Saint Monica watched Rebecca and her student Kami walk away, slightly frowning. She sighed softly and murmured, "Whether it's fortune or misfortune for this girl to be so beautiful... I'll do my best to protect this lovely child..."

Nearby, Kami was still sulking over her teacher's half-hearted initiation ceremony for Rebecca. She thought her teacher was just too lazy. Though she knew Saint Monica had imbued the Nona knot around Rebecca's neck with powerful light-based protective magic—a rare honor, the Holy Maiden's blessing! Having grown up beside her teacher, Kami had seen so many miracles that this seemed utterly ordinary. But she didn't realize her teacher had only blessed the Nona knot and reported to the bishop about a new nun in the Kasmo Empire's church—all to protect Rebecca.

Rebecca was too beautiful. In Saint Monica's eyes, she was a pitiful girl with no roots. A grand ceremony would thrust her into the public eye instantly, only harming her. Keeping it low-key was better. It spared her trouble until she matured enough to handle it. Rebecca sensed Monica's intention and felt a trace of gratitude. She knew she'd inherited her mother's breathtaking beauty. She'd just entered human society and already caused a stir within the small Norna Faith circle. Her looks had won the Holy Maiden's sympathy and protection.

Facing Kami's grumbling about her teacher, Rebecca was actually grateful. She acted indifferent.

"Rebecca, my teacher is such a lazybones!" Kami declared. "Since she won't throw you a grand initiation, I'll celebrate for you. Come on, follow me."

Follow her? Good grief. Rebecca just wanted to settle down and find the Alchemy Codex. Who'd go with her, even if she was pretty? Breaking the Binding Spell on herself mattered most.

"No... I won't go..."

"Won't go? Why? I'll take you to eat good food. Look how thin you are. You suffered so much under the Dark Lord. Now I'm here—I'll take good care of you!"

Who needs your care!

"No... I won't..."

"Don't be shy! On our way back, you devoured rations like a starved wolf. Clearly, the Dark Lord's food wasn't fit for humans. Now we're back—we should feast! Plus, it's your initiation day. We must celebrate! Hmm... I'll call Laura and the others too~"

Rebecca shook her head firmly.

Devoured? You got it wrong! Rebecca had never tasted human food here. She was just curious and tried everything. But Kami saw it as wolfing it down? Good grief! Besides, Demon Race food was delicious. The best cooks in this world were Goblins—yes, those timid, sneaky Goblins. The Dark Lord's palace had many Goblin chefs! Hmm, Goblins with all sorts of weird talents...

"Rebecca!" Kami suddenly raised her voice.

"Uh..."

"If you keep this up, I'll get angry!"

Rebecca pretended to admire the scenery, thinking inside, Go ahead and get angry...

"Little one!! You're driving me crazy!!" Kami finally snapped. She stepped forward, grabbed Rebecca's cheeks, and pinched them hard.

"Mmmph..."

Just as Rebecca suffered, hurried footsteps approached. A voice called out, "Kami! Kami! Her Majesty the Empress summons us!" It was Lilia.

"Her Majesty summons us?"

"How dare you bully Rebecca while I'm away, Kami! Just wait!" Lilia ran up, saw Kami pinching Rebecca's cheeks—and how fun it looked—and got furious. She conjured a fireball!

"Hey! Are you serious?" Kami startled.

"Let go of Rebecca!"

"Alright, alright... you crazy woman..." Kami sighed.

"Bullying Rebecca? That's terrible! She's so cute..." Lilia dispelled the magic, pulled Rebecca over, and rubbed her face under the guise of checking injuries.

"Enough! I pinched her because she refused my celebration."

"Celebration?"

Kami explained everything.

"That's not right of you, Rebecca..." Lilia started nagging too.

Rebecca's head spun. Didn't you just say the Empress is summoning you? Why nag now?

"Empress... you two..." Rebecca reminded them, hoping to divert attention.

"Ah! Right! Kami, let's go! Her Majesty summons us! We can celebrate Rebecca later!"

"Uh... why is she summoning us?"

"Because we got the Dark Lord's crown! Hurry! Laura and Emily are waiting outside!" Lilia dragged Kami away in a flurry.

Phew... The world fell quiet.

Rebecca returned to Kami's room. Since she had no room of her own yet, she had to come back here. As soon as she entered, someone ran over—the chatty nun. Now Rebecca knew her name: Claudia.

"Rebecca~ This is the nun's habit the Holy Maiden sent. Try it on and see if it fits~"

"Thank you..." Rebecca took it, thanked her, and prepared to change. But Claudia didn't leave. She stared straight at Rebecca.

"I... need to change..."

"Uh... oh, you're changing. Haha, go ahead~" Claudia scratched her head awkwardly and left. What a natural airhead.

Rebecca shook her head, picked up the pure white nun's habit, and said softly, "So it begins. From today, I'm a nun of the Norna Faith?"