Raise Joan of Arc to be an empress, then discard her.

However, Rivido's attack continued. Seeing that Aaron's steps remained fixed at a few paces and his sword swings were minimal, appearing to the naked eye as if he had been constantly ramming his sword into the opponent's short sword, he began to change his strategy. He even subtly used spiritual power and began to thrust diagonally at large angles, looking for weaknesses in Aaron's defenses.

Sword beams kept piercing from all sorts of tricky angles, and Aaron's steps also began to move slowly, as if he was finally about to change his formation.

A cold smile flashed across Rivido's face. He twisted his ankle on the lawn, causing the grass to sink an inch beneath him, revealing the soil underneath. Looking at the face so close yet so calm, Rivido felt a nameless fire rise in his heart, vowing to beat the owner of that face until he begged for mercy. In an instant, Rivido's feet were filled with spiritual power, and his body pounced forward like a cheetah. The longsword in his hand blurred and distorted in the air, moving at a speed that was invisible to the naked eye. This was the strike of a beast biting its prey's neck.

"ended."

Rivido almost sneered inwardly, but he saw the calm-faced master stroll a few steps to the side as if taking a leisurely walk, and then he watched helplessly as the man walked out of his attack range... into the blind spot of his longsword, into his blind spot, and then felt a kick in his butt.

"boom!"

Riviera lost his balance. He watched as the lawn rapidly enlarged in front of him until his vision went completely dark. He actually fell, and almost face down, like a dog falling into the mud. To onlookers, this kind of fall was probably no less than stepping in cow dung. Moreover, he had just fallen while tackling. That kind of posture is the most authentic dog-face-down fall in the East.

Rivero was a soldier who had fought on the battlefield. Although this way of falling was very undignified, he still quickly pounced on it. On the battlefield, no one cares about whether you are dignified or not; that's something only the survivors have the right to say. His body flipped over like a carp leaping out of the water. Because he used his spiritual power, air currents appeared beneath him, and he almost soared into the air like a dragon. However, a short sword was still lightly pressed against his chest. Although he didn't even see it clearly, Rivero's body still stiffened at that moment.

"Young Master Rivero, are you really going to use your spiritual power on a mere first-tier tutor like me?"

Goddess Temple

Inside the magnificent palace, red wool carpets stretched from the palace grounds all the way to the outskirts of the city. This was the Duke's museum, a place traditionally considered a place only for the elite. Nobles and wealthy merchants in the city considered it an honor to be invited by the Duke, and to be invited to visit the Duke's museum was an even greater privilege. The palace truly lived up to its name as a museum, displaying artifacts from both domestic and international sources, from the New World to the Old World, spanning centuries and millennia, all quietly encased in a transparent protective shield of spiritual particles. From oil paintings by great artists to imperial crowns, and even Eastern ink paintings and porcelain, the museum's exhibits were diverse and dazzling.

Regardless of the value of these artworks, the palace itself is an architectural marvel. Now, this building, a work of art in itself, seems to be welcoming new guests. The enormous crystal chandelier overhead is lit, and the entire palace takes on a jewel-like quality in the play of light and shadow. The mirror-like floor reflects the numerous artworks above, and also the two guests above. The Duke, the owner of these artworks, walks at the forefront with a smile, introducing these ancient artifacts to his two guests.

Few people can be personally received by the Duke, but this certainly does not include distinguished guests from the Vatican.

The Duke, walking ahead, eloquently described the angelic descent depicted on the wall. Claire walked on the red carpet, her gaze slightly shifting elsewhere. Compared to the enormous palace, her body seemed as small as an ant. The palace and its reliefs created a tremendous sense of oppression for the guests within, similar to the effect of the churches in the Vatican. The sacred and solemn churches always evoke a sense of immense majesty upon entering, which is why the believers in the Vatican are exceptionally devout.

However, Claire's expression was always indifferent as she strolled leisurely on the red carpet. She didn't seem focused, but when the Duke mentioned something interesting, she would smile and nod, ensuring that the conversation didn't fall flat. It was only natural that Claire seemed uninterested; even all the artworks in the palace combined couldn't compare to the angelic attire she wore.

Upon reaching the center of the main hall, Claire finally stopped and said softly, "Thank you for your hospitality, Duke. I believe this will be a good place to store the Spear of Saint Longinus once it is found. But before that, how about we talk about the Dawn of Light?"

Although she was only nineteen years old, the girl remained calm and composed when discussing serious matters. Her calm tone conveyed a subtle sense of authority and hinted at the presence of someone in a superior position.

Meanwhile, Ivy, who had always been behind Claire, took a small step forward, highlighting her presence. Before this, Ivy had always stayed quietly behind Claire like a secretary, only coming out when Claire needed her, subtly revealing the sharp edge of the Judgement Church.

The duke, now a middle-aged man, nodded. He seemed unconcerned that the two girls before him were not yet twenty. He abandoned his usual majesty and solemnity, placed his hands on his black cane, and said, "Since this is about capturing heretics, the city of Dok will do everything in its power to help Lady Claire. Lady Claire may make any requests you may have."

"No need."

Ivy maintained her cold expression and calmly replied, "On our way here, we captured a member of Dawn of Light. He possesses high-level strength and is a high-ranking member of Dawn of Light. He is currently being held in the Central Angel Army. We have obtained a list of cult groups that have infiltrated the city from his interrogation."

The Duke was taken aback for a moment, then revealed an admiring look of "a young hero emerges." Although the efficiency and strength of capturing a cult member in one fell swoop was somewhat astonishing, it was to be expected if it were the Archangel of the Central Angel Army. So the Duke asked, "How many heretics of this level are there in the kingdom now?"

He maintained his calm and composed expression: "The members of the Dawn of Light have always been few and far between. This incident covers everything from Tartarus to the theft of the Spear of Saint Longinus, and even the war in the north. Lady Claire and I came here first to scout ahead. According to intelligence, there are at least seven high-level transcendents and possibly more than twenty heretics at the divinely inspired level."

"Twenty people..."

Even the Duke, who always kept his emotions hidden, frowned slightly, his pale brows furrowing as if he realized the seriousness of the problem.

After all, so many terrible things had happened in Birmingham recently, and he had heard the rumors, so it was only natural that he found it terrifying.

Seemingly noticing the worry on the Duke's face, Claire said, "Please rest assured, Your Grace, we came here to guard against this situation. As long as they dare to show their faces in Dock City, we will appear immediately. However, since we arrived, the heretics in the city have become much more discreet, so we don't need to worry about that for now. Our top priority is still the intelligence on Dawn Star."

Although it may sound arrogant, it is the truth. Since Claire and Ivy arrived here, the cults in the entire city of Dok have become much more low-key. The pressure from the angelic superhumans has descended upon the city. No one knows when the angels' power will strike. Although it may be the calm before the storm, Claire is now clearly the guardian angel of this place.

"So, was the Spear of Saint Longinus really stolen?" the Duke asked.

Ivy shook her head: "The real Lance of Saint Longinus has been moved to the Papal Palace for safekeeping, but the theft of the Holy Lance is true. What was stolen was a projection of the real Holy Lance. Although it's a 'fake,' it possesses some of the Holy Lance's powers. The Duke should know the weight that items related to sacred objects carry. If the Dawn of Light finds out how to use the Holy Lance, even Lady Claire could be killed..."

As she spoke the last sentence, Ivy's tone suddenly turned serious, adopting an attitude reserved for wartime. The Duke felt a chill run down his spine. The Spear of Saint Longinus—that was a weapon that had wounded a god, the legendary Spear of Destiny, possessing a portion of its original power… The Duke could hardly imagine the possible consequences…

"It's ok."

In the end, it was the girl's clear and beautiful voice that gave the Duke the strength to feel at ease.

Claire stared straight ahead and said, "Once you find the Holy Lance, leave the rest to me. I will kill whoever stole the Holy Lance."

After a pause, she said calmly, "That's why I came here."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

As they left the museum, the Duke invited them to a gathering in Doc City, ostensibly to welcome Lady Claire. Wealthy merchants and nobles from Doc City would be attending, but Claire postponed it for ten days. After leaving the museum, the two strolled through the streets, soaking in the bustling atmosphere of this commercial metropolis.

Chapter 249 Background

In a clean office in the Vatican, a briefing is placed on a desk.

The briefing was brief: Demon blood has awakened, anomalies have appeared on the battlefield of Asgard, the Twin Towers have been attacked by terrorists, Tartarus has been breached, the prison has suffered devastating damage, and a small number of prisoners have escaped.

Claire stood by the window, her gaze carefully sweeping over the briefing. She appeared to be merely reading an ordinary document, her cold face showing little emotion. Only her unwavering gaze revealed her seriousness. After a long while, she looked away from the briefing, her eyes growing even more earnest: "It was Tartarus? What kind of attack could have destroyed that place, turning the entire prison into a pile of ruins mixed with steel?"

"Although it was shocking, it was indeed destruction. The entire prison was devastated in an instant, so the building was shattered in an instant, leaving only 1,700 pieces of scrap metal standing on the ruins."

A girl in silver-white armor entered the office, her long, slender knight's boots slightly pressed together. She stood solemnly behind Claire, her gaze serene.

She was a perfect girl in every sense of the word. Just like her personality, her armor and boots were spotless. Her legs, encased in leg armor, were straight and long. Her chest and forehead were already showing signs of development. Her delicate face was cold and stern. The only flaw was that her face was slightly immature, and her always meticulous and cold face was like that of a cold and delicate porcelain doll, always wearing the same expression.

Even if she's a porcelain doll, she's the most exquisite kind. Although she hasn't lost her girlish naiveté, no one doubts Raguel's future achievements. Everyone in the Knights believes that with just a few more years of refinement, she will become a truly "perfect" military beauty.

The girl, with a youthful yet earnest expression, walked up to Claire, gave her a standard military salute, and said, "Lady Claire."

Although in common parlance, judges are often referred to as guardians, and among nobles, the title of judge often becomes a symbol of honor, in the armies of various countries, judges have always been the backbone of the Church of Judgment. In some countries where the Church of Judgment is prevalent, they are almost equivalent to angels.

But in the holy city of Vatican City, the Judges have only one meaning: they do not fight for a beautiful lady, nor for a monarch, nor for an empire. Their guardian has always been only one: the Supreme God. They fight for the glory of Heaven.

As in legend, angel wings symbolize the power of angels, and on Ivy's shoulders, the epaulettes of a four-winged angel shine brightly.

A six-winged seraph is the highest rank of the Judges. She is not yet a true seraph knight. There are only twelve seraph knights in the Knights Order, each inheriting the name of a certain seraph. She is just a trustee who has not been in the Knights Order for long. Even though she is very good, she can only wear the epaulettes of a four-winged angel.

The real six-winged angel was the one in front of her.

The girl who always kept her eyes on the briefing in her hand, known as Lady Claire, was someone who never showed her emotions.

Even though she tried her best to remain calm, Ivy couldn't hide the adoration in her eyes when she looked at her.

He entered the Church of Judgment at the age of seventeen and became an angel at the age of eighteen.

Claire stood silently by the window, a thoughtful expression in her emerald eyes. The sunlight outside fell on her silver-white armor, illuminating the dazzling six-winged angel on her shoulder.

Her legs were long and slender, clad in steel knight's boots. Her spotless knight's armor and meticulous personality were endearing and tolerant. A silver breastplate was embedded in her chest, clearly worth a fortune, yet it still revealed the magnificence of her breasts, making her unforgettable.

However, what is most striking is her ethereal, otherworldly beauty. Despite being a delicate and beautiful young woman, she possesses a heroic spirit that rivals that of men.

"Lady Claire, who do you think could have destroyed Tartarus like this?" Ivy asked calmly.

Claire paused for a moment, then said, "Aside from all other possibilities, the most likely one is the Black Thorn Flower, that heretical terrorist organization."

Claire paused for a moment, then asked, "Why do you think that?"

"After all, in this world, soldiers with extremely strong individual combat capabilities are either under the Pope's command or honored guests of royal families in various countries. However, the Western countries are basically our allies. If we exclude the evil heretical organization, Black Thorn Flower, then the most likely candidate is..."

Forty years have passed since the shocking sword-wielding incident that opened the gates of heaven in the West. The female sword immortal has long since disappeared, and the East remains in a state of warring states. However, that sword strike forty years ago still left a deep impression on the West, and it was from then on that the West began its fascination with exploring the East.

Scholars today often jokingly remark that the sword strike of that female swordswoman from the East not only cleaved open the gates of the West, but also severed its trade routes.

Forty years have passed

She placed the briefing back on her desk, picked up another stack of documents, and said, "The most pressing matter now remains the whereabouts of the Spear of Saint Longinus."

Furthermore, finding the Tartarus prisoners is merely a side matter; the most important task remains finding the lost Holy Lance and retrieving it from the heretics.

Upon hearing this word, Ivy's expression immediately turned serious, and she straightened her posture once again.

The Spear of Saint Longinus, a sacred relic of the Papal States, a weapon once pierced by divine blood, the legendary Spear of Destiny—its importance needs no further explanation. Yet, this very holy spear was stolen by thieves right under the noses of the three great knightly orders: the Central Archangel, the Knights Templar, and the Teutonic Knights, on a beautiful, sunny afternoon at the end of last month…

Therefore, the news of the theft of the Holy Lance became a topic of common concern in all countries, from the common people to royalty and nobility. The shock of the theft of the Holy Lance in the Western world is self-evident.

After all, that was a sacred relic of the Papal States, and the de facto leader of the Western world. Stealing the Holy Lance from the Vatican City was tantamount to slapping the Pope in the face.

Although Cardinal Andrea of ​​the Vatican later publicly stated that the theft of the Spear of St. Longinus was pure nonsense, and reiterated that the holy spear had always remained in the sanctuary of St. Peter's Basilica in good condition, and that the rumors of its theft were a deliberate smear campaign by heretics against the Papal States.

According to Vatican residents on that day, an unusual event did indeed occur in the holy city of Vatican. The specifics of what happened are unknown, but it is known that martial law was declared in the Vatican that day, and the three major knightly orders mobilized in full force, causing chaos throughout the entire night. Although it is unknown what the three knightly orders gained during this time, news of the Vatican's invasion spread quickly. It was not until a month later, when Tartarus prison was breached, that the news gradually subsided, and Tartarus once again became a popular topic of conversation among people around the world.

Contrary to rumors, while the Vatican was indeed invaded, the Spear of St. Longinus was not stolen. The real spear has been moved to the Pope's palace. What was stolen was a replica of the Spear of St. Longinus. There are four identical boxes in the chapel of St. Peter's Basilica, and the replica was hidden in one of them.

It may seem like just losing a fake, nothing to worry about, but even a replica of the Holy Lance is still a holy artifact-level spear. Letting it roam freely is tantamount to the Holy See abandoning a holy artifact.

Claire calmly flipped through the documents on her desk and said in a low voice, "In fact, I was just instructed by the Bishop of the Nexus to find information about Lilith in Marston. It is very likely that the Holy Lance is also in her hands."

A glint of excitement flashed in Ivy's unchanging gaze.

"This time, I will take you with me as my second-in-command, along with several lower-ranking knights, to investigate Marston and retrieve the Holy Lance. Marston is not far from the Twin Towers and is a famous trading city. The people who destroyed Tartarus may also be there."

"Yes." There were no further words, only Ivy's resolute reply.

Seeing Ivy's slightly trembling body, Claire's face remained calm.

Oh, there's one more thing.

Just as Ivy was about to leave, Claire called him back and handed him a photograph.

"If you have time, please help me find someone who looks like this. Let me know if you have any clues," Claire said.

Ivy took the photo without asking any questions. Lord Gabriel had his reasons for looking for her, and she didn't need to worry about it.

After Ivy left, Claire crossed her arms and looked out the window at the sky, a rare smile appearing on her face. She said softly, "I wonder how you are now."

"That's it..."

*

In the Lusset Empire, in Esgard, on a rare fine day, Aaron was deep in thought outdoors.

As he was thinking, a girl's voice came from not far behind the Roman column. The voice was lively and childlike, as if searching for something nearby. Before the voice could get closer, Aaron's body silently left Civita's body. Civita hurriedly straightened her clothes. Aaron peeked out and led the girl out from behind the Roman column.

They had just emerged from behind a pillar when they bumped into a girl who barely reached their chest. The girl stopped abruptly with a "whoosh," clutching her top hat as she looked at them with sapphire-blue eyes.

“Miss Ottilia,” Aaron called out the girl’s name first.

The girl probably didn't expect to run into them here. After a moment of surprise, she said in a clear voice, "Aaron, and Chivita, are you... playing hide-and-seek here?"

The girl looked to be only fourteen or fifteen years old. She wore a dark blue dress that reached just above her knees, and a small black hat with silk ribbons tied into blue roses on her head. Beneath the black skirt, her slender legs were encased in black over-the-knee stockings, covered by lace-up high-heeled leather boots. Various gemstones adorned her fair wrists and neck, which shimmered in the air as she moved.

This is a lady's attire. The person who tied the roses for her must have dressed her up to be a noble and mature young lady, and in fact, she did just that. From the first moment we met, the girl appeared exquisite, fashionable, and elegant, exuding the graceful temperament that only a noble lady could possess. Even Aaron was exceptionally gentle with her, and of course, the most important reason was that she was his boss's daughter.

“Miss Ottilia,” Aaron said meticulously, “it’s after get off work hours, and I’m here to pick up Civita to take her home.”

"Um...it's time to get off work..."

The little girl seemed a bit unhappy with the word, frowning slightly as if she wasn't used to it yet. However, she quickly reassured herself and said, "Since it's after get off work, you can just call me Ottilia. I'll still call you Aaron as usual."

Ottilia is a lively and lovely girl, but she is also the youngest daughter of Marquis Klein. The status of a marquis's daughter is noble enough among the nobility. However, it is said that the head of the Klein family was originally a duke, and the title gradually became a marquis with each generation. However, there is nothing shameful about this. It shows that the Klein family has a long history and has had ties with the royal families of many countries. Nowadays, the Klein family is also one of the wealthiest families in the empire. It is said that they monopolize 90% of the mechanical business in the empire. No matter where you are a mechanic from, as long as you come to Lusset, you are doing business with Marquis Klein.

Suddenly, the church doors opened, and a beam of light shone out. In the fresh air after the rain, the young lady of the Klein family came to the church to choose a suitable servant.

The Marquis of Clyne was known for his benevolence in York. The church where they lived was built with his money, so the church and Miss Clyne had a good relationship. The priest led Miss Clyne to the breakfast team and announced this to them.