Volume 1 Chapter 548
by post_apiChapter 548: One Can Only Say That Some Events Occurred
Powerful beings above the initial stage of the Holy Domain are absolutely forbidden from engaging in "wars" between realms; this is a universally accepted agreement.
The battle between the Abyssal Demon and the main plane also demonstrated this principle.
Clearly, the strength of the Director of the Heretic Tribunal is far beyond the initial stage of the Holy Domain.
It may even surpass the Holy Domain, reaching a higher realm.
And the realm above the Holy Domain is…
Demi-god level.
At this stage, just as a Superoperator is someone who has "transcended humanity," those who surpass a Superoperator can be considered even more extraordinary.
Such individuals could be described as… divine beings walking among mortals.
As the name of this realm suggests, it carries the essence of divinity.
If the Holy Domain is where one catches a glimpse of the divine, then the demi-god level…
Signifies a formal entry into the realm of the divine.
As for whether "half" means having one foot in the divine realm or half of one’s body… it naturally varies from person to person.
History has witnessed demi-gods who fell at the hands of ordinary mortals, as well as demi-gods who stood against true deities.
The Director of the Heretic Tribunal is undoubtedly a seasoned demi-god warrior.
In fact, those who ascend to such a position are highly likely to be demi-gods.
The Church of Light, backed by a powerful and righteous god from the main plane’s official deity system, naturally possesses a complete "heritage."
This is reflected not only in Sacred Tools and divine power but also in the inherited "divine spells."
Each generation receives blessings from what may be the strongest gods in the main plane, enabling them to secure vast resources across the continent. Over generations, they have mastered the art of elevating their "level."
Almost every generation of The Church of Light boasts at least two demi-god level figures.
The pope must be a demi-god—even if he isn’t one initially, upon coronation, he is forcibly elevated to demi-god status.
The remaining demi-gods are typically found among the diligent cultivators, Eden knights, Privy Bishops, and Directors of the Heretic Tribunal.
Moreover, with the two types of inherited Sacred Tools from the Heretic Tribunal, even an ordinary demi-god might struggle to defeat him.
The appearance of the Director of the Heretic Tribunal here, in the occupied territory of the demon race, is undeniably an extreme "breach of boundaries."
By breaking the rules, The Church of Light will inevitably face consequences.
But unfortunately, that is a matter for the future…
For now, before the Abyssal Demon becomes aware and responds, the only ones to face this demi-god are the six individuals present.
Lady of Light, Holy Domain Level Initial Stage.
Qiong, Legendary High Level.
Jian, Legendary Middle Level.
Isabella, Legendary Middle Level.
Tina, Epic High Level.
Ann, Epic High Level—yet still a failure.
One Holy Domain, three Legends, and two Epics; even dealing with a Holy Domain High Level might be a challenge…
Not to mention a demi-god!
The only possible reliance might be the torture tower left behind by Lolth.
And there’s hope that this individual, in an effort to delay discovery, wouldn’t dare to unleash his full strength immediately.
Yet, this still isn’t enough to bridge the gap entirely.
Thus, the Director of the Heretic Tribunal even had the leisure to allow Isabella to take the temporarily incapacitated Ann into the torture tower to rest, and to watch as the Lady of Light emerged with Janine Irene.
He gazed down at the Holy Maiden, his eyes narrowing.
"How ironic that His Holiness the Pope, until the very end, refused to believe you had forsaken the glory of the Lord."
He spoke softly, yet his words clearly reached the ears of the Lady of Light.
Hearing this, the Lady of Light looked at the youthful figure with her clear eyes and spoke calmly.
"Lord Director seems to have a skewed understanding of the term ‘betrayal.’"
As she spoke, the power of Holy Light surged around her, gradually enveloping her in a soft, glowing aura.
"I have seen too many obstinate betrayers who mistake the Lord’s mercy for leniency," the young man shook his head. "That is precisely why we exist… to teach, to guide, to punish—no matter what, the Lord may be merciful, but our negligence would be sacrilege."
As he said this, he gently unfurled the long whip from his staff.
"Her Holiness—even you are not exempt!"
With these words, the long whip suddenly lashed towards the Lady of Light.
"Protect!"
"White Frost!"
The two knights shouted simultaneously, positioning themselves in front of the Lady of Light.
After ensuring Ann was settled, Isabella listened to the exchange and realized…
This Lady of Light is an ally!
Indeed, by allowing the other to leave the torture tower, Isabella understood that these two harbored definite hostility towards the newcomer.
With a common enemy, they are comrades!
In fact, Tina, who had clearly sensed the destruction of the Director of the Heretic Tribunal’s formidable spell within the torture tower, was also conflicted.
After all, it could have been a ruse by the Lady of Light.
But ultimately, Tina chose to trust the Lady of Light.
Not out of trust for her, but out of trust in her own decision to remain here without restriction from her master, Lolth, and in Lolth’s…
Charismatic personality.
The Lady of Light has been here for over a month; it’s only logical for her to switch sides, right?
At least Tina thinks it’s perfectly logical!
Moreover, she has a bad feeling about the Director of the Heretic Tribunal.
Even she could tell that this man was definitely not the type suited for a "rescue mission."
And Tina’s judgment was not mistaken.
The Lady of Light stood firmly on this side!
Therefore, she could not allow the attacks from the Director of the Heretic Tribunal to land on the Holy Maiden.
"Continue the attack!"
Tina commanded the torture tower.
Once again, the magic circle operated at full capacity, conjuring an even more ferocious spell that cascaded down upon the Director of the Heretic Tribunal’s position!
These attacks barely managed to weaken the force of his long whip, enabling Janine Irene and Isabella to jointly block the strike.
However, despite this, the magical energy of both was severely depleted!
The Holy Light within Janine Irene was scattered to the verge of collapse, and Isabella, after her magic dissipated, stepped back two paces, her face pale.
Here stood a demi-god.
As a half-being whose profession is a priest, he hadn’t even used any divine spells!
Of course, using divine spells might have given the Lady of Light an opening…
After all, the Lady of Light is "favored by the gods."
Using the God of Light’s spells in her presence would only add unnecessary complications.
Just like before, she might inexplicably nullify them.
Thus, the Director of the Heretic Tribunal opted for the simplest method.
He empowered the Sacred Tool with his own Holy Light.
Then…
He intended to strike down everyone remaining on the spot.
Now that he was blocked, it was no issue…
He slowly retracted his whip and waved his hand to deflect the shadow dagger coming from behind.
One more attempt… and it would be over.
After all, he had almost nothing to lose.
Watching his deliberate and unhurried movements, an invisible pressure weighed heavily on everyone’s hearts.
The Lady of Light was no exception.
Although she held the advantage of being "god-blessed," the purity and status of her sub-god powers could rival a Holy Domain against a demi-god.
But rank is still rank.
If it were an epic level against a legend, or a legend level against a Holy Domain, her god-blessed status might enable her to leap an entire major realm to defeat her opponent.
But being a demi-god, she also possesses "divinity."
Chosen as the "god-blessed," the Lady of Light is the emissary of the God of Light’s will.
But isn’t a demi-god wielding Holy Light equally significant?
As long as he wished, after his death, he could even become an angel under the God of Light, entering the Divine Kingdom to become a sub-god!
This was an almost unbeatable opponent.
Even just holding on seemed like a luxury.
Yet, the Lady of Light did not cease her contemplation.
She pondered…
"What would the ‘senior’ do?"
Abruptly, the image of Lolth surfaced in the Lady of Light’s mind.
Then, she shook her head with a bitter smile.
The senior would likely use the strength and preparations she had already amassed to secure this victory.
After all, turning the tables with mere plans or battle strategies was exceedingly difficult.
Indeed, my skills are still far from sufficient…
When facing Senior Lolth, there was never a chance for me to win from the very beginning.
Moreover, Senior Lolth seemed to intentionally use just slightly more power than mine at each moment.
Although I ultimately won by relying on that fruit that could induce "sleep" and by seizing the Rod of Eden, upon reflecting on the past…
It was a different kind of "overpowering."
Even though my strength was already quite manageable, she still prepared a strategy specifically against me in advance.
Wait a minute…
Lady of Light blinked her eyes and suddenly thought of something.
The battle from that day flashed back in her mind, and Lady of Light seemed to catch a fleeting "inspiration."
"Irene."
She looked at her knight who was guarding her and spoke.
"I have a way…"
The Lady of Light whispered softly, and Janine Irene looked surprised for a moment.
Then, she became determined.
"I understand, Her Holiness."
Saying this, she quickly left the battlefield.
The director of the Heretic Tribunal, who watched this scene, just glanced and then paid no more attention.
No matter what she was going to do, as long as the other person did not leave Hillenbrand Town to spread the word, he did not care.
His main goal was only one, the Lady of Light.
As for the commander of the Oracles Knight Order…
Since you have also fallen, you must accept judgment.
I will catch up with her later.
"So you are willingly spreading out your forces? That is truly a foolish act. Indeed, you have lost your wisdom."
He said coldly, raising the whip once more.
"Is that so?"
The Lady of Light replied, her hands weaving together to form the first divine spell.
"Then let’s give it a try—"
"Supreme Divine Spell – Eden Falls!"
She softly recited, and the power of Holy Light around her began to gather and transform.
However, it was not the grand divine spell that seemed to open the gates of heaven like the one cast on Vera Plain.
A faint glow gathered in front of her chest.
It formed a small reflection of a Divine Kingdom.
This was more like…
The Eden Falls used by Lolth that day.
At the same time, she tried hard to recall the changes in the Holy Light power around her after Lolth activated the Rod of Eden that day.
According to the arrangement in that state, she transformed the Holy Light power attached to her into a more "perfect" form.
The holy light wings and pure white annulus appeared behind her!
Though it was not as if an angel had descended on that day with Lolth, it was still incredibly sacred!
Even though the "Judgment Staff" and "Mercy Whip" are man-made Sacred Tools created on the main plane, any Sacred Tool from The Church of Light that has undergone baptism is of the same origin.
Their tiny, primitive intelligence now worships under the holiness of the Lady of Light!
Just from the judgment of these two Sacred Tools, the Lady of Light’s current level of "closeness" is higher than that of the young man who has always used them!
They submitted, even wanting to break free from control.
This left the Director of the Heretic Tribunal both shocked and angry.
"Damn it—"
He shouted this, but there was nothing he could do.
The power of the Holy Light, which was originally attached to the whip, was suddenly pulled back into his own body.
"Do not attack!"
The whip seemed to be warning itself.
His two Sacred Tools had already surrendered and turned against him!
If these weren’t the only two Sacred Tools he had, he would find it difficult to destroy them; even the Director of the Heretic Tribunal wanted to purify and execute these ungrateful items on the spot!
He didn’t even dare to put them away — doing so might cause these two Sacred Tools to fly directly towards the Lady of Light in a rush to reach this "traitor."
He even had to divide some of his focus to suppress these two restless Sacred Tools.
Meanwhile, the Lady of Light, who maintained her new form of Holy Light and the miniature Supreme Divine Spell, also sensed that the two Sacred Tools seemed to respond to her call.
They even expressed a sense of "closeness" to her.
Looking at the dark expression on the Director of the Heretic Tribunal’s face, the Lady of Light understood how Senior Lolth must have felt that day!
It felt like the joy of a wonderful harvest, as if they had raided the home of the Heretic Tribunal’s leader!
Truly impressive, as expected of a senior!
With this approach, it really might be possible to hold back the Director of the Heretic Tribunal!
Besides, I have never liked this guy… Using a senior’s method to make him show this gloomy expression…
It is way too satisfying!
The Lady of Light showed a faint smile.
She did not notice that certain feelings and thoughts, which she, as the "Holy Maiden," would never have had before, were growing inside her.
Even if she became aware of it, she would probably think there was nothing wrong… After all, the senior did the same!
Of course, the Lady of Light did not know that Lolth was not as she imagined.
After all, when she saw the Rod of Eden flying back, Lolth’s reaction was, "Please don’t come over!"
Nevertheless, the "collapse" of the Lady of Light had already begun…
At that moment, in the Holy Empire, Lolth shivered while truly copying the home of the Director of the Heretic Tribunal.
"I always feel like something bad is happening…"
It seems I have planted some serious foreshadowing.