Chapter 438

Chapter 61 – The Letter

The power of the Gate of Truth—I can no longer use it—the Angel deliberately emphasized the phrase “the power of the Gate of Truth” at the end and deliberately stressed the words, probably to remind me that this power, currently in West Continent, especially at such a sensitive time, was seen by most people as a symbol of heretics.

Sinful fire and ordinary flames, the order of fire, perhaps ordinary people would find it hard to distinguish, but for knights, monks, bishops, they could immediately tell the difference. Its color was much darker, close to blood, and its temperature was much higher. Ordinary fire orders couldn’t easily melt rock and steel, but sinful fire could do so effortlessly—if I used sinful fire in front of a warrior who had fought heretics face-to-face, I would likely be instantly regarded as an enemy, with no way to explain myself.

For most clergy and knights, even if they knew I was a papal knight, once they saw the sinful fire, they could not possibly recognize me as one of their own. Not only that, but Angel would also be implicated along with me. His political opponents, like Cardinal Saint George, would definitely use this incident to cause trouble, which was a serious problem. It wasn’t about stance but an absolute denial of faith.

The power of Chaos… was probably the same.

This was different from when we were in the capital. Once there was a fight, those who witnessed the process would no longer be some ordinary soldiers or civilians who didn’t know me and hadn’t seen the dead smoke and sinful fire. They would be clergy, elite knights of the church, or powerful papal knights whom I did not know well.

For these people, I couldn’t just bluff my way through or come up with excuses.

My hesitation was precisely because of this.

After the previous two battles, I no longer had confidence to guarantee that I wouldn’t use any power other than the order of law—if the battle reached a white-hot stage, I simply couldn’t control myself.

And this time, the cost of losing control would be very high, and the consequences could be unimaginably severe… That’s why Angel said that if I had to use it, I knew what to do.

I understood his meaning.

But—

Ah, the honeydew melon is gone.

My hand reached for the plate, but I only touched the rind of the melon. I turned my head and noticed that the last one had been eaten.

… Let’s go back.

I wiped the honeydew melon juice from the corner of my mouth with the back of my hand, collected the plate, and threw the rinds into a nearby tree pit. Then I patted my bottom, picked up the umbrella, stood up, and looked towards the lights on the riverbank.

A few small boats had unloaded their cargo and were departing from the riverbank amidst the noisy night. The lights at the stern of the boats gradually faded away as they followed the river downstream. The merchants watching the goods seemed to be hinting at joy, as if they were pleased with the new opportunities after the disaster—this city was still prosperous, the people lived in peace, and everyone believed in a better future and continued to work hard for it.

It’s really nice here…

I watched for a while, then turned away from the riverbank and walked toward the bustling commercial street where lanterns were lit. After waiting for a moment, I flagged down a horned horse carriage, told the driver the address, agreed on the fare, and got inside.

The horned horse carriage sped off, causing the carriage to sway slightly.

I lifted the curtain and looked out at the streets rushing by. The streetlights and shop signs suddenly appeared in my line of sight, passed by, and disappeared behind me. The bustling crowds and the bustling scenery filled my view. I watched these scenes, my fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of the seat, my gaze distant and somewhat lost.

The streets are so bright…

Those people look so carefree and happy…

Should I…

Really stay here properly…

Clunk—

Perhaps the wheel rolled over a stone, causing the entire carriage to shake violently. The scene outside the window also shook. I felt my buttocks lift slightly from the seat, then sink back down, and there was a “thud” as my head hit the door frame of the carriage. I held my forehead and rubbed it gently, vaguely hearing the driver ask something up front, but I didn’t pay much attention. My head didn’t hurt much, but I just stared blankly out at the street.

… I have to go.

Otherwise, I won’t feel at ease… and I have questions for those heretics…

From what Angel said, a madman named “Clown” came over, and this madman seemed very powerful, holding a high position in the Gate of Truth… He might know about the experiment and should also know Dr. Romanie.

I need to find him…

But…

If I leave this rich and peaceful city and follow Angel to Xierjiaya to fight the heretics, with blood and fire everywhere, the enemies are fierce and incredibly strong. If I keep fighting them, I might get hungry…

What would I do if I get hungry?

I don’t know…

But it’s very likely that I would do something bad, making the situation worse… At that point…

Maybe both sides would be my enemies.

I might mess things up…

That’s why Angel advised me to let him handle it… He didn’t want me to go…

In his eyes, I might be an uncontrollable risk…

Would he rather give up my combat power than bear the risk… He said so many nice things to me today… In fact, it was all about this…

Hmph…

It seems like I’m being treated as a trouble.

Thinking of this, I suddenly felt my chest tighten, my lips involuntarily pouted, my hand moved from my forehead, then supported my chin, my lips tightly closed, and I blew air out, “Puff, puff,” feeling quite bored.

I wanted to find someone to talk to…

When the horned horse carriage slowly stopped at the street corner, I

Holding the umbrella, I jumped off the carriage and paid the driver.

“Miss doesn’t like talking? You didn’t say a word the whole way. I’m not some bad guy~”

The driver大叔 took the silver coin, put it in his pocket, and gave me a slightly teasing smile.

I smiled back at him, not wanting to say much more. After thanking him, I turned and ran straight down Longdor Street. Looking at the flickering candles in the houses, I rushed toward the entrance of Victoria’s… whatever garden.

From afar, I saw that several windows in the former house number two were lit up, even the bedroom seemed to be lit.

Victoria might be there…

Suddenly, I felt somewhat relieved, wanting to find her right away and talk to her about anything. Just talking to her would tell her about my trip to Silgay, and once I told her, maybe I wouldn’t overthink anymore, could stop worrying, and be firm in my decision.

However, as I approached the new, large iron gate, I gradually slowed down.

Ah…

Angel said Victoria knew something…

She’s so smart; Angel couldn’t hide it from her… She knows I have abyssal powers… She’s known all along…

During the time I was unconscious…

But she never said anything to me… Why didn’t she talk about this? During this time, she treated me the same, even a bit too much, as if she knew nothing… But what does she really think? How does she see me?

She’s so smart, could she have guessed more?

But she didn’t come to talk to me…

Thinking about it, I stopped in front of the door, looked up, and stared blankly at the two small buildings behind the courtyard.

I know I’m being awkward.

How could Victoria have any opinion about me… If she did, she wouldn’t treat me like that… She’s Victoria… not someone else… I know it clearly, but somehow, I just can’t face her…

Sylvia, what’s wrong with you…

Do you want to find her or not? If you want to, go. If not, go home. Why stand here foolishly…

“Ah, that…”

“Yah!”

My mind was filled with a jumble of thoughts, and I didn’t notice someone approaching until they suddenly spoke. Their stuttering voice startled me, causing me to involuntarily let out a soft scream. I quickly covered my mouth and stepped back, my star-like eyes wide open, looking at the figure standing under the lamppost. Half of their face was illuminated by the firelight, flickering in the night.

It was an unfamiliar man.

Clearly, he was also startled by me. At this moment, his face showed panic, mixed with a hint of admiration and helplessness, appearing quite uncomfortable. He stared at me for a moment before immediately averting his gaze, stuttering, “Beautiful young lady, I apologize… I scared you, I deeply regret it… I am a messenger, twenty-three years old, unmarried… Ah, no…”

The man lowered his head and lightly smacked his lips.

“Please forgive me, miss… I wanted to ask if the house number three on Longdor Street is this place? This is my first time here, and I couldn’t find it… Counting, it should be this one, but the sign says otherwise, miss, do you know—”

“Yes, this is it.”

Listening to him speak nervously and clumsily, as if even his tongue was tied, and seeing him scratching his ears and head made me feel uncomfortable. So, after understanding his meaning, I interrupted him hastily.

He scratched his head awkwardly.

“Well, miss… This is house number three on Longdor Street… It’s this door—”

“It is.”

Messenger…

He asked about house number three on Longdor Street… Was he delivering a letter to me?

“Oh, yes, this is it… Then may I ask, miss, who are you?”

“I am the owner of house number three. Please, do you have a letter for me?”

“Yes, yes, there is a letter for you…”

The messenger opened his waist bag and took out a sealed letter with wax, holding it out to me with both hands: “It’s from Silgay…”

Silgay?

I took the letter, flipped it over to look at it, and saw the address and signature… Silgay Republic, Yagema Town, Father Merlin.

…Father Merlin?

“Who is it?”

I looked at the messenger in confusion.

The messenger seemed to be secretly peeking at me, and when he noticed me looking, he moved his gaze away as if a startled rabbit, rubbing his hands and saying: “You are… Xiao Xi… ah, sorry, this letter is for Xiao Xi, who lives in house number three on Longdor Street… Xiao Xi, is that your name, miss…”

“…”

Xiao Xi?

I tilted my head for a while, then suddenly understood.

It’s Grandma Claire!

“Thank you!”

I gave the embarrassed messenger a sweet smile and hurriedly opened the iron gate, entering the courtyard. I faintly heard the messenger mutter behind me: “The beautiful lady… Her name is Xiao Xi…” Feeling good, I turned around and said to him: “I’m Peylo~” Then, ignoring his dazed gaze, I ran along the newly repaired main path to the garden, where I opened the letter just as I reached it. I couldn’t help but stop, and using the light from the lamppost nearby, I read the letter.

Grandma couldn’t read.

Although I always sent letters home and occasionally sent some gold coins from my salary, I never received any replies. This was the first one!

That Father Merlin, I remembered, was the priest from the neighboring town. Grandma must have asked him to write the letter… What does she want to say to me?

I began reading the letter content with a joyful face.

But soon, the smile froze.