On the long corridor, the Hero and the Gleaming Scale Serpent chatted intermittently.

It is said that the Hero, who holds the position of a Cleric, possesses the bloodline of Demons.

For the Church, which has experienced the Holy War and in recent years started attempting to accept Demons and establish their social status, she is not merely a Reincarnation Hero, but also an emblem of transcending power.

However, this does not imply that her strength is lacking; whether as a Cleric or a Hero, this candidate's achievements and devoutness are impeccable. Even when she was still enjoying herself with close friends in the city, she was already a well-known figure in the Holy City.

"And about this candidate—" the Gleaming Scale Serpent continued to provide information about this candidate.

[Bloodline]

1.5. One-eyed Giant

2.6. Ancestor Winged Man

3.7. Tree Shepherd

4.8. Whale Fishman

9. Titan Blood (Experimental)

10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure

D10=d10(7)=7

♛: Tree Shepherd

[Tree Shepherd R6+]

The Tree Shepherd, often mistaken for a Treant due to its appearance, is in fact a completely different special existence.

Treants are complete Magic Creatures, their bodies composed of wood, while Tree Shepherds have bodies closer to flesh, with appearances more akin to humankind.

Tree Shepherds are born as kings of Treants, possessing mighty Power of Nature, governing the Treants' domain, which is everything in the forest.

However, Tree Shepherds cannot reproduce with Treants or other Magic Creatures, and their lifespan is not as long as ordinary Treants. They can only exist as a similar yet different anomaly, welcoming death as a solitary king among their kind.

After death, the body of a Tree Shepherd fully petrifies into ordinary wood. Whether this becomes the cradle for the next Tree Shepherd generation is currently undecided.

Due to the existence of solitary cases of offspring with humankind, Tree Shepherds are recognized as Demons by the Church.

→☆→☆→☆→✧←★←★←★←

"The Tree Shepherd, huh? I haven't seen this kind of Demon before."

The Hero listened with interest to this information that was previously unnoticed.

"The number of Demons in the Kingdom is sparse and scattered, truly a rare sight," responded the Gleaming Scale Serpent.

In the broad corridor with carved beams and painted walls, only their footsteps and voices echoed.

There were already few permitted to reside long-term within the Cathedral. Although with the arrival of over fifty Saintess Candidates, the place had become more populated, most candidates chose to rest early on the crucial night before the selection, conserving energy for the ceremony that would begin early the next morning.

Quite unlike other Saintess Candidates, the Hero's room was located deep within the Cathedral. It was less a room and more like an inner building, with independent halls and a small garden, almost occupying the entire area nearby.

One could say that aside from the furniture and staff being quite simple, in terms of space and specifications, it's already comparable to some past Saintesses known for their simple living.

With a bit of decoration and a few attendants, it could easily be mistaken for the residence of a Saintess.

Thus, the Hero initially thought she would not meet other Saintess Candidates—or see that female Cleric Hero—until tomorrow.

However, as she walked along the corridor some distance from her small building, she saw a girl approaching her.

[The—th]

D54=d54(14)=14

[Attitude]

D30+70=d30(11)+70=81

Turning the corner of the corridor, another girl, dressed in Saintess Candidate attire recognized the Hero and nodded slightly in greeting.

The Hero also nodded in response. Without exchanging words, they passed by each other.

However, the Hero could perceive that after they passed, the other did not continue walking but turned around, observing her back with a somewhat inquisitive gaze.

Then, the Gleaming Scale Serpent discreetly shifted to block her view.

"She seems quite curious about me," the Hero shook her head and smiled lightly, not minding at all.

The other girl's eyes showed no malice; she seemed to have come here simply out of curiosity to see the Hero.

"She is—"

The Gleaming Scale Serpent added information about that Saintess Candidate. Unofficially ranked fourteenth among the fifty-five candidates, she may not be at the top, but she's also not without hope.

After all, the selection of a Saintess is not something determined solely by reputation or strength; if she can stand out in the upcoming high-profile selection ceremony, a comeback is not impossible.

Of course, it's also possible she had already abandoned competing and was considering whom to follow among the candidates.

In any case, it will all be known by tomorrow.

The Hero returned to her room, freshened up, and lay on the soft bed, reminiscing about the fulfilling day.

Although today's task was merely exterminating ordinary Goblins, many in the Holy City have already, under her influence, recognized the importance of eliminating Goblins.

The great endeavor to exterminate Goblins had advanced another step.

If things continue this way, perhaps the Evil-breaking Church might have a second spring.

During tomorrow morning's ceremony, she might finally see a friend she has long been unable to meet.

With anticipation for tomorrow, the Hero slowly drifted into sleep.

[Hero's Luck (the lower, the grander the opening ceremony; 1 signifies an accident)]

D10=d10(6)=6

→☆→☆→☆→✧←★←★←★←

The next day, the bell tolled.

The clear tone seemed to penetrate the azure sky, under the cloudless blue sky, the pure white square was already bustling with crowds, the number surpassing even the night when the Black Dream Key was captured.

Long before the sun rose, the square was filled with people. Though summer had not officially arrived, the late spring nights still carried a slight chill, but this couldn't extinguish the enthusiasm in people's hearts.

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