Chapter 49: At This Point, Even Her Holiness Wants to Tear Apart My Umbrella?
Chapter 49: At This Point, Even Her Holiness Wants to Tear Apart My Umbrella?
“Yalis?”
Lin Wei blinked, momentarily confused, as he spotted a soft, familiar figure peeking out from behind the corner of a wall, waving at him with all the furtiveness of a guilty thief.
At this moment, the usually scatterbrained girl looked every bit like someone caught in the act. She shrank further behind the corner, her expression practically screaming, “I’m up to no good.”
Her golden hair was tucked beneath her hood, most of her face hidden except for a pair of clear, innocent eyes—eyes that seemed made to be taken advantage of—looking up at him.
“What are you doing?” Lin Wei asked, puzzled, coming to a stop in front of her.
“Ugh, don’t even mention it…” Yalis muttered, her voice muffled by her hood. “I just saw the Pope Secretary come to the school on business. I almost got caught—barely managed to slip away.”
“But I was worried you wouldn’t be able to find me later, so I hid here to wait for you.”
“Did your interview go well?”
As Lin Wei appeared, relief washed over her features. Without warning, she grabbed his hand and hurried toward the school gates. The moment they left the danger zone, her whole demeanor brightened. “Ah… It went alright, I guess. The school asked me to submit my documents tomorrow and start work, so I’ll need to swing by the Adventurers’ Guild later to handle a few things.”
She really waited here just for me?
He let her pull him along, the warmth and softness of her hand in his—a gentle reminder of her youth and innocence.
But Lin Wei couldn’t help but feel guilty in the face of such sincere concern from someone so much younger. He scratched his head awkwardly, his conscience pricking at him. After all, when they first met, he’d only approached her to take advantage of her naivety. He never imagined her feelings would turn out to be so pure, so genuine.
Not only did she help me without reservation, she even risked being caught just to wait here for my sake. Honestly, she makes me—the so-called Demon Lord—look like the real villain. What am I supposed to do with that?
“But I guess I can put off the Adventurers’ Guild for now. Anyway, the job’s pretty much in the bag.”
As his conscience squirmed with unease, Lin Wei took a deep breath, weighing his words before speaking.
“We’ve known each other for a while now, and it feels like you’re always the one helping me out, Yalis. I can’t help but feel a bit guilty about that.”
“I know you probably don’t need it, but to thank you—and to celebrate me getting the job—how about I treat you to something nice?”
A meal was the least he could offer. After all, she was the Saintess of the Holy Church—there wasn’t much he could do for her, but at the very least, he could buy her dinner.
“Oh, it was nothing, really~” Yalis waved her hands, flustered, her delicate features tinged pink beneath her hood. “Besides, you saved me before, Lin Wei. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t even be standing here right now!”
She hesitated, then added, “And honestly, I’d love to have a meal with you, but… the Pope Secretary already realized I snuck out. If I don’t hurry back, Her Holiness will definitely come down hard on me!”
Rumor had it that when Lady Selena was the Saintess, she used to sneak out all the time. But now that it was her turn, the punishments hadn’t gotten lighter—in fact, they seemed even harsher.
She couldn’t help but grumble inwardly. Shouldn’t Her Holiness, having gone through the same thing, be more understanding? Yet it felt as though someone who’d once been drenched in the rain was now tearing up her umbrella as well.
“Hmph… Even a righteous Saintess like you gets punished? That Pope really is heartless.”
But Lin Wei’s teasing words seemed to lift her spirits, and she found herself smiling despite everything.
Yalis looked up at him again, just in time to see Lin Wei clap his hands together, as if making a decision.
“In that case, I can’t let you get punished just for sharing a meal with me,” he said. “How about this—let’s call it a favor I owe you. Is there a dungeon or labyrinth you’ve been wanting to explore?”
“As long as it’s not too far and we can make it back the same day, I’ll go with you—no questions asked. How does that sound?”
Compared to a simple meal, this was clearly much more in line with what Yalis truly wanted.
Her eyes lit up instantly, the answer on her lips before he’d even finished speaking. “Yes! There’s a big labyrinth not far from the capital that I’ve never been to.”
“It’s just… it’s so close to home, I’ve always worried I’d get dragged back if I tried to go. The others in my class even tease me about it, saying I’m not strong enough… It makes me so mad!”
“But my father’s away right now, so if you’re willing to go with me, Lin Wei, that would be amazing!”
So even the underage Saintess had her own troubles at the Academy.
Watching Yalis practically bouncing in anticipation, Lin Wei couldn’t help but laugh and ruffle her hair. She really was adorable.
He didn’t know exactly where the labyrinth was, but it hardly mattered. What could happen, other than clearing it together?
“No problem. Just come find me whenever you have time. I told the school I’d be a substitute instructor, so they’re giving me a dorm room.”
“We’ll be at the same school, so we can work out the timing and details when we see each other next.”
“Okay! I’ll come find you then!” Yalis nodded eagerly, her eyes shining like stars.
“Oh, that reminds me—I almost forgot. The school needs a written guarantor for my paperwork. I know you’re in a hurry to get back to the Holy Church, but my inn is just around the corner.”
“If you’re willing, would you mind coming up to my room to help me fill out the form and finish the paperwork…?”
“Of course, no problem! If I’m just a little late, Her Holiness won’t be too angry!” Yalis replied without hesitation, nodding enthusiastically.
She followed Lin Wei into the nearby roadside inn.
◇
Holy City.
Outside the magnificent stained-glass windows, holy light streamed down as always, bathing everything in a divine glow.
Within, the great Pope Selena was hard at work, as diligent as ever.
The stack of documents on her desk diminished at a pace visible to the naked eye. Yet, given the sheer mountain of paperwork, even this speed seemed hopelessly inadequate—at this rate, she might never finish.
“Your Holiness Selena.”
At that moment, Miss Rennie, the secretary, quietly opened the door and entered.
Catching sight of the Pope’s tireless dedication, a flicker of concern and sympathy crossed her eyes. Still, she quickly composed herself and delivered her report with utmost seriousness.
“All the tasks you assigned have been completed.”
“At present, the adventurer named Lin Wei has successfully passed the assessment. He’ll soon be joining the Imperial Capital’s Magic Academy as a substitute instructor in alchemy.”
“Good.”
The Pope, still absorbed in her work, spared a precious half-second to utter a single word—a rare display of extravagance.
If that Lin Wei fellow ever got the chance to meet Her Holiness, he’d better fall to his knees and kowtow a few times in gratitude. Anything less would be an affront to the Pope’s concern for him!
Rennie was secretly fuming inside, thinking: If that Lin Wei ever truly understood how much the Pope cared, he’d better be groveling in gratitude! But just as she prepared to return to her own mountain of work, something unusual happened.
The weary Pope, for once, set down her pen and gazed out the window.
Her golden eyes, vast and radiant with divine authority, now shimmered with a deep exhaustion. For a fleeting moment, her gaze grew distant, her voice barely more than a drowsy murmur.
“As I thought… reaching my limit again, aren’t I?”