Chapter 113: Remember to Let Go

“Hmph, smooth talker. That’s all you’re good at.”

Though she said that, Leah’s lips couldn’t help but twitch, and after hesitating for a moment, she finally reached out her hand.

“Fine, you pass the test. I’ll allow you to hold my hand!”

Ayla wondered what era she was living in, still pulling hands like this after joining the Church.

Then she extended her soft little hand and grasped the girl’s equally soft hand.

“I’m telling you, I’ve arranged everything for the next few days. The church in the south has sent word too—they’re already organizing the order to head to Harbor City.”

After not seeing each other for several days, and only having a fleeting glance last time, Leah finally had a chance to pull Ayla into conversation.

Once she opened her mouth, she just couldn’t stop.

From the superiority of the Church’s centralized organizational structure, bound by faith, when the Saintess speaks, all the branches across the kingdom listen attentively and act accordingly.

What a united church we are.

Ayla responded with some “uh-huhs” and “ah-hahs,” but inwardly thought, So the Church is so tightly knit because of the superiority of the centralized organization?

Isn’t it really because you actually have the Goddess of Light, and she really gets things done?

“By the way, each city’s church branch, when established, places a small statue beside the Sun Disk to commemorate those who were instrumental in founding the branch,” Leah said, scratching the palm of the girl’s hand lightly.

“I’ve already had them make one modeled after you.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. You were the one who proposed the missionary work and came up with the idea. You even participated on-site. For the Harbor City Church Branch, you’re the founder.”

“…”

Ayla suddenly realized a little problem: Saintess Leah might have already taken her as one of the Church’s own.

After all, she had received many blessings over the past few months—and hadn’t paid a single coin.

Thinking it over, she casually asked, “So does that make me the honorary chief of the Harbor City Church Branch?”

“Of course.”

Good. Ayla accepted it gladly.

As long as it had real effect, she wouldn’t mind if they built a statue the size of the Statue of Liberty.

The army is mine, the Church is mine too.

Harbor City has truly become the Demon King’s own territory!

“Also, there’s one more thing, about us… about us…”

Leah suddenly grew shy and faltered, unable to get the words out.

Ayla wasn’t in a hurry. She thought, say what you want slowly—but someone seemed unable to wait.

“What are you two talking about?”

“Ah!”

Leah jumped in fright, and Ayla saw her big glutinous rice cake startle.

Zero had appeared without anyone noticing and stood silently nearby.

It was only when she spoke that they realized she was there.

“Y-You… how long have you been here? When did you arrive?”

“I saw you two were talking back here, so I came over to take a look.”

The girl’s gaze fell on the hands clasped together. “Why are you holding hands?”

“I… I’m checking Ayla’s evil concentration,” Leah recovered quickly and declared with righteous confidence, “You need physical contact for the check, and holding hands is the most convenient way!”

No Bilibili streaming this time, and now they even complain about holding hands?

Hmph.

“I see.”

Zero nodded calmly.

“Just remember to let go after you finish.”

“Of course. I’m not a child. No reason to play hand-holding games.”

Soon, the assassin girl left and returned to the front of the formation.

Leah watched her walk away a bit before exhaling and patting her chest.

“You scared me. She’s so unpredictable, like a ghost.”

“Zero is like that. Maybe she just cares a lot about her comrades,” Ayla said softly.

“That’s why she came over when she didn’t see us.”

She didn’t really think so herself, nor did she want Leah to truly believe that.

She only said it because a good girl should say such things.

Just a little tea time.

At the front of the group, Celes led the way, with Vina right beside her.

She spoke up, “Have you noticed? Ayla and Miss Leah deliberately lag behind. Do you think they’re secretly up to something back there?”

“Don’t say that.”

That was a bit ridiculous.

This was the middle of the street. No matter what, Celes wouldn’t believe it.

After thinking for a moment, she took the initiative, “Rather than making up gossip about our comrades, how about sharing what I heard today—about the Elven ‘Holy Spring Seal’? Have you heard of it?”

Maken was a bit sly and immediately saw that the loli in the Elven Envoy Group was a bit simple-minded and managed to get some information from her mouth.

Although Ayla intended the same, Leah had only planned it, never actually executed it, so that didn’t count as bad.

“No, I haven’t heard of that.”

Vina yawned.

“Humans and Elves have been estranged for a hundred years. The oldest elder in the Magic Court is only in his seventies.”

Not to mention that little witch doesn’t listen to her elders at home, no one could tell her about this.

Celes nodded.

“I’ll ask Teacher Rolls tomorrow.”

Actually, it wasn’t their concern, just simple curiosity.

If it turned out to be something major, it would definitely have an impact eventually.

***

Inside the royal palace, after touring the flower garden, the five members of the Elven Envoy Group returned to the VIP building.

The Elven loli, Silitya, kept her head down the entire way, neither speaking nor acting, trying to keep her presence as low as possible.

But she was still caught by the leader, Tereka.

“Silitya, what did you say to the humans? Did you reveal the Holy Spring Seal’s secret?”

Tereka was the same elf girl who had spoken up for her earlier that day.

The Elven loli trembled, “I only let it slip by accident…”

“Accidentally?!”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to. Humans are so cunning.”

Silitya looked utterly wronged.

“That human named Maken was unusually honest right from the start. He even told us exactly what they wanted. So I… I just…”

Same old story—the Elves are a superior race, better than humans in every way.

Nothing can be left behind.

Other things aside, honesty is a beautiful virtue.

They couldn’t possibly be left behind in that, could they?

Hearing her explanation, Tereka was furious beyond words, and the other elves were also angry.

“Fool!” the elf girl snapped sharply.

“Can humans even compare to us? Even if they reveal their national secrets, all we get is their breakfast menu!”

Do they even understand the concept of equivalent exchange?

After the reprimand, Tereka gathered the others and said, “You all saw them today—the four people… no, three people, plus the so-called Saintess of Light who didn’t even show up. What do you think of them?”

Originally it was four, but that pink-haired troublemaker was barely present during the ceremony, more of a token figure, so she was excluded.

The Elven Elders sent the envoy group to attend the awarding ceremony just to observe the kingdom’s most famous young talents, because the future of the human race would undoubtedly be led by them.