29. I’ve Seen All Your Ancestors
The purpose of me and Kefir following Nilu here is to step in and resolve things the moment “unexpected trouble” arises, taking the place of Nilu, who must now disguise herself as a “pitiful and timid young maid.” So, without hesitation, I choose to confront them head-on.
Nilu takes a small step back, her eyes gradually lighting up with surprise, and at the same time, the script unfolds.
[Nilu is very touched!]
Touched my foot! Didn’t we agree on this beforehand? What I’m doing doesn’t even count as a hero saving a damsel in distress.
I don’t have time to know how Nilu perceives my appearance, but…
That Miss Jader and her entourage clearly see my act of standing up for the girl as meddling, and my earlier remark about “dark secrets” must have struck a nerve, prompting this young lady to rise, pushing her followers aside, and storming up to me.
“Dark secret? Where do you get the guts to call this a dark secret?”
As she speaks, she looks me up and down with evident disdain. Clearly, my appearance, figure, and the items I carry don’t meet her standards for attraction, and her attitude toward me quickly turns more contemptuous and dismissive.
“Who are you? What do you think you are, trying to stay in the city?”
When it comes to being brave and helping others, I usually don’t use the name Oujili De, but rather the name Red Scarf. However, before I could say anything, this Miss Jiadé had already threatened me.
“I’ll tell you this: don’t think you can just be a nuisance here. Aren’t you just trying to play the hero for a woman? I see you’re nothing more than a bear at best.”
【Kefier and Nilu wanted to scatter Jiadé’s ashes.】
Hold on, big shots, let’s just drop it; it’s not worth it. Isn’t all of this just for the plan?
After intimidating me, this young lady turned her gaze to Nilu, who was hiding behind me. She couldn’t see what kind of mood Nilu was in right now, only thinking that Nilu was scared.
This young lady’s style would definitely not end well in the Great Yīng Empire. Although the Great Yīng Empire isn’t without its share of arrogant behavior, there are strict expectations for the nobility. If caught, it’s one person ascending while the whole family perishes. Any noble with a bit of sense knows to keep a low profile in public.
However, the situation on the church side was far from good. At least this young lady showed no signs of restraint when she got arrogant. From her actions and demeanor, it seemed she was no stranger to such behavior.
“I’ll be blunt with you silly sweethearts: you should know that the ‘New Saintess’ has nothing to do with you. Stop being a nuisance and wasting my time with your noise. Go home and do what you’re supposed to do. Don’t be a toad dreaming of eating swan meat!”
With that, she casually snatched the registration forms from the other girls, crumpled them up, and threw them right at my face.
“And you, got it?”
“Xǐ Dǒng. But if this gets out, your reputation as a young lady might not be so good, right?”
I wanted to reason with her, to resolve this troublesome woman in the most peaceful way possible, but… it seemed she was the one who truly didn’t understand. As soon as I finished speaking, she looked at me and laughed as if I were an idiot.
“Hahaha! Are you some country bumpkin? Do you even know who I am?”
“…”
I fell silent, not because I was scared, but because…
This Miss Jiadé’s words sounded all too familiar. Ever since I clung to Kefier’s thigh, I had lost count of how many times I had heard similar things from encountering “little villains.” At this point, I didn’t even need to think to know what she would say next; my ears were practically calloused!
“Even among clergy in the church, there are ranks! My family has been outstanding high priests for three generations—people like you from the countryside will probably never even see them in your lifetime, let alone ask them any questions!”
Yes, yes, yes, alright, here we go again. Is this the third generation of ancestors? I’ve heard of families with more generations than yours; can’t you come up with something fresh?
Seeing that I didn’t respond, Miss Jiadé likely took my growing impatience as an unknown panic, and she began to flaunt and threaten even more in front of me, Nilu, and the other girls.
“Do you understand now? My family is a prestigious name in the church! My father is a key figure responsible for important matters within the church! You ordinary women have nothing to your names, yet you dare to sign up for the ‘New Saint’?”
“And you! Look at you, all sickly and weak, wanting to stand up for someone but lacking the guts! If you don’t want to be thrown out of the city, take those women behind you and scram! Is the Order Church a place where you can just come and make a ruckus?!”
I sighed inwardly.
Nilu’s disguise must not be exposed, and if Kfir and I could avoid drawing attention, we certainly didn’t want to take any risks. If it came down to it, we could come back at a different time, quietly signing Nilu up for the selection when this Lady Jader wasn’t around. Better to be cautious, right? After all, I’m used to being a dead pig that’s not afraid of boiling water; a few of her taunts wouldn’t faze me.
But just as I was thinking this, my script… revealed something surprising, no, I should say delightful!
【Lady Jader’s family is a member of a certain faction within the Order Church!】
Hiss… This young lady’s background is related to the church’s “factions”!?
“Hmph! Are you stunned? Hey, throw this cowardly bumpkin out of here; he’s dirtying my eyes!”
Hiss… Ha, hahaha! What a delightful surprise, finding something without even trying! I was just fretting over how to get Nilu signed up for the Saint selection and how to continue approaching the church’s “insider” matters, and here I am, stumbling upon a golden opportunity!
Isn’t this a ready-made chance!?
“Ha… hahaha!”
How much time does this save me from scouring the script for clues? My dear, Nilu, I’m truly overjoyed right now!
“Tsk, fool!”
One of the extras immediately obeyed Lady Jader’s command, cursing me as he prepared to drag me out, but…
My strange reaction had already sent a “signal” to Nilu.
After all, we were here to sign up. If we couldn’t complete this plan peacefully and had to resort to force, then…
We would resolve it in the quickest, most discreet way possible!
This was my reminder to Nilu, and indeed, she had the capability to do just that!
A spark of fire quietly shot from Nilu’s eyes, and in the next moment!
The extra who had just intended to charge at me suddenly altered his outstretched hand!
【Smack】
Then, a crisp and resounding slap was delivered to the face of her master—Miss Jader!