Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 286

[Vol. 5] Chapter 286: The Omen of the Blood Sun

This should have been excellent news. Despite her concerns about the current state of the Goddess Church, Frederica couldn’t help but feel encouraged upon hearing it.

But soon after, she received another confidential report from a trusted aide.

For unknown reasons, the demons had suddenly started a widespread search across Sarnos Province, disrupting and destroying many settlements that the [Light Worshipper Church] had painstakingly established and stabilized. They even killed some church members under the command of the [Slaughter].

This behavior clearly shattered the fragile peace the demons had temporarily maintained with the [Light Worshipper Church], and alongside the developments on the main western front, the signs were now unmistakable.

As a result, Frederica issued an urgent order, instructing the leaders of hundreds of settlements scattered throughout Sarnos Province to mobilize immediately.

Their task was to organize the evacuation of nearby civilians without combat capabilities to prevent them from being caught in the imminent conflict. The settlement where she and Elrand were currently located was, naturally, no exception.

To be honest, initiating an evacuation now was somewhat premature. Although various supplies had been thoroughly prepared over time, the main forces of the Holy Empire had not yet secured the Angel City, nor had they pushed the battle line into Sarnos Province.

With no immediate external threat, the demons could focus on internal matters, meaning some shelters might be exposed before the Holy Empire’s forces even arrived, rendering them ineffective.

However, no one understood why the demons had suddenly gone mad, conducting a preemptive purge throughout Sarnos Province. So Frederica had no choice but to adapt and respond accordingly.

Of course, in addition to organizing the civilian evacuations, the [Light Worshipper Church]’s resistance forces, operating in secrecy, also began gathering ahead of schedule.

This group, composed of over twenty thousand fighters, includes scattered Knight Templars, clergy who refused to submit to the demons, and some volunteers from around the world.

Initially, Frederica intended to use this force as a hidden support network throughout Sarnos Province, ready to assist the Holy Empire’s main forces upon their arrival. However, due to the [Light Worshipper Church]’s emergency call, they’ve begun gathering in this area.

And, of course, a certain guild’s guard captain is among them.

“Sasha, are you really joining in? You know how dangerous it is to fight the demons.”

At the entrance of the shelter, a short-haired girl with brown hair in a ponytail clapped Xavier on the shoulder, grinning boldly.

“Oh, relax, Uncle President! Uncle Elrand and the others saved me once, and they’ve taken good care of us this whole time. Now that they’re heading into battle, how could I, Sasha, just sit here and wait? That’d be lame! My teacher would definitely knock some sense into me for that…”

“Besides, I already told the rest of the guards to stay out of it. They just got swept up in this mess by bad luck, so leave the whole ‘repaying my debts’ thing to me. I’ve worked it out with them. They’ll stay here with you to keep order in the shelter.”

“……”

Xavier was silent for a moment, then he suddenly laughed as well.

“Well, that’s one brave speech. You really are the disciple of the Scarlet Flame Flora.”

“Wait, huh!? How did you know that, old man? Are you some kind of creep, snooping into a girl’s private life?”

As if seeing something terrifying, Sasha shrank back.

“Who would go snooping like that… It’s just that a certain drunkard kept mumbling ‘Master! Sister Flora! Stop shaking me! I’m going to puke!’ every time she drank too much. You think I wanted to hear that?”

“Really? Was it… like that? Oh no… I’m done for…”

“See? This is why I keep telling you to drink less…”

With another helpless smile, the Guildmaster turned his gaze toward the trio of Theresa, Eudora, and the Dragon Girl, ultimately landing on the blonde-haired girl who was lazily leaning against a tree, mimicking her master by chewing on a blade of grass and staring up at the sky in a daze.

“Miss Xiao Guang, please look after this foolish girl, Sasha. I, Xavier, will be forever grateful to you.”

“Mm?”

Noticing the merchant’s deep bow, the little dragon girl lazily glanced at him with a sideways look.

“Human, your thanks mean nothing to me, and the same goes for that Scarlet Fire or whatever. You don’t need to emphasize their relationship in front of me. I’m only staying because of Master… Miss Dawn’s orders. Don’t get too presumptuous and greedy.”

“Ah… you’re right… My apologies, I was overstepping.”

The merchant lifted his head, a wry smile spreading across his face.

“But no matter what you think, in my heart, I’ve always regarded you and Miss Violet as the most respected benefactors. Being able to see you again truly makes me happy from the bottom of my heart.”

“I look forward to the day we meet again, Miss Xiao Guang. If possible, I hope you can convey my humble thanks to Miss Violet. Truly… thank you so much. This is something I’ve wanted to say ever since that day. That’s all.”

As if sensing the blonde girl’s indifference and lack of response, Xavier sighed softly, bowed once more, then patted Sasha’s shoulder, who was at a loss for words, and turned to leave.

“Hmph… humans.”

The crisp, cold voice of the girl made the merchant’s steps falter.

Before he could say anything, the Dragon Girl spoke again.

“Although I won’t accept your request, I will pass along your words to my master.”

“Really… I truly appreciate it.”

After bowing three times and turning around, the merchant quickly blended into the stream of people heading underground, disappearing without a trace.

“What’s with that… making it seem like a parting of life and death? If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was the one going to the battlefield…”

Only at this moment did Sasha finally snap out of the earlier tense atmosphere and begin her usual sarcastic remarks.

“Ahaha…”

Theresa awkwardly laughed along, while Eudora, who was usually quiet and rarely interrupted adults when they spoke, seemed to notice something and looked toward the Dragon Girl, who had once again leaned against the tree and was staring up at the sky.

In the sky, a subtle trace of blood-red was beginning to appear, unnoticed by most.

“Sister Xiao Guang, don’t you think you should warn them?”

However, the dragon girl simply pursed her lips again.

“That’s just a waste of time. If they’re lucky, or if some meddling fool decides to intervene, they might escape by chance. Otherwise, knowing won’t make a difference. Master never said I had to protect everyone here.”

The casual conversation between the two girls naturally drew confused looks from Theresa and Sasha, who were standing nearby.

“Miss Xiao Guang, why are you speaking so mysteriously like Miss Dawn now? What do you mean by ‘lucky’ or ‘unlucky’? Is there something wrong with this underground shelter?”

The Dragon Girl gave her a look, as if she were dealing with an idiot, then glanced at the equally confused archer girl. Though she seemed a bit impatient, she eventually explained offhand.

“Can’t you guess what Eudora’s sensing? That presence is growing stronger. In less than three days, it will create a portal to another world.”

“A certain fool who doesn’t know their place, who dared to challenge me… is about to arrive.”