I find it very sacred to pick someone up and make them a saint.

The surrounding air was like rainwater slowly condensing before it rained; the faint energy fluctuations condensed, yet they instilled a sense of dread.

Mien gently raised his right hand.

The swirling energy in front of him suddenly moved with him, and the scattered light energy surged up like waves, becoming a tidal wave of energy.

The twilight-like energy network, with its overwhelming momentum, looked down upon all living beings below.

Lucia's throat tightened, and she stared, holding her breath.

It was still solidifying until the oppressive force reached its peak, at which point Mien pressed down with his right hand.

The holy light waterfall poured down like a flood after a dam was opened.

That aura didn't contain the hysterical release of a spellcaster, but truly felt like a vast, natural energy pressing down.

With a loud bang!

The waterfall of light crashed into the ordinary pool water beside it.

A powerful energy surged within, splashing water everywhere and reaching every corner of the space, all shrouded in mist.

Lucia's pupils contracted as she sensed its powerful suppressive force.

But after waiting for a long time, it still didn't stop.

Like an inexhaustible spring, it forever suppresses life below, giving it no chance to breathe.

"That's why I said this intermediate spell is best suited for you."

Mien said calmly that even if his Light Resonance was insufficient, his level as a 7th-tier mage was still enough to demonstrate this suppressive power.

Its power and energy reserves are directly related to the energy consumption of its exertion.

In other words, it's about "great power creating miracles." The more abundant the magic, the longer it lasts, and the greater its power.

Numbers are the truth, directly countering all fancy mechanics.

This will allow you to maximize your resonance advantage.

Mien stopped, and the falling waterfall of light slowly dried up, eventually scattering, leaving only the ravaged pool water and the flowers, plants, and trees ravaged by the storm.

"This intermediate skill is also the most difficult to master, so there's no need to rush into trying it."

The last point of light entered Lucia's mind.

Sensing the powerful laws it contained, Lucia tried to calm her mind and nodded.

"You can practice for about ten days. Soon there will be an event that requires you to participate as a saintess."

Lucia was somewhat surprised: "Isn't there still a month left?"

"The plan has changed."

A blue magical energy flashed from Mien's right hand, unfolding a task list before his eyes, compiled by August.

He had just searched through them carefully and found a suitable matter concerning the capital, which he then checked off.

"Ten days from now, the initiation ceremony for the new generation of saints of the Church of Life will be held."

They were all qualified after studying at the Academy and passing the assessment.

In addition, you are the only orthodox saintess within the empire.

Both morally and logically, we should participate; there's no way to refuse.

Lucia nodded. Having experienced several big events, she was no longer afraid, but she still clenched her fists, showing an instinctive nervousness about her job.

"I understand, teacher."

Mien nodded, then left Lucia to train or rest as she pleased, before departing the training area to organize the ritual-related documents.

I also looked up information about the Church of Life.

The silent confrontation within the capital city is becoming increasingly apparent. Mien has avoided the limelight, but he cannot remain holed up in the Academy of Scholars forever; he needs to gain a deeper understanding of the current situation.

At the same time, he deliberately chose a ceremony related to the Church of Life so that he could find a reason to enter it.

Try to find out or discover information about the religious branches within the Sestan Empire.

Make as many preparations as possible before the war.

…………

Ten days later.

On a clear morning, the sun ignores the dark undercurrents in the capital and generously showers its brightest rays on every street corner.

A wisp of smoke rises far into the distance.

Mien, together with Luya, led a dozen ritual scholars to the Life Cult on the other side of the Imperial Capital.

Mien and Lucia sat in the magnificent carriage, swaying and rocking as they slowly passed through the capital.

Those outside could only see the procession bearing the sacred insignia of the Academy, and knew Lucia was among them from a wisp of Papal silk fluttering above the carriages, but they could not see her in person.

Many pedestrians still gathered on both sides, praying and offering blessings in quiet respect for both the saint and the academy.

Mien closed his eyes to rest, while Lucia quietly observed the people outside through the crack in the car window.

As she saw more and more people in academic robes, the road gradually leveled out, and the surroundings became quiet, she knew she had arrived at the Church of Life.

Only after the initiation ceremony can these students truly shed their academic robes, don the cloak of the church, and become saints.

The carriage stopped, the door opened, and Mien stepped out, turning around gracefully to take Luya's hand and help her down.

Sunlight shone on Luya's face, and she saw the church members and the Church of Life welcoming her.

But he subconsciously frowned.

Although Mien had informed him in advance of the Church of Life's decline.

But isn't this a bit too shabby...?

Behind the dozen or so trusting saints standing on either side,

Only five members of the Church of Life greeted them, with only one young girl standing in the very center.

Behind them, in the distance, one can see the Church of Life, built of pure white marble.

In some places, the leaves have turned yellow and peeled, with green vines twining around them, and some have already withered.

However, its size is almost the same as the branch church of the Holy See in Iron Cans Street, only less than half the size.

Above the church, in the openwork dome, are beams in the shape of giant trees, with emerald-colored life crystals inlaid at the top. When sunlight shines through, it casts flowing leaf-like light spots on the ground.

However, one can feel a vibrant life force emanating from afar, penetrating the heart through the gaze.

Mien wasn't surprised.

As is well known, the Cassirer Empire has more than one official faith besides the Goddess of Light; there are five other official faiths as well.

However, there is only one "Papal Church," namely the Church of Light; the other five can only be called "Churches."

Mien felt that in a few decades, they would become a "sect," and after a while, they could be called "esoteric religion."

Because the empire truly lacked the conditions for them to survive.

It's not just because of the power of light energy that strong individuals flock to worship the Goddess of Light.

Even among ordinary people, there are very few believers; they only exist in the surrounding areas.

It has been completely marginalized.

To Mien's surprise, it wasn't the bishop of the Church of Life who came to greet him personally.

And only five people were sent.

Judging from the attire of the girl at the front, she is probably a saintess of the Church of Life.

Based on his understanding of the bishops of the Church of Life, he believed that the other party would not deliberately neglect him.

This made Mien even more curious, and he led Luya to meet the five members of the Church of Life who were walking from afar.

The girl walking at the front wore a moon-white gauze gown adorned with light green 'branch' patterns, and was about the same age as Lucia.

Her smile was calm and sincere, like a still lake, seemingly able to embrace all darkness with kindness.

Like an ordinary girl next door.

But after slowly leaping over the students on both sides, Mien and Lucia suddenly saw some "uninvited guests" surrounding the outer perimeter of the Church of Life.

Wearing familiar silver-white armor and platinum attire.

"It's the Imperial Army and the Holy See!"

Lucia's eyes darkened as she recalled the scene in Valgon.

The two sides stood casually on either side, but they firmly blocked the entrance to the Church of Life.

Looking at the scholars who had arrived, there was not a trace of fear in his eyes.

Instead, they cast cold, direct glances at him, as if challenging the authority of the Academy.