The nobles did not know what had caused this chaos, but all the blood feuds were blamed on Herbert.

Yet he didn't care at all, nor did he feel that this would lead him to evil and corruption.

He even made a sarcastic remark that left people speechless but somehow reasonable:

"If what I'm doing is wrong, by now I would have already fallen.

"But since I haven't fallen, it proves that they are the ones who have fallen."

If I am guilty, then the divine spirit will naturally punish me.

Since the divine spirit hasn't punished me, then I must punish them.

After hearing this, Joanna was left speechless and softly asked, "… Is such a style that of a Punishment Paladin?"

Laila shook her head, unable to provide a definitive answer.

She really wasn't familiar with Herbert and couldn't say for sure.

"This man gives me a very complex feeling... He shows unabashed arrogance when facing the strong, but when dealing with the weak, he is generous in showing mercy."

"Is this hypocrisy? But it doesn't quite seem like it, and I can't say which face is his true self."

"But I have to say, such an existence does indeed naturally draw others' eyes without them realizing it."

Hesitating for a moment, Laila unconsciously raised her hand to touch her ear, muttering uncertainly:

"If I had to give a conclusion... Although he's arrogant and complex, he is indeed the most charming human I've ever seen."

Charming.

Compared to other traits, this was remarkably the final evaluation left.

Upon hearing her friend's words, Joanna slightly raised an eyebrow, somewhat doubting whether Laila had been charmed and was feeling amorous...

However, Yunier's reaction was much calmer.

"I see, I roughly understand."

The girl who appeared innocent and naive let out an "oh," smiled at the two of them.

"Alright then, you two continue chatting, I'll go find other sisters to play with."

She clapped her hands, waved to Laila, and turned to leave.

Watching Yunier with her hands behind her back skipping away, Laila snapped out of her daze, shaking her head gently and letting out a long breath.

"Phew..."

Seeing her like this, Joanna was a little concerned and quickly asked, "Laila, are you alright? You..."

"Wait a moment."

Laila raised her hand to signal for silence, listened quietly for a while, then finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She turned to look at Joanna and asked with a very serious expression: "Joanna, before we talk about everything, answer me one question first."

"And you must promise in your mother's name not to deceive me! I will also promise in my disciple's name not to deceive you!"

The atmosphere in the secret room suddenly turned cold.

"..."

Joanna gazed silently at Laila for a moment, then slowly said, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Laila slowly nodded, determinedly saying, "I'm sure."

"Heh."

Joanna rolled her eyes and said speechlessly, "Oh, how many times are you going to tell this cold joke? Is it really funny?"

"Isn't my mother your only disciple?"

The Half-Elf Priest thought that the Elf must be getting senile, telling such tasteless jokes again.

Ha, boring!

"Hahaha!"

Laila couldn't hold back her expression, proudly laughed, and said with a snort, "You were the one looking so serious, I wasn't as tense as you were."

"Hmph!"

After amusing her old-time friend, Laila toned down her expression a bit, lowered her voice, and asked: "If I guessed correctly, it's... that honorable person, right?"

Joanna paused, glanced in the direction where the girl Yunier had disappeared, and slowly nodded.

"...Mm."

The two of them fell silent simultaneously at that moment.

Although they had no evidence.

But in their hearts, both had the same thought about the true identity of Divine Favorer Yunier.

Someone qualified to become a Divine Favorer of the Ice and Snow Goddess Church.

Someone capable of blending into the church silently.

That great being.

Yes.

She is...

The doting mother who wishes to protect Her goddess long term—the Cold Winter Goddess.

The two didn't speak directly but communicated in the most concealed manner.

'Has that honorable person embodied again?'

'Mm, it is most likely Her.'

Though never officially documented, it has long been circulated among the high ranks of the Goddess Church that "the Cold Winter Goddess frequently embodies as a Divine Favorer of the Ice and Snow Goddess."

The bishops with the privilege to know this secret unanimously remained silent.

They didn't just turn a blind eye; they completely shut their eyes tight.

We know nothing!

We haven't seen anything!

Do whatever you want, Your Excellency!

Yes, it's been so many years.

At least ten times, the embodiment of the Cold Winter Goddess has been a Divine Favorer, and no one ever told the Ice and Snow Goddess the truth.

And the Ice and Snow Goddess has never disappointed them, always failing to notice the truth.

Still blissfully believing that She had discovered those talented geniuses and effortlessly brought them under Her wing.

"...Sigh."

Laila and Joanna exchanged glances, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes, silently clinking cups and drinking.

According to the teachings, they are guilty of deceiving the divine spirit, and everyone is doomed to punishment.

But, well... sometimes things are not viewed that way.

The Cold Winter Goddess is someone they absolutely cannot offend.

Moreover, their goddess is the cherished pet of the Cold Winter Goddess... they, as the pet's servants—the servants of the servants—have no right to resist.

'That honorable person is truly fond of spoiling the goddess.'

'Who says She's not...'

Usually, relationships between divine spirits aren't this close; many divine spirits gather only for interests with indifference in between.

But the feelings of the Cold Winter Goddess for the Ice and Snow Goddess aren't just fondness—that's purely excessive doting.

Laila pondered this for a while and let it go.

No matter what the Cold Winter Goddess wishes to do, they have no place to intervene; let Her be.

More than the goddess, she worries about Joanna, whom she watched grow up, concernedly asking: 'What mission are you on that even that honorable person must embody... is it dangerous?'

Joanna nodded, then slowly shook her head, sighed:

"I don't know the specific mission details, only that we are to go to the outskirts of the Misty Mountains, where someone will meet us."

"The Misty Mountains..."

Laila shook her head ruefully, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes, softly saying:

"Joanna, you must be careful, if danger arises, be sure to protect Yunier's safety!"

"Mm, I understand what you mean."

Joanna shook her head lightly: "But as the leader, the safety of the other sisters is also my mission, I won't abandon them."

Protecting Yunier? That clearly means relying on the Cold Winter Goddess for protection.

"Tsk, your stubborn personality is exactly like your mother's."

Laila held her forehead in exasperation, hesitated before saying:

"Joanna, if you encounter really unmanageable danger... you can seek help from the Mist Monastery; they won't stand by and watch."

Seeing her so worried, Joanna chuckled and said: "But I'm not familiar with them, afraid the church's reputation isn't enough."

"...Then go find Herbert and let him take action."

Laila's lips twitched, lacking confidence as she said: "If he asks, say I sent you, and whatever the matter is, let him come to me directly afterward."

Joanna blinked, staring at Laila with a strange look for a long time.

Stare—

The blatant gaze made Laila a little uncomfortable, her eyes dodged as she said, "…What? Why are you looking like that?"

"Oh, nothing."

Joanna finally withdrew her gaze, shook her head wistfully, and sighed:

"Just curious about how charming this man must be to win you over."

Laila: ???

"What nonsense are you spouting!?"

Joanna ignored Laila's angry growl and continued musing:

"Such a man, I really want to meet him someday! Wonder if I'll have the chance to encounter him this time."

...

Elda Territory.

Herbert looked at the empty territory, pouted, and murmured to himself: "Such a big place with nothing in it, looks a bit empty."

"Should I borrow something from others?"

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