After talking with Gloria, Maggie realized that she had underestimated the Pope's evil.
All she knew was that Gloria became an orphan because her family was slaughtered by demonic followers brought by the Pope, and that she adopted Gloria simply because of her great talent, which made her a perfect tool for making knives.
But even Maggie didn't know that all of this was premeditated, a past event that wasn't even written in the comics.
The conversation between the two pieced together the truth of the whole affair.
Gloria had actually been on the Pope's radar for a long time, because when Gloria was very young, she lost her very talented older sister, who was later adopted by a nobleman.
Because her older sister was doing well in the noble family, Gloria's parents didn't bring her back. However, the noble family treated them fairly well and allowed Gloria to visit her sister occasionally.
Later, her sister was sent to the temple to become the next Holy Maiden of Light.
It was supposed to be a happy occasion for everyone, but the good times didn't last long. Just two years later, news of her sister's death came, but the matter didn't even cause a ripple in the temple.
No one even told them the cause of their sister's death.
Gloria's parents and her noble foster parents were equally helpless, unable to find the true cause of her sister's death.
Later, the Pope took in Gloria, who had been exterminated by the demon cultists and ended up in an orphanage. He raised and cared for her with great care, almost as if she were his own daughter.
As Gloria grew up, she naturally entered the temple, hoping to investigate the cause of her sister's death and repay the Pope by serving him.
As a result, not only did she fail to find out the cause of her sister's death, but she was also blinded by the Pope's magic, gradually forgetting about her sister and becoming a devoted follower of the Pope.
Until... news of the Pope's death arrived.
"If only I had found out sooner."
Gloria didn't actually show too many negative emotions; even when chatting with Maggie, she remained calm. But in this sentence, Maggie could sense a deep sadness within it.
"This is not your fault."
After listening to Gloria's almost repentant words, Maggie sighed silently.
"If it weren't for... a small accident, I would have had a hard time discovering the Pope's conspiracy against the saintess."
She should thank Priestess Shia and Lilia; without their reminder, Maggie might not have realized that people whose thinking is clouded by magic cannot possibly think in that direction.
"It's alright, Your Highness, you don't need to comfort me."
Gloria shook her head.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for telling me the truth. Since you killed the Pope, you have avenged my sister. If you have any requests in the future, please feel free to tell me."
A serious look gradually appeared in her dim eyes as she spoke to Maggie.
Maggie was filled with mixed feelings, but she still agreed.
"Okay, sure."
The pope, whom she had always respected and revered and who had raised her, was actually the murderer who caused the deaths of her entire family. This was something no one could accept.
Their worldview collapsed in an instant, and some people might commit suicide, losing hope in life.
Although she didn't say it very explicitly, Maggie could still sense a death wish in her tone. She might even do it without hesitation if Maggie sent Gloria to her death right now.
No wonder her deputy commander was so worried about her.
This situation is indeed quite worrying.
Having said all that, Gloria, like a puppet drained of its energy, slowly and deliberately left the garden. Maggie watched her retreating figure the whole time, a little worried that she might do something foolish.
People who seem to have a good personality and are cheerful are very prone to becoming depressed after suffering setbacks.
Finally, after Gloria's figure had completely disappeared from Maggie's sight, she turned and left as well.
...
Instead of returning to her room immediately, Maggie turned a corner and headed towards the library.
If nothing unexpected happens, Xiu should be there.
Now it's time to deal with his problem.
Just as Maggie pushed open the library door, Xiu suddenly asked her a nonchalant question from above, neither sarcastic nor critical.
"Your Highness has finally remembered me?"
Xiu sat on the side of the stairs on the second floor of the library, arms crossed, tilting his head and looking at her with a flickering gaze, which inexplicably made Maggie feel a little guilty.
However, Maggie quickly realized what was happening, and her lips twitched involuntarily.
"Didn't you visit me while I was unconscious? Why didn't you come looking for me after I woke up?"
She remembered what Nesser had said: many people had come to see her while she was in a coma, including Xiu, who secretly came to see her at midnight, hiding from everyone.
They insisted on pretending they hadn't been there, but Nesser, who was on night watch, discovered them.
If Nesser hadn't told her about this, she would have felt quite guilty in front of Xiu.
I promised to help them, but after waking up, I was so busy with my own things that I forgot about them.
I didn't even greet them.
The key point is that this awkward mermaid looked at her repeatedly while she was unconscious, but never appeared again after she woke up.
Even inside the temple, he was completely out of sight, as if he were hiding from her.
If she hadn't been so busy the past few days, she would have definitely come to talk to Xiu about going to the bottom of the sea long ago. But when they met today, this annoying mermaid still had to give her a sarcastic remark.
It's clear that Xiu can come to her; she doesn't have to take the initiative.
Besides, this mermaid should be concerned about whether she lives or dies, right?
Why pretend it never happened?
strangeness.
Upon hearing Maggie's question, Xiu's composed demeanor froze for a moment, and he then awkwardly turned his head away.
"If this is all you came here to talk about, then we don't need to talk."
Xiu is quite arrogant; even if he is in the wrong, he will stubbornly stick to his guns and never let himself be at a disadvantage.
Maggie looked at Xiu, who was unwilling to admit defeat, but she wasn't angry at his attitude. After all, he was her savior.
But for some reason, a wicked thought welled up in her heart, wanting to make Xiu, this proud mermaid, bow down to her once.
Previously, she lacked the necessary conditions, but now that she holds real power, she has become much more assertive.
So instead of going straight up to the second floor, she stood at the library entrance, crossed her arms, and said in a teasing tone.
“Young Master Mermaid, if you come down and beg me now, I might not only help you get rid of the Ice Mermaid branch’s pursuit, but also help you gain a place in your clan.”
This is a very tempting offer; if Xiu were to beg her...
Maggie was feeling quite pleased with herself when Xiu suddenly burst into laughter.
"Who told you I wanted to go back?"
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