Chapter 30: Hopeless Idiot

“Here you go.”

The newspaper stand owner handed the paper to Meilin, who glanced over it and a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

The coverage of the Hundred Flowers Ritual was very detailed, recording almost every moment from beginning to end. Among all the details, she noticed one particular point.

【Selis hurriedly left, while Isavel was nowhere to be seen.】

If her guess was correct, they must have encountered that monster on the tenth floor at that time.

Of course, this didn’t necessarily mean Selis was Isavel; after all, Selis’s hurried departure might have been to look for Isavel.

But this possibility wasn’t very likely.

Because Isavel had arrived very promptly.

Although her suspicions were largely confirmed, Meilin still wanted to verify.

Afterward, she went to a flower shop to buy flowers, then met up with Leanna and the others, and they all headed to the Oracle Hall.

It was her first time here, and she looked around with curiosity, her eyes filled with awe at the sanctity of the buildings.

Compared to her hometown, Anna Town, this place was practically paradise.

They were greeted by Isavel’s personal maid, Renia, who led them to the Saintess’ Resting Room, where they finally met Selis.

“Lady Selis, for you.”

Leanna was the first to present the lilies she held to Selis. Seeing this, Aelia quickly followed, offering her own flowers.

Meilin, however, did not rush to present her flower but instead carefully studied Selis.

After Selis smiled and accepted Aelia’s flower, Meilin approached, sat beside her, and handed her the flower in her hand, asking, “By the way, Lady Selis, do you know where Lady Isavel is right now? I still have a flower I want to give her.”

Before Selis could respond, Aelia covered her mouth in surprise and said, “Sure! Meilin, you didn’t go with us to buy flowers just to secretly buy two, did you?!”

“Who says that! It’s just that Lady Isavel saved me before, so I want to give her a flower too.”

“Lady Isavel? With her temperament, she probably won’t even like the flower you give her.”

Mentioning Isavel, Leanna sounded quite resentful.

Of course, in other places she might not dare to say this outright, but here, besides Saintess Selis, everyone else was part of her own squad.

Among her own people, she could vent her frustrations.

“Isavel doesn’t care about flowers. She’d rather see us spending this time training. In her eyes, we’re just tools.”

Compared to Isavel, Leanna was more concerned about Meilin’s gesture being rejected—that her kindness was being wasted.

But unexpectedly, Meilin cleared her throat and actually began to defend Isavel.

“Uh, Lady Isavel wouldn’t be like that. Anna, you’re overthinking.”

“Overthinking? Meilin, you’re just too easily bought. Although she saved you, don’t forget how she treated you before. She’s no good person.”

While Leanna spoke, Meilin kept winking at her, but unfortunately, Leanna didn’t catch her meaning.

Hopeless.

Sighing, Meilin chose to give up.

After Leanna finished expressing her thoughts on Isavel, Meilin ignored her and turned back to Selis, continuing to ask, “Saintess Selis, do you know where Lady Isavel is now?”

If she was right, Lady Isavel wouldn’t have time at the moment.

And, as expected, the reality matched her guess.

Selis smiled gently and said, “Her? She’s out on some business, not at the Oracle Hall. She probably won’t be back today. Why don’t you give the flower to me? I’ll make sure she gets it.”

Her voice remained soft, and her smile just as sweet. Meilin rested her head on Selis’s shoulder, inhaling the scent of lavender, a question forming in her mind.

If Selis and Isavel really were the same person, then what was her true nature?

Was she as gentle as Selis, or as cold as Isavel?

Even after leaving the Oracle Hall, this question lingered in her mind.

As a squad member, Meilin often turned to her captain, Leanna, when she had problems, and this time was no different—she instinctively asked her.

“Anna, what do you think Lady Isavel’s true personality is like?”

“Her personality? Mostly cruel…”

“Phew—”

Sighing, Meilin raised a finger to silence Leanna.

Then, seeing Leanna’s puzzled look, she whispered softly, “Idiot.”

“Huh?”

A hopeless idiot.

Leanna clearly didn’t know that Selis and Isavel were the same person, which explained why she disliked Isavel so much for oppressing them.

Meilin decided not to tell her the secret.

Not out of selfishness, but because if the Saintess had chosen this path, she must have her reasons. Revealing the truth might bring trouble.

As for the Saintess’s true personality, Meilin had formed a vague conclusion.

Though Isavel always spoke about training them to the death, no one had actually died from the beginning until now. Her coldness might just be a disguise.

Meanwhile, Selis was like sunlight, warmly illuminating every member of the Rose Knights. That love was genuine.

So, the Saintess had actually been gentle from the start.

Then why pretend to be such a harsh Saintess? Was she carrying some hidden pressure or responsibility they didn’t know about?

Meilin fell silent for a moment, realizing she couldn’t figure out the answers.

If she couldn’t understand, then she might as well ask directly.

If the Saintess was truly as gentle as Selis, then she probably wouldn’t punish her for this offense.

With that thought, late at night, Meilin came to the Oracle Hall in the Imperial Capital once again.

The Oracle Hall was quiet at night. The maids around, aware of Meilin’s identity, didn’t stop her. She made her way to a spot not far from the Saintess’ Resting Room.

However, before she could approach the door, voices of dispute came from inside.

“…The front-line Sand Fortress has completely fallen. When will your Rose Knights be trained and ready? Remember, every extra day costs hundreds more lives!”

“You all promised me before with absolute certainty that fifteen days was enough, so why are you forcing them into battle now? Could it be you’re underestimating the cunning of the Abyssal Demons?”

“Hmph. I didn’t come here to argue who’s right or wrong. Give me a straight answer. Are the Rose Knights ready to deploy now?”

“No. According to our prior agreement, they still need five more days of training.”

“Five more days? That’ll mean thousands will die!”

“That’s your problem. Without those five days, the ones who will die are them!”