Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 262

[Vol. 5] Chapter 262: The Apostle of the Light Worshipper Church

After covering the soil, Theresa once again placed her palms on the ground. A deep emerald glow surged around her and then rushed downward. She began to chant in a high-pitched tone, words that Violet had heard more than once before.

“In the name of [Life], sprout!”

“Crack…”

A tender green sprout, symbolizing new life, broke through the soil.

Nourished by the powerful divine energy of life, the sprout started to grow, transforming rapidly into a young tree, then quickly thickening and towering high. Countless vibrant green branches and leaves stretched upward, reaching toward the sky!

The third Divine Tree of Life, gifted to this world by the Goddess of Life, Sethlin, was now complete.

………………………

Several days passed after that.

Theresa successfully purified the blood tree, corrupted by the will of [Slaughter], restoring it to its original form. Revitalizing it as a Divine Tree was an accomplishment that surely made a significant impression on the [Light Worshipper Church].

Theresa had yet to recover from the physical and mental exhaustion of that time. Although Violet easily healed her physical injuries, the effects on her soul and spirit, strained by the excessive divine energy, would take time to heal naturally.

In various ways, this wasn’t a bad outcome for Theresa.

Opportunity often arrives with risk, and through this adventure, or perhaps reckless act, the uncontrolled divine power that had leaked into Theresa from Sethlin’s ascension was largely expelled, infused into the Divine Tree.

The remaining portion would eventually integrate with her, thoroughly enhancing Theresa’s constitution.

After recovering this time, that young girl, in a certain sense, could truly be considered an emissary of the Goddess of Life. The various benefits of this transformation go without saying.

Of course, just how much her strength has improved will have to wait until she is fully healed.

With the Divine Tree planted, Violet naturally needed to stay for a few days to closely observe it, ensuring there were no issues before making any further plans.

In these past days, the residents of the settlement have personally experienced the Divine Tree’s harmless nature after its transformation, as well as the various blessings it can bring now and in the future. Naturally, no more voices are demanding its removal.

Moreover, since “Dawn” fulfilled her promise, it’s now time for the [Light Worshipper Church] to show corresponding sincerity.

Today, Miss White Fox once again accepted an invitation from Elrand and arrived at the [Light Worshipper Church]’s office.

When she opened the office door again, she saw Elrand, the missionary, seated as expected on the sofa by the tea table, smiling at the newly arrived white fox girl. Opposite him sat a figure clad in a pale golden robe, back facing Violet, whose face remained unseen, a [Light Worshipper].

Of course, this visual barrier did not prevent Violet from guessing the person’s identity by their aura.

She stepped forward, took the seat Elrand had just vacated, and poured herself a fresh cup of tea.

“Hehe… It’s quite a challenge to get a meeting with you, the elusive ‘Apostle’.”

“Miss Frederica Cecilia, or should I address you as the Judgment Saintess?”

“……”

After a brief silence, the other person lifted a hand and pulled back her hood.

Long, crystal-clear, golden hair cascaded down, resembling that of a certain Miss Holy Knight by seven or eight parts. However, her face, more mature and composed, wore a faint, somewhat resigned smile.

“To be honest, when I first heard that a girl wearing a white fox mask and claiming to be Dawn requested a meeting, I was genuinely surprised and a bit suspicious. I wondered if it might be bait set by a demon, but now I see that I was overly cautious.”

The young woman stood up, gently placing her hand over her chest where the pale golden star insignia of a [Light Worshipper] rested, and bowed her head slightly in greeting.

“Frederica Cecilia, the eighteenth Judgment Saintess of the Holy Empire. Miss Dawn, thank you for everything you’ve done for our nation and its people thus far. Even though I reside in a remote region, I’ve heard of your noble deeds.”

After a moment, she bowed her head further, almost burying it in the ample chest wrapped by her ceremonial robe.

“Truly… thank you. Many of those responsibilities should have been mine as the Judgment Saintess, and yet now…”

“Oh, now, now~ No need to be so serious right from the start,” Miss White Fox interrupted playfully. “Those things in the settlement were really just small efforts on my part.”

She swirled the steaming tea in her cup, but didn’t drink, setting it back on the table. Then, she met the gaze of Frederica, the sister of Edwina, whom she’d briefly encountered in the Azure Sky Kingdom. A touch of amusement colored her voice.

“Well, shall we finally talk? About you, and everything concerning the Holy Empire as it stands.”

“You are, after all, at the heart of this whole situation.”

Frederica nodded.

Clearly, she understood that Dawn wouldn’t have traveled all this way to a demon-infested land without a significant reason. Since she had chosen to appear and meet with Miss White Fox, she had undoubtedly done thorough research and preparations in advance.

“I thought the same. Then, Miss Dawn, let’s have an open and honest conversation.”

The Saintess cast a glance at Elrand, who had just arrived by her side. Smiling, he nodded and then gave a nod of acknowledgment to Miss White Fox before turning to leave, closing the door behind him.

Judging by the sound of his footsteps, he hadn’t gone far, likely just standing guard outside to prevent any interruptions or eavesdropping.

Once the two young women were alone in the room, the Judgment Saintess finally sat down again, facing Miss White Fox.

“Miss Dawn, I assume that’s a proper way to address you? Although I still don’t know much about your background, from what you’ve done in the past, I believe you’re a trustworthy ally…”

“But before we begin, I’m still curious. How did you know I was hiding here in Sarnos Province and that I had ties with the [Light Worshipper Church]?”

“Oh, that…”

Miss White Fox shrugged casually and decided to be frank.

“Since I did my research, you probably also know the people I’ve been close to, right? It was your sister who provided the intel. Part of why I came to find you was actually for Edwina’s sake. That girl has been worried sick about you lately.”

In reality, the information had likely come from a certain rat-folk dispatched by a certain queen, with Edwina only relaying it, but there was no need to be so explicit here.

Using Edwina as a bridge was certainly an effective way to draw closer to Frederica.

As expected, upon hearing her sister’s name, the blonde girl’s expression softened visibly, tinged with a hint of guilt.

“So it was little Nana? I’m truly failing as her older sister… She’s the one who needs the most help right now, yet she’s still worrying over me…”

Oh, come on! Can’t you sisters tone down the sappy nicknames in front of others?!

That’s twice now, seriously!