The atmosphere on the scene was tense, with both sides refusing to back down.
However, for Vyea, this was just a heartwarming little scene of a mother and daughter enjoying their food.
Vyea peeled an oyster for Jasmine and handed the fork to the girl so she could eat on her own. Her mind was clear and calm.
‘An event like this was bound to happen one day, as long as she continues to live in the Kingdom of Humanity… unless she is willing to keep hiding forever, like a mouse.’
But Jasmine was not a mouse. She was the daughter of the former First Hero and a person who was currently seeking the truth.
‘After all, how could a Hero who was once a fierce tiger be willing to live as a sewer rat for her whole life?’
‘Even if she is down on her luck for a while and falls into the mud, as long as she lives, there will come a day when she rises again.’
Perhaps even Vyea herself didn’t realize this yet, but someone would help her realize it.
“My apologies. I know the Holy See is wealthy and influential, and your foundations are rooted deep in this land,” the young officer said, changing his tone.
“But I only wish to maintain the stability within the city. If she truly is a good person, then I simply must follow the required procedures.”
“Heh, then let me say ‘I’m sorry’ to you as well.”
Lillian, who had been listening from the side, suddenly stood up.
The arrogance and wildness she had displayed during her time as a Saintess in the Holy See returned to her beautiful, starry eyes. She looked down at the young officer.
“If you want to follow procedure, have the founders of your Regalia Magic Academy or the gods backing you come here personally to ask. Otherwise, what if we simply refuse to follow those procedures?”
“Our Priory acts according to the will of Saint Kapeifankong. Unless the official documents of your Academy have a higher priority than the divine word of our Holy See?”
‘My code is above that.’
Vyea smirked.
The confrontations between humans were truly interesting—especially among these people of high status. They didn’t fight with their fists; they started by comparing their backers.
Whoever had the bigger backer was the boss.
“Hmph, it seems your ability to bully others with your status has become even more refined after being a Saintess for so many years,” the young officer said sarcastically.
“I heard of your great name when I was studying at the Regalia Magic Academy. You had just entered through the back door and became famous throughout the school for that essay, *My Pope Father*. Ha, what a grand display of authority!”
They stood in opposition. Lillian stood under the golden rays of the setting sun, her flaxen hair cascading behind her like a thin, golden veil woven from light.
Meanwhile, the young officer was shrouded in the shadow cast by the main entrance of the building. Even though they stood on the same ground, a striking line of light and shadow separated the two sides.
“Are you a three-year-old brat who only knows how to step on toes when you fight?” Lillian asked, neither annoyed nor angry.
“But if you love seeking fairness so much, you can call your father to fight mine. Or, you can sign a Life and Death Contract with me and fight on a public stage. The one who lives gets to speak.”
‘That’s the spirit. So classic.’
Vyea recognized the pattern immediately.
She vaguely remembered that Lillian had said the exact same thing to her back then. They were to have a fight, and the winner would be the Captain.
She had acted so incredibly arrogant at the time, as if she were going to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the sun in the sky.
Yet, she hadn’t lasted three steps before she was pinned to the ground, unable to get up. The next day, before her injuries had even healed, she started acting like a spoiled brat, claiming it didn’t count and demanding a rematch.
When Vyea ignored her, Lillian cried and threatened to go home and tell her father that the great Hero was actually a child abuser who wanted to steal her money.
What kind of Saintess was she? She was a walking template of a corrupt, villainous noble lady from a fairy tale. In a novel, she wouldn’t have survived three pages before being sent off to be a background character.
‘Fortunately, as a Hero who grew up under the red flag, I had a few methods up my sleeve. I didn’t let the Holy See’s high salary go to waste; I managed to pull her back from that crooked path just a little bit.’
Thinking about it now, she had probably done a lot of good deeds back then…
The standoff between the two sides continued.
Faced with the double pressure of strength and a powerful backer, the young officer gritted his teeth and persisted, remaining true to his original intent.
“Then how about we each take a step back? Let me take her with me, and I will send her back as soon as the procedures are finished. How does that sound?”
“Not good,” Lillian said decisively.
Deep down, she was frowning. Normally, when faced with such an impossible situation, any opponent would know to leave, even if they were under orders from a superior.
Persisting would not only be useless but would also increase the animosity between their respective factions. If the friction between the factions grew, a messenger who failed to achieve anything would be looked down upon by his superiors.
‘This guy is being a bit too stubborn.’
“I hope you won’t regret today’s decision.”
The yellow and white glow of the sunset faded, and night descended.
The church bells rang out—ancient and melodious.
After saying goodbye to Lillian, Vyea breathed a sigh of relief. This meant that from now on, she was a Monstergirl with human rights within the Kingdom of Humanity.
‘Perhaps I’m the first Monstergirl in this world to obtain such rights as a free person?’
‘I really am amazing.’
Looking up at the silver moon in the sky, the air after the rain felt exceptionally fresh.
Stepping through the clean moonlight, Vyea took Jasmine back to the house they had rented at No. 56 Nyx Avenue.
“Whew! It was so suffocating not being allowed to speak in the Priory!”
As soon as they entered the house, Black Hunt started rolling around on the carpet like a furry caterpillar.
As she walked past Black Hunt, Vyea gave her a light kick. “Stop rolling on the floor. From now on, all the cleaning duties are yours, Miss Cat Girl.”
*Stiff.*
Black Hunt’s body froze, and her eyes widened like bells. “I’m a cat! Can I get out of cleaning? Can we hire a few servants? Please?”
“No.”
Vyea led Jasmine upstairs and waved her hand dismissively.
“The entire first floor is your responsibility. Keep a good eye on the door tonight; don’t let any thieves sneak in.”
“I’m a cat, not a dog!” Black Hunt shouted.
“Fine, I’ll buy you some dried fish tomorrow.” Vyea turned around grandly, holding out her right hand and spreading her fingers.
“5 pounds! Also, remember not to wander off tonight. If you really want to leave, remember to tell me in advance.”
“Then I want fresh ones!” Black Hunt began to haggle.
“Deal.”
As Vyea and Jasmine’s figures disappeared up the stairs, Black Hunt flicked her tail and settled back onto the floor, her tone turning arrogant.
“If it weren’t for the fact that you suit my taste, do you think 5 pounds of dried fish could buy me? I’m a monster who’s about to break through to the Second Rank. I could even be the Guardian Deity Beast in the Geya Independent State. Let alone 5 pounds, I could get 500 pounds or 5,000 pounds easily…”
After finishing her complaint, Black Hunt let out a yawn, planning to ask Vyea for a blanket to sleep on tomorrow.
But just as she closed her eyes, she sensed a faint, familiar aura coming from outside the window.
Black Hunt’s fur bristled. She crept toward the main door, her crimson pupils scanning the surroundings, but she didn’t see any movement.
Furthermore, that aura had appeared for only a moment before vanishing, as if it were just her imagination.
“Hmph, as if I’m some low-level monster with dull senses.”
Black Hunt wagged her tail and went upstairs. The floor downstairs was cold and hard; it would be better to squeeze into the bed with them. She could also mention the unknown person she just sensed.
*Click.*
The cat raised a paw and pushed the bedroom door open, leaving a small crack. She squeezed inside stealthily and politely pulled the door shut behind her.
Good!