Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 321

[Vol. 5] Chapter 321: The Sacred Hymn

 

Without striking another blow to Yuna’s already shattered heart, Edwina or [Violet] gave a slight nod to the other two Saintesses, who were all equally shocked, though their expressions varied. She then refocused her attention on what lay ahead.

 

[The Tree of Creation, and the River of Time…]

 

It seemed that she began to understand the meanings behind the two names that had been concealed in the [Judgment Holy Sword].

 

The [Tree of Creation] was the most powerful being [Violet] had encountered so far among all creatures and existences. Though she hadn’t directly fought it, it was difficult to assess who was stronger between it and her true form. However, that wasn’t something that could truly be determined.

 

Because this tree, in essence, didn’t really exist.

 

[Violet] could sense that the current image was merely a representation of the [Tree of Creation], a form convenient for biological beings to comprehend. In reality, just like this space and the [River of Time], it was something that could not be evaluated with concepts like numerical value or strength. It was a “nonexistent thing”.

 

Something that existed and didn’t exist. It didn’t belong to all things, nor was it equal to all things.

 

[The Tree of Creation] is like the world.

 

Perhaps the [Will of the World] that Minchen spoke of was intricately connected to it, but it could never be equated with it.

 

Because according to that guy’s explanation, the so-called [Will of the World] that had guided them here back then was a conscious being capable of communication. But the [Tree of Creation] was different. Although it was magnificent and omnipotent, it didn’t possess the concept of “consciousness.”

 

It was the embodiment of everything in this world, manifested through the guidance and summons of the three holy artifacts, responding to the prayers of its followers.

 

Therefore, it was like it had done a thousand years ago, bestowing the [Sword of Origin] with the power capable of fulfilling the prayer. However, how to wield that power still depended on the actions of the one who prayed.

 

[……]

 

The young girl raised her hand, feeling the state of this body.

 

Although she had sent Xiao Guang to bring Edwina the high-purity light element crystal, made from [Violet]’s SP and her own energy, which was of a higher grade than the one she had given Little Blue last time, the priestess was actually unsure if it would successfully descend onto Edwina’s body.

 

But fortunately, it had succeeded, and surprisingly, it had adapted well.

 

That time with Minchen had been a similar situation. It seemed that the conditions for divine descent weren’t necessarily tied to faith, and perhaps it was also related to the [God’s Blood], the Violet’s blood, that had merged with Edwina’s body…

 

She could probably unleash half of her true power.

 

Although there were still some doubts that hadn’t been answered, that didn’t matter.

 

[Let’s begin, Sword of Origin… come.]

 

[Violet] raised her hand, and the supreme sword suspended over the River of Time responded to the call, turning into a stream of light as it fell toward her.

 

She grasped it in her palm.

 

“Whum~~~~~~~~”

 

Invisible ripples spread throughout every corner of the River of Time the instant the divine being held the divine sword.

 

[Violet] could feel the intense will conveyed through the sword. There was no doubt about it. This was a true divine artifact, a real [Primordial Artifact], one that surpassed the three holy artifacts of the Holy Empire.

 

Unlike when she used the [Judgment Holy Sword] before, there was no feeling of resistance or blockage. The compatibility between the divine being and the divine sword had reached its peak the moment they made contact, and [Violet] instantly understood how to use it.

 

In the void beyond time, she lifted the [Sword of Origin] above her head, her lips parting slightly.

 

[Slash]

 

The divine sword cleaved through the light.

 

The images that endlessly swept past on either side of the [River of Time] froze at this moment, as the river’s surface, which reflected all things, was abruptly divided.

 

That transcendent stroke of the sword severed causality and time, reversing history, as though all the erroneous branches of a tree had been pruned away, leaving only countless, brand-new possibilities.

 

[Violet] felt it.

 

It was a fork in the path that existed in the past, leading toward the future.

 

Just as the [Revealer] Menna had once told her, time and the world are endless trees. After each node, there are boundless possibilities. She had seen the future from the past and guided it toward the most awaited tomorrow.

 

Now [Violet] could do the same, even… reverse it.

 

This was the power of the [Sword of Origin]: to subvert causality, history, and all that was inconceivable, rewriting the future that existed in the past, the past that would happen in the future. A miracle bestowed by the [Tree of Creation], almost impossible to recreate.

 

But she did not strike immediately.

 

The weight of history was too heavy. Even the slightest disturbance would cause world-shattering changes, as if a butterfly’s wings could alter everything, making things unrecognizable, shifting the heavens and the earth.

 

[Then, where should the past and future lead, the creatures in the river of time? Make your choices.]

 

The magnificent will spread across the [River of Time] with the power of the [Sword of Origin].

 

It was a thought that transcended time, descending upon the past of the Holy Empire. Every corner from the past three hundred years, clearly entering the minds of all beings that had once existed and those that still existed.

 

As long as they held the necessary faith.

 

[Make your choices.]

 

In the Holy City, the Sacred Star City, the Eastern and Western Capitals, every city of the Holy Empire, every temple in the world, every member of the [Goddess Church] and the [Light Worshipper Church], anyone who held the proper faith in their hearts.

 

Such a mighty voice rippled through every node of time.

 

Among them, was also a certain day from three hundred years ago.

 

On the brutal and devastated battlefield of the plains, drenched in blood, the golden-haired Saintess, crowned in light, looked at the demon’s ram-headed form gradually dissipating in front of her, a bitter smile on her face.

 

Her life was nearing its end, a crisis she had never faced in her seven hundred years of existence. She did not know what future her death would lead this country toward, and this filled her with deep worry.

 

And so, the ram-headed demon extended an invitation.

 

[Spirit of the Holy Artifact, you are quite impressive. The current situation is not what I intended either. How about we… cooperate?]

 

The wheel of history rolled on, about to follow its predetermined path.

 

“What do you want…”

 

But, at this moment.

 

[Make your choices.]

 

The mighty will crossed through time and causality, descending beside its faithful follower.

 

The future that had occurred in the past dissolved into a bubble, clearly manifesting before the girl who would one day be called Yuna Summerfield, causing the words that were about to leave her lips to falter.

 

“This is…!”

 

[Hmm? What’s wrong with you? Your face suddenly looks strange… Wait, whose power is this?]

 

The demon named [Corruption] still tried to tempt her, but this voice could no longer reach her ears.

 

She understood everything, just as countless other followers had when their wills had been questioned.

 

The bitter smile on her face transformed into utmost devotion and reverence. Dragging her heavily wounded body, she knelt on the ground, offering heartfelt praise to the heavens.

 

She spoke.

 

[Great and exalted Primordial Light, praise be to Your name…]

[You are the embodiment of dawn and hope…]

[You are the first ray of light in the world, the master of all beauty and brightness…]

[The lost child offers sincere praise and gratitude to You.]

[Please let the holy light descend upon me, dispel the evil, and clear my heart…]

[Praise… Your name.]

[Most High and Holy Primordial Light…]

[Mother…]

[Please watch over Your followers and grant us guidance.]

 

Causality, transformed into faith, converged.

 

Above the river of time, countless praises and wishes from various spaces and times gathered together.

 

[She] saw countless pasts and futures, within an endless number of possibilities, understanding the answers given by all the faithful, their devout wishes merging into the [Primordial Light Sword], causing it to shine with brilliance.

 

[Your answers… I have received them.]

 

Then, [She] swung the sword, and everything was reforged.

 

New branches of possibility sprouted, merging the past into one.

 

This would bring unpredictable and far-reaching effects to what was truly [reality], giving rise to a future that [She] had never witnessed.

 

But, new hope had already broken free from the inevitable conclusion of destruction and had turned into a seed, growing.

 

In a realm where time cannot reach the [God].

 

[……!?]

 

The giant, made of blood and stretching for miles, was severed by a sword strike from a distant point.

 

It was an unstoppable, invincible, ultimate blow, gathering countless beliefs and the supreme divine power. Even the [God of Slaughter], whose divine realm had become a bloody blade, could hardly withstand the sword light that shattered even time itself.

 

His body dissipated in the bloodlight ascending into the sky, but after the initial shock, he was not angry. Instead, he seemed to realize something, a sense of satisfaction.

 

[I see now… I see. Although it was a shortcut, I’ll acknowledge your qualification as the master of that Dragon. The Goddess of Radiance, huh? Hmph, this time you won, but I’ll become stronger. Sooner or later, I will become stronger! When that day comes, I’ll challenge you again!]

 

[I, will ultimately slaughter all things! Ha!!! Hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!]

 

The bloodlight that descended upon the world faded away, for He did not belong to the world, a being not remade by the past and future. However, the sword pointed toward Him was not all that the [Sword of Origin] had severed.

 

“It seems the master’s plan succeeded, hmph… fine, fine, I had a good fight this time. Hey…”

 

The dragon girl, floating in the sky, turned her head, only to find that Sethlin had already left, with only the Divine Tree remaining, still radiating gentle yet powerful ripples.

 

“That god… really runs fast.”

 

The war below continued, but everything seemed to have settled.

 

However, beyond the horizon, a pair of silver eyes, drawn by an unseen force, turned to the west, filled with longing.

 

[Has it really reached this point already? Faster than expected… there’s no time left, Violet…]