Su Cheng was a little surprised.
Actually, she wasn't particularly angry, because Camus obviously didn't do it on purpose. Everyone who knew about potions understood that sometimes they were just uncontrollable.
After all, just looking at those ingredients, one would know that the result definitely wouldn't be sweet and pleasant.
"He already apologized, and I thought that was the end of it. I originally wanted to ask about the specific details—"
For example, exactly how much gel did they need to steal? If it was a small amount, perhaps as long as they kept a low profile during the process, the people from the Holy Church wouldn't even notice the missing inventory.
Who knew if they would carefully check their incoming and outgoing stock.
"No," Kai shook his head slightly, "they won't. If an insider wants to hold back a portion, others will just turn a blind eye."
However, the clerics who dared to do such a thing usually held some status, and they wouldn't embezzle too much either.
It was just that since the Archbishop was still in the temple, those people wouldn't dare to slack off or delay, and their efficiency would be higher.
Before tomorrow night, those medicinal ingredients might be purified, so they could only make their move tonight.
The Commander gave a brief explanation, and Su Cheng understood.
"But they are still stealing things for me, while I am here eating and drinking to my heart's content. Doesn't that feel a bit wrong?"
Su Cheng stood up. "I should still make a trip to the temple. If the two of them really get caught, I'll figure out a way to bail them out."
Kai took a sip of his drink. "I don't think they will, but if doing this makes you feel better, then I support you."
Su Cheng tilted her head and looked at him. "Thank you. Also, how long have you been here? Do you know of any taverns that are relatively far from the temple? The kind that serves good food?"
The latter thought for a moment, gave her a few names, and roughly described the routes and iconic landmarks.
Su Cheng nodded, pausing again before leaving. "Have you had dinner?"
The dark-haired man nodded casually. "I ate before you came."
Su Cheng hurriedly left the Mercenary Guild, found that candy store on the next street, bought another cake, and had it packed in an extremely exquisite gift box.
Then, carrying the item, she swaggered over to the temple.
The believers' worship times were all during the day; at night, ordinary citizens were no longer allowed to freely enter the Holy Church's territory.
The Holy Knights on duty all recognized her, and she stated straightforwardly that she had come to see His Grace, the Archbishop.
They could all see clearly that the young girl was holding a large box in her arms, looking exactly like someone coming to give a gift.
She had previously been invited by the Archbishop as a guest and was personally escorted to her carriage by him; any cleric with decent sources of information knew about this.
They didn't dare stop her, directly letting her in without saying much.
Su Cheng didn't know if the Archbishop was actually still there or not. She originally wanted to fish for information from them, but it seemed these Holy Knights had no idea either.
Holding the cake, she walked through the spacious corridor hall where divine statues stood, immediately catching sight of the magnificent statue of the God of Purity.
Looking at that handsome and striking face, she suddenly felt a bit guilty.
"...Your Grace?"
A familiar voice came from the steps.
Su Cheng looked up.
A tall young man with blond hair and blue eyes stood at the top of the stairs. His snow-white trench coat was spotless, and the golden crest on his shoulder sparkled in the light.
He looked over with a smile. "If you wish to present a gift to His Highness the God of Purity, you can go to his prayer room—"
"What?" Su Cheng snapped back to reality. "Who wants to give him a gift!"
At this moment, the entire corridor hall was empty and silent. Among the hundreds of steps, there were only a few Holy Knights on duty, and they were all standing far away from them.
Her voice echoed in the air for a few seconds.
Su Cheng: "..."
She suddenly realized that standing in front of the divine statue while carrying a cake seemed a bit misleading.
Su Cheng quickly turned back and bowed to the statue. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. It's mainly because I have other matters to attend to. If you like eating this, I'll burn one for you next time—uh, that doesn't sound quite right either."
After all, he wasn't a dead person.
She was originally a little nervous, feeling that she had said the wrong thing. But on second thought, if the God of Purity hadn't come looking for her last time, none of the subsequent events would have happened.
Normally speaking, if a divine statue were to react, it would usually require the person in front of it to harbor immense malice or commit a highly excessive act of blasphemy.
Something like "not wanting to give him a cake" was absolutely not included.
Even thoughts like "I don't really like him" or "I want to keep my distance from him" were the same.
None of them reached the level of warranting punishment or condemnation.
Zane walked over. "Did something happen?"
Su Cheng blinked. "Are you a local, Your Grace?"
"Of course not," the Archbishop shook his head slightly. "I was merely dispatched to be stationed in the Rosean Diocese and serve as the Archbishop here. Before this, I was in a frontier city of the Crimson Sun Empire, responsible for managing a standard diocese—"
Su Cheng felt a surge of deep respect. "You were actually a bishop in a place like that? I heard the borders of the Southern Continent nations are very chaotic."
Zane was noncommittal. "I was just acting according to the Holy Church's regulations. And frankly speaking, it's easier to accumulate experience and credentials in such places."
Su Cheng didn't expect him to be so frank. "...So if you hold out for a few years, you get promoted, right? I understand. By the way, my visit this time is quite presumptuous. Did I disturb you?"
The Archbishop casually replied that she hadn't, saying that tonight was quite leisurely, though he did have matters to attend to in the latter half of the night.
Su Cheng: "..."
What on earth was Sasha doing! Didn't they say they were going to lure the people out!
On second thought, there were many experts in the Golden Amber City temple. The bishops and captains she saw yesterday were all highly capable.
Even if something happened, the Archbishop wouldn't necessarily go over personally; he would most likely send someone to check it out first.
"Oh right," Su Cheng quickly shoved the cake into his hands. "This is for you. Since you're not a local, perhaps you haven't tasted it...?"
"Thank you," the Archbishop didn't refuse, taking it while expressing his thanks. "I indeed haven't."
Su Cheng took a deep breath. "Could I invite you to a meal?"
A bunch of excuses had already surfaced in her mind, just waiting for the other party to ask.
Zane, however, merely looked at her and then tilted his head up to check the sky.
Through the gaps in the corridor hall's domed ceiling, a crescent moon hung high in the sky, and the sparse dark clouds were gradually scattering.
"Then it would be my honor to have dinner with you," the Archbishop smiled. "Do I need to change into something else?"
Su Cheng hesitated for a moment. "I guess it doesn't matter?"
Zane was a bit surprised. "Is that so? Then let's go."
After saying that, he handed the cake to a nearby Holy Knight, asked the man to deliver the item to his office, and then followed her out.
It wasn't until they stepped out of the Holy Church's temple grounds that Su Cheng could hardly believe she had actually brought him out.
The villa area in the upper city had always been quiet. The chilly moonlight spilled over the alabaster streets, lush tree shadows fell in front of the magnificent mansions, and the lamps hanging on the porches emitted warm yellow halos.
She just wanted to lead him further away, so she simply headed toward the lower city. "Actually, I have something I want to ask you, Your Grace, regarding that night—"
Su Cheng took a deep breath. "That fugitive Lord Ling Yang is chasing, he did indeed run into my house, but I swear I don't know where he went."
Judging by the archbishop's expression, he seemed to have guessed that she might bring this up.
The blond youth looked over calmly. "And?"
Su Cheng replied, "I am the favored of His Highness Klaus. You know I wouldn't lie lightly using this kind of phrasing."
That was the name of the God of Contracts.
Zane nodded earnestly. "I do not doubt you, my lady. If you have any concerns, please feel free to speak your mind."
Su Cheng simply wanted to create an atmosphere, making him believe that her main reason for asking him out was to discuss this matter.
"...I just wanted to ask," she said, trying to look as worried as possible, "did you catch him?"
Whether it was the Dragon Knight or the archbishop before her, they both knew about the special properties of the bracelet and would have guessed that she definitely met the incubus.
The incubus had been gravely injured. Logically, he shouldn't have had the ability to use magic to escape, yet he managed to get away.
What did this imply?
It implied that something must have happened between her and him that allowed him to regain his strength.
Even if the other clerics didn't know, Zane and Ling Yang were likely well aware of this. Therefore, it was perfectly reasonable for her to act guilty right now.
After all, if the incubus were to be caught again and gave her up, wouldn't she become an accomplice? Regardless of whether she was coerced or not.
"No," the archbishop cast her a reassuring look. "You need not fear. He should have already fled to the Southern Continent."
Need not fear?
Did he mean she didn't need to fear the fugitive, or that she didn't need to fear the fugitive exposing her?
The Church was not the sole dominant power in the Southern Continent, but they still held influence. If they could find the demon before he entered the territory of the Evernight Secret Cult, there might still be a chance to capture him.
Of course, Su Cheng did not want him to be caught.
Su Cheng said, "...Ah, I really hope he is found soon. Otherwise, what if he harms more innocent people?"
Zane gave her a deep look. "Rest assured, if there is a chance with such a heinous criminal, even if they cannot capture him, they will eliminate him to prevent more victims, just as you said."
If that guy was killed during the capture process, there would be no trial and no problem of him ratting out his accomplices.
Su Cheng nodded silently. "Indeed."
They left the Upper City, passing through the bustling and noisy commercial streets, and entered the chaotic Lower City.
The puddles of dirty water on the cobblestone road reflected the fragmented moonlight. Flyers and soaked wanted posters floated in the gutters, and the smell of rotting fish mixed with the scent of rust pierced the nose.
There were quite a few people coming and going on the streets. Some drunkards sat in the corners, while others looked around for easy targets. More watchful eyes hid in the shadows of the alleys.
However, when they saw the snow-white uniform symbolizing a cleric, almost all of them simultaneously revealed expressions as if they had seen a ghost.
Even if an ordinary person couldn't distinguish the specific rank from the clothes, anyone who wasn't blind could tell it was definitely not the attire of a common priest or knight.
"...Are you a noble?" Su Cheng couldn't help but lean slightly closer to the person beside her. "Whether you are or not, I'm guessing you must have plenty of experience attending banquets in high-end taverns, right?"
"I have no title," Zane replied, mimicking her by lowering his head to speak near her ear. "When I was in the Southern Continent, I was often invited by the local nobles, but it was mostly to their estates."
Su Cheng nodded. "Alright, I was just worried that if you were a noble, you might not like a place like this."
They had reached the outskirts of the Lower City. The towering, majestic city walls loomed indistinctly in the night.
At the intersection ahead was a small tavern. A crooked wooden sign hung above the door, painted with a fluffy white cat that looked like a round loaf of white bread, clutching a wine bottle with its paws.
The steps were pieced together from broken bricks and scrap wood, and the door curtain looked tattered. The air was a mix of baking dough and some kind of spicy seasoning. The tables and chairs in the hall were a bit scattered, but the floor was incredibly clean, polished until it almost shone. A few magic crystal lamps hung on the walls. Currently, there were only three tables of guests, with smoked meat, onion soup, garlic bread, and cheap ale set before them.
One table of people was drunk and shouting loudly.
The other two tables casually glanced at the new arrivals and then froze.
Their eyes widened in shock, their expressions nervous and panicked. Someone even instinctively reached for the weapon at their waist before dejectedly letting go.
Against a cleric of this caliber, any resistance would be utterly futile.
Su Cheng wasn't sure if they had done bad things or if they simply feared the Church, thinking that clerics might randomly arrest innocent people on the streets.
Regardless, Zane paid them no mind.
The boss behind the bar was wiping the wooden wine cabinet. She looked quite old, with obvious wrinkles at the corners of her eyes when she smiled. "Ah, my lords, this is truly my honor."
The boss handed over a menu. Su Cheng took it and flipped through. "Two plates of all your signature dishes?"
Saying that, she took out a few silver coins and placed them on the table.
They sat in a corner of the tavern. Except for the table of drunkards, no one else in the hall made another sound. The other two tables hurriedly packed up their food and left.
Clay plates landed on the table one after another. Round potato balls lay on the plates, their skins golden and crispy. A milky white sauce oozed from the cracks, and the steam carried the rich aroma of chili and cheese.
The chicken wings skewered on iron sticks had a caramel hue, slightly charred on the outside, gleaming with grease, and their scent mixed with the freshness of lemongrass.
Su Cheng poked a fried potato ball with her fork, the piping hot filling slowly flowing out. "I hope you don't find this dinner too simple?"
Zane sat opposite her, his green eyes full of a smile. "I find it very surprising. Careful, it's hot."
Su Cheng drew in a breath. Her tongue still stung a bit; she had indeed burned it.
She puffed out her cheeks. "...Thank you."
The blond youth opposite her stood up and soon returned carrying iced mead.
"Having served here for several years, I've never had the chance to explore these street delicacies. I truly must thank you for bringing me here. Only a local like you could know these places like the back of your hand," he said with a smile.
Su Cheng couldn't help but feel a drop of sweat.
She actually didn't know about these at all.
It was all told to her by the Commander.
And Kai wasn't a local either.
Su Cheng silently lowered her head to eat.
Even though she had eaten half a cake not long ago, she had slept for most of the day, and walking outside for a bit had brought her appetite back.
The crispy outer shell of the potato ball shattered between her teeth, and the filling flowed down her throat along the tip of her tongue.
The roasted chicken wings were so tender they oozed juices. The sweet and sour sauce mixed with the pepper flavor, blending surprisingly well.
"By the way..."
She had just finished gnawing on a skewer of chicken wings and was about to speak when the ground suddenly trembled!
The surrounding tables and chairs shook slightly.
Zane turned his head thoughtfully, his gaze passing through the window and looking toward the direction of the Church's temple.
Su Cheng only felt her blood rush to her head.
How did they cause such a huge commotion? Did they tear the temple down?
Did those two mess up?
Although it might not necessarily be them, the probability was very high at this point in time.
The blond young man sitting across from her pressed his hands against the table, seemingly about to stand up.
...I can't let him go back!
Every second I can delay him counts!
Su Cheng gritted her teeth, quickly jumped up, and grabbed his wrist. "Your Excellency, I have something to ask you!"
Before she could finish her sentence, the ground suddenly shook again!
The drunks in the hall all let out curses. A wine bottle crashed to the floor and shattered into pieces. Even the owner behind the counter cried out in alarm, holding onto the bar with a face full of confusion.
A faint commotion could also be heard from the street outside.
Su Cheng swayed a bit, failing to stand firm. An idea flashed through her mind, and she simply played along, letting her legs give way as she fell.
Zane immediately reached out and caught her. "Careful."
He was still wearing his gloves. Despite having eaten quite a bit just now, they weren't the least bit dirty. At this moment, his palm was gripping her waist with a steady force, neither too heavy nor too light.
Su Cheng blinked. "Thank you, but what's going on? An earthquake?"
"...Perhaps," the Archbishop turned his head back. "What did you want to ask me?"
He let go of her as he spoke.
"I wanted to ask—" Su Cheng cleared her throat softly after steadying herself. "Is Mr. Ian, who taught me how to use magic to train my spiritual power last time, single?"
Zane: "?"
Zane: "............"
