บท 7: We Shall Make Our Moves

A particular child was born within a prominent noble family in a big city. Since she was so little, she barely received any attention from her parents and family. Therefore, she learned etiquette, royal manners, magic, cultivation, and many skills and arts to impress her parents.

Sadly, it was so arduous. Her power never awakened. Thus her family cast her aside. Her sibling received all the love, but not for her.

She lost her hopes and lived in the cold room with the slightest bit of love. The corruption then began to engulf her.

Until one day, the Holy Church discovered her impeccable talent in holy magic and recruited her under their banner. She became the youngest priestess and was titled 'Wings of Holiness' because of her holy magic projection.

She grew into a beautiful little princess and multi-talented figure, loved by many. Her long golden blonde hair exuded the charm of a dignified nobility, and her emerald green eyes gave off a captivating charm to anyone who looked at her.

Unfortunately, no one understood her real reason for joining the Holy Church and serving the God of Light. That was all known only by the young priestess herself. She hid the truth because she wished to heal her 'defect' and 'curse' with a high-level profound holy magic.

As the first-rate rare little beauty, so many pursuers tried to take her hand in engagement with the purpose of marriage. However, she didn't wish to fall into any political scheme. She still had to find a way to end her nightmares before anything. The ones that even holy healing magic couldn't cure.

She was still twelve then, but her nightmare broke out for the worst. Her body could no longer withstand the curse. She was gradually corrupted by the potent evil energy from the inside out.

Even though the corruption was unstoppable, the young priestess tried to suppress it and escape the city. She knew that she would fall into demonic possession. She tried to commit suicide, but her power didn't allow her. She would lose her mind, rationality, and humanity. But she didn't wish to become a demon and slaughter everyone.

In the middle of the dark forest, her family's knights hunted her down as assassins. She was slain that night, but none of the knights survived her onslaught. The young priestess sudden disappearance became an unresolved mystery even for the Holy Church.

The Holy Church suffered a significant loss, many young men grieved, and the citizens mourned because they lost a benevolent multi-talented young priestess. However, her family buried the 'truth' deep down because they didn't want the world to know the 'disgrace'.

The young priestess met her death, but she wasn't truly dead.

Since that day, a particular evil-looking mud slime wandered to the Northern Realm. This seemingly mindless creature devoured anything that came into contact with it. Yet, it seemed to have a mission to continue going north, away from Human Realm.

Until finally, the desperate creature encountered the almighty one. The one who could achieve the impossible feat.

The Holy Chruch failed to save her from distress. Still, a particular shrine priestess dispelled the curse and purified the evil within her easily, regardless of the severity.

The one once known as the Holy Chruch's youngest priestess let go of her past as she met redemption and liberation. The almighty one enlightened the lost little lamb with grace and blessing.

'Ah~ My master, my Goddess. Your divine light is dazzling, brighter and more beautiful than the God of Light's projection. After meeting you, I feel that Holy Church is just another cult with a Fake God.' Rafaela looked at her Goddess in awe while enjoying the morning flute melody.

The birds even stopped chirping, and the wind stopped blowing for fear of disturbing the divine music performance.

It was already three years since Rafaela fell into the sleepless nightmare. It was also three years since she was rescued and became her master's second disciple. Her current life was so satisfying.

The other disciples might view the honorable shrine priestess as their master, mother, or saviour. However, her master was her Goddess, her light. She wholeheartedly served her master with everything she had.

"What are you doing there? It's been almost a month since you came back."

Rafaela returned to her sense after her master made it clear. She entered the courtyard with her junior brothers and sisters. 'Ah, master spotted us. Ahem, where's my manner? I'm always amazed by her divine aura and beautiful melodies. Yes, it's been a month since we met, huhu... Master, my Goddess, I miss you so much~'

At that moment, she spotted her only senior sister, Gabriella. The one she envied the most because this senior of hers received the most crucial role and worked at their master's side most of the time.

"Come and have breakfast with me. There is something I want to announce to you."

'Ah, yes! Holy breakfast ceremony! But what kind of announcement will master announce? This seems very important.' Rafaela took her seat. She and her fellow disciples then exchanged their latest information.

Yes, most of the information was regarding the suspicious demonic cults. Those involved in Heavenly Demon's revival plan would not be spared. They would only eliminate all the involved ones with proper preparation.

The ten of them had already reached the 5th Rank, and the first two disciples were already at the 6th Rank Early Stage. Even though they had formed a relatively solid secret organization in the last three years, they needed more sense of security. They had not dared to act rashly and challenge the enemy's might before their master gave the order.

"You don't have to come back here once a month anymore."

'E-Eh!? No way...' Rafaela turned pale after her master announced it. She thought her master didn't want her anymore.

"The sky is changing... it's about the time to make our moves."

Ely's follow-up sentence made her ten disciples feel relieved and excited at the same time. So, it was time for them to make their moves and take the world by storm!

They endured three years of hardships and hellish training to prepare for this day. So, their master considered them strong enough to create a storm that could destroy all enemies that came their way.

'E-eh? What's wrong with my disciples' sudden excitement? Do they really want to demolish one or two demonic cults right away? I want to ask for help and move with them to improve my stats. But, well... Oh, please forgive me, the non-mentioned demonic cults. I raised a group of a nemesis for you by accident.' Ely prayed to several demonic cults that might soon become history.

"Let's see your progress first." Ely raised her palm to calm her disciples' excitement. She then used her eye ability to check their status screens.

[Gabriella (FV: 2400) | 6th Rank Early Stage]

[Loyalty: 98%]

[Talent: 4 Stars | SSR]

[Rafaela (FV: 2100) | 6th Rank Early Stage]

[Loyalty: 96%]

[Talent: 4 Stars | SSR]

[Michael (FV: 1700) | 5th Rank Mid Stage]

[Loyalty: 92%]

[Talent: 3 Stars | SR]

...

'Why... They got quickly advancing to higher ranks with those training and my guidance. Rafaela's talent even improved to four stars, SSR!? Why am I the only one staying at 0th Rank forever!? Help, I'm stuck!

Even though I have six stars and Legendary-class talent, I am bound to be a fragile mortal girl forever at this rate! The best things I can do are tiny elemental balls and simple magic. Let alone kill an enemy. It can't even deal appropriate damage. The only things I can rely on are my skills and passives... I also want to look fabulous and lofty like a cool cultivator or magnificent mage.

Hu-huu... He-Dao cursed me. That Deity said I couldn't get stronger and locked my STR, DEX, and ARC progress. It's been five years since I've practised and meditated on this Sacred Mountain! And yet, only my MP and VIT rose to impressive numbers.'

Ely closed her eyes and complained inwardly. Yet, she sighed because she wasn't going anywhere by complaining pointlessly.

Her primary mission required so many conditions, but she would still accomplish all of it for the sake of her Goddess Master.

"Everyone achieved a good achievement, but don't be self-complacent. It's just a drop in the bucket. It would be best if you had more than that to achieve something great across the three worlds. Nevertheless... here, a little present for you~" Ely distributed a little monthly gift to everyone with a tender smile adorning her angelic face.

Her reliable disciples were already seventeen to nineteen years old. They were probably already become big shots out there. However, she was happy to see them still like adorable children in front of her.