Chapter 4: Sleep Together

“…What did you say?”

Belon’s eyes widened, scarcely believing his ears.

“…Huh?”

Via froze too.

She didn’t understand why she had spoken such words to the bishop—they were utterly unlike her.

It started after seeing the demon in the mirror.

She clearly remembered: those words had definitely come from the demon.

Could it be… the demon controlled her!?

At that thought, she glanced again at the window glass.

Strangely, just like in the dressing room, the mysterious demon had vanished once more.

“Via, I demand an explanation!”

Belon glared, his gaze ravenous.

“That was…”

Via raised her arms to shield her face, a perfect little crybaby.

She didn’t even know herself.

If she told the truth, Belon would never believe it—and might brand her a spreader of demon rumors.

She had to bluff her way through.

“I’m sorry, Bishop-sama… I was a bit dazed earlier and unconsciously quoted a line from a novel!”

“A novel?”

“Yes, it’s a popular novel I’ve been reading lately… the protagonist’s most domineering line. The atmosphere felt tense, so I thought I’d lighten it…” Via’s voice grew weaker; even she found it absurd.

“…”

Belon studied Via’s expression and fell silent.

The instant he heard those words, his heart had trembled.

It felt as if he truly faced an arrogant sovereign lording over all creation.

But this was Via.

A worthless girl who only hid behind her sister and sniffled—whom could she intimidate?

Was he overthinking?

…In any case, as bishop, he shouldn’t lose composure and be bluffed by such a person.

“Not only incompetent, but mentally fragile too,” Belon said coldly. “Fine, no more dodging. Answer me, Via—what is your choice!”

“I should…”

Via understood Belon’s intent: he wanted her to vanish from public view, no longer affecting the Holy Land in the slightest.

She would have to bid farewell to her sister, never to meet again.

Yet recalling every moment with Sophie, her heart ached.

She couldn’t let go of her last remaining family.

Even if it was selfish.

Whether from her earlier absurdity or unwillingness to part with her sister, courage welled up—she refused to submit.

“Bishop-sama, I can relinquish my saintess candidate status and trouble no one ever again—”

“Oh?”

Belon heard a satisfactory answer, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

But before he could speak again, Via launched her counterattack.

“However, please—no, the Holy Land—grant me one chance to prove myself!”

“What do you mean?”

“I want to prove, as Mother’s daughter, that I am not a useless failure!”

Via voiced her thoughts with unprecedented courage.

“The Avalon Academy assessment is coming soon. If I can prove myself, please let me stay and continue as a saintess candidate. If I fail, I will unconditionally accept your proposal!”

“You still cling to delusions?”

Belon sat back down.

Avalon Academy was humanity’s premier institution, unrivaled, with a long history and superior faculty, attended by many geniuses and nobles’ heirs.

Its graduates had left indelible marks on human history.

Known as the cradle of humanity’s combat prowess.

For example, the Silver Sword Princess Selina, who once defeated the wicked Demon King, was an Avalon graduate.

Sophie had entered Avalon at a young age and graduated early with perfect scores.

As for Via…

Suffice to say, without Sylvia’s name, she would have been expelled long ago.

Passing was a word that didn’t exist in Via’s vocabulary.

Tap, tap, tap—

Belon’s fingers drummed the desk.

He pondered.

If he forcibly expelled Via from the Holy Land his way, it would align with most people’s wishes, but he would bear the blame for “actively driving her out.”

Without the Pope’s order, acting unilaterally would harm his reputation within the Holy Land and give rivals ammunition.

But if Via proposed it herself, that was entirely different—the blame wouldn’t fall on him.

Moreover, with Via’s talent, achieving even a passing grade in Avalon’s rigorous assessments… was impossible.

A waste who couldn’t even use holy power.

“Very well, Via. For Sylvia’s sake, I’ll make an exception and grant this request.”

Belon’s lips curved; for insurance, he added a condition.

“However, I require not a passing grade, but an excellent one!”

“Excellent?” Via hesitated.

“Can’t do it?” Belon said coldly. “Your sister achieved near-perfect scores in every Avalon assessment. As Sylvia’s heir, if you can’t manage it once, how is that proof? It’s not just me—you need everyone’s acknowledgment.”

“…I understand.”

Via had no choice but to agree.

“Fine, go back. This is your choice, not my coercion.”

Belon waved dismissively, eager to be rid of this nuisance.

Via said nothing more, curtsied, and hurried out.

“Soon, one major headache will be resolved.”

Belon picked up the fallen oil lamp and placed it on the desk.

Leaning back in his chair, resting in the quiet room, a faint sense of unease surfaced.

“…Something about her feels off.”

Belon pondered, then summoned a nun.

“Bishop-sama, what is your command?” the nun asked with a bow.

“I need you to investigate every popular novel Via has been reading lately and report the titles to me. Do it without her noticing.”

…

…

“…Ah.”

Back in her quarters, Via was utterly exhausted.

Without even changing for bed, she collapsed face-first onto her mattress, feeling her whole body about to fall apart.

Today’s pressure had nearly crushed her.

“I’m done for…”

“Done for? What’s done for?”

“Eek!”

Hearing the familiar voice, Via flipped over.

She found the red-haired girl sitting on the bed’s edge, smiling at her.

“Big sister, when did you get here?” Via asked, delighted.

“Just now, while you were mumbling face-down on the bed. Didn’t hear me knock?” Sophie replied.

“N-No…” Via looked embarrassed.

“Via, you seem down. Is Bishop-sama bullying you again?”

“That’s—”

Via had intended to tell Sophie everything.

But then she thought: if her sister knew, she might storm off to confront Belon right now, causing a scene and getting punished.

“I’ll go find him right now!”

Sophie, protective of her little sister, was clearly upset and started to leave, startling Via into grabbing her hand.

“It’s nothing! Just like always—Bishop-sama was unhappy with my performance, scolded me a bit, and told me to be more careful!” Via explained quickly.

“But you don’t seem the same as usual.”

“It’s just tonight’s pressure was too much.”

Via knew Sophie couldn’t help with this.

Though her sister was an outstanding saintess successor, she was still only a candidate—before becoming the true saintess, she had no real authority or voice.

“Alright, Via. If anything troubles you, you must tell me, okay?” Sophie gently stroked Via’s head.

Via felt a trace of comfort; warmth from her only family eased much of her fatigue.

Forget it. Don’t overthink. As long as I can stay by Big Sister’s side, even a little longer is fine.

“It’s late, Via. Rest well.”

Sophie glanced at the clock; she had to return to her room to sleep.

As saintess candidates in the Holy Land, the sisters had to follow strict rules—sleeping past curfew meant punishment.

“Um… Big sister.” Via hesitated.

“Hm?” Sophie turned back to look at her sister.

“Could you…”

Via fidgeted with her fingers, peeking at Sophie like a kitten.

“It’s a bit selfish, but Big Sister… could you stay tonight…?”

The Holy Land’s rules were strict, but the sisters sometimes secretly broke them.

Like sneaking out to play or sleeping together at night.

Of course, discovery meant inevitable punishment.

To the sisters, punishment didn’t matter—what mattered was being together.

Though most of that was from childhood. After Sophie graduated from Avalon and began interning with holy knights, becoming busy, their time together had dwindled.

“Sure, Via. Let me prepare, then after lights-out, I’ll sneak over.”

Sophie agreed.

How could she refuse her adorable little sister’s request?

“Yay, Big Sister!” Via beamed.

…

“Big Sister… still not here?”

In the darkened room, Via lay staring at the ceiling, yawning repeatedly.

Though sleepy, she held on.

“Psst~”

Sophie whispered in her sister’s ear.

“Big Sister!”

Via caught the scent of her sister’s hair and immediately snuggled close.

“Mhm, mhm, Via, good girl. I’m here to sleep with you.”

Sophie hugged Via, as always lavishing gentleness, lulling her sister to sleep.

“I love Big Sister the most…”

Via’s cheeks warmed; though it made her seem childish, she shyly voiced her heart.

With Sophie’s company, she drifted into dreams.

But she dreamed neither of herself nor Sophie.

In a very strange dream, two complete strangers appeared.

The first meeting of a demon boy and a human girl.