About the church's secrets, the fact that she was a fabricated saint, and that all her childhood memories were crafted.

Faybi wasn’t supposed to know any of this.

Even if she did find out, it was something she would have only realized a year or two later—when she had developed her talents enough to break through the church’s brainwashing.

By then, even if Faybi uncovered the truth, the church wouldn’t be able to act recklessly. By that point, the presence of Faybi, having awakened as a true saint, would have grown too great for the church to suppress.

But that time hasn’t come yet.

Faybi is still weak.

She’s questioning herself and even doubting her faith, to the point where she’s making mistakes while purifying dungeon bosses at the Academy. She is still someone the church could erase at any moment.

No matter how great her aura seems on the outside, what good is it if it’s hollow within?

One wrong move and a ‘tragic accident’ could happen.

That’s why Faybi must remain silent.

Even if this situation goes against her beliefs, she needs to keep her mouth shut.

Until the moment the church can no longer touch her.

And now, it’s my job to persuade Faybi to stay quiet.

“Will I be able to do this properly?”

I wasn’t confident that I could pull this off.

The first issue is my Mesugaki skill’s way of talking.

No matter what I say, I can’t predict how it will be twisted once it’s translated into Mesugaki speak.

In some cases, the meaning might get completely distorted.

Well, this is something I can manage if I use the skill carefully, but there’s a bigger problem.

Faybi’s personality.

Nobody in the Soul Academy community denied that Faybi was a saint.

Even though being called a saint often invites suspicion, no one questioned her.

What does that mean? It means that Faybi isn’t just a simple good-hearted person.

Only being good isn’t enough to be called a saint.

For an ordinary believer or priest, being kind may suffice, but not for a saint.

The face of the church, the representative of God, must be different.

They need unshakeable conviction and the kind of stubbornness that will push them through any hardship or trial to achieve righteousness.

In the game, Faybi was that kind of person.

Even when she knew her life was at risk, she stood in the capital, condemning the church without hesitation. How could she lack conviction?

The current Faybi may be different from the one in the game, but I don’t believe her core has changed.

Right now, she’s pretending not to know anything because I, the one who saved her, told her to wait. But if I fail to persuade her, Faybi will likely…

<“Don’t worry.”>

As I reflexively imagined the worst-case scenario, my grandfather’s voice, unusually serious, cut through my thoughts.

<“You prepared so diligently yesterday. Everything will be fine.”>

He’s usually just an annoying nag, but...

Yes.

For once, he’s got the aura of the hero, Luel. He’s actually reassuring.

But I don’t want to admit that.

If I do, he’ll get cocky and start spouting nonsense again.

“Was that really preparation? All I remember is getting beaten up.”

<“I racked my brain so hard, and you say you’ve forgotten it all?!”>

“Yes! So, please give me some good advice!”

<“...Sigh. Child, you know being called an idiot isn’t a compliment nowadays, right?”>

“You talk like it used to be!”

<...>

I responded with a laugh, thinking he was joking, but my grandfather fell silent.

Wait... what? Was he serious? Was there really a time when being called an idiot was a compliment?

<“Child, do you know why chivalry was created?”>

“No, why?”

<“To plead with the thick-headed knights who lived like orcs and trolls to use their brains for once.”>

His words, tinged with deep resentment, echoed from a distant era.

Finding Faybi at the Academy wasn’t hard.

With her beautiful appearance and striking figure, combined with her angelic personality, she was treated like the Academy’s idol.

No matter where she went, Faybi was always surrounded by people. Ask anyone, and they’d immediately tell you where she was.

She’s like the opposite of me.

While no one dares approach me because of my terrifying reputation, I stand out enough that if anyone asks, “Where’s Lucy?” they’ll get an answer right away.

How do I know? Frey found me like that last time.

I still remember her flat, annoyed face as she said, “Everyone’s very interested in you.”

And today, once again, Faybi was surrounded by a group of people.

She didn’t discriminate between commoners and nobles, priests and non-believers, or even age differences. Faybi could connect with them all.

Meanwhile, I’m like a centrifuge.

I can make everyone scatter in different directions.

“Excuse me, everyone. Could you move aside?”

“What are you insects doing, crowding around like pests? Clear out while I’m being nice.”

As soon as I said those words, people began backing away, starting from the outer edges.

At first, I was shocked by this sight, but now I understand the uncomfortable expressions on their faces.

Nobody wants to mess with someone as crazy as me, who might charge at them if they step out of line.

A few people, however, still stood in front of Faybi, as if protecting her.

Do they really think I’d harm her?

That’s just unfair.

I mean, do they even know the real Lucy Alrn? I’m quite a reasonable person now.

It’s not like I’ve never worked with Faybi before.

There’s probably even word going around that I helped her out last time. Why would I hurt her?

Also, I’m a holy knight! A holy knight, just like Faybi!

Do you think a person from the Holy Church would harm a saint?

Huh?!

“Everyone, could you please move aside?”

“But, Saint...”

“Don’t worry. Lady Alrn is not the kind of person you should be concerned about.”

The wary eyes that had been glaring at me softened as soon as Faybi spoke.

Stepping past the acquaintances who had been blocking her, Faybi approached me with her usual flawless smile.

“Hello, Lady Alrn.”

‘Hello, Faybi.’

“Hey there, worthless saint.”

As the words “worthless saint” slipped from my lips, the murmuring around us grew louder.

I wasn’t bothered by it since this kind of thing happens every day, but Faybi seemed different.

She momentarily averted her gaze, surveying the people around us, before flashing a gentle smile.

“Everyone, bad language isn’t nice.”

“Uh, I...”

“We’re sorry...”

“We apologize, Saint.”

Hearing Faybi’s gentle warning, people mumbled praises about how kind-hearted she was.

Is this the difference in behavior? If I said the same thing, I would’ve been dragged through the mud.

Did Faybi just give me a sharp look just now?

No, it’s probably just my imagination.

Yeah, definitely just my imagination.

There’s no way Faybi would ever make such a face.

“I apologize for the commotion, Lady Alrn.”

‘It’s fine, Faybi. But more importantly...’

“Never mind that. It’s not the first time these worthless scrubs have squealed like pigs. More importantly, worthless saint, do you have time? I have something to talk about, just the two of us.”

“Of course.”

The crowd seemed uneasy about my request for a private conversation, but Faybi’s earlier words had kept them silent.

I brought Faybi back to my dorm, where I noticed the vain fox was still sleeping peacefully on my bed.

That little thing is still sleeping? It turns into a baby fox, and now it’s acting like one too?

Well, joking aside, I understood why it slept so much.

The vain fox had already been weakened after taking on its current form.

On top of that, forming a contract with someone as weak as me had drained most of its remaining strength, so it had to conserve its energy for important moments.

Honestly, it wasn’t bad for me, either.

Though it’s annoying at times, it’s still a cute fox. Not bad for decoration, right?

Of course, not now.

I have to talk about serious matters with Faybi—about gods and churches. I can’t let it stay here.

I grabbed the vain fox by the scruff of its neck, and it sluggishly opened its eyes.

“Huh? What...”

Without a second thought, I tossed it out of the room.

Ignoring its confused blinking from outside, I locked the door, and Faybi stood there, staring blankly at the spot where the vain fox had been.

“Is that...”

‘That’s not important right now.’

“Worthless saint, it’s none of your concern.”

“...Okay.”

Yeah, you’re right, Faybi. But don’t worry.

That fox is way more useless than you’d think.

After sitting Faybi on the bed, I pulled out a Silence Scroll from my inventory and activated it.

For a while, this room would be completely soundproof.

No matter what I say—whether it's cursing the church, badmouthing the Academy professors, or calling the Holy God a useless perverted pedophile...

Actually, scratch that last part. That one would definitely bring retaliation. That god is incredibly petty.

Do you know what I got as a reward for completing the “Past Revelation” quest?

[Tip: Benedict will allow most things if you call him ‘Papa’.]

Can you believe that garbage? It’s too much!

Huge risk, and this is the reward?!

Even if I did insult him by comparing him to an evil god, holding a grudge and seeking revenge is just...

What kind of Holy God is that? What a lame god! More like Holy Loser!

“It’s a Silence Scroll.”

I guess Faybi recognized it immediately. She knew what it was for.

That’s convenient—less explaining for me.

<“Alright, proceed as we discussed yesterday.”>

‘Understood.’

After taking a deep breath, I pulled up a chair and sat across from Faybi.

I locked eyes with her, staring straight ahead as if I were going to devour her.

Calmly, I crossed my legs, unbothered by her gaze.

‘First of all...’

“First, let me say this: Worthless Saint, all the worthless information you’ve got? I already know it.”

I revealed everything Faybi had learned from her memories.

That she was created by the church.

That the upper echelon of the Holy Church was corrupt.

I listed off all the knowledge she might have uncovered as she regained her memories.

I expected her to show some shock, but Faybi just listened quietly, as if it wasn’t surprising that I knew these things.

It’s like she didn’t find it strange that I knew all this.

‘Grandpa! She’s reacting totally different than I expected!’

<“What does it matter? It’s easier when they accept things quickly.”>

‘But still!’

When your opponent reacts outside of the expected options, it throws everything off!

Even as I internally whined to my grandfather, I continued laying out everything.

When I finished, Faybi, who had been listening silently, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then, with her bright golden eyes, she looked straight at me and spoke.

“Do you know all this because you are an Apostle of Armadi, Lady Alrn?”

...What?

Huh?

Wait, Faybi...

That was supposed to be my line!