From the patterns on his armor and his strength, it was clear this was at least a seventh-rank paladin.
He was also the one who had been wrestling with the demon earlier.
After rendezvousing with his elite squad, several Order Knights helped the paladin into the church.
He was severely injured and needed immediate treatment.
Logically, the church should not lack high-ranking clergy.
“I’m sorry, sir, but my healing spell is only second rank. I’ve diagnosed Lord Suo Lun’s injuries—he needs at least a third-rank healing spell to keep him alive.”
The young nun said, sweating coldly.
Facing these heavily armored knights, no one dared to be negligent.
Laite was already quite an exception.
Kante asked, “Where are your priests and the cardinal? This city should have a bishop.”
“I’m sorry, sir. His Excellency the bishop, all the priests and clergy of priest rank and above have been missing for over two days. According to the last witness, they all went to discuss countermeasures against the monster army with the city lord.”
Through the glass, Kante glanced at the buildings in the city center.
They were a sea of flames, already reduced to ruins.
The city lord’s mansion certainly couldn’t have escaped.
“Just to discuss countermeasures? Was it necessary to take so many people?”
“I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t have the authority to restrict our superiors’ movements.”
“Don’t bother thinking about it. They’ve already fled,” the paladin suddenly said.
Kante was silent for a moment, then said, “Once we get out of here, I’ll help you find an Inquisitor Knight.”
The paladin said nothing, silently taking off his helmet, revealing the aged face underneath.
This was a highly experienced veteran, no wonder he could hold his own against that quasi-eighth-rank demon lord.
After removing his helmet, the veteran paladin took deep breaths of air.
The other nuns and monks continuously cast low-rank healing spells, trying to preserve the old warrior’s life.
“This isn’t a long-term solution, sir. We can only keep Lord Suo Lun alive. His severe wounds need at least a third-rank or higher healing spell, but our mana will run out in about five ke. Moreover, the toxic smoke from the burning buildings outside is draining our detoxification spells heavily. Sir, what should we do?”
A third-rank healing spell—Kante could only think of one person.
This paladin named Suo Lun couldn’t move at the moment; his life was entirely sustained by over a dozen low-rank clergy.
In addition, inside the church were over a hundred ordinary civilians.
The church, originally seen as a savior, had unexpectedly become a burden.
“Captain, what do we do?”
Facing his deputy’s question, Kante fell into thought.
The demon lord was still outside.
Though wounded, he was still strong.
They had gained an advantage earlier because of a surprise attack.
Kante’s strongest strike had only burned the demon’s skin.
This paladin named Suo Lun had a mana level around peak seventh rank, and with his rich experience, he could barely confront the demon lord head-on.
The demon lord was a huge variable.
There might be higher-ranked creatures inside the city, perhaps several lieutenants lurking.
They needed as many top-tier combatants as possible.
Suo Lun couldn’t be abandoned.
Let’s take a gamble—gamble that her recovered mana could cast a third-rank healing spell one more time.
After a moment of thought, Kante issued orders to his team.
….
So soft.
Selina felt she hadn’t rested on such a soft pillow in a long time.
The last time it was this soft was in Sai La Mama’s arms.
Huh?
Arms?
Sensing something wrong, Selina suddenly opened her eyes.
What was covering her eyes?
Going by the time, it should be noon, when the sun was strongest.
Lei Ni seemed to sense the movement and smiled at the girl lying on her lap.
“Are you awake?”
‘So cute. Why hadn’t I noticed how cute she was before? Could it be that silliness had overshadowed it?’
Selina got up groggily and asked, “How long was I asleep?”
“Two hours. Usually you seem so mature and steady, but I didn’t expect you to be such a kid when sleeping. Now that I think about it, you’re only fourteen.”
She quickly got up and out of Lei Ni’s arms to avoid being charmed by her.
Dusting off her clothes, Selina chose to change the subject.
“How many injured still need treatment?”
“Most are stable now. What remains is just rest. As for those who couldn’t be treated… they passed away last night…”
Selina opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say for a moment.
She really wanted to slap her own stupid mouth.
If she were in a modern society, she would have been a good doctor.
Selina’s thoughts drifted outside.
The fire had gradually subsided; most of the burnable things in the inner city had already been consumed.
The military camp near the city wall was unaffected because they had dug a firebreak.
Everything was moving in a good direction.
“They’re back! They’re back!”
Selina pricked up her ears and looked in the direction of the voice.
A tall silver figure stood among the crowd, but he didn’t stop.
Selina felt Kante was walking toward her.
No, it wasn’t an illusion—he was coming straight for her.
She tensed up, and then Kante stood directly in front of her.
Just like before in the church.
“I need your help, nun.”
Selina’s pupils contracted.
She looked behind him.
He was alone.
It seemed the situation was far more serious than she had imagined.
She let out a light laugh and simply said, “Who are we saving this time?”
“A veteran who has weathered many battles.”
There wasn’t much conversation between them.
Selina adjusted her state and was about to follow Kante.
Just then, Lei Ni tugged at her sleeve.
Selina turned back.
“Remember to come back alive. Don’t forget your things.”
In her other hand, she was holding that large dagger, which to both girls was no different from a short sword.
“I will.”
Selina took the short sword and strapped it to her back.
A parting on the battlefield could be forever.
To meet and work together was fate.
She left, following the Order Knight to treat someone.
As Selina left, her heart felt strangely empty.
….
The capital, the Holy Land of the Church.
A young girl stepped out of a golden bath.
She blinked, her emerald-bright eyes gazing at the sky.
Her face was young, but one could already see the future beauty that would captivate nations.
Her skin was as white as mutton-fat jade, and her slender figure hinted at the fullness to come.
Her snow-white hair fell behind her, covering half her body.
The statue of the goddess behind the golden bath added a touch of divinity to her.
“Holy Maiden, it’s time to visit the Hall of Saints,” said the attendant, whose eyes were covered by a black veil.
The Holy Maiden nodded.
After changing clothes, she followed the attendant into a corridor lined with portraits of past Holy Maidens and Popes.
“Why is there no portrait of the previous Holy Maiden?”
She asked softly, pointing to the last portrait of a Holy Maiden.
Below it, her birth and death dates were clearly written: Star Calendar 1261–1324.
But the current year was already 1353.
In the twenty-some years in between, no new Holy Maiden had been born.
This was strange.
The transition between Holy Maidens usually took no more than five years.
After the previous Holy Maiden’s term ended, a new one would inevitably appear within five years.
A gap of over twenty years clearly indicated that there was a Holy Maiden who served during that period.
She looked at the attendant leading her.
The attendant’s lips moved, but no sound came out.
Reading the lip movements, what the young Holy Maiden heard was:
“She is a Holy Maiden misunderstood by the world.”