The western side of the Holy Land.
Inside the estate of the Saint of Chastity.
Aililan’s brows were tightly knit from time to time, lost in imagining how to defeat that Blond Protagonist.
Why call it “imagining”? Because that protagonist, manipulated by the players, is a total cheat, bestowed by the officials with the ultimate cheat skill, “Ultimate Strike,” which instantly kills all opponents.
That allows some impatient players…
To unlock all sorts of CGs faster.
In the game, she only managed to survive three rounds thanks to the mechanics: one shield, one life, and a string of cutscene dialogues.
Besides the official cheat Ultimate Strike, there’s also the “Harassing Attack,” her own favorite move when playing. If she got hit even once by that, she really would let out a light gasp!
Ahem, cough cough!
Aililan straightened her expression and spat quietly, “How despicable! As the Supreme Knight of the Chanting Church, Fina Nisi actually uses such underhanded tactics.”
Aililan made it clear.
She felt ashamed to associate with her.
After agonizing over this for two whole days, Aililan still couldn’t come up with a solution.
Yet at this time, a letter arrived from the Chanting Church, throwing her into a panic.
【Effective immediately, Saint of Chastity Aililan is appointed as City Lord of Atester City. You must proceed to take office within seven days!】
Atester City?
Now things are really doomed!
In the game, the moment she goes there, this pitiful, weak, and helpless Saintess will soon be swept up by the Blond Protagonist, who will quickly raise her Favor and unlock the achievement called “Heartthrob.”
Though it doesn’t go all the way, there are still plenty of things short of “going all the way” that can be done, like fulfilling that Blond Protagonist’s little requests for benefits?.
Aililan clenched her teeth!
“To hell with it!”
“There’s still time. As long as I can block the Blond Protagonist’s attempts at conquest, and as long as I avoid conflict with her lovers, maybe I won’t end up with another tragic ending.”
Yet a shadow lingered in her heart. And that brings up why Aililan is truly the tragic heroine.
First, the Saintess’s cherished one was swept away by the Blond Protagonist—tragedy number one.
Then, after the Saintess had her Favor maxed and her true love CG unlocked by the Blond Protagonist, she was tossed aside for another woman—tragedy number two.
Finally, the Saintess was even forced to share a scene in the CG with the very person she once cherished—tragedy number three.
If it had to be summed up in three words, it would be: the most tragic of the tragic.
Just as she was about to sink deeper into her woes.
“Knock, knock, knock~”
The door was rapped.
A maid entered and respectfully bowed, “Lady Saint Aililan, Captain Fina Nisi requests an audience. She says she wishes to discuss the matter of your departure to Atester City.”
Aililan was a bit reluctant, but after taking a deep breath, she said, “Let her in!”
Soon, Fina Nisi arrived, graceful as always.
Unlike the last time, today Fina Nisi wore a black dress, the hem embroidered with luxurious gold thread. Her blue hair was intricately braided and draped over her chest, drawing the eye not just to the braid, but also to her alluring figure.
A beauty mark accentuated her exquisite and elegant face, which wore a gentle, confident smile. In her eyes was a steadfast and reliable air that made people trust her at a glance.
Even as wary as she was, Aililan had to admit that Fina Nisi, as the game’s Blond Protagonist, was truly outstanding in both looks and demeanor.
Fina Nisi glanced at her Saintess, speaking with a hint of provocative intent, “Aililan, it’s been a while.”
Aililan merely nodded lightly and reminded, “While at work, please use titles.”
Fina Nisi looked slightly surprised, but soon caught on and smiled, “Very well, Lady Saint Aililan. Regarding our journey to Atester City—the rations, the retinue, the arrangements for the road—do you have any thoughts?”
Start by raising a problem.
Make the Saintess feel troubled.
Then resolve it herself to raise Favor.
A small combo move, smooth as silk. In Fina Nisi’s view, this Saint of Chastity was only seventeen, just a naïve girl who spent her days in prayer.
Aililan paced for a while, thinking that there was no reason for Fina Nisi to come ask these questions. If she were truly dutiful, she’d have made all the arrangements already. If she had another motive, then that’s truly something to beware!
But since she asked.
Aililan answered, “The Chastity Knights number five hundred. I intend to take all of them with me.”
“With three servants per knight, we’ll need fifteen hundred for logistics. They can also handle the baggage transport.”
“As for rations, I’ll apply to the Church myself. Surely the generous Saintess Melissa, my Sister, won’t begrudge me, right?”
“Also, I’ll use some gold from the Saint of Chastity estate for travel expenses. Wherever our group passes, let’s disturb the locals as little as possible.”
Aililan finished her lengthy explanation and, catching her breath, asked, “Captain Fina Nisi, what do you think of these arrangements?”
Fina Nisi was stunned.
This wasn’t what she expected at all!
She had imagined they’d travel light, fight monsters, level up, flirt, all at once.
But Aililan thought of all those times in the game when Fina Nisi had to solve every problem. The root cause? She never had enough people at hand and always had to rely on Fina Nisi’s strength.
So, on many decisions, she’d seem wise, but would disagree, lack the means to resolve things, and finally have to compromise, lowering her proud head to beg Fina Nisi for help.
It made her look utterly incompetent, indecisive, jealous, useless at everything except causing trouble for the protagonist, a super-negative portrayal of a Saintess.
“But!” Fina Nisi paused and said, “If you take all the Chastity Knights, what about the defense of the Holy Land?”
Aililan looked straight at her, her tone serious, “Captain Fina Nisi, you may doubt my abilities, but you shouldn’t doubt those of my six Sisters.”
“They are the Seven Virtues Saints.”
“If even they can’t hold the Holy Land”
“Then five hundred more or less of my people makes no difference. Don’t you agree?”
Fina Nisi could only sigh at that and finally conceded, “All right, since you’re decided, we’ll do as you say.”
Aililan nodded. “Good. Go and make the arrangements.”
With that, she turned and left.
The girl’s golden hair flared as she spun around. Fina Nisi lifted her palm, letting a few strands of gold fall softly through her fingers.
She brought her hand to her nose and inhaled deeply, as if the fragrance of Aililan lingered at her fingertips.
“What a captivating little wild mare,” Fina Nisi licked her crimson lips and said.
Women are like horses.
The fiercer, the more she liked them.
Especially a Saintess wearing the Crown of Chastity, Fina Nisi’s desire to conquer was burning. She swore she would personally pluck that Saintess’s Crown of Chastity.
Place the crown high on a shelf.
And play with the Saintess day after day.