NOVEL NEXT Chapter 61
It was a golden giant.
“I’ve never heard of something like this…!”
Angela gritted her teeth and widened the distance.
Then, ‘it’ swung down the great sword it was holding.
Kuuwung-!
The shock split the ground and shattered the trees.
Barely escaping the attack range, she gasped for air, taking in the giant’s entire form.
The upper body of a colossal paladin.
Its red eyes glimmered beneath the helmet, summoned around Rienna.
“Is it really that guy!”
Angela voiced her deduction.
“Did it actually take form as the embodiment of blessing!”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Rienna replied, placing a hand on her chest.
Divine power and blessings.
Though everyone praises them as great and holy powers, in reality, they can do nothing alone.
That glorious buff and healing only come to fruition if there’s a target.
What good is a high-level blessing in a place where no one is around?
The most powerless existence when left alone.
A position of no value unless one relies on others.
That is the current state of divine power and priests, Rienna thought.
‘It’s like humanity can’t survive without the shadow of a god.’
However, such fragile beings can never get close to the divine.
God does not grant paradise to those who have become complacent.
Thus, she thought.
A way for the blessing to become perfect in and of itself.
Gikigigik-
A knight made by weaving four blessings together.
「Construction Formula」
Titan of Bless
A giant made purely of divine power.
Even a dozen ordinary priests wouldn’t be able to create it.
But Rienna, the “Saint of Prophecy,” could hear the voice of God.
When it comes to divine power, she is unrivaled.
Kwaddeuk!
The giant drew its sword and swung it widely.
Just that alone was enough to devastate the surroundings and turn the hidden monsters into mush.
“Wow, I never thought I’d see a saint using blessings like that.”
– Are… are you okay?!
A voice echoed deep from within.
“Well, I don’t know? I never imagined there would be such a monster in this era.”
– It wasn’t that powerful during lectures…
Back then, it was just a matter of weaving a few blessings together.
It wasn’t to the extent of summoning an entity that could move independently.
In the meantime, her control over divine power became more refined.
‘As expected.’
As the ages go by.
Various forms of geniuses emerge while the heroes of the past fade into songs and tales.
That’s the reason the future feels so exciting.
That’s why she still remains here.
“I’ll show you.”
Angela smiled confidently as she picked up her sword.
“There’s a reason why what isn’t forgotten still exists.”
– Huh? Wait a moment…!
“Sorry, descendant.”
– What do you mean sorry?! What does that even mean?!
“I might not be able to move for a while. But instead, I’ll give you an extra lecture on the Moonlight technique later, so can you bear with it?”
– Wait a second! Just w-wait!
Ignoring the desperate plea.
Angela fully exerted her energy.
Tsoooouuu!
Her blonde hair transformed into a soft silver, like moonlight.
Her eyes sparkled like crystals.
The silver energy wrapped around her sword surged dramatically.
“Umm… It’s not perfect yet.”
But it’s definitely better than before.
Maybe since their bloodline is connected, her body adapted quickly.
Her arms and legs were short, making distance control a bit awkward.
‘In front of a great swordsman.’
That was just a minor issue.
Girik!
The giant raised its great sword high for the next attack.
The massive blade rained golden sparks as it came crashing down.
Fuuuuuwung!
This time, I stayed still and just stared.
“First, I need to disarm it first…”
Thwung!
I jumped high, deeply stabbing the sword.
“Shh!”
The moonlight extended sharply like a spear and collided with the great sword.
「Moonlight Technique: Shatter」
The sword that touched the moonlight cracked and broke in half.
This can’t end here.
Now that it’s come to this.
“I need to finish it completely!”
Angela’s sword surged with energy again.
「Moonlight Technique: Rain」
Another variant of the sword technique.
The moonlight on the sword poured down endlessly like rain.
Kwaaaagaaa-!
The giant’s body was gradually reduced as it took the attack head-on.
The armor shattered and the divine power inside scattered.
“…This is strange. Who are you?”
Rienna, having witnessed Angela’s spectacular sword technique, asked.
“The nature of your soul… has changed. From the warm sun to the cold moon…”
“With those eyes, I suppose you can see such things?”
Angela continued preparing for her next attack without pause.
*
“Shish… Shhh!”
“To the right? Got it.”
Black Lotus flicked its head around, guiding us.
“That snake is quite useful.”
“It’s a talented friend.”
In a way, this could be viewed as an extension of the snake master’s performance.
No matter how sensitive one’s awareness may be, tracking the relic’s resonance signal is tough.
“Shhh!”
Only Black Lotus, as an Ego Weapon, could execute such actions.
“This way…”
“Ran, look over there!”
Elma’s urgent voice suddenly rang out.
She pointed towards something ahead with her outstretched hand.
“…Whoa.”
In the distance stood the enormous figure of a paladin.
“What exactly is that…?!”
“Unfortunately, I can’t be sure either.”
“Looks like that’s where our goal is.”
“…Eh?”
I proudly displayed Black Lotus in front of Elma.
A single black snake staring intently at the giant.
“It seems there’s a relic there.”
*
In the center of the forest, thick with grass and dust.
The conclusion came swiftly.
“Whoo! It’s been a while since I let loose like this.”
A sweaty, glistening forehead.
Angela wore a refreshing expression as she stripped the necklace and bracelet off the collapsed Rienna.
“…Ah.”
Did she momentarily lose consciousness?
Rienna’s body jolted as she opened her mouth.
“Y-You are…”
“Don’t move. Heal your injuries using divine power.”
“…….”
“Isn’t there any left? Divine power?”
Following Angela’s words.
Rienna still had plenty of divine power left.
She could summon a few more of those giants.
However, rather than doing that, she quietly accepted defeat.
“I don’t think it was out of mercy… but why did you do that?”
The still silver-haired Angela donned the bracelet as she spat out the words.
“Because you are not the princess of prophecy.”
“Since earlier, you’ve been talking about prophecies. What the heck is that?”
“…It’s the word of the God.”
At least she knew that much.
That the “Saint of Prophecy” is a messenger of God.
“God spoke to me.”
Rienna touched her blindfold with her fingers.
“When the two brightest gems on the continent shatter… the world will return to white.”
The two brightest gems.
It was an extremely abstract and vague term.
Because the standard of ‘light’ is different for everyone.
This is the will of the holy God.
We are merely the servants of it.
Those who profess to be the messengers of God said.
The two gems refer to the two princesses, who would become the future of the continent.
Child who reads the language of God.
Join us in fulfilling our purpose.
God wishes to destroy them and bring about the end of the world.
Words echoing in her head like brainwashing, over and over.
“…This feels strange.”
However.
Rienna’s faith was steadfast.
She wouldn’t blindly believe the temptations of mere ‘legendary apostles’.
‘Does God really want an end to the world?’
‘Aren’t they merely misinterpreting the words of God?’
Doubt began to take root deeper.
What she believes is God, not apostles.
“Is it really okay to be told such prophecies?”
“It’s just my change of heart.”
Angela glanced up slyly.
Perhaps due to the shock, this scene seemed to not be spilling outside.
‘Well, it should be fine, right?’
We collected the relics, and I showed all the impressive scenes.
The tasks were complete.
Pat!
Angela’s hair, which looked to have been bleached, returned to a golden hue.
“…Ugh!”
As the mood shifted instantly, Angela clasped her mouth, retching.
Her head felt like it had been struck by a hammer.
“Ugh…! What’s going on…?!”
The ‘Curse of Confusion’ inscribed on the bracelet and the ‘Curse of Diminution’ inscribed on the necklace.
Combined with the aftereffects of the previous battle.
“Please… save me…”
Angela’s body trembled as if it would snap any second.
“…So you were here.”
Then came a familiar voice from the side.
“Y-You…”
“You actually defeated that saint. Quite unexpected.”
Perhaps irritated by the small scratches on her body.
Pernia narrowed her brows irritably.
“Well, you didn’t do it, but…”
“……”
Pernia forced the crown she had been wearing onto Angela’s head.
With this, four relics gathered onto a single person.
“If we leave it like this for ten minutes, we win, Angela.”
“Ugh…”
“Aren’t you happy? It’s a victory at the Festival of Stars. It’s quite the proud achievement for you.”
As she continued with empty praises.
Suddenly, she reached into her pocket.
“Of course—”
What she pulled out was.
“—if it were still alive.”
A white dagger, engraved with divine symbols.
“Farewell, sister.”
“Ugh… Ugh…..!!”
Pook!
The dagger pierced Angela’s heart.