Chapter 911: Chapter 749: The Fool’s Ignorant Wish

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The night was heavy.

The winter air carried a chill, and under the moonlit sky lingered a faint layer of white mist.

That mist brought with it a biting cold, causing snowflakes to flutter down from the heavens.

Beneath the sky stretched an expansive, open land.

And at this moment, tens of thousands of snow magical beasts surged out from the Amiciya Mountains, leaving destruction in their wake, advancing tirelessly and endlessly toward the radiant fortified city.

The Western Continent’s military district did not block these beasts.

In fact, earlier, the military stationed near the City of Light had planned to assemble outside its walls to launch an attack. But with the appearance of the magical beasts, they had no choice but to retreat.

Though the beasts weren’t targeting the Imperial Army specifically, being within their rampant destruction would undoubtedly ensure repercussions.

The earth in the night was anything but tranquil.

The upheaval in the Royal Capital that morning.

Had already sealed the fate of this continent’s turmoil.

Roars and wails echoed far with the wind, while the white snowflakes refracted light in the moonlight as they fell crystalline to the ground.

Inside the City of Light.

Magic illuminated the surroundings, mingling with the splatter of blood.

A semicircular, golden barrier enveloped the entire city, but its radiant brilliance was already flickering, barely holding together. Several breaches had opened up, allowing countless magical beasts to rush into the city and wreak havoc.

And their ultimate destination was the Light Church.

The number of Holy Court soldiers remaining to guard the city was scarce, struggling to hold their ground, while the rest of the Holy See knights escorted believers from the city to safety through other exits.

Several supervisory bishops stood silently in the sacred hall, chanting to sustain the magic powering the city’s protective barrier.

No matter how deafening the battle cries outside.

This place maintained its unwavering serenity and holiness.

At the rear of the Light Church.

The site of the Statue of Light.

Standing tall and graceful under the statue, the Holy Maiden of Light bore a faint smile on her face, her golden eyes casually sweeping toward the dim corner nearby.

Even though her clerical long skirt was once again soaked in blood, and her beautiful light golden curls had been spattered with scarlet, not a trace of dishevelment marred her extraordinary presence.

Upon catching sight of a shadow lingering in the darkness.

The Holy Maiden of Light curved her eyes in a subtle smile and said, “Little Eleven, why are you hiding for so long this time?”

As her words fell, golden threads flickered faintly at her fingertips. In an instant, a figure was forcibly pulled out from the shadows.

Covered in a black robe, the individual revealed only a pair of eyes.

Those eyes burned with venom. The moment the figure was yanked out, he flung several slender darts with a flick of his wrist.

The Holy Maiden effortlessly dodged them with a graceful sidestep.

However, one dart wasn’t aimed at her at all–it shot straight toward the Statue of Light!

Upon seeing this, the Maiden swiftly turned back and cast threads to intercept the dart, but the darkness seeping from the dart soon spread toward her like an invasive force.

Resentment energy–a potent and concentrated form of resentment!

And, moreover, specifically directed at the Holy See!

This force, born from a corrupted faith, was the ultimate countermeasure to the Power of Faith itself!

In other words.

While this resentment energy might be harmless to those outside the faith or adherents of the Dawn Belief, as long as its target was a devout believer faithful to the Holy See, it was capable of inflicting damage upon them.

And the only force capable of countering the Power of Faith.

Was this.

…

Heretical Inquisitors of the tribunal were few in number.

Compared to the Order of the Sun Knights under the Pope of Light, their ranks were limited to only a couple dozen, fluctuating frequently.

Because whenever the tribunal dispatched inquisitors.

They were bound to fulfill their mission, no matter the cost!

To the extent of disregarding losses entirely.

For only such fanaticism could uphold the divine authority of the Holy Court.

Naturally, these individuals were raised by the Holy Court from a young age, bred and trained exclusively as executioners in service to power. Before joining the tribunal, they underwent rigorous training in the Court’s sealed chambers.

However, as this process continued for years.

If an inquisitor possessed even a shred of flexible thought, they would likely feel oppressed, breaking down emotionally, and even succumb to–heresy.

Even though the choir might soothe their spirits.

There were always cracks in the facade.

Historically, the Heresy Tribunal had encountered defectors. But defectors who manifested resentment energy capable of countering faith? That was unprecedented.

Once a believer devoted their body, soul, and faith wholeheartedly before succumbing to the darkness.

The ensuing destruction was terrifying.

Near the battlefield surrounding the Statue of Light.

To protect the Holy Maiden, all twenty-some of the Heresy Tribunal’s inquisitors had perished, overwhelmed by the resentment energy.

“What a frightening power…”

The Holy Maiden severed the golden threads, sensing the drain on her strength. She pressed her fingertips to her temple in apparent exhaustion, though an enigmatic smile lingered as she cast her gaze toward the shadowy-faced Heretical Inquisitor.

Though the Holy Maiden seemed weakened and at her limits, the inquisitor didn’t dare approach recklessly, wariness evident in his eyes.

This woman was far too unpredictable!

Despite her grave injuries, she carried herself as though unscathed!

“My dear child, why have you betrayed our God?”

The Holy Maiden crossed her hands tightly together, letting her smile fade as she bowed her head, emitting a sigh steeped in lamentation.

The Heretical Inquisitor was about to issue a retort.

But the Maiden suddenly raised her head, despair clouding her features as she looked toward him. “Because of our God’s existence, this world has seen the glorious light of greatness! All darkness exists merely to make this light shine brighter. Why have you turned your back on this radiance?”