Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 317

[Vol. 5] Chapter 317: Remember My Existence

“During the early preparations, I used the magic puppet I created, with the assistance of the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild, to set up many base stations across the world. Although we haven’t reached global coverage yet, it doesn’t matter. As long as we start from the Holy Empire and gradually extend outward, it will be achievable eventually.”

“I didn’t tell Loknisa the true principles and conditions of the [Divine Network]. I only said it was a newly developed, convenient ability. To repel the demons as soon as possible, and because of the trust built from our past adventures together, she began to support me wholeheartedly, helping me lay down the [Divine Network] nodes across the country.”

At this point, [Vast Dream] in the image paused for a moment. A deep sense of sentiment and reluctance appeared on his handsome face, filled with an artistic aura.

“Minchen, now… the war has reached its most critical point. The construction of the [Divine Network] is nearly complete. Now is the time for me to take action.”

“I don’t know if this unprecedented, crazy, and risky plan will succeed, but to rewrite history on such a grand scale, the price I will have to pay will inevitably be unimaginable. Perhaps, even my own existence will be completely erased…”

“But I still have to do it. No matter what, I must save Mochi. She’s not only my lover and my companion, but I also owe her my life. We… all owe her so much.”

“Xiao Shuai is dead, Caizi is dead, and Mochi has already fallen into a long sleep. If her soul fades away, the body of the [Fairy Spirit lineage] tribe will disappear with it. Of the five of us, only you and I remain now.”

[Vast Dream] smiled, seemingly trying to show a carefree attitude, but couldn’t help raising a hand to rub his eyes, wiping away a trace of moisture.

“I… truly have never regretted coming to this world with all of you. Those decades of adventures made my originally ordinary life glorious and colorful. You are my best friends. Those wonderful memories, I, Vast Dream, will always remember in my heart.”

“Minchen, to save Mochi, I’ve done many, many wrong things. I’m sorry to those who trusted me, and I even deceived Loknisa. Some say I’ve fallen into madness, and I don’t deny that. If you were here right now, you would definitely stop me from doing this, maybe even punch me.”

“I’m sorry… truly sorry…”

The young man bowed deeply to the camera, staying down for a long moment before straightening up again.

“Even so, Minchen, I still want to ask you one thing. You are favored by the [Will of the World], so ‘rewriting’ might not work on you.”

“If my existence is erased, and the whole world forgets that there was ever a person called [Vast Dream], at least… please remember me, remember our past and what we once were. Even if it brings sadness or anger, that will be the greatest comfort I can receive from my selfishness. Please forgive my recklessness.”

“Also, if Mochi survives, please take good care of her. Don’t tell her the truth, don’t let her blame herself. Everything, all of it, is my fault. I beg of you… thank you.”

“Finally, let me still call you Mr. Show-off. I hope you won’t be angry. Maybe to you, it’s a dark chapter, but honestly… the reliable figure who led us forward was really cool. I, and all of us, genuinely acknowledge you as our captain.”

“Well then… goodbye, Brother Show-off, my most precious friend in this life. It’s an honor for Vast Dream to have walked alongside everyone.”

The man in the video gave a thumbs-up, smiled, and then everything around him fell into darkness.

*Shua.*

The virtual projection ended here.

“Damn… self-righteous idiot…”

Even though it wasn’t the first time he had watched this recording, Minchen still clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth. Tears once again fell from the corner of his eyes, and due to his forceful grip, there was a faint sound of bones cracking in his knuckles.

Loknisa patted his shoulder and gently embraced the young man, offering silent comfort.

After understanding the full story, Violet also fell silent for a rare moment.

To be honest, she somewhat understood now why Minchen had been so determined to protect this place with his life earlier. From the recording that Vast Dream had left behind, it seemed that their friendship was deeper than she had imagined.

Without disturbing the leader of the five-person squad, who was still lost in guilt and regret, the last remaining member, Miss Priestess turned her gaze toward the mechanical throne where Number Zero still sat.

“So, how is Cheese Mochi’s condition now?”

The doll girl’s hollow eyes slightly shifted. It seemed that she wasn’t affected by the previous recording and remained calm and composed as she spoke.

“Father’s calculations had a mistake, and ‘rewriting’ didn’t manage to transfer all the faith from the [Church of the Light Seekers] to the [Divine Network], causing the divinity’s condensation speed to only reach 65.79% of the expected rate.”

“Although we’ve taken all available countermeasures, we still failed to complete Father’s instructions within the scheduled time. On July 12, 1185, at 9 AM, Mother’s form completely dissipated. According to the emergency response plan, we transferred the ‘divinity’ she was in the process of condensing to a backup vessel, [Divine Network Final Form Unit 0].”

“I see…”

Violet glanced up at Number Zero’s long hair, which defied the laws of physics as it flipped upwards, now three-quarters dyed golden, and silently understood.

In other words, Number Zero was now the true vessel of the unfinished Light Divinity, the source of the divine power that had once been given to Minchen. The difference between her and the other dolls or puppets in this place, her emotions, which seemed to fluctuate even though she wasn’t designed to have them, was likely the result of this.

Although not intentional, Vast Dream had ultimately created true life and a real soul.

But compared to his earlier products, the Spirit Puppet Tribe, Number Zero’s emotions were clearly more immature and awkward. Unlike the previous puppets, who were clearer and more defined, she gave off the impression of a baby learning to speak, which aligned with the state described by Sethlin during the birth of the divinity.

“Ha…”

It seemed there were no more doubts left.

The past of the Holy Empire, everything related to faith-based magic, the situation of the core figures Vast Dream and Cheese Mochi, and the whereabouts of the divinity forged by [Blood of the Cross] with millions of faiths over the past three hundred years, were all clear now.

Meeting the silver-blue gaze of the priestess, Number Zero’s expression remained indifferent, but a trace of curiosity appeared in the depths of her empty eyes.

“Miss Violet, are you going to take the divinity left by Mother? Although Father ordered that it must be protected at all costs, according to the battle power evaluation, even using all available methods, you could forcibly take it. I don’t believe using force here is the right choice.”

Instead of immediately answering this crucial question, Miss Priestess merely asked in return.

“What would you do if I took it?”

“I cannot determine. This is an unprecedented, unrecorded event. But [Divine Network] operates through it. If the divinity is lost, the faith-based magic covering the outside [Will of the World] completely collapse.”

“I see…”

Violet nodded, and in her clear, beautiful eyes, it seemed a light flashed for a moment.

“To be honest, I’m not very good at making decisions. So, as I said before, how the future of the Holy Empire unfolds… let the people of the Holy Empire decide for themselves.”

The light in her eyes grew even brighter. She turned toward the distance, as if penetrating all things and voids, linking the cause and effect with something far away, a smile gracing her face.

[…It’s here.]

The vast, boundless primal power enveloped the world, transforming into light and rising toward the sky.