Chapter 121: The Horn of the Holy War

When Yuna Summerfield arrived at the backstage of the central parade ground, she had already changed into the platinum robe reserved for the Saint of Bright Light. Wearing the iconic holy artifact, the Crown of Uncrowned, her long hair cascaded like waves, crystal-clear and golden. With a golden scepter in hand and surrounded by Holy Warriors and high-ranking Nuns, she was ready.

Upon seeing the White Fox Girl appear under the guidance of the Holy Knights, the Saintess smiled her pure and gentle smile that seemed unchanging and nodded slightly at Vilyric.

“Good morning, Miss Xī.”

“Good morning~”

Today, Yuna looked even more dignified and sacred than any other time Vilyric had seen her. As one of the three most noble representatives of the Holy Empire, her robes were naturally tailored by outstanding craftsmen, perfectly highlighting the noble essence of the Summerfield Family.

A silk hood, as transparent as gauze, flowed down from the back of her head, veiling her golden hair and securing the luminous crown in place. It then gently closed in front, fastening the two sides of the thin veil together with a golden thread button, transforming into a cape that draped down to her waist.

Underneath the outer robe, a sleeveless gown in gold and white enveloped her curvaceous figure. Her smooth, jade-like bare arms peeked through the semi-transparent cape, and the exquisite curves of her chest formed an alluring yet elegant silhouette.

Complemented by the clear outline of her waist, the seamless skirt concealed her thighs while revealing smooth and delicate legs, akin to spring bamboo shoots. Completing her look were snow-white boots adorned with pure gold jewels, evoking awe while also instilling no thoughts of defilement toward such exquisite beauty.

It was simply breathtaking, enough to make one want to exclaim in admiration for the unnamed designer, “You really know your stuff!”

As she politely scanned the entirety of the impeccably dressed Saintess, Vilyric chuckled and shook her head.

“After knowing you for so long, this is the first time I’ve seen you dressed like this. I thought your usual outfit was already the formal attire of the Saint of Bright Light… I guess I really don’t know much about the customs of the Holy Kingdom.”

Listening to her, Yuna lowered her gaze, taking a moment to glance around.

“Ah, I must confess to Miss Xī, this is actually my first time wearing this outfit. Although it’s custom-made for the Summerfield Family, it’s actually a ceremonial gown that only the Saint of Bright Light would wear when leading the crusade against heresy. And over the past three hundred years…”

The blonde girl smiled faintly again. While there were many curious eyes around, Yuna did not elaborate fully, but Vilyric understood what she meant.

In those three hundred years, the Summerfields, led by the Saint of Bright Light, had lost their leadership status within the Holy Empire. Although they still governed the Western half of the Holy Kingdom, all their actions were still bound by the ecclesiastical council.

To diminish the prestige of the Saint of Bright Light and prevent the power structure centered around the three Saintesses from overshadowing the Church, the ruling class led by the Pope would strive to minimize the opportunities for the Saint of Bright Light to achieve glory.

Just like this time, despite the enormous upheaval in the Eastern Holy Kingdom, it was merely the less powerful Judging Saintess who led the four Holy Knight Orders of the City of Angels to war, while the Western Holy Kingdom had no soldiers participating.

Had it not been for the sudden outbreak of the Masked Demon Uprising in the West, providing the Saint of Bright Light a suitable reason to intervene, combined with the strict measures taken by the Church against the second daughter, Edwina, after the Judging Saintess Fleidetrika Cecelia went mysteriously missing, leading to an unprecedented alliance between the two divine lineages…

Yuna could not have taken command of the troops under any legitimate circumstances.

“Alright, the time has come, Miss Xī, let’s go.”

“Okay.”

As the two girls emerged side by side from backstage and stepped outside, a tremendous cheer erupted, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami surging.

“It’s the Saintess! Long live the Saintess!!!”

“Glory to the Goddess! Please, Saintess, be sure to return victorious!!!”

“Hey! Is that Miss Xī I see?!”

“Miss Xī! I love you!!!”

Outside the training grounds, the bustling crowd filled with excitement seemed to elevate the morning’s refreshing atmosphere to a new peak with just the appearance of the Saint of Bright Light and her companion, the White Fox Girl.

Feeling the enthusiasm of the people, even Vilyric, accustomed to large spectacles, couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

“The public’s emotions are so easily stirred… Or should I say, it’s really your reputation in the West that’s just too high, Yuna~?”

The Saintess replied without revealing her thoughts.

“Hehe, aren’t they also calling out Miss Xī’s name? Rather than admiring me, it’s more about the profound heritage of the Saint of Bright Light and the Summerfield Family, and… a faith directed towards the light.”

Being outside, the two could not openly indulge in secret conversations, so after a brief exchange, they walked towards the front of the high platform side by side.

Then, the Saintess stepped forward slowly, addressing the countless citizens who surged like waves below, as well as the six Temple Knight Orders maintaining their orderly ranks, gazing up at the high platform with eager and respectful eyes.

“Good morning, citizens of the Goddess, praise the light! I am the eighth Saint of Bright Light of the Holy Empire, Yuna Summerfield.”

“Salute to the Saintess!!! Praise the light!!!”

As these words rang out, the six thousand knights shouted in perfect unison, like rolling thunder that resonated across the scene, instantly drowning out the earlier boisterous cheers of the crowd.

Like a surging tide, the expedition knights collectively knelt on one knee, paying their highest respects to the Saintess, almost akin to a spokesperson for the light. Even the nearly ten thousand knights maintaining order outside the training grounds struck their long spears against the ground three times, producing a solemn and heavy resonance.

“Boom!!! Boom!!! Boom!!!”

The noisy scene suddenly fell silent. Even the untrained crowd and visitors were awed by this solemn sight, quickly closing their mouths and not daring to utter a sound.

They were all waiting for the Saintess’s sacred voice.

“Please rise.”

The golden-haired girl smiled, her pure presence exuding tranquility, as peaceful as light.

“Knights of the Holy Light, citizens of the West, and visitors from all over the world, I, Yuna, would like to thank everyone for being here today to witness the beginning of this expedition.”

“It is well known that, in the East of the Holy Kingdom, demons have once again resurfaced, slaughtering my light’s descendants, sowing chaos, and causing countless disasters – this is a fact we cannot dispute.”

“Demons are the embodiment of evil, the mortal enemies of the Holy Light. As the people of the Goddess, it is our obligation and responsibility to combat these fiends. However, the wall of the heavens is high and impassable, and the expedition is indeed fraught with difficulties…”

At this point, the golden-haired girl shifted her tone.

“But recently, demons could no longer contain their rampant desires, stretching their wicked claws toward the peaceful Western Holy Kingdom, leading to the well-known disaster of the Masked Demon Uprising!”

“People of the Holy Light, this is no longer a local war, nor mere frictions and conflicts! The evil winds have swept across the land of the Holy Kingdom, and the Fourth Demon War looms ahead! This is a holy war! A battle that determines the survival and death of every citizen of the Holy Kingdom! We cannot sit idly by any longer!!!”

“The holy war is about to come!!!!”

“Holy war!!! Holy war!!! Holy war!!!!!!!!”

From the ground, countless shouts soared into the sky, Yuna’s passionate speech igniting the atmosphere to a fever pitch in just a few sentences.

Thus, the Saintess slightly turned her head, and Vilyric, who stood just a short distance behind her, understood and stepped forward to stand beside her.

“Fortunately, the Goddess bestows her mercy! In the face of peril, heroes rise to the occasion, defeating the masked demons intending to bring disaster with their tremendous might, thus saving countless innocent lives that were on the verge of extinction!”

The golden-haired girl turned sideways and raised her hand.

“Perhaps many have already heard her name and story, and some may still be unaware, but I want to say that these are true facts that have occurred.”

“In chaotic times, heroes emerge! The appearance of Miss Xī is a sign that our Holy Kingdom will change. This is the will of the Goddess! Under the illumination of the Holy Light, the people of the Goddess shall advance tirelessly and achieve glorious victories!!!”

“Advance tirelessly! Achieve glorious victories!!!!!!!”

“Miss Xī is so cool!”

“Oh oh oh!!!!!!!!!!”

This Yuna, perhaps she would be quite suited for performing comedic dialogue…

Standing straight as a doorboard on the high platform, bearing the continuous flattery from the Saintess beside her, the White Fox Girl suddenly had this thought rise in her mind.

   

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