“……”
Floria’s expression stiffened.
…It’s not like I have money—if I did, who wouldn’t want to dress a little nicer…
Muttering this quietly in her heart, Floria didn’t respond but continued to gaze at herself in the mirror with lingering interest.
“Big Sister, I’ve been doing so well—could you reward me a little more?”
Sophia draped a pair of sinful hands over Floria’s smooth shoulders.
“…What reward do you want this time?”
Floria’s expression turned cautious, her body tensing instantly at the touch on her shoulders.
“It’s simple. I want Big Sister to praise me with her own lips.”
Sophia’s warm breath blew softly against Floria’s ear with those gentle words, tickling enough to make her instinctively want to pull her head away.
“That simple?”
Floria was skeptical—after all, she had fallen into many of Sophia’s traps before.
“Mhm, exactly~ that simple.”
“……”
Floria pondered for a moment, then looked through the mirror at Sophia’s eyes from the side, pursing her lips and speaking evenly:
“Mm… you’ve done very well, little Sophia. You deserve praise.”
It was just a compliment… shouldn’t be a big deal, just a small favor.
Floria’s tone showed no emotion, but it wasn’t mocking or sarcastic either—purely like reading from a script.
This phrasing was the “official style” she often used when she was the Grand Paladin.
However, after finishing, Floria still keenly caught a fleeting melancholic expression on Sophia’s face in the mirror.
That sorrowful look seemed as if she was reminiscing about some long-lost existence…
But Sophia’s expression lasted less than two seconds before she quickly composed herself and smiled again.
“Thank you, Big Sister. It’s been such a long, long time since I last heard you praise me like that.
“But next time, if you could add a little more genuine feeling with some ups and downs in your tone, that would be even better.”
“Hmph… You want a next time?”
Floria sneered dismissively.
But Sophia didn’t argue back—or rather, since they met, Sophia had always maintained a patient tolerance toward Floria’s cold words.
Seeing no reaction, Floria snorted twice, then thought a bit more and said:
“Oh right, Sophia, didn’t you promise to settle Sylvie’s enrollment today? Why are you still wasting time here with me?”
Floria complained suspiciously.
Because Sophia was lingering here, she couldn’t open her private room to retrieve her resources.
“Yeah, I did say that, but after returning to the capital, I remembered something else.”
“What is it?”
“Don’t rush, Big Sister. Sit down first—do you know what day today is?”
Sophia helped the Witch Lady back to the vanity and gently sat her down.
“Stop teasing me… Sophia, how could I know what day you’re talking about? Just say it.”
Floria impatiently urged.
“Alright, alright, Big Sister, you’re so impatient—then I’ll just say it directly. Today is the Church’s ‘Heroic Sacrifice Memorial Day’ established in honor of your brave sacrifice.”
Hearing this unexpected statement, Floria’s eyes widened slightly.
“…Memorial Day?”
“Exactly.”
Sophia smiled and nodded, seemingly very pleased with Floria’s surprised expression.
“At the time, Big Sister, you charged ahead alone at the front of the team, fighting to the death against the Demonic Creatures that infiltrated the capital. While eradicating the Demonic Creatures, you ‘heroically sacrificed’ yourself.
“—This story has since been heavily promoted by the Church throughout the kingdom, not only added to all the new recruits’ Textbooks but also turning Big Sister into a model figure embodying the spirit of the Paladins.”
“……”
Floria was at a loss for words, unsure what to say.
…Being written into a heroic figure and put in Textbooks… shouldn’t she be happy about this?
Floria tugged at the corner of her mouth and forced out a faint smile.
After completing the system’s task, she really was just looking for an opportunity to escape by death.
It just so happened the Demonic Creatures came knocking, so she…
“So every year on this Memorial Day, the Church and the Knight Academy hold a joint memorial service for Big Sister.”
Sophia patiently explained.
“The Knight Academy teachers take the day off and lead the new students to gather at Big Sister’s grave in the Mausoleum of Martyrs. The service is presided over by the Church’s nuns.
“Big Sister, that’s why there are so few knights around the manor today—they’re mostly attending the memorial service, and the ones left behind are my personally assigned Faithful Followers on duty.”
“……”
Floria listened but felt something odd.
Though the Memorial Day made sense in theory… she hadn’t actually ‘heroically sacrificed’ herself, yet here she was sitting alive.
So as the person being mourned, listening to others solemnly talk about everyone gathering to mourn her felt… somewhat strange.
“…Sophia, what about you?”
“Hm? What about me—”
“Why didn’t you go to the memorial service?”
Floria suddenly hit a blind spot.
“As the current Grand Paladin, you’re the one who absolutely shouldn’t be absent from your predecessor’s memorial, right?”
Floria asked seriously.
“The living Big Sister is right here before me, so there’s no need to bother with that troublesome ceremony—”
“No, what I mean is…”
Floria interrupted Sophia’s indifferent tone, carefully choosing her words.
“…If you don’t go, won’t people have opinions about you?”
As a public figure at the Grand Paladin level, every word and action must be cautious—Floria knew this firsthand.
Besides the direct Church, there were the Nobles funding behind the scenes and the Royal Family she owed allegiance to.
Many eyes were constantly watching this position.
From Floria’s extensive “workplace” experience, for a high-profile event like a former Grand Paladin’s memorial, the current Grand Paladin should at least make a show and show up.
Otherwise, some would find fault, possibly shaking her authority within the entire knight order and even in the capital.
Moreover, when Floria took office, though she privately treated those destined heroines badly, publicly she was a wise and capable leader with many Faithful Followers in the capital.
Sophia skipping her own memorial could damage her face if those former subordinates found out.
“Hehe… I know what Big Sister’s worried about.”
Sophia smiled lightly at the change in Floria’s expression, unfazed.
But Floria saw an unprecedented weariness hidden in that smile.
“But it doesn’t matter… let those outside scold me all they want.
“My position as Grand Paladin has already hit rock bottom—things can’t get any worse.”
“…What did you say?”
Floria blinked in confusion.
Realizing her slip, Sophia quickly composed herself, pursing her lips seriously as she stood up.
“…Big Sister, take your time getting used to the environment here. My office and bedroom are on the first floor. If anything comes up, you can have little Sylvie inform me—
“Of course, if you want your magic back, you’re always welcome to come visit me in person~”
She winked playfully at Floria as if that pessimistic comment was unrelated to her.
“Hmm…”
Floria watched her leave with a puzzled expression.
…What did Sophia mean by ‘hit rock bottom’ just now?
She shook her head and hesitated, her gaze fixed on the door to her Private Room.
No matter for now… I’ll take this chance to grab the treasures I’ve stored away!
Heh heh, insignificant Sophia, just wait.
Once I find a potion that directly restores magical energy… everything will instantly turn around, and then it’ll be you begging on the bed again!
Floria’s lips involuntarily curled into a smile, and she confidently prepared to stand and open the secret door to her Private Room—
thud—
“Ow!”
The dull thump of a soft, supple body hitting the floor echoed through the bedroom, accompanied by a stretched-out cry of pain from the girl.