Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 293

[Vol. 5] Chapter 293: I Humbly Request Your Guidance

With the support of its wielder, the artifact erupted in a brilliance and power several times greater than before.

“Boom!!!!”

The [Magic Storm] sweeping through the hall began to spin violently.

Within mere seconds, at least a third of the dolls, who had already been struggling to defend, barely able to counterattack, had the gems in their chests shatter instantly, causing them to collapse powerlessly.

“Zzzz… zzzz…”

Under an assault far beyond its capacity, cracks quickly spread across the white shield, terrifyingly clear. Although the dolls poured energy into it without reserve, attempting to reinforce it to the limit, the absolute difference in power couldn’t be bridged in this way.

Once the shield protecting them completely shattered, their fate under the fierce [Magic Storm] would be inevitable.

Violet did not hold back, nor did she plan to pull her punches at the last moment or precisely control her destructive force.

This was a real battle. Setting aside right or wrong, mercy towards the enemy was cruelty to oneself.

But just as the dolls were about to be consumed by the [Magic Storm]…

A blade’s light sliced through the air.

“Wait!”

The storm, built from surging mana, was split in two, as if a divine hand had drawn a line through it.

Though the energy within the blade’s light was also quickly exhausted by the endless magic, the [Magic Storm]—the powerful area attack of the [Demon God’s Gem]—finally subsided after continuous confrontation, leaving behind a white shield that was barely holding together.

“Oh… so the main player finally decided to show up?”

“……”

A figure stood before the dolls, holding a sword, though it was unclear when he had arrived.

He was a handsome young man in simple cloth garments, with short gray hair and a collar that swayed slightly from the residual currents of mana. He appeared to be just over twenty.

He bore no distinguishing features of any special race, looking like an ordinary human.

But no human could cleave through an attack cast by an artifact with a single slash, even if the wielder intended to hold back.

At least, in Violet’s knowledge, no one could achieve such a feat.

So, he wasn’t human.

As if she had discovered something intriguing or confirmed her own suspicions, a soft chuckle full of amusement came from behind the White Fox girl’s mask.

“Minchen, so you really are here.”

“You… know me?”

The young man, holding a blade that was slender and single-edged, more like a longsword than a traditional weapon of this world, paused as he began to speak, momentarily surprised by her recognition, then showed a glimmer of understanding.

“Ah, I see… so it was Miss Violet who shared information about me.”

“I’d heard that back in Demon Suppression City, Miss Dawn had once assisted in rescuing an imprisoned demon slave with her. And now, you appear with Miss Violet’s friends. It seems you and she are more than just acquaintances.”

The young man, Minchen, sheathed his blade for a moment and bowed slightly, then gestured to the dolls behind him.

The dolls, who had previously seemed prepared to fight to the death and unwilling to retreat even a step, began to move swiftly as if receiving a command.

But rather than join Minchen in launching an attack, they stowed their weapons, shut down the odd machinery, and retreated through the doors behind them, carrying their immobile, energy-drained companions with them.

In less than half a minute, the once orderly formation of hundreds of dolls had completely disappeared, leaving only the White Fox girl and the young man in simple clothes, silently facing each other in the vast hall.

Violet hadn’t made any move to stop Minchen. Only after the dolls had fully withdrawn did she speak again.

“Didn’t expect you to be so protective of them. Since when did you get involved with this side?”

Her casual tone, as if chatting with an old friend, caused Mr. Minchen to pause again, the momentum he had been building up abruptly halted. His mouth twitched slightly, and, with some exasperation, he finally responded with a question.

“Miss Dawn, have we met somewhere before? Or, how much exactly did Miss Violet tell you about me?”

“… Surely not everything?”

Seeing the slight change in the young man’s expression, a mischievous note crept into the White Fox girl’s voice.

“Oho~ You seem nervous. What’s wrong? Did you perhaps do something… unsavory in the past?”

“N-no… I, Minchen, have a clear conscience…”

“…Ha~”

After instinctively denying it, Minchen seemed to realize she was steering the conversation entirely. Taking a deep breath to brush off the odd feeling, he forcibly changed the topic.

“Miss Dawn, may I ask you to leave here?”

The White Fox girl shrugged noncommittally.

“And why should I?”

Minchen nodded solemnly and replied.

“This place holds the unfulfilled wish of a friend who is very important to me, as well as the life of another friend. When they needed me most, I failed to help, and now things have come to this…”

“I’m not sure why you’re here, Miss Dawn. If it’s for that girl named Ayla Light, I plan to erase any memories she shouldn’t retain and send her back home. That’s what I intended to do, even if you hadn’t shown up.”

Seeing that the White Fox girl stayed silent, listening calmly, Minchen paused and spoke with a sincere expression.

“I know of your deeds, Miss Dawn. You are noble and kind-hearted, and even without considering your connection to Miss Violet, I’d rather not be forced into conflict with someone like you. Could you please not put me in a difficult position?”

The White Fox girl suddenly smiled.

“Oh… so, the Light Element Spirit, was it you who killed it?”

Hearing this, the young man in simple clothing froze for a moment, then responded, slightly flustered.

“I had no intention of killing it, but its resolve to protect that Lightborn tribe girl was too strong. In the end, it exhausted its energy and faded away. For that… I am truly sorry.”

“Mm-hmm, I see…”

There was no clear tone of anger or approval in her voice as she continued.

“Are those two people really that important to you?”

Minchen nodded almost without hesitation.

“Yes. Since you know my situation, Miss Dawn, you should understand that I’ve let down and wronged many people over the years. Among them, these two are the ones I owe the most.”

“Because of my past immaturity and stubbornness, things turned out the way they did. If I’d been there three hundred years ago, I would have definitely stopped him from doing that.”

“But in reality, I couldn’t do anything. I didn’t even know their circumstances. So… even if I now realize it’s wrong and may bring disaster to countless lives, I’ll be selfish this once, and help him fulfill his last wish.”

“I once believed that sacrificing a few for the greater good, exchanging the pain of a few for the safety of many, was the true path. But later, a god opened my eyes.”

“I, Minchen, am a being of flesh, blood, and emotions, not a selfless saint devoted solely to preserving order. If I can’t protect my own family and friends, what right do I have to protect this world?”

“I’ll bear everything, mend all the regrets they left behind. Whether it’s you, Miss Dawn, or a god who may arrive soon from outside… Minchen, with one person and one blade, will stand in their way.”

Hmm, that was quite an impressive declaration.

But… still, the White Fox girl could tell that Minchen wasn’t joking with her.

It seemed that after being advised by Sethlin back then, he had indeed thought about many things.

However…

“I understand your reasons for acting, because I also have my own principles and can be willful because of them sometimes…”

“But Minchen, those are *your* reasons, not mine. I have friends in the Holy Empire as well. To be blunt, do you think I’d back down and put them at risk, leaving them in the face of a crisis that could erupt at any moment, for the sake of two strangers?”

“…I see.”

Not appearing surprised by her response, the young man in gray nodded, took a deep breath, and placed his hand back on his sword’s hilt.

His gaze grew resolute and sharp.

“Then, use your strength to make me yield, Hero of the Holy Empire… Miss Dawn, the White Fox Saintess.”

“I, Minchen, the half-demon, respectfully request your guidance.”