“You… are you thinking something bad?”
Selina guiltily turned her head away and said, “No, absolutely not…”
Vika raised an eyebrow and asked.
“Before I arrange your formal appointment, let me ask which path you want to take.”
“Are there different paths for nuns?”
Vika’s expression paused for a moment.
She rubbed her temple and said helplessly.
“Alright, I overestimated the common sense in the countryside. Staying in the imperial capital too long doesn’t seem like a good thing.”
“Simply put, do you want a clerical or combat position.”
“The clerical path continues the priest line. With your talent, if you work hard, maybe in twenty or thirty years you could become a bishop?”
“What about you? Are you clerical or combat?”
Vika suddenly stopped in place and looked at Selina expressionlessly.
“No wonder the higher-ups value you. You’re indeed different from ordinary nuns.”
“I’m naturally combat. If you want to be combat, maybe we can be colleagues~”
She let out a light laugh, her expression charming and alluring.
The black cloth on her face highlighted her mystique to the fullest.
“Do all combat personnel have to wear this black cloth?”
“Of course not. My identity… is a special type among nuns—a Sin-Atone Nun. I wonder if you’ve heard of it.”
Selina shook her head.
“Hundreds of years ago, the empire was plunged into war. Some nuns believed it was because the people’s faith in the goddess was not devout enough. So they raised the banner of atonement and joined the war against monsters like ordinary soldiers.”
“Their most distinctive feature was a black cloth over their eyes. Now the people have forgotten the existence of the Sin-Atone Nuns, but the Church has preserved the title as a position.”
“But actually, we don’t have to wear the black cloth. I just think it suits my style~”
Vika giggled.
As the saying goes, the eyes are the window to the soul.
Through the eyes, one can understand a person’s joys and sorrows.
When Vika said these words, Selina’s intuition told her that some parts were lies.
“Since the higher-ups had you receive me, they probably want me to choose combat.”
Selina said indifferently.
“Very sharp, little girl. The higher-ups do think so. I’ve reviewed your file. At three, you could speak fluently; at four, you could read; at seven, you began training; at eight, you had already read through a local priest’s book collection; at twelve, you reached the peak of the third stage of magic; at fourteen, you were forced to participate in the defense of Messiah, where you killed three large goblins and learned fourth-tier healing magic on the spot to save a seventh-tier paladin.”
“Honestly, at first glance it looks fake. But as a local nun, you simply don’t have the power to fabricate such deeds. Besides, you’re only fourteen this year.”
“If these deeds are all true, given your talent and appearance, I have reason to believe you are actually the illegitimate daughter of some noble. Otherwise, there’s no way to explain this monstrous talent.”
Actually, there is another explanation: reincarnation with memories.
But it would be hard for people here to understand.
“You came to find your family, right?”
Selina’s pupils contracted slightly.
“Looks like I guessed right~”
Vika’s mood suddenly became very good, as if she had guessed something about Selina.
Vika was indeed not to be underestimated.
Even with her eyes covered, every move Selina made couldn’t escape her grasp.
Being seen through was not a pleasant feeling.
Selina restrained her emotions and said indifferently.
“I choose combat.”
“Why?”
“Promotions come faster during wartime.”
“Clear goal, huh~ The Church can also help you find your family. Getting along with nobles is beneficial to the Church.”
“But they won’t care that much. Who knows how long it would take.”
Vika pursed her lips.
“Seems like you’re quite familiar with the Church’s efficiency. Did that priest named Laite tell you?”
Selina nodded.
Of course, that was a lie.
Bureaucrats were all the same—if something troublesome could be delayed, it would be delayed; if not, they’d deal with it later.
“Then let me clarify one thing in advance. Although the clerical path has limited room for advancement, safety is guaranteed since you work in the imperial capital. Combat positions go to the battlefield. Promotions are fast because your superior dies and you take their place. Maybe next time it’ll be you.”
“Saying all that, aren’t you afraid I’ll choose clerical?”
Selina looked at the area where her eyes would be, and Vika seemed to be looking back at her.
After a few seconds of eye contact, both of them burst out laughing.
“Oh dear, oh dear! I didn’t expect I’d be talking nonsense one day.”
Vika was amused by herself.
She pulled aside the black cloth over her eyes and wiped away tears.
Unfortunately, Selina didn’t get to see what her eyes looked like.
“By the way, we’ve been walking for so long, and it feels like there are very few people in the Grand Cathedral. Is it always like this?” Selina asked doubtfully.
If the Church were compared to a company, as the leading enterprise of this world, it was indeed sparse.
Only occasionally did she see a few lower-level nuns and monks cleaning.
Vika thought for a moment and replied.
“It is indeed fewer today. A while ago, the new Saintess ascended, which generated a lot of related affairs. Everyone should be out on field missions.”
“Oh…”
Selina didn’t think much of it and continued following Vika along the corridor.
As they reached the next corner and turned, the view opened up.
It was a garden.
Although she couldn’t name the flower varieties, the fragrance that hit her told her that everything planted here was carefully selected.
The garden was exquisitely arranged, with ample sunlight.
The morning sunlight was scattered on the ground through the green leaves like shredded pieces.
Gentle bird chirps were melodious, and every blooming flower seemed to accompany them.
The dew on the petals reflected the figures of two people in the center of the garden.
A small pavilion, delicate and varied sandwiches, a pot of black tea, and two people sitting across from each other.
One had jet-black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, soft and childish features, and lively eyes.
This appearance reminded Selina of her previous life.
This girl was very beautiful, not inferior to the stars of her previous life, and looked about the same age as herself.
Her gaze and expression told Selina: This child’s mind was not yet mature.
The other’s appearance was indescribable—a beauty not of this world.
Countless silver threads fell to her shoulders.
Her skin was fair and translucent, as if made of jade.
Every move she made was enchanting.
Her features were like carved jade, without a single flaw.
Her emerald-like eyes noticed the two passersby at that moment.
The moment Vika saw her, she didn’t hesitate.
Her expression stopped being playful and became serious and solemn.
“Greetings, Your Holiness.”
Selina blinked, not yet reacting.
“Your Holiness? Ahhh! She’s the Saintess!”
Soon Vika pressed Selina’s head down.
“My apologies, Your Holiness. This newly reported sister is under my charge. She is not familiar with etiquette; please forgive her.”
The white-haired girl sighed and said.
“No need to be so formal, Vika. I’ve told you many times, in private you don’t have to be so reserved.”
Vika pretended to “look” around, then changed her demeanor again.
“Ah~ It’s just habit. These two days have been so tiring!”
“Um, can you let go of my head first?”
Selina said discontentedly.
“Oh! Sorry, sorry.”
Selina rubbed her neck and glanced at Vika.
“Are you very familiar with the Saintess?”
“Hm? Didn’t I mention? Our generation of Sin-Atone Nuns is tasked with guarding the Saintess. Don’t be fooled by the emptiness now—my colleagues are hiding in every corner.”
Vika said nonchalantly.
Was it appropriate to say that?
Selina didn’t even know where to start commenting.
“Vika, have you had breakfast yet? If you don’t mind, let’s have breakfast together! And this new sister, would you like to join as well?”
“Well, actually…”
Selina was about to decline, but she saw the Saintess’s gaze already appraising her.