35. The Filthy Physical Relationship

In such a setting, Nilu and I had no second choice. If we were to come up with some strange excuse to decline or refuse to go for the “interview,” I feared that Nilu would lose even the chance to face the test next, and would have already been “passed” over by the other party!

So, even though I clearly understood from the script that this second round of selection was a shady scheme orchestrated by Lady Jia’s father, I had no choice but to accompany Nilu to face the “test.”

At this moment, inside the room, as Nilu took her seat in what appeared to be a “formal interview” setting, I stood beside her. The action of Father Jia closing the door directly obscured everything that the other candidates for the Saintess could see from the hall outside!

The new candidates for the Saintess coming in one by one to face the test was mostly just a grand facade; Father Jia’s intention was merely to pull these candidates in one by one, then take them down individually, ultimately allowing his precious daughter to pass without question.

Sure enough, when Father Jia closed the door and returned to sit opposite Nilu, he and his lackeys immediately cast a significant “pressure of gaze” upon us.

[Father Jia wants Nilu to choose to withdraw from the Saintess selection.]

The script appeared, and trouble indeed came.

“This candidate for the Saintess, please state your name.”

“I… I am Nilu.”

Nilu could surely sense the other party’s unfriendly attitude, but she managed to maintain a “nervous” demeanor, handing over the invitation that contained her selection information.

“Hmm… Miss Nilu, is it?”

As a result, Father Jia, upon receiving the invitation, didn’t even bother to look at it properly; he merely glanced at it hastily before tossing it aside. I certainly didn’t miss this seemingly casual action, which indicated that this background character had never intended to conduct a serious “test” for the candidates!

And since he didn’t plan to use underhanded tactics in the test, his methods were likely even more crude than I had imagined; he was probably preparing to “coerce and entice” instead.

As I expected, the man in charge didn’t conduct any “assessment” on Nilu at all; instead, his gaze… turned towards me.

“So, may I ask, what is your relationship with the man following you?”

“He…”

“I am her employer!”

Fearing that Nilu might deliberately make our relationship sound too strange, I quickly interjected to explain, “She works as a maid in my household; she’s just a country girl here for work.”

Weak and nervous, I looked completely inexperienced, and combined with Nilu’s maid outfit, my words should have posed no problem. However, the cold smirk from the man made me realize: he seemed to be waiting for my acknowledgment.

If I remember correctly, the church had no specific regulations regarding the professions of the candidates for the saintess selection; it was simply “any woman can apply.” Yet, this man had caught onto the oddities in the relationship Nilu and I were trying to disguise.

“So, you mean to say it’s a master-servant relationship?”

He crossed his arms, appearing confident, and lowered his head with a smile. “I suspect it’s more than that, isn’t it?”

“Wh… what do you mean!?”

“You have a romantic relationship, don’t you!?”

The script unfolded, and this man directly revealed the “secret” hidden in the facade of my relationship with Nilu!

【The man has detected the true relationship between Oujili and Nilu!】

“I can’t be bothered to explain how significant it is that you’re hiding such matters. However, during our continued selection of the saintess, we absolutely cannot accept a woman like you, Miss Nilu, who has already engaged in a romantic relationship with her employer.”

I immediately shouted out!

“But the selection criteria don’t state that such women cannot be chosen! Clearly, you’re just looking for trouble!”

“Looking for trouble!? Hmph, that’s only if you’re worthy! Kid, do you know what a saintess means to the church!? She is the messenger of the goddess, conveying the goddess’s will. Even if you don’t understand, you should know from the literal meaning: a saintess must be pure!”

With a slam of his hand on the table, accompanied by his entourage, he displayed an overwhelming presence, threatening us!

“Since we are selecting a new saintess, we won’t discuss it beforehand! However, Miss Nilu, you’ve already passed the first round of selection. As a candidate for the saintess, you should have some awareness and dignity regarding your identity. How dare you engage in such intimate romantic contact with your employer? This is not just a matter of disqualification; according to the church’s laws, as a member of the clergy, you might even face confinement!”

Such a blatant threat would surely terrify “fragile” Nilu!

However, when I looked at Nilu, she… didn’t react!?

In my line of sight, Nilu stood still, and it wouldn’t be quite right to say she was stunned, as there seemed to be a hint of a smile on her face.

Hey, Nilu, don’t let these background characters scare you into forgetting your disguise! Just as I was about to quietly remind Nilu, the script content that followed revealed her true thoughts.

[Nilu misunderstood her relationship with O’Jili and felt happy about it.]

…

You… you’re way too easy to fool.

I sighed inwardly. While it could be said that Nilu was “stunned,” I couldn’t give up on my side.

“You… you’re talking nonsense! She and I are just a master and servant, there’s nothing more to it!”

I put on a surprised expression and shouted, “Do you have any evidence!?”

“Evidence? Hmph, we have plenty.”

With a sneer, Jiadad seemed to have caught my weak point. “A few days ago, when you two went out, didn’t you sneak off to a deserted place to engage in disgraceful acts!?”

“Uh!?”

“Under the broad daylight, you could indulge in such matters between men and women, yet you still have the audacity to claim that your private relationship is merely a normal employment one!?”

“W-wait… how do you know that!?”

“The Church knows everything!”

Jiadad proudly lifted his head. “Whatever you two have done is all known to our Church. Now, Miss Nilu, I advise you to give up this pointless struggle. You can no longer become a candidate for the Saint! From now on, remain silent and don’t say anything you shouldn’t. Considering that you two have indeed qualified for the first round, our Church can still offer you a little financial compensation!”

Immediately after, the aggressive stance turned towards Nilu.

“If you two still don’t recognize the situation, and even go around spreading rumors, don’t think you can escape our Church’s ‘ears and eyes.’ At that point, whatever shameful things happen between you two will no longer be your secret.”

“Withdraw quickly, and don’t think about competing for the ‘New Saint,’ understand, Miss Nilu?”