After killing the vengeful spirit, the suddenly surging power that had pushed Edwina to a level beyond transcendent began to gradually fade away. Her realm descended all the way, finally stopping at…

 

“Huh?”

 

The Holy Knight let out an incredulous exclamation.

 

Because even though the power bestowed upon her by the Goddess of Dawn and Hope had dissipated, her strength did not drop back to the original Sky level. Instead, it firmly stabilized at a realm that some girl had once dreamed of.

 

Is this… the power granted by the gods?

 

Unbelievable.

 

Edwina subconsciously pulled a strand of hair from her temple and suddenly noticed that her originally sacred imperial human standard golden hair had also undergone a change. It transformed into a translucent, pale gold similar to when she exhibited holy power.

 

Like clear crystal, like… light.

 

Light elements danced around and frolicked beside her, radiating pure admiration and affection towards Edwina. With just a slight guidance, they would spontaneously surge into her body.

 

Light became even closer to her. No, perhaps it should be said that she was becoming more akin to light?

 

The blessing of the gods.

 

This supreme honor, which existed only in the historical records of the Holy Empire, bestowed personally by the goddess upon the founders of the three great divine lineage families a thousand years ago, surfaced in Edwina’s mind.

 

She had truly received the divine blessing, becoming, like the ancestral founders of her family, an original envoy of the gods.

 

But…

 

As someone already descended from a divine lineage, why could she receive another blessing? Moreover, why did the goddess choose her? Even though she, named Edwina, the Holy Knight, was still so weak and not mature enough…

 

Just as the Holy Knight found herself at a loss, a clear and melodious sound suddenly rang in her ears.

 

“Surprised, aren’t you? You’re quite interesting in various ways. This is a small gift for you. Remember your original intentions and make good use of it. Well then, farewell~”

 

This voice was…

 

“Miss Violet?!”

 

Edwina hastily turned her gaze to the direction where the voice came from, but there was nothing there, as if the proclamation from the heavens had descended from the empty sky.

 

And the voice of the priestess girl did not ring out again.

 

“So… that’s how it is.”

 

The goddess had not abandoned her. Just as the divine oracle revealed, the goddess had silently observed every devout believer from the very beginning.

 

When she was deceived and arrogant, delivering a lesson when needed.

 

When she mistakenly entered the lair of the undead, descending like a celestial being, displaying unimaginable majestic power, ruthlessly purifying the deceased;

 

And now, in this moment of crisis, she manifested her holiness once again, bestowing the blessings and power of the divine…

 

This time, she couldn’t even see the figure of the entity. It was as if they were standing on the distant edge of the sky, casting their gaze upon the creatures of the earth.

 

Miss Violet… is she the goddess, Aurora?

 

“Goddess of Dawn and Hope, so this is your true name. What an honor…”

 

The Holy Knight devoutly knelt on the ground, prostrating herself in the direction where the goddess disappeared, offering the most complex and sublime gestures of reverence.

 

Even she, who had never cried even when on the brink of death, could not restrain the tears that slid down her cheeks. Her cheerful and lively voice now sounded choked.

 

“Thank you, thank you so much. Three times you guided and directed the lost believers. Your radiance illuminates the earth, and your will is our direction forward. You are the light of all things in the world, you are the supreme deity…”

 

“I, Edwina, even if I exhaust this life, I will not disappoint the glory you have bestowed upon me. I will adhere to the duties and beliefs of the envoy!”

 

So foolish, she thought. She was truly foolish to become despondent and belittle herself just because of jealousy, attempting to equate herself with the goddess and her guardian, who concealed their identities.

 

There would be no more confusion.

 

Edwina wiped away her tears, stood up from the ground, and the sense of loss in her eyes vanished completely. She became lively and full of spirit.

 

Mr. Nicholas, who was closest to her, looked at the Holy Knight with a slightly odd expression.

 

The inexplicable burst of overwhelming power was already mind-boggling. Moreover, after the battle, instead of celebrating or fainting due to the side effects of the arcane arts, Miss Edwina knelt down to pray?

 

Certainly not… Was the explosive combat prowess she just exhibited truly a gift from the gods?

 

Are all six-winged envoys so extraordinary?

 

Maybe I should consider believing in a god myself?

 

Regardless of his thoughts, Mr. Vicious Wolf’s behavior was quite restrained. He did not gossip about Edwina’s peculiar religious actions. He nodded at her as she stood up and then left to participate in the aftermath of the battle.

 

On the other side,

 

Princess Lilya and the legendary adventurer Scarlet Flame Flora had also arrived near Edwina, the girl who had achieved remarkable feats. They did not disturb the Holy Knight’s prayer. After she finally calmed down, they broached the topic.

 

“This time, thank you very much, Miss Edwina. If it weren’t for you, our country would probably have had to pay a great price to defeat that legendary vengeful spirit.”

 

The Princess bowed slightly to Edwina, a gesture that was quite solemn for a royal family member of a major nation.

 

However, Edwina herself belonged to one of the three direct descendants of the Holy Empire’s major divine families, which was equivalent to half of the royal family. Considering her recent contributions, such a gesture was not considered excessive.

 

Although both of them knew well that a certain priestess was manipulating things behind the scenes, it was indeed Edwina who took action.

 

Moreover…

 

Scarlet Flame Flora and Lilya exchanged a glance, the former scrutinizing the changes happening to the Miss Holy Knight. Taking the initiative, Scarlet Flame Flora tried to probe.

 

“Miss Edwina, forgive my presumption, but have you perhaps… witnessed a legend?”

 

“Uh…”

 

Edwina first hastily bowed to Princess, then turned to respond to Miss Scarlet Flame.

 

“It seems like that, but I’m sorry, due to some important secrets involved, I can’t reveal the details…”

 

The Holy Knight wasn’t someone who would openly discuss any topic with outsiders.

 

She confessed because she believed it wasn’t a secret worth keeping, and for truly important matters, such as the content related to the Forgotten Land that Violet had cautioned her to keep confidential, she had been keeping her lips sealed.

 

Moreover, this matter involved the goddess herself, making it one of the most important and core secrets of the temple.

 

Therefore, Edwina’s vague words didn’t bother Princess. On the contrary, she was satisfied that this seemingly foolish Holy Knight understood the importance of keeping secrets for Violet.

 

The two girls were concerned about another matter.

 

“Actually, it really happened….”

 

Without a doubt, this unbelievable matter could only be the work of a certain priestess.

 

Princess and Miss Flora didn’t expect that Violet could directly and instantly permanently increase a person’s strength limit.

 

But Lilya’s own even more incredible example was right there, and it seemed like everything was making sense.

 

After confirming Edwina’s situation, Lilya took a step forward and casually asked.

 

“The matters here are more or less concluded. So, Miss Edwina, do you have any plans for what comes next?”

 

“Plans, well…”

 

The head of the not-so-functional knight, whose mind probably didn’t become more functional due to blessings, thought for a moment and then revealed her thoughts.

 

“To be honest with Your Highness, I came to the Courage City this time because something happened. I planned to rent a griffon here and detour back to the Angel City in the Holy Empire.”

 

“But now, I’m not in a hurry to go back. I’ll probably stay in the Courage City for a while, see how things develop here, and then continue traveling around… something like that.”

 

The princess chuckled lightly, directly grasping the essence of the girl’s statement.

 

“In other words, you don’t have a detailed plan?”

 

“Well… yes, you could say that, hahaha.”

 

Edwina laughed foolishly.

 

So, Lilya took advantage of the situation and laid out her cards to this newly legendary Holy Knight.

 

“To be honest, I think Miss Edwina is a trustworthy person, so… how about accepting my employment? The compensation is negotiable. Of course, it’s based on your personal identity, not as a member of the Cecilia family.”

 

“Eh? Princess’s employment? Do you mean…”

 

With the conversation reaching this point, the Holy Knight princess, who understood the current situation of the Human United Kingdom, immediately grasped the meaning of the princess in front of her.

 

To help her, to contend for the throne.

 

“Yes, just as you thought.”

 

The princess pointed in the direction of the palace, speaking frankly.

 

She knew very well that when dealing with true strong individuals like Flora, Violet, or Edwina, one must be honest and openly lay out all the conditions and purposes. Artful deception might work temporarily, but it would eventually backfire.

 

Edwina hesitated.

 

She understood that this was not the usual skirmish, getting involved in the bloody political struggle of the royal family meant risking her life. Even now, Princess Lilya may seem to have an absolute advantage on the surface, but it couldn’t be said to be entirely certain.

 

But…

 

The teachings of the goddess echoed in her ears once again.

 

“Do not forget your original intention… right? I think you understand what I mean.”

 

Who was it that, clad in silver armor, personally went into battle, risking danger to save these unfortunate people?

 

Who was it that, in the midst of the former king’s death, worked tirelessly as a daughter to maintain the stability of the vast capital?

 

And who was it that went to the western frontier, blocked a million beastman army invasion, and fought to the death on the battlefield?

 

Thinking about the various deeds and actions of the current Fifth Princess, as well as the praises from the common people, Edwina agreed.

 

“Alright, I promise you, in the name of a Holy Knight.”

 

The golden-haired girl knelt on one knee, offering a knight’s loyalty to the princess.

 

Irrelevant to identity, irrelevant to strength, because the Holy Knight believed that this was the right choice, her original intention—doing her best to bring peace and justice.

 

The princess smiled, silently accepting the loyalty and expectations of this girl. She extended her hand, and as they stood up, the tattered armor on the golden-haired Holy Knight, though worn, shook hands with the princess, her eyes sincere and pure.

 

“Pleasure to cooperate.”

 

“Hehe, pleasure to cooperate!”