“Religious War?”
This term was very unfamiliar to the girls.
After all, in the place where they were born and raised, the Church of Light was the only religious power.
Even the Full Moon Meal they ate as children was always accompanied by someone requesting the Blessing of Light.
Only Zero had never enjoyed this, but she understood even less about these matters.
While the others discussed, she was still thinking about the fish mint she saw this afternoon.
They said it was tasty as a cold dish, but if it’s all mixed cold, can it still be called a vegetable?
“Religious war is our most reasonable means. At its core, it’s just about pushing someone willing to cooperate into power,” Ella explained.
“This reason makes us open and aboveboard.”
Carrying the banner of the Church of Light—how could that not be righteous?
Celes hesitated a little.
“But when we went to the Market today, we saw a lot of Sirens selling things. They didn’t seem that hard to communicate with.”
Ella didn’t refute her, simply folded her small hands and smiled.
“Then let’s try talking to them first. Of course, we can spread the faith in the meantime.”
She wasn’t in a hurry, not at all, because she had already dealt with the Nearsea Sirens before.
As the Demon King.
Although Celes had treated her well these past few days, in her heart Ella still had to say: Naive Human Kingdom girls, daughters living in their ivory towers—let the Sirens teach you a lesson.
“That’s settled then. Everyone go rest, tomorrow we’ll try to make contact.”
After dinner together, the girls each returned to their rooms to rest.
The next morning, Ella got up early, stretching as she came out.
“Don’t move.”
The voice of the Saintess came from nearby.
Leah walked over a little and gently sniffed in front of her, nodding.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing much, just checking the result of my work.”
The holy aura was still strong, enough to last three to five days at least.
It definitely wasn’t as good as last time, the purification time was way too short.
To have this effect in just half an hour, kneading the dough evenly really made a difference.
As for what to do in three or five days, well… they’d deal with it then.
The Saintess would have a solution!
Leah carried herself with elegance as she walked away.
Today, she was going to meet with the Sea Demon Tribe and spread the faith, so she needed to prepare some good prayers.
As soon as the Saintess had left, a voice came from below: “Whispering with her again, huh?”
Vina bowed slightly, her little head hidden under Ella’s big mochi.
Who knew when she had snuck over.
No wonder the voice came from below.
“It wasn’t a secret, just talking about business today.”
Ella’s face remained calm.
“Miss Leah was worried that today’s preaching might not go smoothly, and asked if I had any backup plans. I said not for now, just keep a calm mind—maybe everything will go well.”
“So boring? Fine, whatever.”
The Little Witch yawned and strolled off at her own pace.
After a while, Leah came out of her room again and saw the pink-haired, big-chested girl standing there with a wary look. Curious, she asked, “What are you doing?”
“Shh, keep your voice down. We were almost caught by Vina just now.”
Ella lowered her voice.
“You should be careful too. However you behaved before, keep it the same now, or she’ll notice something’s off.”
Leah was a bit dumbfounded.
“Really? Is she that sharp?”
Even the attitude had to match.
Ella was helpless.
Others might be fine, but the Little Witch was like this.
Even reading a few more romance novels than usual could get you caught by her.
“Hmph… hmph!”
Leah wanted to say something, but when the words reached her lips, she realized it wasn’t appropriate. In the end, she just snorted twice and walked away.
That was her usual attitude.
After a while, Zero came out of her room, her little face looking miserable as she greeted, “Good morning, Ella.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just… just tried a certain cold dish and found it not very tasty.”
She truly looked miserable.
The last to come out was Celes, who had dressed with great care today.
On her collar, she wore a White Rose Badge representing the Kingdom.
“Let’s go,” she said.
To connect with the Sea Demon Tribe, they needed a local introduction.
Yesterday, Mr. Dory had agreed to their request, but also gave them a heads-up:
“Other than doing business, we don’t have much contact with the Sea Demon Tribe. They have their own culture and customs. I can only introduce you.”
Celes nodded. “No problem. Thank you for your trouble.”
Of course they’d have to do the work themselves. If others had already made arrangements, what would these “diplomats” be needed for?
It was still the same Fish Market as yesterday. Dory led them through the stalls to a shaded area in the back, where they saw a Fishman whose head was a whole size bigger than the others.
“This is the stall owner, Gu Gua. The others are his underlings.”
After the introductions, Dory stepped forward and explained the girls’ identities to Gu Gua, saying they were important figures from the Capital, bringing the Kingdom’s friendship and hoping to meet the leaders of his tribe.
The Fishman’s huge eyes rolled over the girls, its dead-fish face betraying no expression.
After half a minute, it spoke in a gurgling voice:
“Knock for entry, Pearl Oyster, you may go.”
Celes frowned, not understanding at all.
“It probably means you can go meet them, but you need to show sincerity,” Ella whispered.
“Like a Pearl Oyster.”
Dory looked at her in surprise.
“Didn’t expect Miss to be so clever. Since you’ve made contact, I won’t follow. If you need anything, come find me.”
He left, and the girls gathered together, putting the Pearl Oysters they had bought with money yesterday into a pouch, leaving just a little as backup.
“Here.”
Upon receiving the Pearl Oysters, Gu Gua’s fishy mouth stretched into a not-so-pleasant smile.
He waved to the group, then turned and headed toward the sea.
“Follow him.”
Celes figured the door was open now, so she wouldn’t miss this chance.
She led the girls after him for quite a while, from the middle of the Fish Market to a Shallow Beach.
There were indeed several Sirens there dressed in unique ways.
One of them, a taller Naga, wore a necklace strung with Pearl Oysters and a Coral Crown on her head.
Gu Gua ran over and handed over the pouch of Pearl Oysters, then started gurgling away.
Looks like this was the Siren’s leader, or at least a small chief, Celes thought.
She composed herself, stepped forward, and spoke formally:
“Hello, I am ‘Sword Saint’ Celes from the Human Kingdom. I am here to—”
Splash!
The Naga turned and jumped into the sea with the Pearl Oysters.
The other Sirens didn’t hesitate either—splash, splash, splash—they all jumped in after her, not letting Celes finish her sentence.
Celes stood there, her eyelids twitching wildly.
The sea breeze blew past, and there was nothing left in front of her but her unfinished words.
Ella nearly couldn’t hold back her laughter.
That’s right, just like this. Back then, these bastards tricked me in exactly the same way!