NOVEL NEXT Chapter 98: Please Save Sister Susan!
"Huh? Where did she go? She was just here a moment ago."
Staring at the spot where the little girl was standing, the tavern owner froze.
He turned his stiff neck to stare at the judgement knights, whose expressions were growing increasingly gloomy, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"Uh... uh... Honorable judgement knights, may I ask... is the child you're looking for in trouble?"
The owner asked meekly.
The judgement knight did not answer his question.
The squad leader merely cast him a cold glance and said blandly:
"When the Judgement Court investigates a case, don't ask what you shouldn't know, or you'll be suspected of being complicit with heresy!"
With that, he surveyed the entire hall and ordered the other knights:
"Search carefully. Until we find the person, nobody is allowed to leave!"
Quickly, the judgement knights sprang into action, turning the tavern into a chaotic scene.
And in the corner of the tavern, where the "mage apprentice" and "knight attendant" were chatting, it was already empty, long since devoid of their presence.
On the table, only half-drunk ale, untouched roasted meat, and a few freshly minted silver Tana coins remained.
Outside the tavern, in a secluded alley.
Along with a faint blue magical glow, a complex circular magic array slowly appeared.
The array gradually expanded, the surrounding space subtly vibrating, accompanied by a series of void distortions, as two cloaked figures slowly emerged, stepping out from the array.
It was none other than Sebastian and Nisi, who had left the tavern.
"Phew... I really can't get used to such commoner taverns. Once outside, it feels like the air throughout the world is purified."
Nisi said, stretching his body and taking a greedy deep breath.
"That's just because you're accustomed to being pampered by the master."
Sebastian retorted while elegantly releasing a certain unidentified creature from under his elbow.
If the tavern owner saw, he would realize the "unidentified creature" taken by Sebastian was none other than the little girl who had "strayed" into the tavern.
While held under Sebastian's arm, the girl continuously struggled, and once set free, she dashed away without hesitation.
"This place isn't far from the tavern, and there are judgement knights patrolling the streets. If you want to be captured, go ahead and run wild."
Nisi chuckled and said.
The girl's movements froze instantly.
"Oh, from your reaction, you truly are being chased by judgement knights?"
Nisi added.
Girl: ...
She widened her eyes, feeling wronged and angry, seemingly surprised that the previous words were meant to deceive her.
Nisi found the girl's reaction amusing and was tempted to tease her more but was swiftly stopped by Sebastian:
"Alright, Nisi, stop teasing her."
With that, he gazed at the little girl and softly asked:
"Child, what's your name? Why are those judgement knights chasing you? And that necklace in your hand, where did it come from?"
Upon hearing Sebastian's words, the girl became instantly alert.
She quickly hid the necklace behind her and hesitantly retreated, like a frightened little rabbit.
"Don't be scared, we mean no harm. If we did, we wouldn't have saved you earlier. We're just curious and concerned."
Sebastian reassured her.
The girl was unmoved, her gaze towards him full of caution.
"Grrr~~"
The sound of a rumbling stomach broke the silence, causing the girl to stiffen slightly, her dirty face blushing swiftly.
Sebastian's expression was peculiar.
"Nisi, did you bring any food?"
He glanced at Nisi and asked.
"Here, something delicious."
Nisi pulled out a bag of small fish snacks.
"Damn! I meant something meant for humans! Keep that stuff for yourself!"
"Discrimination! That's discrimination! It's a special supply for Master Cat from Luoxing Red Palace! Cleaner than human food!"
"Cleaner than human food? So it's still not meant for humans?"
"Get lost!"
The two began bantering again, leaving the girl bewildered.
"Pft..."
She couldn't help but laugh.
Sebastian and Nisi immediately paused their banter, both directing their gaze at her.
The girl's expression turned wary again.
"Alright, I'll handle it."
Sebastian sighed.
He then "produced" an exquisite chocolate velvet cake and a cup of sweet milk sourced from the Northern Territory ranch.
Nisi: ...
"Here, it's not poisoned, feel free to eat."
Under Nisi's peculiar and subtle gaze, Sebastian first tasted a small piece of the cake himself and then placed the cake and milk before the girl.
The girl hesitated.
But eventually, she couldn't resist the allure of the cake and milk, and cautiously picked them up.
She took a small bite, and then her eyes widened instantly, her whole body froze in place.
Afterwards, she devoured it ravenously.
However, halfway through eating, she suddenly slowed down, eating cautiously, taking small bites, as if afraid to eat too quickly and forget such a wonderful taste.
"Don't hesitate to eat, I have more here."
Watching the girl, both enchanted and cautious, Sebastian felt a bit of heartache.
After a round of feeding, the atmosphere between the little girl and the two finally relaxed.
"Child, what's your name? Why were you being chased by the Judgement Knights?"
Sebastian brought up the same question again.
This time, the girl finally let her guard down, and said pitifully:
"I... my name is Ellie, I'm an orphan from the Grey Swan... Those red-dressed knights are bad people!"
Grey Swan Orphanage?
Nisi and Sebastian exchanged glances, recalling the news they overheard in the tavern.
"Ellie, where did your necklace come from?"
Nisi asked.
Upon hearing this question, the little girl Ellie suddenly became wary again and hid the necklace behind her back.
Nisi sighed helplessly:
"Don't be nervous, we're not trying to take your necklace, we're just a little curious."
"Despite appearances, we are actually Holy believers, and your necklace has a power similar to ours."
As he spoke, Nisi extended his hand, releasing the Holy Power temporarily bestowed upon him by Charlotte through the Faith Network.
The little girl's eyes widened instantly.
She gazed at them in a daze, her large eyes misty with tears, her innocent voice trembling with nerves, excitement, and a hint of tearful joy:
"Light! This is... the light from my dreams!"
"Divine Envoy! You are the Divine Envoy spoken of in the Oracle!"
Divine Envoy?
Oracle?
Nisi and Sebastian looked at each other in bewilderment.
They were about to press further, but the little girl Ellie suddenly knelt in front of them.
Her face was full of tears, her wide, watery eyes filled with pleading and hope, her soft voice suffused with uncontrollable sadness:
"Divine Envoy! Divine Envoy! Please save Sister Susan! Please save Sister Susan!"
"This necklace was given to me by Sister Susan, it belongs to her!"
"Sister Susan is not a witch! Sister Susan is definitely not a witch!"
Susan?
Witch?
Could she be the head priest of the Grey Swan with ties to the Judgement Court?
Sebastian and Nisi exchanged looks again, both deep in thought.
"Don't rush, Ellie, speak slowly."
Sebastian's voice became even gentler, soothing her softly.
......
"Decline all these invitations as well, and inform the Church that before the ceremony officially begins, I plan to turn down all diplomatic activities to devote myself entirely to holy prayer."
Handing back another salon invitation letter received today to the maid Sherry, Charlotte said, rubbing her temples.
It's been a week since she invoked the "Divine Miracle" and took residence in the Holy Palace.
Over this week, her stay in the Holy Palace had been relatively calm. Although countless eyes openly and covertly watched her every move, at least no one had come forward to find trouble with her.
The deterrent power of the "Divine Miracle" was still strong, and the identity of the Saintess provided Charlotte with a lot of conveniences.
The Sun Divine Palace seemed intent on avoiding her sharpness for the time being, and the only headache for Charlotte was perhaps the overwhelming enthusiasm from ordinary clergy and believers after the miracle.
Faced with countless invitations every day, Charlotte resorted to her last measure—seclusion.
Honestly, Charlotte even suspected this was deliberately orchestrated by the Sun Divine Palace. Whether it was their recent push within the Holy City to exalt her to the point of unsustainable praise, or increasing the guards at the Holy Palace under the pretense of safety after an assassination attempt, all these measures might have only one purpose: to keep her in place, preventing her from going anywhere.
Fortunately, Sebastian and Nisi were good at disguising their identities. After leaving the Holy Palace, their activities weren't restricted or monitored, making them effective eyes for her.
"A few days have passed, I wonder if they have any new information."
Taking a small sip of the sweet milk specially supplied by the Northern Territory farm and tasting a small piece of chocolate velvet cake, Charlotte murmured to herself.
She had quite some trust in the competence of Sebastian and Nisi.
The Sun Divine Palace had been very active these days, evidently the aftermath of her performing the "Divine Miracle."
The more movements they made, the more flaws there are. As long as the Sun Divine Palace is eager to destroy her, they are bound to reveal their weaknesses.
After finishing the snack, Charlotte elegantly wiped her mouth.
At that moment, an impulsive hunch arose, and Charlotte heard a low prayer and call.
It was from Sebastian and Nisi.
"Great Master, Nisi and I have discovered crucial intel and urgently need to report it to you!"
Listening to the voice echoing in her mind, Charlotte felt her spirit lift.
Taking a deep breath, she connected with the two, transmitting her response:
"Quickly return to the palace and report to me."
Communicating over such a distance was risky and might not convey everything clearly, especially since this was the Holy Capital; who knows if any perception-type Divine Artifacts were deployed.
Even though Charlotte held the power to perform Divine Descent using their connection, she would only resort to it in an emergency.
As a precaution, it was better to listen to their reports face-to-face.
And less than an hour later, having shed their disguises, Nisi and Sebastian one after the other returned to the palace where Charlotte resided.