Chapter 279: The Judging Holy Sword

“Looks like there’s something worthwhile. I didn’t expect there would be such strong individuals in the Holy Capital…”

To be honest, while Vilyric had offered support and assistance to that Miss Ella, encouraging her to delve deeper into the truths of faith-based magic, she hadn’t pinned all her hopes on her.

Ella’s existence was more like a stepping stone left by Miss White Fox, allowing her to run rampant and touch the sensitive bottom line of the Church of the Goddess, exposing their true dark sides.

This was Ella’s own desire, which also aligned with Miss White Fox’s expectations, making it a win-win situation.

Undoubtedly, it would be dangerous, which was why Vilyric had left a Pseudo-God level Light Element Spirit to protect Ella, providing her support from various aspects, and had the Cecelia Family secretly keeping an eye on her.

Though she hadn’t voiced it too explicitly, Vilyric never expected… that the Light Element Spirit would actually be defeated.

Who could have done this…

In the realm of those capable of defeating an 8th tier Light Element Spirit, or at least having that potential, Vilyric indeed knew a few.

For instance, Lucini Constans, claiming to be the strongest prince of the blood clan. Although that little loli’s raw strength was only at the pinnacle, around 7th tier, the spear known to rival the three sacred artifacts of the Holy Kingdom, the “God-Slaying Spear,” if not an exaggeration, could definitely empower a peak beyond to Pseudo-God level.

After all, according to Fleidetrika, Losa had entered the battle for the “Serpent” remains during the mythic tier war, aided by the “Judging Holy Sword.”

Real mythic beings typically possessed power around the Pseudo-God level.

However, in Vilyric’s observations, this little blood clan girl, Lucini, was actually quite the lazy one who disliked meddling in other people’s affairs, hence wouldn’t engage in casual fights, and that’s why she had become the so-called “stability faction” leader.

Even though they were in the Holy Capital, their interests should have no direct entanglements, and the likelihood of a conflict with Ella was low.

Beyond that, the Church of the Goddess, or specifically the Holy Church led by the Lambert Family, as the actual controllers of the Holy Empire, might also be hiding some Pseudo-God level tactics akin to trump cards.

For instance, that puppet who fought with Afalyj Constans, and the maid Little Seven who accompanied the Redeeming Saintess Philomina Lambert—especially the latter… although the degree of biomimicry and disguise surpassed the former, reaching a point indistinguishable from real beings, it couldn’t escape Vilyric’s keen eyes.

Given that the Lambert Family shared a close connection with these highly intelligent puppets and their shadowy background, two names naturally resurfaced in her thoughts.

“Hao Miao Yi Meng, the cheese Mofuman, huh…”

No wonder Min Chen had also appeared in the Holy Empire.

Well… in saying that, that show-off indeed had the capability to defeat the Light Element Spirit, considering his ties with those two; if they truly crossed paths…

When she mentioned the names of those two fellow travelers alongside Min Chen, Miss White Fox intentionally didn’t lower her voice, letting the confused Fleidetrika who sat next to her overhear.

However, much to Vilyric’s disappointment, this Judging Saintess didn’t display any special reaction, clearly having never come across information or content related to them before.

“Alright then…”

Looks like I have to return earlier than expected.

Although it was somewhat earlier than anticipated, the incident with Ella meant that she had already gotten close to the core secrets of the Church of the Goddess, reaching something at that level—no matter who was behind it, it was already a significant indicator.

“Clatter.”

Facing the tranquil river surface under the night sky, the White Fox Girl stood up, her red-and-white priestess dress making a delightful sound as it swayed.

“Miss Xi, what’s wrong? You’ve been a bit odd since earlier; has something happened?”

“Uh, there’s a change in plans; I’m afraid I must leave temporarily.”

After thinking for a moment, Vilyric added.

“This situation is a bit special. I’m not sure what will happen or how long I’ll be gone, so just in case, everyone, including Xiao Guang, will stay behind to assist you… By the way, Fleidetrika, can I see the Judging Holy Sword?”

“…Alright.”

After a brief hesitation, the Saintess reached into her bosom, retrieving the golden six-winged holy emblem hidden within, glimmering slightly, and revealing the magnificent long sword Vilyric had once encountered.

This time, it had to be the real deal.

Fleidetrika lifted it with both hands, presenting the long sword embedded with countless gemstones to the White Fox Girl.

“Miss Xi, the holy sword possesses a spirit; those who haven’t gained its recognition cannot draw it. If one attempts to forcibly draw the sword, they will be devoured by its sharpness. While you are powerful, do take care.”

“A spirit, huh… Thank you for the reminder.”

Not one to underestimate the situation due to her strength, Vilyric took the warning to heart and, after preparing adequately, finally held the “Judging Holy Sword,” one of the three sacred artifacts of the Holy Kingdom, with one hand.

“Oh?”

It felt somewhat heavy, contrary to its seemingly slender and lightweight appearance. The Judging Holy Sword was indeed not as light as an ordinary long sword, but rather quite substantial.

As Vilyric lifted it, she made a quick assessment.

“This sword… must weigh nearly a thousand Helks, right? Is it really okay to use it in everyday practice?”

She recalled clearly that when she met Fleidetrika at the Winged Garden in the Kingdom of Azure, the latter had directly slung this holy sword at her waist. Even legendary-tier beings carrying such heavy objects should find it challenging to go unimpeded.

Helk was a somewhat common unit of weight in this world, named after a stone giant from the mythic era, representing heaviness; one Helk approximated three kilograms.

Watching the White Fox Girl exclaim in admiration while holding the holy sword as if it were a feather, the astonishment on Fleidetrika’s face was evident.

“Miss Xi’s strength… certainly piques curiosity. You guessed correctly; the Judging Holy Sword, as a treasure bestowed by the gods, cannot be drawn by anyone not recognized by it. Forcing the draw would mean suffering its sharp bite. Though you are strong, please take care.”

“This sword of unknown material weighs 999 Helks.”

“The power of the Judging Holy Sword is too fearsome; it is said that no Judging Saintess has been able to fully unleash its strengths, nor could it be stored in an ordinary space tool for long without damaging it. Hence, under normal circumstances, I prefer keeping it by my side.”

“999 Helks, huh…”

That’s nearly three tons heavy, right? A three-ton sword… tsk tsk.

By that reasoning, the fake holy sword unearthed in the City of Saint Sanos should have been recognizable as problematic by anyone well-versed in the three sacred artifacts. But now that things had fermented, the exact truth no longer mattered.

At that thought, for some reason, an image suddenly popped into Vilyric’s mind.

In a well-known TV series adapted from a famous novel in a country of the Blue Star, a certain king on a certain mountain would, before clashing with the protagonist, typically bellow, “Bring me my weapon!” and then a dozen little minions would come lugging a clearly overweight weapon, only to have that king pick it up effortlessly… or something like that.

Cough, why does it feel like the scene could totally be reenacted…

While her mind wandered, Vilyric didn’t just stand there; she quietly activated her “Information Detection” on the holy sword.

Soon, a piece of information appeared before the girl’s eyes.

【Judging Holy Sword (Unreleased)】

【Grade: Holy Artifact】

【Description: One-third of the original artifact derived from the fruit of xxxx, representing【Holy Punishment】, possessing the overwhelming attack power capable of cutting through xxxx and interfering with causality, but due to protective seals, its true power cannot be unleashed for now.】

Ah? Is that it?

Eh… this level of brevity rivals the terse descriptions given to her back when Xi Fu Lin showed her the life law artifact, the “Birth Flower,” right?

   

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