My Goddess is Good at Pretending-Chapter 692: Looking for Assurance

Under the gray-tinged dark sky, the Miko stood tall amidst the heroes and brave warriors. Her radiant presence was a beacon of light in the darkness, dazzling with her unwavering resolve.

The demons outside the core sealing barrier roared around them. Still, her calm, steady voice silenced the turmoil in the heroes’ and warriors’ hearts. She raised her staff, casting a holy light to cut through the ominous shadows emanating from the demon king’s castle walls.

Miko conducted a sermon to pacify and reassure the restless hearts. Their chance of winning would be increased drastically only if everyone believed and followed all the plans they had made and agreed upon together.

Moreover, with her presence and the Elysion Church as reinforcements, the chance of dying had been reduced to below 20%. So, if they were not petrified, out of formation, or acted rashly outside the plan, they could still see the sun tomorrow regardless of the outcome.

"My brave warriors." Miko concluded her speech. Her voice carried both strength and compassion. "Know this... even if we fail to defeat the demon king, I will ensure your safe retreat. As long as life flows within us, we shall rise again. Remember, no matter how dark the hour, your survival is paramount. The empire can’t afford to lose this generation’s heroes. Together, we will stand another day, ready to challenge him anew."

Her words ignited a spark of determination in everyone’s hearts, banishing the fear and despair that had begun to creep in. The brave warriors nodded, gripping their weapons tightly, emboldened by her unyielding faith in them.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

Some of them felt a bit embarrassed because they previously voiced some complaints regarding the Sacred Sakura Saintess, but she was the one who carried them hard in this final stage conquest. Even if they failed, she would ensure their safe retreat, and they couldn’t ask more of it.

"Now, with your current determination and faith in victory, we may be able to achieve it during this raid." Miko put her hands together.

She spoke for half an hour non-stop, and the result was very satisfying because everyone seemed prepared for the worst because the path of retreat was still there. It was no longer a suicide mission.

Although everyone’s determination was on the right track, the purpose was a bit different from what she wanted. Thus, she added a merciless declaration, in stark contrast to her angelic measurement just now. "But, please don’t be too relieved! Fight like you’re going to fall. With me here, even if you die, you’ll be revived right away. So, please be prepared for the torment and pain because nobody can retreat easily~"

"!!!" Everyone gasped in surprise, even Rhykdohr choked on that.

"Ugh, I am very grateful for your promise and reassurance, but I would appreciate it if you didn’t mention the later part, milady." Genevieve sighed.

"Truth is a merciless beast. We’re embarked on that path, so you should be aware that the world is never a paradise." Miko shook her head as she left, returning to her group.

"You speak so lightly as if this is nothing, Saintess Miko. Can you please tell us how big our chance of victory and survival rate is once we enter the final boss stage inside the demon king’s castle?" Nyla raised her hand, asking sharply because the next stage was deadly and unlike any battle they had encountered so far.

"I’m feeling a bit tired. My representative will take my place to speak. Feel free to ask anything as we still have an hour before we proceed into the boss stage." Miko appointed Gabriella as her spokesperson, knowing many curious souls wished to know something out of them.

"Master, please have some fresh water." Jophiel immediately offered a cup of potion.

"Thank you, Jophi." Miko accepted the cup and drank the water. She then got escorted by Jophiel and Rafaela back to the Elysion Church’s camp.

"Ahem." Gabriella cleared her throat, feeling honored, but she felt that these brave warriors were a bit troublesome.

They clearly wanted to ask her many things since they barely could ask anything of her master before, but they should be aware that she and the Elysion Chruch were under no obligation to satisfy all of their wishes.

"I’ll continue on about the previous matter. This quest is just a demon king subjugation, and for us, it’s not a suicide mission. We encounter this kind of mission almost every month. Your greatest shortcoming is the lack of information, but we have conducted a profound investigation under the blessing of the Sacred Sakura Goddess to this demon city long before today. We’re not the main force here, but as long as you follow Saintess Miko’s lead, you should be fine."

The next session became an interactive event like a Q&A, but Gabriella didn’t answer some things that shouldn’t be asked.

A few moments after Miko rested in the tent, Mashiro paid her a visit with the pretext of seeking enlightenment and guidance from her. He was the one who would fight at the very front frow against the demon king, and he truly wished the words from the wise, and nobody blocked him because of that.

"Thank you for having me to visit you during your rest, Saintess Miko. Please pardon my comrades’ previous remarks. They were literally stressed about the overall situation." Mashiro greeted politely.

"I fully understand their mental state. Thankfully, they have made peace and understand that this is not their final destination." Miko faintly smiled, but she still closed her eyes in her sitting position.

"Sacred Sakura Saintess Miko, if you will allow me, I have come to seek your guidance and hope that you can enlighten me on a few things. Would it be possible for us to talk alone?" Mashiro made a steeple of his fingers, glancing at the two priestesses by Saintess Miko’s side.

"How dare you..." Jophiel was offended by that impudent request.

Before Jophiel could make a move, Miko raised her hand to prevent it. "Jophi, Rafa, please wait outside the tent. He will not do anything to me."

"But, master. He..." Jophiel was about to complain about the hero’s impudence. It was rude to drive them away just because he wished to speak to her master alone, but her master’s silence made him nervous.

"Master has spoken. Let’s wait outside." Rafaela dragged Jophiel out, understanding that her master had a reason to fulfill the White Hero’s request. Moreover, he could never do anything, let alone inflict harm or force anything, he couldn’t even lay a finger on her master. He only needed to try it, and he would be disposed of for sure.

---

"So, what made you need this private conversation, White Hero?" Miko opened her eyes after casting a soundproof barrier, asking with a peaceful expression.

Mashiro stelled himself and sought Saintess Miko’s guidance regarding the best way to defeat the demon king. During her guidance, he discovered that he was apparently not the only main force, the forefront warrior who had to face the demon king directly.

There were at least two more main forces who would fight alongside him, but they were not the Elysion Church’s people.

"..." Mashiro pondered for a moment. Saintess Miko did not want to say who the other main force who would fight alongside him was, not as support or subs, but the forefront warrior.

Regardless, he felt much more relieved because he could design a new battle tactic for the boss battle better, thanks to Saintess Miko’s guidance.

"I am very grateful for your guidance, Saintess Miko. But, after this... can you please help me to find a way back to my original world? Please do not refuse me, tell me your condition." Mashiro intertwined his fingers, requesting with a serious expression.

"You should demand it from the God who blessed you with otherworldly hero power, White Hero." Miko heaved a subtle sigh.

"Are you not at all willing to lend even a thought to us?" Mashiro felt a little devastated. He thought she hinted about it two months ago because she had a way to help him out.

"If the Glorious God can’t fulfill his promise, you can visit my house in Sacred Sakura. I may not be able to help you, but I know someone who can fulfill it." Miko pondered about it and eventually decided to give a helping hand.

"Really?!" Mashiro was happy to hear it, but he recalled it and didn’t even know where Sacred Sakura was.

He inquired about it, and what he got was so shocking. Sacred Sakura was located in the other world, the Terra World’s Northern Realm. The distance to reach the destination was akin to going around the continent once and sailing the eastern ocean twice.

"That... that will take at least a year or two, right..." Mashiro paled a bit. As far as he knew, some Merchant Union provided cross-the-world service, but it only opened four times a year, and the rates were very expensive.

Despite the length of the journey, when he reached the Terra World, he still had to cross many mountains and rivers before arriving at the Sacred Sakura.

At that moment, he then remembered that it only took a few hours for Saintess Miko to arrive at the Nacrax City after he informed her using her given item.

"That, there’s a shortcut to get to Terra World, right? Is there a spaceship service there?" Mashiro tried to test it.

"There’s no spaceship facility here. It belongs to one of Sacred Sakura’s elders. If you want a shortcut, you might be able to find one at Elysion Church." Miko smiled in amusement.

"I see. Thank you for your kindness, Saintess Miko."

"I didn’t do anything. But, you say that as if you don’t have faith in the God who blessed you. He’ll be furious if he finds out."

"That, honestly, I find the Glorious God a bit dubious. It’s always safer to have a backup plan because there are a lot of scam troupes out there."

"I see, I understand your concern. We have three ways to reach the world you desire to return to. It’s guaranteed paths, but they’re not free. It’s up to them whether they’re willing to help you or not."

"Three ways... thank you for this information. I know that you are the light and key of our predicament, Saintess Miko!"

Mashiro was utterly excited when Saintess Miko directly admitted it. He was right in his decision. As for the price he had to pay for the help, he could always fight for it as long as it was reasonable.

Since it was guaranteed, unlike the scam-like promise from the Glorious God and the empire, he would be willing to slay one or two demon kings if it would grant him a ticket to return to Earth.

He had unconsciously been holding her hands in his excitement. When he realized it, he immediately let go of Saintess Miko’s hands, rubbing his head awkwardly. "Ah, sorry..."

"You can raise this topic again once you arrive at Sacred Sakura to see me. Please take this. Open it before we proceed to the boss stage." Miko took out a small box and placed it on the table, pushing it to Mashiro.

In response, Mashiro expressed his deepest gratitude once again. It was as if his determination and motivation multiplied after being enlightened by Saintess Miko. It was like he could slay the Demon King of Extreme Evil by himself.