Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 162
[Vol. 5] Chapter 162: Barbs
“Yes, you might not be skilled at fighting head-on, but you’re no longer the living dead. I’ve given you the potential to grow as a living being, and Edwina has been sparring with you tirelessly, helping you learn. You should understand how busy she is now and how valuable her time is, right?”
“Lazing around, always boasting about your insignificant past skills and accomplishments, and then yelling ‘I can’t, I can’t’ the moment you face a challenge, dumping responsibility and trouble onto others—did you think I brought you here to play princess?”
Endlessly criticized and belittled with such harsh words, Cromancia, once a legendary-level figure of the Eternal Throne, broke out in a cold sweat. Unable to hold back any longer, she finally gave in to the urge to retort.
“But—but Prakaka hasn’t made any progress either! In the end, it’s still just relying on its past abilities…”
“Oh, I almost forgot if you hadn’t mentioned it… Prakaka traveled all the way from the Human United Kingdom, crossing mountains and waters alone, just because of a single order from the Queen. Regardless of its accomplishments, at least it’s making an effort to do its job. And you? What kind of attitude are you showing your employer?”
In the silver-blue eyes of the black-haired girl, there was a chilling and indifferent glint that sent shivers down the spine.
“Or do you think that Edwina doesn’t have the right to criticize you… oh mighty Throne?”
A legendary-level figure, one of the superior individuals in the minds of most mortals in this world. Apart from the naturally superior races, perhaps only one in a million—or tens of millions—could achieve such status.
Because of this, every legendary-level individuals carries pride and arrogance.
Even after witnessing the true power of the priestess, the Scarlet Flame Flora of the Human United Kingdom could still talk to her without batting an eye for this reason.
Edgar, a mixed-race beastman born in the Nobos Iron-Blood Empire, dared to challenge the Southern Calamity with a mortal body for the same reason.
The reason why Mr. Dead Soul dared to come alone, seeking apprenticeship under the ?Fox Spirit Shrine Maiden?, fully aware of her power, and even accepting Violet’s “one-strike” challenge, is no different.
So, Cromancia, standing before her now, is no exception.
Aside from Prakaka—who cares for little more than survival and doesn’t concern itself with dignity—every legendary-level individual Violet had encountered carried some measure of pride that came with their strength.
It was inevitable that someone like Cromancia would feel dissatisfied and resentful about being a mere stand-in or shadow for another legendary individual, especially one who wasn’t even twenty years old.
She probably believed she was deserving of a more important role. Even if she didn’t voice these thoughts, they were likely reflected in her actions—half-heartedly following orders, stirring up trouble, or being uncooperative. Edwina’s gentler nature only encouraged this behavior, which eventually led to the current situation.
It’s not that Cromancia’s personality was inherently flawed. In fact, among the living dead Violet had come across, Cromancia’s personality was relatively stable and intact, likely because of her years spent mimicking different people. It’s also said she hadn’t committed any particularly heinous crimes. This was why, when a certain “rat” pleaded on her behalf, the priestess decided to give her another chance.
At the end of the day, it came down to Edwina’s lack of experience and ruthlessness, making her incapable of controlling a proud, old legendary-level being like Cromancia.
Some people can be friends, while others can only be subordinates. In this regard, Miss Holy Knight’s judgment was still inferior to that of a certain Queen.
Sure enough, after being reprimanded—or rather, intimidated—by the priestess, the legendary figure known as the ?Thousand-Faced Phantom? had no choice but to bow her head in embarrassment, not daring to argue any further.
“I’m sorry… Lady Violet, I won’t do it again…”
“Is it me you should be apologizing to?”
Cromancia’s body stiffened slightly. As an old legendary-level being whose actual age far exceeded her appearance, she immediately understood what the priestess was implying. Gritting her teeth, with a bit of reluctance, she turned toward the bewildered Holy Knight standing nearby.
“I’m sorry, Lady Edwina. I won’t make excuses to slack off or cause trouble anymore…”
“Oh, no, no, it’s partly my fault too…”
Observing their conversation and behavior, Violet didn’t feel the need to say anything further. This level of pressure should be enough. If pushed too hard, it could provoke rebellion and lead to extreme actions. Hopefully, Edwina would prove capable enough to truly bring Cromancia under her control. Violet hadn’t sent her there to cause trouble.
Putting the matter aside for now, Violet patted the shoulder of Miss Holy Knight, who was still comforting her substitute, and then gestured toward the large round stones jutting out near the edge of the dark pool.
“Shall we find a place to talk privately?”
“Ah? Oh, yes, of course!”
Edwina nodded quickly. She gave a glance to the gloomy Cromancia, who immediately understood. After bowing to Violet and Edwina, she fled like a shadow, melting back into the ground and disappearing without a trace.
This time, it seemed she really had left the area for good.
Without paying her any further attention, the two women headed toward the quiet, clear pool. The black-haired girl casually sat down on a rock, and Miss Holy Knight followed closely behind, finding a nearby round stone to sit on, legs neatly together in a respectful manner. She then smiled, full of emotion.
“It’s been a while since we last met, and Miss Violet has become so commanding! Just now, when you were scolding Miss Cromancia, I even felt like I could hardly breathe. I bet Cromancia was terrified too, haha… Despite how she acts, she’s actually quite timid.”
In front of a friend she had met several times by chance and formed a bond with soon after arriving in this world, Violet naturally didn’t maintain the imposing attitude she had shown to Cromancia. Hearing this, she gave a light, helpless smile.
“Do you think I shouldn’t have rebuked her like that? Or that I was too harsh?”
The armored Holy Knight girl thought for a moment, then tucked her hands between her legs and lowered her head slightly, looking a bit uneasy.
“I wasn’t trying to judge whether you were right or wrong, Miss Violet. It’s just that… well, I’m so used to your gentle side that suddenly feeling such chilling authority from you makes me reflect. It also reminds me of how you are when facing enemies. Truly worthy of—”
At this point, Edwina suddenly had a moment of realization and slapped her armored thigh with a loud “bang!”
“Oh no! I was so nervous that I forgot! This is such an important experience—I must record it!”
“!???”
In the midst of the chaos, Violet barely managed to stop the enthusiastic Holy Knight from rushing off to jot down everything. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, the priestess sat back down, shaking her head.
To be honest, there were times when she really wanted to snatch away Edwina’s thick notebook and see what kind of nonsense was written inside.
Though Edwina became visibly dejected after being stopped, muttering strange phrases like “such important details… what if I miss something crucial…” Violet decided to pretend she hadn’t heard and quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, how’s your family doing lately?”
Hearing the priestess speak again, Miss Holy Knight quickly lifted her head, setting aside her disappointment, and thought for a moment.
“Hmm… I’m not sure what exactly you mean by the situation, Miss Violet. Could you clarify?”
The black-haired girl lazily waved her hand.
“A lot of things. For example, how is the Cecilia family preparing for the upcoming Holy War? What’s your stance on the arrival of the Bright Light Saintess in the Angel City? And… your sister, the Judgment Saintess Frederica Cecilia, any news of her?”
“My sister…”
Though Violet asked several questions, the one Edwina cared about most was, unsurprisingly, her older sister who had gone missing on the eastern battlefields of the Holy Empire. Upon hearing the question, her expression immediately turned serious.
“The situation in Angel City is complicated. I’ll organize my thoughts and explain it to you slowly later. As for my sister… we have indeed found some clues.”
“Oh? You’ve found something?”
The blonde girl shook her head instinctively, then abruptly changed the subject, mentioning a name that sounded both familiar and odd to Violet.
“Miss Violet, you’ve probably heard of… the ?Church of Radiance?, right?”