The reason the demon army had targeted Brilliant City from the very beginning was not simply to conquer the city.
Considering that Martha had arrived by her side exactly one year ago, just as the original owner was chosen as the Saintess.
This could only mean one thing.
The target of the demon army from the very start was her!
Martha’s purpose was to take her away, though the specific reason remained unknown.
However, some details allowed for a general deduction.
First were her skills.
Her Class went without saying; she was the earthly representative of Archangel Sariel, serving as both the Saintess of the Moon and the Saintess of Brilliance.
Setting aside the three skills of Inspiration, Swordsmanship, and Light Blade, her healing magic alone was extraordinary.
In the original owner's memory, this healing magic didn't seem particularly special, but that was a notion she had gradually accepted under Martha's subtle influence.
Yet the reality was likely different.
Healing a heart that had been crushed to pieces was unheard of.
Even without focusing on the minutiae, she knew that healing magic was usually not 【absolute healing】 but rather 【relative healing】. The more mana one expended, the more injuries could be repaired, but certain fatal, instant-death wounds were impossible to fix.
Because that already touched upon the taboo of 【Resurrection】.
Within the Holy Church, the skill of Resurrection was a taboo; even if one possessed the talent for it, learning or using it was forbidden.
But her healing magic was clearly closer to a 'miracle' than to ordinary healing.
From this alone, it was clear that Luo Li Saint Sariel’s own talent was unparalleled!
Every chosen Saintess possessed her own Authorities, and her Authorities came from the blessing of Archangel Sariel—three of them, in fact.
While she didn't know if other Saintesses had as many, her own Authorities were almost entirely support-based.
Hero Creation—summoning historical heroes to possess others.
Moon's Protection—granting an individual the concept of 'invulnerability' for a certain period.
Eyes of Judgment—capable of plunging enemies into a brief state of paralysis.
A super Saintess who integrated the roles of healer, support, enhancer, and protector; if the demon army obtained her, the magnitude of the human side's defeat was easy to imagine.
A theory began to form in Luo Li’s mind.
The demon army wanted her Authorities.
If that were truly the case...
They likely wouldn't give up easily.
Luo Li took a deep breath to calm her emotions, then looked at Hilda with her usual smile.
"Hilda, the only one I can trust right now is you. Can I... trust you?"
There was another traitor among the knights. She couldn't remember exactly who it was, but she was certain it was a man, which ruled out Hilda.
Most importantly, Luo Li clearly remembered that after Hilda escorted Luo Li Saint Sariel out of the city, they were captured together. Hilda had ended up in an unspeakable state and died a miserable death. Yet, until her final moment, she had never forgotten her duty to save the Saintess.
"Your Highness, from the day I became a Guardian Knight, everything I have thought and done has been for you, for the Holy Church, and for this Brilliant City. Please, believe in me."
Hilda knelt on one knee, her right hand over her heart, her expression solemn and sincere.
Luo Li nodded and glanced at the nuns beside her, giving her orders.
"All of you may leave for now. I wish to discuss some matters with Knight Hilda."
Now that they were no longer under Martha’s control, the nuns naturally had no choice but to obey her command.
Furthermore, the news of Martha becoming a demonized human had spread throughout the city in just a short time. Everyone was desperate to distance themselves from her. Most of these nuns had been under Martha's control, and now they dared not do anything except pledge their loyalty to the Saintess.
If anyone was found to still be in contact with Martha, they would be tied to a stake and burned immediately!
Ignoring the nuns, Luo Li turned her gaze back to study the female knight before her.
While she couldn't be certain of her absolute loyalty yet, she was at least sure that Hilda was not a demon spy.
"Knight Hilda, I trust you, and I ask that you trust me as well. Brilliant City is in a precarious position right now, and I need your help."
Hilda knelt on one knee once more.
"Guardian Knight Hilda is at your service!"
"Very well, Knight Hilda. I need to know the city's current defensive layout immediately. I also need to review the profiles of every knight at the rank of Fidelity Knight and above."
Although she had forgotten who the spy was, seeing them might trigger her memory.
To be a spy for the demon race, the person’s level must be high, otherwise, they wouldn't have the qualifications to be one.
The rank of Fidelity Knight was at level thirty, which was a watershed. Only upon reaching this level could one truly be considered a knight and lead troops into battle.
However, this data would inevitably be massive. Just the West Gate, where the defenses were relatively lax, had over a dozen Fidelity Knights.
Combining the other three gates and the knights stationed here at the Holy Church, the total number of Fidelity Knights was likely no less than two or three hundred.
Even if Brave Knights were few, there were at least several dozen of them.
And then there were the Guardian Knights.
Accurately picking out that one spy from so many people would not be an easy task.
"As you command. But Your Highness, why do you need these? The battlefield is for us knights. Do you... intend to command the army personally?"
Luo Li shook her head slightly. The golden crown on her head felt a bit heavy, so she reached up, took it off, and placed it beside her.
"Knight Hilda, the demon army's target this time is me. I don't have time to explain the details, but I am certain there are other spies within the city."
The valiant female knight's brow furrowed as she clearly sank into deep thought.
Luo Li was in no hurry. If a single spy could open the city gates, Brilliant City wouldn't have held out for so long.
Clearly, this spy was a backup plan intended to be used after Martha's exposure.
After Hilda pondered for a long time, during which Luo Li waited quietly without disturbing her, she finally spoke.
"Has Your Highness... seen that person?"
"I remember them vaguely, but I'm not certain. I might only remember once I see the person themselves, but these records might also be of help."
"I see. I understand. Then, Your Highness, I shall go at once..."
"Wait. First, tell me about the city's defensive layout. I need that information now."
She quickly stopped Hilda, who was about to turn and leave. Other things weren't as urgent; the information on the city's defenses was the most critical right now.
Only by knowing this could she possibly deduce where the spy might sabotage things.
"In that case, I shall brief Your Highness first."
She pulled five silver coins from her waist and placed them on the ground.
The five silver coins were arranged in the shape of a cross. Hilda pointed to the coin facing east.
"Lord Will is not in the city. Before her exposure, the demonized human Martha had also transferred many knights out of Brilliant City. There are only four Guardian Knights left in the city, including myself."
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