This first meeting really reveals a thing or two.

Is this pressure? Or respect?

But looking at the expression of the Legendary Heroic Spirit opposite, Joanna felt somewhat confused.

She truly had some difficulty determining whether the other's attitude was one of disdain or reverence.

The fact that a Legendary Heroic Spirit was sent to greet them by the Divine Spirit, this...

As a member of the Divine Spirit Church hierarchy, she understood the status of the person before her better than outsiders.

A Legendary Heroic Spirit about to become a Holy Spirit certainly has a status much higher than that of a mortal Bishop.

Even if it was Laila, this Centaur Heroic Spirit would be adequate for reception.

After all, even a Legendary Level Bishop must be posthumously elevated by one level to be on par with the other.

In this group, only Yunier, as a Divine Favorer, was qualified for such high-level reception—but the Divine Favorer's travels are secretive.

Even within the team, only she was aware, others merely thought Yunier was a newly promoted Priest.

"..."

The other's attitude was somewhat arrogant, but the identity of the one in front adequately complemented this.

In the scant seconds Joanna hesitated, Sofia stood among the watching priests, slightly raising her chin.

The proud Centaur lady gazed coldly at the ten people before her and asked, "Are you the envoys my lord spoke of?"

In fact, Joanna misunderstood something.

Sofia was not deliberately showing arrogance at that moment—instead, she was somewhat nervous.

"This is my lord's first order for me! I absolutely cannot disappoint him! Absolutely cannot err!"

"Fuh! Fuh! Cannot err!"

She strained to keep a straight face, not letting her nerves show, trying to appear calm.

But due to her heroic appearance, this reaction seemed only stern.

Sofia was aware of the incongruity, attempting to muster a friendly smile in her expression.

However, being extremely inept at smiling, this awkward smile appeared quite "nuclear-friendly."

Seeing this smile, Joanna's brow furrowed further, convincing her more that the other looked down upon them, making her face stiffen.

"If the one you're waiting for is a priest of the Ice and Snow Goddess Church, then we are the ones."

"Just you alone? Are you the guide responsible for leading us?"

With the other's cold demeanor, her response mustn't appear too courteous, needing to declare her church's stance.

But Sofia wasn't overly concerned with Joanna's attitude, relaxing once she confirmed she had connected with the right people.

Thankfully!

She had greeted the correct ones!

"Yes, I am here to welcome you."

Sofia nodded stiffly at them, beginning to relay Herbert's words taught to her.

"You priests of the Lady of Snow Church, are you prepared?"

Her gaze slowly swept over each priest's face, observing their reactions.

"Ahead, you'll officially enter the Misty Mountains, engulfed in dense fog."

"For a long period in the future, you will be unable to leave here, unable to contact the outside in any form, completely isolated from the world."

"Others won't know of your fate, nor will you know the life or death of others..."

"Are you truly ready?"

"Now is your last chance to withdraw. Going forward, there will be no chance to regret."

This was the final ultimatum.

Withdraw? Or remain?

Sofia's words caused slight changes in the priests' expressions, bringing some faint hesitations to their hearts.

Have they truly been ready?

"Your Excellency, we are ready."

Joanna stepped forward, speaking first: "You need not doubt our loyalty to the Goddess."

"We all voluntarily joined this mission. No one would possibly regret at this point."

As the leader, Joanna directly set the tone, providing their response.

Regret?

At this moment?

If indeed someone regretted at this time, the disgrace wouldn't be hers but the Ice and Snow Goddess's.

That would be a blatant slap in the face!

The Goddess chose these people, but they got here and then ran away?

What a joke!

Sofia stared at the serious-faced Half-Elf and nodded slowly: "Half-Elf, what's your name?"

"Joanna."

Joanna held her head high arrogantly, looking into the eyes of the Centaur Heroic Spirit, solemnly declaring, "A Shepherd of the Ice and Snow Goddess."

Sofia nodded, speaking slowly, "I am Sofia, my lord's most devoted servant."

"Since you are ready, then follow me."

After Sofia's "indifferent" remark, she turned to prepare another leap skyward, but recalled the capabilities of these people and dutifully began walking on the ground.

"Hmm?"

Not hearing footsteps following her, Sofia deliberately glanced back at the people behind, slightly furrowing her brows.

"Move on, what are you waiting for?"

Those guys didn't expect me to carry them, right?

You cannot!

Only my lord can ride on my back!

"Hmph!"

Thinking this, she lightly snorted—this reaction made Joanna's forehead furrow once more.

Such an arrogant creature.

"..."

Aware of the power gap between herself and the other, Joanna suppressed her anger, quietly turning to ask Yunier, "Lord Yunier, what do you think?"

Though nominally the leader, the real decision-maker remained the "Divine Favorer" hidden within the team.

"Just follow her, since we're already here, where's the logic in leaving?" Yunier chuckled lightly twice, to be the first to follow Sofia.

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