“Let’s proceed as Your Highness Sophie-Lina suggests.”
Finding no apparent issues with the plan, Claire showed no suspicion and summoned a knight at the door, giving him a few instructions.
The knight nodded and quickly departed.
It was hard to imagine someone in such heavy armor moving so swiftly, making me wonder if he’d honed this speed dodging angry fans while moonlighting as an animation censor.
Imagining such things about someone helping me is probably a bit unethical.
I shook my head, dismissing the stray thoughts.
“I’ve instructed them to handle it promptly. A quartermaster will be dispatched to Soma Town by tomorrow. Please rest assured, Lady Sophie-Lina.”
“Thank you so much, Sister Claire!”
One must show sincerity to a sponsor, especially such an excellent one. I tilted my head up, beaming brightly at Claire.
But Claire suddenly averted her gaze, clutching her chest and taking a sharp breath.
“Is something wrong, Sister Claire? Are you hurt?” Curious, I stood from my seat, peering at her.
“My apologies for alarming Your Highness. It’s just an old injury flaring up. I’m fine now,” Claire said, waving it off and resuming her composed demeanor, though her tone carried a hint of hesitation. “But, Your Highness’s way of addressing me…?”
“Huh? Oh, that?”
I hadn’t thought much of it and stuck out my tongue.
“Since Sister Claire has helped me so much, calling you by name alone felt too disrespectful. So, Sophie-Lina took the liberty. You won’t blame me, will you?”
“Of course not. Whatever Your Highness prefers is fine,” Claire said, shaking her head firmly.
Though her expression remained stoic, it seemed to soften compared to before.
She’s actually pleased by my intentional closeness? What’s this woman thinking?
As I quietly speculated about her intentions, Claire’s mature, uniquely charismatic voice spoke again.
“Pardon my boldness, Your Highness Sophie-Lina, but do you have any plans next?”
Another attempt to get closer? But it’s a valid question.
I thought seriously for a moment.
There was still plenty of time before dinner, the dungeon needed no further tweaks, and there were no new tidbits on the Epoch forum.
…Log off to do summer homework?
I quickly shook my head, putting on a shy expression. “To be honest, I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I haven’t planned my next steps.”
“That’s alright… If Your Highness is willing, I could show you around the Radiant Monastery.” Claire’s tone held a subtle, restrained anticipation.
As a faction independent from the Radiant Church, the Radiant Monastery’s authority, though limited, rested in Claire’s hands.
She should naturally be wary of envoys from the Church.
Is this her way of showcasing the monastery’s formidable forces to warn me against any hidden schemes?
The earlier dark atmosphere was probably meant to pressure me too, I thought to myself.
But her offer to tour the place was a good opportunity.
It might allow me to gather intel on the Radiant Monastery, or even the Radiant Church, giving us an edge in future conflicts.
“What do you think, Hill?”
I turned to the silent figure beside me.
Having said nothing since we entered, acting the part of a perfect maid, Syl paused before replying coolly, “Your Highness may decide as you wish.”
On the open corridor connecting the council hall to the courtyard, I noticed the human wall formed by knights on both sides, and I couldn’t help but feel exasperated.
“Sister Claire, why bring so many people?”
“This is for Your Highness Sophie-Lina’s safety.”
So how dangerous is this monastery that a level 240 leader feels the need to prioritize safety?
Or is she suspicious of the Radiant Church’s envoy, assigning escorts under the guise of protection but actually for surveillance?
I pondered quietly.
“But these brothers and sisters have training and work to do. Sophie-Lina doesn’t want to inconvenience others because of her own matters.”
I shook my head, putting on a guilty expression.
What a considerate child, the surrounding Holy Knights thought.
“No need to worry, Your Highness. They’re… volunteers,” Claire said diplomatically, avoiding the truth.
Volunteers for such a thankless task? Who’d believe that?
I pursed my lips, silently considering how to phrase my point to make this upright knight understand my meaning.
Thankfully, Syl caught my drift.
“Lord Claire, while I understand your concern for Her Highness’s safety, doesn’t this feel less like a tour and more like a military march?”
“My apologies for the oversight.”
Claire wasn’t foolish, nor were the Holy Knights.
They understood the implication, instantly straightening up, silently vowing their posture had never been so perfect.
Even so, Claire singled out a few unlucky ones. “Jonson, Calvin, Mana, return to your training. Andrea, finish today’s quota tasks first…”
Under Claire’s unquestionable orders, the chosen knights left the group with crestfallen expressions, like laid-off workers.
No, wait, isn’t it more like sending overworked employees home to rest? Who gets excited about overtime?
Finally, with only four knights remaining, Claire turned her attention back.
But her next words made their briefly eased hearts leap again. “What does Miss Hill think of this arrangement?”
Syl glanced over, and the four knights tensed as if under a proctor’s scrutiny, though they didn’t know what a proctor was. Thankfully, Syl soon looked away.
But her next words sent their hearts on another rollercoaster. “Is Your Highness satisfied?”
Feeling the burning gazes behind me, I couldn’t help but find it amusing and decided not to drag this out. “Thank you, Sister Claire. I’d like to see what’s ahead.”
“Your Highness Sophie-Lina, Miss Hill, please follow me.”
Claire nodded, glancing back before leading the way.
The four knights finally exhaled, as if they’d survived a thrilling battle.
Seeing the now much lighter group, my mood brightened.
This setup would minimize my chances of slipping up while allowing me to investigate the monastery’s secrets more effectively.
***
Half an hour later, Claire looked at the loli behind her, who had intended to gather intel but now seemed too exhausted to walk, hesitating before speaking. “If Your Highness is tired, I can carry you.”
It sounds like concern, but is she looking down on me? How annoying.
“Thank you for your kindness, Sister Claire.”
Feeling underestimated, I refused firmly.
“My grandfather taught me never to give up easily, and this distance is nothing to me.”
Ten minutes later, the loli who’d boasted so boldly was nestled in the arms of the silver-haired nun.
She consoled herself with excuses: too much walking, this outfit drawing too much attention, the stress of being in enemy territory.
She used her last shred of shame to cover her sun-reddened cheeks.
Absolutely not because I’m embarrassed or anything.
Syl, who could clean the entire Demon King’s Castle in one go, walked steadily as if unaffected.
Claire seemed a bit disappointed, while the four knights behind stifled their chuckles at the scene.