Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 303

[Vol. 5] Chapter 303: The Breakup

“Xiaoqi… there are two?”

“Hey, hey, what’s going on here?”

In the midst of the Redemption Saintess’s stunned and disbelieving muttering, the group of strong figures, led by Edwina, Leila, and Rene, who had been drawn by the commotion, quickly arrived nearby.

Seeing the Holy Knight draw her holy sword, everyone instinctively drew their own weapons. But to be honest, none of them seemed to fully understand which side was the enemy.

After all, the one who had attacked was a trusted confidante of the Bright Saintess, and the maid who had been attacked had also appeared by the Redemption Saintess’s side more than once, suggesting a close relationship.

Such a situation, resembling infighting, was always the hardest to navigate.

Moreover, these two maids…

“It doesn’t seem like a clone or something similar. They should be two completely independent individuals from the start.”

With a quick glance at the two identical dolls, one in Philomena’s arms and the other behind her, Edwina, who was experienced and well-versed, immediately made this assessment. However, no one noticed that, for a brief moment, a hint of something strange flickered in her eyes before quickly fading away.

Miss Holy Knight glanced at the calm and collected Bright Saintess, frowning slightly.

“Yuna, what is going on here?”

“What’s going on… Shouldn’t you be asking her, the real traitor?”

Yuna raised her hand and pointed at the puppet, speaking with a formal and serious tone.

“Everyone, the cause and effect of this situation have already been made very clear by me before we came. The current state of the Holy Empire, and the arrival of the God of Slaughter, we want to change all of this, to alter the doomed outcome. That’s why we are gathered here, to face the final battle that is about to come.”

“To put it a bit arrogantly, everyone is here because you believe in me, or because you’ve already learned some of the truth. Given that, there should be no more mutual suspicion. We should not be fighting amongst ourselves at such a critical moment.”

“I have said before, the foundation and faith of the Goddess Church have been distorted by outsiders. This is the root of everything, the evil that is driving the Holy Empire towards its destruction. So… now, those who still wish to obstruct our actions, or even question my position as a leader, what are their true intentions?”

The Saintess pointed her fingers toward Xiaoqi, who still stood there expressionlessly, her face solemn.

“I swear upon the Primordial Light, everything I have done so far is for the Holy Empire, for the welfare and peace of the majority. So, what is her true stance and purpose?”

“She… and everything behind her… those sinners… do they view the entire population of our Holy Empire, everything we hope for in the future, as nothing more than sacrifices for a grand ritual?”

Under the blood-red sky, naturally, everyone’s gaze turned toward the emotionless doll-maid. Even Philomena, still confused, alternated her gaze between the two dolls, slowly calming down from her previous anger and surprise.

“Xiaoqi…”

Then, the puppet spoke. Her voice remained calm and indifferent, seemingly devoid of any emotion.

“Philomena, you cannot give the [Ring of Salvation] to her. Her ultimate goal will cause the collapse of the faith-based magic that sustains the Holy Empire. Moreover, there is no direct evidence to prove that doing so will be effective in combating the power of [Slaughter].”

Without hesitation, Yuna countered.

“Relying on the effects of a drug to drag on and ultimately bring about inevitable destruction, versus making the hard choice to quit, knowing there will be a cost, but with the possibility of rebirth in the end… which should a wise person choose? I think anyone smart enough can figure it out.”

“Moreover, this is only the beginning of a great disaster. It’s not just [Slaughter], but other demon lords and various evil gods are also setting their sights on this. And the most dangerous one is the serpent. Once It takes it, even the gods can’t do anything. This isn’t just about the Holy Empire, it’s about the very survival of the world.”

At these words, both sides, now clearly divided, fell silent.

There was no need for more words. Everyone present was either a high-ranking official or a formidable warrior, capable of understanding much that had not been explicitly stated.

Since the cards had already been laid on the table, the next step was to choose a side.

No matter which side one supported, the upcoming actions could not be carried out by two factions who were in disagreement.

In other words… the battle is inevitable.

“…Ah, sorry, I guess I’ll have to try after all.”

After exchanging a glance with the two white-feathered girls standing beside her, Miss Holy Knight was the first to raise her sword. She had always disagreed with Yuna and liked to go against her, but this time…

She pointed her sword at the enemy of the Bright Saintess.

Her response was swift, almost as if she had anticipated such a dispute and had been prepared for it in advance.

“You’re right. If that Great One were here, She would definitely support our actions.”

“Ugh, so troublesome… Why do we have to fight our own people? Can we just get this over with…?”

Leila tilted her spear, and Rene, complaining as she did so, grasped her staff, assuming a combat-ready posture.

Right after, other strong individuals followed suit, making similar moves.

As Yuna had said, any wise person would understand in this situation… how to fight for a chance at survival.

The only one who had not made a clear move was the young girl with long, pale pink hair, dressed in an elegant Saintess robe.

She stood between the clearly divided sides, her short staff hesitatingly raised and lowered a few times, her expression changing several times. In the end, she simply gritted her teeth.

“I… also think I can’t just sit here and wait for death. Xiaoqi, Lady Yuna may indeed have made some arrangements I don’t fully understand, which makes me feel uneasy…”

“Maybe you’re thinking about my safety, but as the Redemption Saintess, as the inheritor of the [Ring of Salvation], as a descendant of the god, in this moment of crisis, I must take responsibility. I must do something, even if I’m just an ordinary, unremarkable Saintess…”

She looked at the still-expressionless maid with eyes that seemed to carry a hint of pleading.

“Xiaoqi, come with us, I’m begging you. I believe Lady Yuna is someone we can trust. No matter what price we have to pay afterward, at least… can we survive the impending disaster first?”

The air fell into silence.

Finally, the maid just shook her head, and with a voice that had never wavered, she issued a declaration that sent a chill through Philomena, like falling into an icy pit.

“Negotiation failed. According to the root command code, [Combat Maid Specialization Type 00007] will activate the final plan and enforce a forceful intervention, maintaining the smooth operation of the [Divine Network] plan. Combat power index assessment…”

“Enemy combat power index detected as too high. One disaster-level enemy, four catastrophe-level enemies, eleven high-risk enemies, one protected individual. The combat power disparity between [Combat Maid Specialization Type 00007] and the individual exceeds one hundred percent. Pre-approved individual deployment approved. Recommendation—Lady Philomena, please remain stationary to avoid friendly fire.”

“Shua shua shua shua shua shua shua…”

Xiaoqi raised her hand, and from the air, which had been empty just a moment ago, at least twenty more maid-like automata emerged, all identical in appearance, dress, and expression to her. In perfect unison, they pulled out strange metal firearms, longer than their arms, from beneath their skirts and aimed them at everyone in front.

“Xiaoqi…!”

“Open fire.”

“Everyone, be careful!”

*Tat tat tat tat tat tat tat tat tat tat!!!*

At the cold command, flames of gunfire poured out.