Chapter 203
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Chapter 203: Don’t Come Near Me!
Lolth, immersed in the sorrow of “it seems like I have succeeded again,” failed to notice that her out-of-control Supreme Divine Spell model was actually yielding another success.
Meanwhile, at the genuine Eden Falls divine spell, the caster, the Lady of Light, immediately detected something unusual.
“Why has the Rod of Eden halted?”
She opened her eyes, revealing a confused expression.
Despite her spell still being in progress, the Rod of Eden’s flight toward this location had stopped.
This caused the Lady of Light to feel quite perplexed.
The projection of the Garden of Eden continued calling to the Rod of Eden.
It should not have behaved this way.
Using the Eden Falls divine spell to summon the Garden of Eden projection, the Lady of Light also began to survey the entire Vera Plain.
Soon, she discovered a powerful surge of Holy Light near the Rod of Eden, which was suspended above Hillenbrand Town.
Although its intensity wasn’t as powerful as the divine spell of Eden Falls, it was so close to the Rod of Eden that it successfully confused the self-judgment capability of this “Divine Artifact,” which had already developed some intelligence.
Though Divine Artifacts created by gods typically lack true self-awareness, they still possess a certain degree of “intelligence.”
For the Eden Divine Artifact, it originally sensed the call of the Garden of Eden and naturally flew toward it.
However, now the coordinates of the Garden of Eden seemed somewhat ambiguous.
Below itself, there appeared to be a location that was closer and more reminiscent of the Garden of Eden!
Since both are projections of the Garden of Eden created by divine spells, they actually feel somewhat “artificial” to the Rod of Eden.
Selecting a more authentic one from two imitations means that even a truly intelligent Divine Artifact might experience confusion.
Not to mention the Rod of Eden.
Therefore, it remained suspended in mid-air.
The Lady of Light comprehended this after her investigation.
However, what she couldn’t understand was…
“Why is there a sudden surge of powerful Holy Light and a presence that resembles the Garden of Eden?”
It’s crucial to understand that only former Popes and previous Ladies of Light are permitted to learn the Supreme Divine Spell.
These individuals are the most devoted followers of the God of Light and would never betray the church.
The current saintess is myself, and the current pope… The Lady of Light knows him well; he’s receiving treatment in the underground palace of Eden in the Holy Capital, primarily in a state of deep sleep to extend his fading life.
So this must certainly be the Supreme Divine Spell, but who cast it?
It absolutely cannot be the demon race.
There are two possibilities: one is that a cardinal or a member of the Privy Council exceeded their authority and secretly learned the Supreme Divine Spell.
After all, they might have access to where the Supreme Divine Spell is documented.
In fact, part of the method for casting the Supreme Divine Spell exists within the Privy Council of the Holy Capital.
If the elders and bishops of the Privy Council were to steal from themselves, then it indeed remains a possibility.
And the other possibility…
Is that a former Lady of Light or pope was revived by the demon race.
After all, the pope and the saintess have been succeeded for over seventy generations. Not all popes and saintesses meet a favorable end, dying in the Holy Capital and being interred in the Sacred Rest Cemetery.
Even the ninth Lady of Light, who lost the Light Artifact back then, disappeared while searching for it.
If her remains were discovered by the demon race and desecrated or controlled through some arcane method… or perhaps she simply survived by chance and was corrupted by the demon race’s charm…
Although it’s unclear why she can still utilize the God of Light’s magic, this possibility exists and may even be greater than the previous one.
After all, even though the Church of Light faces serious factional struggles due to the old pope’s imminent death, it hasn’t reached the point of aiding the demon race.
Especially since both she and Janine Irene have never aligned with any faction, it’s even more improbable for anyone to surrender the Light Artifact just to halt her growing influence.
Of course, the Lady of Light has never dismissed the possibility that some bishop has truly descended into madness.
Though she appears pure and holy, she is quite perceptive.
Perceptive enough to discern many facets of human nature; she understands well that even in the most “holy” church, the hearts of its most devoted believers can harbor shadows.
Because this is inherent to human nature.
Even Janine Irene occasionally experiences impure thoughts in her nighttime dreams.
Whether it’s the former saintess, the pope, or the current bishops and elders, all can be overcome by the darker aspects of their hearts, leading to thoughts of falling.
The deity they worship can sometimes be excessively merciful, allowing even lost believers, like straying lambs, to bask in his light.
But regardless, the Lady of Light recognizes that this time… she has failed.
I have maintained Eden Falls for four days, and my mental strength has been excessively depleted.
This summoned divine spell was already barely sustainable.
Indeed, after several minutes, the projection of the Garden of Eden above her head began to fade.
This Supreme Divine Spell is approaching its conclusion.
The Paladins and priests, who had already noticed this, all displayed looks of confusion.
“What happened?”
“Why has the staff ceased moving…”
Observing these bewildered individuals, the Lady of Light sighed.
“The time to reclaim it has not yet arrived; this is our Lord’s design… We already know its location; we will certainly recover the Rod of Eden next, but for now, we should depart.”
As she announced this, the Supreme Divine Spell – Eden Falls completely dissipated, and they returned to the carriage.
Janine Irene sensed that the Lady of Light had more to convey. After giving the retreat order, she quietly questioned the Lady of Light.
“Your Holiness, what transpired?”
“There may be a traitor among our Lord’s most devoted followers… It could be a bishop, an elder, or perhaps one of the saintesses or popes we presumed dead.”
The Lady of Light spoke softly, causing Janine Irene to feel profound dread in her heart.
“Have circumstances truly deteriorated to this extent?”
Janine Irene, who typically heeded the saintess, now found it difficult to accept.
“Someone assisted the demon race in utilizing the power of Holy Light at the Supreme Divine Spell level to retain the Rod of Eden.”
The Lady of Light stated this calmly, yet again revealed information that nearly caused Janine Irene to gasp.
Meanwhile, in Hillenbrand Town, after Eden Falls vanished and the Oracles Knight Order began retreating, the Rod of Eden made its own decision.
It turned and flew toward Lolth.
Lolth, who finally perceived the wave of Holy Light and had just managed to catch her breath, looked up to see the Rod of Eden flying toward her for some inexplicable reason, displaying even greater anguish on her face.
“No—don’t come near me!”
