I am the heroine's godfather!

However, Messiah, who was standing to the side, finally made her move: "...O holy light that illuminates all things, please become my power, holy light to vanquish demons!"

Light elements coalesced into a giant sword, piercing the monster's eye. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Loran and Estia swiftly attacked and destroyed the Web-weaving Spider.

"Are you alright? Are you alright?"

Miss Messiah looked very worried, but Loran chuckled and said, "It's nothing."

"Hmph, looks like we're pretty good after all."

Christine, hands on her hips, declared, "We've wiped out fourth-tier magical beasts—even the Web-weaving Spiders, which could barely contend with fifth-tier magical beasts!"

Loran coughed twice and looked at Christine again: How come I didn't realize Christine was such a good actress before?

Could it be that Christine isn't as stupid as he thinks?

Yes, all the guys in the team are hiding their true strength right now.

As far as Loran knew, Messiah was now a seventh-tier mage, Estia was a sixth-tier elven archer, and Christine and he were both sixth-tier warriors. This meant that the fourth-tier monster wouldn't even last a single round against their full strength.

Sigh, so this is how the Saintess Squad is wary of each other at this stage?

Looking back, Loran couldn't help but sigh.

Come to think of it, when did we, this group of people, finally come out and confess?

It seems to be... on the eve of the Battle of Middlesbrough?

Chapter 25 If you know it's a dream, it's best to wake up as soon as possible.

And so, Loran enjoyed this second chance at the story. With him, this guy on his second playthrough, the Saintess Squad's adventure became much simpler.

And his relationship with Messiah grew closer and closer.

Time passed slowly, and finally, the eve of the Battle of Middlesbrough arrived.

"Everyone!"

Messiah finally broke the silence: "I'm sorry for keeping this from you for so long!"

"uh-huh?"

Loran spoke up: "What do you mean?"

"It's about my identity."

Messiah bit her lip: "Actually, I am the current saint of the Church of the True God. The Lord of the Royal Court, the fallen angel Lucifer, came to find me."

The remaining three exchanged glances and fell silent.

Messiah continued, "This is my battle, it has nothing to do with you, so, so..."

"So what?"

Christine interrupted her: "So, are we leaving?"

"......Um."

"Don't look down on me, you bastard."

Christine rolled her eyes: "How could I possibly desert my post?"

"But it would be very dangerous."

"Well, since you've come out honestly, I won't hide it from you anymore!"

Christine rubbed her hair in annoyance: "I thought I was the hidden master, but it turns out you're even stronger than me..."

As she spoke, she exuded the aura of a sixth-tier being: "As you can see, Christine, a half-dragon, is at least a sixth-tier being. She should be able to help you... You two should leave first."

She looked at Loran and Estia, thinking that these two couldn't possibly be hiding their strength as well, could they?

"They actually look down on us because of single-celled organisms."

Estia sighed, "What a disgrace."

"Hey! Now's not the time to be reckless!"

Christine was about to say something when she suddenly froze. Estia was emanating the aura of a sixth-tier cultivator. Her expression was calm: "The elven princess, Estia, as you can see, is also a sixth-tier cultivator."

Christine's face stiffened for a moment, then she looked at Loran: "You wouldn't happen to be... too..."

She was speechless because Loran was also emanating the same sixth-tier aura.

After a long pause, Christine sighed, "So, it turns out our team really doesn't have any trust."

Messiah laughed, "Well, isn't this fine too?"

"Indeed, so, Miss Saintess, are you still going to abandon us?"

"Then, I'll leave it to you all to fight alongside me!"

The story that followed was not much different. The Battle of Middlesbrough ended in victory for the Saintess's side. At the same time, the Saintess's team became famous, and Loran and his companions unlocked the main quest: defeat the Demon King.

And so, everything moved slowly forward, until finally, they arrived at the Demon King's castle.

"Loran!"

Messiah suddenly spoke up: "If, if we really defeat the Demon King, after that, can you promise me one thing?"

"whats the matter?"

"Hmm, we'll see!"

Christine's eyes widened: "Could it be... Waaaaah!"

Estia silently covered her mouth and looked at Messiah with a complicated expression.

Loran paused for a moment, then laughed: "Okay, I'll agree to anything you want."

"A word is settled!"

"It's a word."

They defeated the Demon King, and Messiah became a demigod.

Standing atop the Demon King's castle, the two looked up at the equally dazzling starry sky of the Demon Realm.

"We won, Loran!"

Messiah turned to look at him: "We've defeated the Demon King!"

"Yes, we won."

Loran looked at the sky, his tone calm.

Messiah suddenly blushed: "Then, does what we said before still stand?"

"Calculated."

"Really, really?"

"Ah."

"Well then, I'll tell you!"

Messiah closed her eyes, as if making a tremendous decision, and finally, she spoke: "Loran!"

"I'm here."

"I like you!"

"...I like you too, Messiah."

"Really?"

Messiah was stunned, then her tone became somewhat flustered. Loran turned around and looked at her: "Yes, really."

"So, so we are now..."

"It's lovers."

"!"

"Love, lover?"

"Ah."

Messiah blushed and remained silent for a while before looking at Loran and closing her eyes.

Bathed in moonlight, she was so beautiful she seemed otherworldly.

However, Loran has yet to respond.

Messiah opened her eyes: "Loran?"

Loran continued gazing at the starry sky for a long time before softly speaking, "Do you know?"

"Ok?"

Messiah did not know the name 'Loran'.

Loran turned around and looked at "Messiah": "And she will never say these words to me again."

"...That's it."

Messiah gave a wry smile: "So, you knew from the very beginning?"

"Ah."

"So you don't want to stay?"

"Yes."

"why?"

Messiah looked puzzled: "Shouldn't this be the ending you hoped for?"

"Ah."

"That......"

"But reality is that things can't always go as planned."

Loran looked up at the starry sky again, at the ancient heavens: "Compared to illusion, the imperfect reality is my true home."

He said softly, "There are still many people waiting for me in reality."

"That's it."

Messiah smiled and said, "Then, goodbye, Loran."

"See you."

The illusion shattered, and Loran found himself being protected by a pair of jade-like arms. Looking up, he saw Lucifer holding him, his dark wings spread, and the roar of magic behind him.

"Did I wake up a little late?"

"Yes."

A faint smile appeared on Lucifer's pale face: "But it's also just right."

"That's good."

Loran smiled, and a golden flame suddenly ignited in his eyes: "Now is the time to fight back."

Lucifer's face twisted into a ferocious grin. Even she was getting angry after being beaten motionless for so long: "Then let me see what 'Stars' looks like when they're at full power."

"Do not."

Loran drew his sword: "Perhaps I should think of another title."

With a swing of his longsword, sword energy surged forth. On this day, Loran broke through the threshold of the seventh level of martial arts.

"Oh dear, I really can't beat you this time."

Lucifer smiled and said, "Alright, let me see just how far you've come."

"Friendly reminder: if you don't want anything irreparable to happen later, it's better to end it sooner rather than later."

"is it?"

Loran grinned: "Then let's finish this quickly."

The Abyss Walker over there seemed to have lost his mind; his eyes were now filled with madness: "Feel the grace of the Abyss!"

"Sorry, I don't have time to listen to your nonsense."

Lorraine suddenly rushed forward: "I'm in a hurry!"