A Bishop’s Apprehension and a Cultist’s Capture

While it would have been disingenuous to claim she wasn’t happy about becoming a bishop, Yelica found herself consumed by a greater sense of apprehension.

“Can I truly fulfill the duties of a bishop?”

“It’s quite alright. In terms of strength alone, you’ve already met the threshold for promotion. As for experience, social acumen, and connections, those are things you can cultivate over time.

“I may be getting on in years, but I’m hardly at death’s door. You still have ample time to grow, and should any difficulties arise during this period, I will be here to shoulder them.”

The Archbishop’s comforting words significantly eased Yelica’s mind. To become a bishop, much like Sasha, had long been her cherished dream; yet, its sudden realization had caught her entirely off guard, leaving her utterly unprepared.

By the time the carriage returned to the church, it was already midday. After hastily combining her breakfast and lunch, Yelica carried a large wooden box back to her bedroom.

With eager anticipation, she lifted the lid. Nestled within, a nun’s habit lay meticulously folded, its dominant black hue elegantly complemented by silver ornaments and intricate patterns. The fabric itself was remarkably smooth and delicate, boasting a superior quality and a silky touch that shimmered with a lustrous sheen.

Casting aside her outer garments, Yelica hastily slipped into her new attire, then bounced excitedly towards the full-length mirror.

Indeed, she was now adorned in the Chant Church’s bishop uniform. Unlike a conventional nun’s habit, this distinguished garment boasted intricate patterns woven with silver thread and emanated a golden divine radiance. Hidden within its folds were numerous magic arrays, meticulously designed to bolster both defensive capabilities and spiritual prowess.

Before the full-length mirror, Yelica turned this way and that, spinning around, admiring her reflection in the bishop’s habit, a silly grin plastered across her face.

“Ehehehehe… Bishop… Bishop Yelica… Lady Cooper… Ehehehe…”

After a prolonged session of self-admiration, Yelica, still clad in her new vestments, flopped back onto her bed with a contented sigh.

Come to think of it, precisely three weeks prior, she had found herself in a similar position, sprawled on her bed.

However, that previous occasion had been immediately after receiving a curse, leaving her utterly despondent, convinced her life was ruined, and retreating to her bed in self-imposed isolation.

Yet, barely a month had elapsed. How had ‘ruined’ somehow morphed into ‘becoming a bishop’?

Pondering this, Yelica executed a ‘salted fish flip’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term referring to an unmotivated, lazy turn, often implying a change in mood or situation), rolling onto her back to face the ceiling as she plunged into thought.

Ultimately, almost every significant event she had encountered over the past month had, in some way, revolved around Yodel.

The rescue of the mother and daughter had stemmed entirely from Yodel’s intelligence. Yelica had merely dispatched a single horse, yet Yodel had skillfully maneuvered all the credit for the heroic act onto her shoulders.

During the confrontation with that Baldy (TL Note: Refers to a zombie-like creature, often used colloquially), it was unequivocally Yodel who had faced the enemy head-on, bearing the brunt of the danger. She had merely swooped in at the very end to “snatch a kill” (TL Note: A gaming term for getting the killing blow, often implying little effort for a kill), yet the ultimate commendation still fell to her.

Even today’s operation, the most pivotal intelligence had been furnished by Yodel. She had simply cast a minor Holy Light spell, yet she had garnered the primary credit, received commendations, and was subsequently elevated directly to bishop.

So, it seemed that by simply following Yodel, she had done virtually nothing, yet every conceivable benefit had somehow fallen into her lap?

Aside from her own foolish misstep, “courting death” (TL Note: A slang term for deliberately doing something risky or foolish) by disrespecting someone’s memories and consequently getting apprehended by their superior, she had, by and large, been the sole beneficiary!

This effortless existence, characterized by minimal mental exertion, light duties, and abundant rewards, caused two words to surface involuntarily in Yelica’s mind:

‘Slack off’

After all, following Yodel invariably meant a life of plenty.

Yelica felt as though she had just unearthed a fundamental principle.

****

That afternoon, the quartet reconvened at the Chant Church, though it was Yelica who had summoned them this time.

The three gentlemen immediately noticed Yelica’s new attire. While still a nun’s habit, its distinct style set it apart from any other clergy member within the church, making it truly unique.

“Is this new habit…?”

“Ehehe, a surprise, isn’t it? I’ve been promoted! From now on, you may address me as Bishop Yelica.”

Yodel thoughtfully stroked his chin, observing, “Hmm, congratulations are certainly in order, but I can’t shake the feeling that your smile holds a hint of obsequiousness.”

“Nonsense, that’s merely your imagination.” Yelica’s smile broadened even further. She stepped closer, taking Yodel’s arm, and spoke with an air of eager accomplishment:

“I also have some excellent news: Fuli Aiwen has been apprehended. We’ve confirmed her involvement with the Eternal Life Society, and she’s currently detained here in the church. Would you care to see her?”

“Truly?” Yodel was overcome with delight. To have this individual, who held such prejudice against Yali, removed from the school was, quite naturally, the most favorable outcome imaginable.

Furthermore, he hadn’t anticipated that, after only a week’s interval, new leads concerning the Eternal Life Society would resurface.

“Lead me to her.”

Deep within the church’s basement, in the familiar interrogation room, the quartet observed Fuli Aiwen, who was now handcuffed to a chair.

However, the moment she caught sight of Yodel entering behind Yelica, her pupils constricted sharply.

“You’re that girl’s brother? What are you doing here? Wait… could it be that you orchestrated today’s events?”

Upon hearing this, Lauren and Collins exchanged bewildered glances. They were complete outsiders to the Yali matter, still utterly perplexed by the unfolding events, understanding only that the woman before them appeared to harbor some significant animosity towards Yodel.

As for Yodel, he merely smiled broadly. “Oh, listen to yourself,” he chuckled. “How could I possibly command the Church? I’m merely a conscientious citizen reporting a cultist, nothing more.”

Fuli Aiwen, however, dismissed Yodel’s words as utter falsehoods. What “conscientious citizen” possessed the influence to compel Archbishop Sasha himself to conduct a raid?

If that were truly the case, then Yodel’s influence was astonishingly vast, capable of moving even the Archbishop to personally intervene and grant him such deference.

Hadn’t it been said that the girl named Yali was merely a commoner? How, then, could her brother possess such an alarming background?

The trouble she had stirred up yesterday had now, today, ensnared her in their grasp.

As catastrophe loomed, the mere recollection of how she had once callously reopened Yali’s emotional wounds sent shivers of dread down her spine.

“Um, I deeply regret my previous offenses. I offer my apologies to your esteemed sister…”

‘Hah, I must admit, I rather preferred your defiant demeanor from earlier.’

“Given my sister’s inherently kind disposition, I daresay she would indeed accept your apology. Therefore, I shall accept your sentiments of regret on her behalf.”

Perceiving a slight softening in Yodel’s demeanor, Fuli Aiwen clutched at this glimmer of hope like a drowning person grasping a straw. “Then, if that’s the case, might it be possible for you to…”

“However! While my sister may have forgiven you, I certainly have not…”

“Furthermore, I also harbor a small grievance against your Eternal Life Society.”

The flicker of hope that had just ignited vanished instantly, plunging Fuli Aiwen into a despair as chilling as an ice cavern.

“Therefore, I sincerely hope that when you confront the inquisitor’s interrogation, you will maintain the same defiant spirit you displayed when facing my sister. With that, I bid you farewell.”

“Wait!”

Seeing Yodel about to depart, Fuli Aiwen struggled desperately to rise, but the well-trained cleric behind her firmly pressed her head down onto the table.

Yodel exited without a backward glance, and Yelica followed suit. Before her departure, she subtly gestured to the cleric assigned to the interrogation.

The cleric immediately responded, “Understood, Your Grace. We shall commence the interrogation without delay.”

Yodel, walking ahead, heard every word distinctly. He knew, unequivocally, that given the Chant Church’s uncompromising stance on cultists, Fuli Aiwen would assuredly face the punishment she deserved.

His only remaining task was to await the outcome of the interrogation.

At this juncture, Lauren, who had remained utterly bewildered throughout the entire exchange, stepped forward, his face etched with confusion as he spoke:

“Could either of you two kindly explain what just transpired? What is the matter with that woman?”