Half a month after leaving the capital of the Kingdom of Arnold, 'Dapata', the carriage of the Temple of Light reappeared outside the city of Santa Fe.
Maggie lifted the curtain of the carriage, and the bats that had been following her all the way finally disappeared.
Although they didn't know why the vampires were targeting her, they still didn't dare to attack her because of the power of the Holy Knights.
However, this also meant that Maggie couldn't release the coordinates of the vampire's lair. She had originally wanted to do Blood Hunter a favor, but now it seems she'll have to postpone it.
Maggie was somewhat disappointed.
The carriage swayed and rattled into the city, heading towards the temple in the very center of Santa Fe City, and soon arrived at the temple.
Maggie stepped down from the carriage and looked ahead. The statue of the God of Light was as sacred as ever, and the cathedral was as holy and magnificent as she remembered.
Less than two months after leaving, Maggie couldn't help but feel a sense of disorientation.
Last time, she was forced to "invite" to the temple to succeed the so-called Holy Maiden of Light, unarmed and cautious. This time, she has returned with the ability to fight back.
"Your Highness, the Archbishop is already waiting for you both at the cathedral."
This time, Maggie was greeted not by Harun, but by the vice-commander of the Holy Knights.
He had a head of curly, brownish-yellow hair and was very respectful to her, but for some reason, he reminded people of a golden retriever.
"Okay, I understand."
Maggie's gaze swept intentionally or unintentionally over Yarlin beside her, and she could feel the trembling and fear he was trying to suppress.
Because he messed things up.
She sneered inwardly, but Maggie's expression remained unchanged as she strode forward without stopping, heading straight into the cathedral.
"Welcome back, Saintess."
As soon as Maggie stepped into the cathedral, she felt countless strange gazes fixed on her. Maggie's eyes swept over the nuns, priests, and clergymen with their various expressions, and she understood.
It seems they really couldn't wait. She couldn't wait to confront them as soon as she got off the carriage. They really have no patience at all.
"Your Excellency, I'm back."
Maggie remained calm, pretending not to notice their reaction, and quickly walked to the foot of the prayer table.
Archbishop Ford maintained his kind and gentle expression, showing no change in his attitude towards Maggie.
"Your Highness has accomplished a great task. You must be tired from your journey. Please go back and rest soon."
If Maggie hadn't known, Yarlin would have already passed on the news of 'her sabotage of the plan' to Ford, and he might have been genuinely moved.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency."
Maggie's face showed a hint of emotion. She bowed respectfully to the archbishop and prepared to leave.
Just as Maggie had envisioned, a young pastor suddenly jumped out from beside the prayer table, looking at her with righteous indignation and loudly rebuking her.
"Zefneria Maggie, you forged your talent level and stole the position of Saintess, how dare you come back!?"
Yarlin had quietly retreated to the other side at some point, standing opposite her with a mocking expression, seemingly convinced that she was lying.
Maggie turned her head away, and at that moment most of the people in the church were looking at her with the eyes that looked at a thief or a sinner.
She glanced at each of those who criticized her, silently making a mental note of each person, before slowly withdrawing her gaze.
In such an environment, how would the cowardly original self react?
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Maggie's face immediately showed the corresponding expression. She timidly raised her head and gave the archbishop a weak and hesitant look, yet she stubbornly refused to admit her guilt. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, making her look exceptionally pitiful and innocent.
“Your Excellency, I swear on the honor of the Zefnia family, I have never deceived the temple in the slightest!”
Her voice was strong and resonant, sounding so confident that it made people want to believe her.
The young pastor was unyielding and aggressive, almost pointing his finger at Maggie and cursing her.
"You're lying! You were able to fake your talent and deceive the temple because you had Duke Zefnea's help. Swearing on the honor of the Zefnea family is a joke!"
"Deceive the temple, and your entire family will be wiped out by the temple!"
Archbishop Ford watched the farce quietly from the sidelines, without making a move to interrupt.
Maggie's disgust for the old man grew stronger, and she silently watched as the woman tried to prove herself. If, as the young priest had said, she had fabricated her talent and failed to prove herself, he would immediately order her to be imprisoned in the dungeon to await judgment on the guillotine.
If she successfully proves that she did not deceive the temple, he will step forward, say a few kind words to comfort her, and then send the young priest to the dungeon.
Neither offend her nor the others in the temple.
No wonder he's an archbishop as cunning as a fox.
"Words are not enough; you need to provide evidence."
Maggie closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again, clutching the folds of her clothes tightly with one hand, her gaze both gentle and strong.
"Evidence? Do you need evidence? Among the nobles of the Kingdom of Saint-Navi, who doesn't know this? Only you, Maggie, think you've hidden it well."
The young priest sneered and pointed at the people in the cathedral, who all began to echo his sentiments.
"Yes, I can prove it!"
"I can prove it too!"
More and more people spoke up, and Yarlin could hardly hide his smugness. Maggie bit her lip helplessly, and after a long while, when the noise in the church grew quieter, she finally spoke, tears welling up in her eyes.
"The dignity of a saint cannot be desecrated. I will prove myself. Give me some time."
Maggie's words further solidified the possibility that she had fabricated the story, and the voices accusing her in the church grew louder and louder.
“Your Highness, proving yourself is a very easy thing. You just need to test your talent level. It’s very simple.”
Maggie saw Yarlin's eagerness to step forward, and his ugly face was disgusting.
He ultimately couldn't suppress his hatred for her and joined the victorious side at the moment he thought victory was assured.
Maggie glanced at Ford's expression, and sure enough, his previously calm expression was now slightly furrowed, clearly indicating his dissatisfaction with Yarlin's behavior.
Unfortunately, Arlin was still basking in the joy of dethroning her from her position as saintess, unaware that his superior had already grown dissatisfied with him.
“But if I didn’t, you’re slandering the saintess for no reason, and the bishop will definitely punish you. As long as you change your story now, I can pretend that nothing happened.”
Maggie shook her head, radiating an aura of saintliness, as if to say, 'I don't want you to get hurt because of this.'
But in the eyes of Yarlin and her critics, her words now are an attempt to exonerate herself; she is trying to find a way to evade testing.
“Your Highness, your words are as flimsy as your credibility.”
Yarlin sneered, having completely sided with the high priest. With the high priest's addition, the junior priest was even more confident, his neck held high like a victorious fighting rooster.
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