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Chapter 290: The Late Bloom of Heroes

The smile on the old man’s face gradually faded, and after a moment of silence, he spoke softly.

“Miss Xī said that the prosperity of our Holy Nation is merely a facade, concealing the danger of a sudden collapse overnight. May I ask where this flaw truly lies?”

“You’re asking while already knowing the answer…”

With a sigh, the White Fox Girl raised her delicate hand and pointed directly at the towering statue behind the Holy Pope, which, while resembling any statue of the Light Goddess Vilyric, was distinctly different and soared a hundred meters high.

“Of course, it’s right here.”

Before Auguste could respond, Vilyric continued.

“The Holy Empire is a nation with religion as its absolute core; everything here is closely tied to the Church of the Goddess and the Light Goddess Aurora.”

“The nation’s wealth comes from having temples and followers spread throughout the world, benefitting from all around; military strength arises from mastering the ‘Faith-based Magic,’ a unique killer move of the Church; unity, order, and kindness ultimately all stem from the will of the Goddess expressed in doctrine.”

“Of course, I don’t see any issue with this. Rather, I’d say it’s one of the finest examples a religious state can present. If it can be maintained in the long run, it would beneficially serve both the Holy Nation and the world as a whole.”

At this point, the White Fox Girl paused for a moment, seemingly hinting at something further.

“But what if one day… the blessings of the Goddess of the Church disappear?”

Auguste’s aged face remained as placid as a still well.

“Miss Xī, why hypothesize about such an uncertain future? On what grounds do you believe the Goddess will vanish?”

Yet, Vilyric smiled.

“Old Pope, on what grounds can you guarantee that the Goddess won’t disappear?”

Another silence fell, and the Cathedral of Bright Light was ensconced in a long stretch of quiet.

Until the old man sighed lightly and finally spoke again.

“Apparently, Miss Xī has more information than this old man expected. Was it the ‘God Fox’ who informed you? Is it part of that deity’s will to interfere in the turmoil of our Holy Nation?”

“God Fox?”

Oh… that makes sense.

Unlike ordinary citizens, Auguste Lambert is the patriarch of one of the Three Divine Lineages and the Holy Pope of the Holy Empire. With his sources of information, it wouldn’t be too challenging to dig up some deeper insights, like the legend of the Spiritual Fox Priestess or details on how Xī closely resembles her…

Since the Oracle and those from the Lingyin Merchant Association firmly believe that “Miss Xī is indeed the Spiritual Fox Priestess,” similar deductions would naturally occur to Auguste as well.

And speaking of the most closely related and elusive existence to the Spiritual Fox Priestess, it would naturally be that mysterious God Fox.

But…

“I’m afraid I haven’t received any divine message, nor does any deity hold the authority to give me orders. The reason I’m doing this is simply that I want to… such a simple motive.”

The White Fox Girl tilted her head playfully.

“Does that answer disappoint Your Holiness?”

“Want… to, huh?”

Muttering to himself, Auguste’s aged but clear eyes gradually revealed a hint of relief.

“To be truthful, this isn’t the response the old man wishes to hear most, but perhaps it is indeed the most suitable answer.”

He then stepped aside, clearing the path behind him.

“Now, the truths you seek and wish to explore lie below, but it isn’t safe… Miss Xī, I wish you luck.”

Following Auguste’s gaze, Vilyric took a few steps forward, her eyes landing on the place directly beneath the faceless Goddess statue.

Unbeknownst to her, a silver teleportation circle, oddly familiar yet more complex and intricate than most of what Vilyric had seen in this world, began to take shape there.

She turned to look at the old Pope who had now come beside her.

“Not safe, you say? Just to be clear, I can’t guarantee what will happen next.”

Having seemingly let go of something, Auguste’s expression lightened, becoming casual as he irresponsibly shrugged and smiled.

“I simply hope Miss Xī will be mindful and not blow up my Holy Church.”

“Ha…”

With a helpless sigh, the White Fox Miss stepped around the podium and stepped into the teleportation circle.

Silver light erupted, gradually enveloping her body.

Just before the teleportation activated, facing the silent Pope, Vilyric suddenly spoke again.

“By the way, are you really okay with letting Yuna act freely like this?”

“…”

The other party did not respond.

“You support her in doing this, don’t you? Auguste Lambert, striving to change all this while also being the family patriarch and Holy Pope must be quite tough for you~”

“Swish.”

As the silver light flickered, only the elderly man leaning on his staff remained in the Cathedral of Bright Light.

Looking up at the statue of the ‘Supreme Light Goddess,’ which radiated a faint divine aura, the old Pope finally revealed a bitter smile now that he was alone.

“…What terrible sharpness.”

“Hehe… After all, I’m not one of those old monsters. As a divine descendant and believer, it’s only natural to harbor some grievances against the decisions of those before me after learning the truth. Ah…”

The old Pope patted his waist, shaking his head helplessly as he left.

“I’m getting old. It seems it’s about time for me to retire after all this is over.”

…

Fran Province, Holy City.

The setting sun was as red as blood.

“Praise the Goddess!”

The blonde Holy Knight swung her sword, decapitating the last Demon, raising her eyes to shout as she lifted her holy sword, with the holy light piercing the sky, illuminating the dusk closing in.

“Whoosh~~~ Whoosh~~~”

After months of back-and-forth, the Fran Province, a critical stronghold at the border of the Holy Nation, once more flew the golden flag of the Holy Empire in the skies above.

The people, long tormented by the Demons, cheered and ran through the city streets, celebrating the moment when the holy radiance had once again graced their homeland.

Though two eastern provinces still remained under demonic control and the remnants of the enemy were retreating to regroup for a counterattack, this victory after nearly three months of bloody battle undoubtedly injected a powerful shot of morale for the military and civilians of the Holy Empire, who had sunk to unprecedented lows.

“Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom…”

The sounds of victory drums and bells echoed throughout the blood-soaked city.

At this moment, almost everyone genuinely believed that the great Holy Empire would surely achieve a final victory against foreign invasion in the Fourth Demon War, just like throughout history.

Because the Goddess was protecting them.

But there was one exception.

“Princess Yuna.”

In a secluded corner of the battlefield, the Gray-clothed Swordsman, who had just descended from the sky, skillfully folded his metal wings behind him and handed two sealed boxes, evidently made of special magic crystals, to the blonde girl.

Having arrived here unannounced, Yuna Summerfield nodded, not bothering to open them, and simply stored the two boxes in her inventory.

“Good job; you got here faster than I anticipated. That’s great; the Lingyin Merchant Association is still impressively efficient.”

The Soul nodded respectfully but then turned to his surroundings, listening to the cheers and sounds of drums in the distance.

“As Princess Yuna fights valiantly on the front lines, what we’re doing hardly holds weight. Moreover, being able to gather the ‘Enchantment Pearls’ so quickly is also thanks to Miss Xī’s assistance.”

Pausing for a moment, the Soul continued.

“Additionally, Miss Xī has a message she wishes to convey to you.”