Inside the cathedral, you could hear a pin drop. A graceful young woman in armor slowly walked forward, her high heels and spurs clinking against the floor with each step.
“It’s the Princess! Is she in the Holy City too? Is she here to participate in this operation?”
“Of course. The Holy Knights are short on manpower, so they’ve invited the Royal Knights as well.”
Unlike the other Holy Knights in their cumbersome attire…
Her silver armor and light blue skirt lining were so elaborate they resembled a gown, like a swan dancing on ice.
Her tall, heroic figure, and the elegantly contoured armor, perfectly complemented her physique.
She walked quickly towards the Pope, bathed in the golden afterglow, and after bowing, she spoke with a stern and serious tone:
“Pope, I apologize for the intrusion… This operation was reckless and rushed, with many unresolved questions. Before any commendations, we should wait for the Tribunal to interrogate the heretics and investigate everything thoroughly.”
Her clear and bright voice echoed through the cathedral, instantly making her the focus of everyone’s attention.
The Empire’s Fourth Princess—Diana.
Even in her early years, she was renowned throughout the continent for her exquisite, jade-like face, earning her the respectful title of the Crystal Princess.
Her high nose bridge, delicate facial contours, and finely sculpted features gave her an elegant and ethereal aura, seemingly keeping people at a distance, yet still exuding a youthful charm.
She was also a top-tier genius swordswoman and the youngest Royal Knights leader.
And earlier this year, she was chosen by the Holy Sword, becoming a Holy Sword User, the strongest Holy Knight not belonging to the Holy Knights.
After Diana advised the Pope, she finally shifted her gaze to Mil.
But as their eyes met, a hint of shame appeared on her face. She pursed her lips and lowered her head:
“Mil, long time no see. I… I don’t distrust you, but before everything is clear, I hope you can recuse yourself to facilitate the Tribunal’s investigation. We… um…”
Her voice grew softer and softer, her thoughts more and more muddled, until she finally ended in silence.
The cathedral fell silent once again.
Including the Pope, people’s gazes constantly flitted between her and Mil…
Mil was around her age, and they had both grown up in Jellahe Palace since childhood, practically childhood sweethearts.
Eight years ago, when the Emperor was crowned in the Holy City, Mil accompanied his Leia Tower to the Holy City for the first time.
That day also happened to be Mil’s birthday, and the Emperor, seeking good fortune, asked Mil what wish he had.
Mil said he wanted to marry Diana.
People dismissed it as innocent childish talk, laughing heartily. The Emperor then pulled Diana over, but Diana refused on the spot.
This incident quickly spread…
It became a topic of conversation among the nobility at tea parties.
After that day, Diana moved with the Royal Family to the new capital, Ulm Palace; Mil returned with his Leia Tower to Jellahe Palace in the far north, and they never saw each other again.
At this moment, the cathedral was utterly silent, people staring wide-eyed at the two, reunited after so long.
But Mil frowned, staring intently at the young woman before him, remaining silent…
Her ice-blue eyes were clear and bright, and her sharp, keen gaze seemed to conceal a wisp of sword energy. Her long, silver-gray hair cascaded down her back.
After a few seconds, as the Pope licked his lips, intending to break the awkward silence…
Mil finally spoke:
“Who are you?”
The atmosphere in the room began to subtly shift.
Diana suddenly looked up, her eyes trembling slightly, her expression a mix of extreme emotions—confusion, surprise, anger, grievance—and she even clenched her fists.
Actually, this wasn’t Mil’s fault.
In fact, ever since he was chosen by the chaos holy stone, Mil’s memories of this life had become somewhat distant…
His memories from the past few years were still relatively clear, but anything further back than six or seven years ago truly left no impression.
Alice quietly stepped forward, tugging at Mil’s sleeve, and whispered a reminder:
“Brother, this is Princess Diana…”
Diana? Mil was stunned…
Although he had heard that a princess named Diana had been chosen by the Holy Sword this year, he truly didn’t know he knew her.
After all, in noble circles, you couldn’t count the number of people named Diana on four hands.
In his distant memories, there seemed to be a girl who wore a princess dress over leather, was always drenched in sweat at the training grounds, and would stir up a hornet’s nest then leave him behind in a flash…
But the young woman before him, nearly his height, with a prominent chest and a beautiful face;
Could this be the same person?
Well, she did bear some resemblance to the game’s character portrait, but the real person was much more lively.
“Uh… Hello, Princess Diana. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Mirfak Bahali de Tiranor, the adopted son of the Lyata Family…”
After habitually reciting this string of names, Diana’s expression had already become very displeased.
The cathedral erupted in an uproar. To alleviate Diana’s concerns, Adjudicator Kramer said:
“Princess Diana, the Tribunal will complete the interrogation as quickly as possible, please be patient. As for Mil’s appointment, it is the result of discussions by the Papal Curia, but he will not immediately participate in the Tribunal’s work, so you do not need to worry.”
“In that case, I will trouble Klama. Pope, I wish to join the subsequent investigation of this operation as a Holy Sword User. I hope to receive your permission.”
Diana’s eyes burned. The Pope and the Adjudicator exchanged glances, nodded, and raised his hand, making the holy sign as he intoned:
“Indeed, Princess Diana, your devotion shines like holy light, and the Tribunal also requires your strong assistance.”
Meanwhile, Mil’s thoughts had already drifted far away…
This was Holy Sword User Diana?
He had originally thought he wouldn’t encounter her or have any interaction with her in the early stages, but now it seemed this was fate’s arrangement.
A crazy, bold, grand, and brilliant plan, like a magnificent blueprint, slowly unfolded in Mil’s mind!
In the game, Diana had two forms—
One was Holy Sword User Diana, belonging to the Church and Empire factions.
The other was her corrupted form after being blackened, serving the demon race;
That was a warrior born of betrayal and despair, for anger and revenge—
Death Knight!
And the dark Diana was the strongest hexagonal hero unit among the DKs in the game!
The tragic backstory of the dark Diana was something Mil knew by heart, though it only existed in an ‘if’ timeline. But Mil was confident he could make it a reality.
This time, he not only wanted Diana to fall, but also to rescue the captured demons and completely wipe away the past disgrace!
Mil was lost in his own thoughts, while Diana, having gained the Pope’s consent, nodded and said:
“Thank you very much. I still need to watch over the Skeleton Knight and the Blood Clan Princess, so I will take my leave now.”
After saying this, she had intended to say goodbye to Mil before leaving.
But when her gaze fell on Mil again, the fellow wouldn’t even look her in the eye, and a hint of disdainful smile played on his lips…
Furious, Diana bit her silver teeth, staring intently at Mil’s profile for a long time. When she realized he showed no reaction whatsoever, she finally left in a huff.