Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 604 Celestial Crown
"……call."

Franya stood on a long, steep slope at the edge of the dark capital city, gazing at the constantly shifting shadows in the distant sky above the city.

She let out a long sigh, channeling her spiritual energy outward to its fullest extent, then, after a moment, she gathered it back in—

The pure spirituality of [Radiance] instantly purified all the impurities in the surrounding air. Pure white radiance naturally formed rings of flowing light, encircling Franya.

Her spiritual essence has undergone a fundamental change compared to the previous day—it has approached the limit of [radiance] and is moving closer to the purest "spirituality" or even "divinity" itself.

"How is it, Your Highness?"

Beside Frania stood Monine, the "Supreme Sword," leaning lightly on her holy sword, her gaze slightly shifting towards Frania as she asked the saintess,
"Now that you've broken through the bottleneck, how do you feel?"

"..."

"I feel comfortable in both body and mind, teacher."

A serene smile appeared on Franya's face, her eyes sparkling—

"After the promotion, all the pent-up frustration and confusion have been swept away. I have indeed felt a whole new world and can 'see' further."

—"Saintess" Franya, she "saw" her "Gate of Stars" from a spiritual perspective a few days ago, and opened it the day before!

This time, Frania successfully broke through her bottleneck. Now she has reached the seventh level of the [Radiant] destiny, and according to the expectations of Pope Lorend, "Supreme Sword" Monine, and several saints, Frania has become the "Celestial Crown"!
“That’s very good, Your Highness.”

Monigne smiled.

Frania had attempted to break through the bottleneck of the "Sevenfold Fate" twice, failing each time. Her success this time was due to accumulated strength, and she had already become the "Celestial Crown," the most likely candidate to fully inherit the mantle of Pope Lawrence.

Frania has established a special connection with the pillar god of [Radiance]—the "Great Sun in an Instant." Now she can leverage even more of His power, and Monigne, witnessing her progress, is truly gratified.

"but,"

Monigne's voice became somewhat worried. She said to Franja:

"Even though you have been promoted, Your Highness, do not overexert yourself easily."

"After all, you just suffered such a serious injury and have just come out of such a weak state."

“I know,” Franya replied with a smile.

"I will never again let myself fall into such a state of exhaustion so easily..."

“Even if it’s not easy, it won’t work.” Monigne shook his head with a wry smile.

She knew that in necessary or critical moments, Franya would still use that Level IV authority, [Unforgivable Manifestation], without reservation.

All I could do was remind her not to unleash the "Triple Holy Manifestation" without holding back, just like I did when I fought the "Devouring Dragon" last time.

I was thinking about it with some anxiety.

Out of the corner of her eye, Monigne saw that the expression on the face of the "Saintess" Franya beside her suddenly changed.

“Look over there, teacher.”

Franya's eyes brightened, and she gently raised her arm, pointing to several figures in the distance, and said:
“Plendel is back.”

"And Lord Rosh Carlos has also come to greet us."

……

After receiving the message from the priests, Luo Xiu received Prandell, the vice-commander of the "God Hunt" Knights, and together they went to the outskirts to welcome Franya and Monine.

He saw it from afar; the saintess and the "Holy Sword" stood on the long slope in the distance. Behind Monigne were the now taciturn Pamela, the equally taciturn Daveld, and the other Templar Knights of the "Godhunter" Order.

When he first started following "The Holy Sword" Monigne and participating in the actions of the "God Hunt" Knights, Pamie might not have been used to it yet;

Daveld—at this moment, Daveld's face seemed rather helpless. He had just witnessed Luo Xiu's rapid advancement, and now he had witnessed the "Saintess" advancing to the seventh level of destiny again, which dealt a blow to Daveld and dampened his confidence.

Luo Xiu had already seen them from afar. Although he didn't know what they were thinking, he felt a strange sense of melancholy.

When Luo Xiu looked at the "saintess" and at Franya...

He sensed that Franya's spirituality had changed. Only when he approached them and threw a detection panel at Franya did he suddenly realize—

That "Saintess" Franya has successfully advanced to the seventh level of the [Radiance] destiny!

She has become the "Celestial Crown"—

In her previous life, Franya also eventually became a "Sevenfold Fate" holy order. Luo Xiu knew that it was a powerful holy order that was almost equivalent in strength to the "Lightwing Lord" that he aimed to advance to, and it was a holy order that only Franya could become.

Because of its ascension requirements, it must be granted divinity by the "Holy Crown" Pope of Lorient, and be protected and assisted by a "sevenfold destiny" saint during the ascension.

The former had already received the blessing of Pope Lorend when Franya left the Holy Court. The latter, however, was protected by the "Holy Sword" Monigne, who assisted Franya in ultimately achieving her ascension.

Although Franya met all the requirements, she still completed her promotion much earlier than in her previous life—about six months earlier.

Recalling these things.

Luo Xiu had arrived before Frania and Monine, offering them sacraments and greetings—

"Greetings to you, Lord Monigne and Her Highness the Saint."

"May your glory last forever. I have been here for some time now, and I will now take you to the expeditionary force's camp."

“Okay.” Monigne nodded.

She, along with Frania, Daveld, Pamie, and the Templar Knights of "Godhunter," followed Luo Xiu toward the garrison of the Pine Plains Expeditionary Force.

……

Stuart, the "Knight of the Sky," received a message from Albert.

The Holy Sword and the Holy Maiden of the Holy Court have arrived simultaneously—giving Stuart another headache.

He recalled the oppressive feeling he had experienced from Monigne the last time he saw her.

As the "Supreme," this feeling made Stuart quite uncomfortable. Lord Gawain, who was in the same tent with him and discussing matters, felt the same way, perhaps even more intensely.

The "Archbishop" Rosius Carlos had already put considerable pressure on Gawain. When he received news of Monigne and Franja's arrival from Albert, his first reaction was to flee—

“…Uncle,” Gawain said to Stuart.

“I think we should go to the Kumar Army’s base or the Winston Army’s base now. We should go and discuss some things with Lord Gillan Winston or Lord Oak Xavier.”

"indeed."

Stuart nodded.

Without hesitation, Stuart put down the document he was reading, stood up from his seat, and prepared to walk out of the tent.

"Then let's do it now..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the tent flap was lifted.

General Lansas, the "Winter General," entered. He glanced at Lord Gawain and Stuart, whose expressions were somewhat frozen, and said in a calm voice:
"Lord Rosh Carlos has come to pay a visit."

"Lord Luo Xiu has welcomed the Holy Maiden of the 'Holy Court' and Lord Monine, the 'Supreme Sword,' to our base. Please proceed to make arrangements with them, gentlemen."

"..."

"……Ugh."

Stuart shook his head. He knew he couldn't leave—he would have to face the "Holy Sword" again no matter what. He only hoped they wouldn't stay here for long, just temporarily, and that they would eventually reach the core of the "Holy Court's" headquarters.

Thinking this, Stuart picked up Lord Gawain, who was also somewhat helpless, and walked out of the tent.

At the same time, they gathered all the supreme generals of the fifth level or above in the Songyuan Expeditionary Force, including Albert, Lansas, and 'Chief Clerk' Lucien, and headed out of the camp.

……

When Luo Xiu saw Lord Gawain and Stuart, he noticed that their expressions were somewhat stiff.

As if he were born not to smile—and he, along with Frania, Monigne, and Daveld, had entered the territory of the Pine Plains Expeditionary Force and were about to arrive before Lord Gawain and Stuart.

In fact, on the way to bring Franya and Monine here, Luo Xiu also shared their experiences with them.

Monigne, the "Sword of the Holy One," led the "Godhunter" Templar Knights, destroying thirteen Black Army outposts and cult strongholds along the way.

The Songyuan Expeditionary Force conquered fortresses and major cities along the shortest route to reach the dark capital. Monigne and the "God Hunt" Templar Knights essentially cleared out and widened the road once again.

They also intercepted a Black Army that was about to join the Dark Capital. The deputy commander of "God Hunt," Royce, beheaded its leader, a chief executioner of the [Bitter Tea] path.

In fact, this was roughly what Franya and Monine experienced on their way there. As for Franya's advancement to the seventh level of the [Radiance] destiny and becoming the 'Celestial Crown', it was only mentioned briefly at the beginning and then not mentioned again.

Information about Franya's promotion remains top secret. However, it is necessary for Luo Xiu, who is closely associated with her, to know, so Monine briefly explained it to him at the beginning.

Luo Xiu showed surprise—although the panel detection allowed him to know in advance, a degree of surprise was still necessary.

Then, Lord Gawain and "Knight of the Sky" Stuart came out of the tent to greet us—

"We just received news of your arrival."

Stuart stood before Monigne and first greeted the "Holy Sword"—

"Greetings, Lord Monigne, the 'Sword of the Holy'."

Lord Gawain also bowed gracefully to Monigne and greeted him—

"Your arrival is of great help to us. On behalf of [Supreme], I welcome you."

"..."

"We will not stay at the Songyuan Expeditionary Force camp for long."

Monigne smiled and said:
"The main purpose of our visit is to exchange some information with Bishop Luo Xiu. Afterwards, we will head to headquarters; the final battle is about to begin."

"..."

As Monigne spoke, Rothschild saw Lord Gawain and Stuart's slightly furrowed brows gradually relax.

“I understand.” Stuart nodded. “Then, wishing us victory.”

"Yes, wishing us victory."

Monigne responded with a smile.

……

Just as Monine had said, she, Frania, and the Templar Knights of the "Godhunter" Knights did not stay for long.

After exchanging information with Luo Xiu, Gawain, and Stuart, they led the Templar Knights of the 'Godhunter' Knights away to the core headquarters of the 'Holy Court'.

Monigne learned from Stuart that the "Holy Tower Theocracy" sect had been discovered lurking within the expeditionary force in recent days. Monigne expressed serious concern about the presence of heretics from other cults such as the "Lich Society" and the "Primal Cult."

They will soon have an audience with the Pope and receive new revelations from him. During this time, they will consult with the Pope about the situation and how the Holy See should respond.

That was the gist of the exchange. Afterwards, Rosh, Lord Gawain, and Stuart saw Franya, Monigne, and the members of the "Godhunter" Templar Knights off from the camp, watching them head towards the Holy Court's residence.

Daveld stayed behind with Luo Xiu in the Songyuan Expeditionary Force to prepare for the upcoming decisive battle.

……

Three days later.

That is, June 5th, 768th year of the Tianqi calendar.

At 3:58 a.m., Luo Xiuzheng sat upright in the main seat of the bishop's tent.

He was holding an unscrewed brass pocket watch in his hand, its slender, needle-like hand about to point to the number "4".

He had everything prepared, having thoroughly inspected and equipped the complete set of "Ancient Dragon Artifacts." He had also completed several holy spell prayers ahead of time, stacking up buffs on himself, and was in an unprecedented state of peak condition.

"Heavenly Ring Paladin" Daveld was also in Luo Xiu's tent at this time. He was also fully armed, and his expression was more serious and solemn than ever before.

All the clergy of the Church, and all the Templar Knights of the "Sky Ring" Knights under Daveld's command, had assembled at their encampment. Everyone knew that today was the most important day, the day that would mark the end—

The day of the "decisive battle" is approaching.

“…It’s almost time.”

Luo Xiu stared at the pocket watch in his hand, then screwed it on after a long while and stood up from the main seat.

Daveld also rose from his seat. The archbishop and the knight commander walked out of the tent side by side, their gazes already fixed on the clergy and Templar knights who were fully prepared and solemn in appearance.

"Be with me, and purify the blasphemous and the chaotic from this defiled place."

Luo Xiu declared loudly—

“We will practice the sacred, for this is our destiny, our way.”

"At this moment, we are all the sun. We are all the embodiment of the 'Great Sun'."

"Follow me to the battlefield of the Holy Judgment, my comrades."

“Let us show our wrath to our enemies and bring forth the divine punishment that is due.”

"We will—become sacred!"

This was declared to all the clergy and Templars who were about to go to the battlefield.

Luo Xiu raised his scepter high, and the people in front of him also raised their right hands and solemnly placed them on their chests.

In his ears, the echo surged and resounded like waves.

"We will—become sacred!"

"We will—become sacred!"

"We will—become sacred!"

Woo——! ! !
The high-pitched horn sounds rang out from all directions at the same time.

4:00 AM sharp.

Torches have been lit on the towers.

—The moment of the "decisive battle" has arrived.

……

(End of this chapter)