Chapter 1227 - 531: Before Arrival

In the golden Crystal Flower Sea, the tall Hero gazes at the kneeling Angel King.

Even though the figure is already on its knees, its far taller stature still places its head above her line of sight.

However, this level of height difference now no longer brings any pressure to the Hero.

Moreover, the opposite party is currently gravely injured, with wings completely broken.

So the girl exhibits no fear, only calmly pondering for a moment before slowly raising her right hand. Her five fingers spread, enveloping the entire figure of the Four-winged King within her palm.

[By the way, what's the length of the Hero's nails? (Martial Monk-3, 5+with manicure)]

D7=3

The girl's five fingers are slender and proportionate, with round nails at the tips, exuding a soft sheen, adorned with white crescents, underneath revealing a healthy and natural pale pink. The nails barely extend out slightly, maintained at a length that does not hinder making a fist.

Even though devoid of any decorations, without needing to see other parts of the hand's owner, just this single hand alone is enough to be a focal point in an artwork, evoking countless beautiful thoughts.

However, contrary to this gentle beauty, this hand at the moment is releasing an overwhelmingly powerful Magic Power that is anything but mild.

If there were other Professionals present, they would feel the terror and unease like ants facing an enormous object inches away— even if the other party bears no malice, simply brushing against it might lead to being crushed into oblivion.

The next moment, the slender, fair fingers suddenly clench into a fist. And the space encompassing the Four-winged King along with the surrounding area is simultaneously compressed and enveloped.

Then, the crystal shatters, and the flower sea dissipates, as though the entire space becomes unbearable under the grasp of the girl.

In the blink of an eye, the surrounding scenery swiftly changes, and the two figures appear indoors in a quiet room.

This place is the Church in Lake Town, which had appeared before.

But this time, she does not appear at the entrance of the Church; rather, she manifests inside.

Although the Hero herself does not have any special feelings towards the Lake Town Church, in reality, this Church has become a new sacred place, visited by a continuous stream of tourists and Magicians daily. For the Hero, it is indeed a location of significance.

She met the Snow Woman here, befriended the Cruising bishop, the Gleaming Scale Serpent was formally registered as her Familiar here, not to mention she completed her first Reincarnation here.

It can be said, whether as the Hero or as the Saintess, this Lake Town Church is the true starting point of her professional journey.

All of this is documented in the official annals. Even if she herself has never shown any expression, the Lake Town Church has already become a must-visit spot in the hearts of countless Pilgrims.

Then the Hero slightly shifts her gaze around and instantly recognizes this place as the room deep in the Church used specifically for Reincarnation. The Bishop in charge retrieves the Stigmata from the nearby storage room and performs the granting ceremony here.

It was here where she completed her First Turn and became a Martial Monk.

Unlike the continuous passage of actual time, within the Land of Records, the unfolding of destinyDestiny is not linear, but rather distributed across a vast sphere, with possibilities from different time periods interlinking and determining each other.

Just like what another version of herself shouted: it's not just because she defeated the Corrupted Phoenix that the world was saved from Destruction; it's also because she chose not to destroy the world that the Corrupted Phoenix was defeated.

Here, causation has no sequence. The past, present, and future coexist simultaneously.

It was only upon arriving here that the Hero vaguely realized that the Authority of the Divine Knowledge Saintess might also be closely related to this Land of Records.

Her future determines how her past self will exist.

So, despite knowing this is the place deciding the starting point of her professional path, the Hero has no doubts about the unfolding ahead.

Because here is not just a place of her past possibilities, but also a soul domain covered by her Authority.

She calmly sits on the long bench, leisurely crossing her leg.

The fair foot sheds shoes and socks, with faint blue veins surfacing beneath delicate skin, within which flows not only blood but also massive Magic Power.

A red bird emerges from the top of her head; a white snake flicks its tongue from her sleeve; in the nearby fish tank, a blue shrimp gently taps the glass wall, restless and eager.

And the Hero, surrounded, although sitting on the most ordinary chair, observes with queen-like indifference the half-kneeling presence before her.

In the past, it was supposed to be the Cruising bishop before her. Recognizing her as a Saintess Candidate through prophecy, he seriously attempted to convert her into a Magician.

To put it nicely, it was his way of expressing concern for her; to put it badly, he was trying to deceive her.

However, this plot was identified by the intelligent her at a glance.

At that time, due to the gift from the Lake Sword, she temporarily lost her voice, unable to reprimand the Cruising bishop directly, could only write a lengthy article rich in logic and literary grace, criticizing him thoroughly and earnestly pointing out his errors in thought.

But now, the man who always wore a warm smile is nowhere to be seen.

[Four-winged King's human form (size)]

D10=1

Replaced by, is a small figure who needs to raise his head to barely see the Hero's toe.

He has white hair and silver eyes, features soft and neutral, vaguely resembling the sub-key.

It is precisely the Four-winged King forcibly dragged here by the Hero and temporarily granted "humankind" identity.

To accomplish this, she needs to choose an originally existing place in this past and then replace that person with the Four-winged King.

Although having a tad of guilt towards the Cruising bishop, he doesn't know anyway, and considering his actions at that time, if known he'd presumably express understanding.

Hm, it doesn't matter if you don't understand, this Saintess does not accept any complaints.

Although the Hero has mistakenly identified the Four-winged King as a Goblin countless times, in fact, their appearance is that of a humanoid light with no sexual characteristics, only a faint glow in the eyes, which has nothing to do with a Goblin.

As a Great Demon, there is no gender distinction.

Therefore, when forced transformation is applied to the weakened entity, it becomes harmless as expected by the Hero.

In fact, Angels are a species without gender.

Unlike demons like the Snow Woman, whose reproduction method is hardly different from humans, high-tier Angels just need their magic power to resonate long enough to nurture a newborn egg inheriting information from both. In some sense, they can be considered asexually reproducing oviparous species.

Some magic creature scholars even believe that the true form of Angels is actually their wings; archaeologists have also found wall paintings in ancient ruins depicting many winged, bizarre creatures, believed to be the original Angel Clan.

It was only later, after contact with human civilization, that Angels, to align with human culture, concepts, and aesthetics, and to ease humans' instinctual wariness, gradually shaped humanoid forms, outwardly differentiating into recognizable sexes.

But at this moment, the Hero did not let the appearance of the child cause a single iota of relaxation, merely gazed at them indifferently.

"What are you standing there for?" She commanded calmly, "Aren't you here to guide me? Then fulfill your duty."

Upon hearing this, the child slowly extended a hand like the former Cruising Bishop.

He attempted to grasp the Hero's ankle, but his palm could not advance beyond a certain distance.

The next moment, pure magic power was released from his hand.

The child frowned, as the magic power continually attempted to transform, as if trying to use this last opportunity to change the already destined reality.

However, nothing unexpected happened.

As the magic power quietly engraved itself onto the Hero's slender ankle, emerald green stigmata emerged.

This is the stigmata of the Martial Monk, almost identical to reality.

The Four-winged King's interference failed once again.

At this crucial crossroads of the past, the Hero did not awaken as an Angel, nor reincarnate into any other profession.

Naturally, she became a Martial Monk.

Just as she had mentioned not long ago during her Holy City interview, even without other factors, she would choose to become a Martial Monk.

Not only because she enjoys physical activity, but because she will become her master's disciple in the future.

Thus, her choice to become a Martial Monk was destined.

Even amidst the endlessly changing possibilities, the girl's will remains unwavering.

"...Heh."

The Four-winged King slowly hung his head, gazing at his powerless hands, and after a long silence, finally let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

"Seems this is destiny."

The child, showing maturity inconsistent with his appearance, stood up and spoke calmly.

"It seems you finally understand." The Hero nodded and continued:

"So, have you reflected?"

The former Cruising Bishop, under her logical, elegantly written, and sharply phrased critique, eventually sincerely engaged in profound reflection.

So now, the Four-winged King, stripped of wings and possessing a human body, will he give a different answer than before?

To confirm this, the Hero pulled him into this identity from the fate realm, which he should have been excluded from.

While she didn't hold much expectation in her heart, she still patiently awaited his response after asking.

And without hesitating too long, even knowing this wasn't what the girl wanted to hear, the child lifted his head, his voice unwavering:

"—Everything I do is for the greatest good."

[Four-winged King's awakening—]

1.5. Ultimately Become You

2.6. Cyber Immortality

3.7. No Need to Speak Further!

4.8. Divine Knowledge Save Me!

9. Heart's Best, No Regrets Despite Peril!

10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure

D10=6

♛: Cyber Immortality