“Why are you here too?!”
Suna instinctively pointed her wand at Reg. What was going on? Why did these two just happen to show up at the coordinates given by the Demon?
“Calm down first, and don’t misfire!” Reg quickly raised his hands to shield himself. He immediately noticed that the damaged wand in Suna’s hand was of excellent quality.
Since childhood, he had often seen his family members showing off all sorts of excellent weapons, so he knew very well the destructive power of such superior gear.
Even if it was only second rank, as long as Suna unleashed her magic at full force, Reg wouldn’t die, but he would be seriously wounded.
To calm Suna down, Reg explained that they had learned from the black market in Watchtower City about a very hidden Hidden Mini-Dungeon here, and so they had come to explore it.
“Is that so?” Anderson looked confused. Wasn’t Reg the one who suddenly had the impulse to come here?
Concealed by the tall grass, Reg quickly shot a glance at Anderson, who wisely kept quiet. Meanwhile, Suna cautiously lowered her wand.
Phew… I thought Reg and the others had become the Demon’s servants too. Guess I was just overthinking.
Reg then began to call Truth telepathically:
“Boss, Suna has arrived.”
Before coming here, Truth had told Reg to have her bring Suna to clear the mini-dungeon near Watchtower Fortress. Reg was well aware of the rules—no exposing Truth’s existence.
Watching Suna anxiously gesturing as she hurriedly explained why she had come here, Reg suddenly grew curious about the contract she had signed with Truth that made Truth care so much for her.
In the end, Suna’s excuse was that she wanted to use the restroom nearby, so she came to this seemingly deserted place.
The next second, she suddenly felt the Demon’s mark left on her flare up with heat. Truth was using the Hunting Mark to pinpoint Suna’s location:
“Go clear the Treasure Cave of the Highland Guardian for me.”
Ah… Suna was momentarily stunned. So the Demon wanted her to farm the dungeon? And such a hidden one at that—what did it all mean?
Suna had no idea why the Demon was doing this, but it was definitely not just to have her level up.
Actually, it was exactly to level her up here.
“Well, what a coincidence. Since you’re already here, how about we explore together? More people means more security. Anderson and I are searching for the dungeon’s activation button now, so you can help too.”
Reg took the initiative to invite Suna, who decisively agreed, setting down her wand and crouching with Reg to search for the button among the surrounding grass.
“Aren’t you going to the restroom anymore?” Anderson, standing nearby, shrugged and asked with curiosity, only to get a fierce glare from Suna.
What is even going on? Anderson didn’t ask further and continued looking for the button. Five minutes later, Reg finally found a strange stone and pressed it.
With faint but continuous vibrations, a cave entrance appeared before the three of them—only a meter tall and half a meter wide.
–
When Aisia’s caravan entered Deya City, the residents cheered excitedly. The Director of Law Enforcement Bureau hurried over with officers to maintain order.
“Welcome, Saintess. Where would you like to go ahead? We will clear the crowds in advance,” said Koster, riding a warhorse beside Aisia’s carriage.
“Where is the city’s High Priestess? I need to see her about something!” Aisia smiled warmly as she greeted the crowd but spoke coldly to Koster.
“Achoo!”
On the western city wall of Deya City, Tia suddenly sneezed. Strange, the weather hadn’t turned cold recently.
“What’s wrong, High Priestess? Did the wind give you a chill?”
Surrounded by a group of fully armed adventurers and soldiers, President Edwin of the Adventurers’ Association asked Tia.
“No, just an itchy nose. How’s the fire dragon?”
“No significant damage. Since yesterday afternoon, it’s been circling near our town, seemingly searching for something.”
“Could its egg have been stolen again?!”
“Again? What do you mean again?”
A kilometer above the city walls, the Seventh Rank Fire Dragon from Dragon Valley had returned near Deya City. No one knew its intentions.
Deya City immediately went on high alert. Tia was summoned to organize medical logistics. They even sought emergency aid from other cities.
After all, tomorrow was the Divine Selection Ceremony, and the population was already double the usual. If the fire dragon unleashed its breath, casualties would be countless.
“So, reinforcements arrived?” Tia asked, avoiding the question about the egg.
“No. No response from the Rebirth City. And the nearest Watchtower Fortress is in rebellion for some reason; their troops can’t spare forces. The other two cities have dispatched troops but still have a day and a half journey.”
“By the way, when will the Sixth Saintess arrive? She should be able to handle the fire dragon.”
“She was supposed to have arrived yesterday. I don’t know what happened on the road. For now, we can only hope for the best.”
Tia knew the selfish Goddess of Life wouldn’t protect Deya City anymore. Her last intervention was only to take Truth and Reg away.
Even if Deya City were destroyed, its people would be mocked elsewhere for their lack of faith:
“Isn’t it because your faith is weak? If it were strong, the Goddess would have saved you long ago!”
Besides, the fire dragon was deliberately keeping its distance from the Mist. It clearly feared the Hermit.
As long as it didn’t provoke the Mist, the fire dragon had no real opponents in Deya City.
Just as Tia and the others were at a loss, a soldier climbed up the wall, panting:
“Report! High Priestess, the Law Enforcement Bureau sent word that the Sixth Saintess Aisia has arrived at the Goddess of Life’s Cathedral and is looking for you!”
The adventurers and soldiers on the wall were stunned for a moment, then their tense hearts relaxed instantly:
“Hooray!”
Loud cheers echoed along the western city wall. Great! The Saintess has come. Now we can breathe easier!
In their hearts, every Saintess was almost omnipotent. A mere Seventh Rank Fire Dragon was nothing to fear.
They also silently clasped their hands in thanks to the quasi-Saintess Truth. Thankfully, she had become a Saintess and the Divine Selection Ceremony was set for tomorrow, allowing the Sixth Saintess to arrive in time to deal with the dragon.
Indeed, wherever the Saintess went, blessings followed!
Tia let out a long sigh. She knew just how powerful the Saintess’s security was. Those two Eighth Rank bodyguards alone could counter the fire dragon, not to mention another hidden presence.
Soon, Tia rode the garrison’s carriage swiftly to the cathedral. The area around was already packed with people eager to catch a glimpse of the Sixth Saintess.
Entering the cathedral, Tia saw Aisia with her back turned, devoutly praying before the statue of the Goddess of Life. The sunlight through the windows made Aisia look incredibly pure.
“Priestess Tia pays respects to Saintess,” Tia greeted with a very proper salute. Aisia turned sharply and said coldly:
“You’re the one responsible for teaching Truth, right?”
“Uh… yes…”
Tia looked up and saw Aisia’s little face puffed with anger. What was going on? Why was she so mad?!
“Well done!” Aisia pointed a finger at Truth, who was hiding nearby, casually whistling with pursed lips:
“You actually taught her into… uh… such a clueless person!”
Aisia wanted to call Truth an “idiot” outright but feared it would be too harsh and Truth wouldn’t handle it well.
“Huh?”
Me?! Tia’s eyes widened. I’ve taught her with all my heart and soul, but she’s still Truth… no, the Hermit… wait…
Why am I even thinking that way!
Tia realized she had unintentionally disrespected the Hermit. How could she do such a thing? It was utterly treasonous!
“Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry…” Tia immediately knelt and lowered her head to apologize, “Sorry, Hermit! I really didn’t mean it!”
“Hmph, apologizing now is too late. Go explain yourself to the Goddess.”
Aisia crossed her arms and looked down on kneeling Tia with a hint of disdain. It was a look of superiority, though she was only about half a head taller than Tia.
Ignoring Aisia, Tia continued her self-reproach.
“Uh…”
Aisia suddenly felt a bit sorry. Was her tone too harsh? This reaction was way too extreme. Poor Tia…
“Fine… fine. Since you’re so sincere in your apology, if the Goddess blames you later, I’ll try to put in a good word.”
“What?”
Tia stood up, dumbfounded. Aisia was saying something incomprehensible.
“I said I’ll say good things for you later! Were you even listening?”
Not really. With the Hermit’s backing, Tia wasn’t too worried about the Divine Selection Ceremony anymore. But she still had to deal with Aisia, who would guide Truth to meet the Goddess.
“Actually, it’s the Goddess’s tacit approval that Truth doesn’t learn the Saintess’s etiquette!”
That was Tia’s explanation. Aisia was momentarily stunned, then gritted her teeth:
“Do you take me for a fool? Saintess etiquette is a special ritual to channel the power of faith. If Truth doesn’t learn it, how is she supposed to use the Saintess’s power?”
“Uh…”
Faith channeling? Tia had never heard that Saintess etiquette served that function before. Now she was at a loss and could only look at Truth pleadingly:
You better show some results!
Faith channeling? Truth was also a bit surprised. Didn’t you just need your hands?
Then, in front of Tia and Aisia, Truth gently raised her small hand. A soft white orb of light appeared, gently swaying like jelly.
It was a bit of faith collected from Tia.
“Ah?!”
Like witnessing something incredible, Aisia’s mouth dropped open as she stared intensely at the orb of faith in Truth’s hand.
This girl could channel faith power without the Saintess ritual—and so skillfully!
I don’t believe it!
Aisia hurriedly stepped in front of Truth to examine the orb, confirming it was indeed faith power, and that Truth could channel it without the Saintess ritual.
“So… it’s true…” Aisia stammered. This was practically a minor miracle.
Usually, only deities could use faith power without special rituals. Who exactly was she? No wonder Tia said the Goddess tacitly allowed her to skip Saintess etiquette!
“Eh?” Tia also wondered, how did Truth just conjure a light orb and completely stun the Sixth Saintess?
Could the Hermit be secretly lending a hand?
Meanwhile, as Aisia kept touching her small hand, Truth could only say:
Sorry, it’s an innate skill I have from the start. If you find it impressive, I apologize.