Miss Keroy felt a bit uncomfortable as she shook slightly, worried that she might shake Pi’an off her back, so she restrained her movements.
When she saw Ethan and the other two, her eyes lit up, and she ran over as if seeing a savior.
"Miss Keroy says you’re drooling on her back."
Ethan reminded Pi’an, who was clinging to Keroy’s neck.
Miss Keroy always had a noble demeanor, and she particularly valued cleanliness.
"Oh, I just got a bit too excited."
Pi’an wiped the corner of her mouth and reluctantly got down from Miss Keroy’s back. Today, all her dreams in life had come true.
Drawing the holy sword and riding the sacred bird, for a knight, she could die without regrets.
So she didn’t dare to linger in the holy sanctuary for long, fearing that if she stayed even a second more, she might laugh out loud in front of the adventurers and Abaddon.
This would damage her image as a Holy Sword Inheritor — in people’s imaginations, a Saint ought to maintain a stern demeanor without smiling.
"So, have you reached the fifth level?"
Rowena, who was in a wheelchair, asked. All along, she and Pi’an were of equal standing, but if Pi’an had surpassed that final stage, she would become the least combat-capable member of the team, except for the sponsors.
"I’m not sure, after all, the Holy Hall usually grants medals based on the number of monsters slain, and His Majesty Henry was only recognized as a Saint after slaying the evil dragon."
Pi’an gazed at the Oath and Sword of Victory, "But after drawing the holy sword, the way I fight has indeed changed significantly."
It was as if she had broken free from various restraints, no longer bound by the limits of the Holy Seal, and every thought she had during battle would transform into reality, granting unprecedented freedom.
"Oh, and there’s this."
Pi’an recalled something and drew her sword, adopting a two-handed stance. Her eyes radiated a golden light, and the blade was also enveloped in golden brilliance, "I can glow too."
According to Ethan’s magic technology theory, this effect was achieved through a power crystal. It’s a holy sword forged using power crystals and fragments of the Giant Divine Soldier, and she herself was comparable to the holy sword’s power source.
Referring to Ethan’s changes in two upgraded elements, she thought the ability to glow might also be one of the standards for a Saint.
Pi’an still couldn’t shake the feeling of unreality about everything happening before her. She never imagined she would finally advance after being stuck at the fourth level for ten years in such a way.
"Let’s discuss the specific changes when we return; Ave said she discovered some important information in the library."
Ethan raised the power crystal and said.
On the other side, at the Imperial Grand Library.
After returning to the imperial capital, Ave stayed in a hotel with others and didn’t go home, spending almost all her free time in the library. She used the Margaret Clan’s privileges to gain access to the forbidden books section.
Apart from "returning" Viola to the church, she hardly contacted anyone she knew.
However, she knew these easy days wouldn’t last long. She reset Viola’s memory, causing Viola’s memories after arriving in Ximu Town to be blank.
Although she blamed it all on the polluted zone, claiming that they found Viola already comatose, the church would surely investigate further.
Placed on the table was the ancient book whose cover recorded information about the scarlet plague and the Bloody Priestess. She used the power crystal to contact Ethan, believing he would be interested in her discoveries.
Yet, instead of Ethan or the others, what awaited her was a familiar yet somewhat irritating face.
The young man still wore an elaborately ornate tailcoat, with a self-assured charming smile, and approached her under the escort of two guards.
Despite feeling some irritation, Ave rose and greeted the visitor with a noble courtesy, "Good day, Second Prince."
Knowing that it was the Second Prince himself who delivered the news to send Pi’an to the border to die, she harbored nothing but disgust for him.
However, the Second Prince was currently highly esteemed by the church, and public opinion in the imperial capital regarded him as the heir to the throne.
"How many times have I told you, Ave, you can call me Damian."
Ave did not respond, simply bowing again to the young man.
"You’ve seldom returned from the border, yet you neither go home nor come to see me; it makes me a bit disappointed."
This affected tone made Ave roll her eyes internally, but it was also an essential component of life in the imperial capital. In the so-called upper-class society, everyone spoke in the same manner, and only after enduring some disgust would you realize you lived in the imperial capital.
In reality, she and the Second Prince’s relationship was limited to having met a few times at banquets, honoring her father and aunt’s social obligations to toast to this cousin, and not even counting as ordinary friends. During her two years in Ximu Town, there was no correspondence whatsoever.
Ave knew clearly that the Second Prince’s visit at this time was certainly not to reminisce; it was most likely at the Pope’s behest.
The currently spreading news throughout the capital made the Pope uneasy.
"I have some work to handle at the Reception Bureau. I planned to visit after dealing with it."
Ave replied in a polite tone.
Damian glanced casually at the book on the table, "Work can be set aside for now. It’s a rare occasion for you to return. I’ve specially arranged a banquet for you, with invitations to the Queen and your father, all set for tonight. It’s getting late; you should head home to prepare. Apart from them, the current director of the Reception Bureau will also be present. I’m sure he won’t blame you, and there are others I’d like to introduce you to."
"Thank you, I’ll be there on time."
This person is absolutely insufferable!
But due to his status, Ave returned the book to the shelf, trusting that with Ethan’s intelligence, he would understand the secret she had uncovered as soon as he saw the book’s contents.