Chapter 86: A Midnight Meeting? Something’s Off with Duke Ous...
Chapter 86: A Midnight Meeting? Something’s Off with Duke Ous...
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Even at night, the majestic Imperial Capital remained as lively as ever.
Crowds streamed endlessly through the streets, while shops on either side shimmered beneath magical lamps, their lights glittering like stars in the darkness.
“So lively…” Lin Wei couldn’t help but sigh as he strolled toward the manor district, which was just ahead. In his memory, this was the first time he’d seen a city so vibrant after dark.
Back in border-town Aurens, the streets would have been deserted by this hour. Even the taverns would have closed, and in Lotai City, only a handful of stragglers would wander about.
“Well, this is the most prosperous city in the entire Empire!” the Saintess declared confidently, matching his pace.
Even at night, she kept her hood up, eyes sharp as she scanned their surroundings.
Honestly, the way she kept glancing around, you’d think she was a fugitive rather than a Saintess.
“Hey, Yalis… It’s late, and you’re still sneaking around?” Lin Wei teased, glancing over at her. “Well, normally, I’d be home studying for tomorrow’s lessons right about now,” she admitted, scratching her head in embarrassment. “If anyone from the Holy See sees me out here and reports back, I’ll definitely get an earful tomorrow.”
So, the daily life of a Saintess wasn’t nearly as carefree as he’d imagined. Even at this late hour, she couldn’t simply roam the streets as she pleased.
“Of course, it’s mostly because the recent course load has been absolutely ridiculous,” Yalis added, letting the warm night breeze brush her cheeks, bringing a rare sense of comfort.
Walking beside Lin Wei, she was surprised by how at ease she felt. Almost without thinking, she began to vent, her complaints tumbling out in a soft voice.
“The Holy Light Academy has nearly doubled our classes, and the Holy See’s assignments are even worse. The Pope herself ordered me to copy out the entire compendium of Goddess Alicia’s oracles—again and again—until I finish, I’m not allowed to leave the Holy See.”
“She even scolded me for sneaking into the labyrinth without permission… I mean, yes, that was my fault, but there’s just so much to do! I can’t go anywhere these days, and tomorrow I’ll be buried in assignments all over again!”
Actually, the Pope was usually quite kind. Even if she snuck out, she’d rarely get more than a brief scolding. She had no idea why the punishment was so harsh this time.
“Ahem… Maybe she’s just under a lot of stress lately, or maybe it’s, you know, her time of life or something,” Yalis murmured, trying to rationalize it.
“Well, at least you still managed to sneak out and see me,” Lin Wei replied with a smirk. “Tell you what—next time, just let me know in advance. I’ll whip up something even tastier as a reward. How’s that?”
That hopeless old Pope—always taking out her frustrations on others. Lin Wei snorted inwardly. Still, since he was technically on the same side as the Pope these days, he’d best not make things harder for her. At least, not for now.
“Eh? Really? I can?” Yalis’s eyes sparkled with surprise.
Not only had she managed to nap at Mr. Lin Wei’s house today, but now she was strolling with him under the moonlight—and next time, she could even visit as a proper guest.
The Saintess was genuinely delighted. A bright smile blossomed on her delicate, enchanting face, impossible to hide.
“No problem at all. Just give me a heads up before you come next time,” Lin Wei said, smiling back. “I’ll make sure to have plenty of ingredients ready.”
Now that his Veya already knew about his connection with Yalis… why not invite her over the next time Veya was home? Lin Wei couldn’t help but consider it. Sooner or later, they’d all be on the same side—there was no harm in letting them get acquainted early.
“That would be wonderful, Mr. Lin Wei! Thank you so much!”
Now, whenever she was bored, she could come find him! Hm… Sure, she’d nearly lost her life in that labyrinth, but meeting Lin Wei as a result hardly seemed like a bad outcome at all.
While the two chatted, they’d already wandered into the manor district without realizing it. The once-bustling Imperial Capital had grown quiet again, the silence settling in unnoticed.
The magical lamps along the roadside glimmered faintly—just enough to light the way. Occasionally, a slow-moving cart loaded with goods would trundle past, or a handful of pedestrians would return from the livelier districts.
“Eh?”
The Saintess, who had just been bubbling with excitement, suddenly stopped in her tracks.
She glanced ahead, confusion flickering across her face, then hurriedly pulled her hood tighter and edged closer to Lin Wei, almost hiding behind him.
“Why are there clergy around here?” she whispered, her tone tense.
It wasn’t hard to guess what she was worried about.
Lin Wei chuckled, amused by her reaction, and deliberately spread his arms a little to shield her from view.
“It’s Commander Alfron of the Holy See’s knights,” she murmured, still clutching Lin Wei’s sleeve, her brows furrowed in puzzlement. “But why would he suddenly show up here?”
“And… it looks like Commander Alfron is heading for Duke Ous’s manor, isn’t he?”
“Oh? Commander Alfron?” Lin Wei echoed. He’d only recently heard that name.
Alfron was one of the Holy See’s three Grand Commanders—a paladin responsible for safeguarding the Holy See and rooting out threats.
“He’s outside Duke Ous’s estate?”
Following her gaze, Lin Wei looked ahead.
By the sprawling grounds of the manor, a figure clad in gleaming holy armor and a white cloak quickly came into view.
He was an elderly man, his face deeply lined with age, yet his bearing was vigorous and commanding.
He dismounted from his carriage with measured, powerful movements—what most would mistake for frailty was, in fact, controlled strength.
But to someone like Lin Wei, with his level of perception, he could clearly sense a steady, flowing current of energy in every movement the old knight made.
This was a truly formidable paladin of the Holy See.
“Is he on par with the Grand Commander of the Sacred Light at the front lines?” Lin Wei wondered. No… he might even be stronger.
In terms of raw power, he might even be approaching the level of the former Pope.
With someone like this refusing to yield, it was no wonder the useless current Pope was being kept so thoroughly in check.
Around Alfron, other knights in distinctive Holy See armor stood guard, their expressions vigilant as they scanned the surroundings.
Lin Wei studied the scene in silence. Just then, a hunched, obsequious man—clearly a steward—hurried out from the manor, his face plastered with a sycophantic smile.
He bowed deeply, then respectfully gestured for Alfron to follow him inside.
So… the Grand Commander of the Retribution Knights was meeting Duke Ous in the dead of night?
“Could Duke Ous be the one who interrogated the Pope at the Holy See the other day?” Lin Wei muttered to himself.
He regretted not asking Miss Rennie about it earlier, but it was far too late to do so now.
“I’m not sure about that…” Yalis replied. “But after my father left for the front, I vaguely recall that Duke Ous was the only major Imperial military representative left in the capital. So if someone was holding the Pope accountable on the Empire’s behalf, it could very well have been him.”
“Wait! Lin Wei, you mentioned before that there was a human traitor leaking information… could it be—?”
Yalis’s eyes widened in alarm at her own speculation, but Lin Wei quickly shook his head.
“No… I still don’t think the Grand Commander of the Retribution Knights is involved. But as for Duke Ous, well, that’s another story.”
Lin Wei smiled and gently patted Yalis’s head, reassuring her.
“And honestly, this doesn’t feel like some secret negotiation at all. It’s more like Duke Ous is openly hosting the Grand Commander of the Retribution Knights as a guest.”
“If it really were a clandestine meeting, he’d have brought maybe one or two trusted men—not a whole squad of Retribution Knights for security. Why show up with such a large escort?”
A strange premonition began to stir in Lin Wei’s heart. He mulled it over for a moment, then suddenly turned to Yalis.
“How far is your home from here?”
“Eh? If we go this way, it’s about seven hundred meters, I think. Why do you ask?” Yalis tilted her head, bewildered by the rare seriousness in Lin Wei’s tone.
“Then let’s speed things up. I’ll get you home first.”
There was no time for further explanation. Without warning, Lin Wei bent down and scooped Yalis up into his arms, breaking into a swift run in the direction of her house.
“Wha—Lin Wei!” the Saintess gasped, utterly stunned.
By the time she realized what was happening, she was pressed close against him, her mind in a complete whirl.
At this distance, she could hear the strong, steady rhythm of his heartbeat, feel the warmth and sense of security radiating from him. If she so much as looked up, his face was right there.
Yalis’s delicate features flushed scarlet, her thoughts scattering in every direction. What… what’s happening? Why did Mr. Lin Wei suddenly pick me up?
Not only was this her first time strolling with a man, but now she’d also been carried in his arms—all on the same night!
Ugh… She didn’t exactly dislike Lin Wei, but this feeling was so new and confusing. Her heart felt like it might just give out!
“I’ve got something I need to take care of in a bit, so—sorry about this,” Lin Wei said, offering a hasty explanation without the slightest regard for Yalis’s flustered state.
His eyes flicked to the side, noting the manor they’d just sped past. Magic rippled gently around him, his figure gradually blending into the night air as if melting into the surroundings.