No way, me? No way, right? Would I really give myself such a lame title?
I already thought the “Exorcist Nun” I gave myself was lame enough, but that’s just a job title, not some nickname to flaunt outside. It’s not like those childish monikers overflowing with chuunibyou vibes.
But this “Flame Slope Girl” really is a lame and chuunibyou adventurer alias.
It must have been a name a junior high boy came up with—truly unbeatable. Samimi was so embarrassed her toes curled.
“Then what about you? Don’t tell me you’re the ‘Life Slope Girl’?” Samimi asked.
“My codename is Chop Slope Girl,” Qiqi Lin replied.
Samimi felt a bit sour—her title really did sound nicer than her own.
“Fenqigu’s rebellious disciple is our dear friend. Miss, I suggest you not follow that oyster of a master of yours, eating and watching the shop all day,” said Gun Saintess with a faint chuckle.
Judging by the Holy Word Society members’ tone, their attitude toward Saintess Makima wasn’t the sort that made you grind your teeth with anger. There was some respect, but not the type that would make them fight to the bitter end.
“Milady, I’m no longer Saintess Makima’s disciple. She found someone stronger and sent me packing. Now I’m just a wage slave for the society,” Samimi said.
“Sigh, that fits our impression of Makima. She’s exactly that kind of selfish person,” Gun Saintess said coldly.
“Hasn’t Makima been awfully quiet lately? Didn’t she banish the four of you?” Samimi asked.
“Exile us? Don’t make me laugh. Sure, everyone knows she’s a heretic among the clergy, but she’s also inherited the previous Chief Saintess’s Book of Prophecy. No one really knows what abilities made the previous Chief trust her. Anyway, we can’t touch her—otherwise, I’d have already stabbed her myself,” Gun Saintess said with dark determination.
“She’s been using our Holy Word Society’s name to expand her influence, relying on her powerful magic to suppress the other clergy. That’s a clear violation of Star Law and our society’s rules. The Oath of the Twenty-Four Holy Girls was established precisely to prevent this—no matter how much power you gain, you must not misuse it. Yet Saintess Makima is the one who exploits her power,” added Sword Slope Girl, standing at the edge in Black Sword armor, her tone frosty.
“Yes, she’s truly the worst—absolutely terrible,” Samimi chimed in repeatedly.
But deep down, she didn’t actually think so. This time, she found herself more on Saintess Makima’s side, because Samimi believed that the strong ought to use their strength to crush their enemies.
To have power and not use it—just restrain yourself for what? You might as well stay in a sewer, like those nuns hiding down here.
So even if Samimi found Saintess Makima a bit much, she still agreed with her actions. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be willing to help the Saintess with some “dirty work” assignments.
I’m absolutely not doing this for a bonus! It’s for the sake of justice!
But Qiqi Lin, by her side, would never agree with such thinking.
That girl is even more of a power supremacist than me. She joined the Holy Word Society just to obtain power and authority.
I admire Qiqi Lin so much. I envy how pure and direct she is.
It’s just that these so-called “twenty-four Holy Girls” of the Holy Word Society, for all their grand talk of justice, still have hearts that are far too naïve.
Why haven’t you thought that I might be a spy sent by Saintess Makima? Haven’t any of you watched Infernal Affairs? Isn’t it standard for someone who’s been cast out of their sect to become an undercover agent?
Looks like the Saintesses’ sense of caution isn’t that strong. Maybe it’s because they possess overwhelming power—when you’re strong enough, you don’t need to play tricks.
Genuinely cunning types like Saintess Makima and the second little schemer Samimi—those with both brains and brawn—are rare.
“Enough small talk, let’s begin your entrance examination. Qiqi Lin is your sponsor, and I’m the recommender for the society, but for this round, I’m also your examiner. I won’t go easy on you,” Gun Saintess’s expression turned stern, though her tone still sounded like she was reciting a tongue-twister.
“What do I have to do?” Samimi asked about the test.
“I heard from Qiqi Lin that you’re a hero who helped seal the Queen of the Blood-Sucking Ghosts. However, there’s a world of difference between the True Ancestors. The Female Vampire Queen is just a trickster using underhanded means; the Immortal King is a true warrior. Our church spent centuries, and it was only ten years ago that, with the previous Chief Saintess and Chief Demon-Hunting Nun joining forces, we finally managed to seal the Immortal King underground. If you want to join the Holy Word Society, then go to the bottom of the Church Sewers and see the Sealing Array for the Immortal King. If you can reach the bottom, you pass,” Gun Saintess explained at length.
“That’s all?” Samimi asked skeptically.
“That’s all—but whether you can do it, who knows,” Gun Saintess replied, giving her a long, meaningful look.
“…”
Samimi squinted, obviously aware there had to be more to it, but she simply turned around and left, not even bothering to ask further—decisive and neat as always.
But after two steps, she stopped and, in a cold, mocking tone, said, “If you’re all that great, why don’t you go seal the queen yourselves? Are you the ones who sealed the Immortal King? Now you’re giving me an attitude here? You even deserve to form a group?”
With that, she strode off quickly, not giving anyone a chance to respond—just as brazen as ever.
The Holy Word Society Saintesses were stunned. Really, you live long enough to see everything—someone actually dares to mouth off to us?
“How bold! Even bolder than Qiqi Lin. You’re an elf, so we can understand, but why would a cleric act so arrogantly toward us? Young people these days are something else,” Gun Saintess said with a laugh rather than anger.
“It’s because she’s stronger than me. If not for her help, I’d still be stuck in the Female Vampire Queen’s illusion. She uses something called Holy Flame Enchantment, a Vermilion Execution Technique that restrains demons,” Qiqi Lin commented.
“But even with just Holy Flame, there’s no way you could take down the Female Vampire Queen. She must have had some secret tricks she didn’t tell you,” Rain Saintess said, slowly standing and pacing the room, analyzing with a faint smile.
Qiqi Lin didn’t reply.
Because the truth was, she had no idea. She’d been tricked by the illusion.
“Well, let me go test her out myself.”
Sword Slope Girl said coldly, then the figure disappeared—clearly couldn’t wait any longer.
“I can only wish you luck.”
Qiqi Lin could do nothing but wait on the long wooden bench, praying for Samimi’s safe return.
“Damn! What a hassle!”
On the other side, Samimi could only walk alone in the Church Sewers, heading down the network of pipes and construction platforms.
Of course, she had no idea where she was going, and had gotten lost ages ago. But as long as she kept heading downward, she’d eventually reach the bottom.
“Seriously, what kind of genius thought to build their headquarters in a place like this? May the gods curse the engineers! Would it kill you to consider future generations for once?”
But with every step, Samimi had to be extremely careful, terrified of stepping on something indescribable.
She muttered to herself as she walked—since she was all alone, after all.
The rest of the Holy Word Society weren’t that stuck-up, either. With just over twenty members, only four—including Qiqi Lin—were currently guarding the sewers. Who knows where the others were off enjoying themselves.
If Samimi guessed right, everyone must be taking shifts to guard the place. At least that’s a bit humane.
“Honestly, just let it all be destroyed. End it already,” Samimi grumbled as she walked, still mumbling under her breath.
“What do you want destroyed?”
Suddenly, a cold voice questioned her from ahead.
At the end of the pipe, a beautiful, dark-armored female knight appeared, a black sword slung over her back. White hair drifted behind her, her face cold and stern, eyes sharp as blades. She wore not a trace of girlish softness, but was still strikingly beautiful—her chin sharp, her features perfectly chiseled.
This aura screamed invincible. Coupled with the grimy, oppressive atmosphere around them, it was obvious—this was a real menace among warriors.
It was, indeed, the Sword Slope Girl.
“How did you get in front of me…?” Samimi was a little stunned, but quickly realized, “So that’s it. This is the real test.”
As expected, simply reaching the bottom wasn’t enough to pass. These mass-produced Saintesses would come and challenge her—that’s the true trial.
But do we really have to fight in the sewers?
This isn’t some online game. We’re really fighting down here! What if some of that stuff gets splattered on my face, then what am I supposed to do?
“You’re right. This is the real test. If your strength doesn’t satisfy us, you’re not qualified to join the Holy Word Society,” Sword Slope Girl said, and without another word, drew her Black Sword.
That blade was indeed etched all over with magic runes—it was actually a Magic Conducting Staff disguised as a sword.
“Isn’t it dangerous to play with fire in a sewer? What if the methane explodes and blows up the whole church? Fine, let’s just get this over with,” Samimi muttered, utterly exhausted, but now could only brace herself and get serious.
“Show me the power that defeated the Female Vampire Queen,” Sword Slope Girl declared, raising her black sword.
“You’re making a mistake. You should have called your teammates to attack me together. I’ve never lost in a one-on-one fight,” Samimi said.
“I hope your skills are as tough as your mouth,” Sword Slope Girl nearly burst out laughing.
The magic runes on the Black Sword were instantly activated, and the entire blade started emitting brilliant thunder, enveloping the whole pipe in a net of crackling lightning.
“What kind of weird magic is this?” Samimi quickly activated a Magic Shield, using a handy magic potion for protection. Here, she couldn’t fully expand her Magic Domain.
The shield easily blocked the black mist, but it was clear this was only basic thunder energy—there was no real harm.
“You really threw a smoke bomb at me? Fine, then here’s my [Dimming Spell]!”
She flicked out a small yellowish light orb with her hand, but it barely left her shield before it was shattered by a sudden, swift strike.
Samimi was shocked.
That distance…
Sword Slope Girl was right in front of her face, but hadn’t attacked—instead, hid in the black mist. So devious.
If she’d been even a second slower in raising her shield, she’d already be finished.
Sword Slope Girl, just like Qiqi Lin, was a rare Magical Warrior, skilled in both magic and martial arts. It was no wonder all the Holy Word Society’s Saintesses were like this.
“Hidden profession, a Magic Guidance Shaver,” Samimi blurted out, making up a class for her on the spot.