Chapter 103: I Am Not Talented

“Lady Cecilia!”

“Someone came to the temple to see you.”

A restrained knock at the door pulled Cecilia’s thoughts back.

Cecilia was about to scold them—she had made it clear that she wouldn’t see anyone during her retreat.

She had stated that a few days ago.

But then she heard the voice at the door hesitantly say,

“He claims to be from the Caris Family and wishes to discuss important matters with you.”

“Respected Saintess, on behalf of the Caris…”

Cecilia raised her hand, and the voice immediately fell silent.

“Spare me the pleasantries.”

“Tell me, what brings you here.”

Cecilia examined the white-bearded old man before her but couldn’t recall who he was.

However, since he claimed to represent the Caris Family, that meant he was one of Luwei’s people.

At present, Luwei’s attitude toward her remained unclear.

She should be cautious with her words in front of Luwei’s subordinate.

If this old man had come to convey willingness to cooperate, that would be best.

Cecilia could then frankly set aside her schemes and approach her honestly.

Perhaps even use that slip of paper as a bargaining chip or gesture of goodwill.

But if—

Her gaze grew sharp.

If this old man had come to deliver bad news, then she would need to carefully weigh her words.

Looking at the old man’s hesitant expression, Cecilia had already guessed.

“The Caris Territory is remote, the people are ignorant… and after the battle a month ago, Cecilia’s combat strength was mostly lost.”

“Is it really appropriate for the Church to build a grand cathedral in our Caris Territory?”

So this was Luwei’s intention?

Cecilia’s heart tightened.

She had already lowered her stance enough, yet Luwei still refused to accept her, even sending someone to ask her to withdraw the Church from Caris Territory.

This move could be interpreted in two ways.

First, Luwei was dissatisfied with her, simply didn’t like her, and didn’t want to cooperate.

Second, Luwei might have sensed some crisis—she was on guard.

Edmund rubbed the calluses on his fingers, feeling uneasy.

Under Degu’s pressure, he had traveled all the way to the Central City without even thinking of a good reason, wanting Cecilia to withdraw the Church from Caris Territory.

“Really… a clumsy excuse.”

Hearing Edmund’s words, Cecilia replied indifferently,

“Luwei wants to drive me away but can’t even bother to come up with a proper reason.”

“How arrogant.”

The Edmund in front of her, upon hearing these words so cold they sent a chill down his spine, instantly turned pale.

Cecilia was right.

The reason he gave was indeed unconvincing.

Just as he was about to add more, he faintly felt a pressure from the saintess before him.

She was only staring at him indifferently, but Edmund felt he couldn’t help himself.

“Uh… why the Church should withdraw…”

“It’s just that the Caris Territory has been severely affected by disasters recently and needs time to recover…”

Unable to think of any reason to make her leave, his face flushed red like a pig’s liver.

“Right, right!”

“Building a grand cathedral at this time would waste resources and labor.”

“How about, you see, could the Church postpone its arrival for a while longer?”

Edmund felt his excuses growing stranger.

He was a bit dazed—it must be because standing before him was the Clear Saint, who could supposedly see into people’s hearts!

The Church’s presence was clearly a blessing for the Caris Territory.

But he had let his guard down and lost his composure.

All the prepared words had slipped his mind.

At this moment, Edmund had already prepared for the worst.

For example, being questioned about shady dealings behind his refusal of the Church’s grace.

But Cecilia did not do that.

She just sighed slightly.

“Go back and tell your master that I can postpone the Church’s entry for a few more days.”

Cecilia glanced at the trembling old man across the tea table.

She thought to herself:

‘Luwei didn’t want to see me, so she sent a subordinate instead.’

But for some reason, upon hearing her reply, the old man’s expression suddenly relaxed, and his hand holding the teacup stopped shaking.

“You…”

Edmund could hardly believe it.

But then he reconsidered.

The Caris Territory was at the peak of its power—it was only reasonable that his suggestion would be accepted and accommodated by the Church’s saintess, right?

…Yes.

The thriving state of the Caris Territory was his bargaining chip.

With that thought, Edmund straightened his posture, trying to appear like a successful person.

“Lady Cecilia, if I may be blunt, your words are somewhat inappropriate.”

Edmund cleared his throat.

“There is no other ‘master’ above me.”

“I am the actual person in charge of the Caris Family.”

Edmund didn’t mind Cecilia’s slightly furrowed brows, assuming she was just shocked by this sudden revelation.

“You may not be fully aware of the Caris Family’s situation…”

“After my dear friend Duke Roy’s sacrifice, the Caris Family was left with only one descendant.”

As he spoke, Edmund twisted his face into a look of profound grief.

“That is my incompetent niece, Luwei Caris!”

Cecilia: “???”

“Though I am not talented, after my friend Roy’s death, I have been managing the Caris Territory on his behalf.”

“As you can see, the Caris Territory has already improved significantly, right?”

Perhaps after lying for so long, even he started to believe it.

Edmund felt a surge of pride.

“However, the shadow of war still looms over the people of Caris Territory, and the pain of those who have passed will forever remain in their hearts.”

Changing his tone, Edmund finally revealed his true intention.

“Therefore, Saintess.”

“It’s not that the Caris Territory is unwilling to accept the Church’s care…”

“Rather, the Caris Territory is still immersed in the pain of war.”

“The Church’s arrival would undoubtedly represent that the Federation has decided to make this land the front line of war!”

“The people of Caris Territory cannot bear such heavy news anymore…”

Edmund felt that his profound and righteous speech had truly stunned the saintess, who seemed detached from worldly affairs.

When faced with the suffering of the people, what would you think, Saintess?

Cecilia was completely dumbfounded.

What in the world is this man talking about?