"Things that only she knows... are simply too many."

When speaking of the most unique Saintess in the history of the Church Court, the Pope's gaze became deep.

The Hero perceived that between the two giants of the church, the dynamic seemed not as harmonious and well-coordinated as described in the records.

"Since you have no other questions, ponder over this one first." After a while, the Pope exhaled, looking back at the young girl.

"Hero, what do you think the profession of 'Hero' truly means?"

The Hero paused for a moment.

She was certainly aware that aside from "wild" heroes like herself awakened through talent, only the Church possessed proper methods to cultivate heroes.

But ever since she became a Hero driven by her intense hatred for the Goblins, she hadn't really delved deeply into such questions.

Though officially recognized by the Kingdom, it seemed she hadn't utilized her identity as a "Hero" much.

[In the Kingdom, official heroes receive policy support (recognition +30, Church -10)]

D70+20=62

Word has it that official heroes enjoy noble lord treatment, receiving a monthly stipend... maybe she should ask the Fourteenth Princess to help her apply later?

But for now, it's best to answer the Pope's question.

1.5. I don't know.

2.6. A special soul?

3.7. The strength of hope.

4.8. Carnivore.

9. Weapon of civilization.

10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure

D10=d10(8)=8

♛: Carnivore.

The Hero did not remain silent for long; her eyes flickered slightly before she provided her answer.

"...Carnivore."

Having awakened the abilities of a Beast Spirit Mage since childhood, the hero's power gained later was not unfamiliar to her.

Although her family looked down upon such barbaric magician talent, they had mentioned how a Beast Spirit Mage should upgrade and become stronger.

—Live like a beast, then kill the beast, devouring raw flesh and blood.

Not for acquiring a new transformation, but to consume its flesh and soul, grinding and swallowing, turning it into the experience of becoming stronger.

Killing magic creatures to gain experience—compared to Beast Spirit Mages, heroes, with a wider range of applicability, are actually quite similar. But unlike magicians who can only swallow beast souls, heroes clearly reside higher, or even atop the food chain.

And compared to mages who swim, even drown in a sea of knowledge, for her, the path of the Beast Spirit Mage was straightforward and brutal, clear and understandable.

However, at that time, being a lady of the Viscount's House, even though semi-allowed to roam free by her family, she lived quite comfortably and never thought of relying on such means to enhance her strength.

If she had understood the importance of strength sooner, at least trained to the point where she could kill Goblins, perhaps she wouldn't have lost her best friend or become a Hero out of self-loathing for her powerlessness.

The young girl recalled her past, a trace of sadness appeared in her expression but soon recovered, waiting quietly for the Pope's response.

"Carnivore—" Upon hearing the Hero's answer, the Pope's blue eyes widened slightly, then nodded slowly.

"Yes, a very appropriate description. Eating flesh to strengthen oneself is, in fact, the most primitive survival instinct of all living beings, including humankind who have never been apart from this rule. I originally intended to explain with different words, but now it seems unnecessary.

"All things in the world exist within the cycle of reincarnation, 'Hero' is but a link in this cycle of soul rotations, merely possessed by humankind through fortuitous circumstances.

"The undying magic creatures, the eternal ancient spirits... indeed many peculiar and powerful existences appear to have successfully detached themselves from the cycle. But destiny has mutual interaction—heroes are the critical node born to return them to the cycle.

"In some sense, the hero is the symbol of apocalypse."

The Pope solemnly declared.

In the face of disasters, a profession that becomes stronger through continuous slaughter at an astonishing rate.

Although their age might not even equal a fraction of some long-lived magic creatures, they often sweep them away, turning the endless flesh and blood into food for their growth, like a meteor blazing through the night sky, breaking the darkness in an instant.

The Heroic Soul Monument is engraved with names of countless heroes who once shone so brightly.

"However, relying on these suddenly emerging heroes is ultimately unstable, and disasters usually cause severe costs before a hero's awakening. Therefore, the church has expended tremendous resources to develop the hero's reincarnation ceremony." The Pope stood up and turned to the Hero.

His figure was no longer stooped, his stern and steady voice resonating in the pews as if conducting a sacred sermon.

"And this time, addressing the Deep Sea Demon follows the same principle; its status far exceeds the water beings of the sea, making it difficult for the sirens to sustain long resistance.

"—Hence, we need the current Siren Princess to reincarnate as a hero, turning defense into offense against the Great Demon."

[The Pope's Request]

Note: This selection is affected by your attitude towards the Divine Knowledge Saintess, with low attitude potentially leading to denial of prophecy (choices 3, 4).

1.5. Hope you bring back the siren.

2.6. Hope you can assist her.

3.7. ——You become the Pope.

4.8. Hope the Siren Princess can become the Saintess.

9. Selection's venue is at the Isolated Island, can you help?

10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure

D10=d10(6)=6

♛: Hope you can assist her.

Though his soul has been completely invaded by the Great Demon, allowing him to barely survive within the Cathedral, the old Pope's attitude remains calm, his expression reveals a nearly serene indifference, as if he wasn't swallowed by the Great Demon, but willingly ventured into the enemy's depths.

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