Chapter 159: The Turning Gears

Feeling enlightened, Miss White Fox examined the strange circular ring on the back of the badge in her hand.

“This is… the [Ring of Salvation]? Is it an artifact held by the Redeeming Saintess? So, this badge represents the status of the Redeeming Saintess? Wait, why did he give this to me? And how does such a thing end up in the hands of a bishop?”

Although someone fired off four questions in quick succession like a machine gun, the Saintess didn’t show any signs of impatience. She just maintained her gently soothing tone and smiled warmly.

“Incorrect, Miss Xī. While the emblem on the badge indeed represents the [Ring of Salvation], it is not a symbol of the Saintess identity…”

“It represents the right of succession to the Saintess position, or rather, the candidate for the Saintess, the honorary Saintess… It’ll be easier to understand that way, won’t it?”

“Huh?”

Miss White Fox tilted her head, looking utterly confused. Although Yuna couldn’t see her expression, she could pick up on the tone of her voice, which carried a hint of confusion. Suddenly, the Saintess curved her lips into a sly smile that was a bit out of character for her usual demeanor, and struck again.

“I mentioned before, didn’t I? Miss Xī should know that there are actually two ways to select the three Saintesses of our Holy Nation.”

“One is when the former Saintess meets an untimely demise due to unforeseen circumstances, or other reasons… When they cannot personally decide on the next successor, the other two Saintesses—now, the Holy Church—witness and initiate the assessment process to select the most capable girl from the eligible candidates to take over the Saintess position and artifact.”

“Like me and the current Judging Saintess, that lady from the Cecelia family, who followed this process. The emergency succession of Edwina Cecelia from the Cecelia family can also fall into this category.”

“However, traditionally, the selection of the Saintess should be judged and assessed by the previous Saintess, who will then publicly hand over this item—the badge representing the appointed heir’s status—to the chosen one. It’s somewhat akin to the succession models in those noble-ruled countries.”

“Normally, such an important token would only be kept by each of the three Saintesses until it’s passed down to the next generation. But the Redeeming Saintess, being the representative of the Lambert Family, has the weakest influence and individual combat ability. Given the peculiar circumstances of this generation… It has probably been temporarily managed by her family, the Lambert Family.”

“So…”

Seeing the grin on the blonde girl’s face becoming increasingly obvious, nearly unable to contain her laughter, Miss Vilyric finally realized what was happening and hastily waved her hands in protest.

“Hey hey hey! What’s going on! I have zero interest in being that Saintess thing! It was one thing to be mistaken for the Redeeming Saintess before, but now you’re seriously coming at me with this! Plus, didn’t the current Redeeming Saintess only just ascend to her position a few years ago? Isn’t it a bit hasty to be looking for a successor already?”

Though it was just Miss White Fox expressing her grievances out of exasperation, the sharp-minded Saintess immediately seized on the key point and raised an eyebrow to highlight it.

“Why was Miss Xī mistaken for the Redeeming Saintess? Apart from combat, do you also possess healing abilities?”

“Ahem… J-just a misunderstanding! Old news, nothing to talk about! Let’s not get into that! So, next, we should be preparing to enter the city, right?”

Hearing the abrupt and somewhat stiff change of subject, though the Saintess looked puzzled, she understood enough to not press further, simply nodding in agreement with Miss White Fox’s suggestion.

“Exactly. The Redeeming Saintess coming from the Flower Capital still needs some time to arrive, and we also need to spend time coordinating with the Temple Knights from the Holy City. There’s an ancient saying in the Holy Nation that goes, ‘If a blacksmith wants to forge a fine weapon, he must first have a sturdy anvil.’ Although the situation on the battlefield is urgent, we can’t skimp on necessary preparations.”

Yuna raised a slender white finger.

“In about a week, the Expeditionary Army will complete its gathering and coordination, and then leave the Holy City for the battlefield.”

“As for this badge, Miss Xī really doesn’t need to worry. The Lambert Family likely has no plans to replace the Redeeming Saintess for now, which is why they gave this item to you. I’d say this is more of an honor, a goodwill gesture, or perhaps… a token? I imagine you, Miss Xī, would be somewhat interested in the views of the Holy Hall, wouldn’t you? It’s not just any place you can randomly enter~”

Listening to the Saintess’s highly suggestive words, Miss Vilyric felt somewhat surprised but didn’t press further, only nodding in agreement.

“Okay, so it’s settled then. We’ll meet in a week?”

“See you in a week~”

After bidding farewell to Yuna and leaving the main military tent, Miss Vilyric looked around and noticed that the stationed Expeditionary Army was starting to pack up, seemingly preparing to march.

They were probably heading to the military camp prepared outside the Holy City, where the main forces of the City of Angels might be waiting to rendezvous.

But this time, Miss White Fox would not be joining them.

For a whole week, Miss Vilyric and her companions naturally planned to enter the City of Angels to fully immerse themselves in the customs and culture of this ancient Holy City.

After all, they didn’t stand on exactly the same side as the Holy Nation, and they were still just travelers, just as the Priestess had previously declared to Edwina. She would help as appropriate but would not deeply interfere.

Regardless of the war or anything else, it was ultimately just the business of the Holy Nation’s people.

Of course, before entering the city, the Priestess had one more thing to do.

Returning to the carriage where her companions were, after giving some instructions and leaving a few notes, the White Fox Girl set off again, avoiding the guards and everyone, quickly disappearing beyond the camp.

…

Somewhere near the outskirts of the Holy City, a fierce battle was taking place.

The combatants were a golden-haired Holy Knight girl, clad in snow-white armor, wielding a golden holy sword and a cross-shaped shield, displaying a heroically refreshing demeanor, and…

A twin who looked just like her, with no differences in weaponry, appearance, or figure?

“Haah!”

With a spirited shout, the Holy Knight leaped into the air!

Light gathered along the blade, transforming into a gold sword that was over three feet long, slashing fiercely toward the opponent, who was virtually carved from the same mold. The latter, not daring to be careless, quickly lifted her cross shield to block in front of her.

“Clang!”

The sword and shield, both surrounded by rich holy light, collided, sparking flames and scattering brightness. The attacking Holy Knight halted, while the identical Holy Knight who chose to defend stumbled back several steps with a thud until she crashed into a large tree, shaking down a shower of leaves before finally stopping.

However, the former did not cease her offensive; after being blocked, the girl bent her knees again and stomped the ground with her steel-clad feet, leaving visible cracks and slight indentations in the earth, accompanied by a booming “bang!” sound as if breaking through the air!

The girl, encased in heavy snowy white armor, became an afterimage and charged like an unstoppable siege engine toward the other Holy Knight, who had just crashed into the tree, her shield having dropped to the ground, groaning “ow ow ow” in protest!

The golden holy sword ignited in her hand with pure flames that seemed almost tangible, the golden flames shooting upward to form a light sword more majestic than a human or the surrounding towering trees, and it struck down once more with might!

“Light — Radiant — Slash!”

“Waah! I surrender! I surrender!!!!”

   

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