“Wow, there are so many more summonable Monsters now, along with plenty of Second Rank Materials and Common low-tier equipment. The rewards in the Mist are finally becoming substantial.”
After reviewing her advanced Skills, Truth began researching her next Dungeon design.
However, compared to the richer rewards, she was more interested in the new small traps.
Stone doors that opened and closed automatically based on trigger conditions, rolling stones, and various small buttons and switches—even though she could only make simple traps for now, they were still terrain interactions that could greatly enhance the playability and interactivity of the Dungeon.
As for whether it was torturous, she would have to see the Adventurers’ evaluations first.
Perhaps they enjoyed suffering?
“Truth, something terrible has happened!”
Suddenly, with a familiar and urgent cry, the curtain of the tent was hurriedly pulled aside by Tia.
She spoke to Truth, who was still resting on the sofa.
“A Priestling just sent me word saying something went wrong with Annabelle. Apparently, she was infected by a Demon’s blood and is in critical condition. She needs the power of the Saintess to help purify her!”
Although her favorability toward Annabelle was in the negatives, Tia would never kick someone while they were down at a time like this.
The woman just had a questionable sexual orientation, but she was otherwise quite decent.
Besides, how bad could someone who became a Priest these days really be?
Then, the Second Rank Priest, Truth, immediately demonstrated the lower limit of professional ethics for Priests.
She waved her hand and replied lazily.
“Why are you so nervous? Isn’t her dying a good thing for you? You don’t like her anyway. Maybe if she dies, the Church will send a Commander who doesn’t lust after your body next time.”
Also, what did “Annabelle was infected by Demon blood” mean?
The Demons in The Rift Valley were mostly around the Second Rank, right?
The strongest ones were only Third Rank or Fourth Rank.
What kind of Demon’s blood could severely wound a Fourth Rank Priest?
‘Something feels fishy…’ Truth thought.
Tia, desperate to save her, immediately pulled Truth up from the sofa and spoke coldly.
“Those aren’t words a Saintess should say. While I do hate her, if she were to perish because of my personal conflict, I would feel guilty for the rest of my life. Besides, we Priests are already a vulnerable group. If we don’t help each other, we’re truly finished.”
The current habit of Priests frequently helping one another and standing united was something their predecessors had spent nearly 200 years building.
Now, regardless of race or language, as long as you belonged to the Priest Profession, everyone would look out for you to some extent.
The reason for doing this was to protect and improve the social status of the Priest Profession.
Only by uniting would those forces seeking to persecute Priests be wary.
“Wow, are you really that kind? You’re like a completely different person compared to when you poisoned someone without hesitation.
Oh, by the way, if I said… that if you didn’t help Annabelle, the Hermit would think more highly of you, would you still choose to tell me the news of her infection?
You know, the Hermit has always been cruel.
His favorite sleep aid is the sound of snapping bones and screams of agony.
His favorite program is watching team members kill each other after being driven into a corner.
His favorite thing to do is drive wedges between people.
Basically, he does whatever is evil.”
Truth suddenly wanted to see which was more important to Tia: gaining the Hermit’s approval or the friendship between Priests.
In response, Tia simply turned her face away slightly and let out a soft huff.
“Hmph. The people I killed were all bad guys, not Priests. Why should I be nice to them?
As for the Hermit’s approval… well, I really do want it, but if I truly left Annabelle to die, how would I be any different from an ungrateful wolf?
A big reason I was able to become a High Priest in Deya City was the guidance of several Priest Predecessors.
They taught me step-by-step how to establish myself in this society.
Later, they collectively sponsored my tuition, allowing me to successfully graduate from the Academy and enter the Church.
It’s safe to say that without their help, I might not even have been able to meet the Hermit today.
I thought about paying them back, but they just told me to become a reliable Predecessor and help my juniors and peers just like they did.
So, my answer is very firm: I’m going to help Annabelle!
It’s a matter of principle.
Truth, think about it. If I betray the Priest Profession now and choose to be an ingrate who kicks a companion while they’re down just to please the Hermit, wouldn’t I eventually betray the Hermit for some other purpose too?”
Tia very skillfully used a matter of principle to neutralize the conflict between the two options.
After hearing this, Truth nodded slightly in understanding.
‘An ungrateful person is despised no matter where they are. If Tia really does backstab me one day, I certainly won’t be soft-hearted!’
Then, Truth was led out of the tent by Tia, who walked with quick, small steps.
Truth continued to ask.
“So I should be nicer to other Priests in the future too?”
“That’s right. You must treat every Priest as if they were a biological sister you haven’t met yet!”
“By the way, Truth, I’m suddenly quite curious about the living conditions of Priests 500 years ago. Was it full of intrigue and deception?”
Having never seen intense conflict between Priests, Tia was quite curious about the lives of Priests before they were united.
According to the records of deciphered ancient Stone Tablets, she heard that the status of Priests used to be so low that they couldn’t even afford a Common Priest Robe.
They could only wear clothes that barely had any fabric, being very revealing.
It was truly pitiful!
“There wasn’t much intrigue, but the living environment was indeed precarious. We were often targeted and cut down.”
When engaging in large ten-on-ten team battles, Truth’s favorite thing was to circle around and take out the backline.
Priests were the first choice.
After all, if you didn’t kill the Priest first, they would promptly put a Shield or a buff on their teammates to block Truth no matter which one she targeted.
It was very annoying!
“Targeted? Does that mean you were often persecuted?”
“More or less. Also, Priests back then weren’t like they are now, without any offensive Skills.
So sometimes, for fun, we would let the Priests from both sides duel to see whose was stronger.
Plus, most Players who played Priests were ‘trap’ players using voice changers.
So every time they fought, they would end up entangled, pulling each other’s hair using only basic attacks.
They’d even curse at each other using various voice lines.
It was quite a show.”
Truth thought back to the days of playing with her friends and gradually drifted into beautiful memories.
Tia, however, broke out in a cold sweat after hearing this.
“No wonder the Predecessors said we Priests must stay united. So the Priests 500 years ago lived such bitter lives…
Not being allowed to wear normal clothes was one thing, but they were even forced to fight their own kind for the entertainment of others…
In comparison, the Hermit seems almost kind now.
He’s a bit cruel, but at least he’s quite good to his own people.”
Tia seemed to have discovered why the kind Truth would choose to believe in the cruel Hermit.
In the era 500 years ago, a Priest without a powerful backer simply had no human rights…
Soon, the two of them boarded a prepared Carriage and rushed to the other end of The Rift Valley.
More than half of the Demon Hunters on the Fourth Frontline were gathered there.
At the same time, it was the place where the battle was most fierce because most of the Third Rank and Fourth Rank Demons were concentrated there.
Bypassing the Soldiers who were cleaning up the battlefield, Truth was brought to the entrance of the First Aid Station managed by Annabelle.
She was immediately invited inside by a group of hurried-looking Priestlings.
“Saintess, you’re finally here! Please save our Commander; she’s about to lose her strength!”
Under the guidance of the Priestlings, Truth was finally brought before Annabelle.
The latter was lying on a soft pad, panting heavily.
The back of her right hand was rested against her forehead, and her face was flushed.
“It hurts… It feels so bad… I’m going to die. I need… the power of the Saintess to purify the filth in my body!”
‘This acting is so fake,’ Truth thought, watching with a speechless expression.
“Saintess, please help the Commander!” the surrounding Priestlings urged again.
Truth could only see what Annabelle was actually trying to do first.
“How should I help?”
“It’s simple. You just need to hold the Element of Life in your mouth and then pass it into the Commander’s body mouth-to-mouth!”
A Priestling replied meaningfully, the corners of her mouth twitching as she subconsciously tried to suppress a grin.
She seemed to be chuckling foolishly.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.