Girl Hero: Revenge on Goblins!-Chapter 1066 - D427: World’s End (Part 2)

Facing those mirror-like indifferent silver pupils, the Empress tugged at the corner of her mouth, revealing an expression that seemed mockingly like a sigh.

——Divine Knowledge Saintess.

Exactly the same as in memory, as in portraits.

With long hair ashen as dying embers, and a pair of silver-white eyes reflecting all things.

Even though she was charming in appearance, with a full figure that completely belied her age of more than a century, there emanated from her a withering aura reminiscent of decay from the marrow.

"First meeting, and looking truly pathetic, Divine Knowledge Saintess."

[Burning World Wings (Phoenix Body)]

D867=642

Confronting the woman who once used her country as a stepping stone, the Empress took no rash actions but instead chuckled with a proud voice, initiating a greeting.

As she had done before with the Angel, the Empress was not without self-awareness. She was very clear, even though she wielded the Undying Power of the Ancient Dragon Species, ultimately she was just a high-level legend.

The woman before her was already the strongest among humankind, having stepped into the Realm of Ultimate Transformation decades ago. Now, she co-reigned the Kingdom with the Master of Ten Wings, her power unfathomable and immeasurable.

Even if it were said she had transcended the human realm, reaching beyond the Ultimate Transformation, the Empress would not be the least bit surprised.

Once conflict erupted, she feared she would not be a match for her.

Yet this did not prevent the Empress from raising her head proudly, with a defiant expression.

Although they had never met, the moment their gazes met with those crimson dragon eyes, a flash of comprehension crossed the ancient well-calm face of the Divine Knowledge Saintess.

Those mirror pupils, while reflecting the Empress’s form, seemed simultaneously to mirror her past, present, and future, piercing through appearances to grasp the deepest essence.

Afterward, she nodded slightly, offering an equal greeting.

"...First meeting, Empress of the Empire."

"Such an annoying expression, as if you understand everything." The Empress frowned slightly in displeasure.

The mystery of the Ancient Dragon Species was like a veil gently lifted by a breeze in those eyes, incapable of disguising one’s essence from her scrutiny.

"I just learned some things I didn’t know before." The voice of the Divine Knowledge Saintess was soft and ethereal.

"Oh? The reputedly all-knowing Saintess of the Divine, are there also things unknown to you?" The Empress asked with interest.

"I have never been all-knowing." The Divine Knowledge Saintess responded calmly, "I only know the things I can know."

"Heh." The Empress shook her head with a laugh, stepping forward.

[Height difference? (0+Empress taller)]

D(-20~20)=7

As the distance closed, the difference between them became apparent.

The grown Empress was half a head taller than the Divine Knowledge Saintess, and her tall figure was emphasized further by thick-soled white boots, exuding heroism.

Yet, when it came to the curvature up front, the relatively petite Saintess was the one who excelled. In a certain sense, the two had matching physiques, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

The Empress stood beside the Divine Knowledge Saintess, both gazing simultaneously at the massive Dusk Crystal ahead.

The surface of the crystal had long been covered in fine, shocking cracks. The once soft tenebrous Radiance, now in its body, seemed almost tangible, as if a gentle touch could clasp the solidified light in one’s palm.

The Divine Knowledge Saintess turned her head, observing the Empress with indescribable eyes.

No need for her to ask aloud, realizing that the other had foreseen what she was about to say, the Empress raised an eyebrow.

"Why? Can’t it be done? You know—"

"Legally speaking, at present, the Kingdom is essentially a vassal state of the Empire." The Divine Knowledge Saintess interjected lightly, with an unruffled tone, "The Prince is currently serving as High Priest in Angel City and has never publicly declared secession from the Empire... Thus, in some sense, Your Majesty can indeed regard the Kingdom as your own territory."

Though it was an indisputable case of strong justification, hearing this would likely elicit nothing more than a smile and shake of the head from any citizens of the Kingdom. Yet, from the mouth of the Divine Knowledge Saintess, it didn’t carry any hint of mockery, expressed as if narrating a well-known fact.

"Oh? Since you are aware, then what reason do you intend to use to stop me from drawing this sword?" The Empress stood with hands behind her back, looking down at the Saintess.

"Or will you use force?"

"I have no such intent." The Divine Knowledge Saintess shook her head.

"Then you must also know, I can see it, now it is complete." The Empress’s voice descended into a solemn tone, "The end has long since arrived, and what this sword lacks is merely that final ’acknowledgment’.

"Whether it’s the Lord, King, Saintess, Emperor, or that Angel of Ten Wings, as long as any being representative of surviving humankind’s will verbally acknowledges ’the world has ended’, the Holy Sword will be officially forged."

The Divine Knowledge Saintess fell silent.

"Instead, I am more curious." The Empress’s expression turned serious, her gaze intense, "You must have foreseen this scene over a decade ago, yet have not drawn this sword until now, why?"

[Divine Knowledge Saintess’s silence (50+silence)]

D100=63

The Divine Knowledge Saintess’s lips moved slightly, as though she was about to answer, but in the end, she remained silent, gaze lowered.

Seeing her in this state, the Empress was slightly taken aback, then suddenly understood.

"To seek the culprit, to let the survivors pass in peace, or perhaps believe in the lingering hope..." The Empress’s tone carried a hint of helplessness, "Clearly, you could easily fabricate a plausible reason to fob me off, yet you choose to say nothing?

"You..." The Empress let out a complex sigh, then curled her lips into a smile:

"Refusing to advance, putting aside work, delaying the mission that should have been completed, and then aimlessly choosing detours, like a child, hoping that during your evasion, someone else would solve all the difficulties for you..."

Hearing the Empress’s somewhat disappointed words, the Divine Knowledge Saintess lifted her eyes, an unexpected shock creeping onto her usually unperturbed face.

"Never thought, having a perspective of omniscience and omnipotent Wisdom, that in the end, would do something so unproductive."

The Empress chuckled softly, disregarding any response from the Divine Knowledge Saintess, stepping directly toward the crystal signifying the end.

But she had barely taken a step when an invisible Magic Silk Thread crossed in front of her, halting her steps, her red eyes narrowing slightly.

"What, rare that I am solving the issue for your procrastination, still throwing a tantrum?"

"Your Majesty jests." The Divine Knowledge Saintess offered a wry smile.

"Though unable to deny your accusation, it should be me instead. Even if the end of the world is a foregone conclusion, inevitable, at least... you have a chance to live beyond it—"

"I am not accusing you... but why not take a look at this first."

Suddenly, the Empress pulled out a blue-green jade from her bosom, inside which flowed an obscure glow of power.

"So, do you understand?" The Empress smugly shook the jade a little, "Regardless, pulling the sword would only bring slaughter, compared to such a barbaric act—"

"It is of no use, Your Majesty." Yet the Divine Knowledge Saintess showed not the slightest surprise, her voice remaining calm and unperturbed as stagnant water.

"The Huishuo Destiny Dragon... due to its Awakening, I couldn’t detect Your Majesty’s birth. And Your Majesty intends to harness the Eternal Holy Sword’s status, using this jade, to forcibly return to the past to prevent the end?"

A plan conceived after long and meticulous contemplation was pierced by the words of the Divine Knowledge Saintess. The Empress’s pupils couldn’t help but contract slightly.

"Really no fun, you." She clicked her tongue in annoyance, "Can’t you give a more interesting reaction?"

Ignoring the Empress’s complaint, the Divine Knowledge Saintess continued on her own:

"Thanks to your investigation, I too am aware of the grave sins committed by that ’Emerald-Starred Key’. But, Your Majesty, simply rewinding time is meaningless, you must take action to prevent this future from coming to pass. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Yet, even the Huishuo Destiny Ancient Dragon or the Eternal Holy Sword cannot transcend time and space to reach the depths of the Starless Dungeon.

"Thus, preventing that Forbidden Curse’s release is impossible." She declared unequivocally.

[Hero’s contemplation (100-Sacrifice!, 100+Inquiry, 200+Foresight, 300+Smiling)]

D300+50=(188)=238