Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 319

[Vol. 5] Chapter 319: The Final Offering to the Light

Feeling the guidance coursing through their bloodlines, the three Saintesses simultaneously lifted their heads to gaze at the supreme divine artifact, suspended above the flow of time and bathed in radiant light.

They remained silent, exchanging glances.

There could only be “one Bearer of the Sword”.

To wield the [Sword of Origin], the supreme artifact capable of forging a new future and hope, was undoubtedly an honor worthy of eternal remembrance for any follower of the Primordial Light.

But it was not without cost.

As the omniscient and omnipotent incarnation of the Primordial Light, the [Tree of Creation], upon unsealing and merging the three artifacts into the [Sword of Origin], had also revealed the meaning of wielding it to the three Saintesses.

The primordial artifact, in essence, was akin to a deity, an embodiment of concepts and laws, the ultimate form of existence beyond mortal understanding.

How could a mortal body wield the power of a god?

Only a [God] could.

Though the [Tree of Creation]’s blessings and protection allowed the Saintesses to briefly harness part of the sword’s divine power, the strain of wielding it would inevitably cause the mortal body, and even the soul, to collapse under the overwhelming force of its holiness.

In other words, the “Bearer of the Sword” would die.

“Let me—”

Frederica began to speak, but Yuna, standing further ahead, interrupted her.

“Let me do it. There is no one here more suited to bear this duty than I.”

“Lady Yuna, that’s…!”

“But, Lady Yuna—!”

The Bright Light Saintess raised her hand, silencing Frederica and Philomena’s protest.

“Have you forgotten? Before this, you couldn’t fully unleash the power of the [Judgment Holy Sword]. That’s because a mortal body couldn’t withstand the divine power within it. I am the spirit of the [Crownless Crown], and I am already a part of the [Sword of Origin] itself. Therefore, among the three of us, only I can control it.”

“…Really?”

Yuna smiled faintly as she stood up.

“Of course. When have I, Yuna Summerfield, ever lied? This all began because of me, planned and orchestrated by my hand. It’s only fitting that I bring it to a close. And there’s a lot of people out there who need you.”

Philomena hesitated, her expression uncertain, but it was clear she had been persuaded. Frederica, though frowning deeply with a look of reluctance, ultimately said no more to dissuade her.

The golden-haired girl raised her head, gazing up at the [Tree of Creation], her clear eyes filled with reverence and devotion.

“Thank you. Thank you for granting us the chance for redemption, O great Primordial Light, my Creator. In your witness and under your gaze, I shall offer everything, so that the glory of all creation may once again grace this world.”

“May all sins be absolved with this body. [Sword of Origin], I beg you—lend me your strength.”

As she murmured her prayer, she stretched out her hand. The divine sword, suspended above the [River of Time], seemed to hear her call. Wrapped in radiant light, it began to descend slowly.

The moment felt eternal, yet fleeting.

As the light enveloped her, the girl instinctively closed her eyes, a serene and genuine smile of release spreading across her face.

“Farewell… Let this sinner become the final offering.”

But then, a sudden, thunderous shout shattered the moment like a clap of lightning at her ear.

“You will not!”

**Bang!**

A powerful impact struck her from the side, catching the Bright Light Saintess completely off guard. Her relaxed and defenseless form staggered, and the [Sword of Origin], just within her grasp, halted its descent. Untethered, it hovered once more in the air.

Though possessing demi-godlike strength, Yuna quickly regained her balance, stabilizing herself after the brief disruption. Opening her eyes, she frowned deeply and turned to look behind her.

This place, the [River of Time], exists beyond the constraints of causality. Aside from the three Saintesses who were drawn here by the pull of the Light Trinity Artifacts and the summons of the [Tree of Creation], even true deities could not easily reach this realm. Therefore, the one who had stopped her could only have been one of her companions, Philomena or Frederica.

It should have been so.

But when Yuna turned her gaze, she found that the two Saintesses remained in their kneeling, worshipful postures, their expressions equally filled with astonishment at the sudden disruption and the voice. Clearly, neither of them had been the source of the earlier impact.

How is this possible…?

This unanticipated shock flickered through Yuna’s mind for the first time, and as she turned to look, the figure of the inconceivable intruder came into view.

There she stood, a Holy Knight clad in pristine white armor that enveloped her slender form. Her cascading golden hair gleamed like pure crystal, her features radiated bold resolve, and her tall, elegant frame carried both a sword at her waist and a cross-shaped holy shield on her back. Her golden eyes, brimming with clarity, now burned with righteous fury.

“…Edwina Cecilia?”

“Lady Edwina?”

“Nana?! How are you even here…?”

The three Saintesses reacted differently, their exclamations echoing across the ethereal void of the [River of Time].

Yet the knight had no time for explanations.

She shot a sharp, furious glare at Yuna and spoke in a voice thick with reproach.

“Yuna Summerfield! Do you think you can sacrifice your life like this?”

“Do you truly believe that doing this will make everyone grateful? That it will bring them peace?”

“Let me make this clear again: we do not need to rely on the sacrifice of a few to achieve a brighter future! I absolutely will not allow you to end everything this way!”

“Edwina…”

For the first time, Yuna averted her gaze from the burning intensity of the Holy Knight’s eyes. Frederica quickly stepped forward, grabbing Edwina’s arm and gently attempting to calm her.

“Little Nana, don’t be reckless… We’re under the witness of the Primordial Light…”

But Edwina forcefully shook off her hand, her expression resolute.

“Sister Fifi, I’m not being reckless. This is all within that great being’s expectations—this is merely the trial He has given us!”

“Uh… Lady Edwina, what are you even talking about? And weren’t you supposed to be battling Xiaoqi? How did you suddenly appear here?”

Philomena’s hesitant voice betrayed her confusion, but the Holy Knight turned to her with a firm response.

“In truth, at that time the envoy of Her Divineness, the Goddess, came and defeated all opponents with a single strike. Then, she brought me near the forest ahead of time. It was through Her guidance that I was able to join you in this place.”

Edwina reached inside her armor and pulled out a golden gemstone, suspended by a cord around her neck. The gem radiated an unimaginably pure light, tinged with divine essence, enveloping and protecting the Holy Knight.

She shifted her gaze back to Yuna, whose brows had furrowed deeply.

“Lady Yuna, I know everything now. What you said earlier wasn’t entirely false, but… you didn’t tell the whole truth, did you?”

“You are the artifact spirit of the [Crownless Crown], but not of the [Sword of Origin]. According to Her Divineness the Goddess’ information She shared with me, you will die from wielding the [Sword of Origin], your essence will merge with the sword. You will be swallowed and erased.”

“The consciousness that represents ‘Yuna Summerfield’ will vanish completely, with no chance of resurrection. From the very start, you intended to use this method to atone for everything you’ve done so far. Did you truly believe… that this would solve everything perfectly?”

Yuna paused for a moment, then fixed her gaze upon the Holy Knight, Her gaze was steady with a resolute determination.

“If giving my life is the price to save this world, then I will give it freely, because the world itself is worth more than my existence.”