Chapter 201: Sisters in Misfortune

After bluffing Joen away, Icot ordered the mess in the underground tribunal to be cleaned up.

Once the miscellaneous matters were handled, he dismissed the other attendants and entered Yousitina’s underground prison in “Detention A” alone.

Before meeting her, Icot felt a bit anxious, but after so many years, he had already seen all kinds of storms.

He took a few deep breaths, and his mind completely calmed down.

sigh

He pushed open the door and entered.

“Miss Yousitina.”

Icot walked steadily toward the girl in the cell.

“Long time no see. You still look as radiant as ever.”

Navarro mumbled a vague reply.

She was quite the homebody, especially in a convenient place like the Empire Capital—she could even go decades without stepping out once.

She also rarely met Yousitina’s friends, so the Bishop’s greeting left her unsure how to respond.

“Miss Yousitina, let’s be straightforward. I know who you are. You’ve always maintained a very harmonious understanding with our Old City District Church.”

Icot brushed aside the wide bishop’s robe that had caught on a stone stool and sat down in front the delicate girl, his attitude very sincere.

“I admit that today’s negligence was on our Church. It was mainly that stubborn Paladin Captain Haran who insisted on signing the Demon Extermination Order against you. We deeply apologize for the trouble it has caused you.”

“How about this: as a gesture of apology, whatever request you have, I’ll pay for it out of my own pocket. I’ll do my best to satisfy it!”

Icot put on a very generous posture, a stark contrast to his stinginess when he had earlier rejected the “Petition to Increase Kitchen Budget.”

Navarro nodded.

“Okay, then hurry up and burn me.”

“That’s my only request.”

Navarro said with a mournful face.

Icot thought it was just an angry remark, so he quickly tried to soothe her.

“Miss Yousitina, please don’t be angry… I said I’ll try my best to fulfill any request.”

“Then hurry up and burn me.”

“No… why?!”

Icot couldn’t take it anymore.

He grabbed his head.

“Miss Yousitina! We burn you? We burn you?!”

He felt like the whole world was becoming unrecognizable.

Had she just obediently followed them here just to be burned to death?

Navarro nodded.

She was sparing with her words.

Although she didn’t understand why the Hero was disguising herself and hiding in this small Church, she was very clear on one point—if the Hero’s disguise was blown because of her, she would definitely be in for a world of trouble.

Seeing Icot still confused, Navarro waved her hand at him and made a troubled expression like that of Section Chief Mark.

Don’t ask, don’t ask.jpg

If you ask any more, you won’t have a good time either.

Icot frowned and thought for a long time, finally coming up with a somewhat reasonable possibility.

He probed, “Fake death to evade debt?”

Navarro quickly nodded.

“Alright, I understand.”

Icot thought to himself, That Joen is really lucky to run into Yousitina’s once-in-a-decade fake death to evade debt.

But the method of dying this time is a bit bizarre—actually wanting the Church to do the deed.

Looks like the creditors really drove her into a corner.

Having found the reason, Icot finally relaxed.

At least he didn’t have to worry about this Cocoon Demon getting angry and tearing down the entire Old City District Church.

The stable and peaceful situation of the Old City District was ultimately maintained.

The previous Bishop and former Cardinal Haran had taught Icot a lesson with their own failed lives.

Black cannot truly defeat white, and white cannot completely expel black.

The key to maintaining peace lies in the balance achieved through mutual deterrence.

Just as Demons fear the power of Sacred Artifacts and the Gods, and do not want to fight a bloody, all-out war with the Church, losing their luxurious and convenient life in the Capital.

And those high-ranking clergy like himself also do not want to fight to the death with Demons, paying an unimaginable price and burying their own political future.

Thus, peace was tacitly born.

That’s how most things in the world work.

But there are always fools like Haran and Joen who don’t understand the rules and fill their heads with thoughts of destroying peace.

Icot considered himself magnanimous, so not only did he bear no grudge against them, he was even willing to tolerate them.

“It’s just a Route Dispute, but they always think I’m the bad guy.”

Thinking of Haran’s sour face, Icot couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.

But then he reconsidered:

“Oh well, Haran was expelled from the Cardinalate and demoted to my place… that proves I was right all along. The Church and the Goddess need clergy more like me.”

Icot’s chest suddenly felt unblocked.

He no longer hesitated and stepped out of the underground passage.

The setting sun dimly illuminated the path ahead.

Beneath his shoes were expensive luminescent fluorite tiles, a smooth road stretching ahead.

A lush, tree-lined avenue led straight to the Goddess Statue at the end.

At the feet of the Goddess.

The underground prison.

Navarro listlessly observed this small single-person cell.

Clearly, this cell was different from those of other prisoners—more sturdy, more spacious, and with many convenient furnishings.

Setting aside the label of “prison,” these conditions were far better than an ordinary inn that cost half a silver coin per night outside.

Obviously, it was used to detain certain “honored guests.”

Unlike other female prisoners, it was also very quiet here, with no Inquisition Knights or other Holy Knights harassing her.

It was a completely different treatment from the female prisoners who had been dragged out by the Inquisition Knights and toyed with in the tribunal hall earlier.

“What’s this?”

She muttered discontentedly.

If the Hero notices this kind of preferential treatment and comes slashing with a sword, what then?

“No need to worry. The Hero doesn’t have time to pay attention to you right now.”

A clear, sweet female voice suddenly rang out.

“Who?!”

Navarro stood up sharply, looking around warily.

“It’s me.”

Liya’s voice sounded again.

This time, Navarro finally found the source of the voice.

It was a puddle of light pink liquid flowing in from the ventilation duct.

The liquid flowed down the wall, and soon Liya’s petite and cute figure rose from it.

She leaped lightly from the water.

The remaining liquid all gathered beneath her feet, floating softly like cotton clouds, then wove into silk, formed into gauze, and finally wrapped into an extremely gorgeous Black Rose Dress.

“Long time no see, Yousitina. I sent my subordinates to visit you before. Now, I’ve come in person to show you my sincerity.”

Liya smiled elegantly and confidently, just like when she once ruled the Demon King Throne.

“Did you agree to establish the Brainwashing Department?”

Navarro blinked her big eyes and asked.

Liya was silent.

After a few seconds, she asked uncertainly, “Navarro? Is that you?”

“Uh.”

Navarro blushed and instinctively touched the transformation device shaped like a necklace around her neck.

“No, I’m Yousitina. Minister Navarro and I have already discussed it. First, establish the Brainwashing Department. I support him. Friendship lasts forever.”

Liya couldn’t hold it together.

Friendship lasts forever my foot!

You ARE Navarro!

Stop calmly making decisions for your best friend!

“What are you saying?”

A red light flashed in Navarro’s eyes as she tried to use her Eye Demon Innate Magic to make the Demon Lord forget what just happened.

But Liya’s experience in dealing with these little Demon rascals was far too rich?

Almost as soon as Navarro opened her mouth, she turned her head away.

The gel on her chest immediately formed into a mirror, blocking Navarro’s gaze.

“Uh…”

Navarro grew even more embarrassed.

“Bastard! How dare you pull that on me! I’m going to go discuss this with the real Yousitina instead. What Brainwashing Department? Not even a hair on the Reform Department’s head!”

Liya feigned anger, turned, and flounced away.

One step.

Two steps.

Three steps.

Liya counted in her heart.

Sure enough, just as she took the fourth step, Navarro cried out and rushed over, carefully grabbing her hem.

“No, no, no~ Demon King Liya~~!”

“I know I was wrong!”

“I beg you, give me another chance!”