2-60 - How Could the Villainous Young Master Be a Saintess?

Volume Two, Chapter 60: Profoundly Unsettling – How Could the Villainous Young Master Possibly Be the Saintess? After the rehearsal ended, everyone went to the school gate to welcome the delegation from the Holy Illuminance Church. As the leader of numerous human nations and a guiding force for humanity, the Holy Illuminance Church holds an exalted position in human society. No country's ruler dares to openly oppose the church. Opposing the Holy Illuminance Church, or its papal authority, is tantamount to opposing the Illuminance Goddess—an act that risks widespread discontent and potential rebellion among the populace, even before other human nations rally against the defiant state. Historically, the Holy Illuminance Church has only declared war on the demon kin, almost never on human nations. The rare instances where it did involve human conflicts were later justified by revelations of the involved state's grave transgressions, like colluding with demonic cultists. The Saintess's decisions were always proven correct, reinforcing the impression that the Church's decrees reflect the goddess's will. Decisions made by the Saintess are rarely flawed, especially those involving internal warfare. These are prompted by displaced, suffering people seeking refuge in the Church, until the Saintess, unable to bear it, mobilizes armed forces in pursuit of justice. History always shows the Church's judgment was sound. Common belief within the human nations holds that monarchs and emperors rule with the goddess's consent. Should a ruler abandon the goddess or the faith, they forfeit the people's support. Wenny's desire to keep Mirexia uninvolved stems from this historical context; rulers opposed to the Holy Illuminance Church have never met favorable ends. Given all this, even monarchs of major nations show deference to Church bishops, receiving them with the highest diplomatic respect. For smaller rulers, a visit from a bishop is a tremendous honor, merited by grand receptions. Several archbishops arrived this time, drawing considerable attention from the Carrileman Academy, and the students understood its significance, ensuring no one dared show negligence, despite their nervousness during the rehearsal. However, not everyone took it seriously, like Wenny, who yawned openly in the lineup, lacking any pretense of respect. While everyone's attention focused on the coming delegation, he seemed disinterested, akin to a security guard just waiting to clock out. Before long, a procession of unicorn-drawn carriages arrived. The vehicles, adorned with pure white six-winged and golden cross emblems, settled gracefully on the ground. The unicorns tucked their wings and stood elegantly before the college's grand entrance, shaking their fine manes. Unicorns, renowned for their rarity and intelligence, exhibit many human-like behaviors. The movements of this particular one suggested it was a mare. Legends say unicorns are the favored creatures of the Illuminance Goddess, Fasyris, brought from the divine realm. Their wings resemble angelic ones, making a unicorn-drawn carriage a status symbol within the Holy Illuminance Church. As the carriage door opened, its occupants garnered everyone's attention. First to emerge were not the archbishops, but two rows of heavily armed Sacred Illuminance Cross Knights. These well-disciplined soldiers quickly formed ranks, holding their sword hilts, flanking the door in readiness. A red-haired woman, similarly armored but without a helmet, followed, lifting the curtain for those behind her. Her gestures and sword hilt color indicated she was likely a squad leader within the order. Following her were three middle-aged men clad in white robes and high hats, holding scepters. Their attire included adornments like jeweled crosses and intricate golden patterns, and their chest and shoulder emblems bore wings—symbols of a bishop, marking them distinct from lesser clergy whose emblems only include a golden flaming cross. The Pope's emblem possesses four wings. Once they descended, the knights bowed slightly in reverence, indicating the church's delegation had arrived. Wenny raised an eyebrow; first impressions aside, these three indeed seemed quite dignified—one with a kindly demeanor, another appearing stern yet just, and the third, handsome despite his age, held traces of youthful charm. This last man's cross-shaped pupils caught Wenny’s attention, having seen similar eyes before. Wait a moment. Where had he seen those eyes? With furrowed brows, Wenny pondered whether he was overlooking something, until the handsome man glanced at a honey-haired girl in the line, revealing Luna to be watching him too. Their brief eye contact swiftly broke. Suddenly, realization dawned on Wenny. That's it! This pupil shape matched Luna’s! No wonder she seemed familiar when they met—it turned out she was part of a notable group in the original storyline. The Hauckai surname was familiar, and now the mystery was solved: it belonged to a prominent family within the church. A moment of cold dread seized Wenny. If they discovered his past masquerade, would they expose it? Good grief, for someone diligently avoiding the Holy Illuminance Church, he'd exposed his female identity before one of its noble families in such an embarrassing manner. No, could he have been recognized? Plunged into turmoil, Wenny's emotions roller-coastered between highs and lows, sinking as nerves tightened. How could one careless exposure land him in the sight of crucial figures, as if orchestrated by someone intending his downfall? Fasyris, was this your doing? If you don't grant me your favor soon, your lineage is at risk! This young master will see to it! Initially pleased when Luna complimented his looks, Wenny now found himself questioning her intentions. Could Luna's initial contact have harbored ulterior motives? Reflecting, how likely was spontaneous interaction without purpose? Impossible, her approach must have had reasons. Thus, did Luna ever uncover his secret? Stay calm, assured or not, he'd keep it hidden. As Vanessa, he'd simply cleaned floors for Luna, without linking Vanessa to Wenny. No one could heretofore imagine such dual existences. Yet, did she discern Vanessa as a descendent of Fasyris? Wenny couldn't be certain. Facing Gut family scrutiny, he held no assurance of discretion. It was deep waters indeed; if Luna had recognized Vanessa and whimsically disguised her in maid attire, what was her aim? No, was the Holy Illuminance Church a breeding ground for machinations among manipulative women? Upon realizing this, Wenny felt a shiver of fear. Back then, he had been playfully oblivious while working as a maid at her maid café! Surely, there shouldn't be anything to worry about, right? Indeed, it's unlikely he was recognized. If Luna had figured it out, why hadn’t she arrested him on the spot? Perhaps she didn't want to alert him. With suspicions, she could have discreetly notified the Church's experts to investigate and confirm his identity before dealing with him quietly. Yet, so much time had passed since Wenny, strapped for cash, had taken that maid job without any commotion. This proved she likely hadn't discovered his secret. Relieved by this line of thought, Wenny took a deep breath. For now, it seemed he was safe. "Welcome, esteemed bishops. The Vice Principal has dispatched me, along with the heads of various departments and student representatives, to greet our distinguished guests from the Holy Illuminance Church," Morinkate stepped forward alongside numerous educational deans to respectfully address the Church delegation. Student Council President Mirexia followed them. Regardless of her usual identity, she was just the president of the Carrileman Academy's student council at this moment. "Sir Morinkate, it's been a long time. I hope all is well with you," said the benevolent-looking bishop, who seemed friendly and had met Morinkate before, engaging him in conversation without any airs. The stern, unsmiling bishop remained silent, while the Hauckai family bishop on the left maintained a professional smile, also refraining from speaking. "Time flies. Since we last met, I've grown older, yet you remain vibrant as ever," the good-natured bishop remarked with a smile. "I don't deserve such praise, your grace, you also look quite youthful still," Morinkate replied with humility, aware that the bishop's friendly demeanor was merely a manner of conduct and not indicative of a close relationship. "It is an honor to meet you; you must be the chief combat instructor of Carrileman Academy, 'The Boneless' Morinkate, correct?" the stern bishop finally spoke up. "Indeed I am. You must be Bishop Sarfin," Morinkate responded. He was familiar with this bishop's reputation, which was widely known due to his notably harsh and uncompromising nature. "Mr. Morinkate, when was the last proactive meeting we, the Church, had with your academy?" Sarfin inquired, raising an eyebrow. "Bishop Sarfin, I believe it was many years ago," Morinkate replied. "Indeed, many years have passed. This meeting should be of great importance, correct?" Sarfin’s tone grew increasingly sharp. "Our Pope, to show how much we value this meeting, sent three bishops, yet your academy didn't even have the Vice Principal present. Is this how you treat esteemed guests?" His comments cast a somber shadow over the gathering. In line, Wenny pursed his lips, his perception of the obstinate bishop shifting. Despite his standing, did the bishop have to disregard decorum so openly? Even if true, wouldn’t it be better to discuss such matters privately or express dissatisfaction subtly? Publicly airing grievances only embarrasses all parties involved. Such concerns wouldn't arise with other nations visiting Carrileman Academy, but given the Church's stature, they could afford such bluntness. Even as a place of ancient imperial legacy, Carrileman Academy should consider itself honored by the Church's visit, such is the magnitude of receiving this attention, not something to be taken lightly or treated with the scant courtesy of a mere chair and a few department heads. "Bishop Sarfin, your concerns are valid and well justified. In fact, we intended to address this matter. You should be aware of our Principal's condition, and as for our Vice Principal, due to the recent activation of an Augmentation Spell Array—a spell he initiated but did not fully realize—he is unfit to greet you properly, which is why we have come in his stead," Morinkate explained calmly, unfazed by Sarfin's criticism. Morinkate's response deftly shifted the narrative, framing the Vice Principal's actions as necessary, sparing the continent from disaster, hence the Church's subsequent visit. In essence, he diplomatically suggested that had Carrileman Academy failed, the whole continent would have suffered, leaving no occasion for a Church visitation.