“Perhaps His Majesty the King did not mention this to you, because it has been too long and with deliberate whitewashing, no one remembers anymore.”
“The Church of Radiance once raided my home under the pretext of returning the sacred artifacts to the Church to benefit more people. This happened when my parents had just passed away, and I was only a few years old.” Vanessa lowered her eyes slightly, one hand holding the wrist of the other that hung naturally. Her calm gaze revealed a hint of loneliness.
“They believed that my family had been a dead branch for three generations, which signified that the Goddess of Radiance had withdrawn her blessings and favor from our descendants. This indicated that the Varelis family had lost its so-called legitimacy from then on.”
“For us to continue holding onto those sacred artifacts left by the Goddess and past Saintness was a waste, meaningless, and would only tarnish these artifacts. It was better to return them to the Church so they could use them for more good deeds and help more people. That was how they explained it back then, and besides, I was just a child at the time.”
“They also said that the dormant Goddess’s blood in the Varelis family was the will of the Goddess, informing the world that from then on, Saintness would no longer represent the Church of Radiance. There would be no more Saintness in the world, only the Church. Therefore, the ownership of those sacred artifacts should rightfully belong to the Church.”
“That reasoning isn’t entirely wrong. If it was to fulfill the Goddess’s duties and help more people, I could reluctantly accept it. But, Princess Mirexia, no matter what, those were the ancestral artifacts left to my family... Back then, the Holy Cross Knights who barged into my home searched the bodies of my recently deceased parents. I tried to stop them, but they pushed me against the wall.”
“I don’t want to use such rude and vulgar terms, but do you know what? They didn’t act like knights; they were more like the thugs and ruffians loitering on street corners. The only difference was that thugs feared punishment, while they didn’t have to worry about that.”
Mirexia stared blankly at the cherry-haired girl before her, recounting these past scars. The calmer her tone, the more suffocating the despair in her memories felt.
‘Virtue +200.’
‘Current Virtue: 7754.’
“If it was sacrificing me to save more people, I would be willing to accept it. But did they really use those sacred artifacts and texts to help more people? From the recent state of the Church, it’s clear they didn’t. So, forgive them? I can’t.” Vanessa placed a hand over her heart, like a compassionate saint, and let out a soft sigh, as if releasing something.
“Now, Princess Mirexia, do you still think I can reconcile with the Church?”
Vanessa walked up to Mirexia, her once sweet smile now tinged with sorrow. She gently picked up a strand of Mirexia’s hair and held it in her palm.
“I’ve been yielding all along, just hoping the Church would give me a little space to live. If this matter were to get out, wouldn’t the Church’s justification for seizing the sacred artifacts become a joke? At that point, they’d strip away even the little freedom I have left.”
“My ancestors left me something, the dignity and honor of my family. They can take it all, as long as they leave me the right to live... I really don’t want any conflict or upheaval because of me.”
Mirexia’s pupils contracted.
The girl before her had clearly endured the world’s coldness, alienation, and betrayal, yet her gaze toward the world remained gentle and kind, her heart filled with righteousness.
Her childhood friend, who bore the world’s malice, had always been so kind.
‘Virtue +300.’
‘Current Virtue: 8054.’
“Back then, I couldn’t do anything for you. I’m really sorry.” Mirexia lowered her head, her gaze filled with guilt and pity. The usually spirited and beautiful sapphire eyes now carried a hint of gloom.
“It’s alright, Princess Mirexia. Didn’t I already say it? I don’t dislike my current life. If I had really become a Saintness, I’d be extremely busy every day, and even the people I could meet would be strictly limited. Then I wouldn’t be able to see Princess Mirexia anymore.” Vanessa raised her peach-shaped eyes, filled with a spring-like tenderness that drowned Mirexia’s heart.
“!”
‘Virtue +300.’
‘Current Virtue: 8354.’
My adorable Mirexia baby, you’re so sentimental, aren’t you~?
Vanessa appeared to be immersed in the emotional storm on the surface, but inside, she was overjoyed.
This speech wasn’t entirely for the sake of Mirexia boosting her virtue points; it was half acting and half genuine emotion.
This way, Mirexia would completely and firmly keep her secret, firmly side with her, while also developing a dislike for the Church and a deep sense of guilt toward her.
What’s the fastest way to increase someone’s affection for you? The answer is to make them feel guilty toward you.
Ah, she’s so bad~ Treating her pure-hearted childhood friend like this.
But there really was no other way. Mirexia was someone with a strong sense of responsibility, capable of sacrificing personal feelings for the greater good. This matter was of great importance, and she absolutely couldn’t let the Church know her secret.
So she had to use both tactics, not just relying on emotions but also binding Mirexia with the chains of righteousness. That way, it would be secure.
Hehe, I want to survive.
For that, I’ll have to make my kind and adorable childhood friend keep my secret completely.
Besides, everything she said was true — she didn’t lie.
But it’s fine. She certainly wouldn’t mistreat Mirexia, her dear friend. She would definitely compensate her heavily in the future.
Mhm~ That’s how it is.
“The Church of Radiance, is that how they treated you?” Mirexia knew very little about these matters because she was usually too busy, hardly having time to pay attention to external affairs. Moreover, after the King declared her the next Queen of Camella, she had almost no contact with Vinny.
She had once thought that the Church of Radiance’s attitude toward Vinny was mostly one of disappointment, but she hadn’t expected the underlying truth to be so deep.
If it was to justify reclaiming the sacred artifacts and to have a legitimate reason, then there were even deeper layers to uncover.
For instance, would the Church of Radiance deliberately suppress Vinny and tarnish her reputation, saddling her with many baseless accusations to justify their actions?
If that were the case, it would also explain why Vinny had inexplicably become infamous. Thinking back now, Vinny’s actions in the past were completely inconsistent with the infamy she bore.
Mirexia didn’t like to preemptively judge others with malice, especially when the subject was the Church, but she couldn’t help but suspect.
This possibility wasn’t low at all.
Seeing Mirexia lost in thought, Vanessa was basically certain that her guidance had succeeded.
Leading someone to reach a conclusion on their own was much more credible than directly telling them the conclusion — even if it was the truth.
Moreover, this approach was also very clever. Since she had no evidence regarding the origin of the rumors, actively bringing it up might not only fail to convince others but could also damage her own image, making her seem like a rumor-monger. But guiding someone to discover the truth on their own was different.
Her image remained intact, the credibility was higher, and she could even speak up for those suspected of spreading rumors about her, further solidifying her pure and harmless image.
Ah, these were just necessary measures~
“I think there might be some irreconcilable conflicts between me and the Church. They don’t want to see a new Saintness rise to prominence and take a position that rightfully belongs to them. From my personal perspective, I don’t like them, but perhaps the Pope has his own considerations. He might be thinking from the perspective of the entire continent, and the effects just haven’t shown yet. We can’t say whether their thoughts are right or wrong.” Vanessa shook her head.
That’s what she said, but as for whether it was right or wrong, anyone who had witnessed the current state of the Church could tell.
But Vanessa deliberately said this.
‘Virtue +80.’
‘Current Virtue: 8434.’
“But have you ever thought that these slanders might also come from the Church?” Mirexia spoke after a moment of silence.
Finally, Mirexia had started to suspect the Church.
“Regarding the rumors, without evidence, who can say for sure? Besides, rumors stop with the wise. One day, everyone will surely see the truth. Although I can’t forgive the Church, I still prefer to believe that they wouldn’t resort to such underhanded tactics. I’d rather believe they have reasons for doing so, all for the sake of the people and the Terraria Continent.” Vanessa clasped her hands together, her tone filled with righteousness.
‘Virtue +100.’
‘Current Virtue: 8534.’
Mirexia fell silent.
Her childhood friend truly deserved to be called a descendant of the Goddess. This unwavering compassion for the people, even while bearing false accusations and slander, wasn’t this the most shining quality of a Saintness?
It’s a pity that she herself had no desire to become a Saintness.
Mirexia felt a hint of regret, but more than that, she was concerned for Vanessa.
Since Vanessa had no such aspirations, all she could do was support her, protect her, and even if Vanessa later decided to take on her responsibilities, she would still support her.
The affinity test ended, and after cleaning up the fragments and trash, the two left the student council basement.
“There are few people on campus these days, but be careful on your way back. Don’t let anyone see you entering the dormitory.”
“By the way, Vanessa, what’s your roommate like?” Mirexia thought of this question. She remembered meeting Vanessa’s roommate, a rather cute boy who seemed quite timid.
But a boy is still a boy. Vanessa living with a boy made Mirexia feel somewhat uneasy.
“He’s a very cute elf boy. Mirexia, haven’t you met him before?” Vanessa tilted her head.
“...Cute?” Hearing Vanessa’s words, Mirexia paused.
“But he’s nowhere near as cute as my childhood friend.” Vanessa playfully blinked at Mirexia.
“...”
‘Virtue +100.’
‘Current Virtue: 8634.’
“I didn’t ask for that.” Mirexia turned her slightly flushed face away, a hint of reproach in her voice.
“That’s how I truly feel.” Vanessa smiled. “Whether it’s a boy or a girl, none are as cute as my childhood friend. I’ve always thought so~”
‘Virtue +70.’
‘Current Virtue: 8704.’
Seeing Mirexia desperately trying to hide her embarrassment, Vanessa stopped in time.
Her childhood friend was still too shy, even getting flustered over a compliment from her best friend.
So cute~
But Vanessa wasn’t planning to return just yet.
“Mirexia, now that we’re back at the academy, you must have a lot of work piled up, right?” Vanessa walked up to Mirexia, hands behind her back, looking up at her with a smile.
“What is it?”
“Nothing much. It’s just that you took time out of your busy schedule to help me today, and I haven’t shown any gratitude. That’s not proper etiquette.”
“With me, there’s no need for formalities.”
“How can that be? How about this: I’ll help you with your work today and lighten your load. How does that sound?~”
“Is that okay?” Mirexia glanced at the girl before her. To be honest, the memory of Vinny assisting her with paperwork was still fresh in her mind. It wasn’t just a lack of experience; his brain’s processor couldn’t keep up. She’d be at 10, and he’d still be stuck on why 1 became 2.
Perhaps Vanessa wasn’t suited for this kind of work.
“I have some experience in handling these matters.” Vanessa also noticed Mirexia’s concern. “Don’t worry, I won’t drag you down, President~”
She even playfully called her “President.”
“Won’t it take up your time?”
“Not~ at~ all. I’m stuck in the dorm with nowhere to go. It’s quite boring.”
“Alright then.” Mirexia no longer objected. She figured Vanessa was just bored, unable to show herself in her current state and confined to the dorm, so she wanted to spend some time with her.
At most, she’d handle her work while keeping her company.
That’s what Mirexia initially thought. But when ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) they entered the president’s office and Vanessa, sitting beside her, analyzed every plan with clarity and precision, Mirexia was astonished.
Had the extremely clumsy comprehension and efficiency she usually displayed also been an act? To make her do less work??
“Win... Vanessa, do you have experience in handling these affairs?”
“Not at all.” Vanessa sat elegantly at the small table beside her, sipping tea like a graceful lady. “But I think if you just think carefully, it’s easy to understand, isn’t it?”
“...” This wasn’t something that could be easily resolved with just “thinking carefully.”
Vanessa continued to assist Mirexia with her work. After discovering Vanessa’s powerful processor and work efficiency, Mirexia gradually delegated some tasks to her.
The two chatted idly in the president’s office while efficiently managing their tasks, their unspoken understanding flawless — Vanessa might as well have been the student council’s vice president.
Mirexia deeply cherished this quiet harmony and the effortless connection they shared.
Indeed, the two were close friends and childhood companions. Despite a period of estrangement, who could understand each other better than they did?
“Vanessa, you’ve finished reviewing this document. Take a look and see if there’s anything that needs improvement.” Mirexia handed over the document without looking up.
“Sure, leave it to me.”
Thud! However, Mirexia didn’t notice that her hand slipped, causing the document to fall to the ground.
“Oops?” Due to the structure of the table, Vanessa couldn’t reach it from her angle, so Mirexia had to pick it up.
“Sorry, I didn’t hold it steady.” Mirexia walked to Vanessa’s desk and crouched down, her golden twin tails falling like butterflies.
Since she accidentally kicked the document when it fell, it flew further away, into a corner under the table.
Seeing that she couldn’t reach it, Mirexia leaned her head in slightly.
“Mirexia, do you need help?” At that moment, Vanessa’s leg moved slightly, and the warm, soft white silk at her ankle brushed against Mirexia’s cheek.
Mirexia’s pupils contracted, and she froze, her outstretched hand suspended in midair.
“Mirexia? Mirexia?” Seeing Mirexia unresponsive, Vanessa called out curiously a few times.
“...No need, I can do it myself.” Mirexia quickly reached out, grabbed the corner of the document, and pulled it out from under the table. Then she abruptly emerged from under the desk and hurried back to her seat.
She acted as if nothing had happened, but...
Her cheeks were burning hot.
“Mirexia, are you okay?”
“...I’m fine.” Looking up, she met Vanessa’s concerned gaze. Mirexia shook her head and continued working with her head down.
“Um, Mirexia, didn’t you say you wanted me to look at that document earlier?”
“No, no need. I’ll handle it myself.” Mirexia didn’t look up, burying her head in her work.
Seeing Mirexia’s reaction, Vanessa found it strange but didn’t press further, focusing on her own tasks.
Only Mirexia knew that she could no longer focus on the densely packed small characters on the documents. Her mind was filled with the scene under the desk when Vanessa lifted her leg, and her ankle accidentally brushed against her. Although it was unintentional, it felt as if Vanessa had stepped on her.
And the warmth of the fragrant jade wrapped in the soft, high-quality white silk stockings — it stirred her heart.
What... what was happening to her??
Mirexia didn’t understand what was happening to her, but she felt as if she had accidentally flipped a switch within herself, discovering a secret even she hadn’t known before.
This reaction was filled with mystery and the unknown, making her curious but also a bit panicked.
She didn’t know if this was a good thing or a bad thing, or if it would change her relationship with Vanessa.
Looking at Vanessa, who was working diligently at the neighboring desk, Mirexia felt a swirl of complicated emotions.