In the shadowy alley.
The two women instantly melted into the night.
One of them had lived here since childhood, and the other had spent years tending to the poor; walking through the Slums felt just like coming home.
At the Snake Gang’s hideout.
Arkernard, who had already gone to rest, was abruptly awakened. He wanted to see which fool of a subordinate dared to disturb his sweet dreams tonight—he’d have to hang that brat up for a beating.
But as soon as he saw Aililan, he snapped wide awake, his words stuttering, “Saintess Aililan, you, you… why have you come?”
Then Arkernard caught sight of the torn edge of Aililan’s robe.
His first reaction was that Aililan was hurt?
His second was utter terror.
His third was seething rage.
Arkernard placed a hand to his chest and dropped to one knee. “Whoever hurt you, I swear I’ll kill her!” Behind him, several Chastity Knights who had once served in knightly orders knelt as he did, all pledging to fight for the Saintess.
Aililan caught her breath and quickly instructed, “Don’t worry about that for now. Arrange a place for Theresa to stay first.”
Arkernard nodded hastily. “Understood.”
Aililan added, “It must be well hidden. Do you understand?”
Arkernard assured her, “Rest easy, Saintess. Only us Twelve Knights know of that place—no one else.”
Aililan nodded. “Very good.”
But Arkernard couldn’t help but ask, “Saintess, what on earth happened? Please, tell me the enemy’s name. I would gladly lay down my life as proof of my loyalty.”
Aililan cut him off, “This isn’t something you can handle. Tonight, act as if you know nothing, saw nothing. Understood?”
Arkernard: ……
It was clear the knight was not willing to let it go.
But he would absolutely obey Aililan’s command.
He looked over at Theresa. The Blind Girl seemed dazed, murmuring, “Saintess…” as those words tumbled from her lips, a mixture of shock and uncertainty.
There were many who claimed the title of Saintess on the Starblue Continent, but only one Saintess had arrived in Atester City recently. Only one had reached out to the poor, striving for their well-being.
Theresa could think of just one such Saintess—the Seven Virtues Saints of the Chanting Church.
Aililan stepped up to her.
“Theresa.”
“Miss Aililan…” Theresa’s expression was complicated, her voice low as she asked, “Should I call you Miss Aililan, or Saintess?”
“Call me Aililan.”
“You…”
“Theresa, I know you must have a lot of questions. I’ll explain everything in time. For now, remember what I’m about to say:
First, stay with the Snake Gang. You can trust them.
Second, the Snake Gang was founded by the Twelve Knights of the Chastity Knights—they all possess the highest integrity.
Third, we still don’t know what methods the villain might use to investigate, so unless absolutely necessary, don’t respond to anything.”
Aililan scratched her head.
Why did this sound a bit like one of those strange rule-based tales?
But there was no time to waste. After laying out her instructions, Aililan asked, “Did you understand?”
Theresa was silent for a long while, then finally nodded. “Yes.”
Aililan let out a small sigh of relief. She’d been worried Theresa might start throwing a tantrum, demanding to know why she was a Saintess.
But clearly, the girl’s upbringing as a duke’s daughter, combined with her years growing up in the Slums, had taught her a rare maturity.
Aililan pulled her black veil on again.
But this time, no matter how she argued.
Arkernard insisted on sending six knights to secretly escort her back to Frezeya Manor.
In a hidden chamber of the Snake Gang.
Arkernard settled Theresa in. Aside from being unable to contact the outside world, everything here was fine.
Seeing that Theresa seemed a little lost, Arkernard spoke softly, “Please believe in the Saintess’s goodwill—at the very least, trust her character.”
“Nade Black Snake…” Theresa paused. That title for the gang leader suddenly felt impolite, so she quickly changed it, “Sir Arkernard, is it alright if I address you that way?”
“Calling me Nade Black Snake is fine too.”
“Why did you come to the Slums?”
“Why did we come to the Slums? Let me ask you in return—why do Saintesses become Saintesses? Their virtues encompass all the beauty in the world. They may not answer every poor soul’s plea, but when they witness suffering, they cannot ignore it.”
“So, Miss Aililan approached me because she pitied me?”
“Miss Theresa!” Arkernard frowned, his tone sharpening. “Haven’t you realized by now that you are someone special to Saintess Aililan?”
“Me? Special?”
Arkernard said frankly, “Frezeya Manor has the most beautiful environment, and we of the Snake Gang prepared a lavish office for the Saintess. But have you ever wondered why she always prefers to visit you? Is it for the ‘lovely’ ambiance of your shabby little hut, or because the greasy table where you do your paperwork is somehow more poetic?”
Theresa was left dumbfounded.
She didn’t even notice Arkernard leaving.
After a while, Theresa managed a small smile, but it quickly faded into a bitter one. Her eyes turned red, as if she wanted to cry but couldn’t, sinking into a state of anxious longing.
She’d imagined before that Aililan, with her noble bearing, might be a young noble lady from the inner city.
But she’d only guessed half right.
Aililan truly was noble.
But she was a Saintess of the Chastity Knights from a holy land—a figure so exalted that even the kings of minor nations might not earn a meeting after presenting their formal requests!
“Aililan… Saintess.”
Theresa murmured that name, suddenly covering her face as she quietly sobbed.
Although their days together had been short, Theresa realized that Aililan was now the one she thought of most.
She liked observing with the scales of her heart, sensing the goodness that radiated from Aililan.
She loved rising early to collect the dew’s nectar, just to bring Aililan the sweetest little drops of water.
Most of all, she loved sitting at the door in the afternoon, listening to Aililan ramble on about plans for the Slums’ future.
But.
Was it all just a fleeting dream?
Their statuses were too far apart.
One in the heavens, one in the dust—there was no story to be had.
At the same time, she felt a rising hatred toward that strange ‘villain’.
If that person hadn’t shattered their peace, could she and Miss Aililan still be as they once were?
Theresa stayed silent for a long, long time… “Miss Aililan, I will forever cherish the time we spent together. I’ll also put away those feelings I shouldn’t have.” The young girl steeled herself, and gently buried the budding emotions that had already been cut off before they could bloom.
But she felt this was the best choice—to quietly bury her newborn attachment, so they could still remain good friends, couldn’t they?
She was sensible.
But far, far too sensible.
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