Greg thought that no matter how exceptionally he performed in the preliminary defense, it shouldn't have been enough to make Saintess Veronica actively seek a meeting with him.
After all, he was merely a second-year student, while she was the current Saintess of the Church of Light, separated by a vast gulf in status.
But now it seemed he had still somewhat underestimated the answers compiled, tested, and optimized countlessly by the veterans in the player community.
Surely this could be considered standing on the shoulders of giants.
"Even without seeing her, I can be certain that this bitch's Messenger has a truly massive chest."
As Greg walked down the corridor toward Veronica's room, Nightmare's voice suddenly echoed in his mind, carrying a tone of worldly certainty.
Greg paused for a moment, then thought back carefully and realized she was actually right.
Whether it was Candidate Saintess Silvia or current Saintess Veronica, both possessed exceptionally proud curves.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: perhaps this impressive feature could also be considered one of Goddess of Light Serafina's strict selection criteria?
Greg: "What, are you going to say theirs are fake too?"
"No."
Nightmare sighed like someone who had seen it all:
"I just noticed that the girl still hasn't walked out from under my shadow. It's all my fault for being far too beautiful as a goddess, leaving her with such a massive psychological trauma."
Greg: "Heh, talk to me like that once you get out of your Hajimi form. For now, go play with that mechanical bird I bought you and stop bothering my thoughts."
With that, Greg stopped shooting the breeze with Nightmare and refocused his attention on the matter at hand.
He began to seriously ponder why Veronica wanted to see him right now.
Honestly, he still felt that even if his performance in the preliminary defense was stellar, it shouldn't be enough to make a Saintess so eager to summon an ordinary student.
He felt this matter might not be as simple as he thought.
"Her Ladyship the Saintess's temporary residence is just ahead. You may go over by yourself."
The professor leading the way pointed out the final location to Greg before turning around to leave, overwhelmed by the immense pressure of the Saintess's status.
Greg took a deep breath and walked toward the direction the professor had indicated.
It was a white wooden door decorated with a golden holy emblem, tightly shut, flanked on both sides by guard nuns in white habits.
Their expressions were solemn and their eyes calm; upon seeing Greg approach, they simultaneously reached out to block his path.
"Please cooperate with the search."
The two nuns searched him carefully, and only after confirming he carried no extra items did they step aside and open the door for him.
Greg stepped inside.
The room was much more spacious than he had imagined.
Although Veronica was only staying here temporarily, due to the special significance of her status, the room had been meticulously decorated in the style of the Church of Light.
The walls were painted a soft off-white, the floor was covered in a light-colored carpet, and directly facing the entrance hung a holy icon of Goddess of Light Serafina. On the table beneath the icon, several white candles flickered, releasing a subtle milky fragrance.
A simple wooden bed sat on one side of the room, while a desk and several chairs occupied the other.
The curtains were made of thin white gauze, letting the afternoon sunlight filter through and casting a soft halo across the room.
And sitting in a chair by the window, turned sideways from the entrance and gazing outside, was that platinum-blonde woman.
Greg's gaze landed on her. Even though he had seen her many times in the original game, seeing her in person for the first time still made him catch his breath.
Veronica Keller.
The current Saintess of the Church of Light.
She had smooth, long platinum-blonde hair that shimmered with a delicate sheen under the sunlight like flowing moonlight.
Her features were delicate and gentle. Even with her eyes closed right now, one could tell her face was captivating enough to stir anyone's heart, and even conservative religious attire could not hide her proud curves.
She wore a long white robe draped with a golden shawl, the collar and cuffs embroidered with intricate holy runes. The overall style was elegant and solemn, yet heavily steeped in religious aura.
Even after playing eighty-one playthroughs of the original game, this was Greg's first time entering this room.
In the original game, Veronica was essentially hostile to the players.
Her extreme piety toward Goddess of Light Serafina made her behave strangely in many aspects, as that piety had long surpassed normal faith, reaching a point of borderline fanatical obsession.
For this reason, many players, including Greg, liked to call her the "scheming Saintess."
Thinking about how he was now alone in a room with such an extremely dangerous person, Greg couldn't help feeling a bit tense.
Veronica seemed to sense his arrival.
She slowly turned her head toward him, a gentle smile gracing the corners of her lips.
Though her eyes remained closed, Greg could feel her gaze resting on him.
"You must be Greg Sass."
Her voice was soft and soothing, like a spring breeze brushing over water: "There is no need to be formal. Please, take a seat."
Following the etiquette of this world, Greg bowed slightly in response: "I am deeply honored to be summoned by Her Ladyship the Saintess."
Veronica let out a soft chuckle and asked, "You seem somewhat afraid of me. Why is that?"
Because if my relationship with Nightmare ever gets exposed, you'll probably execute me on the spot—how could I not be afraid!?
Greg complained wildly in his mind, but maintained a proper smile on his face.
He had long been prepared for such a scene, so he answered in a sincere and respectful tone:
"Her Ladyship misunderstands. I am not afraid; I am simply so overjoyed and honored to meet Lady Veronica, the Messenger of the Goddess of Light, that I became a little nervous."
Veronica listened quietly to his answer, the smile on her face remaining completely unchanged.
A moment later, she nodded gently, seemingly accepting his explanation.
Seeing that she didn't press further, Greg inwardly breathed a sigh of relief and gradually calmed down.
However, the very instant he let his guard down—
Veronica suddenly spoke.
Her voice remained soft, but her tone now held an entirely different nuance than before:
"Are those your final words, heretic?"
Greg's smile froze on his face.
Rate on N.U.
