Chapter 58: The Aloof Pope—Her True Self, Revealed in Secret...
A flash of golden light—then Bai Xuan and Serene materialized once more within the hallowed halls of the Holy See.
“Serene, in a mont, I’ll need you to keep both Phantom Angels occupied.”
The instant they arrived at the doors to the Sacred Pool, Bai Xuan turned to her, his voice low and urgent. “Only then will I have a chance to destroy the two Stones of Light embedded above the entrance.”
“Understood.”
Serene nodded, drawing the Sword of No Light from her waist with practiced ease.
Before making his move, Bai Xuan’s gaze swept over the grand temple doors.
Just as Isiah had described, two golden gems were set into the doors, their luster blending seamlessly with the gilded surface. Only by looking closely could one sense the faint ripple of Mana pulsing within.
He drew a deep breath—whoosh—and summoned both the Gale Shield and the Black Dragon Blade.
Compared to last ti, neither he nor Serene had grown much stronger, but now he understood the Phantom Angels’ weakness.
If he could just get close and shatter the Stones of Light, the Phantom Angels would vanish on their own.
This was his advantage.
“Go.”
At Bai Xuan’s command, Serene strode forward, stepping boldly into the radiance of the Holy See.
The instant she crossed the threshold, the two Phantom Angels descended from the doors, launching their attack.
This ti, Serene t them head-on, her sword blazing with holy fire.
anwhile, Bai Xuan’s focus locked onto the Stones of Light above the entrance.
He needed to destroy them—fast—if he wanted any hope of ending this battle.
BZZZZZZT—
He had barely set foot into the light before a Phantom Angel twisted its form, lunging straight for him.
“Master, watch out!”
Serene swung her blade, unleashing a golden arc of sword energy that shot forth to intercept the Angel.
But a heartbeat before the strike landed, the Angel’s form blurred—then, in a flash, it reappeared right in front of Bai Xuan, sword thrusting for his heart.
“So fast—!”
Bai Xuan raised his shield just in ti, blocking the blow, but the impact sent him stumbling back several ters.
So their primary objective is still to guard the Sacred Pool?
He frowned, realizing the Phantom Angels would never let him near the Stones of Light without a fight.
They’d even leave themselves open to Serene’s attacks, so long as he was kept away.
So even knowing their weakness, the challenge was far from over.
After a brief pause, Bai Xuan shouted, “Serene, cover !”
“On it.”
Serene fell back, moving protectively to his side.
At the sa ti, Bai Xuan stepped fully into the light and raised the Gale Shield.
At once, Mana surged from the shield, whirling into a tornado that enveloped them both.
The two Phantom Angels exchanged glances, then renewed their assault.
Their blades combined, forming a single, gleaming arc that stabbed straight into the heart of the whirlwind.
But as they cut through the raging winds and glimpsed their targets, both Angels froze in shock—
Inside the storm, there were two Serenes!
One, however, was rely an illusion—her form conjured from the burning Fire of Justice.
“!”
One of the Phantom Angels instantly realized sothing was wrong and spun toward the Stones of Light.
She spotted Bai Xuan, cloaked by the winds, quietly closing in on the Stones during the confusion.
“Stop right there!”
The Angel barked a cold command and lunged to intercept him.
“Not a chance!”
Serene was already upon them, both she and her clone slashing with blades wreathed in searing holy fire.
Faced with Serene’s onslaught, the Angels refused to be distracted. Gritting their teeth against the heat, they pressed forward, determined to reach Bai Xuan.
They’re relentless!
Bai Xuan’s brow furrowed as he sprinted for the Stones.
Ten ters left!
If he could just reach them—
“Got it!”
Finally—
Just before the Angel’s attack could land, Bai Xuan’s fingertips brushed the Stone of Light set into the right door.
The mont he touched it, his awareness was swallowed by a void.
Then—
When his vision cleared, he found himself standing in the main hall of the Holy See.
And before him, seated upon the Solar Throne, was none other than the Pope of Light—Isiah.
But this Isiah was nothing like the gentle woman he’d t before.
All warmth was gone, replaced by an icy, imperious chill.
She sat with her legs crossed, gazing down at him with cold, indifferent eyes.
“Your Holiness…?” Bai Xuan frowned.
He couldn’t help but notice the strange quality of her golden-red eyes.
Light flickered through them, and deep within her pupils, a sun-shaped sigil seed to burn—
Wait…
Could this be the Eye of Light Isiah ntioned before?
And its vessel… was the Pope herself?
As Bai Xuan’s mind raced, Isiah’s crimson lips parted, her voice frosty as she interrogated him:
“Who are you?”
He paused, then answered quietly, “Bai Xuan.”
“Why have you co?”
“To save the world. And to save you.”
Isiah fell silent, golden eyes scrutinizing him with a flicker of sothing unreadable.
At last, she rose from the throne and descended the golden steps, stopping just half a ter from him.
Only now did Bai Xuan realize how tall she truly was.
He was still a student, but already stood at 1.78 ters. Yet Isiah was even taller—without those golden boots, she’d still be over 1.8 ters.
So tall…
Lost in thought, Bai Xuan was startled when Isiah suddenly reached out and touched his brow with her fingertip.
He tensed, but then her gentle voice echoed in his mind:
“Don’t be afraid. This is just a sliver of my soul, left to guard the Sacred Pool.”
“I see…” Bai Xuan replied, then asked, “But why does your soul fragnt feel so… distant? Like a stranger?”
Isiah’s ntal voice hesitated for a mont. “This is how I am most of the ti.”
“Oh—”
Bai Xuan understood at once. This was Isiah’s public face as Pope: regal, aloof, untouchable.
In private, she revealed another side entirely.
“So… what are you doing to now?” he asked.
“Just wait a mont. It will be over soon.”
He shot her a puzzled look, studying the cold mask of her soul fragnt.
But then, to his surprise, the icy facade softened, the corners of her mouth curving in the faintest of smiles.
When she spoke again, her voice held a trace of warmth:
“After so long, the chance to change fate has finally arrived.”
“You—”
“You are the one who will set this world right.”
The words left Bai Xuan montarily stunned.
As confusion flickered across his face, Isiah’s fingertip blazed with golden light.
She parted her lips, and her voice rose—clear and solemn, like a sacred chant:
“In the na of the Pope, I grant you the Mark of the Hero.”
“May this power guide you to purge the darkness from this world—!”
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