Chapter 169: Prevent Any Woman from Approaching—The Task of Watching Over Sir Lin Wei Is Yours, Yalis

Translation by: Weebsread👹

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At least the reasoning was perfectly clear.

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Right now, within the entire Holy See, if one sought someone both reliable and strong enough to be dispatched without worry—apart from her own Lin Wei, there were precious few candidates left.

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But therein lay the problem: ever since Lin Wei had begun assisting with Holy See affairs, Veya had grown accustomed to consulting him about everything. She’d come to rely on him so much, she could hardly operate without his steadying presence.

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Now, with the whole Duke Ous debacle finally behind them, she’d planned to rope him into handling the mountain of church business piling up on her desk.

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And what happens? Now he’s about to depart for the Borderlands?

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“This… I just think, maybe…”

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Veya fumbled for an excuse, anything at all to keep him from leaving.

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She knew all too well how easy it was to grow used to comfort after hardship—now, just picturing Lin Wei leaving the Holy See, even for a short while, left her feeling inexplicably adrift.

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“What’s wrong?”

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“I’m only going to check on things and investigate whether the demonic invasion was truly the work of the demons,” Lin Wei said, a hint of bemusement in his tone at her reluctance. “I’ll be gone for, what, a week at most? Don’t tell me you can’t bear to be without me for even that long?”

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He shot her a sidelong glance, half amused by just how attached she’d become. Back in the day, a ten-day visit home had been a rare treat. Now she was acting as if even a brief absence would be unbearable.

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“Wait… Actually, I’ve been noticing something since just now.”

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Lin Wei leaned back, studying her face closely.

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They were so close he could feel the warmth of her breath.

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Her flawless, holy features were tinged with a delicate flush, made all the more captivating by her papal regalia. She was breathtaking, in a way that defied words.

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But after so many years of marriage, familiarity ran deep between them. Even standing before the awe-inspiring Pope Selena herself, Lin Wei felt no need to back down.

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He tilted his head, trying to decipher what she was up to. “Why is it that ever since I showed up, your first instinct is to push every problem onto me? The Northern Countries’ demonic invasion—wasn’t that just the same?”

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Veya blinked, caught off guard, her expression freezing mid-thought.

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“With your talents, I’d expect you to think of helping the victims first, then investigate at your own pace. What’s going on? Did you decide that now that I’m here, you can just slack off and let me handle everything? You’re the Pope, for Alicia’s sake. Try putting in a little effort.”

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As he spoke, Lin Wei couldn’t help but reach out and pinch her cheek.

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Veya’s gentle nature made it understandable that she struggled with the nobles. But given her handling of affairs these past two years, a minor demonic incursion shouldn’t faze her. Even if the front lines collapsed and the Coalition Army was pushed back to the City-State of Brook, the great Pope Selena would be more than capable of holding the line.

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So how could something like this leave her at a loss?

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The truth was, it wasn’t that she couldn’t solve it—it was that she didn’t bother to try. After all, “As long as Lin Wei’s here, he’ll take care of it.” Why rack her brains when someone else could do the work?

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“Hey! I—I really do work hard, you know.”

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Caught red-handed and interrogated at such close range, Veya shrank back a little, her solemn face trembling ever so slightly.

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“Heh! Do you actually believe that yourself?”

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Her expression practically screamed her true thoughts.

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Seeing his wife react like this, Lin Wei couldn’t help but laugh, raising both hands to pinch her cheeks harder.

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“If the Holy See runs into real trouble, of course I’ll step in. But you’re the Pope. You can’t always rely on me. Otherwise, aren’t you letting down Alicia, who entrusted you with her divine decree?”

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“I won’t be gone long. Take this time to manage things on your own, just like you used to. If there’s something you truly can’t resolve, I’ll handle it when I return. But you can’t become a ‘Useless Pope,’ understand?”

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As long as he remained honest and helped Veya manage the Holy See, even if Alicia herself learned of it, he could probably explain it away.

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But if he spoiled his wife to the point of becoming a “Useless Pope,” he’d probably get struck by divine lightning one of these days.

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He’d always help her with the truly difficult matters. But for everyday affairs and those within her power, it was better to let the great Pope Selena handle them herself.

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“…Alright, I understand. But you must be careful in the Borderlands,” Veya said, pouting as Lin Wei’s hands squeezed her cheeks. “If you encounter one of the Demon Generals, just run. Don’t try to face them head-on.”

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“When Commander Meilin is free, I’ll have her join you at the front lines for support.”

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At this point, she knew she couldn’t find any more excuses.

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Still, Veya muttered under her breath, “If I really pouted and acted spoiled, you’d never leave me behind.”

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But he was right. As Pope, it was unreasonable to expect Lin Wei to shoulder every burden. She only relied on him for the truly tough problems, she told herself. She wasn’t really a “Useless Pope.”

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She couldn’t just depend on him for everything—she had to be strong enough to govern the Holy See herself.

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“Don’t worry. If I run into something I can’t handle, I’ll be out of there faster than anyone.”

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After all, if he was too slow and let the enemy escape, that would be the real headache.

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But come to think of it, hadn’t the Headless Horseman, Morteir, worked with Duke Ous before? Perhaps this latest demonic invasion in the Northern Countries was connected to him as well.

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“Worth looking into,” Lin Wei mused, his curiosity piqued by the Northern Countries.

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Those fools had finally learned to maneuver troops, picking weak points in the defense to strike at the rear and disrupt supplies.

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Heh. Even those crude demon commanders were starting to show a glimmer of tactical acumen?

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Now that was interesting.

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“No sense in delaying. I’ll head out today,” Lin Wei said. “Have the Secretary keep an eye on the newspapers for me.”

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“By the time I’m back, it’ll be nearly New Year’s… Should we return to Aurens Town?”

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There was less than a month left until the New Year.

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They’d always spent the holiday at home, but so much had happened in these few months. How to spend this year—that was a question worth pondering.

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“Of course we should go home,” Veya replied without hesitation. “After working so long, we deserve a proper break.”

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“But you’ll have to help with all the work that piles up during the holidays.”

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If she wasn’t at home, she always had to set up special wards and worry about unexpected visitors—she could never truly relax. Home was still best; no matter how much she was tormented, she never had to worry about someone barging in.

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“Ahem… By the way, since you’re heading to the front lines, there’s something else I’d like you to take care of.”

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“Oh?”

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Why did her face suddenly flush?

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Lin Wei glanced at her curiously, but simply nodded. “What is it?”

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“Well… The Duke at the front lines is about to turn forty. The Holy See has been asked to escort his daughter to him for his birthday.”

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“And since the Imperial Magic Academy is on winter break, once the birthday is over, the Griffin Duke will return to the Imperial Capital for the year-end conference and to report on the war. She’ll only be away a few months at most.”

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Lin Wei’s surprise was evident.

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Veya cleared her throat, switching to her best “official business” voice.

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“Flowers raised in a greenhouse can never become truly strong. So I want you to take Yalis with you when you travel to the Borderlands. Let her see the Northern Countries for herself, and learn something of the world outside the Holy See.”

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“What do you think of this mission?”

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She’d originally planned for Commander Meilin to handle the escort, but since her husband would be heading that way anyway, Veya’s priorities shifted in an instant.

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Of course, there were other reasons as well.

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After all, as of today, Lin Wei was now the Holy See’s Honor Knight!

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Handsome, capable, and highly ranked—wherever he went, he was bound to attract attention.

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Not that she ever doubted Lin Wei’s loyalty, but… In a world with succubi and other temptations, and with the journey to the Borderlands being both long and fraught with delays—what if, just what if, some shameless, drop-dead-gorgeous girl tried to slip into his bed under the pretense of “keeping warm” during the winter?

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Absolutely not! No way!

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She couldn’t be everywhere at once, and she certainly couldn’t chase off every woman who tried.

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So, from every angle, sending Yalis along to watch over Lin Wei was the perfect solution!

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The Saintess was pure and adorable, the very picture of innocence. She wasn’t the scheming sort, and she’d take any task seriously. With Yalis there, no matter what Lin Wei might think of doing, nothing “unexpected” could possibly happen.

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The great Pope Selena—what a flawless plan!

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“Sure, I don’t see a problem with that,” Lin Wei replied.

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He already knew Yalis was the Griffin Duke’s daughter. And although he vaguely remembered punching the Duke on the battlefield once, he’d been masked at the time. As long as he didn’t use demon mana, there was no way the duke’d recognize him.

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“Good.”

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Lin Wei’s easy acceptance of such a troublesome errand made Veya clench her fists in satisfaction.

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All that remained was to call Yalis over and brief her on the mission.

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“I’ll have Yalis pack her things and come see you,” Veya said. “As for your departure… let’s set it for two hours from now.”

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That would give her just enough time to speak privately with Yalis.

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But Lin Wei looked at her, startled. “Just two hours? Isn’t that a bit rushed?”

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“Huh?”

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Before Veya could respond, she realized Lin Wei’s hands were already resting on her legs.

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Her thighs were soft yet firm, like cotton hiding a spring’s resilience—he squeezed, and felt the subtle tension beneath the surface.

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“…Never mind, two hours is plenty.”

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“By the way, I’ve never actually seen you in full papal regalia before.”

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“Damn, this is on a whole different level from your usual outfits.”

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The ornate, intricate design made Veya look even more majestic, the very embodiment of sacred authority. With her frosty expression, she seemed untouchable—and Lin Wei found her all the more alluring for it.

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“I—I meant you should use those two hours to rest and pack, not— not to keep playing around with me in the Holy See, Lin Wei!”

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The drowsy Miss Veya finally realized what was happening, her eyes widening in alarm.

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But seated on the couch as she was, she had no chance to resist. The elaborate papal robes fell away, one after another, under the guise of “helping her change.”

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“Never again—never wearing these clothes around him again!”

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She could sense the array of wards placed around the study.

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Clenching her teeth, Veya’s breathing grew heavier, her brows furrowing even as her allure only deepened.

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◇

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“Eh? Her Holiness wants to see me?”

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Afternoon.

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The choir’s hymns swelled, guided by the elder nuns.

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When the Secretary herself came to fetch her, Yalis was curious, but followed without question.

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Today, she’d caught a rare glimpse of Lin Wei at the Holy See. She hadn’t managed to say a word to him, but even a little wave from him was enough to brighten her day—seeing a friend when you’re weary always lifted the spirits.

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So… why was Her Holiness calling her now?

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Surely it wasn’t to send her off alone with Sir Lin Wei for some kind of training?

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Saintesses did need field experience, but the odds of such a coincidence were slim. If she ever did go out, it would be with Sister Meilin. Just her and Lin Wei? That was pure fantasy.

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Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice when she’d arrived at the familiar papal study.

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“Miss Saintess is here.”

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A brief knock and announcement later, Yalis stepped inside and saw the figure seated at the desk.

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Composed and dignified as ever—nothing seemed to disturb Her Holiness.

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Those golden, divine eyes radiated a cool detachment. When she put down her work and looked up, the sheer presence was overwhelming—Yalis could barely speak.

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“Your Holiness,” she managed, bowing her head. Being in Her Holiness’s presence was always so intimidating; she could never seem to relax.

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For some reason, the air was thick with the scent of flowers. There was a new potted plant on the windowsill—no doubt just delivered and swapped out this afternoon.

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“Hmm… There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

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Her Holiness’s voice snapped Yalis from her thoughts.

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“In response to the Griffin Duke’s request, the Holy See will be sending you to the front lines. I’ve agreed, and you’ll be leaving today.”

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“Your studies will be suspended for now. Take this time to rest, and resume your efforts after the New Year.”

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So I’m being sent to the front lines? War, disaster, heroes—just the thought of it filled Yalis’s mind with excitement.

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She could hardly wait to see the Borderlands for herself.

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“Yes, Your Holiness! I’ll do my best after the New Year!”

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Previously, Lin Wei had always tried to push Yalis into becoming Pope, and she’d been given extra assignments for skipping class and sneaking snacks. But recently, she’d been staying put and working hard.

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“As for your escort…”

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Selena nodded inwardly, pleased with such a well-behaved Saintess. Yalis could be trusted with this responsibility.

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“The Holy See’s newly appointed Honor Knight, Lin Wei, will also be heading to the Borderlands. He’ll serve as your escort, which should reassure both the Holy See and the Griffin Duke.”

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!!!

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Yalis’s mind went blank.

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She stared at Her Holiness, stunned, excitement breaking through her usual nervousness.

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“Sir—Sir Lin Wei?! You mean Lin Wei himself will be escorting me?”

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Could such a coincidence really happen?

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Alicia! The Goddess must have heard my prayers and arranged this herself!

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Of course, Her Holiness deserved credit, too!

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At last, she’d have time alone with Lin Wei. At last, she’d get to talk to him!

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Long live Pope Selena!

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“Yes. The Honor Knight was appointed for important tasks like this.”

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Yet something still felt off.

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Selena, outwardly stern, watched Yalis’s face freeze in shock, and couldn’t help but worry. Was it simply her own paranoia, or was Yalis truly unreliable?

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Still, Yalis was the Saintess. She could handle this.

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“Of course, since the Honor Knight is still young, I do worry he might be tempted or corrupted—say, by the Cult of the Evil God—along the way.”

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“So, I have a difficult task for you as well.”

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Selena’s tone grew grave—no one could afford to lower their guard.

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“Yes!”

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It sounded so serious, and it was about Lin Wei… Yalis nodded solemnly. Of course she’d do her best to protect him!

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“On your way to the Coalition Army headquarters, you must discreetly watch over Sir Lin Wei. Each day, keep a diary of everything that happens and send it to me for review.”

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“And you must ensure he avoids any bad habits. If any strange woman tries to approach him, you must stay vigilant—they are the most likely tools of the enemy to corrupt our knights!”

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Selena’s golden eyes shone with deadly seriousness.

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“Do you understand?”

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“I understand!”

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So I just have to keep other women away from Sir Lin Wei and correct his bad habits, right?

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Yalis nodded earnestly, her eyes shining with holy resolve.

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“Leave it to me, Your Holiness! I won’t let any woman have the chance to corrupt Sir Lin Wei! You can count on me!”