Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 223

[Vol. 5] Chapter 223: Prelude to the Final Act

“This should be the Angel City… the final destination Edwina and the others are rushing toward.”

Floating quietly in the sky as if standing on air, the white fox girl looked down at the grand outline below, sprawling like a prehistoric beast on the ground, and made her judgment.

“Wow… it’s such a huge city, but from up here, you can see everything so clearly. Even though this isn’t the first time I’ve used this ability, it’s still so impressive!”

Beside her, a green-haired girl with slender, metallic wings struggled to maintain a steady flight while widening her eyes in awe as she curiously observed the scene below, marveling at it all.

Alongside the two of them, the dragon girl spread her wings and carried a pink-haired young girl in her arms. Further behind, two men and two women, all familiar faces, followed. They too used mechanical wings similar to the ones equipped by Theresa to keep themselves floating in the air.

A grand team of eight had simultaneously arrived above the fortress, which had already been conquered and occupied by demons.

By the way, Eudora, being a succubus, already possessed the ability to fly, even though she was still in her juvenile form. However, to conceal her demonic identity, the white fox girl had Xiao Guang carry her while they traveled.

After all, while the other four were acquainted, they hadn’t reached the point where such secrets could be fully shared.

“What do you think? Is this the place?”

Violet turned her gaze backward. The grey-clad swordsman, with seven long swords hanging at his waist, immediately stepped forward in understanding. He retrieved a pink orb encased in a transparent crystal box from his ring, observed the change in its glow for a moment, and then shook his head.

“No response. The other half of the ?Bewitching Orb? doesn’t seem to be in this city. If that’s the case… Miss Dawn, I believe the servant of the Demon Lord of ?Corruption? hasn’t found it yet.”

“I see…”

So, it seems it’s still hidden somewhere within the province of Sarnos or Keller.

Miss White Fox gazed out toward the edge of the city.

During the Third Holy War, in one of these two provinces that had now fallen to demons, the Sixth Bright Light Saintess of two generations ago had fought fiercely against an incarnation of the Demon Lord of ?Corruption?, resulting in mutual destruction.

It is said that the intensity of that battle was unparalleled in history. To combat the incarnation of ?Corruption? that descended into the world, the Bright Light Saintess, who had already reached a transcendent-level, burned everything she had. At the cost of her life, she made the ?Crownless Crown? shine with unprecedented brilliance, nearly wielding god-like power to defeat ?Corruption?.

At that time, the Bright Light Saintess was undoubtedly the supreme leader of the Holy Empire.

Because of this, the Demon Lord of ?Corruption?’s medium, the ?Bewitching Orb?, a precious artifact that allowed his incarnation to descend into this world, was shattered. The fragments scattered across the world.

If there was any place where the other half of the ?Bewitching Orb?, shattered into two parts, might be found, it would undoubtedly be one of the two places the demons took control of at the beginning of their invasion.

However, that battle took place over three hundred years ago, and no one knows where the fragments of the ?Bewitching Orb? ended up. Perhaps they’ve been buried or sealed away, so it’s no surprise the demons haven’t found it yet.

Moreover, Chloe, the succubus daughter of Eloun, who was specifically tasked with finding the orb, was captured long ago thanks to the schemes of Mr. Diviner and Bright Light Saintess Yuna. The artifact she carried, ?Gaze of Eloun?, which was used to locate the ?Bewitching Orb?, is still resting in the priestess’s bag.

It’s time to take a look at those two demon-occupied provinces.

Finding the other half of the ?Bewitching Orb? and bringing it back is the mission entrusted to the four members of the ?Reaper’s Scythe? squad by Mr. Diviner. Violet is merely accompanying them, helping out if it’s convenient.

The real reason Violet decided to leave the main battlefield of Sacchino City at this time and venture deep into the demon-occupied territory was simply that she hadn’t found any truly overwhelming power within the demon army. Since that was the case, it would be fine to let the worldly forces handle the war as they saw fit.

Once the Redemption Saintess, Philomena, successfully arrived at Sacchino City, the battlefield had begun to stabilize, and it was unlikely that a decisive victory or defeat would be reached anytime soon.

Even if the demon forces at Sacchino City were eventually repelled, it would only mark the beginning of this holy war. The conflict would likely evolve into a long and grueling war of attrition, with frequent small and large-scale clashes.

A war between races cannot be concluded in a matter of mere days or months.

On the other hand, Violet was still somewhat concerned about the Judgment Saintess, Frederica Cecilia, who had mysteriously disappeared from the battlefield and later became an Apostle of the ?Light Worshipper Church?, as well as the ?Judgment Holy Sword?, which vanished along with her.

Violet had a vague feeling that the key to this holy war and the related upheavals within the Holy Empire lay with the three divine artifacts of light.

It seemed that everything had started with the loss of the ?Crownless Crown?, which once belonged to the Bright Light Saintess.

The story that Yuna had once told her, recorded in the secret history of the Summerfield family, about the ?Tree? and the origin of the three Holy Artifacts, still piqued Violet’s curiosity.

Whether to uncover this truth or simply to help her friend Edwina, Violet believed it was necessary to find the Judgment Saintess, who was now hidden deep within demon territory, as well as the ?Judgment Holy Sword?.

As she pondered, the white fox girl once again cast a glance at the imposing fortress city below her.

Before long, this place will likely turn into a battlefield again. At this very moment, Edwina is probably racing across the stars, charging toward the city…

Though she did worry a bit about Edwina, Leila, and Rene, every fledgling must one day spread its wings and fly. It’s time to let go.

The girl tilted her head slightly.

“So, what now? Shall we split up here or continue moving forward together?”

The white fox girl’s question seemed casual, but the members of the ?Reaper’s Scythe? exchanged glances, engaging in a silent but serious conversation with their eyes before the swordsman, acting as captain, responded.

“If Miss Dawn doesn’t mind, we are willing to continue accompanying you, ensuring your protection. While you may not need it, we can certainly handle any small threats that come our way.”

“Is that so? If you want to follow, then do so… Oh, by the way, after last time, did you manage to grasp any new abilities?”

Though she didn’t mention anyone by name, Mr. Dead Soul immediately understood the white fox girl was referring to him. He quickly bowed his head slightly in response.

“I have indeed benefited greatly. Though it’s still not fully refined, I have made considerable progress, all thanks to—”

Violet raised her hand, cutting off the swordsman’s flood of gratitude and explanation.

“If there’s a chance, show me what you’ve learned.”

“Ah…? Ah, y-yes! Of course!”

…………………………

“How’s the situation?”

Skillfully retracting the flight wings behind her and disassembling them before storing them in her personal holy emblem, Edwina turned to look at her personal guard, who was running toward her while handling a similar device.

“Second Mi… Acting Commander! We’ve completed the headcount. Aside from a few losses during skirmishes with the demon cavalry before crossing the river, no one has fallen behind! We’ve truly crossed the Star River unnoticed! Praise the Goddess! This is the kind of miraculous ambush that could go down in history as a revolutionary battle!”

Unable to contain his excitement, the Holy Knight burst into a wide grin.

“Those foolish demons are probably still wandering on the other side, searching for any sign of us, hahaha!”

Nodding in agreement, Miss Holy Knight smiled.

“Yes, it truly is the goddess’s blessing. Who would have thought that our force of over three thousand could cross the treacherous Star River and penetrate the enemy’s territory in less than a quarter of an hour?”

“And with this kind of mobility, we can avoid the enemy’s main forces in many cases and launch targeted guerrilla strikes against their critical points. That person’s strategy and abilities have far exceeded what we ordinary people can imagine. Could it be that from the very beginning, they had already foreseen…”

Edwina cleared her throat and, with a hint of caution, changed the subject.

“Lei… what about the two Angels? Have they appeared or left any signals?”

“Uh, reports indicate that we’ve received no contact from the two Angels, Acting Commander. Could they have encountered trouble? After all, the demons they were pursuing…”

The blonde girl shook her head, her gaze shifting from the vast, turbulent Star River behind them to the distant shadow of the towering city. In a soft voice, she said,

“Let’s believe in them. Right now, we can only trust in them. This is the trial of the gods. After this war, everything in the Holy Empire will be reborn… like never before.”

“…Praise the goddess.”