"Do you understand? Understand what?"

Anjerite looked at Qiaoqiao with puzzled blinking eyes.

Seeing this, Qiaoqiao sighed heavily and shook her head.

"Little Anjerite, don’t you realize? This is the Sanctuary—a place dedicated to the Goddess. Lying is the gravest sin here..."

"Am I lying?"

Anjerite cut her off, voice tight with anger. "Qiaoqiao! Even if you’re my friend, I won’t let you insult my faith in the Goddess! Question me again, and I’ll challenge you to a duel right here!"

*A duel?*

A knight with high magic resistance challenging a priest—one whose holy spells barely scratched Temple Knights?

Qiaoqiao, ever the clever one, knew she’d be at a severe disadvantage. She waved her hands dismissively.

"No, no, no. I won’t accept your duel, little Anjerite... Listen, calm down first. Just... calm down."

"Hmph!"

Anjerite snorted, folding her arms and turning away.

She was furious. Knights valued honor above life itself—and Temple Knights held devotion to the Goddess as sacred beyond breath. Qiaoqiao’s accusation felt like a blade to her soul.

Qiaoqiao knew this too. She quickly stepped into Anjerite’s line of sight.

Anjerite turned her head again.

Qiaoqiao darted sideways, reappearing before her.

Just as Anjerite prepared to twist away once more, Caro intervened.

"Anjerite Sneak! Cease this pointless behavior! Let your teammate speak! As squad leader, heeding counsel is your duty!"

"...Yes, sir." Anjerite grumbled, reluctantly facing Qiaoqiao.

Qiaoqiao nodded gratefully at Lieutenant Caro before locking eyes with Anjerite, her expression grave.

"First—recall your Knight’s Oath. What did you swear when you took up the blade?"

"Of course I remember."

Anjerite’s reply was icy.

"Recite it."

"Why should I—"

"Anjerite Sneak! Recite it now! No questions!"

Caro’s bark made her flinch. Swallowing her irritation, she began:

"...I, Anjerite Sneak, vow to become a Knight of Honor and Dignity. I shall uphold the Knightly Code in thought and deed, pledging to engrave the Seven Virtues—*Humility*, *Honesty*, *Valor*, *Justice*, *Sacrifice*, *Honor*, and *Spirit*—into my very soul..."

Her voice trailed off.

She repeated the last line slowly: *"...engrave the Seven Virtues—Humility, Honesty, Valor, Justice, Sacrifice, Honor, and Spirit..."*

Suddenly, realization struck.

She slapped her forehead.

—*Right! "Love" isn’t one of the Seven Virtues! The Goddess granted it to me alone during my class advancement! No wonder Qiaoqiao... Do they all think I’m lying?*

Anjerite’s gaze swept over Qiaoqiao, her three teammates, and Caro. Their eyes held deep suspicion.

The proud Temple Knight bristled—but held her tongue. She knew "Love" wasn’t part of the standard oath. It was the Goddess’s personal gift.

Truth or not, no one would believe her.

So she spoke calmly:

"My second Virtue *is* "Love." If you doubt me, verify my class at the Adventurers’ Guild. And for my faith in the Goddess? A Revelation can test it." She paused, letting the weight settle. "A Revelation—blessed with a trace of Divinity, called the Goddess’s own herald. Words are empty, but proof will convince you."

The Guild kept class records confidential—like when Rogied verified Caro’s own class back in the starter village. Only the Guild and the adventurer knew the details. With Anjerite’s consent, the Sanctuary could request her file. That would settle the "Love" dispute.

As for faith? Anjerite could swear on her heart: she’d never desecrate the Goddess’s dwelling—the Sanctuary itself. Lying here was unthinkable.

Her voice was steel.

Qiaoqiao hesitated.

They’d only known each other five and a half days—but in that time, she’d learned Anjerite’s tells.

—*When she’s this serious, she never lies.*

—*Then... what’s really going on? I’ve never heard of a "Love" Virtue.*

While Qiaoqiao wavered, Caro acted instantly.

"Done. Talent or not, the Sanctuary tolerates no heresy against the Goddess. Understood?"

"Understood."

Caro nodded. "I’ll send someone with you to the Guild for verification. And I’ll summon a Revelation from the Hall to test your faith." He turned sharply toward a group of Temple Knights and priests nearby, their chests marked with the Gleaming Scepter insignia. "Shambot! Denisa! Step forward!"

"Yes, sir!" "Yes, sir!"

A male Temple Knight and a female priest broke from the ranks, approaching at a brisk pace.

When they stood before him, Caro pointed at Anjerite.

"Shambot—escort her to the Adventurers’ Guild. Get her class records. Bring them to me."

"Yes, Captain!"

Shambot saluted, then strode toward the exit without a glance back. Anjerite hurried after him.

Once they vanished down the corridor, Caro leaned close to Denisa, lowering his voice.

"Denisa—inform Master Vancouver in the Hall. Tell him to prepare for a faith and aptitude test. If he refuses..." Caro’s jaw tightened. "...tell him I, Caro, will owe him a favor. Understood?"

"Understood..."

Denisa accepted the order, but her brow furrowed slightly. A question rose unbidden:

—*Why Master Vancouver? Why test aptitude? And... a High Temple Knight’s debt? What makes this junior knight so special to Captain Caro?*