Celia naturally understood the importance of this research.
In truth, she didn't have much of an objection to everyone moving into Ansu's manor, especially Freya.
After their 'friendly conversation' in the Black Forest cave that day, some of the things the other girl had mentioned had truly struck a chord within her, causing some of her more obsessive thoughts to quietly loosen their grip.
The shadow cast by the gods still loomed before them, and until she and Ansu possessed the strength to defy them, she would not make things difficult for Freya; she could temporarily tolerate the girl's existence.
For now, she and Ansu had only one paramount mission: to seek the path to godhood.
"However..." Celia still had a small doubt regarding the matter. "This is magical research; do we really need Freya too?"
Her gaze slowly shifted toward the former Holy Maiden, who remained silent.
"Oh, that," Ansu explained to her. "Freya's role is actually equivalent to that of a quality inspector."
"A quality inspector?" Celia blinked in confusion.
Ansu nodded. "Freya has a powerful talent for the Holy Light, making her extremely sensitive to any fluctuations related to darkness or pollution."
Before their research reached success, every runic structure and every magic incantation could harbor undetected traces of pollution that might interfere with the experimental results.
Therefore, Freya's importance became evident.
After explaining Freya's role, Ansu pointed to his own eyes while looking at Celia. "We need a pair of absolutely sharp, absolutely honest 'eyes' to tell us if something is truly 'clean.'"
"But everyone in this team is connected to magic in some way, which is why we need an 'enemy of magic'—an authority on the Holy Light—to solve this problem. Freya is those eyes!"
"...I see," Celia said, nodding thoughtfully.
Ansu's analogy was quite vivid, and as a core member of the research plan, she naturally understood Freya's importance.
Thus, her gaze lightly brushed over Freya, who stood quietly to the side. The former Holy Maiden's expression was still somewhat dazed, making it unclear if she had actually processed what had just been said.
Celia curled her lips helplessly, thinking that Freya's importance was indeed becoming as indispensable as had been claimed back then...
"I understand." After a moment of reflection, Celia smiled, putting on an air of indifference.
"I never said she couldn't stay. It's all for our common cause, so you don't need to explain so much to me. Everything should prioritize the research."
Ansu was slightly taken aback, wondering why the witch was being so reasonable today.
He had expected to have to argue with her for a long time...
Celia glanced at Freya, then, as if intentionally, leaned intimately toward Ansu to straighten the collar of his shirt. Her movements were as natural as those of the mistress of the house. "By the way, have you met the members of the Lawrence family yet?"
"I have," Ansu nodded. "The distant uncle and his family are quite nice and very hospitable."
The Lawrence family was the highest-ranking noble circle of believers the Echoes of Truth had developed within the Empire over the years—this was largely thanks to Elder Samantha's efforts in her earlier years.
Although the Lawrence family was now far from the center of power and their influence was waning, their prestige and heritage remained. Ansu's family was able to smoothly relocate to Norvigel under new identities because of their secret assistance.
During the days following the move, Ansu had naturally met the members of the Lawrence family living in Norvigel. In terms of seniority, the man was Celia's 'distant uncle.'
Of course, Hailey Lawrence was merely a fake identity. In reality, when they met, the 'uncle' had to bow his head and respectfully address her as Lady Celia...
"That's good then." Celia's gaze swept over Freya, a smile spreading across her lips that carried a high-and-mighty, composed air, much like a mistress.
"Darling~ do take good care of our guest. I'm going to organize the ancient texts now, so you two go ahead and chat!"
"Ah, okay..." Before Ansu could finish, the ghostly blue magic projection flickered slightly.
Celia winked at him, and her figure vanished into thin air.
After she left, the atmosphere in the room remained quiet for a moment.
Ansu looked at Freya, whose expression was complex, and only then did he belatedly realize what that strange feeling had been just now.
It felt as though the witch had been invisibly flaunting her status as the mistress of the house...
"Lord Ansu... is there anything else you need from me?" Freya spoke softly, breaking the slightly awkward silence.
"Yes," Ansu said, pulling back his thoughts and looking at her. "Professor Duncan and Ms. Danielle will arrive shortly. Come with me to welcome them. You can also familiarize yourself with the research environment and workflow. We will be working together for a long time to come."
"Okay!" Freya was actually still thinking about what had just happened, but the moment she heard Ansu needed her, she instinctively agreed.
The two walked side by side along the manor's path. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting fragmented spots of light.
Freya kept her head down, stepping on the swaying shadows one by one. The scenes of Celia leaning close to Lord Ansu with such intimacy repeatedly flashed through her mind.
The relationship between Lord Ansu and Celia was truly good...
A pang of sour envy quietly welled up in a corner of her heart.
If only she could...
Freya took a soft breath, trying to calm herself.
Stay calm! Didn't I already make up my mind during that night talk? Just staying by Lord Ansu's side, staying forever and ever... that is enough to satisfy me.
Besides.
There was still plenty of time... there was still so much time left.
"Oh, right!"
Ansu's voice came from beside her, interrupting Freya's thoughts.
"Regarding that matter I mentioned to you before..." Ansu looked at Freya, who had been walking silently with her head down. "The idea of you looking for potential allies in the North, specifically among the Staya tribes of your hometown, is something we should start preparing for."
At the mention of this, Freya's eyes lit up. "Lord Ansu, when do we set out?"
Ansu thought for a moment. "You'll need to assist with the research for at least this period, so we certainly can't leave yet. But after a while..."
He paused, his tone softening.
"I plan to accompany you back home to meet your parents."
When Archbishop Paul had brought Freya to the Royal Capital years ago, he had settled her parents in a small town near Norvigel to be cared for by his old subordinates to prevent any accidents.
However, with so much happening within the church, Freya's identity exposed, and Paul's downfall, there was no longer any need for secrecy. Not long ago, Freya's parents had already set off to return to their homeland—a settlement of the Staya Tribe on the northern border.
"Really! Yes! That's wonderful!" A brilliant smile instantly blossomed on Freya's face, and the gloom in her heart seemed to vanish all at once.
Lord Ansu... is going to accompany me home to meet my parents~
She quietly clenched her fingertips, a light warmth spreading through her heart.
She was so looking forward to it! It felt just like meeting the parents...
Rate on N.U.
