After the King invited the Saintess atop the stage, Maven and Kannon both ascended the steps to stand by his side - like the good little showpiece he was looking for.

《This is his party, so I guess he can do what he wants to… but I know you don’t like being turned into a spectacle either, Maven》 Kannon whined as she properly performed her decorative duty. Currently, the King was just using the Saintess and Goddess’ Messenger to heighten his authority in the eyes of the public.

“As your ruler here in the Holy Kingdom of Light, I am pleased beyond measure that the Saintess herself came to attend this celebration. It can only be a good sign that the Goddess’ representative on Avalon is here to support our great kingdom. As a gift to you, the people, I’ve asked her to bestow the Goddess’ blessing upon us. Please look forward to it!” The King proclaimed to the crowd with a grand gesture and a grin.

“Ooooooo!!”

Maven could only force a smile as the crowd went wild. Pleased with their reaction, the King sent a signal to a well-dressed man waiting off to the side.

At the King’s direction, the aide approached while carrying an ornate staff so flawless that it caused all those present to gasp in wonder. Solid gold and embedded with gorgeously crafted, uniquely-colored magic gems, it captured the attention of all who saw it. Most magic gems were some shade of crimson, but these were utterly transparent and reflected every color of the rainbow - as if the entire color spectrum were captured in glass.

“Here you go, Saintess.” The man said while presenting it with a graceful bow.

Maven carefully received the very expensive staff from the man and turned a confused glance toward the King. Why in the world would the king be giving a gift to her for his birthday?

“Before she gives a gift to my people, I thought it appropriate to give her a gift myself. This Holy Staff is something crafted specifically for our dear Saintess, designed by our brightest researchers to boost her power to the limit. Made exactly so she can heal more people with greater efficacy.” The King said while waving toward the staff. “Nothing would please me more than to see this gift used for the betterment of the people.”

Something about the smile on the King’s face as he spoke sent a chill down Maven’s back.

《Maven… this staff is really something special. I have no idea what those jewels are…… In all my years as a goddess, I’ve never seen any magic gems like it. It’s radiating some strange energy. I knew ingenuity and progress was the hallmark of the human race, but I never knew they’d come up with something like this. I actually have no clue what that staff will do.》 Henna commented in surprise.

Despite feeling like the King might be up to no good, the sparkling eyes of the people below and the pressuring gazes of the nobles above were forcing her hand - telling Maven to make with the magic already.

“Thank you for this amazing gift, Your Majesty. I will use it gratefully to aid the people.” Maven said with all the grace she cultivated over the last twelve years.

Extending her new so-called Holy Staff and putting on saintly airs, Maven began to channel magic into the magic tool. Almost as if a switch were flipped, the second a drop of magic entered the staff, the staff began acting strangely.

Rather than serving a smooth channel and amplifier for her spell, it instead acted as a black hole - gobbling all the magic in Maven’s body at a ferocious rate and freezing her in place. Every drop of magic, regardless of attribute, flowed through the staff and into those strange magic gems.

《Henna, Kannon, what do I do?! Something about it reminds me of that magic test I took as a kid, only a hundred times worse…… This thing’s eating all my magic and is completely out of control!》 Maven panickedly asked her trusty goddesses.

The staff began to shake in her hands due to the sheer volume of power currently being crammed inside. The transparent magic gems generously encrusted on it also began to shine in a kaleidoscope of white and black light. These contrasting glows simultaneously carried a soothing, life-filled aura and an ominous, deathly chill.

《Maven, stop that! Stop that now! I know you’re not used to handling the Death attribute, but you’ve got to rein it in!》 Henna shouted in panic.

The unusually serious goddess had a point. Everyone in the square was beginning to notice that there was a problem and started to murmur anxiously amongst themselves. Their beloved Saintess of the Church of Light, known far and wide for her bright and comforting aura and magic, was currently emitting a dim and ghastly power.

《I’m trying!!! This is different from the magic exam, it can’t be stopped! It’s almost like it’s specifically trying to yank out my darkness and death attributes. I knew that jerk of a king was up to something!》 Maven shouted tearfully, her body and magic completely out her control.