In a corner of the Demon King’s Castle that could not quite be called remote, yet was absolutely unremarkable.
Saint Eustacia sat on the chair by the bed without moving.
The breakfast that had been delivered still sat untouched on the nearby table, long since gone cold.
She had maintained this posture for a long time, spine straight, yet her head hung low, empty eyes staring blankly at the floor.
The conflict with Lina, every word cutting straight to the heart, had completely torn apart the fantasy covering her eyes and revealed possible cracks in something she had always firmly believed.
This kind of shock to her worldview left her more exhausted and lost than any direct attack.
The door was knocked, then pushed open, breaking the nearly stagnant air inside the room.
Saint Eustacia’s eyelashes trembled slightly, but she did not raise her head.
Erasia entered carrying a new meal tray.
Though her steps were light, sound could still be heard.
She replaced the cold breakfast with the steaming lunch, her movements like completing a pre-set program.
After finishing this, Erasia did not leave at once, but stood quietly to the side, as if waiting for something.
Or rather, giving Saint Eustacia a chance to speak.
The silence lasted a few seconds before Saint Eustacia finally lifted her head, her voice still hoarse from long disuse: “Are you placing me under house arrest?”
Her tone was more confirmation than accusation, carrying a hint of self-mockery.
“Not at all. The Saintess is a guest, not a prisoner. Within the Demon King’s Castle, you may go wherever you wish.” Erasia immediately denied it upon hearing that, her tone steady without the slightest ripple.
Right after, Erasia continued to convey Movira’s message: “Additionally, Her Majesty asked me to relay to you: regarding everything about Lina, the Demon Realm will handle it. Until Lina actively seeks help or clearly expresses agreement, the Church is not to interfere in any form!”
These words clearly drew a red line and also confirmed a certain unpleasant premonition of Saint Eustacia’s.
Movira’s attitude was unmistakable—Lina’s matter was no longer something belonging to the human side, and the Church currently had no right to inquire.
With the task completed, Erasia offered no further words or lingering, not even urging Saint Eustacia to eat, before turning and leaving the room, gently closing the door.
Click.
The sound of the lock engaging was especially clear in the silent room.
Saint Eustacia gazed at the door that had been shut once more and inevitably drifted into thought again.
If Teacher were here… what would she do?
When she realized she was starting to rely on Teacher again, she wished she could slap herself.
If I keep going like this, how am I supposed to prove myself to Teacher?
She looked toward the still-steaming lunch.
At least… fill my stomach first, then think of a solution!
Time quickly arrived at the second day of the “punishment” game.
Under Seraphina’s extremely careful efforts, almost weighing every single word, she successfully kept her number of “violations” from increasing any further.
Yet the “four punishments” hanging over her head still left her unsettled.
After finishing breakfast, Erasia came to report that Saint Eustacia hoped to meet with her.
This took Seraphina rather by surprise, since according to Movira earlier, Saint Eustacia was emotionally low from the conflict with Lina and needed time to calm down.
Such a huge shock… has she recovered this quickly?
The meeting was arranged in a side hall near the study.
When Seraphina saw Saint Eustacia, she was surprised to find the other’s expression completely normal.
She had even fully regained that usual cold, calm demeanor, with no trace of the dejected appearance Movira had described.
Saint Eustacia was not wearing that humiliating maid outfit, but a simple and elegant long dress.
Upon seeing Seraphina, she wasted no extra words and got straight to the point:
“Teacher told me that regarding experience in dealing with people and strategic planning, I need to learn from you.”
These words left Seraphina stunned, unable to react for a moment: “Learn from me?!”
“Yes!” Saint Eustacia nodded with extreme certainty. “Teacher believes that you have been able to implement the new policies in the Demon Realm, suppress the combat desires of the demon races, and even balance the conflicts among the various clans—these methods are all things I lack. Therefore, I have come to learn.”
She paused thoughtfully for a moment, then added: “From now on, you are my second teacher!”
This overly direct, almost reckless statement made Seraphina clearly sense for the first time that nearly clumsy frankness in Saint Eustacia’s personality.
At the same time, a sense of absurdity rose within her.
Dekalorin’s evaluation of me is far too high!
She couldn’t help confirming once more.
“Saint Eustacia… you want to learn from me?”
“Yes!” Saint Eustacia solemnly confirmed again. “Starting right now!”
Looking at the earnest eyes of Saint Eustacia, Seraphina felt both amused and exasperated, yet also a little moved by this peculiar candor, and muddle-headedly nodded in agreement.
“Uh… alright then. So… what do you want to learn right now?”
Saint Eustacia already had her question prepared and immediately continued: “Regarding the matter of Lina, if you were standing in my position, and your goal was to be able to directly intervene and help her rather than being shut out, what would you do?”
The moment Seraphina heard it, she understood—Saint Eustacia had come fully prepared, her purpose extremely clear!
This question was practically asking her to “betray” her promise to Lina in a roundabout way.
Almost without thinking, she refused outright: “This won’t work! I promised her I would stand on her side and respect her wishes. I can’t give you advice on this matter!”
Upon hearing that, Saint Eustacia wanted to step forward and continue arguing, but Erasia, who had been standing quietly to the side, immediately raised a hand to stop her, forcing her to remain in place.
“I truly want to help her—whether it’s revenge or uncovering the truth. After all, that happened in the human world, and the power of the Church is necessary!”
“Stop, stop, stop!” Seraphina waved her hand. “You truly wanting to help her is one thing, and what she thinks inside is another! The key to this matter isn’t how sincere you believe yourself to be—it’s Lina! The betrayal and pain she experienced have already made her completely despair of the Church. And you’re still putting on the airs of a Saintess!”
After saying that, Seraphina suddenly realized she seemed to have said a bit too much.
She closed her mouth with some regret, then quickly added:
“Anyway, until I receive Lina’s clear agreement, you still have no qualifications to get involved!”
Thinking of the other’s stubborn nature, and worrying she might disregard everything and go straight to find Lina, intensifying the conflict, she further advised:
“Moreover, you still can’t rashly go find her right now. She needs time to calm down, and you also need time to change her view of you. Let’s talk about it again after some time has passed.”