The next day, as dawn broke, radiant sunlight poured over the colorful capital, the fervor of last night's heat yet to dissipate. Rumors about the young girl filled the streets and alleys.

"A Saintess who can seal all disasters and even effortlessly break the Key of the Black Gate... Blessings upon the Holy City, blessings upon the Kingdom!"

"Of the Kingdom's four major cities, except for the Plain Ancient City which hasn't faced disaster, and the Capital saved by magic creatures, she thwarted the Black Gate disasters targeting both the Border City and Holy Capital!"

"If the Border City and our Holy Capital fell like the Capital did, the nation would likely be beyond salvation. Saying she saved half of the Kingdom is not an exaggeration!"

"Half? Haha, you're quite uninformed. It's said that the Saintess Candidate's innate profession is—"

"Wasn't there someone who dreamt of the Holy Snake a couple of days ago? If that's true..."

An atmosphere far surpassing previous celebratory moments enveloped the Holy City.

Last night, the Hero made a brief appearance before the citizens in the square. At her urging, people dispersed from the square and returned home to sleep, many experiencing a long-awaited pleasant dream.

They woke up the next morning invigorated, eagerly spreading the news with devotion, sharing the gospel of the young Hero with those who hadn't seen her or heard that holy voice.

However, not everyone was wholeheartedly convinced by this sudden Sealing Disaster Chain.

At this moment, in a remote yet spacious and luxurious cathedral, a heated debate transpired, starkly contrasting the joyous atmosphere of the Holy City.

"What Saintess? The selection hasn't even been held yet! She's still just a candidate!"

"If you were at the square yesterday, you wouldn't be saying such things."

"Ridiculous! A scarcely known Hero, not even from the Courage Church, and yet you let her captivate you? I think you need a purification of your mind."

"Ha? Stop deceiving yourself. Even if you missed the event at the square yesterday, the captured Key of the Door is undeniable. Can't you see the current frenzy in the Holy City? Utterly foolish!"

"After all, she achieved the great feat of Lord Holy Snake with merely a human body..."

"Didn't she say it was just a chance coincidence? Besides, no one saw her defeat the Key of the Door firsthand. How can it compare to the miracle of Lord Holy Snake!"

"Exactly, we should transparently investigate her! Otherwise, how do we know she's not a charlatan exploiting her name?"

"But, the forest outside that's been burnt to ashes..."

"Enough! Everyone calm down, or do you want to summon the Judgement Court's members?"

Seeing the argument intensifying, the leading priest, wearing a white church robe embroidered with snake scales and silver embroidered serpent patterns on the cuffs, couldn't stand it any longer and slammed the table.

They were the Holy Snake Sect, recently rising in the Holy City and even within the Kingdom, advocating a return to primordial faith and renewed reverence for the divine.

The great Holy Snake is the embodiment of the supreme deity, the whip that destroys evil, and the totem saving the good.

"Those self-proclaimed orthodox Church forces have been covertly pushing our sect away, their baseless doubts are close to slander and bring us no benefit, only making us truly into heretics!

"The Holy Snake Sect finally emerged. This Saintess selection is crucial for us, we must not act rashly. If we breach any rules, it won't be just the Judgement Court coming for us—you all don't want to deal with the Heresy Court, do you?"

The Holy Snake Leader's stern voice made it hard for the high-ranking members of the sect to conceal their wavering expressions. They gradually quieted down.

The discussion room fell into silence until someone hesitantly spoke:

"You're right, but will the Saintess selection really continue?"

"Yes, you should know the Hero has already moved into the Cathedral, in a room personally arranged by the Pope, treated almost like a true Saintess..."

Treatment, recognition, and even power—all the factors a Saintess should have, she already possesses, lacking only a formal acknowledgment.

"Just a simple announcement from the Pope would have the entire Holy City acknowledge her as a Saintess."

"...The selection will certainly continue," the leader paused for several seconds, seemingly convincing himself, and emphasized.

"Not only have we recommended candidates, there are fifty-four other Saintess Candidates beyond the Hero.

"They represent most of the Church's forces, and while many might have lost the desire to compete, the long-prepared selection cannot just be canceled. Even if it's procedural, the ceremony must be completed.

"Moreover, the enthusiasm of the Holy City's populace is at an unprecedented high due to their faith in the Hero. They don't want to see a hurried ceremony. They prefer a grand event, officially witnessing her coronation as Saintess."

"So, does that mean... we still have a chance?"

"Indeed, though we must acknowledge the difficult situation, we still have a chance!" The priest's tone suddenly lifted, "Our shamaness under the shelter of Lord Holy Snake might not necessarily lose to the Hero!"

The discussion halted, all eyes instantly focused on the small figure at the head seat.

She possessed long hair as pure as the night sky, eyes as deep as red wine, and a youthful appearance that couldn't hide her innate nobility and maturity.

Behind her, the Sergeant stood straight, watching his nose, his nose watching his heart, saying nothing.

The Saintess Candidate recommended by the Holy Snake Sect, the Noble Lady with the Blessing of a great Forbidden Curse, daughter of the Border Count, her black-haired, wine-eyed posture slightly stiff, face sternly holding back any change of expression.

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