Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

“Immersing yourself in the spirit of the ancients is not a good thing, Karen.”

Saint Karen opened her eyes, blinked, and her bright eyes closed after a moment, revealing a sorrowful expression.

“Your Majesty Atlak, I am merely searching for a way.” Standing up, the holy aura dissipated from the room, and it returned to an ordinary study, with only the faint light from the candlesticks illuminating the old man and the child.

The kind old man took off his fur robe and draped it over the girl, then took her hand and walked out of the room. He waved to the fading darkness and patiently said to Karen, "The sages were not omnipotent. Believe me, they never experienced anything like this. The spirit they left behind is an indomitable will that we inherit. You don't need their guidance, Karen. You are one of the most resilient paladins."

Upon entering the magnificent hall, priests immediately gathered around the two, their expressions anxious. Even the grandeur of the Vatican could not suppress the priests' inner tension. The choir's singing had ended, leaving only a few elders and a group of uneasy children in the empty room.

"Your Majesty Atlach!"

"Lord Angel!"

The appearance of the old man and Karen made the pastors cheer. Atlach let go of Karen's hand and chatted with several elderly people dressed in red and older pastors in a circle, while Karen was surrounded by young people and children from the choir.

"The situation outside is terrible, Your Majesty."

"The Paladin rebellion has been confirmed; only the Inquisitors of Algeron are still maintaining the defenses."

“There’s no way out. The Black Tide has surrounded the Primordial Church. They can’t get close for now, but they won’t never. We need to break through… We need to…”

Atlas placed his hand on the chest of the somewhat young cardinal, who took two deep breaths, and his unfocused gaze began to return.

"Sorry, I'm a little nervous."

"Are all the logistics chaplains who support the judges like this?"

“I had the paladins tie up the mad priests and rotate them, but everyone’s mental defenses are getting lower. Our enemy is better at infecting minds than we are.”

Atlach did not show his inner unease, but his expression was not exactly relaxed either.

“That guy is good at more than just these things. Let’s tighten our defenses, gather the wounded and refugees in the cathedral, reduce the defensive pressure on the knights, and we’ll soon be going all out.”

"Prepare to execute [Holy Advent]."

Chapter 825 Dedication

"Lady Karen, will you come back?" The little nun hugged her waist. Not long ago, His Holiness Pope Atlas announced to all clergy the upcoming "Holy Advent," which was indeed exciting news in the current situation. However, some of Karen's peers who had been with her these days were filled with anxiety, even though they had exchanged comforting hugs many times.

Karen smiled throughout, gently patting the little nun's back with her soft hands. After becoming an angel, the Holy Light had smoothed away the calluses on her hands from training, which wasn't a bad thing. Her charm had also been enhanced by the Holy Light, making her much more similar to Elian's gentle side. This older sisterly tenderness easily soothed the bewildered child.

"I will not leave. [Holy Advent] is just making me a better version of myself, a stronger, more excellent, and more mature angel."

[By the light of all the priests, a halo is placed upon the recipient, allowing the chosen fifth angel to soar into the golden stage of her life.]

“Like being prematurely matured, Karen, you will become your future self ten years from now during the Holy Advent, the fully-fledged Angel Saint Karen Pompeii. You will wield the sword of light, tearing a ray of light for us in this darkness.” Karen still remembered the expression on Pope Atlas's face when he said these words. His words painted a picture of hope, yet his eyes seemed to weep, and sorrow etched new wrinkles on his face. Perhaps true saints are all compassionate figures, Karen thought.

“I am willing to accept the [Holy Advent] ceremony and become a more mature version of myself, Your Majesty Atlak. I see no flaw in this that warrants such an expression from you. I am prepared to sacrifice myself for the Holy Light and become the person I am ten years from now. To me, this price is more of a blessing.”

“This is precisely what I feel ashamed of, making a young girl who doesn’t understand the meaning of sacrifice bear the cost. What you will lose is a period of time that you can only understand the preciousness of once you’ve experienced it, the most innocent and beautiful time.” Atlak hesitated, then stopped.

“But a little girl can’t help us, right? She has to be a ‘big’ girl at least,” Karen said.

"In my eyes, you will always be a lovely little girl. The Angel of Light is truly a succubus." After saying this, His Majesty Atlas turned to apologize to the sky and murmured "Amen" a few times.

"Karen." The gentle voice called to her. Karen left the nuns' embrace and looked up at Atrak standing on the platform. He had changed into his most magnificent crown and robes, and surrounded by bishops and priests, he looked like a radiant god. The priests, carrying long-handled candles, stood around the ceremony, and the light gathered in the church, momentarily silencing even the noise outside.

They closed their eyes in prayer, they knelt in devout worship, they sang songs, and they transformed themselves into a ball of candlelight.

In the hazy light, Karen Pompeo ascended the steps of light. All the points of light seemed to bid her farewell. She walked before the Pope, and with the priests' care, knelt in worship, like a glorious knight receiving the medal of light. She had not yet received the glory; now she would fight for the glory she had pre-delivered, transcending the mortal realm to become an angel.

The ceremony was still ongoing, and light gathered on her body.

The Advent ceremony was interrupted, the broken church doors attracted uninvited guests, a black wind ignored the priest's screams, the candles were blown out, and darkness howled eerily in the cathedral.

"Look what I see! Did I disturb you?" Algernon asked knowingly.

“You have interrupted the descent of the angels, Your Excellency Algernon!” a priest said displeasedly.

The Judge Knight flapped his black wings and floated to the center of the hall. He landed, his massive body shoving aside the kneeling Kallen, facing Pope Atlach directly, and tossed the bundle he was carrying to Kallen. Kallen instinctively caught the bundle, and through the flustered contents, she saw a pair of blinking blue eyes.

Hello, little one.

“Lucy isn’t that small, and you’re not that big either.”

Algernon impatiently drew his sword from its sheath, patted Lucy's bottom with it, and shooed them aside.

"Now it's time for adults to talk, little angel, take her to play over there."

"But……"

“No buts, little angel!” Algernon glared at her. Karen Pomby was brought back to the Primordial Church by the Inquisitor Legion. This little angel, who was rescued from the vampire ruins of Loshutar, had lived with the Inquisitor Legion ever since. Under the Inquisitor Knights’ firm stance, the two sides had become like guardian and ward.

Driven by a strange emotion, Karen chose to communicate with Algernon in the same way she would with her father: "I'm not convinced, but I'm holding it in."

The girls fell silent, and Algernon then turned his gaze to the old man before him. The old man's expression was complex, but much kinder than the angry looks of the priests around him. Algernon's attitude towards His Holiness the Pope, who had long punished the Legion of Inquisitors by making them copy scriptures and clean the Vatican, was hardly friendly.

“My troops and I ventured deep into the darkness, battling twisted monsters and fallen believers, snatching those little ones from the brink of despair,” Algernon gestured to Lucy. “I ordered the troops to protect these priests with utmost care, for they are defenseless and useless on the battlefield. The priests live in bright, beautiful buildings, in big houses, and the only decision you can make in this environment is to send a slightly older little girl to be a sacrifice to the Holy Light. You should be thankful that Hell wasn’t built according to my will, or I would have certainly reserved beds for you priests.”

Algernon's words were quite blunt; he condemned their actions of hiding behind Karen and even attempting to send her to the battlefield. Such an insult would be unacceptable to any man with normal dignity, and the priest, his face flushed, argued vehemently.

"We have obtained Her Excellency Karen's consent!"

"She's just a child!" Algernon's roar echoed throughout the church. "I raised my sword and chopped off their heads, but some people always like to spout this self-righteous nonsense to me. Since when can a child make decisions for himself? We're not dead yet, you disgusting bastard."

Pope Atlas blocked the priest and Algernon, bowing and nodding to Algernon.

“We are grateful for the contributions of the Legion of Judges, Algernon. But the demise of humanity is imminent, and this is a matter of life and death. The Holy Light speaks of unease, and before fate, we are all placed on a pathetic level playing field. We need power, the power to preserve hope and to spread the flame. That is what Karen can do, and only she can do.”

"She is an angel, the chosen one, that is an indisputable fact. She is capable of receiving the Holy Descent..."

Karen noticed Algernon's silence and saw it as an opportunity to demonstrate that she was a mature woman.

“Yes, Your Excellency Algernon, I…”

"you shut up!"

"Well!"

Algernon opened his eyes and looked at the Pope with a firm gaze.

"The Holy Descent is simply the infusion of collective holy light into one person; to put it bluntly, it's a ritual that focuses on power."

"Then why not give me your power?"

"Let me, not the little angel..."

"Master the power of angels."

"I am the best paladin in existence, and I am the right choice."

Chapter 826 Darkness Undying

“You cannot do it, Algernon.” His Holiness Atlas’s voice echoed in the gleaming church. His voice was very soft, like falling snowflakes, light yet heavy, instantly freezing the air. This old man, who had always maintained a kind demeanor, denied Algernon with unusual firmness. The highest-ranking clergyman spoke the harshest reality.

"While the Advent ceremony is a collective act of priesthood, a miracle, a brushstroke that paints a bright future, it also has its limitations. A grand goal motivates people to move forward, but not everyone can achieve their desires. They will stumble, they will get lost, they will pause because of the thorns of reality, and they will change direction due to exhaustion and despair. Those who achieve their greatness are ultimately a minority, partly due to their own reasons, but more often because they have reached the end. There is no rule that a single path will necessarily lead to their desired destination. Some paths are broken, and some people are destined to have no future."

"It's ridiculous, isn't it? As the person closest to the Holy Light, this is what I feel. The miracles of humanity have already been priced. No matter how skillful the rhetoric or how brilliant the mind, you can't sell a stubborn rock for the price of gold."

"Karen Pound was given a future, and so she is gold."

“But Algernon Ferreira was not given, so you are a stubborn rock.”

"Do what you should do, do what is permitted, do what you are capable of, do not overstep your bounds, do not be arrogant. For your own sake, Algernon."

The legion commander snorted coldly, stepped forward, and glared at the old man.

“What if I say no? Your Majesty, this is a time of life and death. Commerce in peacetime should be overturned. I am the current commander of the Crusader Legion, and I believe the Holy Light should grant me some privileges.” Algernon said fiercely. His somewhat arrogant behavior rallied the priests around the Pope, who glared angrily at this unorthodox paladin.

Atlach gently pushed them aside, smiled at Karen who was not far away, and turned to face Algernon.

“You can’t bear it, Algernon.” The words were somewhat weak, but the old man repeated them nonetheless.

"The angels have all fallen. What do you think a mere figurehead can do? Can the little angels after Advent of the Holy Light reach the power of the head of the Holy Light?"

"No."

"Could she become another George?"

"also can not."

"Or can she become that merciful water, the natural leader?"

"No."

"Raphael, the Earth Angel?"

"Perhaps the lost holy sword can enhance her power."

Algernon was furious and raised his sword as if to strike.

"Such an uncertain future, and you actually let her try it! Why didn't you let me do it?"

"Because you will die, that's for sure."

The old man and Algernon looked at each other. The heavy breathing made the legionary's chest sound like a bellows. He put away the sword that was against Atlach's neck and sheathed it.

“I can administer Holy Advent to me.”

The rearrangement of the ceremony didn't take much time. Although the priest was resentful, he patiently prayed at Atlach's request. Hymns filled the church, and light converged on Algernon, the center of the ceremony. He knelt, eyes closed, his expression serene.

Wielding the sword of judgment, the saint descends here.

He was a devoted son and a noble fighter.

In the name of the saint, he is the fifth, Uriel of the Wind.

Atlas chanted, his hands hovering above Algernon's head as if lifting him up. The hymn soared high, and holiness gathered in the Pope's hands into a ring. The blinding holy light made everyone close their eyes tightly; the overwhelming light not only dispelled the darkness but also blinded all vision.

Algernon could feel the fire hanging overhead; it was power, so immense that it was tantamount to destruction.

Blood began to drip from Atlach's fingertips. As long as he held that halo, this blessing would continue. The blood dripped into Algernon's hair. At this moment, his thoughts were connected with the old man's.

“You still have a chance, give up, Algernon.”

"Wearing the Holy Ring will put your life on a countdown."

“I still have strength left, I can still persevere. If the Holy Advent grants power to Karen once more, I will protect her from the corruption of evil with my life. The flame of the Holy Light needs new guardians. Take them with you, Algernon. You will survive.”

He knelt on the ground, the weight on his head feeling as if he were carrying the entire world. Algernon bowed his head in respect to the old man.