Chapter 11

“Let’s cast the Dual Blessing on the Savior Goddess.”

“Tomorrow.”

“June 17th, Year 741, 7:46 AM”

“Countdown: -23:59:59”

Xia’er opened her eyes and saw the familiar ceiling and the slowly dissipating silver-white curtain of light.

She sat up, feeling the simulated self had slept for an hour. Although she was still mentally exhausted, her physical fatigue had eased slightly.

Lifting her hand, she picked up her canvas satchel and stuffed the two notebooks she had exchanged into it. Her own notes remained in place.

This simulation was only one hour off from reality; there was no need to record events in between since she had been sleeping all along.

After putting on the new black cloak she had bought, Xia’er hid the knife and three bullets in the revolver inside the satchel.

With everything prepared, Xia’er walked out of the house, locked the door behind her, and headed straight towards the match factory where her sister worked.

She pretended there were no trackers following her and made no effort to hide her movements, to avoid drawing unwanted attention.

All Xia’er needed was for any trackers to believe her actions were reasonable.

After crossing two blocks, she arrived at the match factory where her sister worked. At this time, most of the workers had finished their meals and were chatting in small groups outside, waiting to start work.

Xia’er quickly noticed the golden-haired figure at the entrance. At this moment, she was facing away from Xia’er, talking animatedly with three men. Her gestures seemed intense, as if she were angry.

Xia’er instinctively quickened her pace, but as she got closer, she realized it wasn’t someone bullying her sister.

The three burly men bowed their heads submissively, listening to Li Qi’s scolding.

“What do you mean she vanished? She just went back…”

One of them spotted Xia’er not far behind Li Qi and whispered a reminder. Only then did Li Qi turn her head, looking somewhat surprised at Xia’er.

“Little Xia’er?” Li Qi stepped forward, pulling Xia’er away from the match factory. “Why are you here? It smells so bad here.”

Xia’er could smell the pungent phosphorus smoke from the match factory even from a short distance. The odor reminded her of decay and corrosion.

“Didn’t I tell you to wear a mask?” Xia’er stared at Li Qi’s eyes.

Xia’er had made several cloth masks for Li Qi, though she knew they wouldn’t be very effective, they provided some psychological comfort.

Long-term inhalation of phosphorus vapor can lead to necrosis of the jawbone, a condition called phossy jaw, common among match factory workers. This could result in severe decay and even death.

In this era, it was almost incurable, which was why Xia’er was eager to find a job first rather than going to university, to take Li Qi away from such a hazardous environment.

“We haven’t started yet,” Li Qi shrugged indifferently, smiling at Xia’er as if these matters didn’t concern her.

Lack of education and insufficient knowledge about occupational diseases made Li Qi feel no urgency about working here. She believed that if others could work here, she could too.

“I’m going to the Salvation Church in the Bell Tower District later,” Xia’er said.

Visiting Li Qi was partly to ensure Xia’er could be found if Li Qi needed to return early, and partly to prevent any trackers from becoming suspicious.

Her sudden visit to the church would raise questions.

But if she talked to Li Qi, who was already a believer, the tracker wouldn’t overhear their conversation and might fill in the gaps, reducing the risk of detection.

“Oh… really? You’re going to the church?” Li Qi nodded and pinched Xia’er’s cheek playfully. “Good, give my regards to Pastor Mel.”

In the Bell Tower District, the Salvation Goddess Religion was dominant, and most workers followed this religion.

They received free food daily and could earn a few pennies by praying on their days off. Moreover, the workers’ half-hour break after work every day was sponsored by the Salvation Church.

…

“It has gained much more than I thought.”

The towering bell tower at the center of the Clock Tower Lane District was built by the Salvation Goddess Religion. The bell tower itself is part of the church, and it is struck every evening at 6:30 PM to remind factory owners that it’s time to let the workers rest.

Liqi is naturally also a believer and has taken Xia’er to pray several times. However, after going a few times and finding no priest casting holy light spells, Xia’er lost interest in the church.

After all, she is an atheist.

After bidding farewell to Liqi, Xia’er walked along the main road toward the church.

There were no unexpected incidents on the way, and Xia’er soon arrived at the church entrance.

Today was Thursday, not Sunday, so there was no distribution of food, and only a few people were around. An elderly nun wearing a simple black robe was sweeping dust at the entrance.

“May the Goddess relieve your suffering.”

As Xia’er walked up the steps past the nun, the nun placed her right hand over her chest and greeted her.

Xia’er nodded slightly without replying; she was not a believer and did not need to say these blessings.

Entering the church, Xia’er looked around and found it unusually empty today. Even the “Lucky Box,” which usually had people around it, was empty.

The Lucky Box was similar to a donation box or a wishing well, where wealthy people could drop coins in and press a button to receive a few pennies. Whether donating or taking, both actions symbolized seeking good luck.

Xia’er approached the Lucky Box, pressed the button, and caught three coins that dropped out. She silently prayed, “May the Goddess protect us.”

“No, seriously, asking for help and still trying to take money?”

A silver screen flashed in front of Xia’er, displaying text from the system.

“Receiving money counts as praying,” Xia’er silently retorted and, after some thought, put another penny in and silently prayed again, “May the Goddess protect us.”

Double the prayer, if there really is a Goddess, she should be moved.

The nave of the church was empty, and the priest who usually stood on the pulpit was nowhere to be seen. Xia’er came here specifically to find that priest.

Was he out on business? Or perhaps having dinner?

Perhaps her prayers were answered, as the door to the side aisle opened, and two people emerged.

The first was Priest Meil, a kind old woman in a black robe adorned with the oval emblem of the Salvation Goddess Religion. She was talking quietly with someone beside her as she walked.

The person was completely shrouded in a black robe, but unlike Priest Meil’s simple black robe, this one had intricate white patterns at the edges. The person wore a white mask with simple geometric shapes representing eyes and a nose, but below the nose, it was blank.

Priest Meil seemed to notice Xia’er standing near the donation box at the entrance, nodded with a smile, and continued to see the other person off.

Xia’er stepped aside politely to make room for them, but as the masked figure passed by, she heard their whispered conversation.

“High Priestess Yulis… If there is any news here, we will notify you immediately…”

High Priestess Yulis?

The High Priestess mentioned in the notebook who advanced to become a senior priestess? An Extraordinary Person of the Salvation Goddess Religion?

Xia’er subconsciously looked up at the figure’s back, hesitating whether to approach, when she noticed that the courtyard in front of the church was now only occupied by Priest Meil and the nun sweeping the stone steps at the entrance.

And Xia’er’s gaze gradually revealed a hint of confusion.

What was she here for again… Yes… She wanted to find Priest Meil…

No, wait!

“【Calm Thinking Lv.1】”

A cool sensation flowed through Xia’er’s mind, and instantly, she remembered what she needed to do.

“Y…” The name almost slipped from Xia’er’s lips, but the next moment, she felt a pair of warm hands slowly wrap around her neck from behind.

“You are in pain…”

An ethereal voice echoed from behind Xia’er.

“But don’t worry, the Goddess will make everything better…”