But what's the use?
If the quantity is the same, wouldn't the one with higher quality completely dominate?!
The nuns, realizing this, also changed their expressions drastically. They dared not think about what would happen if they failed. After all, they were trapped here now. Wouldn't defeating them mean that more trials would appear?
"Sister Vivi?"
Veraia was suddenly grabbed by Vivius's hand and looked at her with some confusion.
"Did you notice? It seems that the real Pope is locked in the Pope's shadow."
I can sense the lingering presence of your identity as a saintess within you. You are the only saintess of light. Therefore, I request that you awaken the true pope. Is that alright?
Nia?
"But the battle before us..."
"I'll do it!"
Vivius no longer agonized over whether she was human or demon, but she found the current state of the Holy Church somewhat unbelievable. Whether they were dead or alive was alright, but the Pope was not! She wanted to know what had happened to the Pope.
Vivius, who succeeded Vera, once again led the nuns behind her to face the blessed and transformed saints ahead.
This battle is a 10-0 situation for either side, except for the addition of two outside helpers—Liu Lang and Xiao Dai!
"Buy time! I'll upgrade the defenses and attacks of these Lionheart Knights!"
Without saying a word, Liu Lang began to reforge his equipment, while Xiao Dai, with his eight-star defense, was able to block one side of the enemy's attack.
And that was the key to Vivi's victory!
Of course, the most important thing is Verania facing Pope Narmer alone.
At this moment, she was facing the Holy Pope as the Saintess of Light.
"Ah... lost lamb, why did you betray the light and become a fallen demon?"
"Is your sacred faith necessarily correct?"
Look at those nuns who obey you! They are being forcibly controlled by your power!
Past beliefs become shackles for believers; the more devout they are, the more they will become nourishment for your fanaticism!
Pope Nameru! What's wrong with you? Wake up!
Faced with the questioning of the Holy Maiden of Light, Vilania, Pope Namerlu flashed a hint of mockery, but then quickly returned to her familiar smile, and she seemed to be gathering new holy light in her hand, intending to use it on Vilania.
"You don't understand... Only a perfect trial can give birth to a true Saintess of Light!"
The Lionheart Knights saved me back then, but they all perished on the final battlefield... The blood of those demons soaked my robes... The fear of death haunts me...
If it weren't for the arrival of the Empire's support, I wouldn't have survived.
No...this can't be done!
"Saintess of Light—that is my future position, but I am so weak... I must make those who come after me stronger and purer!"
Nameru's murmured voice brought the entire battlefield back to life, and on the other side, outside the battlefield between the two nuns, a new battlefield was created!
Pope Nameru was surrounded by Lionheart Knights, while Verania was surrounded by demons from the demon race!
"Look! This is what a saintess should look like!"
Namel smiled and opened the faces of those Lionheart Knights!
These Lionheart Knights look exactly like Nanameru when she was young!
These Lionheart Knights, who should have been symbols of protection, have become mere puppets to be manipulated at will during the Pope's cycle of trials!
The beautiful memories are gradually being distorted, becoming memories that belong only to her!
Only now did Verania realize something.
That's why the Trial of Light is far more difficult than the other Saintess Trials!
The new pope was once the Holy Maiden of Light!
And that final battle between the Lionheart Knight and the demon legion was a memory she had experienced!
The successor must be stronger and purer than she was!
So those demons became even stronger!
As the future Saintess of Light, she will have to bear even greater dangers! Because Namer survived to the end, Verania will not become the target of the demons until she kills the knight.
No... the Saintess Trial is the Saintess Trial, now is now!
The Saintess Trial ended long ago, and Verania ordered the dangerous trial to stop back then. Even though she took away the identity of the Saintess of Light, it was with the Pope's consent!
But why has it turned out this way now?
"Demon! From the moment you joined the Holy Church, I knew your future, and you... will become my final sacrifice!"
The Pope looked at Villania with a sickly gaze and spoke.
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