Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 210

[Vol. 5] Chapter 210: I See, I Know

The several-meter-diameter “bomb,” harboring a terrifying plague and destructive power, was rapidly propelled to its limit in just a few breaths by the unique physical structure of the ?Nightmare Executioner?.

Then, following the pull of gravity, it plummeted at high speed, transforming into a meteor from the heavens, heading straight for Sacchino City!

“Intercept!”

The battlefield was ever-changing in an instant. It seemed that even the wise and resourceful Bright Light Saintess could not prepare for everything in advance. At least for this first wave of bombardment, all she could do was loudly issue an emergency response command.

“Radiant Slash!”

Edwina was the first to react. Although she had just unleashed a powerful combined strike not long ago, the brilliant light aura surrounding Miss Holy Knight showed no signs of diminishing.

A dazzling golden flame ignited on her holy sword, extending into an impressive light blade, though not as large as before, still more than ten meters long, as it cleaved through the sky!

“Boom!!!”

The golden light sword shot upward, slashing through three stone spheres that were plummeting down, releasing a massive shockwave and spreading a circle of dazzling light and thick, sickly green mist in the air.

Other Holy Knights and clerics on the city walls, as long as they had long-range attack capabilities, quickly followed Miss Holy Knight’s lead and launched counterattacks toward the sky.

“Holy Radiance Slash!”

“Holy Spear Strike!”

“Aurora Technique!”

“Light’s Arrow!”

In an instant, hundreds and thousands of golden lights and weapons of various shapes appeared, though hurriedly launched. Their accuracy and power were clearly not on par with the Edwina, who had just reached the transcendent level under the blessing of ?God’s Blood?. However, due to their sheer numbers, even in chaos, it was inevitable that some attacks would hit their mark, like a blind cat catching a dead mouse.

“Bang bang bang bang bang bang bang!!!!”

A series of explosions echoed through the sky above the city, accompanied by the spreading of the intense poisonous mist. Although over ninety percent of the “bombardment” was intercepted by the clergy using faith-based magic, a few slipped through the firepower barrier and descended upon Sacchino City.

“Boom boom boom boom boom!!!!!!!”

Like a compressed gas violently released, the toxic projectiles that had been accelerating for so long erupted with far greater force and destruction upon impact than they had in the air.

Several buildings near the impact zones were immediately consumed by the shockwave and collapsed, as the sickly green poisonous mist spread rapidly, attacking every living creature in the city indiscriminately.

At this point, the actions of the mysterious figure, likely the one who called himself “Minchen,” who had evacuated over 100,000 residents from Sacchino City, became especially crucial.

After all, nearly ninety-nine percent of the Knight Templars, Holy Knights, priests, and other clergy sent by the Holy Empire to participate in this war were skilled in using faith-based magic. For this basic kind of plague, as long as they had taken precautions and weren’t directly hit by the “bomb” shockwaves, they were temporarily safe.

But the civilians couldn’t defend themselves to the same degree. If Minchen hadn’t evacuated them, and if Violet hadn’t intervened in this war, the remaining citizens in the city would likely have suffered great casualties and panic, which would have also caused significant trouble for the city’s defending forces.

Aside from the plague-bomb projectiles that fell inside the city, one or two bombs happened to strike the southern wall of Sacchino City, and in the terrible explosion, at least a dozen Knight Templars at the core were obliterated.

They vanished from this world without even making a sound.

Dozens more on the outskirts were thrown back, coughing up blood as they flew. Their exposed skin was already covered with a visible layer of sickly green light, wriggling like maggots clinging to their flesh.

Without a doubt, these people had been infected by the ?Defilement? plague.

Without Yuna needing to give any orders, other Knight Templars, mainly clerics who had taken proper precautions, immediately rushed forward to perform emergency treatment on the injured and carried them down from the city walls.

Regardless of whether the plague on these people could be cured, at least for this battle, they would no longer be able to participate.

“Is this still acceptable…”

Though the first wave of attacks had caused nearly a hundred casualties, after surveying the situation atop the city wall, the blonde girl who served as commander simply nodded in silent acknowledgment.

Her quiet murmurs and actions did not escape Violet’s notice.

Although she was the strongest among them, second only to Miss White Fox, the Bright Light Saintess had not made a move during the interception of the plague projectiles.

Perhaps she believed that, as the commander-in-chief of the entire Holy War expedition, her role was less about personal strength and more about maintaining a clear and strategic mind at all times. Observation seemed more crucial than direct engagement.

In the face of her subordinates’ injuries, she showed no signs of impatience or anger. Instead, she calmly weighed the gains and losses, strategizing after this round of battle…

It was the correct course of action, but… almost too correct.

Violet understood this well. She could empathize with Yuna’s actions because, as a deity, her instincts leaned towards rationality and detachment from the insignificant or the loss of life. But for a normal human, one would expect at least a hint of emotional reaction.

Like Edwina, who was now furrowing her brows and gripping the hilt of her holy sword tightly.

Yuna Summerfield… Is this really her first time on the battlefield? Or is it because of her unique ability, just like Menna?

Gazing at the ?Nightmare Executioner? in the distance, which was already loading its second round of “projectiles,” Yuna glanced down at the approaching wave of demon beasts closing in on the city walls. Her expression remained unchanged as she turned once more toward the senior cleric behind her.

“How much longer until the barrier is fully charged?”

“We are pouring in all our energy, but we need at least… ten minutes.”

“Heh… To push us to such extremes from the start… Dealing with the combined forces of the Demon Lords is truly no easy task. Five kilometers… No, that wouldn’t be worth it…”

“Your Highness, should we bring in the ?Heresy Inquisition??” [1]

“No, it’s not their time to act yet. Don’t forget, this is just one of the four walls.”

Yuna dismissed her subordinate’s suggestion and continued giving orders.

“Repair the breaches in the city walls, instruct the troops to avoid aerial attacks, and prepare for a large-scale siege. Once the barrier is fully charged, activate it immediately… Oh, and send an additional team to the city’s temple to protect the barrier’s core.”

“Understood!”

It seems they plan to hold out after all.

Miss White Fox, still watching from the sidelines, thought to herself.

Though it may seem somewhat heartless, Yuna’s decision was the right one. This war had only just begun, and the truly brutal fighting had yet to unfold. If they were to reveal all their trump cards from the start just to minimize casualties, it would ultimately lead to failure and far worse consequences.

Losses were inevitable, especially after the recent defeat at the Angel City. This was no longer a time to be overly concerned with immediate gains and losses.

Another round of plague-laden “projectiles” came whistling through the air. Though most were intercepted, a few landed within the city, casting a faint green mist over the sky.

At the same time, the overwhelming wave of demon beasts finally reached the base of the city walls. Using their sharp claws and tattered wings, they frantically climbed upward. Most were struck down by faith-based magic and falling stones, but a few managed to reach the top, engaging the Knight Templars in fierce close combat.

The sounds of battle, cries, the slicing of flesh, and the tearing of armor rang out, trying to stir any ripple of emotion in Miss White Fox’s otherwise calm heart.

Standing close to the Saintess in the heavily guarded safe zone, Violet suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.

This familiar scene… the last time she experienced something similar was two years ago, when she had first arrived in this world.

Lives were lost amidst the clash of steel and blood, but this was a battle of wills between different races, known as a Holy War. It wasn’t the same as the massacre and destruction at the foot of St. Bergen Mountain.

Yuna did not seek her help, nor did the warriors lose their resolve, abandon their weapons, and kneel to pray for divine salvation, so the young woman did not intervene.

Yet, the same sense of detachment that had weighed on her two years ago still lingered in her heart. Violet was simply too powerful, powerful enough to easily alter the outcome of this war. Therefore, this battlefield wasn’t truly meant for her, which is why…

No, something was off.

She sensed it keenly.

Things were not the same as they had been before.

If back then, her reason for not intervening was that “it wasn’t necessary, and it was too troublesome, merely a conflict among humans vying for the throne,” now it was something else…

Edwina’s words before the battle suddenly came to mind.

“To be a witness… isn it?”

That might not be so bad.

Just as she realized this, a familiar voice came from behind her.

“Miss Dawn, are we not going to intervene?”

“Hm?”

She turned to see the white-feathered girl, her gaze questioning, then shifting to the catapult throwing deadly poison, her brow slightly furrowed.

Beneath her mask, a soft smile, unseen by anyone, appeared. She nodded gently.

“It’s fine. Do what you believe is right.”

TL Note:
[1]
The ?Heresy Inquisition?, an elite force operating under the command of the Bright Light Saintess, will be introduced in Volume 5, Chapter 291.