True Heroes were always selected by the Primordial Light. However, after the long hundreds of years, and the impact of being the only Hero Family favored by the Goddess of Light, they had extended their clutches to the heart of the Holy Empire.

But to this day, Alana Sol Astraea was to return to the south, as the dimension of the [Judgement Chamber] was hidden deep within this land. After all, it was the very place where the Founding Hero lived his life before and after he struggled for hundreds of years for the sake of humanity.

*

After some time, the carriage of the Astraea Family safely arrived, and without wasting any second, Alana Sol Astraea reached for the grand hall of the ancient manor—its interior was so intricate, grand, and vast that one could get lost even if they were familiar with it.

The banners of the Seven Hero Bloodlines were hanging on the wall, and murals of depicted history were engraved on the expansive, unblemished ceiling.

What’s more, a lone throne was situated at the end of the hall, untouched and undeserved of anybody. It was the very throne used by the Founding Hero, and traditionally, as the spearheads of humanity against the demonkind, it was decided by the Astraea Family’s subsequent generations to respect it.

That being said, below this empty throne, seven high-back chairs were positioned, each one for the Family Head.

"The True Hero candidate from the Astraea Family arrives—!" Two Sun Knights donned full-body glistening golden armor and welcomed her arrival as the massive door was gently opened.

When she entered the grand hall, murmurs flooded as if they were crickets in abundant grass.

"Did Caelen really ally with the demonkind?"

"Then... if it’s the truth, does it mean... she managed to kill a previous True Hero candidate from the same generation with her late brother?"

"Is that even possible...? Would that mean that her potential far surpasses the last True Hero?"

Their murmurs were filled with wonders... and undeniably, fear—something they couldn’t hide.

Walking down the crimson-gold carpet, their words didn’t linger in Alana’s ears as her amethyst eyes were fixated on seven individuals seated on the seven chairs traditionally known as the Seats of Divine Dependence.

It meant that the Hero Bloodlines wouldn’t be as they were if one was absent... like how a human body wouldn’t function to its full capacity with a missing part.

Reaching an appropriate distance from the Seven Family Heads, Alana Sol Astraea genuflected—no, that’s what it should be. However, it seemed that respect was not in her mind at this very moment as her focus was drawn to one individual staring at her with... utter disgust.

It was the present Family Head of the Astraea Bloodline, her maternal blood—Serqa Sol Astraea.

Since when has it begun? For their relationship to dwindle into estrangement?

Was it because of her brother’s death?

Or the fact that her brother openly wished a different path for her? Something out of the Hero Bloodlines’ tradition?

"I am here." Alana boldly declared her presence.

And with the atmosphere turning into gloom very fast, the retainers or important figures from the other families who were present in the grand hall almost instantly closed their mouths.

"..."

"..."

"..."

As the silence pervaded for what felt like an eternity, a deep voice of a man with a fair-skinned, burly body, golden hair, and divine-like eyes, sitting in one of the seven seats, interjected, lighting up the mood.

"Hahaha! You have become quite arrogant, child. I assume you know very well that such an attitude should be compensated with skills. " It was from the Patriarch of the Azreon Family, one of the Hero Bloodlines mainly founded and located outside of the Holy Empire, specifically, to the Eastern Empire of Adania, along with the Caelthorn Family.

"..." freёweɓnovel_com

"Now, why don’t we stop with pleasantries and get to the crux of the matter? Would that be all right... Seraq?" This time around, a voice came from another direction; it was the Patriarch of the Lucarion Family living in the Southern Continent within the Arctic Empire.

He had golden-azure eyes, like glitter in the sand and oceans, with hair that was shoulder-length with the same hue as his eyes. It was glistening and mesmerizing, to say the least. However, despite his gentle appearance, the Lucarion Family was the second most influential after the Astraea Family.

To put it simply, he held incredible power and influence throughout the continent.

Seraq, Alana’s mother, let out a sigh before saying, "Let’s proceed with the Trial for Truth."

It was at that moment that seven relics, to each of their own, appeared in their grasp. If there’s something noticeable, every relic, despite its different appearances, was a key to the [Judgement Chamber].

From the Astraea Family Head holding the key shaped as a miniature angel’s wing, to the Caelthorn’s that appeared to be a golden warhorn... These seven holy relics, after being doused with unique divine mana, began to hover, eventually illuminating the grand hall before releasing a blinding light across the surroundings.

"Light shall guide us to the truth."

"Light shall witness the truth."

"The Goddess shall watch over every truth."

The echoing voice in unison entered Alana’s ears, and the moment she opened her eyes, the surroundings had already shifted.

The grand hall had vanished; the murals gone, the banners nowhere to be seen, and the blood-related audience’s whispers nowhere to be heard.

Alana found herself standing amid a circular platform; it’s ancient and engraved with a symbol of the Founding Hero—a sword overlapping with two angel’s wings... and strangely, a cloak and a lantern.

In front of her were high-back chairs situated above stone pillars. Looking up, she saw the Seven Family Heads looking down at her, their expressions filled with questions, expectations, and repulsion.

Kadin Sol Azreon—the one who called out her arrogance—spoke.

"Alana of the Astraea Bloodline, do you swear in the name of the Goddess of Light that you will tell nothing but the truth?"

Even though it was her first time in this place, Alana was heavily aware of the processes. That’s why she complied willingly.

"With my body, spirit, and soul."

After pledging, a towering runic symbol wobbled and appeared behind her... It was an eye with a crown, which meant that the Goddess of Light was watching this place.

"Praise the Light~!"

"Now, will you recount everything that happened on Ranaya Island?" Kadin commanded.

Alana continued to recount everything. From their arrival on the island, to the briefing about the semester’s exam, to why she immediately separated from her assigned group, which consequently led her to encounter Caelen, causing his demise.

"You dare lie to this sacred ground—!"

As she spoke, a voice from the Patriarch of the Caelen Family raged.

But then, with no one expecting it, Alana stared fiercely at this man.

"Are you saying that the Goddess is a liar?

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