Sinking deeper and deeper, time after time.
Aililan felt she was beyond saving.
She knew very well that because she hadn’t stopped it the first time, she wouldn’t stop it the second. The situation was already spiraling out of control.
Aililan remained silent for a moment, looking at Diligence, who was leaning against her shoulder. In the end, she didn’t have the heart to say those final, decisive words.
But she also understood that things couldn’t continue like this.
“Diligence, is it really okay for us to be like this?”
Yegeerlinai lifted her head and looked at her with some confusion. “Why would you ask that? And why wouldn’t it be okay?”
“I think it’s quite nice. I really like the feeling of being with you…”
Aililan sighed. “But there won’t be any result for us. A relationship like this will only hold you back.”
Yegeerlinai looked up, her expression serious. After a long silence, she finally spoke. “Feelings are things that can be nurtured slowly. I believe you will definitely fall for me. I am certain of it.”
Aililan became even more conflicted. “I didn’t mean it that way. I mean, I am the Saint of Chastity, and you are the Diligence Saintess. We can’t possibly—”
Yegeerlinai frowned. “Why would you think that? Being the Saint of Chastity doesn’t mean you have to be a virgin for the rest of your life. And although I am the Diligence Saintess, there’s no rule saying a Saintess can’t get married.”
Aililan was stunned. “Diligence, do you know what you’re saying?”
Yegeerlinai remained very serious. “Of course I know. I am the Diligence Saintess; I have read almost everything in the Sanctuary Library. I know many secrets.”
She continued, “I can tell you very seriously—Saintesses do not lack the right to marry. It’s just that most Saintesses in History simply didn’t live long enough to reach that day.”
Yegeerlinai’s expression gradually grew somber. “Chastity, the Saintesses of our past generations either died in battle or were severely crippled. Hardly any of them were able to have a peaceful end.”
She extended her slender finger, gently tapping Aililan’s chest before pointing to herself.
“So the two of us—why shouldn’t we enjoy this brief time?”
Aililan fell silent.
After a while, Yegeerlinai suddenly whispered, “I’m sorry. What I just said sounded very irresponsible. I know your feelings are complicated, but it’s okay. I will definitely make you accept me slowly. And our relationship right now is actually quite good.”
Aililan frowned and asked, “What kind of relationship?”
Yegeerlinai thought for a moment, then smiled and said, “How about lovers?”
Aililan was taken aback. “Lovers?”
Yegeerlinai stood up, placing her hands on either side of Aililan’s body. She kissed her gently, then nodded. “Yes. I think what you said makes sense. If our relationship became known to the Saintess Sisters, it would definitely cause a lot of trouble. So, let’s start as lovers.”
Aililan immediately felt even more conflicted.
Calling it “lovers” sounded nice, but to put it bluntly… wasn’t it just a relationship that couldn’t see the Light?
Aililan was silent for a long time before she whispered, “This is too unfair to you.”
Yegeerlinai suddenly burst out laughing. That familiar, cheerful smile appeared again. “Fair? Do you think I’m the kind of person who cares about that?”
With that, she began to put on her clothes.
Aililan asked in confusion, “Where are you going?”
While tidying her clothes, Yegeerlinai said, “To the Sacred Treasury. Since our relationship is already like this, then as the Diligence Saintess, I should at least show some sincerity, shouldn’t I?”
Aililan froze. “Show some sincerity?”
Yegeerlinai smiled and said, “Of course. I am, after all, a Saintess who has touched the God-Forbidden Realm. And having managed the Second Wing for so many years, I have a small amount of savings.”
Aililan couldn’t help but ask, “So you’re going to…”
Yegeerlinai’s eyes lit up. “There is a type of bird in the Second Wing. They build nests for love. Naturally, I want to build a nest for us as well.”
As she spoke, she seemed exceptionally happy, like a little bird busy building its home. Once her clothes were on, she immediately rushed off to the Sacred Treasury in a whirlwind. Her appearance suggested she was truly prepared to move all her treasures out.
Looking at her departing back, Aililan felt a warmth in her heart. She couldn’t help but mutter under her breath:
‘Diligence… she’s really a woman who takes care of her home.’
A Saintess who had touched the God-Forbidden Realm—such an existence, if placed in those ancient Empires, would be equivalent to a national-level powerhouse. And yet now…
Aililan let out a sigh. ‘Instead, I’m the one who looks like a total scumbag.’
***
For the next 2 days, the Diligence Saintess was constantly running back and forth between the Sacred Treasury and her own manor. She managed to empty out a small section of the treasury. This even alarmed the Saint of Generosity, Melissa, who was in charge of finance.
After all, too many things were being moved. However, those riches were originally turned in by Diligence herself or earned through contributions. No one had a reason to stop her.
Diligence’s “nesting plan” was actually quite simple. After the reporting duty ended, the two of them would definitely have to return to their respective territories. The distance between the Second Wing and the Fifth Wing was extremely far, spanning almost the range of two kingdoms.
Thus, the Diligence Saintess waved her hand and declared confidently, “Then I’ll just build a private teleportation array, won’t I?”
Aililan’s heart trembled when she heard this. she hurriedly wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. “That’s probably not a good idea, right? The cost of using a teleportation array is enormous. Even Temperance Sister has repeatedly ordered me not to use them unless necessary.”
Yegeerlinai laughed and said, “I’ve already calculated it. One teleportation from the Second Wing to the Fifth Wing is about 700 gold coins.”
Aililan: “???”
‘Do you even hear what you’re saying?’
Last year, the charcoal subsidy for all of Atester in the winter had only cost the treasury just over 1,000 gold coins, yet it had allowed tens of thousands of commoners to survive the winter safely.
But Diligence wanted to spend 700 gold coins to cross thousands of miles—just to see her once?
Aililan was completely stunned. “Diligence, it’s not worth it, it’s really not worth it. Please don’t be impulsive.”
Yegeerlinai looked serious. “This isn’t an impulse. This is a decision I’ve made after careful consideration. Besides, there’s a small magic crystal vein occupied by magical beasts over in the Second Wing. I thought it wasn’t worth much, but now it can serve as the funding for the teleportation array.”
Aililan felt like she was losing her mind. This wasn’t nesting; this was clearly building a golden cage. Building a nest with literal gold and silver just so Aililan, the “bird,” could live in it.
Aililan hesitated for a moment and whispered, “Um… how about I contribute some money as well?”
Yegeerlinai waved her hand. “What are you saying? Do I look like someone who lacks that bit of money? If it really comes down to it, I’ll just go to the Saintess Sisters and write some IOUs.”
Aililan said helplessly, “You’re making me feel like a kept man.”
Yegeerlinai laughed. “Chastity, you’ve got it all wrong. Between lovers, isn’t it normal to take turns being the kept one?”
Aililan sighed. “Then I should still pay a little. Otherwise, I feel like I’m being sponsored by you.”
Yegeerlinai’s smile grew even wider. “Sponsoring you? I’d be happy to.”
Aililan couldn’t help but scratch her hair. She truly couldn’t understand how things had developed to this point.