It's so hard being a hero!

He was Augustus III, Emperor of the Delos Empire.

The moment Sophia saw him, she sighed inexplicably.

The old emperor must be almost seventy years old this year.

Standing on the right side of the platform was an old man dressed in a white robe with gold patterns embroidered along the edges, and a huge badge of light hanging on his chest.

His hair was completely white, but his skin was rosy, and his pale golden eyes shone with a peace and wisdom that transcended the mundane.

This is the Pope of the Holy See.

This is a demigod-level expert who has lived for hundreds of years.

Chapter 25 The Pope's Gaze

Sofia hid behind Frey, her heart pounding.

In that instant, the old pope's gaze, like an invisible arrow, pierced through the crowd and landed on her.

She felt like she was being seen through.

"what happened?"

Frey noticed her odd behavior and turned her head to ask a question.

"No, it's nothing."

Sophia shook her head.

Frey seemed to realize something, looked at the platform, and then subtly moved half a step to the side, blocking her behind her.

And then the etiquette officer's voice rang out.

"Laila, step forward to receive your appointment."

After this call, Lyra took a few steps forward and knelt on one knee in a knightly salute.

The old emperor Augustus stood shakily on the high platform, looking at the blonde girl kneeling on one knee in front of him with a complex expression.

He remembered the boy who once said he would end the wars in the empire and the conflicts on the continent.

"Leila."

The old emperor spoke, his voice aged and hoarse, but with the aid of magic, everyone in the audience could hear him clearly.

“Your father was a hero of the empire, a holy son of the papacy. He fell on the road to conquering evil gods, but his will did not fall.”

After saying that, he picked up the pure gold medal from the tray.

"Today, this medal will be yours to inherit."

He pinned the medal to Leila's chest.

Leila raised her head and solemnly swore an oath.

“I, Leila, hereby swear an oath.”

"I will inherit my father Su Lan's will, protect the empire, protect the Holy See, and protect every innocent person on this continent. I swear by my sword and by my blood, and I will never waver until death."

The vows echoed in the square, met with thunderous applause.

Sophia looked at her daughter Yan Xuan's solemn oath and couldn't help but sigh.

However, he didn't kneel down back then, after all, he was an Earthling.

The old emperor gestured for Leila to stand up.

Leila stood up and turned to face the square.

The silver armor gleamed in the sunlight, and the white cloak fluttered in the wind.

She raised her right hand, and golden battle aura condensed in her palm, transforming into a pillar of light that shot into the sky.

The Silver-ranked Holy Swordsman unleashed his power without reservation, and the entire plaza was enveloped in golden light.

The cheers were like a mountain roaring and a tsunami crashing.

Sofia's ears were ringing from the shock, but she couldn't help but smile.

That's her daughter.

The old emperor stepped aside, and the master of ceremonies stepped forward again.

"Next, His Holiness the Pope will bestow upon Lyra the title of Holy Light Knight."

The cheers gradually subsided, replaced by a solemn silence.

The old pope slowly walked out from the right side of the platform.

The white robe was embroidered with gold patterns along the edges, and the emblem of light on the chest reflected a rainbow of colors.

He walked slowly, but with a commanding presence.

Sofia held her breath and shrank further behind Frey.

The Pope stopped in front of Lyra, looked down at the blonde girl, and gave her a gentle look.

"Leila."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clearly audible to everyone present.

"You have completed the Holy Light Trial, proving your courage, faith, and strength."

He took a silver longsword from the master of ceremonies. The blade was engraved with intricate magical runes, and the hilt was inlaid with a thumb-sized gem of light.

"From this day forward, you are a Holy Light Knight of the Holy See, the highest honor the Holy See bestows upon secular knights."

Laila accepted the longsword with both hands and bowed in respect.

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Pope."

The Pope nodded, raised his right hand, and a warm white light shone from his palm, which he gently pressed against Leila's forehead.

May light be with you, and may courage accompany you.

Lyra closed her eyes, bathing in the white light.

The entire square fell silent, with only the sound of the wind.

As Sophia watched this scene, a strange feeling suddenly welled up inside her.

Something just doesn't feel right.

When she became a Holy Light Knight, the Pope pressed his hand on her forehead for only a second.

But this time, it lasted a full five seconds.

Moreover, the power of light it released was more than an order of magnitude stronger than it had been back then.

"What are you doing?"

Sofia asked Frey in a low voice.

Frey shook her head.

A few seconds later, the Pope withdrew his hand, and the white light dissipated.

Leila opened her eyes, her expression somewhat bewildered.

The Pope smiled gently.

"very good."

He only said two words, then turned around and went back to the right side of the platform.

In the final segment of the ceremony, Leila showcased her abilities.

She walked to the center of the square, raised her silver longsword, and golden battle aura surged out and attached itself to the sword.

Then, with a sudden swing of his sword, a massive golden sword aura shot out, exploding in the sky and transforming into countless golden specks of light, falling like fireworks.

Deafening cheers erupted once again in the square.

Sophia looked up at the golden specks of light, a slight smile playing on her lips.

A 22-year-old Silver-ranked Holy Swordsman is already very powerful.

After the investiture ceremony, Leila was surrounded by a group of nobles, and congratulations and compliments poured in from all directions.

Her smile was already somewhat stiff, but she had no choice but to deal with each one.

"Little girl."

This is Frey's voice again.

Sophia turned her head: "What's wrong?"

"Did you sense anything when the Pope released the power of light just now?"

Sophia paused for a moment, then thought back carefully.

"I didn't feel anything special, but I felt that the power of the blessing had become much stronger?"

Frey shook her head, her voice very low.

"No, it's not just a blessing; he seems to be probing Lyra's body with the power of light."

Sofia's pupils contracted slightly.

"Investigate what?"

"I don't know, but there must be a reason."

Frey shook her head.

Sophia opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

She glanced back at the high platform, but the Pope was nowhere to be seen.

Meanwhile, in a lounge behind the platform.

The Pope stood by the window, looking thoughtfully at the bustling crowd in the square through the glass.

"His Majesty."

A cardinal walked in from outside and bowed respectfully.