[Vol. 8] Chapter 109: Scholar and Wise Woman
That night, inside a house in the Angel City.
“A message from the goddess, huh? …Ah, I’m not as great as they say… I just have some strength and did what I could. And this book is full of my sarcasm.”
The priestess said softly to herself. She was sitting alone at a table, closing a thick, new holy book in front of her. The cover had one shining gold word, [Revelation], reflecting the soft white light from a magic lamp on the ceiling.
She sighed, then looked toward the closed main door.
Sure enough, a gentle knocking sound came slowly from there.
“Lady Violet, sorry to disturb you so late... but there is a visitor outside asking to see you. She has a token that seems to be from you. What should we do?”
The priestess raised her hand, and the unlocked door opened by itself. Mia, the maid dressed in a neat black-and-white uniform, paused, unsure if she should knock again. Then, she bowed politely and naturally. Just as she reached into her pocket to show the token from the visitor, Violet nodded as if she already knew who was coming.
“Bring her in. Next time if she comes again, no need to report it. Just let her in directly.”
“Yes, Lady Violet~”
The maid, professional and obedient, said nothing more, bowed again, then quickly left.
Soon, she returned with another person outside the door.
The visitor was a girl.
She had long pale golden hair shining like light, and deep blue eyes hidden behind dark circles. Though she looked weak and unhealthy, those bright eyes immediately focused on the black-haired girl calmly waiting inside.
The black-haired girl smiled slightly but wasn’t surprised.
“It seems Miss Ayla has made up her mind. Please come in and let’s talk.”
She waved her hand. Mia understood and respectfully stepped back, closing the door behind her. Ayla entered the room. When only the two girls remained, quietly watching each other in the silent bedroom, the golden-haired visitor finally took out a black card with a small, delicate fox design on the back.
She asked seriously again,
“I already asked Mr. Shui during the day. This card was specially made by the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild for that ‘White Fox Saintess’… Miss Dawn. There is only one like it in the whole world, no copy. She even personally showed me this before, so it can’t be wrong... How did you get this, Miss Violet?”
The priestess looked at the black card in Ayla’s hand, one she had deliberately left during the day, and smiled.
“If you have come here, it means you already have your answer. Why ask me then?”
She pointed to the prepared chair nearby and leaned back lazily.
“Miss Ayla, you really are as smart as always. Looks like my judgment was right~ Sit down. About the things we didn’t finish talking about during the day, and those who are watching you, we need to discuss them more. This will help both of us.”
But Ayla did not sit down immediately as Violet suggested. She stayed where she was, quietly looking at the priestess’s delicate and pure face.
Suddenly, another figure, similar but also very different, seemed to completely overlap at this moment. It was like something had finally been confirmed. She sighed in relief, her face showing a happy but also helpless smile.
“I see now... I finally understand.”
“The Light Elemental Spirit, the pure crystal of light she casually carries, and the girl said to be the goddess’s messenger, this truth is truly unbelievable.”
“But after ruling out all other possibilities, there is only one answer left, right?”
The scholar lowered her head and bowed respectfully to the calm smile of the girl in front of her, following a natural and practiced gesture.
“Thank you for your care since that day. During the more than a year you were missing, Ayla never stopped hoping to meet you again. But who would have thought it would be in such an unexpected way.”
“No matter what, it’s so good to see you safe, Miss Dawn.”
…………………………………………………
Three mornings later, Violet, along with a certain dragon girl who had just returned from outside, came again to the large square outside the Grand Church, ready to attend today’s official ceremony for the Chosen Hero.
Although the rebellion started by the Lombard family and other fake believers caused a lot of noise, the Holy Knights quickly and powerfully crushed it, so it did not cause much real harm to the Angel City.
Except for a small number of affected people, most saw it as just a little event to talk about after meals. With the excitement brought by the goddess’s arrival and the upcoming unprecedented grand event, this small disturbance did not cause much trouble.
Today was the day everyone was watching: the official start of the Chosen Hero trial.
Although, in truth, who becomes the “Chosen Hero” really depends on Violet’s mood, the priestess would not simply choose in secret before the trial began. She liked Shadow and Ayla the most, but whether they would actually reach that position depended on their real performance during the trial.
It was the same for others. To find someone worthy, the church’s strict selection was not enough. Personal contact and observation were very important.
But Miss Violet was not a member of the Goddess Church, and she certainly would not look down on these people like a goddess watching a show. So the best way to see the real situation was to mix in with them.
Of course, although they tried to keep a low profile, after so many big events, the name “Violet” had become quite well known. Because of her clear holy aura, some people could recognize her identity. If she said her real name, it would surely cause a big stir.
To avoid trouble, she and Xiao Guang put on their [Cognitive Obstruction Masks] again after a long time. They also asked a certain Miss Holy Knight for help to create fake records, to hide their identities at least during the early selection.
For Edwina, who was already the head of the Goddess Church, this was an easy favor.
Now, the two women were blending into the crowd with fake identities, waiting for the Chosen Hero trial to officially begin.
The whole selection process was personally designed by Violet and Edwina, then reviewed and given advice by the church leaders and the Three Saintesses. It was divided into several stages.