They chatted in the secret chamber for quite a long time.
Aililan felt genuinely happy.
Ever since crossing over, she had always been careful and on edge. Now, she treated Theresa as her confidante, sharing all sorts of trivial and whimsical tales.
Theresa was also more than willing to serve as an emotional receiver, calling herself the—Sanctuary of Miss Aililan’s heart.
As time wore on, it grew late.
In the end, Aililan reluctantly stood up and said, “I should be heading back.”
Theresa said regretfully, “Mm, be careful on your way.”
“If you need anything, just tell Arkernard.”
“Miss Aililan, you really are keeping me as a bird in a cage, aren’t you!”
“Even if you’re a caged bird, I want you to be a carefree golden canary.”
“Miss Aililan, that’s not what I meant. I just wanted to say, if possible, please arrange something for me to do. Even if it’s just helping Sir Arkernard clean the house, I’d be happy to help.”
“That would be wasting your talent. Theresa, trust me—even if your eyes are lost in darkness, you are far from useless. On the contrary, your talents are just waiting to be discovered.”
“Miss Aililan, you…” Theresa hesitated for a while, then muttered, “You’re really good at comforting people!”
She had wanted to be Miss Aililan’s emotional outlet, her heart’s sanctuary.
But when it came to emotional value,
Aililan gave her even more in return.
“I’m not lying to you.”
“I firmly believe that there’s no such thing as useless ability, only useless people. The power of your Heart’s Scales is something you just haven’t realized yet.”
“Also, about your studies, I’ll look for some books for you to read… uh, I mean, even if you can’t see, it doesn’t matter. I can read them to you myself, and I’ll answer any questions you have—as long as I know the answer, of course.”
Theresa asked with a hint of anticipation, “R-Really?”
Aililan smiled, “Of course, as long as you don’t mind that I’m not all that knowledgeable, there’s nothing we can’t do.”
“How could I mind? My father taught me as a child that not all scholars are good people. Sometimes, those who possess great learning can be even worse than beasts. He said one should cultivate their heart before their studies. Miss Aililan, your pure Virtue must make you a wonderful teacher.”
“Haha, alright, alright, if you keep praising me, I’ll grow a tail and wag it all the way to the sky!”
“Will you… come again tomorrow night?”
Aililan fell silent for a moment.
After all, she was one of the Seven Virtues Saints! Every day was filled with things to handle.
And for Theresa’s safety, it was impossible for her to come here every day.
She replied, “I’ll do my best.”
Theresa teased for once, “Mm, I understand. Time alone with you, Miss Aililan, is as precious as if borrowed from the Light God you serve!”
“But I’m already very content. So many people would give anything just to see you once, and I get the chance to spend time with you in private.”
Aililan let out a bitter laugh.
Not long after, she left the secret chamber.
Before leaving, she gave Arkernard some instructions—mainly about the security and secrecy of the chamber—which left Arkernard both envious and worried.
Envious of Theresa’s luck.
Worried that Aililan might abandon her Virtue of Chastity.
Every Saintess has her own trial, and the one for Aililan’s Virtue of Chastity is—lust.
Only by overcoming this trial can she wield the Authority of Virtue, and become one of the Seven Regents.
Late at night, when all was quiet.
At Frezeya Manor.
Head Maid Yarandale lit another Glowing Stone and said with some concern, “Saintess, you really should rest now.”
Aililan looked up and rolled her neck. Seeing this, Head Maid hurried over to massage her shoulders.
“You work so hard!”
“Saintess Aililan, please don’t say that. Serving you is my duty, and taking care of your daily life is the greatest honor of a maid.”
Aililan just smiled and said nothing more.
She simply organized the papers in her hands.
They contained knowledge she wanted to pick out for Theresa—mostly universal learning from this world, focused on virtue, poetry, and epic.
As for Theresa’s abilities, Aililan wrote a letter to the Saint of Temperance, Lizberu, in the Holy Land, hoping that with the Saint’s vast knowledge, she might have some suggestions or solutions.
If you don’t understand something, don’t pretend to know.
When it’s time to seek advice, seek advice.
Besides, she truly enjoyed conversing with her good, pants-tugging Saintess sister. She just hoped she wouldn’t be bothering the Saint of Temperance she admired so much.
The night passed peacefully.
The next morning.
Aililan sent Head Maid Yarandale to the Sanctuary Library in Atester City to borrow books, and gave her another task: read the books and record them with a Voice Recording Crystal, saying it was because she herself was too busy to read and could listen in her spare time.
The thought that her voice could be heard by Saintess Aililan every day filled Yarandale with joy, and she treated it as her top priority.
At the same time, the Chastity Knights received news—half good, half bad.
Bad news: The Order’s headquarters had been attacked.
Good news: The attacker had only targeted Fina Nisi.
Aililan mused, “Most likely Briana Tell made her move, but unfortunately the ambush failed. Instead, the Assassin was gravely wounded, and was already dead by the time they were found.”
Aililan suppressed the incident in her capacity as Saintess.
She still needed both blondes to keep clashing, so she’d have more time to grow stronger herself.
Therefore.
She declared publicly that it was a surprise drill.
Internally, she severely scolded the entire Order.
Aililan’s stern voice and rebuke echoed throughout the headquarters of the Chastity Knights:
“Look at the mess you’ve made! The dignified Chastity Knights, letting an Assassin sneak in without anyone noticing—your honor is in ruins! Are you all waiting for another assassination attempt like the one against me a while back? Do you think you need to start taking this seriously now?”
“I think none of you should be knights anymore. You might as well go sweep the streets.”
Only after a long while did Aililan seem to calm down, and then she turned to Fina Nisi. “You’re the victim here. How do you think this should be handled?”
Fina Nisi, nearly livid, said, “Saintess, we must purge the wrongdoers and conduct a city-wide search!”
Aililan agreed, then said meaningfully, “Grandmaster, you truly have a noble heart, but this will be hard on you.”
“Hard? As long as we catch the Assassin, I’m willing to do anything.”
“Well said. But when the whole city hears that our Grandmaster, in the midst of a passionate night with the Vice-captain, didn’t even have time to pull her trousers on before fighting off an Assassin—how will that sound?”
“No… Wait!” Fina Nisi broke out in a cold sweat, hurriedly stopping her. “Saintess, this concerns the honor of the Chastity Knights, so I think we should keep it a secret and investigate privately.”
What a joke.
If the whole city found out,
She, Fina Nisi, wouldn’t be able to show her face in public ever again.
So, no matter how angry she was, she had to downplay the matter and resolve it quietly.
She had to swallow her anger.
She even felt grateful to Aililan for considering her reputation.
The heart of Saintess Aililan truly did care for her.
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