Free Web NovelThe cathedral once again returned to silence, leaving only Lilian alone.
She stood quietly before the relief of Saint Catarina, hands clasped, ten fingers pressed together, the shaft of light pouring down from the dome bathing her figure.
Closing her starry eyes, Lilian whispered a prayer:
“Holy One, may the flesh and blood of traitors form Your long stair, may the wails of the cowardly become Your hymn...”
“O God who hears prayer, please tell me—where should I stand so that I will not regret the choice I make today?”
The cathedral remained silent as before.
Yet the light spilling from the dome seemed to be drawn, sliding across the floor to form mysterious symbols.
The writing of God.
...
Elsewhere.
Vieya idly kicked a pebble along the ground.
So good people are just meant to live with guns aimed at them?
After finally deciding to play the role of a righteous father, she found the road barred. Unless she paid extra. Pah—there wasn’t even a place to pay if she wanted to.
Annoying as it was, a greater problem had surfaced.
The top of the Human Alliance Army was truly letting things go, indulging the existence of the rebels.
What was her teacher really trying to do?
The hard-won stability was now being allowed to crumble? What had all that past effort been for?
Vieya truly couldn’t figure it out. Then and now, it was always like this.
Forget it. Better to go find Jasmine and the others before they get anxious and start crying.
The reception room wasn’t far. Vieya first stopped at the infirmary to check on the elf girl, and only when she confirmed that the girl’s overdrawn life force was slowly recovering did she leave with peace of mind.
Reception Room.
“Why isn’t Mom back yet?” Jasmine held a piece of soft bread in her hands but hadn’t taken a single bite.
The black cat lay on the floor sleeping peacefully, like an ordinary house cat.
At the word Mom—
The old dean, acting as temporary guardian, wiped sweat from his forehead, his wrinkled face twitching. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
“Little one, are you saying Miss Vieya is your mother?”
“Mhm.” Jasmine nodded. “My real mother.”
Heavens. Just look at Miss Vieya—she clearly isn’t even of age yet!
And she already has a daughter this big? My God, which bastard dared such a thing? The old dean cursed inwardly. This was against the law!
“And your father, child?” the old dean sighed.
Jasmine shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ve never seen him since I was born.”
“Oh, poor child.” The old dean, having seen many men abandon wives and children, immediately thought he understood. Heart aching, he said:
“Grandpa {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} still has some bear cookies. Your Sister Lilian baked them herself. Would you like to try?”
“Can I wait and eat them with Mom?”
“Of course. You’re both good children. May the Holy One protect your peace.”
“Thank you, Grandpa Dean!”
Just as Jasmine accepted the bag of cookies, she looked up and saw Vieya slowly entering through the reception room door.
“Mom!”
Jasmine’s eyes lit up, and she rushed toward her.
“Hey... careful, if you fall I won’t pick you up.” Vieya flicked Jasmine’s forehead, speaking in mock annoyance.
“Mom, Mom, open wide... cookie!”
Crunch!
“Ugh... this cookie tastes strange. Is it even edible?” Vieya chewed, frowning more and more.
What kind of cookie was this? Burnt all the way through.
“Eh? I think it’s delicious!” Jasmine doubted, but still picked up another piece, tasted it carefully, and then smiled in silly bliss.
“Mom, yummy!”
“...If you think so, then eat more.”
“Mhm!” Jasmine nodded hard.
Vieya rubbed her daughter’s head, then looked toward the old dean sitting with a sly grin.
This old fellow was up to no good!
“Miss Vieya, Lilian didn’t say anything strange to you, did she? I’ve watched that child grow up. A bit proud, yes, but she’s a good girl.” The old dean chuckled.
“Nothing much. She just told me to be careful and said she’d send me some documents about that organization when she has time.” Vieya replied.
“The ‘ghosts’?” The old dean leaned back in his chair, lost in memory. “That group has been around a long time. Their roots are hidden deep. All that’s known is their highest council has nine members, the nine dealers of the gambling board.”
“Based on the saying: ‘Wear nine, tread one; left three, right seven; two and four as shoulders, six and eight as feet.’ The nine dealers correspond to points of direction and the laws of heaven and earth.”
Sitting opposite with Jasmine in her lap, Vieya asked thoughtfully: “So you mean those nine high-rankers can all wield Authority powers?”
“You’re sharp.” The old dean laughed, stroking his beard. “But those dealers won’t easily cause trouble in human cities. The ones you ran into are small fry within the ‘ghosts.’ I’ve already sent word to deal with them.” freёwebnovel.com
“I see...” Vieya nodded, remembering Aurora. Looked like she would need to meet that sister when she had the chance.
For groups this dangerous, even if they couldn’t be destroyed, they had to be neutralized.
She sighed softly in her heart. Hopefully the documents Lilian sent would be detailed enough.
“Miss Vieya, would you and your daughter stay to have lunch with us?” the old dean invited. “Our fare may not be rich, but I promise it will be filling.”
Vieya had intended to refuse, but after some thought, she nodded. “Then I’ll thank you in advance. I happen to have questions I’d like to ask you.”
“A trifle, a trifle.”
In the following chatter, Vieya asked about when Aislin might wake, and when the Reversal Hero guarding the war zone would return.
“That elf girl’s physical injuries are serious, but the wood-elves’ recovery is extraordinary. That’s no big issue. The real problem is the overdrawn state of her spirit. We don’t have herbs for elf spiritual recovery here. She’ll need time to heal on her own.” The old dean sighed. “As for the frontlines—two Heroes joined forces and routed the demons. Once they finish the cleanup, they’ll return... half a month at most.”
“By the way, I’ll ask Lilian to join us for lunch. You don’t mind, do you? Hah, don’t let her Saint title fool you—behind closed doors that girl has quite the foul mouth.” The old dean, usually too busy to chat, was entirely unrestrained now.
Vieya could only shrug inwardly. Lilian—an old teammate indeed.
A short while later.
Vieya and Jasmine accompanied the old dean toward the convent dining hall. On the way, they happened to meet Lilian, who was headed for the reception room.
“Lady Vieya, are you on your way to lunch?” Lilian asked politely.
Vieya nodded.
“Then I wish you a pleasant meal. I’ll return to prepare the documents for you.” Lilian bowed slightly and turned to leave.
“Wait.”
“Lady Vieya, do you still have business with me?” Lilian turned back, puzzled.
Vieya shook her head lightly and smiled. “Join us for lunch.”
