LGHTNOVELBOOK chapter 258
Chapter 258. Also a Heretic, but a Different Kind of Heretic
The next morning, Noah accompanied Clotilde back to the Water City.
As soon as she returned, she naturally couldn’t wait to rush back to the Water City Cathedral.
And when she saw Sister Belinda, who was as usual performing her duties as a nun, helping the believers.
She didn’t forget her manners, despite being very anxious, she waited patiently to the side until the other was free before immediately approaching her.
“Sister Belinda, how is Sister Hilda’s condition? Which room is she in now?”
Although she tried her best to remain calm, some worry was still visible on Clotilde’s beautiful face.
As long as things weren’t related to Noah or her l*st patterns, she would always behave very diligently as a nun.
This was clearly the kind of reaction that a proper nun, worried about her companion, would have.
“…Sister Hilda is fine, Clothilde. She was picked up by people sent from the Holy Capital a little while ago.”
Looking at her reliable and earnest junior, Belinda wore her usual warm, loving smile.
Even though that wasn’t actually the case at all.
It was just that Bishop Horace had asked her to play along and say that.
But this kind of blinding fabrication was something Belinda was long accustomed to.
…Although she was used to it, for some reason, she still felt a little guilty.
Maybe it was because Clothilde’s gaze was purer than anyone else’s. She was genuinely worried about Hilda’s condition.
“Picked up… huh? That’s kind of unexpected…”
Hearing that Hilda, who had turned into a succubus, was picked up by people from the Holy Capital, Clothilde seemed a little surprised.
It wasn’t that she doubted the headquarters would interfere, she just hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.
Back from a nearby city last night in a rush, spending one night in the Water Capital, and then being sent back to the Holy Capital for investigation first thing this morning?
It wasn’t impossible, but wasn’t it a bit too hasty?
“Hohoho, don’t worry, my child, Sister Hilda is fine, I can guarantee that.”
Just as Clothilde was looking surprised,
Horace, who had been waiting for the right moment, also let out a strange chuckle as he walked over and joined the conversation.
“Good morning, Bishop Horace. Thanks to you and the Goddess, Father Noah and I were able to return safely.”
Seeing Horace, who was higher in the clergy than herself, approaching, Clothilde immediately greeted him very formally.
Her words were formal, as was her slight bow.
She also made sure to include Noah, who was standing next to her.
This forced Noah, who hadn’t intended to greet anyone, to speak:
“That’s right. Though we encountered some strange things, we managed to return safely, more or less.”
Though he spoke, Noah’s tone was very casual.
He was practically the opposite of Clothilde.
Clothilde had worried that Noah’s casual attitude towards those higher up in the clergy would be seen as rude and would make people dislike him.
“I’m glad you returned safely. Although Sister Hilda’s situation is unfortunate, it’s not entirely hopeless. Anyway, you two just carry on as usual for now. If there’s any progress, I will contact you.”
But she could tell from Horace’s attitude.
Horace didn’t seem to care that Noah, just a priest, was so casual with him, and still spoke to Noah with a loving smile.
—As expected of Bishop Horace, his generous and compassionate heart is truly admirable. I really hope that certain evil god posing as an antagonistic priest can learn something from him.
Seeing this, the nun internally respected Horace, who was an exemplary figure for all clergy members, and quietly cast an ambiguous glance at Noah beside her.
She didn’t say it directly, but the look she gave Noah told him to learn something from Horace.
Noah, of course, had noticed it too.
But Noah, naturally, just chuckled dismissively.
That old geezer Horace was awfully proud of his position as a bishop.
If a priest dared speak to him like that, he might not make a fuss outwardly, but he’d definitely find a way to make the impudent priest’s life miserable behind the scenes.
Noah wasn’t disliked by him purely because of his ‘cognition alteration’ ability.
And the purpose, of course, was to make Clothilde respect Horace more, using Noah as a control group.
Noah knew perfectly well that these two were working together to deceive the trusting Clothilde, but he chose to remain silent.
In that sense, he was complicit.
Not that he’d deny being a villain, anyway.
It’s not like he wanted the sister to like him.
After that, Noah didn’t say much before bidding the three farewell and leaving first.
Because he still had to go check on how far researcher Dean had gotten with those hypnosis tools, okay?
As Noah left.
“Father Noah is as busy as ever every day,”
Watching that slightly dashing back, Belinda couldn’t help but murmur.
“Hohoho, as a priest with a special mission, it’s only natural he’s busy. I’m sure his efforts and struggles are all seen by the Goddess, who blesses him accordingly.”
Horace also nodded, responding to Belinda with a kind, satisfied smile.
Of course, he was only being polite for appearances’ sake, to maintain his image of righteousness and greatness in the eyes of Clothilde, and the other believers watching them.
His true opinion of Noah was more like ‘he’s busy, trustworthy enough, but nothing special, just one of the guys, after all, a mere priest.’
Hearing him say that, Belinda also withdrew her gaze, looking at Horace’s profile.
That old geezer was putting on a show again, constantly invoking the gods despite not believing in them at all.
Unlike Horace, who didn’t believe in gods,
Belinda still believed they existed, just that they didn’t care about humans.
The proof was that she and Horace indulged in their desires, and there was no divine punishment to be seen.
So even though she was a heretic in the church, she was a different kind of heretic than Horace.
She only helped with the lie this time because she had no choice; otherwise, she really wouldn’t want to pay attention to Horace.
Ugh, what could she do, being just a nun, while he was a bishop?
——Hmph, knowing you’re just a nun, be a good girl and listen, and don’t you dare expose me, got it?
Noticing Belinda’s gaze, Horace also averted his eyes from Noah, instead looking down at Belinda beside him with a smug expression.
——Understood, but if *you* expose yourself, don’t blame me, okay?
Belinda responded with a hint of helplessness and an almost theatrical gaze.
“You two really do have a high opinion of Father Noah, don’t you, Bishop Horace, Sister Belinda?”
The Sister, unaware of the situation, couldn’t help but finally pull her gaze from Noah’s departing back and join the conversation about him.
“Hehe, after all, Father Noah is quite popular with the ladies~ isn’t he, Bishop Horace~”
“The young are so full of life, hohoho.”
Horace and Belinda, having exchanged glances in secret, quickly dropped their subtle actions and began praising Noah in unison.
–No, no, that guy is probably an evil god, okay? You two are so easily fooled~
Even though she was the easiest one to deceive, the Sister was smiling happily at this moment.
Even if the praise wasn’t directed at her but at Noah, she couldn’t help but feel happy, could she?
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PS. First update of the day