Chapter 364
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Chapter 364: Didn’t You Say You Didn’t Dream?
Without a doubt, the sight of Hillenbrand Town shocked the Lady of Light and Janine Irene just as much as when Lolth revealed the Rod of Eden and transformed into a second-rank form on stage.
They had never seen such a sight, even in the brightest Holy Capital where the "light of the Lord" was strongest.
Although there was indeed no hunger or cold there, and even no threats from magical creatures…
Most of the residents living in the Holy Capital came from various noble families of the Holy Empire or were devout believers chosen by churches from different regions.
Within the Holy Capital, they would not fall ill, could partake in the Holy Communion daily, and listen to the bishop’s prayers, finding a church within a ten-minute walk.
However, for some reason, the Lady of Light and Janine Irene felt…
It seemed that the believers living in the Holy Capital were not any "happier" than the residents of Hillenbrand Town.
Those believers, nobles, and even many priests and knights, although they always wore smiles and seemed very satisfied, still…
Felt like something was missing.
The former Lady of Light did not realize this. When she took over many affairs of the church during the Pope’s illness and after traveling through the Papal State and other parts of the Holy Empire, she noticed that something was wrong…
The residents of the Holy Capital seemed to be stripped of a certain "freedom."
Although they were all very devout, living in the Holy Capital was a great honor for them; still, the Lady of Light felt that those residents were not truly "happy."
This was a rebellious little thought she had when she was still immature as the Holy Maiden, which she never mentioned to anyone except Janine Irene.
Janine Irene and she had become increasingly indifferent to this point after encountering more and more of the continent’s realities.
Because in places outside the Holy Capital and Papal State, even in the Holy Empire, the residents continued to suffer from hunger, cold, and illness.
The Lady of Light was not naive; she could understand these things…
The church cannot make everyone live in true happiness right now.
So all she can do is try her best to use her influence to change some things in the Holy Empire, making life a little better for those who suffer.
Therefore, in the hearts of the Lady of Light and Janine Irene, "happiness" and "freedom" have become opposing ideas.
Because there is no way to have both.
Just like the two of them.
If they had not shown their talent for the Holy Light, they would have stayed in the orphanage, possibly still living in poverty and hunger, or even dying in a harsh winter long ago.
Now, both of them hold high positions and have become legendary Superoperators; besides their natural "luck," they have also paid the price of "freedom."
As the commander of the Oracles Knight Order and the Holy Maiden, it is expected that they are not free.
So, as residents of the "Holy Capital," enjoying the protection provided by The Church of Light, they must follow certain small rules set by the church about "behavior" and "thought."
It is also reasonable.
This is a "must" thing.
It is also unavoidable.
The Church of Light is already the best on the continent. It allows some people to live without worries about food and clothing, and they only need to pay a tiny "price."
Whether it is Seychelles, Ryman, Golden Peacock, the Seven Kingdoms, or other places under the protection of churches, whether it is the self-proclaimed noble elves, the dwarfs with ancient technology, or the strong Orcs, none of them do as well as The Church of Light.
Lady of Light used to believe this firmly.
Until she saw the scene before her.
The people here, in the territory of the Abyssal Demon, under the rule of the fallen "Succubus Saintess," seem to be both "happy" and "free."
Why is this…?
The Lady of Light was confused.
"Is this what the elder wanted me to see?"
She felt some doubt in her heart.
Behind her, Janine Irene, who had come to her senses… called out directly.
"It’s fake… it’s all fake!"
"How could it be so thriving here… everything is part of that ‘Fallen One’s’ scheme!"
"Your Holiness, this must be a show put on by the other side… they want to deceive us."
Janine Irene turned away, gritting her teeth as she spoke softly.
As a Paladin, the only things she cared about were how to protect Her Holiness and how to maintain the dignity and reputation of the church.
The mission of the oracle did not include expeditions, so spreading the lord’s glory across every part of the continent was not her first thought.
Therefore, in her feelings toward Her Holiness, the "fallen Lady of Light," seemed somewhat worthy of sympathy to Janine Irene.
Now, the other party’s actions undoubtedly showed that she had fallen completely!
The other side was willing to deceive to sway both herself and the Holy Maiden, having forgotten all the teachings of Holy Light.
They had thought that the other could still use the power of Holy Light, likely because she had not completely fallen and still had some good qualities in her heart!
After all, Janine Irene deeply understood the state of the Holy Capital.
She had also heard Her Holiness speak about it countless times, always feeling that both the "Holy Capital" and the Holy Empire were not perfect enough.
However, the Church of Light was undoubtedly the best church on the continent!
How could a mere fallen traitor create a paradise that looked better than the Holy Capital after leaving the church!
Here, there is clearly no holy meal to eat, no church to believe in, monsters must be driven away by humans, and the residents have to take part in heavy labor and work. Moreover, the stone tablet in the square has even more complicated "rules"…
How could life here be happier than in the Holy Capital?
The one whom I follow, Her Holiness, is also the most perfect Her Holiness!
How could a fallen one compare to the past?
This is all just a trick to let Her Holiness and ourselves fall.
There is no doubt that the people in this town must have fallen under the mind spells of the Succubus clan to show such appearances!
Janine Irene thought this and angrily pulled the curtains shut again.
"Her Holiness, in my opinion, there is nothing to say with that ‘traitor’; she is not even one of our seniors anymore!"
Janine Irene said with righteous anger, "She even willingly fell to learn the spells of the Succubus clan—our dreams must be because of this!"
Janine Irene said this, and the Lady of Light looked at her, paused for a moment, and then asked.
"Irene, didn’t you say… you didn’t have any strange dreams?"
