Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 254

[Vol. 5] Chapter 254: Void Mystery: Soul’s End

“What was that move called, the one just now?”

Mr. Dead Soul turned his head with difficulty, glancing at the white fox girl who had appeared at his side without him noticing. Seeing that she wasn’t inclined to answer, he pondered briefly before speaking.

“A thousand souls, countless thoughts, turned to emptiness in a glance… let’s call it [Soul Ashes].”

“[Soul Ashes]… very well.”

Noticing the gray-clad swordsman hadn’t responded, perhaps due to no longer having the luxury for idle talk, the Blade Demon nodded solemnly, expressing his approval.

“My name is Casar, the Ninth Battle General under the Demon Lord of Slaughter. You are… worthy of a kill.”

“However, not now.”

Casar, as he introduced himself, shifted his ghostly green gaze from under his helmet toward the white fox girl, seeming to regard her deeply for a moment before focusing back on the barely-standing Mr. Dead Soul.

“You’re not yet mature. I cannot give my all. What a pity… another time, then.”

“……”

Seeing the gray-clad swordsman remain silent, Casar took a step back, then spread his wings and ascended, lifting into the air with the gusting wind.

“When the Blade of Slaughter descends, I will come for you. Either kill me… or be killed by me.”

With this declaration, the demons rose into the wind, swiftly disappearing at the horizon’s edge.

“Dead Soul!”

Falling into the arms of Miss Dark Lotus, who had rushed from behind, the gray-clad swordsman, his breath now incredibly faint, lifted his head to look at the white fox girl and her companions, who had unknowingly arrived at their side.

“… Miss Dawn, are we really just letting them go?”

“Yes. Since Sluthel, their demon leader, dared to send these ones out, it means they’re nothing more than disposable pawns. Besides, that demon already declared he’d face you in a proper fight, so there’s no need for me to force him to stay. Or… are you lacking confidence in defeating him~?”

“Embarrassingly… yes, in this battle, I truly…”

Violet raised her hand, cutting him off.

“Don’t underestimate yourself. You neither won nor lost.”

Clearly, the Blade Demon Casar didn’t spare Mr. Dead Soul out of kindness or fear of the white fox girl’s presence.

Ultimate Art.

Just as his blade was about to strike down on the gray-clad swordsman, Violet distinctly sensed the unique aura belonging solely to this kind of power.

Of course, compared to the true Ultimate Art, like the world-shattering force of [Ultimate Art: Radiance] wielded by the priestess, Mr. Dead Soul’s Ultimate Art was far more immature and unrefined, merely an imitation of that supreme realm of power.

Ultimate Arts are the pinnacle of laws, the purest essence birthed from concepts. Mortals can barely comprehend or use them, even witnessing them up close, and surviving without becoming the target is enough to drive one to madness or even mental collapse from the overwhelming flow of terrifying information they hold.

So what Mr. Dead Soul attempted to reach and use just now could only be a simulated power known as [False Ultimate Art], and even with all his strength, he barely managed to produce a hint of its aura.

After all, even with the [Yin-Yang Harmony] skill from the [Dominion of the Fox Mask], which allowed him to utilize SP, Mr. Dead Soul’s level was still under 70. Though he might possess a unique physique, his SP capacity was likely quite limited.

Forcing the use of Ultimate Art’s power will only harm oneself.

If he had actually unleashed the full force of that [False Ultimate Art] just now, his SP, essentially his soul, would have completely depleted, resulting in his instant death.

However, corresponding to such a terrifying cost, the power he could unleash in that instant would also be formidable enough to take down Casar, the Blade Demon, and even those demons in the sky along with any bystanders watching, aside from Miss White Fox and a few others.

In the end, Casar simply didn’t want to perish alongside Mr. Dead Soul, and the presence of Miss Dawn influenced his decision to retreat for the moment.

Perhaps Casar believes that when the so-called “Blade of Slaughter” descended and it could unleash its full power, that demon will be able to withstand the soul-scouring power of [Soul Ashes].

Mr. Dead Soul wasn’t foolish. He quickly understood the truth from the look in Miss White Fox’s eyes.

“I see… that’s good. I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you with the rest. These people… they’re from the [Light Worshipper Church] or perhaps… you might be more familiar with [Church of Radiance].”

With his last thoughts fading away, the gray-clad swordsman closed his eyes, his breath dwindling to nothing.

“[Light Worshipper Church]… what… what is that? The [Church of Radiance]?!”

Wait, wait a moment! So these people are from that strange organization?!

“Miss Dawn?”

Seeing the usually composed and noble white fox girl react in such a flustered manner seemed astonishing. As she helped support a certain unconscious captain alongside her sister, Miss Dark Spirit gave her a concerned look.

“Are you all right? Is there something wrong with the [Light Worshipper Church]?”

“Ahem.”

Miss White Fox instinctively touched her furry triangular ears, which had perked up in surprise, attempting to mask her embarrassment.

“It’s nothing. I’ve just heard a lot about this organization, so I’m a bit surprised.”

After vaguely brushing off the question, she quickly changed the subject.

“So, what’s going on with you all? How did members of the [Light Worshipper Church] end up here?”

Judging by the current situation, it seems that the [Reaper’s Scythe] has reached some form of cooperation with the [Light Worshipper Church]. Perhaps they joined forces to face a common enemy, or maybe they’ve had ties all along.

After all, even in the Human United Kingdom, this church has been rapidly expanding, so it wouldn’t be unusual for legendary adventurers to collaborate with them. The [Light Worshipper Church] itself isn’t a church in the dark sense. It’s just that Violet personally can’t accept them.

With no reason to doubt, Miss Dark Spirit nodded, then, while Mr. Ferryman conducted a quick check and provided some healing for Mr. Dead Soul, he explained swiftly.

“We encountered these people not long ago. Maybe the commotion from battling that blood tree was too loud. Shortly after the fight began, they started arriving one by one from different directions, offering to help.”

“But, for some reason, the tree suddenly quieted down at a certain point. It stopped attacking us, almost as if it had fallen asleep.”

“This gave us a moment to catch our breath and exchange some information.”

“According to their leader, they all seem to be from around this forest. There’s a settlement nearby, a refuge established by refugees and scattered clerics after the war, with the help of the [Light Worshipper Church].”

“Lately, members from the settlement who went to the forest outskirts to gather herbs and hunt have been disappearing mysteriously, which eventually drew the local leaders’ attention. So they organized several teams to investigate.”

The gray-haired girl with a single eye concealed by bangs signaled with her gaze toward the direction where they had encountered the blood-drained corpses of the investigative team.

“You’ve seen it yourself. That’s roughly the situation.”

“…Alright.”

The [Light Worshipper Church]…

Though she wasn’t thrilled about associating with this strange group, the truth was that, as the [Light Worshipper Church] continued to expand worldwide, Violet’s eventual contact with them was inevitable.

Furthermore, the Judgment Saintess, Edwina’s sister, Frederica, was rumored to have joined the [Light Worshipper Church]. Seeking her through this direction would undoubtedly be the most convenient shortcut.

And besides, Sasha, a disciple of the Flora, whom Miss White Fox was already planning to approach, was clearly affiliated with this group as well.

Sigh, so be it.

After all, she was now “Dawn”, not a certain priestess, so it shouldn’t be an issue.

Yes, that should be fine.

“Let’s go. Let’s meet with their leader first and go from there.”