It proved that there was a significant difference between an imitation Holy Sword and the true Holy Sword.
Not only in terms of power, but the disparity was also well reflected in other aspects.
For instance, the imitation Holy Sword lacked the divine power to purify all negative effects and annihilate all evil.
Without this power, the imitation Holy Sword was doomed to be merely a copy.
Unable to unleash the Holy Sword's full potential, especially its restraint against the Demon Clan, the imitation Holy Sword was not considered a threat by many.
Moreover, the imitation Holy Sword did not have an exclusive wielder like the true Holy Sword did.
Shane's Holy Sword was exclusive to him alone; no one else could use it, and if lost, it would return to him after a period of time.
Since the Holy Sword was born from the concept of the "Hero," it could be said to be an avatar of the Hero, another self; hence, it would never truly be lost. Only upon the Hero's death would the Sword shatter and cease to exist in this world.
The Holy Sword inherited by Luoqi was the exclusive Holy Sword of Mitra, deliberately left in the world by Mitra's self-sacrifice.
Although it was not exclusive to Luoqi, it recognized her, allowing Luoqi to become its wielder. For a thousand years, only Luoqi, a descendant of Mitra, had been acknowledged by it. Thus, if Luoqi were to lose this Holy Sword, it would similarly return to her and never truly be lost.
Whereas the imitation Holy Sword was merely forged from the ashes of the Hero Ragnar and various precious treasures from the Three Realms. Although it retained some effects of the Holy Sword, an imitation could never compare to the magic of the real thing.
Even so, to wield this imitation Holy Sword, one still faced stringent requirements. Only descendants with the Hero's bloodline could use this imitation, which was, in fact, a product of the world itself, a weapon truly forged.
Consequently, the imitation Holy Sword naturally lacked the miraculous ability to return to its owner automatically.
Yet, despite this, it could still exert a portion of the Holy Sword's effects, making it's boosting effect on Cappelen imaginable.
In this world, the imitation Holy Sword was also regarded as a top-level Magic Weapon.
Without this imitation Holy Sword, Cappelen felt as though she had lost a strong and powerful arm.
Even with a pair of White Wings and the Unique Skill to block the "Starry Arrays," Cappelen's strength was significantly limited by skill alone.
"Without getting into details, facing Sarilo Renitra right now, I may not be a match."
A look of melancholy filled Cappelen's beautiful face.
"Even brother Harvis might be stronger than I am now. So, I guess I won't be the ace up the sleeve against that Poisonous Consort."
Perhaps this was Cappelen's greatest unwillingness?
By nature, Cappelen, who was a proud Valkyrie, was surely most frustrated by the decline in her own strength.
In light of this, Cappelen's chances of success in dealing with Moro were not high; she might even have difficulty ensuring her own safety.
After all, Moro had already taken action against Cappelen and the others, resulting in the house arrest of Harvis and the loss of Cappelen's imitation Holy Sword, causing a precipitous drop in strength. This could lead the Imperial Concubine to cease holding back and target them with full force.
Therefore, Cappelen compromised.
She compromised with reality, as well as with Shane.
"So, you've agreed to that deal?"
Shane blinked and looked at Cappelen.
"I had no choice," Cappelen said evenly. "Besides, big brother's reasoning also makes sense. If that deal is really struck, it may not be a bad thing for us or for the Empire."
Plus, being able to collaborate with Shane and jointly eradicate Moro, the terms and outcomes were not entirely unacceptable.
"I see," Shane nodded, his expression one of bemused acknowledgment. "In that case, the purpose of your visit today must be just one, right?"
At those words, Cappelen lifted her eyelids.
She had indeed come here to see Shane for a singular purpose.
"It's highly likely that we will have to engage in direct combat with that Poisonous Consort."
The matter that Cappelen spoke of was one that loaded the atmosphere with immense gravity.
Shane then smiled, a truly pleasant one, at that.
"My return has alarmed some of the Nobles privy to the truth," Cappelen stated coldly. "Those who know that I was caught by that Poisonous Consort, subjected to her imprisonment and abuse, will inevitably come after me."
Cappelen's return served as a stimulant to the already chaotic Imperial City, but it also lit the fuse.
"If they leave me be, I will expose the Poisonous Consort's deeds in front of all the Nobles of the Empire, accusing her of imprisoning, ambushing, and abusing the bloodline of the Royal Family, and striking a treacherous blow to a Princess."
Such charges were enough to reveal Moro's malicious intent and heinous crimes.
By then, even the Emperor himself would not be able to protect her.
"Can you do it?" Shane couldn't help asking. "Words alone are not proof; the Empire's Nobles are unlikely to take your word for it, and surely Moro won't confess, will she?"
That was the sole issue.
To this, Cappelen finally smiled.
"You still don't know which Blessing I've received, do you?"
At this point, Cappelen spoke with a touch of pride and self-satisfaction.
"Although I did not receive a blessing from the Three Great Goddesses, I'm still the most outstanding genius in the history of the Empire. The Upper-level God who bestowed my blessing may not hold the same status as the Three Great Goddesses in the Divine Race, but in terms of strength and fame, he is certainly among the top three."
Cappelen said this, and Shane immediately understood.
Among the Divine Race, there were only three beings whose strength and fame could rank in the top three, yet they were not one of the Three Great Goddesses.
One was the legendary Goddess who, when all three of her selves united, could rival a Transcendent Level Existence, the Time Goddess.
Another was the Evil Goddess, the strongest Evil God, Lilith, who could compete with Demons but was sealed away due to losing control.
And the third was a Goddess born at the same time and in direct opposition to Lilith.
She was the controller of Justice and Order.
She was the most impartial being of the Divine Race.
The Justice Goddess—Artemis.
"I am the blessed one of Lady Artemis, the Justice Goddess."
Cappelen so declared.
"As one blessed by her, as long as I uphold justice and do not become a destroyer of order, then I shall receive the power of fair and just judgement."
Such a power of judgement had very unique and wonderful uses.
For instance, Cappelen could resist curses and the negative forces of evil; only a power equal to that of the Justice Goddess Artemis herself, like that of Lilith, could affect her.
For instance, Cappelen could detect malice and remain unharmed by evil.
Furthermore, in a public setting, when Cappelen prayed to the God, seeking just judgment, she would receive various privileges.
All these privileges were conducive to Cappelen exercising justice and maintaining order.
Under such a state, Cappelen could not favor personal relations or engage in fraud; she could only act as the most impartial judge and deliver judgement upon all injustice in the world.
"In that state, I cannot lie for my own sake."
Cappelen pointed out this crucial trump card.
Shane couldn't help but be struck with a revelation.
Tielle, too, responded to this.
"Which means, in that state, anything you say must be the undoubted truth, incapable of falsehood, right?"
Tielle's somewhat chill voice came from beneath her hood, drawing the attention of everyone present.
Rocque watched Tielle closely for quite a while, thoughtfully.
Tilly looked puzzled as if trying to guess who Tielle really was.
Cappelen furrowed her brows, uncertain whether it was because of Tielle's sudden interjection or the fact that an unknown existence was addressing her.
But still, she nodded her head.
"Should I speak falsehoods, I would lose my just standing, and Lady Artemis's blessing would not only cease to protect me, but I would also be immediately punished," Cappelen said with utmost certainty, "Almost everyone in the upper echelons of the Empire is aware of this."
Therefore, in a public setting, once Cappelen prayed to the Justice Goddess Artemis, requesting her to grant a just and fair position to judge all unrighteousness in the world, then her words would undoubtedly have the greatest credibility.
If such a Cappelen exposed Moro for what she had done to her, then those things would certainly be the truth of what happened to Cappelen.
Thus, Cappelen's words would surely outweigh everyone else's, successfully revealing Moro's true nature.
By then, naturally, Moro would find it difficult to defend herself.
"If you are capable of this, why didn't you expose her actions before?"
Shane was quite puzzled.
"Before?" Cappelen sighed, "Did Moro ever do anything in front of me?"
That was, indeed, the case.
Moro's past actions were certainly not performed in Cappelen's presence.
Since they weren't done before Cappelen, even if she wanted to accuse Moro, without evidence, without having seen it herself, all of her accusations would be considered mere speculation.
This was unacceptable.
"I must act from a position of fairness and justice, with solid evidence, or having indeed witnessed it myself, having experienced it in person, before I can initiate judgement," Cappelen said, "Only Artemis Goddess herself has the power to judge others anytime and anywhere, to uncover others' sins, making them unable to hide their wrongdoings."
It was that Goddess who was really the one breaking the rules.
Cappelen was merely her blessed one, possessing her blessing, yet she could not reach such a degree.
Just like how Luoqi and Tielle could only receive the protection of fate but were unable to control it, Cappelen could only be passively just, unable to force everything to be fair, just, and open.
Now that Moro had attacked Cappelen, the conditions were complete.
"In order to prevent me from exposing the Poisonous Consort, the Nobles allied with the Imperial Concubine will definitely try to stop me with all their might, and the Poisonous Consort herself will not be able to ignore the situation any longer. She will be forced to act against me."
Cappelen's voice slowly spread.
"She will be back soon."
"Once she returns, I will accuse her."
"That will be the moment of the decisive battle."