It was the third day after Sonata had arrived in Algrad. He spent most of his time chatting with Alexandra and communicating through his adoptive father and Alto's communication tools. Genevieve was nervous every time he spent time with Alexandra, for reasons she was embarrassed to reveal.
Alexandra was a beautiful and charming woman. Additionally, she was intelligent and noble. Her appearance was similar to Cerise, but slightly older and gentler, which Genevieve understood to be the type of woman Sonata liked. They looked good together when they stood side by side.
Genevieve was relieved after Cerise became queen. She believed that even if Cerise was interested in Sonata, their story would not be easy given the current situation. However, when she met Alexandra, she was unsure about them. She felt that the two of them had become close too quickly, to the point of concern.
"Does Lady Alexandra not have a partner yet?" Genevieve secretly asked Alexandra's maid.
"Lady is a holy woman. She certainly cannot marry or have a fiancé."
"She must be 'chaste'," Genevieve corrected the maid with a smile.
"Ah, but in a few years, she will complete her service. At that time, she will be able to have a family," the talkative maid explained. This caused Genevieve's smile, the first in several days, to fade.
What Genevieve did not know was that Alexandra was interested in her family history. She had asked Sonata to help investigate the matter, and he had left it with Doc to handle. After an easy search, they discovered that Alexandra and Genevieve had the same last name, which was not a coincidence.
"You have the power of a holy woman," Alexandra held Genevieve's hand to reassure about the holy power. Genevieve possessed a rare ability that only she did not know how to use - that power.
"Are you kidding me? I'm just an ordinary villager, just a bread seller."
"We are distant relatives," Alexandra said as Sonata presented the evidence, an old copy of the Swans and close relatives. Although the information was not complete, it was quite certain that both of their families belonged to the same family.
"The Swans have been an important family in Algrad since ancient times. A woman born with divine powers becomes the head of the clan and is often chosen to look after Algrad."
"My grandmother once said that we are an old family. But I never knew that before."
"The soldiers told me that the magic that protects this city is the power of the Holy Maiden. Then you might as well practice it," Sonata said, turning to Genevieve. His eyes shone as if he were looking at a new toy.
"In theory, it could be practiced."
Alexandra explained the conditions and was confident that Genevieve had a hidden talent. However, the use of special spells by the Holy Maiden was conditional. First of all, a woman who devotes her life to this duty goes through a difficult ritual and must sacrifice part of her lifespan.
Furthermore, magic had its limitations. The "Divine Haven" magic that had protected the city for centuries was not as easy to maintain as one might expect. Alexandra had to be present in the city at all times for it to function properly. The worst part was that she was unable to sustain it due to the time limit.
"What the maid said that the term was almost over... "
"The maid said the term was almost over... ?" Alexandra chuckled lightly. "It's Margaret. This kid never holds back her words. I am running out of power, and it will take several decades before I can return to this position again."
"The problem is that there are no successors," Sonata suggested so confidently that it caught Alexandra off guard. Not many people in Algrad knew about this. Over the years, she had tried to train a new generation of Holy Maidens to take on the role, but she could not find the right person. It was either someone related to the previous Holy Maidens or someone willing to sacrifice their lives.
"You don't say..." Genevieve's expression was off, and she seemed terrified of being asked to do something challenging.
"I am sorry, but I don't see anyone more suitable than you," Alexandra replied bluntly.
Initially, Genevieve did not regret sacrificing her longevity or even the fact that accepting this task would keep her stranded in the city for several decades until her service period was over. On the contrary, she was overjoyed that a powerless woman like herself could make such a positive impact on so many people.
However, what made her hesitate was Sonata. If she stayed in the city, she would have to be separated from him.
She feared that by the time her service period ended, Sonata might have passed away.
Alexandra did not rush to answer because she knew this was a significant decision. This kind of responsibility would be pointless if it were done out of force or reluctance. She put her trust in fate, which had brought Genevieve to Algrad as her last hope.
No one would have expected that Genevieve had no opportunity to make a decision. Something significant happened that night.
Several soldiers came rushing to report to Alexandra about the unusual movements of Revarents. She hurried out to survey the scene. It was so concerning that she thought she might not be able to handle it.
Later, Sonata and Genevieve arrived, and they both saw Alexandra and the elders discussing urgently in the auditorium. Alexandra had already introduced herself to both sides and immediately invited them to join the group. As soon as Sonata saw the commotion, she knew it had to be something significant.
"The Revarent Army is marching towards the city," an elderly woman began. She was an ex-former Holy Maiden who had now permanently lost her Holy power.
"That's not a problem. Revarents have attempted to invade many times," said the senior general, who introduced himself as Alexandra's father. "The problem is that the Dark Jester is up to something."
"Is that him again? Dark Jester?" Sonata sounded puzzled, but his face remained plain. However, deep down, he was grinning with excitement at the opportunity to meet the demonic lord, the Dark Jester. This villain was responsible for creating the Mordo gargoyle and the special zombie Erfez, and Sonata had hoped to meet him someday.
In front of the city of Algrad, which had once been a fortress of the Necromancers, the Revarents had recruited many witches and mages to perform mystical rituals. They had gathered together to cast a spell, the purpose of which the people of Algrad could not discern. All they knew was that the Dark Jester was using them in an attempt to penetrate the divine energy field that protected the city.
"Yes… we've survived for hundreds of years. We can't be beaten by them now," the subordinate replied, but his expression did not show any confidence. Everyone present felt that something was different this time.
The soldiers' words were soon forgotten as the first group of enemy soldiers marched straight ahead. These were not like any Undead they had ever seen before. They were not ghosts, skeletons, bodiless spirits, zombies, or even vampires. They were soldiers in black armor, and it was difficult to identify what kind of Undead they were.
"The armor is like that of Atezia, but black," one soldier murmured. Although he had never left this area since his birth, he had seen such armor in ancient records.
"Paladin's armor..." the platoon leader informed the adjutant. "Report to the Holy Maiden right now."
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Sonata, Genevieve, Alexandra, and the dignitaries anxiously looked out at the field of Divine Haven. The army of black-armored soldiers had been standing still in front of the force field for a long time. They were undoubtedly Undead, with pale, musty-smelling bodies. But the armor they wore made everyone uneasy.
Behind the Paladins were those whom Sonata and Genevieve knew. A former prince, left to die miserably, had returned as a death knight. He waited until Dark Jester gave a signal, then continued to give orders to the black paladin troops. Fearlessly, the Undead walked towards the Wall of Light, despite being unafraid of death.
"Useless, you can't get through," said the older Holy Maiden.
Tens and hundreds of figures in black armor were burning, as many have said. This great spell still performed its function excellently, and the cursed undead were unable to tread in this sacred realm.
One by one, the black armored paladins fell, but the newcomers continued to step forward relentlessly. Despite being pushed to the point of retreat, they remained determined and continued their advance. Some raised their shields against the holy power, while others had to crawl to move forward. None of them gave up. When one fell, another took their place, and the black armored paladins seemed to come in endless numbers.