The scene in the council hall was somewhat different from what I had imagined, or rather, it was hard to believe that a monastery devoted to the Holy Light would present such a sight.
Heavy curtains blocked out the sunlight, while dimly lit candles hung on the walls, their faint glow burning in the dark hall, creating an even more somber atmosphere.
In the shadows beyond the candlelight, people seemed to be seated on both sides, whispering and discussing something.
Though I couldn’t see clearly, the moment I stepped into the council hall, I could feel all eyes focusing on Syl and me—or rather, mostly on me.
It was like being watched by beasts lurking in the shadows, and combined with the oppressive atmosphere, it gave off an inexplicably tense feeling.
I instinctively leaned closer to Syl, muttering in a voice only we could hear.
“This feels scarier than the Demon King’s Castle.”
Syl kept her gaze forward, her cool, unwavering voice ringing out across the hall, directed at the tall figure seated at the head.
“Her Highness Sophie-Lina comes bearing Bishop White Lion’s decree with no ill intent. There’s no need for Lord Claire to pressure us with such tactics.”
“My deepest apologies. My subordinates and I are accustomed to this environment and didn’t realize it would discomfort Your Highness Sophie-Lina and Miss Hill.”
The woman with long black hair at the head of the hall spoke with genuine remorse, her low, magnetic voice conveying sincerity.
She rose from her seat and descended the steps. The people on both sides of the hall followed, extinguishing the wall candles and pulling back the curtains.
As sunlight poured in, illuminating the hall in radiant splendor, the woman reached us.
In the bright light, I could finally see her clearly. While not strikingly beautiful, her sharp brows and angular features lent her a heroic charm.
It was hard to imagine someone like her feeling at ease in such a dim setting, let alone calling it “habitual.”
Yet, in my past life, I knew little about the Radiant Monastery and even less about its leader, Claire. It wasn’t impossible for someone in her position to have peculiar tastes.
“I am Claire. It is the honor of my life to meet you, Your Highness Sophie-Lina. Praise the Holy Light.”
Though Claire’s name sounded masculine, as the sole daughter of an ancient Holy Knight family, even a name like Lancelot wouldn’t be surprising. If anything, it added a unique allure.
But I hadn’t expected her to kneel on one knee before me, reciting “Praise the Holy Light” while gently kissing my hand.
Her sincere tone held no trace of pretense, only a subtle, suppressed hint of excitement.
Something’s off.
I sensed something strange. My identity as a Saintess candidate shouldn’t warrant such reverence from the Radiant Monastery’s leader.
Recalling Syl’s warning that the Radiant Monastery, independent from the Radiant Church and established in the Alwyn Empire, wasn’t led by someone easily fooled, could this be a test?
I grew quietly wary, but I had to respond appropriately to her courtesy.
With that in mind, I adopted the innocent Saintess demeanor Syl had instructed, offering a gentle smile. “You’re too kind, Lord Claire.”
Likewise, Claire performed a knightly salute to Syl, though less formally than with me. While this could be due to our differing statuses, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being treated specially.
After the formalities, Claire dismissed the others, leaving Syl and me to move to a reception room beside the council hall.
“The last time we hosted an envoy from the Radiant Church was over a year ago. May I ask what brings Your Highness Sophie-Lina here on Bishop White Lion’s orders?”
“Lord Claire…”
“Please, Your Highness, just call me Claire. No need for formality.”
You’re the one being overly formal here.
Looking at the stoic female knight, I couldn’t help but want to retort. If she’s trying to build rapport for some hidden motive, why still insist on my formal title?
But it wasn’t worth dwelling on such details—especially to avoid accusations of padding the word count—so I let it go.
“Then I’ll take the liberty, Claire. Are you aware of any unusual activity around the Zekara Mountains recently?”
Claire pondered briefly, her sharp memory quickly recalling a recent report. “Soma Town has recently requested personnel from the Radiant Monastery to guard the Black Prison Forest. Is that what Your Highness refers to?”
“Yes, the Black Prison Forest has undergone strange changes. I’m not entirely clear on the details, only that it involves something demonic. The Radiant Church’s envoy in the Gruin Region reported this to my grandfather, and since I needed to undertake training, he entrusted this matter to me.”
I briefly described the situation in the Black Prison Forest, laying out a clear and logical explanation, carefully prepared in advance.
Though decades had passed since the war between the dark and bright factions, and the empires of the continent had enjoyed peace for years, demonic remnants still posed threats to the bright faction. Triss was one such example.
At the mention of demons, Claire’s demeanor grew serious. “I’ll summon personnel tomorrow to accompany Your Highness to the Black Prison Forest to investigate the anomaly.”
The Radiant Monastery’s knights and clergy were generally above level 160, with elites even higher, and Claire herself was a level 240 hero. Only trainees or new recruits were lower-leveled.
With that kind of power, you’d probably obliterate the dungeon I worked so hard to create.
“No, my grandfather instructed us not to alert the enemy.”
I hadn’t expected Claire to take this so seriously and quickly shook my head, offering a plausible excuse.
Claire paused, then asked, “My apologies for the oversight. What is Your Highness’s plan?”
I quietly sighed in relief. Hearing Claire’s question, I feigned hesitation. “I do have a plan, but Sophie-Lina may need some assistance.”
“It would be the Radiant Monastery’s honor to aid Your Highness.”
“Thank you so much!”
My heart bloomed with joy, but I kept my expression restrained, quickly presenting my prepared proposal.
Since we couldn’t risk alerting the enemy, we’d have adventurers search for demonic elements in the Black Prison Forest. In exchange, the Radiant Monastery could provide standard-issue equipment.
In game terms, this was essentially an exchange system: using Demon Black Soil, a dungeon reward I’d set, to trade for Radiant Monastery gear.
This way, the abundant Demon Black Soil around the Demon King’s Castle would gain immense value.
In simpler terms, this strategy was called—
Sponsoring.