"Your Excellency? What is the matter?"
Ansu looked at Celia, who had her head lowered, wondering what she was thinking.
"It is nothing..." Celia looked up, her expression no longer distorted. She whispered, "Ansu, do not mention this matter to anyone else..."
Her eyes were filled with worry.
Ansu nodded.
Celia looked relieved. "That is good... although that foolish Holy Maiden was only joking, it would be bad if those with ulterior motives heard of it, even if you are indeed not some Chosen One..."
"Understood."
"Go home for now," she instructed patiently. "I need to leave for a while. Once I have finished my business, I will come find you..."
Ansu was startled and asked, "Your Excellency... you are not still thinking of making a move on the Holy Maiden, are you?"
"Of course not." Celia shook her head gently. "As things stand, it is best if we maintain the status quo and act as if nothing happened."
More than fearing the cult finding Ansu... she feared the Church discovering him even more.
Although the followers of Echoes of Truth were called cultists, Celia knew that the fanatics of the Church of Holy Light... were every bit as mad as any cultist when they were riled up.
Maintaining the current situation was the best outcome for her. She was even grateful that the Holy Maiden had believed Ansu's lies and had not easily revealed his identity...
"I am only going back to check some ancient texts. I need to learn more about the Chosen One..."
Hearing her say this, Ansu breathed a sigh of relief.
"Alright then..."
...
After parting with Ansu, Celia left the basement with a heavy heart.
Returning to the shaded path, Ansu thought for a moment and then followed the direction Freya had gone, leaving the Benalu Royal Academy.
He needed to find Freya; there was something he had to tell her.
Although Freya had not told him where she lived, Ansu only had to ask a few neighbors on the street to easily find her residence. After all, the Holy Maiden of the Church was quite the celebrity.
Freya lived in a detached mansion that was not overly large. Though its size was modest, its location in a prime area of Benalu City meant the price was likely astronomical.
Ansu knocked on the door, and a response quickly came from inside.
"Who is it, please?"
The door slowly opened. When Freya saw Ansu standing there, her small face lit up with surprise.
"Ansu! What are you doing here?"
She happily invited him inside. "Weren't we just chatting at school? Why did you suddenly think to visit me? Come! Please, have a seat!"
Freya scurried off joyfully to prepare black tea. Watching the little Holy Maiden, who was perfectly intact, Ansu felt a strange sense of relief...
A lively little Holy Maiden was much cuter; thankfully, the scene from the simulation would not actually happen.
He sat on the sofa, idly surveying the empty surroundings.
At a glance, Freya's home had almost no decorations. There were no trendy art pieces or small ornaments like vases. Aside from the basic necessities like cabinets and a bed, there was nothing else.
Did Freya have no hobbies at all? It seemed her daily life was quite dull.
No wonder she looked forward to seeing him every day after they met; her life appeared to have very little to look forward to...
Freya gently placed the tea on the coffee table, pushed it toward Ansu, and then sat opposite him with a sweet smile.
"Um... Freya, I came here because I have something to tell you,"
Ansu began.
Freya's pale gold eyes showed a momentary flash of disappointment. "Oh... so you have business with me. I thought..."
She thought he had come to celebrate her moving into a new home, just like close friends would do...
Ansu could certainly sense the little Holy Maiden's disappointment, but since the matter was urgent, he spoke again quickly. "Isn't the inquisition squad from the Royal Capital planning to restart the expedition? I need you to help me contact them."
"Sure." Freya agreed without a second thought. "I will write an urgent letter immediately and send it through a special channel. They should receive it by tomorrow..."
Ansu immediately shook his head. "No, I want you to go to the Royal Capital in person."
Freya blinked in confusion. "Why? I know the captain in charge of the operation. After I explain the situation, he shouldn't refuse to let you and Professor Duncan join."
"But I heard... this operation has always been directly managed by the Royal Capital. With Archbishop Terry's fall, what if the captain has been replaced?" Ansu looked at Freya sincerely. "So I hope you can go in person, Freya. Please, do this favor for me!"
Freya was even more surprised. "Lord Ansu, you even know about that?"
Ansu once again displayed a mysterious smile.
Freya understood instantly, thinking that Lord Ansu's intelligence network was truly formidable to even know such high-level secrets of the Church...
"Alright, I will make a trip to the Royal Capital."
Freya nodded helplessly, seeing as Lord Ansu had requested it so earnestly.
In truth, even if he had not said it like that, she would have agreed to whatever he wanted to do.
Ansu looked at the slightly reluctant Holy Maiden. His real goal was to prevent the two of them from meeting.
By the time she returned from the Royal Capital, his team would be ready. With the trip to the ancient ruins imminent, Celia would have no chance to be alone with her...
As for the future...
Ansu really did not have the energy to think that far ahead. He would just delay it for as long as possible.
Maybe he could actually manage to reform Celia?
He would win...
Freya looked at Ansu, who had been talking about nothing but serious business since arriving at her home, and let out a soft sigh.
She wished Lord Ansu would talk to her more about things other than work...
"Lord Ansu, I have only just transferred here, and now I have to go to the Holy Dome Cathedral in the Royal Capital. I do not know how many days it will take before I return."
Freya lowered her head sadly. "I have only been your classmate for a single day. I really wanted to spend more time with you..."
"Well..." Ansu felt a bit awkward, so he comforted her with a smile. "It is fine, Freya. Your guest student period lasts for an entire semester, so what is the rush? There will be plenty of opportunities for us to spend time together in the future."
"Really?" Freya looked up, staring blankly at Ansu's gentle smile.
"Yes, really." Ansu nodded seriously.
After all, between a Holy Maiden and the Chosen One, how could there not be plenty of opportunities to spend time together...
Feeling Ansu's sincerity, Freya's disappointment finally vanished, and she began to smile sweetly.
"Okay!"
She looked forward to her future with Lord Ansu.
Such a future would surely be happy, fulfilling, and wonderful.
Rate on N.U.
