Anlis instantly abandoned the idea of asking the two for help in dealing with the Demon King.
These two archbishops looked quite powerful, but their levels weren’t even half of the Demon King’s.
Revealing the truth would only alert the enemy and cause unnecessary trouble.
Better to let them continue believing the Demon King was the Saintess for now.
Being kept in the dark was still better than being like her—knowing the truth but powerless to do anything.
“Sigh.“
Anlis sighed helplessly. She truly wished someone could share her burden. This feeling of having to carry it all alone was truly unpleasant.
“Hero, why do you look so disappointed?”
Glen looked quite hurt, thinking Anlis’s disappointment stemmed from seeing his level.
His strength wasn’t earth-shattering, but it was enough to suppress a nation. Wherever he went, people treated his power with utmost respect.
Why did it seem so inadequate in this Hero’s eyes?
“Ah, no, it’s just… I feel lost about my own future. Both of you are top-tier, peerless powerhouses. Naturally, I admire and envy you.”
Anlis quickly snapped back to attention, forcing a smile to cover up her true feelings.
“Is that so? Hero, you mustn’t underestimate yourself. As the Hero, your growth rate has always been astonishing. As long as you work hard and strive, within three years, you will surely grow strong enough to confront the Demon King head-on.”
He wasn’t speaking idly. The growth trajectories of all historical Heroes were meticulously recorded.
Even though the path was paved with thorns, their speed of growth was always something ordinary people could never hope to match.
This was the heaven-bestowed [Hero].
“Is that so…”
Anlis’s smile was strained.
“Why do you seem to lack confidence? Believe it. In three years, you and the Saintess will surely join forces and vanquish that evil Demon King with your swords.”
A three-year deadline?
If only that could be true.
Right now, the Demon King was hiding in disguise right beside her. Any trump cards she had, any progress she made, would all be under the Demon King’s watchful eye.
The Demon King wouldn’t give her the chance to grow.
Although her level had reached 34 after all that earlier commotion…
Well, Anlis’s thoughts were pessimistic, yet a tiny, stubborn hope still flickered deep in her heart.
One couldn’t live their entire life under the Demon King’s shadow.
Defeat the Demon King in three years?
Just as Anlis was about to ask if there were any secret methods to get stronger, a clear, melodious female voice suddenly came from outside the door.
That signature scent of roses faintly drifted into everyone’s nostrils.
“Three years? What three years?”
Anlis instantly tensed, almost subconsciously switching to her disguise mode, thoroughly masking the melancholy, confusion, and wariness in her heart.
Vylian stepped through the door, wearing a gentle, appropriate smile, her gaze almost immediately landing on Anlis’s face.
“Ah, Saintess, you’ve returned. By the way, where did you go earlier?”
Hearing Vylian’s voice, Archbishop Glen immediately turned around, beaming with joy.
Vylian gave a slight bow in response. “I went out for a stroll. The room was a bit stuffy, so I went to get some fresh air.”
“I see.”
Glen nodded, not pressing further.
“By the way, what did you all mean by ‘three years’ just now~?”
Vylian’s gaze slowly swept over everyone, bringing the topic back.
Anlis wanted to stop Glen from explaining further, but she had only lifted her foot halfway before forcefully pulling it back.
“Oh, that’s about the time it will take for the Hero to grow to a level sufficient to defeat the Demon King.”
“Just three years! In three years, the Hero will surely strike down the Demon King.”
“Is that so~”
Vylian unconsciously drew out her tone, her voice still gentle.
But Anlis inexplicably felt a gaze as sharp as a hawk’s, carrying a heart-palpitating sense of evil and pressure.
She instinctively looked, but only saw Vylian’s gentle, water-like eyes, clear and pure.
This seemingly saintly, light-like young girl slowly swept her gaze over everyone present and smiled sweetly.
“I understand. Everyone, rest assured. Over these three years, I will take good~ and careful~ care to assist the Hero’s growth. I absolutely will not let you down.”
In the ears of Lisina, Bolai, and the two archbishops, this was the Saintess’s promise, filled with determination and resolve.
Truly worthy of the Saintess.
The Saintess really is a good girl.
But Anlis stiffened all over, barely managing to suppress a cry.
In her ears, Vylian’s gentle words sounded as if she were saying:
“If Anlis really can grow to a level where she can oppose the Demon King in three years, I will absolutely, without mercy, kill her beforehand.”
Just as Anlis’s thoughts were thrown into chaos, someone gently nudged her elbow. Looking up, she met her mother’s eyes, brimming with joy.
“Anlis, you should say a few words too. Don’t disappoint the Saintess’s kindness.”
Anlis was completely dumbfounded.
What could she say?
Say, “Please go easy on me, Demon King. My talent is terrible. There’s absolutely no way I can defeat you in three years”?
Ahem.
Even though she was utterly unwilling in her heart, Anlis could only force herself to put on a happy and sincere expression.
“Yes, I definitely won’t let everyone down. Sister Nun, oh no, I should call you Saintess. Please take good care of me.”
Anlis maintained her smile, directing it at Vylian with honey-like sincerity.
But just then, an untimely question arose.
“Huh? Hero, did you not know Vylian was the Saintess from the start? Can’t you see what her Class is?”
The one asking curiously was Archbishop Glen.
Suddenly, the entire room fell into an eerie silence.
Anlis’s heart leapt into her throat. She glanced at Glen, her gaze filled with indescribable complexity.
‘What a useless teammate! An absolutely useless teammate!’
‘Why couldn’t you just watch quietly?’
‘Was this really a place that needed questioning?’
The reason she changed from “Sister Nun” to “Saintess” was just because she was used to the former address, and changing it would seem more natural.
But who would have thought Glen’s innocent question would expose the flaw, pushing her into a dilemma.
Anlis faintly felt Vylian’s gaze on her growing increasingly dangerous, the hidden pressure becoming more and more intense.
‘I’m dead, I’m dead!’
Suddenly, inspiration struck Anlis. She put on a confused and flustered expression.
“Huh? Saintess… isn’t that what you all call her? I only see her Class as Nun. I thought you had some method of confirming she’s the Saintess.”
This was called shifting the contradiction.
After all, that was the fact. The Demon King Vylian had disguised her own Class as Nun. If she stubbornly insisted on Saintess, the flaws would be glaring.
Sure enough, the scrutinizing gazes receded like a tide. Vylian was also taken aback, then met the two bishops’ puzzled looks.