Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 182

[Vol. 5] Chapter 182: The Succubus and the Holy Knight

Let’s set aside the matter of ?Bamboo Lodge? for now. Though this visit to the Holy Academy is said to be for sightseeing, Violet actually has some specific goals in mind.

To put it more precisely, there’s one place she’s determined to visit no matter what.

The ?Hall of Theology?.

This is the most renowned institution within the Holy Academy, and in some sense, it’s almost the foundation of the academy’s reputation. It’s also the organization that proposed the two great principles: the ?Theory of Energy Conservation? and the ?Theory of Cycle Stability Structure?.

It is said that the Hall of Theology’s research into the two major forms of energy and the existence of deities has far surpassed the common understanding of the outside world. There’s even a rumor that most of their precious findings remain hidden to this day, with only a tiny fraction made public.

Thus, Violet wants to see whether this so-called ?Hall of Theology? is truly as impressive as people say, and whether she might uncover any unexpected gains.

Although she already has Sethlin, a diligent and responsible mentor, the truth is that far too much has happened during the more than a thousand years since her sealing.

Even the Goddess of Life herself doesn’t fully understand the true cause of the ancient ?Divine Catastrophe?, the barriers that surround the edges of the world, or why the power of the world repels and oppresses outsiders.

But perhaps the ?Hall of Theology? holds some unique insights into these matters.

At the very least, it’s said that some of them have conducted exceptionally in-depth research on Aurora, the Goddess of Light and the ruler of the ?Goddess Church?. This is precisely the kind of information Violet is eager to get her hands on.

In fact, from the moment they entered the Holy Academy, Edwina had been guiding them toward the area where the ?Hall of Theology? is located.

However, this academy is so vast that without the use of any vehicles, it would take an ordinary person several hours to make a full circuit of the academy on foot. Naturally, with the three of them taking their time along the way, they’ve been delayed until now.

Finally, they were almost there.

The ?Hall of Theology?, true to its name, was a vast hall built upon the earth. In fact, describing it as a “temple” might better suit its impressive exterior.

Indeed, this was a grand temple, completely out of place amidst the academy’s scholarly atmosphere, with no other buildings visible within a large radius around it. The temple was square in shape, constructed primarily from white stone bricks. Thick stone pillars formed its boundaries and supported the roof, each pillar intricately carved with reliefs in vastly different styles and languages, lending an air of mystery and classical culture.

But…

Before they could approach the main entrance of the Hall of Theology, still about ten meters away, Miss White Fox suddenly noticed that the soft little hand clutching hers tightened slightly. The steps beside her gradually slowed, as if the person was reluctant to continue forward.

Sensing this, Violet stopped walking and called out to Edwina, who was leading the way. Then she turned around and squatted down to face the little pink-haired girl.

“What’s wrong, Eudora? You…?”

At this close distance, Miss White Fox could clearly see that the young girl’s light purple pupils were faintly glowing with a soft pink hue, resembling the light that appeared when a succubus used their innate charm ability.

Her eyes had deepened noticeably, becoming like an alluring, bottomless spring. While her charm had dramatically increased, the innocent clarity her eyes usually held was gone.

This change wasn’t because Eudora had consciously released her succubus nature. It felt more like some external force had suddenly stimulated her, causing this abnormal reaction.

It seemed like… some kind of instinctive defense mechanism triggered in response to a crisis.

The little girl didn’t immediately reply. She nervously glanced at the blonde Holy Knight next to her, trying to hide it but not very successfully. After seeing that Miss White Fox didn’t react beyond a slight nod, Eudora cautiously spoke up.

“Eudora doesn’t know why… but that big building gives me a really uncomfortable feeling, Sister Fox… Do we really have to go inside?”

“An uncomfortable feeling?”

Miss White Fox subtly tilted her head after conducting a quick investigation using the general spell ?Information Detection?. She then turned her questioning gaze toward the Holy Knight, who was now standing nearby and more familiar with the area. The blonde Holy Knight thought for a moment before offering a tentative guess.

“Hmm… could it be that the people in the Hall of Theology set up some strange barrier or magic formation? To be honest, I rarely come here either. The Hall of Theology is one of the Holy Academy’s signature institutions, but many of the scholars here… well, they’re known to be a bit eccentric. I’ve heard they’re not the easiest to get along with and don’t often participate in the academy’s activities.”

“Aside from being nominally part of the Holy Academy and occasionally recruiting some of the academy’s top students for advanced studies, the Hall of Theology is almost entirely independent. But since the research they produce each year is so impressive, it seems the academy’s leadership has no choice but to let them be.”

She then shifted the conversation.

“Still, the Hall of Theology is technically a public place where people are free to come and go. I don’t think the scholars would set up a barrier harmful to ordinary people. Miss Violet, this little girl, Eudora… what exactly is happening to her?”

Ah, so she couldn’t hold back from asking after all.

Edwina’s reaction was exactly what Violet had anticipated, and in a way, it was the outcome she had deliberately orchestrated.

Why had the priestess chosen to bring Eudora to the Holy Academy today?

Beyond giving her a chance to experience the environment and broaden her horizons, the main reason was to ensure that the little succubus could spend some time with a certain Holy Knight and have a deeper interaction.

Edwina Cecilia was of divine lineage, blessed with the Violet’s skill, ?Kiss of Light?, making her a favored child of light with exceptional affinity for it. She was far more sensitive to demonic auras, those opposed to the light, than ordinary people.

Moreover, Violet had deliberately refrained from casting a disguise spell on Eudora, as she had done when they entered the city. Instead, she relied on Eudora’s own, still immature, succubus ability to hide her true nature.

With that in place, the longer Edwina spent near Eudora, the more likely it was that this second daughter of the Cecilia family would notice something amiss. She would eventually realize that a little succubus was accompanying them.

In fact, during their journey here, Edwina had already glanced at Eudora several times with a slightly suspicious expression. Clearly, she had sensed something but didn’t bring it up, likely out of respect for Miss White Fox’s presence.

The situation at the Hall of Theology, though sudden, provided the perfect opportunity for Edwina to voice her growing confusion and doubts.

It was slightly earlier than Violet had planned, but that didn’t really matter.

After gently ruffling the little girl’s hair and soothing her panic, which was now almost fully visible on her face like a child caught doing something wrong, Miss White Fox stood up. Her silver-blue eyes, hidden beneath her mask, met the bright, clear gaze of the blonde Holy Knight.

She smiled.

“Edwina, what do you think of demons?”