At the most serene moment within the holy sanctuary—
Clang, clang.
As if the sun were about to set, the golden walls of the old cathedral shimmered with rippling light while the bells began to toll.
From the high tower above, waves of solemn chimes echoed, breaking the silence—yet not disturbing the peace inside. Instead, they lent the place an even deeper sense of sanctity and reverence.
And yet—
In an unnoticed instant, orange feathered light drifted down, and a girl, like a flower-born spirit, descended into the cathedral.
That moment stretched on endlessly, as though eternity itself had arrived.
Her crimson gown fell like rose petals, her graceful figure carried a faint floral fragrance, and her eyes shone with laughter like starlight dancing across a lake.
Everyone inside the sanctuary turned toward her, spellbound by the “demon” who had suddenly appeared, yet unable to react as they stared at her angelic face.
“Show me your love!”The voice of the Great Poet of Love, filled with joy, rang like a resonant hum that set time flowing once more, reverberating through the grand hall.
In an instant, the once tranquil cathedral seemed to be swept into the brewing of an unimaginable storm—where dream and reality threatened to overturn one another!
All except for Lan Qi, who remained as calm as ever, and Huperion, who was already on full guard.
Everyone else began to descend into madness.
Most strikingly—
Two faces twisted, revealing unspeakable malice and hatred!
Among the Kreid Empire’s battle-priest squad, the petite cleric was no longer shy or timid.
She seemed utterly transformed, her body ignoring reason and restraint, her mind drowned in frenzy as she hurled a spell of Dark Judgment
at Lan Qi with murderous intent!Like a storm at sea under a blood moon, black lightning tore across the cathedral with a deafening crack, scorching the marble tiles into charred ruin.
Yet—
Her spell, cast in near-madness, lacked precision.
Lan Qi sidestepped casually, as if taking a stroll, avoiding the strike with ease.
He turned his head with a gentle smile toward the cleric, as if saying, “So impatient, aren’t you?”
“Lan Qi!!!”
The cleric’s eyes widened with rage, her voice breaking with fury as she threw every last offensive spell she knew at him, forgetting she was meant to be a support—meant to fight with her allies.
Meanwhile, the tall, valiant knightess looked on with a darkening expression. She trembled as she gripped her wrist, struggling to hold back her unraveling composure.
But soon she understood: her mind had been corroded by irresistible spiritual magic.
Even with her formidable self-control, her expression could no longer hide the truth.
“Heh… Lan Qi Wilfort… you filthy wretch… If I don’t kill you, I’m unworthy of the title Saint of Destruction…”
It was as if she had given up resisting—or perhaps, freed herself entirely.
Her aura changed dramatically. Dark armor encased her, and she sneered with wild abandon, gripping a flaming longsword whose hilt bore a golden beast’s eye glaring amid the blaze.
The temperature in the cathedral seemed to rise several degrees.
Yet she didn’t charge recklessly at Lan Qi. Instead, she adjusted her breathing, steadying herself.
Now exposed, with nothing left to hide, she kept her composure—her heart calm, her intent firm.
Even from afar, the sheer heat of her presence stung the skin of everyone present.
This was no mere Fifth Rank.
Her unleashed magic surged like a raging inferno—at least Sixth Rank for a spellcaster.
Huperion tensed, knowing she wasn’t a match, but still stepped in front of Lan Qi, shielding him.
The Church of Resurrection did not only have cardinals. There were also Saints and Holy Sons—chosen by bishops, groomed as prodigies destined to succeed them.
Each one, terrifyingly brilliant in mind, will, and strength.
And this knightess, her mask now stripped away, was none other than Ivanoth’s creation—his Saint of Destruction.
At the moment Huperion thought Lan Qi ought to be grimly serious, she heard him sigh behind her:
“Impressive. Such resolve could make one great. A pity you strayed down the wrong path.”
His tone carried genuine regret.
“A talent like this… If only she’d entered my Academy of Corridors earlier, she’d never have fallen to the Church of Resurrection’s cult. The Church of Resurrection… truly leaves nothing but ruin in its wake!”
Huperion: “……”
Honestly, I think she belongs there just fine.
On the Shadow World’s panel, the mission updated:
[Objective Complete – Find the Traitors: 2/2]
The world had now shifted to its next phase.
Under the Poet’s influence, the others were also losing themselves in varying degrees.
“Why… why… Even you…”
The Kreid Empire’s noble mage girl clutched her head in despair, unable to believe her only trusted friends were cultists. She collapsed to her knees, sobbing, utterly broken.
Curiously, perhaps because of her unique identity, the Saint of Destruction did not take her hostage.
Meanwhile, the merchant’s son burst into mad laughter, oblivious to the life-or-death standoff.
“Hahaha! Class isn’t over yet—let’s keep learning!”
As if brainwashed by some bizarre academy, the one thing he longed for in this critical moment was more lessons.
That afternoon’s “study session” had brought him joy beyond measure. He was still not satisfied.
“You idiot…”
His male bodyguard dragged him back, while the stoic female guard’s killing intent flared. If any cultist threatened the young master, she was ready to fight to the death.
Among them all, the handsome guard remained the least affected, besides Lan Qi and Huperion.
Cool-headed and skilled, he locked eyes on the Saint of Destruction—but in truth, what shook him most was the terrifying charisma of Lan Qi.
If this lawyer were truly a cultist, the nightmare would be unimaginable.
Compared to him, even the Church’s famed Saints no longer seemed so fearsome.
And so, even now, facing the Saint of Destruction, he felt strangely reassured.
Because—this lawyer was their ally.
Meanwhile, three others were affected in a wholly different way—not weakened, but strengthened!
“Heretics! Kill! Kill! Kill!!!”
“As expected of the High Priest’s friend!”
“All is the Goddess’ blessing!”
The three priests of the North Continent were like zealots drunk on holy fire.
Fueled by Lan Qi’s afternoon lecture on anti-cult doctrine and the Poet’s emotional outburst, they transformed into frenzied fanatics—their combat strength soaring.
In their eyes, the revealed cultists were no longer people, but errors—sins to be erased—or perhaps, opportunities for great merit.
With a roar, they surged into a holy frenzy.
And the cathedral erupted into chaos—battle without quarter.