Lance, subdued on the spot, couldn’t muster any thought of resistance.
The gap between High Rank and Elemental Tier was just that despair-inducing.
Ordinary priests could only use some healing or buffing holy arts, simply because Holy Power itself was an extremely difficult force to manipulate.
The appearance of this Holy Power Shield and Holy Power Hammer indicated that the Element this bishop had comprehended must be aligned with the holy attribute.
Perhaps it was [Light], or it might directly point to [Holy].
But judging by the fact that Lance had been smashed so many times and hadn’t died on the spot, this bishop clearly had no intention of taking his life.
And so, already dizzy and disoriented from the pounding, Lance hurriedly surrendered:
“I submit! I submit!”
Hearing the familiar voice begging for mercy, the newcomer raised an eyebrow, and his anger flared even hotter!
Thud! Thud! Two more blows landed, smashing Lance half into the ground before he finally stopped.
Having vented his anger, this Elemental Tier powerhouse snorted coldly and then used his strongest healing holy art on Lance. Countless waves of Holy Power surged, pouring into Lance’s body.
“AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH—”
Infused with Holy Power, the flesh on Lance’s body immediately began to sizzle and crackle. In an instant, Lance felt as if his entire body was being scorched by molten lava.
Lance was currently an Undead!
Even his own Holy Power would harm him, let alone this vastly more powerful Holy Power from someone else, which was many times stronger!
Seeing black smoke billowing from the gaps in Lance’s armor, the bishop was startled and quickly stopped.
“Lance! What’s happened to you!”
But by then, Lance’s consciousness was already scattered. He could only hear the voice faintly.
Huh… why does that sound like Her Highness the Princess…
Life flashing before my eyes?
With that thought, Lance’s head jerked and then slumped forward as he lost consciousness.
“Eek!”
……
Ugh…
In his dazed state, Lance’s scattered consciousness slowly gathered once more.
But when Lance opened his eyes and saw the scene before him, he was stunned.
A massive four-poster bed hung with heavy, pure white velvet curtains. Through the curtains, he could see a dark wooden beam ceiling.
The four posts weren’t plain either; elegant lines formed from gold leaf shimmered brilliantly in the candlelight.
“What did they do to me?”
Staring at the luxurious bed furnishings before him, Lance was rooted in place.
What’s going on? Have I been reborn again? And become a top noble once more?
Just as this thought sprouted, the pain from the Holy Power burns on his body instantly yanked Lance back to reality.
He sat bolt upright, hurriedly scanning his surroundings.
This was truly unbelievable.
Even if that Regional Cardinal was kind-hearted and didn’t directly purify him, he should have thrown him into a dungeon to await judgment.
Why would he put him on such a luxurious bed?
Not looking around was fine, but once Lance did, he was shocked again.
This was an extremely standard noble’s bedchamber. Besides the large bed, there were many other pieces of furniture that clearly indicated the high status and position of the owner.
However, the problem lay precisely here. These furnishings were too standard, lacking any distinct personal touches.
They all looked brand new, as if they hadn’t been used for long.
But Lance couldn’t worry about that now. It seemed no one was watching him, so what was he waiting for?
Though he couldn’t understand why that Elemental Tier bishop was treating him so favorably—maybe trying to recruit him?
The unknown bred fear. Lance certainly couldn’t accept feeling like a fish on the chopping block.
Just run!
Once he reached the slums of the East District, that bishop would never find him in a million years!
“Oww—”
As soon as Lance exerted force, a continuous wave of pain radiated from the surface of his skin.
Rolling off the bed, Lance looked down and was astonished to find himself bandaged up like a mummy.
His hands were nowhere to be seen, replaced only by round bundles of bandages reminiscent of a certain blue cat.
No choice. Lance had to use his teeth to tear a hole in the bandages, going through quite some effort before finally freeing his hands.
Feeling his face, it was indeed wrapped up like a rice dumpling.
This won’t do! Too distinctive!
My clothes? Where are my clothes?
Lance searched around the large bed but couldn’t find his clothes or his Traveler’s Pocket.
Hiss~
Surely he couldn’t steal clothes from here?
Lance’s gaze fell on the wardrobe not far away. After a moment’s hesitation, he decided to open it and look.
After all, being covered head-to-toe in bandages was too conspicuous. And if he removed these bandages, he’d be naked! That was even more impossible!
Click—
The wardrobe door opened, revealing many beige-colored priest’s robes.
Lance hesitated for a moment, took one down, and looked at it—wide chest, narrow waist.
This was a female priest’s robe!
His eyes flickered, and he saw another item: an extremely loose-fitting silk nightgown. Looking at the generous cut around the chest area, Lance couldn’t even imagine how ample the bosom of its owner must be.
Hiss—
What’s this?
Two strips of cloth could be worn as clothes?
Are priests these days playing this wild?
Just then, the lightly closed door was slowly pushed open.
Crash! Clatter!
The sound of shattered porcelain came from behind him. Lance’s nerves tightened, and he whirled around.
He saw a black-haired, red-eyed girl wearing a black-and-white maid outfit staring at him in shock.
“Brother… why are you opening Sister Cecilia’s wardrobe?”
No… Noren? Ce… Cecilia?
Huh?
Lance couldn’t believe his eyes and ears.
How could it be both Noren and Cecilia?
Maybe I’m not awake yet. I’m still trapped in the false dream created by the Dream Eater…
Hmm… that must be it!
Hah, if Noren saw her steadfast, majestic, and upright brother rummaging through an adult woman’s wardrobe here, he’d rather have died directly in the dragon’s stomach!
With that thought, Lance closed his eyes and fell straight sideways, prepared to just sleep until he died…
“Ah? Brother!”
Noren exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly rushed over.
…………
Hearing the commotion from the room behind her, Cecilia, dressed in pure white vestments, twitched at the corner of her eye.
Forcing down the urge to go back and look, she propped her hands on the large desk and said with a smile:
“So… you didn’t catch anyone?”
Hearing Cecilia expose the truth he had desperately tried to conceal, Joel Crais’s face turned pale, then red, and finally he could only grit his teeth and say:
“A disgrace!”
“Hehe, alright, alright, Sir Joel, there’s no need to dwell on it.”
“After all, we are in Anonymity City. Many methods can’t be used here. It can’t be helped.”
“Please write up the incident report yourself. When I return, I’ll need to have something to show the other Cardinals.”
Hearing that Cecilia had no intention of punishing him severely, the Blonde Knight suddenly felt deeply moved.
He had caused the Church to lose such face, yet Her Highness the Saintess wasn’t taking this opportunity to marginalize his power within the Knight Order!
She even wanted him to write the incident report himself!
This almost meant the Saintess was directly letting him off!
After all, such a humiliating matter, if the true situation were reported back to the Holy Capital by someone else…
His position as Knight Squad Leader would definitely be lost! He’d only be able to slink back to the Holy Capital to take up some idle post, becoming a laughingstock!
And that was just the Church’s punishment. After that would come punishment from his family, punishment from his master… he didn’t want to endure any of that!
But… why would the Saintess let me off?
Could it be… she has feelings for me?
With that thought, Joel Crais’s previously terrible mood instantly improved.
Suddenly, that whole incident didn’t seem so bad. Didn’t it, through a strange twist of fate, help him test the Saintess’s true feelings?
“Then, Your Highness the Saintess, I shall take my leave!”
Joel Crais’s spirits lifted, and once again, just like during their first meeting, he loudly announced his departure in the room.
He turned and walked towards the door ‘without a shred of reluctance.’
Cecilia, suppressing her disgust, nodded slightly and said nothing more.