“What crude language. How can a nun speak like that?” the Holy Knight reprimanded her.
“What I say has nothing to do with you,” Samimi retorted, putting on a bold front to cover up her guilty conscience.
After all, this time she really was in the wrong—she had secretly sold health potions.
“Penitent Sister, please mind your tone. We’re here to inspect whether you’ve been working honestly. These are routine checks as per the Church’s protocol,” the older Holy Knight explained in a deep voice.
“I may not have memorized your rules by heart, but I know the Church’s style. You Holy Knights, leaving the capital to inspect some backwater town? Don’t treat me like an idiot,” Samimi said, spreading her hands, full of mockery—completely unafraid.
“It’s normal for you to resent us, but we’re just following orders. Back then, you weren’t forced into this—you voluntarily chose to become a Penitent Sister. No one compelled you,” the younger Holy Knight insisted, trying to make her understand.
“Heh. Keep telling that to your conscience,” Samimi sneered coldly. “You know full well what dirty things the Church has done behind the scenes.”
“That’s blasphemy against the Church! A serious offense! I have the authority to arrest you!” the knight shouted, pointing at her furiously.
Sensing hostility, Niubao stepped forward and shielded Samimi, placing a small hand on the hilt of her golden sword.
Seeing this little beastkin nun daring to draw a sword against him, the young Holy Knight was momentarily stunned into silence.
“Enough arguing,” the old knight interrupted. “Sister, you’re right—we didn’t come here to inspect your work. That was just an excuse. We actually have a much more important mission. May we come in and talk?”
“No. I’m not accepting your mission, and I don’t want to hear about it either. Ask someone else. Please leave,” Samimi refused flatly.
The two knights were at a loss. The negotiation fell into an awkward silence.
They hadn’t expected anyone—let alone a Church member—to be so openly defiant of Holy Knights.
Even high-ranking bishops who managed the Church’s affairs treated Holy Knights with caution.
Holy Knights were both bodyguards and potential executioners—they obeyed only the Pope’s direct orders.
In the Church, the only people who didn’t fear Holy Knights were those who could defeat them, such as the Saintess.
But the black-robed nun before them acted even more arrogant and cold than the Saintess herself, treating the knights as if they were nothing.
Either she had a death wish—or she was hiding something big.
Still, if she didn’t have some kind of ability, the Holy Knights wouldn’t have come looking for her.
Just as Samimi had said, Holy Knights didn’t show up in a tiny town like this for no reason.
“Child, I bought this at a local inn. We really need to talk,” said the black-robed figure standing between the knights, finally breaking the deadlock by pulling out a health potion from her cloak.
“…Tch.” Samimi was speechless.
She had no choice but to pull out her key and unlock the gate, letting them into Melon Church.
Everyone entered the church and gathered before the statue of the goddess.
Though this was the church’s central building, it usually served as nothing more than decoration. But it was still essential.
Its presence alone declared to outsiders that this was holy ground.
Every town needed a church so that people would believe the goddess watched over them.
As the black-robed figure began to speak, Samimi realized they already knew she was selling health potions. But strangely, that didn’t seem to be their real reason for coming.
Samimi was confused—she truly had no idea what was coming next.
The black-robed woman sat on a pew, with the two Holy Knights standing guard on either side—clearly a person of high status.
From the flash of purplish-gold on her sleeve when she reached out, Samimi instantly recognized her rank.
She was a Violet Bishop.
There were only twenty-four Violet Bishops in the entire Church, and they managed all internal and external Church affairs.
Above them were only two Red Cardinals—and the Pope himself. Violet Bishops were incredibly powerful, often commanding independent authority.
“What do you want from me?” Samimi asked sharply. She sensed something off.
After comprehending the Saint Rosé Illusion Sword, she was now both a cleric and a mage.
Her sensitivity to magic had grown sharper—just like how the white-haired witch Bémore had sensed her identity in the dark.
This Violet Bishop was also a magic user. But not the kind who used divine magic—she was more like a true mage.
“Have you heard of the Continental Magic Academy?” the mysterious bishop asked.
“I’ve heard of it, but I don’t know much,” Samimi nodded.
She was lying.
As a transmigrator, she was very familiar with it.
In Rosé Phantom Duel, the Academy was an important organization. After the demon race decimated most of the human kingdoms, the secretive Continental Magic Academy would become humanity’s final bastion of hope—its foundation for surviving millennia.
“Our Church has partnered with the Academy to establish a new School of Healing. As a cleric, we need you to attend for further training,” said the Violet Bishop.
“But I’m not a cleric—I’m a Penitent Sister. I’m not qualified,” Samimi replied.
“You’re a rare dual-magic-talent individual. You’re the perfect candidate,” the bishop insisted.
“Sasha… That woman went around spreading my secrets!” Samimi huffed in frustration.
“Child, this is a great honor. Many clerics in the Church would kill to get on this list. Don’t waste this opportunity,” the older Holy Knight advised.
“Even better. Since so many want to go, take them instead. I don’t want to. I’m happy running my little church here,” Samimi said. “Besides, I’m still in the middle of penance. I’m not allowed to leave. I’m to serve my sentence here for three years—that’s the rule.”
“You know you’re in penance? That means we have the authority to change your location,” the younger knight said coldly. “You must obey the Church. This is a supreme honor—an order.”
“Honor your face! If this discussion’s going nowhere, then we’re done!” Samimi snapped. She reached for the hilt of her Demon-Slaying Sword.
“You dare rebel?!” the knight roared, placing his hand on his own sword.
“You forced me to! I was doing fine here. My life had just gotten back on track, and now you show up trying to take my home away—how could I not fight back?” Samimi’s face burned with fury, showing no sign of surrender.
“Aqi, stand down!” the old knight ordered his companion, and then noticed the sword in Samimi’s hand. “Wait… That sword you’re holding—is that the Demon-Slaying Sword? Where did you get it?”
Samimi😭 how can you be so annoying😭😭💀