As the Pope died, all the elder priests and Holy Knights surrendered as well.
"That will be enough," Rin declared as she entered holding her sword.
" Finally you are here" Said an Elder Priest,
" Kill them all, these bastards killed His Holiness the Pope" said another Elder as Rin just ignored them and walked to Blade who gripped his sword ready for another battle.
"Thank you, Lord Blade, for this favor you have done for the Rebecca Church," she said, and Blade nodded.
Hearing this the Priest just hung their head down seeing she didn't came to help them.
"As a Saint, I couldn't allow such a corrupt Pope to remain," Blade replied as she nodded in agreement.
"I know. I can sense it from you, Saint of the Sun," she added, and Blade nodded again.
"Now, can you grant the Goddess's blessing to this?" he asked, taking out the trident. As he handed it over, Rin took it with both hands, closed her eyes, and began to chant. The once dull trident started to shine, as if awakening from a long slumber.
"That is the true form of the trident," Valentine exclaimed in awe as she watched Rin using Goddess blessing on Trident.
"Thank you very much," she said to Rin who just smiled in response, " this is the least I can do for you".
"I wish to reward you more, but as you can see, our sanctuary is not in proper condition right now," she said. Blade simply nodded.
"It's okay. I only needed the Goddess's blessing," he replied.
"But you can take the holy armor set you retrieved from defeating Drevigo. It's the least we can do to compensate you," she added, and Blade nodded.
"Thank you."
"No, thank you for saving us," Rin said, smiling as she sat down.
"Also, Damian, the Church needs a new Pope, and I hope you will step forward as a candidate," she said to Damian, who was just quietly kneeling, still overwhelmed by everything that had happened.
"I will, Rin-chan," Damian said with a goofy smile, making Rin chuckle.
"Let's return," Blade said, turning to Valentine, who nodded.
"Yes. Now, with this awakened Trident, we can save the kingdom," she said, and Blade nodded in agreement.
"You guys are leaving?" Damian asked.
"Yes, I have a quest to complete," Blade replied.
"I wish I could help, but for now, I need to stay and help Rin-chan restore order. But in the future, if you ever need my help, just call on me. I'm indebted to you, after all," Damian said sincerely.
Blade simply nodded. "Okay, see you later, Damian," he said, sending a friend request, which Damian accepted with a grin.
"Are you in a guild?" Damian asked as he was getting up.
Blade shook his head. "Nope, I'm not," he admitted.
Damian nodded. "Okay, then when you create a guild, be sure to invite me," he said with a smile.
Blade nodded. "Will do, that is if I ever create one."
"I'm pretty sure you will. After all, you're a great player, Blade. Many will follow you," Damian said with a smile.
Blade just shrugged in response. Together with Valentine, he returned to Kesan Canyon, where he found Piaro sitting near the lake, casually crossing his legs as he rested.
"You're back," Piaro said as Blade nodded.
"Let's go back," Blade replied.
Both of them attached their scales-and their legs formed into Fish tails and swam back to the Abyss, where Antares resided. Upon reaching their destination, they found Antares quietly sitting in his small garden.
"You're back," Antares said as he looked up at them.
Valentine nodded and stepped forward, presenting the awakened Trident. "We can now save our kingdom, Lord Guardian," she declared.
Antares nodded solemnly. "Yes, we can," he said as he turned his gaze toward Blade and Piaro.
"Let's go and place the Trident in its rightful location."
They followed after Antares as he led them through the Abyss. Even the Abyss Guardians did not dare to come near him, for they could sense the overwhelming power of Absolute Authority that radiated from him. His mere presence was enough to send shivers down their spines and scare away the lurking predators.
After traveling for a while, they finally emerged from the Abyss and swam toward the Royal Palace, which was located at the heart of the kingdom.
"It's beautiful," Blade said, admiring the grand underwater city.
Piaro nodded in agreement, though he remained cautious. Many merfolk and sea creatures watched them from a distance, their eyes filled with greed and hunger. However, none dared to approach. The sheer presence of Antares, radiating an overwhelming aura of power, was enough to keep them at bay. Had they attempted to attack, they would have been nothing more than casualties against the might of the Kingdom Guardian.
Even among Thousands—perhaps hundred thousands—of merfolk warriors, none had the courage to challenge them.
Following Antares' lead, they walked directly into the Royal Palace. Even the Royal Knights did not attempt to stop them; they merely stood frozen in place, unable to act in the presence of such overwhelming power.
Piaro glanced at Antares and gulped. "Just how strong is he?" he muttered, sensing the immense power radiating from the Royal Knights—power that was already far greater than his own, yet still insignificant compared to Antares.
"Lord Antares is nearing the power of the gods," Valentine replied. "Though he does not wish to become a god, but something else entirely… something even I do not understand. He once told me that when I grow stronger he will tell me"
Antares, still leading them forward, suddenly chuckled. "And if you manage to grasp that power, I will tell you even more."
Valentine simply nodded in silent acknowledgment.
" I will one day surpass you Lord Antares" she said clenching her fists as he just nodded " I will be waiting".
They followed Antares into an underground chamber where a massive altar stood in the center of the room.
"Is this where the Trident needs to be placed?" Blade asked.
Antares nodded. "Yes, but before that, you must defeat the demons that spawn here." He gestured toward the shadows lurking in the corners of the chamber. "You see, this place won't allow the Trident to be used as long as it remains unpurified. Not even I can interfere—you must cleanse it yourselves. Defeat the demons, and remember, their bodies also contain hidden relics you may find useful."
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