Atester was gradually stabilizing.
Aililan had more things to consider now. She had never forgotten her wish; with its advantageous geographic location, Atester City was worthy of becoming a “City of the World’s Hope.”
After the council meeting, Aililan exhaled deeply.
“If I have time, I should meet with the other districts of the Fifth Radiance.”
The Fifth Radiance consisted of seven cities in total—seven human cities. To develop Atester, she first needed to make it profitable for people to come here. For instance, a border trade market?
Barbarian resources, Elven medicinal herbs… Demons? Better not to think about that. Aililan believed that no matter how open-minded her sisters were, they would not compromise on matters of principle.
Upon returning to Freya Manor, Aililan had just entered the door when the Head Maid, Yarandale, delivered a letter to her.
“Saintess, this is a letter the Saintess of Diligence asked me to pass to you.”
“What happened?”
“The Saintess of Diligence said she had to return.”
Aililan went silent.
Aililan’s heart sank. She had been so busy handling the administrative affairs of Atester lately that she had been truly overwhelmed, neglecting her two sisters. Only now did she realize that every Saintess had her own mission. The second district, which the Saintess of Diligence, Jergelinai, was responsible for, surely had a mountain of matters to handle as well.
‘What about the Saintess of Temperance?’
‘Does that mean she is leaving soon, too?’
Aililan took a deep breath and opened Jergelinai’s letter: [My cute Little Sister Chastity, I really have to go this time. See you at next year’s Sacred Assembly. No doubt Sister Chastity will be even stronger and more beautiful by then. If you run into trouble, don’t be afraid. We sisters are of one heart. Just give me a shout, and I’ll bring the Army of Diligence to back you up. Mwah!]
[P.S.]
[Go find Temperance.]
[She said she wanted to give you a reward.]
Aililan tucked the letter away. In her mind, she could almost see Saintess Jergelinai’s bright smile, but her mood grew heavy. Her steps toward Lilibell felt hesitant. She was afraid that if she went to see that sister, the woman would vanish the moment she turned around.
Aililan sighed. She walked toward the back garden.
From a distance, she could hear her sister explaining something:
“The Divine Power of Scales is very strong, but Miss Theresa, you must be careful when using this power. The gods who were once exiled have never given up their desire to descend upon this world again.”
The other person was indeed Theresa.
Aililan had thought that keeping Theresa hidden forever was not an option, so she had secretly moved her to the manor. This allowed the Head Maid to look after her while also providing Theresa with an education. After all, Freya Manor was so large that the Lord City Master would surely not come to search a Saintess’s estate. It was better than Aililan running to the slums every day, which only invited suspicion.
Furthermore, while she could go there before, doing so now that she was the ruler would show a lack of priorities. Aililan was not just the Saintess of the slums; she was the Saintess of the entire Fourth Radiance, and even the distant border villages deserved to receive her grace.
“Temperance Elder Sister,” Aililan called out softly.
“Chastity, you’ve come.”
“Yes. Are you giving Theresa a lesson?”
“It is merely some insignificant knowledge regarding the ancient gods.”
Aililan smiled faintly and teased, “Sister, aren’t you afraid that mentioning other faiths will get you in trouble with the Inquisition?”
Lilibell smiled slightly then said with a serious expression, “Then I would simply disband the Inquisition. Their existence is to serve the Saintess, not to restrict her.”
Aililan clicked her tongue. “Only you would say something like that.”
The two chatted about daily life, with Theresa occasionally chiming in. Everything seemed harmonious, though Theresa felt somewhat out of place. Although she was blind, it was because she couldn’t see that she could more intuitively sense how much Aililan respected and depended on the Saintess of Temperance.
Theresa felt as though she shouldn’t be there. Perhaps it was better to leave first.
Taking a deep breath, Theresa stood up to excuse herself. “Um, I will take my leave now.”
Aililan said, “Alright, be careful.”
‘The third wheel is finally gone.’
Aililan fingered the letter in her pocket, not quite knowing how to bring it up. Should she just say, “Give me my reward”? No, that would be too pathetic.
After some hesitation and walking in circles, she finally spoke. “Sister Diligence has already left.”
Lilibell replied, “Yes, Diligence is a hardworking person. If she had to stay idle in your manor every day, she wouldn’t be able to stand it. That wouldn’t be her.”
Aililan suddenly asked, “What about you? When will you leave?”
“I can leave whenever. Why, is Chastity not welcoming me anymore?”
“It’s not that I don’t welcome you! I wish you would stay in the manor forever!”
“I am very happy you think that way.”
“But you will leave eventually, right?”
“After I leave, if you miss me, there is a Teleportation Array at the cathedral.”
Aililan was stunned. “Really?”
Lilibell’s eyes crinkled slightly as she continued, “The cost of the Teleportation Array is quite high. If you come to find me for no reason every day, I will get angry.”
Aililan said with great certainty, “I understand, I know!”
‘I suddenly have such great motivation!’ What did she mean by “coming for no reason”? If she achieved great things and then went to find Lilibell, that wouldn’t be “for no reason.” That would be reporting her successes to her sister. ‘Got it!’
Aililan chuckled foolishly.
“Stop laughing.” Lilibell grabbed Aililan and, like an older sister dealing with a younger sibling, brushed Aililan’s hair. She praised, “It really is beautiful. Let me braid it for you!”
“Braid it?” Aililan accepted and said, “Alright. Is this the reward Sister Diligence was talking about?”
Lilibell tilted her head. “Reward? Braiding hair isn’t a reward.”
Aililan asked, “Then… then what is it?”
‘Oh no.’ Her heart suddenly raced. ‘Could it be what I’m thinking?’
“I’ll sing a song for you. No one else has heard it before. Do you want to listen?”
A song?
Aililan nodded solemnly. “Yes.”
Lilibell held Aililan, braiding her hair while softly humming.
“Light falling from the stained glass,
A path tracing the dust.
The gray divine statue remains silent,
Letting shadows crawl upon its robes.
Today, today, what are you praying for?
Spiderwebs pile up like snow,
Winding before the altar.
The long pews are empty, the echoes hollow,
As if someone had once been here.
Today, today, you are still praying.”
Lilibell said the song was called “Bone of the Stained Window.” It was her first time singing it for someone else.
Aililan was dazed.
She felt she was beyond saving.
She liked Lilibell too much. She would like Lilibell for her entire life.
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