2-58 - How Could the Villainous Young Master Be a Saintess?

## Return Volume 2, Chapter 58 ~ The Delegation of the Holy Church "In the future, should the opportunity arise, perhaps we can exchange thoughts," said the black-haired girl as she was about to leave. "Oh? Does this mean Ishtiya is interested in me?" "I find all aspects of you intriguing," the black-haired girl replied, glancing back at the silver-haired girl resting her cheek on her hand, both with the same aristocratic violet eyes that mirrored each other, both seeing nothing but a reflection of their own beautiful gaze. "Is that so? I'm honored," Aesphyra replied with a sly smile. Tsk, look at this person showing off. Wenny, standing nearby, shot Aesphyra a glance, clicking his tongue internally. The silhouette of the black-haired girl soon faded away into the distance. Watching her retreating figure, Wenny remained silent. He gave Aesphyra a sidelong glance, contemplating whether to voice his thoughts. If not for the suspicion it might raise in Aesphyra, he might have grumbled, "Are all those with the Kariliman bloodline prone to speaking in riddles?" However, Wenny didn't completely grasp the underlying meaning of Ishtiya's words, though Aesphyra understood clearly. Squinting her gemstone-like eyes, Aesphyra gazed in the direction the black-haired girl had gone, appearing like a cunning cat scheming its next move. "Oh, though the process was a bit rough around the edges, in the end, it was a complete victory," Wenny crossed his arms, tilting on the chair, throwing a disdainful glance at Aesphyra’s reaction. He interpreted Aesphyra’s response as that of a cat anticipating its prey; this wicked feline already imagined the feast that lay ahead. "Am I interrupting Wenny's sweet rendezvous?" Aesphyra inquired, still smiling. "Are you sure it's not the other way around?" Wenny raised a brow. "Still, you get what you wanted, your disloyal heart got fed." "Tsk, you always said you had someone in your heart. I really guessed right—you love them all. Whenever you see a pretty girl, you can't help but stick yourself to her," Wenny chided sarcastically. "I wonder what Mirexia and that Vannesa would think if they saw you." "Wenny." "What? If you have something to say, spit it out." Wenny glanced at Aesphyra, bemused as to why she called him without speaking further. "Where did you go that night after we parted ways?" Aesphyra asked with an enigmatic smile. "What, is tracking me not enough? You want to trace my footsteps further?" Wenny eyed Aesphyra suspiciously. "Aesphyra, what does it have to do with you where I went? Don’t tell me you secretly have a crush on me? Should I report everyone I speak to?" "I'm just curious about how you managed to get to the shelter on your own when it was so dangerous outside at the time and I couldn't protect you," Aesphyra said with an indecipherable smile. "Who said I went to the shelter?" Wenny glanced at her. "I didn’t go there." "Then where did you go?" "Where else would a person with a sense of responsibility like me go? Naturally, I went to help others. Mirexia can vouch for that. What's the problem?" "Oh, was it during that support mission that you disappeared?" Aesphyra said, tilting her head in a meaningful manner. Hsss... Hearing this, Wenny took a sharp breath, his heart skipping a beat. This white-furred little troublemaker was trying to pry information out of him! The implication was clear: Aesphyra had purposely investigated and found that he was missing for quite some time after the disaster. Given that he had disappeared for so long, it was easy to deduce that he wasn’t at the shelter that day. Since Aesphyra knew Wenny most likely didn't go to the shelter, why did she ask how he got there?? And what's noteworthy, Aesphyra's question wasn't whether Wenny went to the shelter but how he got there. This was obviously deliberate. Any inclination to lie on Wenny's part would have led to an instinctive fabrication, exploiting the ambiguity to mask his intent to conceal the truth. Caught off guard, Wenny wiped sweat from his brow, grateful that he had provided a truthful answer. As for how Aesphyra discovered this information, she was a prominent member of the first-year student council. A glance through the list of missing students post-disaster would reveal everything. Initially, Wenny could have kept the secret hidden, considering not much time had passed since. However, Shikondell's anxious report of his disappearance to the student council made it rather unavoidable. Oh, Shikondell, you've done me in. Fortunately, he had a quick-thinking childhood friend. Mirexia had foreseen such a circumstance. Even though the demonic totem incident had been regarded as a divine manifestation, dissolving suspicion of any link between Wenny's disappearance and that event, meticulous Mirexia still devised a cover story. During that time, Mirexia had coincidentally been searching for Wenny and absent from student council duties, providing an opportunity. In her report, Mirexia emphasized that Wenny wasn’t missing but had been with her, working on rescue efforts, and due to unexpected trouble, they sought refuge in an abandoned school building, causing the delay. Later, Mirexia adjusted Wenny's status from 'missing' to 'never went missing,' affirming that they were indeed together, and she could testify to it. Aesphyra likely checked the records prior to this amendment, which led her to believe Wenny had disappeared. "Hmph, missing? I'm just worried that telling you the truth would send your jealous and petty heart—akin to that sour little orange—into frenzy," Wenny boasted, his acting flawless. "I, at that time, secretly eloped with Mirexia," Wenny grinned. "Eloped?" Aesphyra raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, you’re curious about the details, right? Heh, but no matter how interested you are, I’m not revealing any more. Ask Mirexia herself." Wenny felt smug watching Aesphyra. "Jealous? Envious of me? I relish your jealousy, oh-ho-ho." "Aesphyra, remember back in the academy's carriage, when you betted who could win Mirexia’s heart? Well, it seems you're losing ground," Wenny continued his taunts. "That night, you and Mirexia stayed together?" Aesphyra tilted her head. "Don't believe it? Ask Mirexia yourself. Surely she wouldn't lie to you, right?" Wenny smirked. "You've seen the student council records, haven't you? It states clearly I wasn’t missing, just entangled with Mirexia in a rescue mission gone awry." Aesphyra appeared deep in thought. 'Demeanor +50.' 'Current demeanor: 6744.' Despite her composed exterior, there was indeed discontent beneath it. Wenny savored his small triumph over Aesphyra, having scored a decisive win in today's exchange. "Wenny, do you consider yourself the sole surviving member of the Fasyris bloodline?" Aesphyra asked suddenly, catching Wenny off guard. "I believe I am," Wenny replied confidently, arms folded. Aesphyra smiled without further comment, gathering her things and preparing to leave. "Oh, by the way, Wenny, there's something you might not know yet," Aesphyra said before departing. "What is it?" Wenny asked, puzzled. "The Holy Church is planning to send a delegation to visit Kariliman Academy soon." "Oh, and then?" Wenny's expression shifted. "These big figures and grand events have nothing to do with me, right? Knowing about them will just ruin my day, yet you still decided to tell me, Aesphyra." "I didn't mean to make you unhappy, Wenny. I just thought, since the delegation from the Holy Church is coming, it might be good for someone as related as you to be mentally prepared," Aesphyra explained. "Who am I to be considered a related person? Who dares to associate with the noble clerics of the Holy Church? I'm just a nobody," Wenny rolled his eyes, unsure if Aesphyra was mocking him. "So why are they coming? Aren't those people too busy to even breathe?" Wenny queried. "Who knows, but with something so significant happening, the Holy Church, as the leader of the human realms, naturally wants to investigate. They'll probably bring church annalists to meticulously document everything." "Such far-reaching influence," Wenny remarked sarcastically. With that, Aesphyra let out a light laugh for some reason. "Well then, Wenny, didn't I help you last time? And not just once, but three times." "What are you trying to say?" Wenny frowned. "Nothing, just a gentle reminder that you owe me quite a debt now, Wenny~," said the cunning white-haired girl with a sly smile as she departed. "Tsk, that girl is really something," Wenny said, glancing at the now empty seats where the two girls had been sitting, only the lingering warmth left behind indicating their previous presence. He suddenly felt that Aesphyra and Ishtiya approaching him wasn't a matter of mere coincidence. It seemed they were both indirectly probing, trying to gather some information from him. These leading ladies... Feeling a bit weary, Wenny rubbed his temples, casting a glance at the workbook in front of him. He felt as though he was spent for the day, not able to continue solving the problems. Grabbing the workbook, he stood up, ready to leave. However, just as he rose, an eerie atmosphere seemed to fill the previously tranquil library. Wenny raised an eyebrow, looking around to notice that, upon standing, students who previously wouldn't have spared him a glance were occasionally looking over, some even without any pretense of subtlety. Ah, he should have realized. Aesphyra and Ishtiya were 'popular idols' with many admirers in the academy. Sitting with him for so long, there was no way he wouldn't attract some attention. Especially given his already complicated reputation. But Wenny, being who he was, wasn't bothered by intentional or inadvertent stares. Even if everyone was outright staring at him, he wouldn't care. In fact, some were doing just that. For instance, the numerous male students previously shooting daggers at him with their eyes, openly glaring at him now. Most likely students of the Imperial faction. Such a scene brimming with bullying intention didn’t faze Wenny. He was, after all, the notorious brat of the capital—he had always been the one bullying others, not the one being bullied. It wasn’t that he feared bullying; rather, bullying should fear him. Wenny walked out of the library, head held high, ignoring the many strange glances. The next day, a senior from the student council approached Wenny while he was busy at work. "Wenny, the delegation from the Holy Church will arrive at Kariliman Academy soon," the senior informed him. "The academy wants a few suitable students from each grade to represent us in welcoming them. Do you have time?" Initially, it seemed improbable that Wenny would be considered for such a responsibility. Yet the senior believed his status as an heir of the Fasyris family made him more appropriate for the task than others. Regardless of external opinions, Wenny was indeed a descendant of the Fasyris household, wasn't he? The church’s delegation might feel a wave of nostalgia upon seeing him. At least, that's what the senior thought. "Sister, can I say I’m not available?" Wenny said, a bit disgruntled. "My pet rabbit is lonely at home; I need to go play fetch with it." His remark clearly expressed his disinterest. "Wenny, if you don’t want to go, just say so," the senior said, exasperated. "There's no need for such absurd excuses. It's not mandatory. I'm only considering your Fasyris heritage. This opportunity adds to your grade credits and raises your salary. Many would jump at the chance. But if you're unwilling, I'll have to find someone else..." "Sorry, Sister, I just remembered I don’t have a pet rabbit at home, so I’m free tomorrow." Wenny’s demeanor shifted quickly to a cheeky grin. "Meet the Holy Church’s delegation? Alright, I’ll go; there’s no need to find anyone else. I’m the rightful heir of the Fasyris family, after all. Who could possibly be more suited for this task?" He had been worried about credit points and salary issues recently. Even though he didn’t want to meet those hypocritical rascals, merely interacting with them as a symbolic gesture of welcome and not having to speak much wasn’t a big issue. Besides, those stuck-up folks might not recognize him anyway. Given this golden opportunity to gain credits and increase his salary, why not take it? Often, it’s not that he’s unwilling, but that the compensation hasn’t sufficiently enticed him. Witnessing Wenny’s swift change in demeanor, the senior couldn't help but smirk. "Alright then, prepare yourself, and join the other student representatives and the deans in welcoming the delegation from the Holy Church tomorrow. Make sure you present yourself neatly; even your collar isn’t adjusted. You can’t be so casual tomorrow when meeting esteemed guests. Understood?" "Got it, I understand."