Chapter 43

“Forgive my boldness, but who are you?” Vanessa was stunned for a long time, unable to comprehend what was happening.

She looked at the girl before her, who shared her appearance, with cherry blossom hair and pink heart-shaped eyes.

Although she had a vague idea, she still couldn’t be certain, especially since this girl seemed even younger than her in appearance.

Not only was she slightly shorter, but her attire and demeanor gave off the impression of a pure, lively, and vibrant young girl.

Though she was a bit shorter than Vanessa, the grandeur of her figure was on par.

Vanessa felt that if they walked down the street together, people would likely mistake this girl for her younger sister.

“Me? Haven’t you figured it out yet? Didn’t you see my statue? Tsk, I told you, those statues made me look way older, like a mature woman, when I’m forever sixteen.” The cherry-haired girl seemed quite displeased, muttering her complaints.

“Plus, when they sculpted the statue, they wouldn’t let me wear this outfit. I had to wear the saintess robe. Ugh, so uncreative and uninspired.”

“So, you’re not…?” Vanessa had already guessed, but the truth still caught her off guard.

“Hmm~ If we’re talking about our relationship and lineage, little Vanessa, you should call me great-great-great… great-grandmother. But that makes me sound so old! Who likes being called a grandmother, right? Calling me an ancestor isn’t any better; it’s all too aging.” The cherry-haired girl crossed her arms and pouted.

“Why don’t you just call me by my name, Selina?”

“You… you’re Saintess Selina?!” Vanessa was shocked, feeling as though her entire worldview had been turned upside down.

In the history books, Saintess Selina was depicted as a gentle and elegant lady, whose words were like the morning dew, bringing comfort and warmth to her followers like a spring breeze.

“What, not what you imagined Selina would be like? Or rather, not what you read in the history books? That’s normal. When I’m doing the serious work of a saintess, I have to maintain a certain demeanor. But in private, this is how I am~” Selina said with a smile.

Then, like a curious little girl, Selina playfully darted behind Vanessa, fiddling with her hair and the hem of her dress, even playing with her wing-shaped hair accessories.

“Little Vanessa has such nice hair, so lovely~ Would you like to join me as a church idol?~”

“Is this outfit generated by one of your soul armaments? Wow, that’s impressive. If I could have absorbed two soul armaments like you back then, I would have definitely chosen one that could change outfits anytime. Imagine, dressed in full regalia for formal events, and then switching to the perfect battle attire in a second when fighting the followers of the Demon God Pillars. It’s like a magical girl transformation, so thrilling!”

“Right, right? You understand what I mean, don’t you, little Vanessa? That’s why you chose this soul armament that allows for easy outfit changes, right?”

“Amazing! Little Vanessa, with one-click outfit changes, you save so much time and effort, and even get to change your hairstyle. You really have the talent to be a church idol! Though, you’re still a bit behind me.”

“……”

Vanessa was at a loss. Was this girl, who seemed younger and more childish than her, really her ancestor?

Though it felt somewhat disrespectful to think so, the situation was just too bizarre and hard to put into words.

Vanessa found it incredibly difficult to connect this lively and slightly mischievous girl with the Saintness Selina who was known for her compassion, her great contributions, and her place in history.

This truth was just too hard to believe.

Is this the difference between historical reality and what’s recorded in the books? But then again, it’s not entirely the books’ fault.

Work is work, and life is life. When Selina was acting as the saintess, she was dutiful and compassionate. That doesn’t negate her true nature, right?

Well, Vanessa always thought that as long as someone was a true saintess in their role, their private personality wasn’t that important.

What mattered most was how they treated the people and their abilities and methods.

Regardless of Selina’s personality, her qualifications and sense of responsibility as a saintess were impeccable, which is why the history books focused on that aspect.

As for the other side of her, perhaps it wasn’t that the compilers of the church history were unaware, but they might have felt that revealing this truth would tarnish the Saintess’ sanctity, so they chose to omit it.

This probably wasn’t Selina’s decision, as she seemed completely unfazed by her non-saintess persona being exposed.

Thus, the image of Saintess Selina passed down through history became what it is today, not entirely false, but only showing one side of her, which people then took as the complete picture.

This kind of recording isn’t necessarily right or wrong, but it’s a one-sided way to understand a person. After all, the people recorded in history books were not just simple stereotypes but real, multifaceted individuals.

And people are complex and multi-dimensional.

“So, Ancestor Selina?”

“I told you not to call me ancestor! It makes me sound so old. Do you think a term like ‘thousand-year-old grandma’ suits a youthful and beautiful girl like me??” The pink-haired girl with flowing twin tails pouted adorably.

A youthful and beautiful girl??……

Vanessa suddenly fell silent.

If we’re talking about age, Selina is already over a thousand years old.

Even if we only count the years since her death, she’s definitely not young. Calling her ‘grandma’ wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

Well, if you want to make her sound younger, you could call her ‘auntie’ or something.

Although the Varelis family has eternal youth, and their appearance stops aging after a certain point, that doesn’t change the fact that Selina’s age makes her a grandma.

“Oh dear~ Little Vanessa, you’re not being cute.” Just as Vanessa was silently pondering these things, she felt her cheek being poked by the soft, elastic fingers of the girl before her.

“Just now, you were thinking something quite disrespectful, weren’t you?”

“That’s not acceptable. Thinking ill of your own ancestor doesn’t align with the behavior of a lady of the Varelis family, does it?”

“You’re mistaken, nothing of the sort.” Vanessa smiled naturally, not at all embarrassed by having her thoughts exposed.

“Really, nothing?” Selina smiled back at Vanessa. Even though Vanessa’s expression gave nothing away, it seemed as if all her thoughts had been completely discerned by Selina, not escaping her notice.

Vanessa’s flawless acting couldn’t fool Selina, who was also a Varelis.

It was as if in the arts of acting and tea, Vanessa was playing with what Selina had long mastered, and to Selina, it was all too elementary.

Honestly, if you’re not skilled in these two areas, can you even call yourself a Varelis??

“Ancestor Selina, was it you who saved me earlier?” Vanessa smoothly changed the subject.

“Mhm~ Who else could it be? Is there anyone else here?” The cherry-haired twin-tailed girl smiled.

“After all, little Vanessa said so much, if I didn’t show some concern, wouldn’t that disappoint my descendant’s hopes??” Selina’s words clearly referred to what Vanessa had said while visiting the Holy Church earlier.

“Then, Ancestor Selina, perhaps this is too much to ask, but… could you help me again??” Vanessa’s heart stirred. “The Terraria Continent needs you now…”

“I’m aware of the situation.” Selina sighed softly, rubbing her temples with a troubled expression. “This incident, even in the context of my lifetime, isn’t a small matter.”

“Coincidentally, the Church of Radiance has just expelled their saintess, and the church’s strength has significantly weakened. Faced with something like this, the current defenses of the Terraria Continent might not hold.”

“In fact, I doubt the church even has the authority to unite the human factions against a common enemy. Forget the Demon God Pillars, I’m not even sure if humanity could withstand a demon invasion.”

“Then, Ancestor, could you help me? If you don’t intervene, the Terraria Continent…”

“Of course I know, and I really want to help you, little Vanessa. But as you can see, I died over a thousand years ago. Though I still retain some of my power, I no longer belong to the Terraria Continent. Like the Demon God Pillars, without special means, I can’t directly interfere with the continent.” Selina shook her head, somewhat helpless.

“Saving you was only possible because this place is close to where my soul resides.”

“The Saintess has the right and the duty to lead humanity, and the current Saintess isn’t me.” Selina’s gaze fell on Vanessa.

“Even you can’t help?…” Vanessa’s expression darkened.

“However, little Vanessa, you’re quite lucky. You’ve come at a time when I still have some power to spare. Though I can’t directly interfere with the mortal world, there are still people who believe in me, so I can use that to lend you a hand.” Selina’s tone shifted.

“Lend me a hand? How?” Vanessa looked up, filled with hope, at Selina, who had now dropped her previous demeanor and returned to her solemn self.

This version of Selina was the one recorded in church history, a sacred and flawless saintess.

“I can temporarily possess your body, using it to wield my power. Though I can’t severely injure Erunes, I can force him to retreat.”

“Really?! I’m so grateful. Could you please do it as soon as possible? Otherwise…”

“Wait, let me finish, little Vanessa. There are risks involved in this. Our bloodlines are connected, and there are still people in the Terraria Continent who believe in me, which is why I can possess you. But that doesn’t mean you can withstand the full power of the Blessed Angel without harm.” Selina explained, her gentle eyes filled with compassion.

“I understand.” Vanessa nodded. “I was prepared for this from the start.”

“In that case.” Selina smiled. She wasn’t surprised by Vanessa’s decision; in fact, any descendant of the Varelis family would have made the same choice.

Having been born with certain privileges, one must also bear the corresponding responsibilities.

“Close your eyes, little Vanessa~”

Vanessa obediently closed her eyes. A flash of cherry light enveloped her, and she felt herself being carried away from the holy church by this pink radiance.

————————

At this moment, in Carillian Academy.

Everyone watched in stunned silence. Many students with church backgrounds knelt in prayer, and even the instructors who didn’t much believe in the Goddess of Graceful Radiance or the saintess’s miracles were questioning their own beliefs.

“This time, what is it??” From a distant shelter, Milian exclaimed in disbelief. “Is that… the Varelis my sister always talks about? So, is it the saintess or the goddess who’s appeared??”

“I don’t know either…” Shikondel beside her was equally bewildered. And for some reason, when she saw the cherry-haired angel girl defeated in the sky, her heart felt a sudden pang.

What… is going on??

Had she seen that cherry-haired angel girl somewhere before??

The current turn of events had surpassed everyone’s expectations and understanding. No one knew what would happen next.

Perhaps even Erunes, the Demon God Pillar summoned by the believers, was thinking the same thing.

As the shimmering, multicolored light faded, pure, flawless wings unfurled in the sky, like the only untainted purity in a world of filth.

Like a white snow lotus blooming, the folded wings spread open, revealing the peerless cherry-haired girl, unharmed.

The wings were no longer two, but six!

“Six wings, it’s six wings this time! That’s the right number!”

“See, see! I told you, how could the Goddess be injured, how could she be defeated?? That earlier scene must have been an illusion, created by the Goddess to deceive the Demon God Pillar and its followers!” Some church students shouted excitedly.

“That’s right, the Goddess is invincible! How could she be defeated by Erunes, that heinous and unforgivable Demon God Pillar??”

“Praise the Goddess!”

Like a snow lotus blooming, the girl opened her stunning heart-shaped eyes. Six pure, untainted wings spread out like petals, and countless particles of colored light fell from her wings, landing on the injured people below, instantly healing them.

“My… my severed arm, it’s grown back?!” A severely injured instructor exclaimed.

“Mine too! The scars on my body, they’re all gone?!”

“My lung disease is cured too!”

“Praise the Saintess! Praise the Goddess!!”

“Vanessa…” Having gone through a rollercoaster of emotions, Mirexia watched this scene with a mix of awe, gratitude, and relief. But for some reason, when Vanessa opened her eyes, it gave her a strange feeling.

What… is this? Is it just her imagination??

‘Virtue + 500.’

‘Current Virtue: 2024.’