Chapter 91: The Late-Arriving “White Moonlight”
“Yingying, not bad, this is pretty good. Since you named yourself, I don’t need to think of a name.”
“Yingying~”
The shadow creature fell back into the mirror and disappeared.
Seeing that Yingying was full and ready to sleep, Peiya sighed and walked to the window. The red moon outside was still there, but the uncomfortable feeling in her body had mostly gone away.
Maybe it was because she had just merged with the Moon Tree’s power.
She stood by the window and thought about many things, mostly about the demon wolves. There was very little information about them in the world.
Maybe the Holy Academy knew some secrets, but that kind of information was not something she could easily get.
The Holy Academy kept too much knowledge hidden. Ordinary people could spend their whole lives without ever touching even a small part of the deeper world.
They would just live their lives in confusion until the end.
Peiya didn’t think that was a bad thing. In some ways, not being affected by those dark truths and keeping one’s faith pure could also be good.
Like Nara, whom she met before. Even though she was busy every day, she could still stay true to herself and would not let those truths shake her belief in good things.
In comparison, President Maya seemed to have many worries. It was probably because she was part of the upper class of the kingdom and knew more about the truth of the world.
Peiya felt that this was also the reason why President Maya always seemed so troubled.
Thinking about it, she should go see President Maya and learn more about her information network.
No need to wait for a special day, she might as well go tomorrow.
Peiya stretched her arm. “So sleepy… Hunhun, you can play by yourself. I’m going to sleep.”
“Understood, my lady. May you have sweet dreams.”
…………………
In the kingdom, inside a luxurious room.
A man wearing a cloth coat walked forward. He looked at the tall figure in the center of the room, who was reviewing documents, and his eyes fell on the cloak he was wearing.
Red cloth was neatly placed over white silk. From a distance, it looked like the kind of cloak worn by great heroes in paintings. It was said that only those rewarded by the king could wear such a cloak.
Thinking about it carefully, it was not strange.
The man remembered his identity. He owned a very fertile orchard as his land.
Although it was said that his childhood was full of hardship, through his own efforts, he had become a hereditary duke.
That was the kind of story where someone would be the main character in a novel.
Thinking of this, the man raised his fist to his chest.
“Lord Saines, I’m back. Does this cloak mean the king has recognized you?”
“Oh, Charles, you’re back. Yes, this cloak was given to me by His Majesty the King, as a reward for stopping the monster tide in the north of the city.”
“What? The monster tide in the north has been stopped? I remember there was a very dangerous hellhound there, rated SS-level.”
Saines nodded. “That’s right. It was very difficult, and we paid a huge price, but we managed to deal with it. The reason I’ve been staying in the royal city recently is to recover from my injuries.”
“You’ve worked hard, my lord. When I finish my training in the future, I will go to the battlefield to support you. You saved me from the snowstorm when I was a child and gave me a chance to grow. I really don’t know how to repay you.”
“That’s enough. As long as you can take care of yourself, I’m satisfied. But I remember you were sent to work at the church some time ago. Are you back now?”
Normally, the church and the royal family did not communicate much. But recently, because a new Pope took power, all the old rules were overturned.
The church, which used to reject nobles, had started to actively invite people from the royal side to study there.
This broke the long-standing tension between the two sides. Some people benefited from it, but many stubborn conservatives kept opposing it and repeatedly sent letters to the king.
They argued that they should not fall into the church’s trap and that the matter should be considered carefully over time.
However, the truth was that the king simply ignored them.
He chose to accept the Pope’s suggestion.
That was why Charles had the chance to go out and study.
“That’s right. When His Majesty the King gathered officials before, I went as well. Thanks to your name, I didn’t have to do hard labor. I was able to study directly under Lord Bal. During that time, I learned quite a lot about the church. We even joined the church’s recent campaign to hunt witches.”
“Oh? Really? Did you find anything?”
Charles shook his head, looking a bit embarrassed. “Not yet. But the church has suffered many losses. Even a Judicator died. As for more details, we don’t have access to them. So I came back early to report to you. Also, your eldest son came back with me.”
“Hmph, that brat Ron is back too?”
When Ron was mentioned, Saines’ expression became complicated. This eldest son was the biggest pain in his life.
“That’s right. Lord Ron has improved a lot recently. You should be proud of him.”
“He? Improved? I don’t think so.”
“Who said that?”
An excited voice came from outside the door. A man with golden hair and armor walked in.
“Ron?”
“That’s right, it’s me.”
Ron kicked the door open and walked in. Seeing Charles, he smiled.
“Hey, brother, I asked you to drink with me. Why didn’t you come?”
Charles waved his hand, his expression trying to please him. “Lord Ron, I really can’t drink much. If I went, I’d just embarrass myself.”
“How could that be? Last time we had a drinking contest, you actually beat me! No way, we should have another match someday!”
Charles forced a smile, while Saines beside them kept shaking his head.
“Ridiculous, Ron. Is drinking the biggest thing you learned from this trip?”
“Not really. I learned a lot. For example, I found that many women in the church look very good in nun clothes. Those bishops really have good taste. Unlike here, where we pick servants, always choosing ugly ones, like they’re afraid someone might cheat.”
“......”
Saines forced down his anger and couldn’t help wondering if this child was really his own.
He was risking his life on the battlefield, while his son was enjoying himself in the rear.
It was simply unreasonable.
But remembering his wife’s past request, he still held back his anger and said,
“So what you mean is, you want to give up your current life and secretly marry a nun?”
Ron scratched his head. “Father, why are you so old-fashioned? I’m just sharing what I saw. You were the one who asked me to talk. Now I’m being honest, and you don’t like it. Fine, I just won’t tell you anything next time. And besides, your way of thinking is outdated. We young people only come to this world once, of course we should enjoy life first.”
“You think your life is hard? Ron, the life you have now was won by countless people who shed blood. The monster tide is not over yet. You are my child. One day, you will also go to the battlefield. With your current attitude, I’m afraid you’ll die out there…”
“...And it’s not that I’m old-fashioned. Did you forget the marriage your mother arranged for you? The Anthony family is somewhat related to us. Your mother worked very hard to convince them. But with the way you are now, how can I face them and let you ruin their precious daughter? Her father and I are comrades. I don’t ask you to bring me honor, but at least don’t disgrace the basic manners of the Rosent family.”
“Father, how can you say that about me? I’m still a promising mage in the kingdom. Many women like me, I’m not worried about that at all. And honestly, I don’t really like that Anna you chose for me. On the contrary, her younger sister suits me better.”
Saines’ eyebrows twitched uncontrollably. Thinking about all the recent troubles, he could no longer hold back his emotions. He looked at the smug Ron and said,
“You’re dreaming big… but are you even worthy?”