Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 306

[Vol. 5] Chapter 306: The Recovered Bright Light

“Is it not worth it…? Heh, as expected of a monarch known for prioritizing benefits above all else.”

Yuna remained noncommittal, choosing not to delve deeper into the topic. Instead, she raised her head to gaze again at the sky, now darkening with an ever-deepening crimson hue.

“Well then, let us fulfill the deal we agreed upon back then.”

Following the Saintess’s gaze, the [Corruption], who seemed to grasp what had occurred, let out a voice tinged with faint amusement.

[Hehe, the [Slaughter], Sluthel. Even I find that one both maddening and troublesome. It seems that being has set its sights on the feast nurtured by your nation, intending to use it as a means for breakthrough…]

[Unwise, truly unwise. The Origin Realm is not so simple. Minor skirmishes are one thing, but such a brazen invasion will surely provoke a fierce backlash. The waters here… run very deep.]

[Though we are tentatively working together to curb the spread of [Chaos], I have no desire for that one to become the next [Chaos]. From that perspective, perhaps we could collaborate further. What say you, spirit of the artifact?]

However, Yuna resolutely shook her head at Eloun’s proposal.

“There’s no need. We can handle Slaughter’s invasion ourselves. [Corruption], don’t forget, your hands are not clean in the current state of the Holy Empire. Spare us your petty schemes. We are enemies, not allies.”

[What a pity.]

Eloun’s eyeless goat-like head swayed from side to side, as though genuinely regretful. Yet, he did not press the topic further. Instead, with a slight movement of his empty single hand, a narrow, pitch-black void opened beside him.

From within the void emerged a resplendent crown, inlaid with countless gemstones, floating in the air.

[Your true form, in exchange for one of my origins. This was the agreement we reached to salvage our respective losses. I’ve heard that you also negotiated additional terms with Cressia. It seems she has fulfilled our side of the bargain. Do you have any objections?]

Yuna shook her head and likewise raised both hands. Two transparent crystal boxes, one containing a pink sphere and the other a flat, eye-shaped gemstone, appeared floating on either side of her. Alongside them was an ancient, folded scroll.

With a soft *swish*, a beam of light rose from the scroll, flying alongside the two crystal boxes toward Cressia and Eloun. At the same time, the sacred crown sent by [Corruption] from another world floated steadily toward its rightful owner.

Everyone present, regardless of how much they understood the current situation, unconsciously held their breath, their eyes fixed on the solemn exchange taking place between the two parties.

The traded items passed by each other.

The process seemed extraordinarily long, though in truth, it took but a fleeting moment.

Slowly and steadily, the objects floated until, at the same instant, they each landed in their respective holder’s hands.

“……”

[……]

Both parties silently accepted the traded items, but the explosive confrontation that many feared and prepared for did not occur.

Eloun’s ethereal goat-like face twitched slightly, as though giving a satisfied smile.

[You are clever. You were three hundred years ago, and that hasn’t changed, Yuna… Is that your new name now?]

[Yuna, we are alike, calm and rational. I appreciate that about you. Do your best. Don’t let Sluthel destroy this nation… or yourself. I will look forward to our next collaboration.]

Demon Lord of Corruption’s phantom slowly faded, and the two crystal boxes were swallowed into the black void, vanishing completely.

However, a cluster of light quickly expanded and, next to the newly-awakened Cressia, materialized into a succubus girl who bore a striking resemblance to her. This new figure was notably younger and far less developed in physique.

“You—you’re here!? Yuna Summerfield! How dare you send me to… Ow! Who’s pulling my tail? I’ll find… W-wait, big sis?! What are you doing here…”

Ignoring the flat-chested succubus who had finally escaped her predicament only to start raging without understanding the situation, Yuna glanced at the radiant crown in her hand. She removed the counterfeit crown she had been wearing, took a deep breath, and placed the genuine one back on her head.

In that instant, a surge of overwhelming power erupted from her, breaking through her previous transcendent level that she had concealed as a peak legendary level. Now, her strength soared, leaping through countless levels to reach an extraordinary pinnacle.

“Eek!”

Miss Chloe, who had been furtively plotting her revenge moments ago, was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer, almost crushing force of holy and radiant power. Letting out an undignified yelp, she instinctively hid behind her older sister.

Now fully restored, Yuna Summerfield’s power rivaled that of Cressia Eloun in her prime, unrestrained by the world’s suppressive forces, a strength infinitely close to the pinnacle of existence, enough to serve as the true guardian of the world’s greatest nations.

The true Bright Light Saintess.

“Hah…”

Exhaling softly, the seemingly unchanged Yuna lifted her gaze again, her calm eyes settling briefly on the two succubi, one shaken and the other somber. She made no move against them, turning instead toward her companions.

“Let’s go. It’s time to take the final step and end this.”

With those words, Yuna, who had become the unquestioned leader of this makeshift team, silenced any protests, particularly from Philomena, with her sheer presence. Without hesitation, they followed her into the forest, their figures vanishing into the shadows.

Left behind, the younger of the two succubi finally couldn’t hold back her complaint.

“What’s with her… Acting so high and mighty! Anyone watching would think they’re about to save the world or something! Big Sis, why didn’t you teach that Yuna Summerfield a lesson? Those people locked me in that stupid painting for months!”

Cressia sighed and gave her younger sister a helpless look.

“What do you think?”

“Ugh…”

Recalling the earlier events, Chloe turned her head away awkwardly but quickly retorted with a hint of defiance.

“What’s so impressive about that, anyway? She’s just a demigod! Sure, she’s a whole rank higher than me in her normal state… that’s all! If you weren’t being suppressed by this world, Big Sis…”

Cressia, the eldest daughter of Eloun, shook her head again.

“It’s not just about strength. Although we are currently invaders in this world and at war with their nation, when it comes to dealing with Sluthel, our interests align.”

“Sluthel, as the only one among the Four Demon Lords who didn’t emerge naturally but evolved from a lower being, is a unique type of deity. His existence as the God of Slaughter is inherently a danger approaching the level of [Chaos]. Unlike Father or [Defilement], Sluthel possesses far greater potential for growth.”

“Currently, the demon realm is relatively stable due to the balance of power among the three Demon Lords and their need to unite against the greatest threat—[Chaos], which cannot be reasoned with. However, if [Slaughter] advances further and reaches the level of [Chaos]…”

Cressia’s expression hardened.

“It could trigger an unprecedented and catastrophic war within the demon realm.”

“That’s why Sluthel must fail. At the very least, we of [Corruption] cannot afford to undermine the Holy Empire at a time like this. It’s for our own survival too. Moreover, it was actually father who told us to back off.”

“Big Sis, what do you mean father told us to back off?”

“Her identity is not simple. We cannot afford to deal with the God who created her.”

“What God…?”

With a soft sigh, Cressia patted her younger sister’s shoulder and began flying toward the sky.

“I will tell everything later. Let’s go. We’ve reclaimed the [Bewitching Orb] and gathered plenty of energy to offset what was consumed by [Chaos]. The objectives of this war have been accomplished. Let [Slaughter] and the Holy Empire fight their bloody battle at their own pace. We’re going home.”

“The Origin Realm… will never welcome outsiders in the end.”