The meeting between Gao Ying and Rodrika began half an hour earlier.
At that moment, Silphiel was still lost in a nightmare—
Seizing the chance while Silphiel napped, Gao Ying carved out some personal time. He aimed to understand this world better, seeking a breakthrough for his future revenge plans.
He searched the library shelves for useful books. But the ancient archive lacked any catalog system.
He had to check each volume one by one, flipping pages slowly. The process was painfully inefficient.
Gao Ying grabbed a *Continental General History*, detailing the history of the Twati Continent and its nations—a topic he’d studied before.
He knew human factions well. What intrigued him was the western frontier beyond the fearless fortress of Olkait: the buffer zone between humans and the Demon Race, once beastmen territory.
He recalled how swiftly the human alliance collapsed years ago. Shoddy fortresses—built from Silphiel’s corruption—were partly to blame. But the bigger reason was the beastmen’s betrayal at the critical moment.
Yet after just a few pages, Gao Ying frowned deeply.
The author’s words dripped with disdain for beastmen, oozing human superiority.
The history itself glorified humanity’s “ingratitude” toward beastmen—as if betrayal were a human tradition here.
No wonder the beastmen defected. But siding with the Demon Race? Was that truly freedom?
Gao Ying set aside the heavily racist book. His eyes then caught a gold-embossed spine: *Annals of the Holy See*.
He flipped past the yellowed early pages on ancient history, skipping straight to recent events.
The year 770 of the Sacred Calendar caught his attention.
Six years ago, the Holy See faced an internal upheaval. One name stood out: Pope Gregory.
The current Pope had risen from archbishop to Pope during that crisis. That same year, Silphiel became the Holy Maiden.
The rebellion’s instigator was another archbishop: head of the Radel family, a noble house of the Holy Capital.
The text claimed Bishop Radel abandoned the Goddess’s faith. He conspired with Heretics, murdered the previous Pope, and even tried to kill Gregory and the Goddess’s messenger. The messenger, traumatized, still couldn’t face believers.
After several bishops sacrificed their lives, Gregory finally slew Bishop Radel, crushing his plot to overthrow the Holy See.
Gao Ying grew increasingly suspicious as he read…
Just then, footsteps approached. A knight in silver armor halted beside Gao Ying’s shelf and bowed. “…Hero, I guard this library. How may I assist you?”
Strands of pale purple hair peeked through the helmet’s slit. The voice sounded young—female.
Gao Ying glanced up. “I’ll call if I need anything…”
He turned back to the annals, murmuring softly, “…Bishop Radel might’ve been framed. But it’s been six years. Investigating this won’t be easy.”
The only survivors were likely Silphiel—and she sided with the Pope.
Gao Ying thought he was whispering to himself. Yet the knight, about to leave after his dismissal, whirled around at his words.
Pale purple eyes locked onto him through the visor’s gap.
As Gao Ying reached to reshelve the book, the silver-armored knight rushed forward. Her voice boomed in the silent library:
“Hero! What did you just say?!”
She stepped closer, gripping his shoulders.
Gao Ying—still ordinary-strength—winced under her armored grasp. But she seemed too agitated to notice.
He repeated his words. She whispered, “…Framed? Then what’s the truth?”
Her hands fell away, trembling slightly.
Gao Ying startled at her intensity. Why would a newcomer like him question a six-year-old case? He backtracked quickly:
“It’s just a hunch. Six years ago, Bishop Radel was already at the peak. The papacy was his for the taking. Why risk everything for… extras?”
“And conspiring with Heretics? Nonsense.”
The papacy was within reach. What could Heretics offer him?
The records even claimed he tried to kill Gregory and others. If all rivals died, only Radel benefited—making him the obvious culprit!
Was Bishop Radel an idiot?
Gao Ying held back further thoughts. Questioning this under Gregory’s rule meant challenging his legitimacy.
Still, pursuing this might uncover shocking truths.
The obstacle? All witnesses were dead except Silphiel. Investigation would be tough.
This knight was bold—openly doubting the Pope.
“My apologies, Hero. Hearing my father might be innocent… it overwhelmed me.”
She removed her helmet. A cascade of pale purple hair spilled out. Bowing deeply, she introduced herself: “I am Rodrika Radel. Daughter of the apostate Bishop Radel. Now just a lowly guard.”
Rodrika Radel. Gao Ying remembered the name.
In his past life, they’d been strangers. Because—
She was a villain.
Silphiel had said so.
Blindly devoted to Silphiel, Gao Ying never questioned her words.
Silphiel claimed Pope Gregory, upholding the Goddess’s mercy, spared the Radel family further punishment.
But Rodrika showed no gratitude. Like her father, she was a vile Heretic. Rumor said she’d even plotted assassinations against the Hero.
Trusting Silphiel, Gao Ying had avoided her completely.
But if Bishop Radel was innocent? That changed everything.
What became of Rodrika in his past life?
Scoffed at and rejected by the Holy See, she never turned evil.
She died a sacrifice—awakening the Holy Sword.
Silphiel should’ve been the sacrifice! Rodrika rushed to the altar a day early, triggering the sword’s power.
Oh right—the Holy See called it “voluntary,” to clear her name.
Now, that “voluntary” seemed questionable.
If she believed her father innocent, the guilty ones were the Pope and Holy Maiden. Enemies of my enemies are friends… This girl could be useful.
Gao Ying had to secure her.
He chose his words carefully: “Miss Radel, that was just a newcomer’s idle thought.”
Rodrika’s eyes sharpened. She nodded. “Hero, I don’t recall anything you said.”
Gao Ying reassessed her. She’d regained composure instantly—her earlier slip was pure emotion.
She knew what to voice and what to bury until she had power.
Surviving this long proved her skill at playing dumb.
Gao Ying decided: she was usable, but not trustworthy.
Casually, he added, “Miss Radel, I have a request…”
Without hesitation, she thumped her chest—*thud thud*—and pledged: “Anything, Hero! Just name it, if I can manage it.”
“As the summoned Hero, my strength is still lacking. I need guards during my growth phase…”
Gao Ying noticed her pale purple eyes sparkling. She stared at him like an abandoned puppy, hopeful and eager.
“Rodrika, will you become my knight?”
“If the Hero doesn’t mind… I’d be honored,” she breathed.
“No!”
What followed was what Silphiel witnessed.
Silphiel saw Rodrika’s hidden agenda—a scheme to exploit the Hero’s fame.
What a scheming bitch.
As the Hero’s destined partner, the Holy Maiden couldn’t let this plot succeed.
But denying his request would seem heartless. Silphiel’s eyes flickered. A smile returned to her lips.
She had a perfect plan.
“Rodrika, since the Hero desires you, I’ll permit it. I’ll handle the Pope. But the Hero carries the continent’s fate. I must brief you first. Come with me.”
