Chapter 780
Chapter 210: The Behind-the-Scenes of War
In the Holy City of Angels, at the heart of the Sacred Garden.
“Really? The main forces have already engaged in battle with the demons?”
In the center of the massive temple, adorned with a towering statue of the Light Goddess standing over a hundred meters tall, an elderly man wearing a crown and holding a scepter encrusted with countless gems, clad in a luxurious white robe woven with golden threads, slowly withdrew his gaze from the statue before him to his trusted aide who brought the frontline battle report.
Without further questions about the battle situation, nor any comments on the various decisions made by the Saint of Bright Light as the commander, the elderly man named August Lambert—whose golden hair had begun to show streaks of white—simply raised another question seemingly unrelated to the war.
“Have you clarified the situation in the forest surrounding the Holy Spirit Path?”
“Yes, according to some rumors in the countryside and our discreet investigations, it’s been confirmed that a few merchant caravans accidentally passed through the Holy Spirit Path about a month ago, and afterward…”
The Pope subtly glanced at his aide. Though he didn’t say a word, the aide, skilled in reading between the lines and familiar with many high-level secrets, immediately understood August’s intention and wisely chose to remain silent at critical moments.
The elderly man’s murky yet clear eyes roamed through the translucent ceiling of the church, spinning around as if contemplating, before settling back on his aide.
“Nothing has happened in the vicinity of the Holy Spirit Path forest… This matter should be overseen directly by the Lambert family; they know what to do. I’ve heard Rudolf was left in the Holy City by Yuna… that’s just right. Tell him to act as needed during critical moments; everything is for the greater good of the Holy Kingdom, for the sake of the Goddess.”
“Yes… Your Majesty.”
Without dismissing his aide immediately, the Pope pondered for a moment before speaking again.
“What about that investigation I asked you to conduct previously? What have you found?”
“…I’m sorry, my subordinates and I were unable to gather any information about Miss Xī. For at least the past three hundred years, no one of the name ‘Xī’ has appeared in this world, but… but…”
Seeing his hesitation and stammering, the elderly man seemed to quickly grasp the intent of his family’s trusted aide and immediately revealed a calming, gentle smile.
“Do not worry, the Goddess is broad-minded and tolerant. She will not be angered by her believers discussing other existences in her presence; feel free to speak candidly.”
Wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead, the aide cautiously nodded.
“Yes, Your Majesty is learned and knowledgeable. Surely you’ve heard the legends of Lingyin Fairy Island beyond the East Sea?”
“Whoa…”
Just mentioning this made August Lambert’s eyes light up, and a hint of intrigue flickered in them.
“So, it’s them. That means it’s connected to the Lingyin Merchant Association and that God Fox? No wonder they can demonstrate such terrifying power. Who would’ve thought Lingyin, which usually doesn’t intervene in continental affairs, would directly step in to help Yuna this time. This is truly…”
“But, if that’s the case, what about that girl from the Cecily family…? Could it be that there are other deities lurking in the shadows…?”
The elderly man mumbled to himself vaguely, and his aide certainly couldn’t comprehend everything. Just as he hesitated about whether to continue, August hastily waved his hand.
“Praise the Goddess, you may leave now and do not forget the tasks I assigned.”
“Uh… Yes, Your Majesty, praise the Goddess.”
After bowing respectfully, the aide turned and quickly exited the sacred hall that housed the magnificent statue of the supreme goddess in the center of the Sacred Garden.
After he disappeared through the main door for a while, the elderly man, who had stood silent like a statue, turned his gaze back to the face of the blurred statue that almost touched the dome of the great hall, shaking his head helplessly as if with a scoff.
“…Praise the Goddess.”
…
“Praise the Goddess, it’s all done now. Please, rest well.”
“Thank you, thank you! Your Highness, you are simply an angel, the gospel of salvation; we are so grateful! Praise the Goddess, praise the Goddess!”
“Hehe ~ Alright, no need to be so excited. It’s all my duty. So, I’ll be leaving now?”
After bidding farewell to the overly grateful family of patients, Philomina Lambert, known as the Redeeming Saintess, stepped out of the makeshift tent and faced a direction invisible to others. The smile she had forced on her face instantly crumbled.
So troublesome, so troublesome… why does this keep happening to her?
How many times has it been now? 29? 30? It’s happened so many times that she’s completely lost count… this place is just too chaotic!
Philomina considered herself a competent Saintess, but she was merely “competent.”
In the records of past Redeeming Saintesses, her situation could only be seen as average, neither standing out nor falling to the bottom, and she had only taken up the role for seven years so far.
Her mentality was similarly mediocre.
Philomina didn’t possess the legendary compassion often associated with saints. While she was willing to help others and did so voluntarily, the sheer frequency of doing so also wore her out and made her irritable.
She was an extraordinarily ordinary Saintess in every aspect.
Drifting back inside the dedicated carriage for Saintesses, the girl with crystal-clear, powder-pink hair slumped directly onto her seat, letting out a dejected groan that lacked any fighting spirit.
“Ah… so tired… I just want to lie on a soft, fluffy bed, sipping drinks while reading novels…”
“That would get the bed messy, Your Highness Philomina.”
“Yikes! Who’s there?!”
“…”
Abruptly appearing beside the Saintess was a short-haired girl in a black-and-white maid uniform, holding a blanket and silently looking at her master, who was babbling as if startled like a little rabbit.
Her expression remained utterly devoid of emotion.
Only after Philomina Lambert recognized who it was did she let out a sigh of relief, patting her own chest where the treatment’s results failed to match her small form, pouting in dissatisfaction.
“It’s Little Seven… how many times do I have to say it? Don’t keep using space movement to appear suddenly beside me! I almost cast a spell just now!”
The maid named Little Seven remained unmoved, simply unfolding the soft blanket she held and gently covering Philomina with it. While her exquisitely cute face did not fall short compared to the Saintess, her expression seemed forever devoid of any emotional fluctuations, even… cold.
“I am the personal guard and maid of Your Highness Philomina. Since you do not require complete privacy, I deemed it fine to approach you directly.”
“Also, I must correct you once more; I do not possess the ability to use spatial magic. My sudden appearance is simply because I have been invisibly following you the whole time. Please understand this, Your Highness Philomina.”
After straightening the corners of the blanket covering the powder-pink-haired girl, the seemingly emotionless maid resumed her perfect posture and spoke in a soft voice with a hint of detachment.
“Now, may I ask if Your Highness has any plans next?”
“Though I shouldn’t interfere as a maid and guard with your decisions as the master, as your aide, I feel it necessary to remind you—the agreed rendezvous is less than a day away, and we are still a full 120 kilometers straight from our destination, Sacheno City.”
“Time is already quite tight, Your Highness. You can’t rest yet.”
