Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 281

[Vol. 5] Chapter 281: Return to the Holy Capital

After giving Frederica some instructions, Violet returned to the settlement, set everything in order, and then departed overnight. Using the “Spatial Portal” previously set up in her residence in the Angel City, she crossed the battlefield and returned to the long-missed Holy Capital.

Naturally, she came alone.

Although a certain dragon girl… had persistently insisted on accompanying Violet to the site to protect the priestess after hearing of an enemy capable of killing Light Elemental Spirits, Violet eventually convinced her otherwise. She explained, “The situation here is equally important, and I can summon you through our pact at any time.”

This wasn’t just an excuse. While Ayla’s exploration was indeed critical, the issues surrounding the [Judgment Holy Sword] and various demonic matters also required strong forces for security.

Time was running short.

In both the eastern and western borders of the Holy Empire, this grand stage was nearing its end. All hidden plots, schemes, and shadowed forces, if they hoped to achieve their goals, would soon have to emerge.

Even before the holy war is decided, the real battle may have already begun in these two border provinces. These seemingly peaceful regions are actually on the brink of conflict.

“Still the same peaceful scene I remember… [The City of Eternal Night], is it?

“The brighter the light, the deeper the shadows cast… or something like that?”

Standing atop a high-end villa personally purchased and renovated by a certain Holy Knight, the white-fox girl, freshly arrived, looked out over the bright and bustling cityscape and shook her head with a sigh.

On this return journey, she had learned far more than she initially understood, and her knowledge altered her view.

“Hmm… I suppose, given the situation, it’s best to seek her out first and get the full story. The Cecilia family, then…”

Muttering to herself, the girl leapt from the rooftop as gracefully as a bird and soon vanished from sight.

………………………

[Cecilia Merchant Guild].

This is a world-renowned, top-tier Merchant Guild, one of only three on a global scale that can match its standing. Even the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild, which deals exclusively in rare treasures and holds a more hidden influence, cannot match the sheer scale of Cecilia.

Unlike the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild, whose headquarters is more secluded, the headquarters of the Cecilia Merchant Guild is situated in the eastern capital, the Angel City.

It’s widely known that there are three most famous places in the Holy Capital:

The [Holy Court], the largest temple in the world and a pilgrimage site for millions of devotees.

The [Holy Academy], a hub of academic and cultural exchange and a prestigious sanctuary for scholars, especially revered by scholars from the Holy Empire as a cradle of talent and knowledge.

And the [Cecilia Merchant Guild], where, it’s said, “as long as it’s not illegal, you can find anything here.”

Excluding political considerations, it’s difficult to determine which of these three places is most famous. Although the [Holy Court] is the core of the Goddess’s faith, its history spans just over three centuries, while both the Holy Academy and the Cecilia Merchant Guild date back almost a thousand years, originating shortly after the establishment of the Holy Empire.

Naturally, then, the association attracts a vast number of people.

“Ugh… this is too much.”

Pulling off her hooded cloak and sneaking in through a side door, the white-fox girl couldn’t help but express a mixture of surprise and wonder.

Though Violet didn’t feel any real need to hide, her “Dawn” persona had recently gained a bit too much fame. Since, on paper, she was still supposed to be over on the eastern battlefield, her sudden appearance in the Holy Capital would inevitably draw attention.

So, to avoid any unnecessary hassle, she opted to disguise her appearance a bit.

However, she quickly realized that her precautions… seemed somewhat excessive.

The city was full of “Dawn.”

Well, to be precise, there were quite a few people dressed like her, wears a white fox mask, a red and white shrine maiden robe, and even has a pair of small white fox ears on her head, which are difficult to distinguish from real ones unless you look closely.

Of course, they were high-quality imitations.

Using a term from the previous Earth, it was closer to cosplay.

Just seeing them made Violet understand what was going on.

This was the “celebrity effect.”

In this world, there wasn’t much awareness of copyright. Now that her “Dawn” persona was widely recognized, naturally, admirers would want to mimic her appearance.

Foxfolk already existed in this world, and many mixed-bloods had similar animal ears. As for hair color, a simple magical dye did the trick.

In fact, on her way here, Violet had already noticed several street stalls selling various “Dawn” merchandise, high-quality shrine maiden outfits, fox masks, little figurines, and even more bizarre items like posters of “The White Fox Saintess vs. the Masked Demon” and “Tales of the White Fox Saintess.”

And one of these shops had appeared right here in the Cecilia Merchant Guild’s headquarters, right in front of the original herself.

“Hello, are you looking to buy White Fox Saintess merchandise?”

“…Merchandise?”

Looking at the blonde girl at the entrance, dressed in a similar shrine maiden robe and likely a shop attendant, Violet couldn’t help but feel even more intrigued by this peculiar situation. Especially when she heard the very familiar term “merchandise” come from her.

The presence of this shop here indicated two possibilities.

The Cecilia Merchant Guild was massive, and within it were two main components: the direct affiliates of the Cecilia family, and the associates who used the Cecilia brand and connections to grow their own ventures while paying a portion of profits in return.

For example, Xavier’s association, led by that guy Xavier, could be considered a semi-affiliate. However, they didn’t entirely depend on Cecilia’s business. They had other partners within the Human United Kingdom, allowing them more independence.

Of course, this meant they received less support from the Cecilia Merchant Guild.

On the other hand, the Ulysses family, a loyal ally of Cecilia, ran its trade guilds in total alignment with the Cecilia Merchant Guild. They were a significant force within the alliance, sharing in both its successes and setbacks.

This model of operation, which encompasses everything, did not exist from the beginning. It was a reform implemented three hundred years ago by the sixteenth Judgment Saintess who is also the head of the Cecilia family, despite opposition from others.

Initially, many doubted it, fearing the association would lose its true identity, but it was only after this reform that Cecilia’s association soared, transforming from a prominent trade guild into one of the world’s leading conglomerates in just 300 years. It also brought about significant shifts within the Cecilia family itself.

Though the world praised the visionary sixteenth Saintess for her far-reaching foresight, Violet, knowing more of the inner workings, sensed…

Perhaps behind it all lay inspiration drawn from past Saintesses influenced by the ideas of those “travelers” from other worlds.