According to the schedule that had been jointly finalized and repeatedly confirmed by church personnel and the royal protocol officer.
After the prophecy ceremony concluded.
It was originally intended that the Guardian Knight, representing the King, would warmly invite the Saintess and her entire entourage to attend the grand celebratory banquet held in the Golden Hall.
However, when the Guardian Knight stepped forward according to the protocol and extended the invitation,
The Saintess, who had been silent, gently shook her head.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's kind intentions, but the banquet is unnecessary."
Her voice remained ethereal and calm.
Yet it left the King on his throne and all the nobles present stunned.
This completely disrupted the established arrangements.
Many confused gazes turned toward Daniel, one of the Disciplinary Knights leading the protective entourage.
He was the Disciplinary Knight responsible for finalizing the arrangements.
They hoped he could provide an interpretation of the intention behind Her Holiness's actions.
Knight Daniel's face was resolute; facing the collective confusion, he merely bowed slightly, his tone betraying no emotion.
"The will of Her Holiness the Saintess is our decree."
"All travel plans are determined by Her Holiness herself."
The Guardian Knight had no choice but to ask on behalf of the King, who was unable to express himself clearly.
"Then, Honorable Saintess, what do you wish to do next...?"
The Saintess offered a slight smile.
Those closed eyes opened slightly into a slit.
Revealing a mysterious and charming purple glimmer.
Her gaze accurately bypassed the crowd.
Landing directly on Elvia, who was in the royal seating area.
"I heard that there is a Holy Saint of Light in the Carter Royal Capital."
Her voice was soft, yet it clearly entered everyone's ears.
"I am going to find him."
Finding a Holy Saint?
The King and many elders and nobles who didn't pay much attention to recent gossip looked at each other in confusion, not understanding the meaning.
But those who had attended Prince Charles's engagement banquet—
Or rather, those who had attended the chaotic mess of Elvia's engagement banquet—
Almost instantly thought of that black-haired youth who had hidden in a corner to sleep, exuding an aura that screamed "don't mess with me."
A flurry of gazes focused simultaneously on Elvia.
Elvia herself hadn't fully reacted before the Saintess moved with graceful, light steps to stand before her.
She extended a fair, jade-like finger and pointed gently at her.
"This one, Miss Elvia,"
The Saintess's voice carried an air that brooked no argument.
"Shall lead the way for me."
Having said that, she paid no more attention to the people in the hall, turning and walking toward the palace exit.
Disciplinary Knight Daniel immediately followed in silence.
The other nuns, priests, and priests did not move.
Elvia felt the gazes of the surrounding nobles, which had instantly become cold and filled with pressure, and she cursed inwardly.
But at this moment, she had no room to refuse.
Under the King's compelling gaze, she quickly caught up with the Saintess and Daniel.
Inside, a very uneasy premonition rose in Elvia's heart.
She seemed to know why the Saintess suddenly wanted to find Lin Gui.
And she sincerely hoped that Lin Gui was better off in some remote corner, searching for that so-called Tomb of Catriona.
And not let the Saintess find him.
Other nobles, including the King, subconsciously wanted to follow.
However, another Disciplinary Knight took a step across with a blank expression.
He accurately blocked everyone's path.
He only uttered two simple words, yet they carried a mountain-like pressure:
"Stop."
...
Outside the palace, the news of the Saintess delivering an "auspicious omen" prophecy and the King ordering the national treasury opened for a three-day citywide celebration spread rapidly throughout every corner of the Royal Capital as if on wings.
The nobles in the Upper District celebrated with mutual congratulations.
They held various small gatherings as if they could already see a bright future.
The merchants in the commercial district keenly sensed a business opportunity.
They began stockpiling large quantities of alcohol and celebratory supplies, preparing to make a fortune.
The residents of the commoner district poured onto the streets.
They celebrated spontaneously, the air thick with the joy of surviving a disaster and a brief period of hope for the future.
And in the refugee district where sewage flowed freely,
A rare ripple of activity rose among the numb masses.
Although the "citywide celebration" had nothing to do with most of them,
"Opening the national treasury" might mean they could receive a small, pitiful bit of charity.
Or at the very least, in the days to come, the whips of the Defense Force would strike a bit lighter.
And they could also obtain a brief period of rest.
...
Meanwhile, deep within the Dice and Blood casino in the basement of the Fifth Ring's commercial district.
Caesar, the rebel leader, was standing with ten adventurers who had refined auras and sharp eyes.
These people were all assassins he had carefully selected.
Every one of them had reached the High-tier Transcendent rank.
They were the core strength for his execution of the Saintess Assassination Plan.
A detailed map of the Royal Capital was spread out before them.
A striking red dot was marked upon it.
"The original plan was to strike while the Saintess was on her way to Saint Carol Cathedral for the blessing,"
A scar-faced assassin said in a deep voice.
"There is a narrow corridor bridge there that she must pass through."
"The surrounding buildings are complex, making it very suitable for ambushes and retreats."
However, a subordinate who had just returned from gathering news outside hurried in.
He reported the sudden situation where the Saintess had temporarily changed her itinerary, refused the banquet, and specifically asked to meet the Holy Saint.
"The Saintess changed the plan on short notice; all of our arrangements have been disrupted!"
Another assassin spoke with a heavy tone.
Caesar, however, did not seem concerned.
His rough fingers tapped unconsciously on the map, his eyes flashing with a mad yet calm light.
"It doesn't matter," he said hoarsely. "The plan proceeds as scheduled."
"But leader," the scar-faced assassin hesitated.
"The target is not at the predetermined location. Our original ambush and support points will be..."
Caesar interrupted him, his tone carrying a nearly pious conviction.
"As long as 'it' is here, it doesn't matter where we strike."
His gaze fell on an inconspicuous black wooden box beside him.
He reached out and carefully opened the lid.
The box was lined with dark red velvet, and upon it lay a dagger quietly.
The dagger had a primitive design, its entire body presenting a dark, dull blood color.
The blade had no magnificent decorations, only countless fine, twisted black runes that squirmed like living things.
Just lying there, it exuded a bone-chilling aura that made one's soul tremble.
It was as if it could swallow all the surrounding light and vitality.
----The divine artifact, the Soul-Slaying Blade.
If there was anything that could allow an ordinary person to kill a warrior,
Then there was one such thing.
And that was a divine artifact.
The battle-hardened Transcendent assassins nearby felt a surge of palpitations just by looking at it.
They subconsciously took a half-step back, their eyes filled with awe and fear.
Caesar looked at this dagger, a hideous and resolute smile appearing on his face.
"I really want to see the reactions of those high-and-mighty people when they hear the news that the Legendary pillar guarding the Royal Capital and holding back the bloodthirsty demons has been crippled."
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