Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 280

[Vol. 5] Chapter 280: The Sword Without a Master

However, the quality of this [Judgment Holy Sword] isn’t far from what was initially expected. In terms of attributes, it’s already among the most outstanding of Sacred Artifacts, essentially top-tier.

In terms of power, it might even be close to, or surpass, certain lesser Semi-Divine items, like the [Seal of Mountains and Rivers], an item that has unclear effects outside of its main purpose.

Even so, the classification of equipment quality is strict. A Sacred artifact is still a Sacred artifact, and unless certain conditions are met, it will always remain limited within that threshold.

A distinguishing feature of sacred and higher-grade artifacts in [Illusory World] is their requirement for binding to a specific user, occupying a unique ‘equipment slot.’ This contrasts with purple and lower-grade artifacts, which do not possess such a limitation.

In exchange for this stringent requirement, their power surpasses that of purple-grade artifacts, achieving a qualitative leap.

When a Sacred Artifact advances to the level of a Semi-Divine item, it gains another special effect:

The so-called “Inherent Trait.”

As the name implies, this is a unique, irreplaceable, and non-stackable powerful effect.

In most cases, equipment at the Semi-Divine level and above are unique items that cannot be duplicated. If they’re generated by systems like dungeons, events, or quests, it’s unlikely that another item will have the same “Inherent Trait”. At most, their main attributes might be similar.

Semi-Divine items crafted by players using rare materials and crafting skills can be granted semi-random “Inherent Traits” based on the crafting process and the creator’s intentions. For example, the [Blade of Hollow Mark] by [Hen] can capture spatial fluctuations, while the [Heaven, Earth, Mountain, River Map] has an internal flow of time different from the outside.

This is one of the main reasons [Illusory World] claims “no two players will ever be exactly the same.”

As for the level above, the Divine Artifacts…

The artifacts that Violet possesses, such as the [Feather Robe Graria] and the [Eternal Scepter of the World’s Heart], also have “Inherent Traits.” However, these traits are more numerous and powerful, allowing multiple effects to coexist within a single piece of equipment.

Of course, the unique qualities of divine artifacts go beyond just these traits, but that doesn’t particularly relate to the current topic.

Since this [Judgment Holy Sword] is considered one-third of a [Primordial Artifact], it should also have an “Inherent Trait,” though it appears to be sealed for some reason.

The previous information didn’t specify who sealed the [Judgment Holy Sword], but Violet could mostly deduce that it’s likely a beneficial seal.

A [Law Artifact] is a divine weapon born from the essence of gods (divinity). In certain ways, a true [Primordial Artifact] surpasses even these, making it one of the most powerful weapons in the world.

Violet isn’t entirely sure how these two types of equipment should be classified within the game, but without a doubt, either one is not something a mortal could wield easily.

If the unsealed [Judgment Holy Sword] were presented before the people of the Holy Empire, even the so-called god-born wouldn’t be able to use it. That’s likely why the sword was sealed, to reduce its power and lower the threshold for usage.

All of this is easy to infer.

But… what exactly are the two pieces of information that were hidden in the intelligence scan?

Although the character lengths seem similar, it feels like they’re two different things.

…Forget it.

It’s not the first time this unreliable skill has failed to reveal everything. Expecting it to clarify every detail all at once is probably unrealistic.

After a moment’s thought, the white-fox girl placed her hand on the inner side of the hilt, which was adorned with countless brilliant gemstones, and gripped it tightly.

“Frederica, step back a bit.”

Realizing that persuading her would be pointless, The Saintess simply nodded, taking step after step backward, facing Violet, until she had moved about ten meters away. She stood there intently watching.

“Hoo…”

The girl took a deep breath.

Alright, let’s see the power of this artifact, the national treasure of the Holy Empire.

“Clank.”

With a slight exertion, the connection between the scabbard and the [Judgment Holy Sword] made a scraping sound, as if forcibly pulled apart after years of rust and decay.

That was resistance. Violet could feel it.

This sword did not want to be drawn by her.

In other words, the [Judgment Holy Sword] did not recognize [Dawn] as its wielder.

But the white-fox girl had no intention of giving up.

She focused her mind on her arm again, unleashing over ten thousand points of [Strength] and the full bodily enhancements provided by the [Dominion of the Fox Mask], pulling stubbornly at the thin blade trapped within the scabbard.

“Clank… clank clank clank clank clank…”

Accompanied by the piercing, grating noise of a rusty, ruined iron sword being forcibly drawn, and after a long struggle between Violet and the [Judgment Holy Sword], the true form of the sword, locked within its scabbard, finally revealed a faint, ominous edge.

“Buzz!!!!!”

With only a slight draw, a fierce sword aura surged skyward!

“Boom boom boom boom boom!!!!!!”

On the river in front of the girl, hundreds of surging waves suddenly erupted, towering over ten meters high. The continuous rain seemed to burst like countless depth charges exploding in unison, with thunderous roars so loud they drowned out the shout of a certain Saintess, “Miss Dawn! Don’t force it!”

The spirit of the holy sword was furious, retaliating against the coercive force with a nearly world-cleaving intensity, its sharp aura rebounding instantly toward the white-fox girl attempting to draw it.

But at this moment, as if heaven itself intervened, a divine consciousness, a force far mightier than the holy sword, descended. The trapped spirit trembled before this overwhelming power. The sword’s deadly intent was actually redirected under the great power.

“Zing!”

In the next instant, the surging waves and rain seemed like pages cut by a knife. Before they could fall, they were severed mid-air, as if a line had sliced through the night, tearing the darkness apart.

As the water curtains weakened and fell back down, the white-fox girl, clad in a red-and-white priestess robe, now held the unsheathed blade in her hand, its edge tilted toward the sky.

“Miss Dawn!”

Frederica rushed forward, astonished to see that Dawn was unharmed. She had successfully drawn the sword without showing any signs of injury from the holy sword’s backlash. Even her dress and fox mask remained perfectly intact.

“Ugh…! Did you overpower the [Judgment Holy Sword] with your own strength? How… how is that possible? That’s… that’s a holy artifact…!”

Hearing the girl’s incredulous, almost fearful voice as if she were witnessing something incomprehensibly majestic, [Dawn] turned her head and nodded approvingly.

“It is indeed a sacred tier artifact. To be honest, the true power this sword holds exceeds even the highest limits I expected. Even for me, it might actually make a rather fine weapon to wield.”

“But in the end, this is only one-third of the true [Primordial Artifact]. It remains limited to the realm of a mere ‘weapon.’ Without a compatible master, it’s hard for it to truly shine.”

“[Primordial Artifact]? Compatible… master?”

Frederica was taken aback.

She instinctively wanted to say something like, “Isn’t our Judgment Saintess the one recognized by the [Judgment Holy Sword] as its master?” But after witnessing the white-fox girl overpower and draw the divine artifact with sheer human strength—without so much as a scratch…

For a moment, she could only remain silent, inwardly questioning whether she truly had the right to wield this holy sword.

“Swish.”

Unlike the grand spectacle when the sword was drawn, the white-fox girl effortlessly sheathed the sleek, razor-sharp blade and handed it back to Frederica. Taking advantage of her higher position on the stairs, she casually patted the other’s shoulder, which was at a lower level.

“Alright, there’s no need to feel discouraged, and certainly no reason to compare yourself to me. Honestly, that would be pointless.”

“You should realize that I’m not human. Our starting points are different, and comparing us would be unfair. At the very least, I didn’t earn the sword’s recognition. But you did, didn’t you?”

“Miss Dawn…”

Watching the Saintess, look visibly disheartened yet quickly moved and encouraged, the white-fox girl kept her composed, wise demeanor. But inwardly, she couldn’t help but think.

This one… She may appear mature and reliable on the surface, but once you get to know her, she’s just as easy to convince.

Guess it’s no surprise, just like Edwina. Siblings will always be siblings, both just as naive.