Pioneer Lord: I Have Conquering System

After hearing Igo Saint's explanation, a slight physical enhancement seemed inconsequential compared to a Talent that bordered on a fundamental law.

"Before I answer that, please allow me to explain the Holy Word Treasure Manual." Igo Saint didn't answer directly, instead changing the subject. "The common belief is that the Holy Word Treasure Manual's purpose is to increase physical strength, and that's not entirely wrong."

"Every time you advance one tier in the Holy Word Treasure Manual, you condense an additional Holy Light Seed and increase your body's power and Magic Resistance. Once you reach Tier Five Sanctuary and have condensed five Holy Light Seeds, you can undergo the Holy Light Trial."

"When you undergo the baptism of the ascension ritual, the five Holy Light Seeds will merge with you, fundamentally elevating your physical body and soul to a higher state of being and awakening the Talent hidden deep within your Bloodline."

"Simply put, everyone has a hidden Talent. Whether it's through the guidance of the Goddess or the cultivation of the Holy Word Treasure Manual, the goal is to make these Talents manifest."

"So, the Holy Word Treasure Manual can indeed grant you a Talent upon reaching the Legendary rank. However, I can't guarantee it will be as powerful as those of the Twelve Saints."

"Because the strength of the Talent depends on you, not on the Holy Word Treasure Manual."

At this, Igo Saint smiled and pointed to the Lord. "However, given that you have a Talent that lets your subordinates grow stronger through battle, I imagine the new Talent you gain after reaching Legendary won't be weak either."

"I know about that whole story you tell about being the War God, but I think that's just a crude ruse to fool those Half-Beastmen. It's far more likely to be a Talent."

"What? How do you know?" The Lord's face fell in shock.

'Although it was a function of the system, Igo Saint had interpreted it as his Talent. But Levi hadn't intended to reveal his hand so soon; he usually only used the War God story within the walls of High Cliff Castle.'

'Those Barbarians might seem unreliable, but they were all tight-lipped when it came to this matter.'

'He never expected this Saint to nearly expose him today.'

'Still, since Igo Saint possessed a powerful Talent like "Absolute," it wasn't a stretch for him to accept that Levi had a Talent for strengthening his subordinates. Thus, he had attributed the system's function to Levi's own Talent.'

"Levi, you don't see the world just with your eyes. If you observe the world with your spirit, you'll find that many things can't be hidden. The truth becomes more glaring than the sun in the sky." Igo Saint pointed to his own eyes, smiling faintly.

"In fact, it's not just me; I suspect most people know. After all, the increase in the High Cliff Castle Warriors' strength after every battle is plain to see. No one's blind; they're all just keeping it to themselves."

"Alright." Levi flushed, a little embarrassed. 'I thought that once I reached Legendary, I could use that War God story again. With real power to back it up, I would've definitely attracted a horde of elites to my side.'

'Who would've thought it was already an open secret.'

"One last question. Once I go to the Trial World, how do I get back?" Levi stared at Igo Saint.

"Two ways. The first: once you complete the trial and ascend to Legendary rank, the ascension ritual itself will automatically teleport you back. The second is to go to the location of the Ephesos Sword. It will sense the Holy Light Attribute in your body, and the Divine Artifact will send you back as well." Igo Saint spoke with sincerity. "In truth, I believe you are a man of destiny, sent to me by the Holy Light Goddess. Throughout all of history, there has never been anyone more suited to enter the Trial World."

"In that magic-less world, a man with physical strength comparable to a Giant Dragon, like you, will be a tiger let loose among sheep. Completing the trial should be quite simple."

"I understand," Levi nodded.

'He had to admit, Igo Saint hadn't picked the wrong man.'

'With his current strength, if the entire Material Realm were plunged into a completely magic-less age... Mages would lose their powerful Magic, and Giant Dragons, without the aid of Magic, wouldn't even be able to fly. They'd be reduced to a bunch of crawling lizards.'

'In that scenario, he could probably take on every single powerhouse in the world by himself.'

"You don't have to give me an answer right away. There's still plenty of time, as entering the Trial World is a lengthy process," Igo Saint said with a smile. "Before that, let Little Tiel show you the subsequent training methods for the Holy Light Treasure Manual."

It was a clear dismissal. Levi had no intention of staying to chat either, so he and Fatir headed back the way they came. Before he left, however, he glanced one last time at the body lying with closed eyes in the Holy Water Pool.

'To remain uncorrupted for thousands of years... is this the power of the Twelve Saints?'

As the two walked down the corridor, Fatir, who had clearly also learned of these things for the first time, suddenly exclaimed, "Just how many secrets is this world hiding!"

"Yeah," the Lord replied, his face filled with the same profound emotion.

...

Within the Holy Light Church stood a Holy Tower. At one hundred and eighty-nine fathoms high, it stood a head taller than the Gonda City Wall, and from its peak, one could look out over all of Gonda City. The tower was built of white marble, its surface intricately carved with religious iconography and the emblem of the Holy Light Church.

The roof of the tower was covered in golden-glazed tiles that glittered in the sun. It housed a great bell tower, whose resonant chimes could be heard throughout Gonda City. Atop the belfry stood a massive statue of a Holy Light Angel, holding a Holy Sword, symbolizing protection and justice.

The Holy Tower was not only a repository for the Holy Scriptures but also the site of important religious ceremonies. Every year, during the Holy Light Festival, the Pope would ring the Holy Bell in the belfry to announce the festival's commencement.

After some meandering, Levi and Fatir found themselves here once again.

A wide spiral staircase connected the tower's various floors. The walls along the stairs were lined with portraits of past Popes and the Twelve Saints, each accompanied by a detailed biography.

The Lord found them quite interesting, a welcome distraction from the tediousness of the climb.

Their destination was the sacred hall on the fifth floor, where the Holy Light Revelation was displayed.

This revelation was considered the supreme Holy Scripture of the Holy Light Church. It recorded the doctrines and prophecies of the Holy Light, as well as the advanced training methods for the Holy Light Treasure Manual.

The hall was opulently decorated. The walls were covered in murals depicting the history of the Holy Light, and a red velvet carpet was spread across the floor. In the center stood a short, white Roman column, so thick it would take two people to encircle it with their arms. Atop this pedestal rested a book, nearly a foot wide.

Two Holy Knights, still as statues, stood guard at the entrance, their hands resting on their Giant Swords. Their loyal watch was to prevent anyone with ill intentions from entering.

"Good day, Your Highness." The two saluted in unison. Their resonant voices, muffled by their face-covering helmets, had a distinct metallic timbre.

Fatir nodded and led the Lord directly before the Holy Light Revelation.

The center of the book's cover featured an exquisite bas-relief depicting the Holy Light Goddess descending to the mortal realm to deliver her divine revelation.

The entire volume was crafted from some unknown material. It had the pristine white appearance of carved jade, yet it was as soft and supple as silk.

"Fatir, do I just open it and read?" Levi asked curiously.

'To be honest, with the next part of the Holy Word Treasure Manual—something I've been longing for—right in front of me, I can't help but feel a thrill of excitement.'

"No need. The Revelation is actually a Semi-Divine Artifact. You just need to place your hand on it to get what you want." Fatir shook his head and explained further, "The Holy Word Treasure Manual, after all, can be practiced by anyone, even those without Talent. Fearing that it would be stolen by evildoers, the Twelve Saints recorded the advanced sections in the Revelation and placed an extremely high-tier magical ward on it, making it impossible to commit to memory."

Levi nodded. Without further hesitation, he placed his hand on the cover. In an instant, a torrent of knowledge concerning the Holy Word Treasure Manual flooded his mind.