Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 6] Chapter 145

[Vol. 6] Chapter 145: The Temple of the Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden

Suddenly, the massive golden-furred hound leading the way paused, turned its head, and sent out a deep mental message.

“My lord, I sense more living beings ahead. This time, they’re true creatures, and they seem agitated, likely engaged in combat.”

“Hm… it must be the main forces of the [Black Scaled Army]. Where are they?”

“Not far ahead. A few turns will lead us directly to them.”

“Understood.”

Having stumbled upon a new lead, Violet wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip by. After a brief discussion with her companions, she decisively abandoned the scattered unexplored areas and followed Yazi’s guidance, quickening her pace toward the indicated location.

After navigating several turns, the labyrinthine passages opened up into an unexpectedly vast underground hall.

This grand chamber resembled a sacred temple. Its overall layout was strikingly similar to the many temples Violet had seen across different worlds and regions. Stone pillars stood orderly along both sides like silent sentinels, supporting the central path that stretched forward into the distance, exuding an air of solemnity and majesty.

However, what caught everyone’s attention, and left Violet and her companions momentarily stunned, was the nearly ten-meter-tall statue standing in the temple’s center.

The statue depicted a woman.

She was dressed in an exquisitely crafted ceremonial robe, its flowing sleeves wide but not cumbersome, shimmering like rainbows and clouds. A long, elegant sash wrapped around her waist, seemingly both decorative and functional. Her attire was modest but skillfully revealed her delicate shoulders and slender legs, creating a graceful and vibrant aura rather than the lofty solemnity typically associated with divine figures.

Her hands were clasped behind her back, her chest lifted proudly as she gazed calmly into the distance. The curve of her figure was subtle but captivating, exuding a youthful charm that was equal parts serene and alluring.

Though the statue had the appearance of a human woman, a pair of sharp fox ears perched atop her head. The surface of the stone seemed coated in a lacquered finish, making it look so lifelike that even the texture of the furry ears appeared perfectly rendered.

But the most striking feature was the fox-shaped mask she wore, concealing almost her entire face. The mask was an unmistakable symbol, representing a brilliant past and bearing witness to a legendary myth.

“…The [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden]?”

“So it really is one of her relics.”

“……..”

Hearing the varied reactions around her, Violet was momentarily surprised but quickly pieced it together.

Of course.

Although this place seemed like a tomb on the surface, its true purpose was to serve as a temple constructed by the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] to seal and suppress the [Nameless Demon Sovereign], preventing its resurrection.

Naturally, the shrine maiden wouldn’t create a shrine to honor a [Nameless Demon Sovereign]. In a temple like this, if there were to be a statue, it made perfect sense for it to be of the shrine maiden herself.

Still, making a statue of herself this detailed and elegant… wasn’t that a bit vain?

“The [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden]… it’s been a long time since I’ve heard that name. I actually had a connection with her once.”

Hearing Yazi’s rare initiative to “speak,” Violet turned to it, her curiosity piqued.

“You’ve interacted with the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] before, Little Fang?”

The large golden hound nodded slightly, its fierce eyes holding an unusual trace of nostalgia.

“A long time ago, back when we nine dragon children had just been born. If you’re interested, My Lord, I can tell you all about it when we have some time.”

“Uh… by the way, Little Fang, how old are you?”

“I stopped keeping track long ago, but I’d guess around 20,000 years now.”

“Wha—wait, does that mean the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] is…”

Violet glanced again at the central statue of the youthful, vibrant shrine maiden radiating energy and vitality. For a moment, she felt a pang of embarrassment.

It felt… safer not to dwell too much on this thought.

Clearing her mind, the black-haired girl directed her gaze toward the source of the commotion in the distance.

The temple was enormous, but its surroundings were clearly sealed off. Aside from the entrance they had come through, there were no other visible exits. Additionally, the temple itself sat at the very end of the tomb’s main passageway.

In other words, this was likely the deepest part of the tomb.

Yazi’s earlier detection of living beings had been accurate. Within this temple, dedicated to the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden], an intense battle was underway between two sides.

To be precise, it was one side against a single entity.

The larger group consisted of [Black Scaled] soldiers, all dressed in mid- to high-ranking officer uniforms. Their numbers exceeded a hundred, and they were arrayed in formation across the temple, creating an imposing presence. Yet, despite their numbers, they were the ones defending and were clearly at a disadvantage.

They were being completely overpowered by the lone figure.

That figure was a towering warrior clad in immaculate white full-plate armor that covered their entire body, including the head. They wielded a massive greatsword, and from their back extended sharp, steel-like white wings.

Using these metallic wings, the warrior displayed agility that starkly contrasted their heavy appearance. With each dive, they would swing their greatsword and send multiple [Black Scaled] soldiers flying, severely disrupting their formation. The soldiers had to constantly regroup just to avoid a complete collapse.

The presence of the [Black Scaled Army] here didn’t surprise Violet. In fact, their absence would have been far stranger.

But the white-armored warrior… left the priestess utterly stunned.

“…Lucas?”

The name left her lips almost involuntarily, echoing through the air. But in the very next moment, Violet dismissed the thought.

It couldn’t be. This wasn’t Lucas.

Although the white-armored warrior’s appearance, the shape of their armor, the design of their greatsword, their wings, and even their height and combat style, closely resembled Lucas. It was impossible for this to be him.

It wasn’t just the differences in color or strength. The most crucial point was the lack of any holy light emanating from this warrior, a signature characteristic Lucas would never lack.

But the resemblance was uncanny. Why…?

“What’s wrong, Violet? Do you know this guardian?”

Xiao Kong’s casual question snapped Violet out of her thoughts.

Of course. This warrior must be a guardian left by the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] to protect the temple, much like the scarecrow warriors that patrolled the roads outside. Only, this one was far more advanced and powerful.

Though Violet had only just arrived, she quickly grasped the situation.

There was no doubt that the white-armored warrior possessed strength far exceeding that of the [Black Scaled] soldiers. However, much like Lucas, this guardian seemed to specialize in defense over offense. Its attacks weren’t overwhelmingly powerful, and its level appeared to be noticeably lower than Lucas’s, probably just over Lv. 70.

The [Black Scaled Army], on the other hand, was relying on a coordinated formation to combine their strength. By pooling their power, they managed to endure each of the warrior’s assaults, barely holding their ground despite their vastly inferior individual capabilities.

If the battle dragged on, the white-armored guardian was almost guaranteed to emerge victorious.

But what Violet couldn’t understand was *why* they were fighting in the first place.

Had the [Black Scaled] soldiers violated some taboo? Or were they scheming something nefarious?

If this guardian truly was left behind by the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden], Violet found it hard to believe that the shrine maiden would issue a blanket command like “kill anyone who enters the temple.” And yet, the white-armored warrior was clearly fighting with lethal intent.

“This is strange…”

As Violet pondered whether to intervene, her companions seemed to be growing restless, each showing signs of wanting to act.

But just as tension filled the air, a radiant light suddenly burst forth from the central statue of the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] in the temple!