Everyone craned their necks, gazing up at the distant Cathedral on the stairs.

As the bell rang, the anticipation on people's faces reached its peak.

It was the bell announcing the arrival of the moment, the official start of the ceremony.

After the last toll of the bell subsided, the doors of the Cathedral gradually opened, and the crystal light of dusk flowed out.

Amidst thunderous cheers, the old Pope, holding a scepter and wearing a crown, slowly stepped out of the Cathedral.

With a kindly smile, he waved to the citizens, and after the cheering gradually quieted, he cleared the way.

Next, a young girl dressed in a pure white gold-embroidered Saintess Clothes appeared under the covering of the dusk light, falling into countless gazes.

Then came the second one, the third one...

Following closely behind, fifty-five Saintess Candidates orderly walked out from the Cathedral.

Even more intense and near-shouted cheers echoed through the entire square.

[Is the Hero leading?]

1-4. Yes ♛

5-8. No

9. It's me, the Depraved Hero!

10. Great Success/Extreme Failure

D10=d10(4)=4

Following behind the Pope, yet walking in front of all the Saintess Candidates, the Hero also wearing white and gold Nun's Clothes waved to the people in greeting.

Her fair little hand appeared diminutive in the wide sleeves, yet under the sunlight, it radiated a purer glow than her white attire, inciting waves of cheers.

Upon the viewing platform on the side, the Hero also saw the Seventh Prince she had encountered some time ago. He was staring with his Royal Family's unique pink eyes, looking at her in shock.

The Hero lifted her little face and smiled slightly towards that direction, again inciting another round of calls.

'Hmm, although having not too many tedious procedures is a good thing, is it really appropriate for me to walk at the forefront...'

Having joined the Church for less than two months, the Hero wore a soft smile, yet felt a bit helpless inside.

'If you want them to walk in front of you, they'd have to dare to.' Another version of herself thought triumphantly.

Walking all the way down from the stairs, there were no self-introduction procedures for the Saintess Candidates.

This was both because the Saintess selection was not merely based on popular vote based on reputation and also because their information was already well-known to most citizens of the Holy City.

The Hero continued to walk while smiling and greeting the citizens, catching a glimpse to her side through the corner of her eye.

Though the cheers for the Hero at the front were the most fervent, the presence of the Saintess Candidate beside her was also no less remarkable.

Long hair of light blue like waves, deep green gentle eyes, and a highly present tall stature...

Putting aside the rest, her stature was twice that of the Hero, making it hard for her to see her face even by looking up, already enough to draw side glances.

The Hero's side glance could only see those towering peaks. Among the fifty-five Saintess Candidates, she was a standout. If not walking at the front, she might be overshadowed by her.

Coupled with her identity, she naturally drew a response not inferior to the Hero's from the crowd.

'The Great Priest of the Courage Church, Hero with the Tree Shepherd bloodline...'

Information about this Saintess Candidate heard from the Gleaming Scale Serpent surfaced in the Hero's mind.

Noticing the Hero's sly glance, the Cleric of the Tree Shepherd slightly lowered her head and smiled gently at her.

[Attitude]

D25+75=d25(7)+75=82

Though it was hard to see clearly the face of the other against the sunlight, the Hero still returned a smile, then led the way down the last flight of stairs.

Following suit, the Saintess Candidates stepped into the square one by one, walked along the red carpet, traversed through the crowd on the reserved path, and arrived beneath the Heroic Soul Monument.

A huge magical projection once seen by the Hero during a conferring of honors at the border lit up in the sky, visible to the entire square and the entire Holy City, showcasing the Saintess Candidates beneath the monument.

"The first round ceremony of the Saintess selection is about to start here."

Without excessive formality, the Pope went straight to the point. His voice, clear and not showing age, overwhelmed the noise of the square and resonated familiarly in everyone's ears.

"Please, Saintess Candidates, once you are prepared, step forward to touch the monument and then make your pledge."

Before stepping out of the Cathedral, all Saintesses were informed of the rules of the first round of selection.

But as the Pope glanced around at the citizens, he began a brief introduction nevertheless.

"The rules of the first round are very simple.

"Under the witness of all heroic souls whose names are inscribed on the monument, you will make a vow as a Saintess—imposing an invisible constraint upon yourself.

"Then, this invisible constraint will undergo a test of the Power of Liberation.

"There are no limitations on the content of the vow, as long as you believe it cannot be broken, regardless of what you say.

"But only those who can firmly constrain themselves, not removing the constraint, will be able to proceed to the next stage of selection."

The smile on the Pope's face remained kind, yet his words caused a stir throughout the Holy City, and even the candidates who had long been aware of the rules showed slight tension in their expressions.

Elimination system—the candidates who fail the first round evaluation will lose their chance at the position of the Saintess directly.

Not shaken by the crowd's reaction, the Pope smiled and raised his scepter, lightly tapping the ground.

A complex yet exquisite large array illuminated, with colorful magic patterns and Holy Words intertwining into a magnificent aurora curtain, enveloping the towering monument and the girls below.

The solemn voice of the old Pope echoed.

"Thus, I declare the Saintess Selection Ceremony officially begins."

[Saintess Selection Ceremony Part One: Liberation and Constraint]

[Concept Curse: Legacy of Liberation R7 LV]

D10+70=d10(2)+70=72

[Legacy of Liberation LV72]

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