“Now that I've restored my strength to Lesser Divine Power, it's time to boost my believer's strength,” Iluvia said in a low voice.
After all, the level span across the Aenoria continent was far too vast. From Bronze Rank to Saint Rank, there were nine full ranks. The power ceiling for experts was ridiculously high—the strong could destroy a city in a single strike, while the weak were no different from ants.
Although Lilith worked extremely hard, her Silver Rank high-stage strength was, at best, considered “decent” on this continent. She was still miles away from being able to hold down the fort—it really wasn't enough.
“Besides...”
As if remembering something, a thought crossed her mind. The holy light concealed behind her suddenly burst forth, and twelve layered, pure white, flawless divine wings slowly unfolded and spread out.
The wings shimmered with radiant light, every single feather flowing with primordial divine radiance. The supreme aura belonging to a Twelve-Winged Sacred Angel gently spread outward, filling the entire Divine Kingdom of Light.
Iluvia rarely unfolded her wings on her own initiative within the Divine Kingdom, usually using her divine power to conceal them.
However, this wasn't because maintaining angel wings consumed much divine power, nor was it due to any taboo.
It was simply because...
Well, lying down on the Divine Seat with them was uncomfortable.
Ahem...
She coughed lightly, nonchalantly putting away her stray thoughts, and returned to calculating her main business, her exquisitely beautiful face filled with gentleness:
“It's time to purify Lilith's Half-Angel bloodline.”
In Iluvia's mind appeared the image of that blonde girl who always wore a serious and devout expression.
Ever since the players descended, Lilith had barely rested.
Guiding the players, maintaining the temple, answering all sorts of weird questions—she had seen it all.
This child worked too hard.
So hard that Iluvia felt a bit embarrassed herself.
“I should give her some rewards.”
“After her bloodline is purified, her rank will increase significantly, and her combat power will multiply. More importantly—her mental strength will be greatly enhanced, so she won't feel so exhausted when guiding and managing those five thousand new players in the future.”
As Iluvia said this, she felt that this reward arrangement was truly spot on.
“Hmm... I hope she won't find it too painful...”
Thinking of the five thousand players arriving soon, she added with a subtle tone.
“...Probably.”
Oh well, no need to overthink it now.
Once Schutard and Selby return in the future and she has more helpers, Lilith's burden should lighten significantly.
Putting the thought aside, Iluvia moved her mind and contacted Lilith inside the Temple of Light.
Inside the Temple of Light, Lilith was kneeling reverently in prayer before the altar.
Suddenly, a gentle and divine presence surged from the depths of her soul, as if the entire space brightened by several degrees in that instant.
“Mother Goddess!”
Lilith snapped her eyes open, her expression instantly turning fanatical and excited.
“Mm... Lilith, next, I shall purify your bloodline and turn you into a true angel. Now—calm your mind.”
The voice was gentle yet solemn, imbued with an undeniable majesty.
Lilith's breath hitched in that instant.
Become... a true angel?!
Her mind felt as if struck by lightning, leaving her dizzy as her entire consciousness went blank.
Wild joy surged up from the depths of her heart like a tide, crashing against every nerve and causing her entire body to tremble slightly.
Heavens, what did she just hear?!
The Mother Goddess was actually going to grant her the gift of becoming a true angel!!!
“Yes, Mother Goddess!”
Her expression was intensely excited and fanatical.
Closing her eyes, she tried hard to calm her violently beating heart. Then, she felt as though her body passed through an invisible barrier—
Warmth.
Light.
She arrived in a holy space.
Faint sounds of prayer and angelic chanting drifted through the air, seeming now far, now near, as though wafting from the end of the world or arising directly from her heart.
The feeling was beyond words—warmth, tranquility, and awe mingled into an emotion that brought tears to her eyes.
Lilith slowly opened her eyes.
She stood inside a grand and solemn temple.
The ceiling was so high its top was nowhere in sight, with bright light pouring down from above, illuminating every inch of the floor.
The angelic singing echoing around her grew clearer, as if thousands of voices were chanting the same holy hymn at once, every note possessing the power to pierce the soul.
Directly ahead of her was a high platform.
White jade steps ascended tier by tier, with golden holy light cascading down both sides like waterfalls.
And atop the high platform stood a gorgeously majestic Divine Seat beyond description.
Behind that figure, twelve holy wings slowly unfurled, every single feather appearing to be condensed from the purest light, their edges shimmering with fine golden radiance.
The figure was enveloped in full divine radiance, her face hazy yet radiating an ultimate beauty—holy, elegant, noble, as if she were the source of every wonderful word in existence.
That was a Twelve-Winged Sacred Angel!
It was the Goddess of Light!!!
And also her—
Mother Goddess!!!
Mother Goddess! I'm actually seeing the Mother Goddess with my own eyes!!!
Lilith's breath stopped completely.
Overwhelming delight, burning excitement, and long-suppressed fanatical faith instantly washed away all her logic.
Her eyes burned instantly as warm tears welled up uncontrollably, brimming in her eyes.
She bit her lip furiously and gripped her skirt tightly with her fingertips to keep from sobbing aloud, but her whole body shook uncontrollably.
No!
Lilith! You must not lose your composure in front of the Mother Goddess!
You are the Saintess personally recognized by the Mother Goddess! You must be dignified! You must be proper!
She tried with all her might to suppress her surging emotions, yet she could not hold back the boundless joy and reverence in her eyes.
Atop the Divine Seat, that exquisite figure lowered her gaze slightly, her golden eyes watching the excited young girl, a gentle smile hovering at the corners of her mouth.
“Lilith, you have come.”
The voice was holy and grand, yet carried a reassuring warmth, like the first ray of spring sunlight falling upon ice.
This was, in the true sense, the very first face-to-face meeting between Iluvia and Lilith.
Looking at the girl kneeling before the Divine Seat and her shoulders trembling slightly with excitement, a surge of softness involuntarily touched her heart.
This child was even more devout than she had imagined—so devout that Iluvia felt if she didn't do a proper job being a goddess, she would be letting her down.
Still... she still had to maintain the act.
“Mother Goddess!”
Unable to hold back any longer, Lilith fell heavily to her knees, her body trembling slightly as her voice choked with uncontrollable emotion and burning devotion.
“Please rise.”
The gentle and divine voice sounded once more, laced with a faint touch of care.
“Yes, Mother Goddess!”
Lilith obeyed and stood up, bowing her head. Her heart pounded so fast it nearly burst through her chest, every breath filled with the fragrance of holy light and the majesty of divinity.
“Lilith.”
Iluvia gathered her thoughts, her voice turning a bit solemn.
“Next, I shall perform a baptism upon your bloodline, elevating your life form into a true angel. This is my reward to you for your diligent efforts in guiding the God-Chosen Ones ever since their descent.”
“I have seen everything you have sacrificed. You have successfully passed my trial.”
“However, becoming an angel is not merely a status—it also means you must face unknown dangers. In the days ahead, other God-Favored may arrive, and as an angel, you must resolve all crises.”
“At the same time, you must shoulder the responsibility of restoring the glory of angels and expanding the Church of Light.”
“And once you become an angel, I shall bestow upon you the status of a God-Favored.”
“From that moment on, you shall be my divine proxy walking the mortal world.”
Iluvia paused, her golden eyes fixed on Lilith, her voice holy and solemn:
“Are you—willing?”
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