Watching the Saintess and the City Lord exchange official platitudes, both expressed how difficult it was for the other side and said it was understandable.
Seeing this, Valerie’s eyes flickered. It seemed this wasn’t just some naive, inexperienced youth.
Feeling the gaze, Cecilia paused her speech for a moment and turned toward the aunt and niece standing behind the City Lord, asking with a hint of curiosity, “And this is…”
“Oh! I forgot to introduce them!”
The City Lord immediately took over the conversation, introducing the two Elves with backgrounds in the Nature Church to the Saintess.
“This is Bishop Valerie of the Nature Church. She has been in Siofra for a long time and could be called an old friend of mine.”
Cecilia nodded in greeting and said politely, “I have heard of Bishop Valerie’s great name for quite a while. I have only just arrived, so if I encounter any administrative issues, I hope you will not hesitate to offer your guidance!”
“Hehe… Your Excellency the Radiant Saintess must be joking. Who doesn’t know that the management of the Church of Holy Light ranks first among the three great Churches?”
The scene was harmonious, as if old friends were meeting.
Astrid, however, was slightly anxious, the worry and urgency in her eyes impossible to hide.
It seemed she was desperate to communicate something to Her Highness the Saintess.
Several times, the Elf girl wanted to say something, but she was imperceptibly stopped by Bishop Valerie beside her.
Obviously, the one with the lowest seniority and status in this room was this young girl.
Since the host had not yet introduced her, according to noble etiquette, it was indeed not yet time for her to speak.
This behavior was caught by Cecilia, which made her feel increasingly strange.
‘What does this elegant Elf girl want to say to me? Did I know her before?’
Cecilia’s mind raced as she carefully searched her memories.
She even went back to her childhood before the Kingdom of Midgard was invaded, but she still found nothing.
After all, the Elf girl had a beautiful face and recognizable emerald eyes; if they had met, there was no reason she wouldn’t remember.
Furthermore, in her memory, she had never had any contact with the Elf royal family; this should be her first time.
And exactly because of the cover provided by her status as a member of the Elgar Royal Family, the Saintess did not immediately associate this Elf girl with the bold Adventurer who had audaciously attacked and killed a Sub-Knight Captain two days ago.
At that time, she had heard the specific report from her subordinates and knew there was an Elf among the two culprits.
However, at that time, the focus of her thoughts was entirely on the silver-armored Knight who could use the White Crow Sword Art, and she didn’t pay much attention to the other culprit.
After all, whether the culprits could be caught wasn’t important at all to her, a Regional Cardinal in charge of internal church affairs.
On the contrary, taking the opportunity to strike at Joel Crais’s prestige within the Knight Order was the top priority.
After the circular small talk was finally finished, Cecilia took the initiative to look at the Elf girl with dark golden hair and asked curiously, “And this is?”
“Haha, this is my niece, Astrid, the only Princess among our new generation in Elga. Speaking of which, Astrid and Her Excellency the Saintess are from the same generation.”
The only daughter of the Elf King? The Priestess Princess?
Hearing that the other party’s status was so illustrious, Cecilia immediately took it seriously.
An Elf Princess had a world of difference in status compared to a Princess of a human kingdom.
The forces under the Elf race were enough to contend with half a Church, and the number of Saint-Rank experts alone was more than any large empire on the continent!
Cecilia could not afford to take her lightly.
“Your Highness Astrid, it is an honor to meet you!”
Astrid was finally able to speak. She bowed, her posture even slightly lower than the Saintess’s.
“Your Highness the Radiant Saintess, it is also my honor!”
Seeing the two exchange greetings, City Lord Gunther Hoffmann, who had just recovered from the shock of Astrid’s true identity, immediately called for servants to prepare afternoon tea.
Since the banquet had just been cleared away, there wasn’t enough time to prepare another one.
In comparison, the convenience and speed of afternoon tea were clearly superior.
The Saintess predictably showed no intention of refusing and followed the aunt and niece with a smile to sit on the parlor sofas.
Since all three were women and the previous atmosphere was quite pleasant, their conversation quickly became lively.
Instead, it made City Lord Gunther Hoffmann, who was acting as the middleman, feel a little awkward.
But this was a good thing. If the parties involved could talk things out themselves, it would save him a lot of trouble.
Seeing them chat so proactively, Cecilia also came to her senses.
‘It seems the Nature Church has something… no, it’s this Elf Princess who has something she wants me to do.’
‘Did she look for Joel Crais before? Did the talk fail, and that’s why she was held back?’
Faintly sensing that things might be troublesome, Cecilia intentionally or unintentionally avoided questions regarding internal matters of West City.
This left Valerie unable to find an opportunity to speak.
Astrid, watching this, grew anxious. Finally unable to restrain herself, she spoke up first. “Your Highness the Saintess!”
Cecilia showed a look of confusion, turning her gaze toward the solemn-faced girl, seemingly not understanding why the Elf girl suddenly called out to her.
“I want to ask you for a person!”
“Little Astrid! Don’t be ridiculous!”
Valerie’s face darkened, not expecting her niece to be so reckless, and even less expecting her to use such common, crude, yet concise language to state her request.
Cecilia quickly waved her hand to indicate it was fine, then asked curiously, “Is there something Your Highness Astrid needs me to do?”
“I… I want you to release my friend. He was captured by the Church of Holy Light a few days ago.”
Cecilia realized; so she was here to get someone out. Thinking of this, the Saintess breathed a sigh of relief.
For a Regional Cardinal, releasing one person was not a difficult task.
And in this Anonymity City of Siofra, prisoners occasionally “escaping” was more than common.
No matter how great the responsibility, it wouldn’t be traced back to her in the end.
For something like this, if Valerie had just written a personal letter, she would have granted the release as a favor to her status.
All this time, causing so much trouble, and it was just for such a small matter?
Casting her gaze on the Elf girl’s pleading emerald eyes, Cecilia was slightly moved. ‘She’s worried.’
In an instant, Cecilia understood everything. Concern led to confusion!
She had experienced this herself, though she hadn’t expected someone would be cared for by an Elf Princess.
‘It seems that person is quite lucky with women.’
Thinking of the romance stories in novels, the smile on Cecilia’s face widened.
She didn’t mind providing some convenience to a potentially hopeful couple, and loyalty in love was also something promoted in the teachings of the Church of Holy Light.
“Although I don’t know what happened yet, I imagine there must have been some misunderstanding between your friend and us,” Cecilia said.
“If you’re worried, why not return to West City with me later? You can help coordinate things with me. If the issue is clarified, you can take your friend back with you this afternoon. How does that sound?”
Hearing the Saintess agree so cleanly and decisively, without even proposing any additional conditions, Valerie’s good impression of this well-mannered and generous young Saintess increased greatly.
Astrid’s joy was impossible to hide.
Had the matter actually been resolved so smoothly?
Astrid, who had already picked up the habits of an Adventurer, thanked her repeatedly, making Valerie shake her head.
Seeing this, Cecilia chuckled softly. “I haven’t asked for your friend’s name yet.”
“He… his name is Lance Fallos, and he is from Midgard.”
Hmm? Who?
The smile on Cecilia’s face froze. She slowly turned her head and asked in disbelief, “Who?”