Yuna Summerfield.

Violet, who had been in the Holy Empire for some time, was naturally familiar with this name.

The Holy Empire’s population numbers in the billions. Among them, many might not have heard of Pope August Lambert, but if someone didn’t know Yuna Summerfield, it would indeed be a source of ridicule.

As the current head of the divine Summerfield family and the foremost of the Three Saintesses, Yuna Summerfield is almost the most prominent figure in the Holy Empire in recent centuries.

Decades ago, when she inherited the holy artifact 【Crownless Crown】 from the previous generation and took on the role of the Saintess at the age of twenty-four, she had already reached the pinnacle of legendary-level strength.

Three years later, with the aid of the artifact, she broke through to become the only one of the Three Saintesses who truly surpassed the limits and reached the pinnacle of transcendent-level.

Now, after over fifty years in office, the Bright Light Saintess Yuna Summerfield remains as youthful and unchanged as she was when she first assumed her role, almost embodying a living legend.

After all, although the divine family benefits from divine gifts and possesses greater potential for breakthroughs, it merely increases the probability from 0.0001% to 1%. It does not mean they can easily draw the power to surpass limits from their bloodline like true mythological beings.

Throughout history, even in the millennium-long history of the Holy Empire, only a handful of divine descendants have reached the transcendent-level, let alone achieving such a breakthrough before the age of thirty, as Yuna Summerfield has.

This clearly shows the astonishing degree of talent possessed by the Bright Light Saintess. It is said that her affinity with light is an unprecedented miracle among all the Three Saintesses. During the earlier Star River Trials, there were even nearly ten “Falling Stars” fish present to meet her on the water.

Such a scale is likely comparable only to the First Saintess.

Transcenders, regardless of their race, have lifespans extending to several millennia. Therefore, although Yuna Summerfield is nearly a hundred years old by age, even surpassing the white-haired elder beside Violet, she is now akin to an immortal being, beyond the measure of ordinary human age.

Perhaps it will be another century before this Saintess will step down and pass her power to a worthy successor.

Of course, these are confidential matters within the church. To most outsiders, the Bright Light Saintess is simply seen as extraordinarily strong due to her agelessness and the blessing of holy artifacts, and she has not reached the level of transcended-level limitations. Violet obtained this information from a girl of the same divine lineage whom she knew.

Though somewhat abrupt, since they had met, Violet would not miss such a good opportunity. She extended her hand, and beneath the white fox mask, the girl offered a respectful greeting.

“Hello, I’m Dawn, a traveler currently journeying through the Holy Empire. It’s a great honor to meet the renowned Bright Light Saintess tonight while passing through the Bright Light City.”

“Miss Dawn, you are too kind. It’s just a matter of benefiting from the blessings of my ancestors, and gaining some undeserved reputation.”

Seeing Violet initiate the greeting, Mr. Diviner did not elaborate further on her identity or mention her affiliation with the 【Fox Spirit Shrine Maiden】, which actually surprised the white fox girl a little. She wondered what hidden motives the cunning old man might have.

Is it possible that the title of 【Fox Spirit Shrine Maiden】 carries some deeper significance that requires concealment?

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the three of them took their seats again. To avoid appearing distant, or perhaps simply out of genuine interest in the masked and mysterious fox girl, Yuna sat in the soft chair directly beside Violet, flanking her with Mr. Diviner on either side. She naturally folded her hands on her lap and began to attentively watch the auction below.

Soon, Mr. Diviner proactively inquired, “The auction has progressed about one-third of the way. It’s quite late for you to arrive, Lady Yuna. Did something unexpected happen?”

Not avoiding Violet’s presence, the Bright Light Saintess smiled and shook her head slightly. “It’s nothing unexpected. A new batch of items arrived today, and there were some issues on the way that caused a slight delay. However, Mr. Diviner’s sudden changes are a bit surprising. Shall we proceed according to the original plan?”

“Hehe, of course… Regardless of what happens later, the first step remains unchanged.”

An inexplicable encrypted communication soon ended, and both parties tacitly chose to remain silent and watch the auction below in quiet contemplation.

After a while, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the “I seem to be the only one who knows nothing” atmosphere, Miss White Fox decided to speak up.

“May I ask what the plan you mentioned is? Are you planning something tonight?”

Mr. Diviner only stroked his beard and smiled.

“This is a long story, but Miss Dawn can rest assured. Everything is under control, and there should be no unexpected events. You’ll understand as the evening progresses.”

“…….?”

Having already recognized Mr. Diviner as a professional enigma, Miss Violet sighed inwardly. She cast a questioning glance at the Bright Light Saintess, but Yuna merely smiled and nodded, seemingly signaling her to be patient, yet clearly unwilling to say more.

With that, Violet could only remain silent and wait in this atmosphere of anticipation.

However, based on some of Mr. Diviner’s earlier remarks, she could somewhat guess that the key to tonight’s events likely centered around the mysterious treasure to be auctioned as the grand finale.

Otherwise, Mr. Diviner would not have excluded this final item from the list of three items that could be given to Miss Fox.

Her curiosity was piqued.

As time passed, treasures were sold at high prices, displayed items were taken backstage, and new items were brought out.

At this moment, the Bright Light Saintess, who had been casually chatting, suddenly turned her head and brought up a topic that clearly caught Violet’s attention.

“By the way, have you two heard about the recent spectacle on the Star River?”

“……?”

The Diviner immediately nodded in response.

“Your Highness Yuna must be referring to the event about a month ago when hundreds of Flying Star fish jumped out of the water simultaneously and circled a ferry on the river for a long time, like a pilgrimage. Such incredible events are indeed well known to us at the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild.”

“It is said that the ancestral of the Flying Star, Abyss Star, was once one of the sacred beasts under the Goddess of Light. Although this is merely a vague myth, the fact that Flying Star fish have an extreme yearning and sensitivity for pure light is well-documented. Her Highness Yuna also participated in the Flying Star Trial in her early years. I wonder what concept these over a hundred Flying Stars represent?”

Seemingly having anticipated Mr. Diviner’s reaction, the Bright Light Saintess slightly closed her eyes, placed her hands on a rather sumptuous cushion, and smiled lightly in a manner akin to prayer.

“Praise the Goddess of Light.”

“……???”