Although it was a test, Ellie quite hoped Zesshi Zetsumei would agree, as that would mean she would have one less powerful opponent. Given Zesshi Zetsumei's previous statement about having no feelings for the Slane Theocracy, there was a good chance she would agree.
However, Zesshi Zetsumei's answer this time proved Ellie's estimation wrong.
"I refuse. I cannot leave here until I have repaid their kindness." Zesshi Zetsumei's words were somewhat unexpected for Ellie. It wasn't that her refusal was surprising, but rather her reason for it.
Ellie hadn't expected Zesshi Zetsumei to be so sentimental. Although her peculiar personality was indeed cultivated by the people of the Slane Theocracy, the Slane Theocracy had truly been taking care of her for the past century.
If she had been left to her own devices, her personality might have become even more twisted under that pervert, the Elf King. Moreover, the Elf King would likely have done indescribable things to her. Indeed, the Slane Theocracy could be considered her benefactor.
"Oh! Is that so? Well then, the next time we meet, we will be enemies." Ellie said this, but in her heart, she felt it was quite a pity. If possible, she truly didn't want to fight a fully armored Zesshi Zetsumei again.
After saying this, Ellie glanced at the Chief Priest, who was still lying unconscious on the ground. He should wake up soon. It was time to leave. With everything said, she intended to depart.
"Enemies...?" Zesshi Zetsumei's body trembled slightly upon hearing Ellie's words. This subtle movement naturally caught Ellie's attention.
Hmm? Was Zesshi Zetsumei afraid? Impossible! How could she be afraid? Although her face now held a somewhat forced smile, she was Zesshi Zetsumei. How could she possibly be afraid?
Many movies and animations have shown it: when encountering something exciting, one can't help but tremble. Was it called 'Warrior's Tremor' or something?
Perhaps that described Zesshi Zetsumei's state just now? Trembling with excitement at the thought of having another chance to fight her?
"When this guy wakes up, just tell him I attacked him. It's not like it makes much difference now." Ellie said, glancing at the Chief Priest on the ground before leaving.
This time, Ellie truly left. Zesshi Zetsumei didn't pursue her either. With everything said and done, there was nothing more to say.
Although she was confident she could utterly defeat Zesshi Zetsumei under the previous conditions, it was important to remember that in the setting, Zesshi Zetsumei possessed five or six Player items. However, in that duel, Ellie could only confirm that the simplified Champion Armor with the Nazarick emblem on her body was definitely a Player item; everything else was unknown. So, who knew what the outcome would be the next time they met and fought?...Watching Elizabeth's retreating figure, Yugali finally collapsed, sitting directly on the ground.
Perhaps it was due to a lack of MP or something, but her legs felt so weak, especially after hearing Elizabeth's final words about them being enemies the next time they met.
Recalling her incredibly stern gaze just now, Yugali couldn't help but remember a few days ago, on the training ground, when Elizabeth swung her greatsword at her. This was probably what those people she had bullied referred to as the emotion called "fear."
If possible, she truly didn't want to be her enemy again. But according to Elizabeth, a war between Theocracy and Magic Kingdom was inevitable. At that time, as Theocracy's ace, she would naturally face her again. What should she do then?
Thinking of this, Yugali couldn't help but hug herself tightly. At least... at least, if she could hold on until after the century-long crisis, she would be free.
By then... by then, Yugali couldn't help but recall Elizabeth fully armored on the training ground. It was then that Yugali noticed something very important... Ellie walked out of the temple and saw a group of guards already surrounding the outside. Hmm? Were these people a bit slow to react?
Well! It's a holiday, so it's understandable, right? Ellie thought. After all, the climate only changed abruptly after she directly cast Sky Transformation inside the temple. That conspicuous beam of light shot directly into the sky, so it would naturally attract attention!
But thinking about it, this was the temple. These guards were probably forbidden from entering, right? So they could only wait outside? This just showed how much of a pain a religious country like the Slane Theocracy was. It would be better to just destroy it quickly.
To be honest, as long as Zesshi Zetsumei was dealt with, directly destroying Theocracy with force wouldn't be too difficult.
But that wouldn't be fun. Scorched earth rule would harm Ainz Ooal Gown's reputation. However, taking down the Slane Theocracy bloodlessly, like the Empire did, would be very difficult.
Demiurge's play in the Holy Kingdom was also difficult to apply to the Slane Theocracy. So, taking down the Slane Theocracy would require more thought. At least for now, it was impossible.
However, this trip to Theocracy still yielded many rewards. First, she had a clear understanding of Theocracy's basic combat strength. Although there were still questions about Zesshi Zetsumei's ultimate combat strength, everything else besides Zesshi Zetsumei was basically clear.
Secondly, there was the matter of Zesshi Zetsumei's Nazarick equipment. And one more thing she learned from the Elf King was the information that other Players still existed and were sealed by the Evaluation Country. As for the Dragon Kingdom and Elf Kingdom, those were just bonuses!
The guards, seeing Ellie walk out, somewhat relaxed their vigilance. After all, in their eyes, Ellie was still Clementine, the Extra Seat of the Black Scripture. However, Ellie was no longer Clementine!!
But they didn't know that. Just leaving like this felt too cheap. She should stir up some trouble before leaving!
"Clementine, what happened in the temple just now?!" Just as Ellie was wondering how to cause trouble, Gelos and the other Black Scripture members she had encountered in the temple corridor rushed over. Gelos, leading the group, asked with some tension after seeing Ellie.
"Nothing much, Yugali just asked me a few things." Ellie replied, feigning calmness.
"Uh... she was there too? Then what was that magical fluctuation just now?" When Zesshi Zetsumei was mentioned, Gelos felt a bit awkward, as she was Gelos's natural enemy.
"That? That was the fluctuation from me casting Ultimate Magic, hehe! Thanks to that magic just now, I've remembered everything!" Ellie said with a very bright smile.
"Everyone! Disperse quickly!!! This person is an enemy!!" Gelos's expression changed instantly upon hearing Ellie's words. He immediately retreated and shouted.
This Gelos was really foolish. Ellie couldn't help but want to laugh at his reaction. He reacted so strongly just from her saying she remembered, without her even specifying what she remembered. Didn't his behavior directly tell her the truth?
Seriously!
"Hmm? Gelos? What are you doing? What enemy?" Ellie asked, feigning a very strange and innocent look. So, Ellie decided to play a trick on him.
Since you're so foolish, I'll pin this on you. But it will be difficult once the Chief Priest wakes up. Well! Playing a trick on Gelos is fine. Who told him to deceive her last time!
"Eh?" Gelos and his other Black Scripture companions were all dumbfounded. The others, hearing Gelos's command, all retreated.
Although many of the guards were hesitant and didn't react at all, after all, Ellie was now the well-known "hero" who had dealt with the Elf Kingdom in just one day. However, all the Black Scripture members present entered battle readiness.
"What's wrong with you all? Are you treating me as an enemy?" Ellie asked, feigning a very innocent look.
"Uh... no, not at all... that, this... I, I was just playing with you. So what did you mean when you said you remembered everything just now?" Gelos awkwardly dropped his stance, then scratched his head and said.
"Hmm? I meant I remembered how to celebrate Christmas. Gelos, your reaction was so exaggerated? You immediately treated me as an enemy? Hmm? Could it be!!!" Ellie said, feigning a startled expression, retreating several steps, and showing a very wary expression towards everyone.
"No... you misunderstood! Clementine, I... I was just playing with you. I didn't treat you as an enemy, really!" Gelos was instantly dumbfounded when he saw Ellie's vigilance.
Indeed, he had overreacted just now. Because he was too afraid of her powerful strength, he had always been wary of her every move. He hadn't expected it to be exposed like this.
"I always found it strange why I was monitored by Astrology Thousand Miles when I was on a mission. I naively thought the High Priests were worried about my safety or something. So it turns out they were just simply monitoring me! Now that I think about it, I'm not Clementine at all, am I! My original identity must be your enemy!!" Ellie pointed at Gelos and shouted angrily. However, in her heart, Ellie almost burst out laughing.
"This... no, that... this..." Gelos looked embarrassed, and so did Astrology Thousand Miles, who was hiding at the back. When Ellie mentioned her in her words just now, she immediately shrank to the very back.
After all, she had just been threatened by Zesshi Zetsumei. Seeing this scene, if she didn't have to act, Ellie would have been rolling on the ground laughing her head off.
"Before, you gave me so many tests, and unfairly called six of you to bully me alone. I thought it was strange back then why the tests had to be so excessive. So that's how it is! Now I understand. I was always the enemy!" Ellie said angrily, and then at this moment, Ellie simultaneously activated her Actor's Aura (Despair Aura + Ice Aura, Level One).
"We were the ones being bullied back then, weren't we?" God-Lord Chains, Bumal, spread his hands and said. Then, seeing Gelos glare at him, he immediately fell silent.
"That, Clementine, listen to my explanation! Things are not as you imagine them to be." Gelos realized how much trouble he had caused. Coupled with the effects of the Ice Aura and Despair Aura, he was now in a state of extreme panic.
"No need to explain anymore. It must have been you who deceived me!" Ellie said, pointing at Gelos.
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