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Chapter 126: The Saintess Who Is Not a Saintess

More than a thousand years ago, the world was far from the richness and tranquility it is today.

The abrupt disappearance of the gods plunged a world that had been orderly under their protection and rule into unprecedented chaos.

The Great Collapse followed.

It was a dark age. Before this, no one had imagined what a world without deities would be like, and thus, after a brief period of panic and unease, the reshuffling began.

Countless countries, both large and small, sprang up like mushrooms after a rain in just a hundred years, fighting among themselves over the leaderless lands left by the departure of the gods, while all kinds of evils that had been suppressed by the gods, as well as formidable enemies from outside realms, also began to stir.

Races unable to adapt to the new environment were rapidly eliminated, perishing or fading away into seclusion, while a few evolved into new forms and abilities, becoming the leading forces of the new era.

During that time, the world’s population was decreasing at a visibly rapid rate; countless once-glorious races from the mythological era went extinct and vanished, as the land was shrouded by endless war. The strong refused to submit to one another, while the weak were forced to seek new places of refuge.

As for what is now known as the Holy Empire, this vast and fertile land in the center of the world naturally became the primary target for many strong races vying for control.

The Eastern and Western Empires, as recorded in the Saint Nation’s official history, emerged during that period along with many smaller countries.

Of course, both the Eastern and Western Empires had their own names back then, and their ruling classes were not human.

Rather, during that chaotic time, the human race—a group with a large population base, high reproductive capacity, but short lifespans and relatively weak individual strength—faced the most severe bullying and oppression, one of the few races not facing extinction, though their living space was ruthlessly and intensely squeezed.

Thus, some humans began to flee to the relatively remote west, building new homes that would become the precursor to the United Kingdom of Humanity, while another portion remained scattered across the world, bearing increasingly harsh oppression day and night for various reasons.

In such an environment, naturally, a religious awareness arose among the lower classes, filled with a yearning for light and redemption, as well as a longing for racial equality.

This became the organization now referred to as the Church of the Goddess.

However, at that time, this group was merely called the Radiant Light Church, far from its current size and influence. Its spread was limited to word-of-mouth among the lower classes, and it had none of the complex and complete hierarchy, codes, or forms of veneration for the light that exist today.

After a long day’s toil, the short, rare leisure moments were filled only with heartfelt prayers for “Light and Redemption”—that was all.

Thus, even though the Radiant Light Church quickly spread among the lower intelligent beings primarily represented by humans like a raging wildfire, it still lacked individuals with enough leadership to form a clear power and organization.

Weakness, after all, was the fundamental reason for their oppression and exploitation.

The turning point originated from three human girls residing in the area now known as Mingguang City, who encountered an incredible coincidence one day.

That was the advent of the three sacred artifacts of light.

The ancient texts passed down in the Summerfield Family vaguely chronicled those mythic events.

“In the mountains, they lost their way, moving forward aimlessly.”

“They were hungry and fearful, desiring redemption, praying to the light that represented hope.”

“Oh… they prayed… they prayed… and He answered.”

“Thus, they saw a tree.”

“Oh, the tree—a flourishing tree, an ancient tree, a tree that nurtured magic and hope—it bore fruit, the fruit being the child of the world, an eternal gift.”

“They moved ahead, and fruit fell, breaking on the ground, the fragrance soaking into their bodies, the shattered fruit splitting into three. They heard the call.”

“The tree was no more, so they moved forward, picking up the three parts of the fruit. The fruit transformed into light, that was a holy crown, a long sword, and a ring—gifts from the tree.”

“And so, they returned to the world.”

…

“Uh… so you want to say that the three sacred artifacts of the Holy Nation actually fell from… a tree?”

For some reason, the voice of Miss White Fox behind the mask took on a strange tone, but Yuna simply thought she was surprised by the astonishingly real history and nodded.

“Indeed, this is the true origin of the three sacred artifacts of light and the divine bloodline, and not the account recorded in the Holy Empire’s history, which states they were divine gifts and blessings bestowed by the Light Goddess. Therefore, in most cases, these three sacred artifacts can only be used by the direct descendants of the three divine bloodlines because the fragrance that granted us special powers is from the broken fruit.”

“Okay, but then… what about the Light Goddess? Since the first three Saintesses never saw her, how can her existence be defined? Could this just be a virtual image created by the Church of the Goddess to gather the faith of the people?”

The Saintess turned around, her meaningful gaze sweeping over the White Fox Girl, and she smiled lightly, shaking her head in resignation.

“The Goddess certainly exists. The three sacred artifacts hold an extremely pure light power, far beyond what ordinary beings can imagine. Every past Saintess who wielded the artifacts has, to varying degrees, caught glimpses of her hazy figure in moments of confusion, whether in dreams or while progressing.”

“The real feeling that comes from the depths of one’s thoughts proves the deep connection between the three sacred artifacts and the Goddess.”

“Then why did the tree that bore the three sacred artifacts appear in front of those three ordinary girls who only prayed sincerely for ‘Light and Redemption’? Why can the Saintesses holding these artifacts see her hazy figure and feel her existence? Why… do we, the divinely bloodlined, receive the blessings and power of light?”

Yuna extended her hand, pure and untainted golden light appearing in her palm, flickering gently like stars, perfectly matching the crystal-clear and flawless hair flowing behind her.

The girl chuckled lightly as she spoke.

“There is only one answer: She who listened to our prayers, who represents ‘Light and Redemption,’ responded to our pleas, descending blessings, gifting followers the power to change their fate and future.”

“Thus, the Goddess must exist, even if I have never seen her with my own eyes; I will always believe this.”

“Well then… uh… huh?”

Lost in thought, Miss White Fox suddenly furrowed her brow, instinctively focusing her gaze on the crown atop the Saintess’s head, adorned with countless gems, exuding a holy aura, as if it were the highest and holiest artifact in the world.

She suddenly thought of a terrifying possibility.

A possibility that could overturn the current structure of the Holy Nation.

Just think back to when she first saw Yuna at the Lingyin Merchant Association sale; the latter had always worn this lavish holy crown, almost never taking it off, no matter the time or place.

The light attribute energy emanating from this object was also quite staggering, combined with its eye-catching appearance, causing many people, including Vilyric… to naturally regard it as the true form of the sacred artifact, the “Crown of Uncrowned,” simply because of its association with the Saint of Bright Light.

But… is this truly the light artifact, the “Crown of Uncrowned”?

Why has Yuna never used the power of this supreme treasure among the three sacred artifacts until now? Is it simply because her peak power was enough to handle those situations, making the use of the artifact unnecessary?

That’s a very reasonable explanation and a kind of habitual thinking.

If no other factors intervened, perhaps Vilyric would continue to believe that, just like her own casual use of those immensely powerful artifacts when not absolutely necessary.

And for outsiders unaware of its real power, it’s all too easy to view the extraordinary abilities displayed by the Saint of Bright Light as the gifts of the artifacts, for the actual battle power of the three Saintesses can indeed exceed level standards.

But, Yuna’s words just now, seemingly unintentional, suddenly made Miss White Fox sense something was amiss.

What does “even though I have never seen her with my own eyes” mean?

To note, Yuna had just mentioned that the past holders of the artifacts could occasionally glimpse the figure of “Her” in a hazy way, herself… the Saintess of Bright Light, why has she not seen her?

Unless… the Saintess of Bright Light is not truly a Saintess.

 

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