Volume 3, Chapter 51 – Determination

A Saintess or Saint is the highest-ranking existence within the Ashurmos Church, second only to the Pope. As the church’s second-in-command, they wield immense power, and even the Three Great Bishops must treat them with the utmost respect; regarding divine oracles, the Saintess’s authority is even higher than that of the Pope.

However, the position of Saintess has remained vacant for over two hundred years since the previous Saintess was killed by the demon king tier existence ‘Red Spider Lily’, who ripped out her heart. During this time, the people of the Ashurmos Church have been trying to find a new Saintess or Saint.

Yet, the position of Saintess is not something just anyone can hold. First, one must possess an extraordinary affinity for holy magic; on this point alone, eighty-five percent of the congregation is disqualified. Besides the strict requirement for holy magic affinity, a candidate must also pass a series of difficult trials.

Finally, and most difficult of all, is obtaining the recognition of the church’s Divine Beast. Only after receiving this recognition can one truly become a Saintess or Saint. Over the past century, a few individuals have completed the trials, but they ultimately lost their qualification because they failed to gain the recognition of the Divine Beast. Years ago, Bai Yanluo herself participated in the Saintess Trial, only to lose her qualification after being sent flying by the Divine Beast.

Undoubtedly, the position of Saintess is not easily attained. But Mengxi was different! She was the Chosen Maiden of prophecy! Most believers, including Bai Yanluo, believed that as long as Mengxi was willing to participate in the Saintess Trial, the position would surely be hers!

The problem was that, until now, Mengxi had never shown any interest in the trial. As the second-in-command of the church, the Saintess’s duties were naturally heavy, involving a high workload and participation in various diplomatic activities, representing the church’s image at social gatherings. Having absolutely no interest in power or such events, Mengxi had refused to participate in the trial. After passing the holy magic affinity test and receiving the title of ‘Saintess Candidate’, she had ignored everything else.

No matter how she and Archbishop Nick tried to persuade her, Mengxi remained completely uninterested in the position of Saintess. Just a short while ago, she had been so dismissive of the role, so why had she suddenly had a change of heart today?

Thinking of this, a touch of confusion inevitably surfaced amidst Bai Yanluo’s shocked expression. Even the other members of the Ashurmos Church who had come with her to find Mengxi felt the same, looking at the silver-haired girl with disbelief as if to ask, ‘Are you serious?’

After hesitating for a moment and suppressing her shock, Bai Yanluo leaned cautiously toward Mengxi’s ear and whispered, “Um, Mengxi, are you serious? Or… have you not sobered up yet?”

In response, Mengxi raised a hand to her forehead with a mix of annoyance and amusement. “Sister Bai, I sobered up a long time ago. Besides, do you think I’m the type who likes to joke?”

“Uh, not really.”

“Then there you have it.”

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“You really want to take the trial?”

“Yes.”

“You want to be the Saintess?”

“Yes.”

“Did those people from the Blackrose Family brainwash you last night?”

“Sister Bai, that’s enough.”

“Alright, one last question. Mengxi, are you serious? You clearly detested it before.”

“Sigh…”

Letting out a long sigh, Mengxi met Bai Yanluo’s azure eyes with great seriousness and patted the white-haired girl on the shoulder. “I’m serious, Sister Bai.”

“…”

Upon receiving Mengxi’s affirmative answer, Bai Yanluo remained silent for a moment before the doubt and confusion in her eyes vanished. Replaced by an expression of joy and excitement, she suddenly jumped up and pulled the silver-haired girl into a hug. “Hahaha!! That’s wonderful! Mengxi! You’re finally willing to take the Saintess Trial! If it’s you, you’ll definitely pass! When that happens, I’ll have a Saintess as my best friend! Heeheehee~”

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“Is there really a need to be this excited…” Mengxi couldn’t help but complain as she struggled to breathe while being squeezed in Bai Yanluo’s embrace.

Bai Yanluo playfully stuck out her tongue, undeterred. “Of course I’m excited! After all, we’re finally going to have a Saintess after a hundred years! You know, that’s the spiritual symbol of our Ashurmos Church.”

“Uh~”

Mengxi couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Bai Yanluo’s words. “Sister Bai, symbols don’t matter to you, do they? You probably just hope that once I become the Saintess, I’ll give you a raise and reduce your workload.”

Having spent so much time with this Heavenly Apostle, Mengxi was already well aware of Bai Yanluo’s true nature. Hearing Mengxi’s words, Bai Yanluo’s face flushed, and she leaned into Mengxi’s ear with a look of mock displeasure. “There are people nearby! Don’t say it so directly!”

“Fine, fine, I get it,” Mengxi said, her voice filled with helplessness.

“Heehee, Mengxi, your big sister here will support you with all her might! If it’s you, you’ll definitely succeed. Once you’re Saintess, remember to give me a raise, okay? And don’t dock my performance pay when I sneak off to slack off.”

“Sigh…”

A bitter smile appeared on Mengxi’s beautiful face. “Please, Sister Bai, the position of Saintess isn’t that easy to get. There are still many people within the church who don’t want me to become the Saintess…”

On the other side, inside the White Star Mansion, within Lady Yumo’s room, Yumo collapsed onto the sofa ‘lifelessly’, completely unaware that her actions had already altered Mengxi’s plans. There had certainly been no shortage of trouble lately; the Marquis and his wife were arrested, Yuan’er was missing, Karina had been caught, the Chosen Son was acting out, and there was that girl Mengxi’s sudden drunken incident. It had all left Yumo feeling internally exhausted.

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If not for the children of the Blackrose Family watching nearby, Yumo would have felt like throwing a tantrum on the sofa regardless of her image. Just then, an old butler knocked on the door and walked into the room with his hands elegantly behind his back.

“Lady Yumo.”

Since there were no outsiders present, Saibok’s way of addressing Yumo naturally reverted.

“Hmm? What is it, Xiao Sai?” Yumo asked slowly, keeping her eyes closed as she rested.

“Lady Yumo, we have ‘finally’ figured out the situation at the Sky Prison.”

“Hmm?” Upon hearing this, Yumo’s long-closed eyes snapped open, and she immediately sat up from the sofa, looking at Saibok with some anxiety. “Then, what about Karina? How is that child?”

“Do not worry, Lady Yumo. Lady Karina is fine for now.”

“Now that you’ve figured out the situation, can I go see the child secretly?”

“You can, Lady Yumo, but you must wait until two days from now.”

“Two days? Why?”

Hearing this, a barely perceptible look of awkwardness flickered in Saibok’s eyes. “Uh, because although we’ve mapped out the defensive barriers and the movement of various alarms, a large number of Imperial Guards are still stationed near the prison. It would still be difficult for Lady Yumo to enter without alerting them. If we alert Xue Tian’ao, Lady Karina might be put in danger. However, we only need to wait two days. By then, the Imperial Guard will be busy preparing for Xue Tian’ao’s Coronation Ceremony, and security will be significantly relaxed, and…”

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Saibok went on and on, explaining the reasoning to Yumo and urging her not to rush, telling her to wait two days before seeing Karina. Of course, these words were all excuses.

‘The real reason was that the other side needed more time to make the act look convincing; if Lady Yumo went now, the secret might be exposed… If it really gets exposed, my hide is as good as gone… No, not just mine! If Lady Yumo finds out we all teamed up to fool her, a lot of people are going to pay for it.’

Thinking of this, Saibok’s heart couldn’t help but tremble. “So, Lady Yumo, please wait for two days.”

Fortunately, Yumo had always trusted her subordinates, and combined with Saibok’s flawless acting, she didn’t suspect anything; she merely showed a disappointed expression and sighed helplessly. “Sigh, I understand.”

“Lady Yumo, are you alright?” Seeing Yumo looking a bit dispirited, Saibok asked with feigned curiosity.

“Do you think it’s possible for me to be alright?”

“Sigh, true. How about this? Lady Yumo, it’s a rare visit to the Sky Dome, why not go out to clear your head? You could take a look at the scenery outside while you’re at it.”

“Clear my head?” Glancing at the scenery outside the window, Yumo murmured thoughtfully to herself. “I suppose that’s possible. Staying inside only makes me feel more depressed. Fine, I’ll go for a walk.”

“Indeed, Lady Yumo.” After nodding in agreement, Saibok looked toward the dragon-horned girl standing nearby. “Xizhi, aren’t you quite familiar with this place? Lady Yumo happens to want to clear her head, so you go with her. While you’re at it, introduce the culture and history of the Sky Dome to her, as well as some ‘local specialties’.”

Upon hearing Saibok’s instructions, Xizhi bowed respectfully. “I understand, Lord Saibok.”

As she replied, the corners of the dragon-horned girl’s mouth curled up into a meaningful smile.