“Miss Lin Shu,” the angel nun chased after Lin Shu as she ran, “you haven’t finished studying the three thousand six hundred and fifty-one religious rules of the Sacred Race, and you haven’t practiced the pilgrimage ceremony flow yet.”
“Sorry, I have something more important to do now. I need to go see someone first.”
Lin Shu hurried through the corridor.
“Oh, right,” Lin Shu suddenly stopped and turned around. “Is there a copy of Magic Crash Course: From Beginner to Burial in the imperial city?”
She had already memorized some spells, but if she could find an illustrated guide, she could expand her magical arsenal and feel more confident handling emergencies.
“Magic? Burial? By the gods…”
The nun hastily covered her mouth, as if she had said something wrong.
She glanced around, and after confirming no one was nearby, whispered:
“Miss Lin Shu, please try not to mention magic anymore.”
Her eyes darted away, and when she said the word “magic,” she only mouthed it without making a sound.
“The Holy Faith’s attitude toward magic is very bad right now. Because recently, mages who can use magic have brought misfortune to the towns and outposts where they lived.”
“Misfortune? What do you mean?”
“Because… a large number of monsters are invading the border outposts. I heard even the Holy Faith’s defenses can’t hold them back.”
“What about those mages? Weren’t they summoned to hunt monsters together with the monster-slaying corps?”
The nun shook her head in panic, signaling Lin Shu not to continue.
Her wings trembled nervously behind her.
“In, in any case, please just stay quietly in your residence and study the ceremony flow properly. Mistress Fiona will soon take you to meet the Pope.”
“Once you’ve seen the Pope, you’ll be a prominent figure in the Holy Faith. That’s something many Sacred Race members envy.”
Lin Shu didn’t press further.
Could it be that the Holy Faith only publicly gathered mages? Are they doing something else?
But I can use magic too.
Hati and Angela must have mentioned that to the bishop.
If so, why hasn’t Fiona made a move against me? Instead, she’s pushing me to a high position in the Holy Faith and arranging a meeting with the Pope?
These past few days, besides sending the nun to watch me, there’s been no other action.
I can’t even see the bishop himself.
Unless… she has some kind of trump card?
The image of Sophia flashed through Lin Shu’s mind.
The last time she met Sophia in the corridor, even Hati found her strange.
“Have you had any contact with Sophia recently?”
“Miss Sophia?” The angel nun blinked, her expression returning to calm. “I haven’t met her directly, but I heard she has something to discuss with you.”
“Then I’ll go see her first and come right back.”
Lin Shu slipped away quickly.
She arrived at Sophia’s door. Two expressionless angel nuns stood on either side.
Seeing Lin Shu, they nodded and stepped back.
Lin Shu knocked.
“Sophia? It’s Lin Shu.”
The door opened.
Sophia wore a simple cloth dress, her complexion pale.
Seeing Lin Shu, a gentle smile formed on her lips. “You’re here.”
Her face and smile were identical, even the tone of her voice matched.
She invited Lin Shu into the room and closed the door.
The room was clean and tidy, uncluttered, with a few holy books on the table.
“Are you settling in okay?” Lin Shu asked proactively.
Sophia nodded. “Mm, no one bothers me. It’s very quiet.”
“What about before? Do you still need my help?”
Lin Shu raised her hand and placed her fingers on her own neck, asking meaningfully.
Back then, Sefina had said she felt unwell and needed more blood.
But now, she seemed perfectly fine.
Sophia paused briefly, then waved her hand. “No need. While you were away these past few days, I already handled it.”
As if understanding Lin Shu’s implication, she added, “There are many people in the town, so I used another method.”
Lin Shu casually changed the subject:
“You said earlier you wanted to talk to me. What is it?”
Sophia walked closer to Lin Shu and took her hand:
“We’ve come all this way together. You have your own mission, but you still brought me along…”
Her fingertips were icy, just like before.
“I want to confirm your feelings.”
“What exactly is your relationship with Captain Hati?” Sophia’s eyes were clear and hopeful. “And what do you think of me?”
She lifted Lin Shu’s hand and gently placed it over her own heart.
Lin Shu pressed her lips together:
“Sophia, do you remember the rose we planted together?”
After saying this, Lin Shu deliberately paused, then continued, “The white night rose.”
“Mm, I remember.” Sophia nodded.
Lin Shu smiled. “That flower is still blooming beautifully. Just like my feelings for you—they will never change.”
“I see. I understand.” Sophia also showed a relieved smile, as if she had learned something reassuring.
“But… what about Captain Hati?”
“She’s only my temporary contract master. Once I join the Holy Faith, the contract will definitely be dissolved.”
Upon hearing this, Sophia’s eyes instantly lit up.
“If Lin Shu stays in the Holy Faith, I will also ask the bishop to let me stay.”
“As long as I can be with you, it doesn’t matter where I am.”
“Then what did the bishop say to you earlier?”
Sophia’s expression froze slightly.
Lin Shu blinked. “Hati told me she met with you in person. Why?”
“The bishop is very concerned about us lost humans. She chatted with me about hometown matters.”
“After the conversation, she let me stay, saying she could help me find my home.”
“It should be fine. Don’t worry.” Sophia comforted her softly.
“Mm.” Lin Shu smiled and let go of her hand. “Then I’ll head back. I still haven’t finished studying the religious rules and ceremony flow. I’ll come find you when I have time.”
“You’re… leaving already?” Sophia subconsciously reached out, as if trying to grab Lin Shu’s arm.
“I’ve been avoiding the nuns. If I run off again, it won’t be good.”
Lin Shu walked to the door, grabbed the handle, and turned back.
“Take care of yourself.”
“Okay.”
After closing the door, Lin Shu returned along the same path.
Only after walking a long distance did she stop, unable to calm the turmoil in her heart.
The Sophia in front of me is not the real Sefina.
Beneath that gentle mask is a complete stranger, imitating Sefina’s words and playing her role.
I deliberately said the wrong name of the rose.
The rose we planted together was the “Moon-Viewing Rose,” and it burned along with the manor garden.
But just now, Sophia didn’t react at all. She doesn’t know what happened at Drago Manor.
That’s why her reactions were strange—even Hati found it off.
The other party knows Sophia is backed by the Blood Clan, and is clearly probing my relationship with Hati.
Lin Shu clenched her fists.
Is Sefina in the bishop’s hands?