It was nearly noon.
“Miss Saintess.”
There was no response.
Niya stood at the door and knocked twice more, softly.
“Miss Saintess, it’s time to wake up.”
The room remained silent.
Niya blinked, her expression gradually becoming a bit troubled.
Under normal circumstances, entering someone’s room without permission was impolite.
However, given the Saintess’s habits, if she didn't go in to wake her, the girl would likely sleep right through the end of lunch.
Furthermore, Lin Ling had been busy crafting Magic Suppression Stones for the past few days.
She worked on them in the morning and the afternoon.
Before dinner, she was always hauled off by Phelan to verify their structural stability.
Although Ivelia repeatedly emphasized that she shouldn't overexert herself and Baroque kept a daily eye on her rest, Lin Ling knew very well that the Demon King's Castle needed these items.
The experimental fields needed Magic Suppression Stones.
The defensive positions needed Magic Suppression Stones.
And the room housing the Saintess of the Holy See also needed Magic Suppression Stones.
Lately, every stone she produced was immediately registered, tested, and allocated by Phelan before being sent to some critical location.
In a sense, Lin Ling was fast becoming the core production unit for the Demon King's Castle’s food supply and strategic defense.
Of course, in her own words—
“I am now the unsung hero who achieved soft bread freedom.”
Thinking of this, Niya finally pushed the door open gently.
“Miss Saintess, I’m coming in.”
Inside the room, Lin Ling was curled up entirely under the blankets, with only a stray lock of messy platinum blonde hair peeking out.
The blanket rose and fell gently with her breathing.
She was sleeping very soundly.
Niya walked to the bedside and whispered:
“Miss Saintess, it’s almost noon.”
The blanket shifted.
A muffled voice came from within.
“Five more minutes...”
Niya was already very familiar with this phrase.
The “five minutes” in the Saintess’s mouth usually wasn't five minutes in any strict sense.
Sometimes it was ten minutes.
Sometimes it was half an hour.
If no one continued to call her, she could easily sleep through breakfast into lunch, and then through lunch into afternoon tea.
Niya gently tugged at the corner of the blanket.
“Miss Saintess, lunch is almost ready.”
Lin Ling went quiet for a moment under the covers.
Then, she slowly poked half of her face out.
Her eyes weren't even fully open.
“Lunch...”
She repeated in a raspy voice.
Niya couldn't help but smile.
“The Head Chef added special jam to your bread for lunch today.”
Lin Ling slowly sat up.
“Then I’m awake.”
Niya: “...”
In a way, the Saintess was actually very easy to wake up.
As long as you used the right method.
Lin Ling sat on the bed in a daze for a while before slowly rubbing her eyes.
She had indeed been exhausted lately.
Continuously producing Magic Suppression Stones was no easy feat.
Though she was much more proficient than when she started—no longer accidentally compressing Holy Light Stasis into dangerous forms or telling a horrified Phelan that she “felt like she could squeeze in a bit more magic”—it was still taxing.
Every stable Magic Suppression Stone required her to construct extremely fine Holy Light Stasis structures within the Rock Iron Ore.
The outer shell couldn't be too strong.
If it was too strong, it would completely seal off the magic.
The internal channels couldn't be too weak.
If they were too weak, the release would be unstable.
The range of the Holy Light Stasis also had to be suppressed to exactly the right size.
Otherwise, the stone would either fail or Phelan would add another entry to his recording board about “Lin Ling’s tendency toward dangerous operations.”
Lin Ling yawned, and as she climbed out of bed, she began calculating today's workload in her head.
“If I make three small stones in the afternoon, and then one medium-sized one...”
“Or if I change the magic-conducting grooves into a double-layered structure.”
“That way, the coverage area for the fields should expand a bit more...”
She stopped halfway through her sentence.
The details of yesterday's meeting slowly resurfaced in her mind.
First Prince Keith of the humans.
The Saintess of the Holy See.
And the incredibly unreliable yet bold plan she had proposed herself.
——Kidnap the Saintess before Keith could officially make contact with her.
Lin Ling’s hand, holding a towel, froze in mid-air.
She slowly turned her head to look at Niya, who was tidying her tray.
“Niya.”
“Yes?”
“After our meeting yesterday, regarding the Saintess... what was the final word?”
Niya looked up.
“Do you mean the Saintess of the Holy See?”
Lin Ling nodded.
“Yes.”
She sat back on the edge of the bed, her expression turning serious.
“Didn't I propose a... well, perhaps extreme, but theoretically feasible plan yesterday?”
Niya blinked.
“The Saintess Kidnapping Plan?”
Lin Ling’s body stiffened.
“Don't say it so naturally.”
Niya whispered:
“But that’s what you called it yesterday, Miss Saintess.”
Lin Ling covered her face.
“I know.”
“But hearing it from someone else still makes it sound so scandalous.”
She lowered her hands and asked again:
“So?”
“What did everyone decide after the discussion?”
“Did they decide to scout first?”
“Or intercept the messenger Keith sent to the Holy See?”
“Or maybe draft a formal plan first?”
Niya tilted her head.
“That matter was already resolved last night. It’s all thanks to you, Miss Saintess.”
Lin Ling: “...”
The room went silent for a moment.
Lin Ling slowly looked up.
“Last night? It’s already resolved?”
Niya nodded.
“Yes.”
Lin Ling was silent for two seconds. Then, she grabbed Niya’s shoulders and leaned in, trying to see if the girl was joking.
“Niya.”
“Yes?”
“We only finished the discussion last night, right?”
“Yes.”
Niya said earnestly:
“So, after the discussion, Lady Aliviel, Lord Phelan, Lord Baroque, and Lord Cecil went to the White Tower.”
Lin Ling: “...”
Her expression slowly froze.
“They went to the White Tower?”
“Yes.”
“And then?”
“And then they brought the Saintess back.”
Niya spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“She’s currently staying in the room right next to yours, Miss Saintess.”
Lin Ling: “............”
She froze in place like a statue.
After a long while, she slowly turned her head toward the adjacent wall.
Next door.
Right next to her.
Lived the Saintess.
The real Saintess of the Holy See.
The Saintess who reportedly hated others being called Saintess, hated others wearing clothes similar to hers, and who was very likely to ally with Keith specifically because of her existence.
She was right next door!!!
Lin Ling slowly raised her hand and pressed it against her forehead.
“Wait a minute.”
“Let me re-organize the timeline.”
“Yesterday, we had a meeting.”
Niya nodded.
“Yes.”
“I proposed kidnapping the Saintess.”
“Yes.”
“Then I went to eat.”
“Yes.”
“While I was eating, everyone decided to use the plan.”
“Yes.”
“And while the great architect of the plan was sleeping, the Four Heavenly Kings went out and kidnapped the Saintess of the Holy See.”
“Yes.”
Niya nodded obediently.
“That’s exactly how it happened.”
Lin Ling took a deep breath.
Then she clutched her head with both hands.
“I had no idea!”
“Isn't everyone’s efficiency a bit too high?!”
Niya said seriously:
“Because Lady Aliviel said that once a decision is made, it should be resolved as quickly as possible.”
“The longer it drags on, the more variables there are.”
Lin Ling: “...”
That logic was perfectly sound.
So sound she couldn't argue with it.
But the problem was, that was the Saintess of the Holy See.
Not a fresh piece of soft bread from the kitchen.
Not some Magic Suppression Stone by the experimental field that needed moving.
She was the one and only Saintess worshipped by the Camillaya Empire’s Holy See.
How could you discuss it yesterday, leave yesterday, kidnap her yesterday, and have her checked in by the same night?
That wasn't just efficient.
That was terrifying.
Lin Ling suddenly realized with profound clarity that her survival in the Demon King's Castle thus far wasn't because she was strong.
It was because Ivelia and the Four Heavenly Kings bore her no ill will.
Otherwise, with their level of execution, she probably would have been spirited away in the middle of the night without anyone knowing, triggering a Game Over screen.
Lin Ling fell silent for a moment.
“How is the Saintess from the Holy See doing now?”
Niya thought about it.
“She woke up once this morning.”
Lin Ling immediately grew nervous.
“And then?”
“Lord Phelan went to see her.”
“How did the talk go?”
Niya went quiet for a moment.
That silence made Lin Ling’s heart sink.
“...That bad?”
Niya said diplomatically:
“Lord Phelan said that the Saintess is currently unsuitable for rational communication.”
Lin Ling: “...”
A very Phelan-esque assessment.
“The details?”
Niya recalled:
“I heard the Saintess was very angry.”
“She cursed the demons quite furiously.”
“She also demanded that Lord Phelan remove the Magic Suppression Stones.”
“Lord Phelan judged that she needed to calm down first, so he added a few more Magic Suppression Stones and locked the room.”
Lin Ling: “...”
She could already imagine the scene.
The noble, cold, and elegant Saintess of the Holy See wakes up to find herself moved from the Holy White Cathedral to the Demon King's Castle.
No maids, no holy light, no cleaning magic.
And she’s suppressed by Magic Suppression Stones so she can't cast spells.
Then Phelan walks in with his recording board, calmly observing, recording, and judging, before concluding:
Unsuitable for communication.
Lin Ling slowly closed her eyes.
“It’s over.”
“You can't even say the first impression was bad.”
“You can only say it’s already heading in the exact opposite direction of mutual understanding.”
Niya looked a bit worried.
“Are you going to see her, Miss Saintess?”
Lin Ling’s eyes snapped open.
“Me?”
She pointed at herself.
“Go see the Saintess now?”
Niya nodded.
“Yes.”
Lin Ling fell silent for a moment.
She imagined the scene.
She pushes the door open.
The Saintess is sitting in the room.
Two Saintesses face to face.
The other is noble, holy, and elegant—the true Saintess worshipped by the Holy See.
Meanwhile, she had just woken up, her hair wasn't even fully brushed, and her clothes were loose and messy.
Lin Ling immediately shook her head.
“No.”
“I can't go now.”
Niya was confused.
“Why?”
Lin Ling said solemnly:
“I haven't done enough mental preparation.”
Niya: “Mental preparation?”
“It’s just...”
Lin Ling thought for a bit.
“If someone really hates it when others overlap with their image...”
“And I happen to be overlapping with her image in everything from hair color and eyes to clothing and title...”
“Then me appearing before her now is basically like pouring oil onto a bonfire.”
Niya blinked.
“But you are quite gentle, Miss Saintess.”
Lin Ling clutched her chest.
“Thank you, Niya.”
“But gentleness can't solve everything.”
“Especially not the problem of a proud Saintess finding out another Saintess is living right next door.”
Niya whispered:
“But I feel that Miss Lin Ling is more like a Saintess.”
Lin Ling paused.
She looked at Niya.
Niya lowered her head, her voice soft but very earnest.
“Miss Lin Ling makes Magic Suppression Stones for everyone.”
“You worry about whether the demons have enough to eat.”
“You listen to me seriously.”
“And you feel sad when you think you’re being a burden to others.”
She looked up, her eyes clear.
“So I think Miss Lin Ling is more like a Saintess.”
Lin Ling was stunned.
For a moment, she didn't know how to respond.
After a long while, she turned her head away, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“If you praise me that much, I’ll get arrogant.”
Niya began to smile slightly.
“You can afford to be a little arrogant, Miss Saintess.”
Lin Ling cleared her throat.
“No, I can't.”
“If I get too arrogant, Lord Phelan will record it.”
Niya couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The heavy atmosphere in the room finally lightened a bit.
Lin Ling tidied her clothes, preparing to go to lunch first.
No matter who lived next door, she still had to eat.
Besides, she had to continue making Magic Suppression Stones in the afternoon.
Although the demons had solved part of the food crisis through the experimental fields, it was far from enough to ensure all the tribes were stably fed.
Furthermore, the situation had changed.
First Prince Keith of the humans could launch a war at any time.
After the Saintess was brought to the Demon King's Castle, the Holy See would discover something was wrong sooner or later.
The Magic Suppression Stones were not only the key to the food problem but were also becoming the core bargaining chip for the Demon King's Castle’s defense and negotiations.
Lin Ling sighed.
“Isn't the job description for an otherworldly Saintess a bit too broad?”
Niya looked at her, puzzled.
“Job description?”
Lin Ling counted on her fingers.
“Farming.”
“Manufacturing strategic materials.”
“Indirectly participating in war meetings.”
She went silent for a moment.
“This really isn't within the normal scope of a healer class.”
Niya thought about it seriously.
“But you’re doing a great job, Miss Saintess.”
Looking at her earnest expression, Lin Ling finally admitted defeat.
“Alright.”
“For everyone’s sake, I’ll keep working hard.”
Just as the two reached the door, footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway.
Phelan happened to be passing by from the other side.
He held his recording board, with two detection crystals floating beside him.
Seeing Lin Ling and Niya, he stopped.
“Lin Ling.”
Lin Ling immediately stood up straight.
“Lord Phelan.”
Phelan glanced at her.
“You didn't arrive at the workshop on time this morning.”
Lin Ling’s body stiffened.
She wanted to say she had just woken up.
But that sounded far too irresponsible.
So, she honestly lowered her head.
“I overslept.”
Phelan nodded.
“Recorded cause: Fatigue accumulation from continuous production of Magic Suppression Stones.”
Lin Ling was stunned.
She had expected Phelan to record “Lin Ling stayed in bed.”
She hadn't expected him to provide such a formal, even reasonable, excuse.
Phelan closed his recording board and looked at her complexion.
“How is your condition?”
Lin Ling flexed her fingers.
“I’m okay.”
“My head doesn't hurt anymore.”
“My magic is stable, too.”
“I can continue making Magic Suppression Stones this afternoon.”
Phelan nodded.
“Very well.”
Niya whispered from the side:
“But the Saintess has been staying in her room and the workshop lately.”
“Is that really good for her?”
Phelan looked at Lin Ling.
Lin Ling blinked.
“I actually wanted to go out for a walk.”
She paused and immediately added:
“Of course, I’m not trying to slack off.”
“It’s just that appropriate activity is beneficial for physical and mental health.”
Phelan watched her.
“Indeed.”
Lin Ling was surprised.
Phelan actually agreed.
Phelan continued:
“If you feel bored, you may go for a walk.”
“Staying in your room for long periods is not conducive to recovery.”
Lin Ling’s eyes brightened a bit.
“Is it really okay?”
Phelan nodded.
“It is.”
“Safe routes have already been established within the Demon King's Castle.”
“Dangerous areas are temporarily sealed.”
“However, I advise against approaching the training grounds, the teleportation arrays, the edge of the experimental fields, or the kitchen back door.”
Lin Ling: “...”
She understood the first few.
Wasn't that last one a bit too targeted?
Phelan raised his hand.
A soft wind magic unfurled from his fingertips.
A pale green current of air gently surrounded Lin Ling’s body, like an invisible veil, lifting her slightly from the soles of her feet.
Lin Ling felt her body suddenly become lighter.
It was as if there were a layer of soft wind beneath her feet.
She tried to take a step forward.
Her whole body floated slightly before landing steadily.
Lin Ling’s eyes widened.
“Wow.”
“This is amazing.”
Phelan said calmly:
“This is Levitation Magic.”
“It allows you to float gently.”
“That way, when our Miss Saintess trips on flat ground, she won't lose the only 1 HP she has.”
Rate on N.U.
