Chapter 540 - 217: Unless They’re Crazy

’Damn it, how could I be so unlucky?’

"Storm!"

Right at that moment, a clear voice cried out, and the aberration was suddenly ripped into the sky by a tornado that erupted from beneath it.

"Wind Blade!"

Immediately after, a slender figure shot past. The long blade in her hand sliced through the aberration’s body, cutting it in two.

THUD. THUD.

Hearing the thuds, the City Guard turned his head in a daze to see a woman in blue armor already sheathing her long blade.

"Are you all right?"

"You... Praise be to Lady Storm. Thank you for saving me, milady."

He recognized the clothes she was wearing; it was the unique armor of a Storm Church Guard Knight.

"You’re welcome."

The woman smiled back at him. Seeing the rather disheveled City Guard, she gestured and said, "You can handle it from here, right?"

"N-No problem." The City Guard looked at her bright expression, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. "May I have your name, milady? So I can write my report..."

"Lydia. Lydia Ernst."

"Ly—Ernst?!"

The City Guard was stunned, and his gaze toward the Storm Guard Knight turned to one of resentment.

’Even though that incident happened many days ago, he couldn’t remain indifferent when it came to the Ernst Clan. If it weren’t for them...’

The woman—no, Lydia—let her smile fade and nodded calmly. "Just report it as it happened."

With that, she turned and walked out of the district.

"Th-Thank you."

Seeing her leave like that, the City Guard was conflicted for a moment before forcing out a word of thanks.

"You’re welcome!"

Lydia didn’t break her stride, continuing toward Krimms Cathedral, which had once belonged to the Dawn Church.

’No matter what, she would atone for the sins her grandfather and brother had committed and pray for Lady Storm’s forgiveness.’

Soon, Lydia passed through the former Golden Street and approached the area around the Central Cathedral. Her mood lightened considerably, and a smile returned to her face.

’Another ’thank you’ today... That’s nice...’

"Lydia?"

"Hm?"

’That voice sounds familiar?’

Lydia turned toward the voice, her eyes widening. She stared at the person in disbelief. "Ka-Kali?"

"It’s me," Kali said, standing on the grand avenue that had once belonged to the Dawn Church. A bright smile was on her face as she looked warmly at the familiar figure. "I can’t believe you’ve really embarked on the path of faith."

"I have,"

Lydia came back to her senses, suppressing the fluttering in her heart. As the daughter of a noble, she hadn’t known much about the four True God Churches before.

But ever since she began to believe in Lady Storm, she had learned a bit about the conflict between the Storm Church and the Dawn Church. It was obvious that Kali Morris, a Candidacy Saintess of the Dawn Church, shouldn’t be in Caster City State right now.

"You’re... back?"

"Yes and no." Kali first nodded, then shook her head, her tone still gentle. "I was just passing through and wanted to come home for a look."

"Home?"

Lydia paused. ’That’s right,’ she thought. ’Aside from Kali’s faith in the Dawn Radiance, her home is here too.’

"Mhm," Kali said, tilting her head back to look at Krimms Cathedral in the distance. It was just as magnificent as she remembered, but now it bore the emblem of the Storm Church.

"Are you going back to Golden Street? It still hasn’t been repaired..."

"No, I’m just looking around."

Kali’s expression dimmed. "If your Storm Church doesn’t mind, that is."

"Of course... we don’t mind. If the Lord Bishop knew of your arrival, I’m sure he would come to accompany you personally."

Lydia had almost said that they did mind, but she knew very well that despite their different faiths, Dawn and Storm were not enemies.

’Well, just at odds with each other...’

"That’s good," Kali said, seemingly sighing in relief as she patted her chest. "I’d like to visit the Secret Investigation Department. Is that okay?"

"The Secret Investigation Department? Of course, of course. I haven’t been there in a long time either."

’Lydia remembered that she and Kali had first met at the Secret Investigation Department. Marco was there back then, too...’

"I wonder how Captain Lisi is doing now. I hope she won’t be too shocked to see me..."

"She’s not a captain anymore."

"Hm? Did she leave the Secret Investigation Department too?"

"Not exactly. She’s the Director of the Investigation Department now," Lydia explained. "She was promoted right after you all left."

"Director? Really?" A brilliant smile spread across Kali’s face. She was genuinely happy for Lisi.

"Mhm, and let me tell you..."

As the two chatted warmly like old friends reuniting, by the eastern high wall of the city-state, the Judgment Saintess, Celestia Edas, stood with a squad from the Judgment Legion, also gazing toward Krimms Cathedral.

"Are you sure you’re not going to follow her?"

Not far from her, Melbel leaned against a tree with his arms crossed, his gaze calm. "She has enough power to protect herself."

Celestia sized him up. "Speaking of which... ’Desecrator.’ That title actually suits you better."

"Lady Celestia, are you going to pass judgment on me?"

"Judgment?" Celestia chuckled. "Within the scope of the Desecration Authority, your power is not weak. And besides, you have them..."

Melbel glanced at the stoic-faced Judgment Knights but didn’t respond.

"I want to know, what is it you’re truly after?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Celestia gave a noncommittal nod. "Is that so?"

Melbel fell silent again. ’Before a Saintess who has fully mastered the might of her Authority, every extra word I say will only allow her to see through me more clearly...’

...

...

「Meanwhile, aboard The Leonard.」