Veronica took a deep breath, calming her emotions. Then, she bowed solemnly to Greg, her posture elegant and devout:
“Thank you for your help, Lord Greg. Not only have you inherited Lady Serafina's will, but you have also demonstrated the true meaning of faith through your actions. I will certainly not let your efforts go to waste. Please tell me—where exactly is that entity hiding?”
Greg looked into her eyes, which seemed to burn with the fire of faith, and felt that she might be trusting him a bit too much now.
She doesn't even plan to press me on where I got this information?
After a brief hesitation, Greg disclosed the information he possessed: “That entity is currently lurking by the side of the Empire's Crown Prince.”
A look of clear surprise appeared on Veronica's face.
“That entity is taking such a huge risk just to lurk beside the Crown Prince? Why? Even it should know that the longer it stays in the Imperial Capital, the greater the risk of exposure.”
“I suspect it didn't escape blindly, but came out with a specific purpose,” Greg analyzed calmly.
“If I'm not mistaken, it likely wants to control the entire Empire by controlling the Crown Prince. After all, the current Crown Prince is officially the first in line to the throne. Controlling him is equivalent to grasping the future of the Empire.”
“I see!” Veronica murmured, a look of realization dawning on her face.
Just as Greg was thinking that she had swallowed the bait hook, line, and sinker, Nightmare's voice suddenly echoed in his mind, carrying a trace of playfulness and amusement:
“You really are wicked. You are clearly doing this for yourself, yet you make it sound like you are helping her solve her problems. This way, this silly Saintess not only won't stand in your way, but will also willingly assist you with all her might.”
Greg calmly replied in his mind, Are you praising me or insulting me?
Nightmare chuckled.
“Praising you, of course. I quite like how you turn their plans to your advantage. Besides, you are far more honest with your desires than you realize.”
Alright, alright. I'll take it as a compliment. Now stop distracting me.
Greg cut off his communication with Nightmare and refocused his attention on Veronica.
Veronica was currently frowning, lost in thought.
She slowly sat back down in her chair, her fingers gently tapping the armrest, her tone carrying a hint of gravity:
“If that entity is truly lurking beside the Crown Prince, things become highly problematic. This involves the complex relationship between the Empire and the Church. As the Saintess of the Holy Church of Light, if I were to directly apprehend that entity, it would not only trigger a diplomatic dispute but could also be interpreted by those with ulterior motives as the Church attempting to interfere in the Empire's internal affairs...”
“Which is why I have a more clever approach,” Greg picked up the thread.
“According to my deductions, the Fifth Imperial Princess, Wendy, should also be one of its targets.”
Veronica looked up. “The Fifth Imperial Princess?”
She had heard some rumors about this princess before. Although she was relatively young among the royal family, she was highly talented in politics and diplomacy.
“Yes,” Greg nodded and continued.
“She was missing for half a year, and upon her return, instead of receiving any care, she was immediately sentenced to death. It would be strange if there wasn't someone pulling the strings behind this. Both that entity and the Crown Prince certainly do not want anyone to rescue her, as her existence could pose a threat to the imperial succession.”
Veronica nodded thoughtfully, gesturing for him to continue.
“Therefore, I will go to rescue the Fifth Imperial Princess.”
Greg's tone was calm and resolute.
“That way, that entity will definitely not sit idly by. It will surely make a move to stop me. In truth, the Fifth Imperial Princess and I will serve as bait to lure it out.”
Veronica stood up abruptly, her eyes filled with shock and admiration.
But immediately after, her expression turned into one of worry:
“But... Lord Greg, doing this is far too dangerous. You have yet to regain your peak strength, yet you plan to face the entire execution ground guards of the Empire on your own, all while single-handedly drawing out that entity that escaped from the depths of the dungeon. If something were to happen to you...”
“It doesn't matter,” Greg interrupted her.
“This is all to live up to Lady Serafina's expectations. She once fought to protect this world; how could her blade shrink back now out of fear of danger?”
Veronica's body trembled slightly.
She looked at Greg's young, resolute face. His amber eyes seemed to radiate the exact same light as the legendary Lady Serafina.
Veronica's eyes grew slightly moist, and an indescribable wave of emotion and reverence surged in her heart.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded solemnly to Greg:
“I understand, Lord Greg. Since you possess such resolve, I will not fail your trust. I will provide support from the shadows. The moment that entity shows itself, I will immediately strike to subdue it. Please... take care of yourself.”
“Yes, I will. Besides, I am not alone. I will have a few capable friends helping me when the time comes, so there is no need to worry too much.”
Although Greg maintained a calm expression on the surface, he was secretly overjoyed.
He had originally only hoped to drag the Holy Church of Light into this messy situation to gain an advantage. He never expected to turn it into a scenario where they felt indebted to him.
Not only had he secured a powerful ally, but he had also made her owe him a favor. This was an absolute jackpot!
“Then it is decided,” Greg said as he stood up.
“I still have some matters to arrange in preparation for tomorrow's plan. I shall take my leave now.”
Veronica stood up as well, intending to see him to the door.
However, as Greg reached the door, he suddenly remembered another important seed he needed to plant. He turned back to look at Veronica:
“Right, there is one last thing I must warn you about in advance. Keep an eye out for the ‘Returning Night’.”
Veronica froze slightly. “The Returning... Night?”
But Greg offered no further explanation. He merely gave her a deep look, opened the door, and walked out.
The door slowly closed before Veronica's eyes, leaving her standing there alone, her brow furrowed in deep thought.
The Returning Night... what on earth does that mean?
Since Lord Greg went out of his way to mention this name before leaving, it must be extremely important.
Veronica walked over to the window, turning the phrase over and over in her mind. Ultimately, the only thing she could associate it with was a long-lost faith: Nightmare, the Goddess of Night.
Rate on N.U.
