Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 229

[Vol. 5] Chapter 229: Plans Can’t Keep Up with Change

Night had fallen in an instant. Although Saint Sarnos City was now under demon rule, the population had dwindled to less than half due to war and the mass exodus driven by fear. However, the city still operated in a relatively orderly manner.

In this city, demons undoubtedly held the highest status. High-ranking demons, like Cressia, the succubus Violet and the others encountered earlier, were akin to a privileged elite.

However, even comparing them to nobles might not be quite accurate. In the Human United Kingdom, nobles, at least officially, were bound by laws and restrictions. Though people knew they could often bypass these constraints, they still needed to appear restrained on the surface.

In this demon-controlled city, however, authoritarian rule and survival of the fittest were enforced without pretense.

Demons were ranked above any native inhabitants, with their society divided into strict hierarchies. High-ranking demons, while few in number, could essentially do as they pleased. Status among them depended solely on the absolute power represented by their race.

Among demons of the same race, like Cressia and Eudora, there could be acts of assistance or camaraderie.

But for different races, especially the weaker, enslaved natives from the Holy Empire, “human rights” were practically nonexistent.

While walking through the city during the day, Violet had witnessed high-ranking demons brazenly taking items from shops without paying and deliberately inciting conflicts or performing provocative acts to trigger anger and discord.

Of course, if Violet’s assumptions were correct, the actions of these demons might not stem from a desire to oppress the local inhabitants for their own pleasure.

Instead, they could be utilizing this approach to provoke emotions and harvest the intense feelings emitted as a result, fulfilling their need to “feed.”

Demons, while requiring emotions as sustenance, have individual tastes just like everyone else. Different types of demons likely have different preferred emotional “foods.”

For instance, the followers and subordinates of the Demon Lord of ?Slaughter? seem to prefer aggressive emotions like anger, bloodlust, or fighting spirit. Those who engage in bullying and similar behaviors during the day are mostly from these factions.

The followers of the Demon Lord of ?Corruption?, led by succubi, typically favor more intricate and fervent emotions. They conduct mental erosion and transformation, making their targets more likely to produce “food” that suits their tastes. The so-called corruption that the citizens of the Holy Empire dread is primarily associated with this faction.

The golden-haired girl who followed the succubus Cressia earlier today serves as a powerful testament to this. At only about twenty years old, she had already raised her holy emblem to the level of silver four wings, indicating that her faith in the Goddess of Light was likely of a particularly devout nature. Being able to act as an insider to conquer the temple suggests she holds a significant position within Saint Sarnos City.

Even so, she still struggled to resist the corruption and brainwashing of the succubus. Not only did she betray her former beliefs and people, but she also willingly engaged in shameful acts before the public with a look of contentment.

The ?Corruption? faction may lack strong direct combat capabilities, but their power to infiltrate and corrupt minds justifies the historical caution and vigilance the Goddess’s followers have shown. As for the ?Defilement?, it’s easy to guess how they absorb emotions.

And lastly, the Demon Lord of ?Chaos?…

To be honest, this particular ruler seems to have never appeared or invaded the present world even once throughout history.

It is said that They are the most powerful of the four demon lords, with individual strength that can nearly overpower the other three, which allows Them to exist as a standalone faction.

But it was precisely this mystery that made the priestess feel curious. If her suspicions were correct and the demon realm was currently facing some issues, leading the other three lords to join forces to invade this world, what was the most powerful Supreme Lord doing at this moment?

Forget it… Overthinking such nebulous matters wouldn’t bring any meaning.

Finishing her thoughts, Violet shifted her gaze to the now dim surroundings, with only the bright glow of the three moons casting a faint silver light across the night sky.

They were at the edge of the central temple in Saint Sarnos City, where, according to the agreement with Mr. Dead Soul and the others, they were to meet with Miss White Fox and her group nearby.

“It’s almost time…”

The other three girls, hidden in the shadows, looked into the distance following the silver-blue gaze of Miss White Fox. However, under the still tranquil and deep night, the movements of the four-person team had yet to appear within sight.

“Why haven’t they arrived yet? Could something have happened?”

Sitting on a massive stone near the ruins at the edge of the temple, which had once crumbled due to war, the green-haired girl rested her chin on her hand in boredom, unable to suppress a voice tinged with concern.

Among the four, only Theresa has characteristics that are not very different from humans, so her visual range and visibility in the dim night were the lowest. Even Eudora, in her succubus form, was better in this regard.

Next to the green-haired girl, a pink-haired loli, with a long tail that had a heart-shaped tip swaying behind her, propped herself up on the stone, kicking her pale little legs in the water-like manner, and looked up with a serious expression as she encouraged, “Sister Theresa, don’t worry! Those big brothers and sisters are really strong. Nothing will happen to them!”

“Eh… Being comforted by Eudora feels a bit strange, doesn’t it?”

“Master…ahem… Dawn, there are beings approaching from this direction.”

As usual, the sharpest among them, Miss Dragon, was the first to sense the changes in the environment and the flow of energy. She stepped away from the wall she had been leaning against and moved to the side of Miss White Fox.

“Is it them? No…”

With a slight furrow of her brow beneath the mask, Violet gestured to her dragon, who understood immediately and quickly pulled the two confused little ones behind the wall for cover, signaling them to stay quiet.

Miss White Fox also took out her long-unused ?Chameleon Cloak? from her backpack and vanished from sight.

About half a minute later.

“Hurry, hurry, keep up!”

A team of about ten people, made up of humans, half-beastmen, and other common races from the Holy Empire, dressed in tight black clothing suitable for nighttime movements and concealment, approached the spot where the girls had been, cautiously surveying their surroundings.

“Boss, isn’t this too risky? The temple is the demons’ lair in the city now. Even in these ruins damaged by the war, there might still be demon guards patrolling…”

“What are you shouting about? Don’t you know the saying, ‘Fortune favors the bold’?! If you had issues before, why didn’t you say anything? Now that we’re here, you want to back out, huh? Do you believe I won’t take care of you right now?!”

“I-I was just saying something casually! Don’t be mad, Boss!”

Listening to their somewhat crude banter and the sound of various bottles, tools, and short daggers clinking at their waists, Miss White Fox, who was observing them invisibly, suddenly realized.

This group… was a bunch of thieves.