Chapter 16: To depart

The orange glow of candlelight lit up the room.

The young girl sat quietly on a wooden chair with her eyes closed. Around her stood three nuns and Guardian Knight

Hilda.

“Your Holiness, it’s already midnight,” said Hilda, placing her pocket watch back into the front pocket on her chest and

speaking respectfully to the Saintess in front of her.

Ever since that stirring and inspiring speech earlier, the Saintess had come to this temporary residence and had been

silently waiting as time passed.

After a long period of deep thought, Luo Li rose from the wooden chair and looked at Hilda.

“Hilda, tell the knights to get ready. Wrap the horses’ hooves with cloth to muffle the sound. Bring dry rations and water.

Get ready to depart.”

“Yes, Your Holiness!”

“Lora, prepare the carriage. Aila, go find me a pair of shoes I can wear.”

Luo Li turned and looked at Nara, who had a hopeful look on her face.

“Nara.”

“Yes!! Please give me your command!”

Nara’s expression lit up instantly, as if she were receiving a divine oracle—her face filled with devotion.

“Stay here with me.”

Nara’s expression shifted from excitement to disappointment in an instant. The sudden change made Luo Li sigh quietly

in her heart.

Not bad. She’s got energy!

“Wait, Your Holiness, what are you preparing the carriage for?”

Hilda had just turned around to leave the cabin after receiving her orders when she suddenly heard Luo Li giving

instructions to the two nuns. Her heart jumped!

She quickly turned back toward the Saintess, praying silently that it wasn’t what she feared the most.

“I’m going too,” Luo Li said, looking straight at her.

Just from Hilda’s expression, Luo Li could tell what she was thinking.

The Saintess was crucial—not only to the Holy Church but also to the entire Kingdom of the Moon.

As a Guardian Knight of the Sanctuary, it was natural that Hilda didn’t want her Saintess to go near the battlefield.

But Luo Li couldn’t just sit here and wait for the result.

If they lost this war, then the title Saintess of the Moon would mean nothing.

Rather than fleeing in fear at that point, she would rather take the risk now!

“Your Holiness, please reconsider!”

Upon hearing Luo Li’s decision, the female knight dropped to one knee and pleaded with her to withdraw the command.

“There’s no point in more words. Knight Hilda, go prepare.”

Luo Li looked at Hilda. This loyal knight—in the game’s storyline—had ended up becoming a toy for the demons alongside

her, her limbs cut off and thrown into a den of corrupted beasts. After giving birth to countless offspring, she was eaten

alive.

It was a fate too cruel to accept.

“Hilda…”

“Your Holiness?”

“Don’t die. I want you to come back alive.”

Hilda froze. She blinked, and her eyes quickly turned red as tears began to gather.

“Your Holiness, I will live. I’ll defeat the demons and escort you back to Glorious City!”

“Good. Go.”

Luo Li waved her hand to dismiss her. Hilda still seemed like she wanted to say something, but after hesitating for a

moment, she chose to carry out her orders.

Watching Hilda’s departing figure, Luo Li took a deep breath and turned back to Nara.

“Nara, I’m giving you a difficult mission. I’m placing everything I have on this. Do you have the confidence?”

Nara, who just a moment ago looked so disappointed, suddenly lit up when she heard those words. It was like someone

had given her a power boost—her entire body filled with energy.

“Your Holiness, no matter how hard the task is, I’m confident I can do it! Just leave it to me—Nara will take care of it~!”

Luo Li nodded, then reached behind her and took out a small item she had hidden for a long time.

She took Nara’s hand and placed the long, thin object in her palm.

Then she leaned close to Nara’s ear and whispered softly.

In an instant, Nara’s expression changed drastically.

Nara stumbled backward in shock, bumping into the furniture behind her, but she didn’t even care.

With a loud thump, she fell to the ground.

Her bright green eyes, usually so lively, were now filled with fear and dread.

“Can you do it?”

Luo Li looked at her. Whenever she made a move, she always factored in the worst-case scenario—so she had left Nara

behind as insurance.

Nara slowly lowered her head in disbelief. In her hand was a dagger encrusted with gemstones, looking unbelievably

luxurious.

“Sa… Saint… Your Holiness… do you really want Nara to do this? I… I can’t!”

“Yes, you can. Out of the three of you, only you… have the courage.”

Among the three girls, each had a different personality.

Lora was the most serious and well-mannered—she would never do something like this.

Aila was timid and afraid of conflict. Even if she tried, there would be too many risks. She wasn’t reliable.

So in the end, Luo Li chose Nara.

Though Nara acted cheerful, she wasn’t stupid. In fact, she was the type who hid her intelligence behind a playful face.

From observing her social behavior, Luo Li could clearly judge that Nara was the right choice for this job.

The dagger was one of the sacred relics stored in the Sanctuary. According to legend, it had once belonged to a former

Saintess.

It could cut through iron like it was nothing—sharp beyond belief.

If they lost, and if suicide was no longer an option, someone had to be able to give her a swift end.

Nara was the most suitable.

Luo Li stepped forward, gently knelt beside her, and held her trembling hand. She looked directly into Nara’s eyes.

“My child, don’t be afraid. Don’t be scared. All of this is part of God’s plan. God chose you.”

Nara sat there dazed, completely stunned by the weight of those words.

“Can you do it?” Luo Li asked again, searching her eyes for any trace of determination.

But all she saw for now was confusion.

Without another word, Luo Li quietly cast a buff on her.

[Inspiration]

After feeling a strange surge of power drain slightly from her own body, Luo Li continued watching Nara.

You’re enhanced now, child. Go do your part.

Nara pressed her lips together and gave a trembling nod.

“I understand, Your Holiness. If… if we really lose this time… then Nara will go meet God with you.”

“Good. You truly are a child chosen by God.”

Luo Li smiled. Even though she already had a good feeling about it, she still made sure to prepare for the worst.

She helped Nara up and spent a while calming her down—until Lora and Aila finally returned.

They noticed something odd in the air, but with Luo Li present, they didn’t ask.

Not long after, Hilda came back in a rush from outside.

“Your Holiness, everything is ready!”

“What time is it now?”

“It’s nearly 12:30.”

Luo Li nodded and gave the most important command of the mission.

“Let’s move. Tell everyone—I’ll be right behind them!”