“Are we… working together?” Nanrui Jieqin asked.
“I’ve already helped you with your mental issues, haven’t I? Wouldn’t that make us companions? Otherwise, why would I bother treating you at all?” Samimi laughed in exasperation, though of course, she was just putting on an act.
“You two are willing to be my companions?” Liangyi Jieqin suddenly spoke up in a tone so sentimental, it felt like she was only a finger’s width away from saying something truly sappy.
“We already are companions. Besides, you have a lot of important work, don’t you? Aren’t you the assistant to Lord Left Hand of the Holy See? I can tell that lord is a sharp-tongued softie at heart, and he’s always been concerned about you.” Samimi could only play along and answer.
Being companions with the grandson of the Holy See isn’t a bad thing at all—in fact, it’s a pretty impressive connection to make.
Even though the Holy See nowadays is just a puppet, nothing more than a figurehead, still, he’s the Holy See!
He may have no power, but his name carries weight—that, too, is a skill.
“In the illusion, you said I was getting in the way…” Mei Huai Jieqin had basically opened up her heart, sharing almost everything that had happened in the illusion with Samimi.
“You remember this: in our encounter squad of twenty-five people, everyone survived. At worst, there were just a few arguments, but no one was ever truly a burden,” Samimi said solemnly. “If there had been anyone holding us back, do you think we could all have survived under the claws of the Queen of the Blood-Sucking Ghosts? It’s because we worked together, that we made it through!”
So powerful! Samimi’s words rang true—dazzlingly bright, and impossible to refute.
Of course, although deep down she didn’t quite agree—she felt there were plenty of people who were burdens—but it didn’t matter what she thought. If it wasn’t helpful for unity, she just wouldn’t say it out loud.
“…I see.” Song Wu Jieqin was both chided and comforted.
“It’s fine now. It was just an illusion,” Samimi patted her shoulder, reassuring her.
After all this, the psychological shadow left behind by the illusion was more or less resolved—either way, the heart demon had been unraveled.
Of the three people affected by the illusion, Mei Rui Aiqiong’s psychological issues were already the mildest.
Honestly, even without guidance, with time, those feelings would have faded on their own. It really wasn’t that big a deal.
But now Samimi could claim to have been the one to treat Lord Commander’s illness, and so could openly and rightfully go to Lord Left Hand of the Holy See for a consultation fee.
After several slow days on the road, everyone finally made it back to the safe Medical Guide District around the Royal City. The numbers of Bandits and Outlaws dropped dramatically.
“Well then, Sister, let’s part ways here for now. See you,” Left Hand of the Holy See came over to say goodbye to Samimi and her companion.
“Brother Left Hand, Commander, if you ever run into any trouble, come to Sweet Melon Town for me. Just, uh, don’t come if it’s for a trial,” Samimi replied politely.
These days, the Heretical Inquisition Bureau had provided them with Imperial-level service—the best food, the best inns, the safest roads all the way.
It was a world apart from the rough-and-tumble journey they had when coming here—just proved how poor those Elite Kingdom Knights really were.
But Samimi had no idea just how much trouble that one polite invitation would bring her.
After parting ways with the Inquisition party, Samimi and Niubao made their way back home, and from a distance could already see the smoke curling from Sweet Melon Town.
It was only after wandering outside for so long that she realized Sweet Melon Town truly was a paradise—an ideal place to spend one’s twilight years.
Here, life didn’t have the feverish pace of the Royal City, nor was it some backward, lawless land. It sat perfectly in the middle, perched on a trade route, with a comfortable flow of wealth and people.
Everyone did business, and their days alternated between bursts of excitement and peaceful calm—it was genuinely pleasant.
“Sister! You’re back!!”
No sooner had she returned to Sweet Melon Town than a young Kingdom Knight shouted her name loudly at the gate, instantly alerting the entire town of her return. What a loudmouth.
“Here’s a present for you!”
“It’s just a little something from us!”
“Take it, just take it! All of you, take it!”
Before she could even reach home, Samimi found herself mobbed by the townsfolk, who were pressing gifts on her from all directions. Every innkeeper was waiting with presents, trying to shove them into her hands.
Luckily, she had Niubao by her side, who could haul dozens of huge packages back home.
When they got back to Sweet Melon Chapel, she saw that the old wall had been replaced by a brand-new Great White Cathedral. It looked like her long-awaited construction had finally succeeded.
By the way, Sweet Melon Town’s city wall was already halfway completed as well. The otherworlders’ building speed was much faster than she’d expected—was it just her, or did otherworlders have some kind of unique construction skills?
Niubao helped her stow all the gifts away safely.
Samimi went back to her room, pulled out the black box under her bed, and put her Unnamed Black Demon Magic Book inside—it needed to be retired.
Still, as her very first Demon Magic Book, she felt a little sentimental toward it. She couldn’t just throw it away or destroy it. But the old book cover wouldn’t fit anymore—the Sun Gold Sutra was a whole book thicker than any Demon Magic Book she’d ever seen.
“Looks like I’ll have to make a new book cover.”
Samimi could only carry a sackcloth bag that had been stained a dark color, which was just big enough to hold the Sun Gold Sutra. It looked a bit rustic, but it actually suited her character.
That’s right, she thought. I have to look rough, a bit wild, a little unpolished—wealth must not be revealed.
Then Samimi decided to go check out the newly built Great White Cathedral next door.
She discovered that there was a passageway connecting her place directly to the boundary of the White family’s estate. She could just skip the main entrance and walk straight into the White family’s house.
This passage had a plaque over the door, and on it were the words [Doctor’s Association].
“Why hang a sign for a medical association here? Is this for me? Don’t tell me it’s specially for me?” Samimi muttered to herself in delight.
The recent events had been so intense—she’d been under immense pressure to achieve a full party survival ending, and it had been a long time since she’d felt this relaxed.
She just pushed open the door and went right in—there wasn’t even a lock.
Samimi felt just like a sneaky class monitor, slipping inside to take a look.
And then she found that, rather than a cathedral, it looked much more like a factory. Through each small window and doorway, she could see the priestesses busily working in their little rooms, heads bent over making things.
“Samimi, you’re back already?” As she walked in, someone called out to her.
In a place like this, anyone wandering around was either a supervisor or a director.
Samimi looked up—it was her own priestess, the big sister she’d half-jokingly taken in as a lackey. If she remembered right, her name was Wang Tuoluo.
“Just a small errand, nothing much. But, Tuoluo, your association’s name sounds off, doesn’t it? Weren’t you guys called the Happiness Association?” Samimi asked suspiciously.
“Yeah, well, that name was a little embarrassing, so we changed it,” Wang Tuoluo replied.
“So you guys realized your name was weird too, huh?” Samimi laughed.
“President Samimi, let me give you a tour.” Wang Tuoluo was all smiles, beaming with satisfaction.
“Okay… Wait, what did you just call me?” Samimi caught the important part.