I Got Reincarnated and thrown into a Holy War?!

Chapter 19: Trial of Illusions and Interrogations

As Steph and her party reached the final gate of Mount Celestia, they were confronted by a formidable guardian unlike any they had encountered before. Standing before them was Steve, a towering eight-armed, three-headed Buddha statue hybrid, his presence imposing and his gaze piercing as he assessed the travelers before him.

With a voice that echoed with the weight of centuries, Steve addressed Steph and her companions, his words measured and deliberate. "Before you may proceed, you must prove yourselves worthy of meeting the Archangel Vash The Stampede," he intoned, his voice resonating with power. "To do so, you must pass through the trials of illusion and interrogation."

With a wave of his hand, Steve conjured a series of intricate illusions that enveloped the travelers, twisting reality and testing their perception of truth and deception. Each member of the party was subjected to their own personal trials, facing illusions crafted from their deepest fears, desires, and regrets.

Steph and her companions found themselves caught in a whirlwind of illusions, their minds and senses assaulted by a barrage of images and sensations designed to challenge their resolve and test their mettle. But with each trial they faced, they remained steadfast, their minds sharp and their spirits unyielding as they sought to unravel the illusions and see through the veil of deception.

But the trials did not end there, for Steve possessed another formidable skill—an ability to peer into the depths of their souls and extract the truths that lay hidden within. Through a series of probing questions and psychological techniques, he sought to discern the true nature of Steph and her companions, probing their motivations, their strengths, and their weaknesses with unrelenting scrutiny.

Though the interrogation was grueling and intense, Steph and her party faced it with courage and honesty, laying bare their hearts and souls in their quest to prove themselves worthy of meeting the Archangel Vash The Stampede. And when the questioning finally came to an end, Steve nodded in silent acknowledgment, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of respect for the travelers before him.

With a solemn gesture, Steve stepped aside, allowing Steph and her companions to pass through the final gate and continue on their journey to meet the Archangel Vash The Stampede. As they ventured forth, their spirits buoyed by their victory over the trials of illusion and interrogation, they knew that their ultimate challenge still lay ahead, but with their bonds of friendship and their determination unbroken, they were prepared to face whatever awaited them in their quest to fulfill their destiny.