Chapter 158: Faith

Within Spirit Butterfly Peak.

Listening to Priestess’ confident remarks, Xiao Lan couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“It’s not that I think it’s bad, but can a mere slime really crack the formation left by the Holy Ancestor of the Spirit Butterfly Clan? Plus, I imagine teaching such abilities is a long and difficult process, right? Whether it’s magic, martial arts; even for our race, merging bloodlines to absorb innate abilities takes considerable time. Considering the current situation…”

“Eh~ You don’t need to worry about that; just tell me your choice. So, which will it be? A fast-tracked and stable first path, or a second path brimming with uncertainty but promising potential?”

After gazing into the shiny silver-blue eyes of the black-haired girl for a moment, Miss Slime sighed, feeling a bit helpless.

“It seems, Lady Vilyric is quite looking forward to me choosing the second path?”

“Ah hahahaha… Xiao Lan is quite perceptive~ Right, from my perspective, I do lean towards the latter. But remember — the choice of path is yours, and so is the decision for your future, along with bearing the associated risks. So…”

Vilyric suddenly turned serious.

“Put aside the thoughts of accommodating me; think carefully. Don’t make a decision you’ll regret for the rest of your life.”

“…”

The gazes of the two girls met in the air, and as they read the determination in Xiao Lan’s eyes, the Priestess gradually revealed a satisfied smile.

“It seems you’ve thought it over.”

“Eh? Have I? Xiao Lan didn’t even say anything!”

As a bystander, Lulu exclaimed, seemingly more worried about any forced agreements than her friend. She quickly voiced her loud objections but was swiftly silenced by a gesture from Xiao Lan.

Taking a very human-like deep breath, Xiao Lan nodded at the white-robed girl radiating an invisible sacred aura.

“Lady Vilyric, I choose the second path.”

“Very well, you’ve truly not let me down~”

The Priestess smiled and stretched out her tender, white fingers, gently brushing across Slime’s elastic, uniquely moist cheek, her eyes shimmering with golden light for a fleeting moment.

“Now, Xiao Lan, come to believe in me.”

“Eh?”

The other two girls, aside from Vilyric, froze in surprise, while the black-haired girl seemed unfazed and reiterated.

“You heard me right, I said believe. It means exactly what you think; offer me your sincere faith, and in return — I will bestow you with blessings.”

Experienced and well-traveled, Xiao Lan immediately reacted, unable to suppress a gasp.

“Could it be that… what you’re talking about, Lady Vilyric, is the faith-based magic of the Holy Empire and the Church of the Goddess? But that shouldn’t…?!”

Noticing her incredulity, which could even be described as horror, Vilyric simply laughed casually.

“Don’t misunderstand; I’m not some deity, just a traveler with a bit of power. So I can’t guarantee absolute success, and the risks involved should have been made very clear. If it were a real God, they wouldn’t be so vague, would they?”

“Even so… but Lady Vilyric, if I am to offer my faith, what exactly do I need to do?”

“Hmm… that is indeed a question.”

To be honest, Vilyric had the intention of experimenting with this so-called faith-based magic through Xiao Lan. After all, a deity’s blessings and faith can also be viewed as a form of transaction. If the essence and core of a god are their Divine Spark, then whatever the Light Goddess Aurora from the Holy Empire could achieve, Vilyric — possessing similar powers and Divine Spark — should also be capable.

However, faith is an elusive thing, and Vilyric was not willing to expose herself to be worshipped. Thus, despite having similar thoughts, she had not found the right opportunity until now.

Xiao Lan’s appearance and her current situation were a perfect match, as if someone had sent a pillow when she felt drowsy.

First, as a Holy Light Slime evolved from absorbing Vilyric’s magic, the compatibility of their attributes was undoubtedly strong, and Vilyric’s previous Divine Descent had further deepened their connection.

Furthermore, with gratitude and trust bestowed by a contract, if Xiao Lan herself couldn’t gain the so-called “faith-based magic” from Vilyric, the Priestess honestly couldn’t think of anyone else who could.

That would imply that the causes of faith-based magic were quite different from what she had imagined, or perhaps she still lacked something compared to the Light Goddess Aurora.

Regardless, one must try to know.

That said…

“When it comes to faith, I’m actually not too familiar with it… So, Xiao Lan, do you have any faith? I’ve heard that magical beasts generally have faith in demon gods, right?”

“Uh, well… to be honest, Lady Vilyric, while I greatly respect the legendary Demon God, I wouldn’t say I have faith per se? After all, we slimes are born with magical power and do not rely on the Demon God’s touch, which is quite different from many races in the Mountains of Ten Thousand Demons.”

“Hmm… While it’s good that I won’t be taking away a certain Demon God’s followers, without a reference frame, hmm…”

Just as the Priestess was frowning, fiddling with the long, smooth hair hanging by her neck, Lulu, serving as an audience member, suddenly spoke up.

“When it comes to faith, I’m quite clear, you see. Our Spirit Butterfly Clan are the most loyal believers of the Demon God. This reverence is practically etched in our bones… Hmm, that feeling is probably similar to the lives on the earth towards the brilliance that illuminates all, a heartfelt admiration for Him, seeing Him as the supreme symbol of the world, dedicating everything for Him, living by His will as a life guideline… is that about right?”

“Huh? I didn’t know Lulu understood so much! I didn’t expect you to be such a hardcore fan of the Demon God!”

Though Vilyric was just joking, for some reason, Miss Spirit Butterfly immediately blushed, feeling a bit annoyed as she quickly lowered her head.

“What nonsense! Everyone in the clan is the same; we’re just loyal admirers of the Demon God!”

“Oh~ So that’s how it is. I seem to have misunderstood; my apologies, my bad, hehe~”

“Ugh! Lady Vilyric, please be serious!”

On the other side, after Lulu’s prompting, Xiao Lan seemed to gradually understand something and, occasionally looking up at the Priestess, her expression began to show subtle changes.

“I see… So this is what faith feels like… Lady Vilyric, I think I’ve got it.”

“Huh? You understand already? Why is it that I’m the only one who doesn’t get it at all…”

Shaking her head in silence, Miss Slime solemnly knelt in the snow, not in the former mere gesture of a servant but rather as though worshipping something supreme, adopting a pose resembling an ancient ritual.

“Lady Vilyric, I offer you my faith. In this life and the next, unwavering and enduring, from this beginning to this end.”

Feeling the heavy and solemn atmosphere in the night, the white-robed girl also reined in her playful demeanor. Amidst the swirling snow and mist, she raised her hand and gently placed it atop Slime’s head. The cold wind tousled her long hair as she spoke.

He said.

【I have received your faith.】

And in the next moment, golden light burst forth, and the storm of snow ceased.

   

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