When the plot-skips players into the game world

Chapter 680: Chapter 72: The Grey Saintess Grey Chapter 680: Chapter 72: The Grey Saintess Grey Actually, Aiwass wasn’t too eager to come into contact with the Holy Maiden at this time.

In the game’s 2.0 storyline, it was only after receiving help from “Pure White” that the fleeing Aiwass and Isabel were able to settle down in the Holy Nation.

But this also directly affiliated them with the Holy Maiden’s faction, resulting in them having to start from a point of “distrust” and build up rapport with any Cardinal Archbishop they contacted thereafter.

As a result, Aiwass was still comfortably in Avalon, yet coincidentally met the Holy Maiden while studying abroad in the Holy Nation…

This could also be considered a convergence of world lines.

But what truly astonished Aiwass was that Isabel was actually able to contact Her Highness the Holy Maiden…

This was no one easy to make contact with.

At this moment, as Aiwass watched the crowd gradually gather around them, he knew he was probably about to become famous.

Being a guest whom the Holy Maiden personally came to greet in the first ring, Aiwass became a figure many would remember on his first day in the Eternal Theocracy.

Even though there were no news agencies or newspapers in the Holy Nation…

after all, the indigenous people were Elves, and Elves don’t keep track of dates because their sleep cycles differ from humans’.

Just as humans wouldn’t specifically remember what time it is now.

However, in places where Short-Lived Species congregated, there were still information hubs like bars and clubs.

——And they had absolutely no concept of being “low-key.”

The six Papal Guards encircled them, with their white capes turning to red in an instant, a sign they were on a mission and bystanders should clear the way.

And the Holy Maiden dismounted from her Unicorn to walk alongside Aiwass.

Aiwass spoke softly, “It’s been a long time, Pure White Highness—do you remember?

I am Fox.

And this is the Detective.”

Pure White tilted her head slightly.

Her eyes, bound by the ribbon, seemed to glance briefly at Sherlock, who followed in Silence, a slight smile on her lips: “I remember.

“If I’m not mistaken, he was the one whose identity was switched by Lord Merlin, only joining the ranks of the Transcendents at the very end, right?”

She replied smoothly.

Quickly, she asked with curiosity, “I have a question, Aiwass.”

Without any hesitation, Pure White called out Aiwass’s name directly.

“Please speak,”

Aiwass answered politely.

“How did you recognize me?”

The Holy Maiden, with her eyes bound by the white ribbon, asked softly, “I’ve always been curious…

I shouldn’t have revealed my identity, should I?”

“Didn’t you say it yourself?”

Aiwass hesitated for a moment before responding, “A Pillar God is watching over us—there aren’t many who can do this.”

“But when I first…

met you, the tone of my voice should have been similar to that of an ordinary person, right?”

Pure White asked softly, “I want to know, did you recognize me from the very beginning, or did you only know who I was after I said that phrase?”

Aiwass understood what Pure White meant.

The reason why this “Amberficated” Eternal Saintess came into contact with Taboos was that she was too quiet.

She was somewhat like Isabel at first, but their natures were completely different—Isabel was that way because of fear and insecurity, while Her Highness the Holy Maiden was due to being too calm.

She was not socially anxious, nor was she emotionless or inarticulate.

Quite the contrary…

she was very confident in her actions, emotionally stable, and had a calm demeanor.

She even smiled!

No matter if she was ridiculed, cursed at, attacked, or faced with setup situations or life-threatening dangers, Her Highness the Holy Maiden remained utterly unfazed and unconcerned.

Even if she were to be stewed the next moment, she would calmly discuss with others that cannibalism was wrong.

If she truly could not explain it away and was outmatched, given her character, she might even help prepare the spices instead.

Just like the previous Aiwass—unconcerned about everything and too self-centered.

Because of this, she had not a hint of fear, never panicked or lost composure in the face of any situation.

Her codename “Pure White” given by the Pope truly suits her unblemished spirit.

“Actually, if I have to say for sure, it was only at the end that I was certain,”

Aiwass spoke frankly, “But after all, you all are Elves, and they were very respectful towards you.

So, there really weren’t many options.”

It had to be either the Pope, a Holy Maiden, a Cardinal, or a few Saints, and at most, an addition of the Papal Guard.

But from her initial statement, “Don’t you recognize me?” one could tell she must be highly renowned within the Holy Nation.

With high popularity and status in the Holy Nation, “Pure White” could only refer to one person.

And that would be the Grey Saintess.

As the main storyline progressed, players would learn that “Pure White” was truly named Grey, and this name meant “grey.” Therefore, she was also referred to by players as “Grey Saintess.”

The Holy Nation didn’t hold white in the highest regard.

The name “Pure White” was actually more of a blessing given to her by the Pope.

For this reason, when Aiwass first heard the widely popular name “Pure White,” he didn’t make the connection to Her Highness the Holy Maiden.

It was only after the Holy Maiden reverted to her even and tranquil tone that he instantly realized who she was.

——Of course, the most important clue was the difference in stature.

The “Pure White” from the Ascension Ceremony was a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl, but the Grey Saintess…

As Aiwass thought this, he inadvertently glanced at the grand scope on her chest area.

“I see…”

Grey nodded thoughtfully.

She hesitated slightly and, after a brief moment of contemplation, still spoke up, “Can I see it, please…

that Flame Butterfly?”

“Her name is Liya.”

Aiwass nodded and released the Flame Butterfly that had been hidden in his sleeve from the very start.

The Grey Saintess carefully caught the Flame Butterfly on the tip of her finger, slowing her pace even more.

She gently brought the Flame Butterfly close to her eyes, veiled behind a white gauze, and whispered as if afraid to wake it, “Your relationship with her…

very close?”

“She’s my sister…

well, you could also say my daughter.”

When Aiwass answered, his expression was somewhat strange.

He had never anticipated that one day, he would be publicly executed in full view of a crowd.

——At the moment, they were not in any sealed visiting environment, but rather outside.

With the Holy Maiden on a pilgrimage, naturally, there were many onlookers.

Consequently, Aiwass was also included among them.

At this distance, the content of their conversation would surely be overheard, especially since the Holy Nation had a high density of Transcendents.

Therefore, Aiwass had no choice but to feign composure, maintaining an air as if to say, “This is perfectly normal, what seems to be the issue?”

“No wonder…”

However, the Holy Maiden showed no surprise at Aiwass’s words.

Instead, it seemed to her completely logical.

She nodded, “His Majesty said…”

She paused and added, “I mean, the Pope His Majesty said.

You could be a descendant of the Butterfly Celestial Marshal.”

“…Ah?”

Aiwass was stunned for a moment.@@novelbin@@

Do I have that in my blood?

Aren’t I a Swampfolk?

Even if I’m not Swampfolk, there should be no relation to the Butterfly Celestial Marshal, should there?

…Or is it that Jacob added some spice to the story?

This was not impossible…

With distrust towards his grandfather, Aiwass was also somewhat unsure, “Is that so?

I’m actually not very clear on the matter…”

Because Aiwass truly wasn’t certain what he actually was.

But the surrounding bystanders were instantly energized, as it was obvious that some immediately left after obtaining this information.

——Did you hear that!

The Pope Himself admitted that Minister Moriarty of Avalon is of the Butterfly Celestial Marshal’s bloodline!

“Actually, I don’t think it’s likely.”

Surprisingly, Pure White disagreed, “His Majesty’s opinions differ from mine.

I find her viewpoint to be a bit exaggerated and too direct.”

She didn’t hesitate to express “I think the Pope is wrong,” but Aiwass dared not join the conversation.

The inseparably close relationship between each Pope and the Holy Maiden was akin to a mother and daughter.

From this perspective, she could also be said to be the only daughter of the current Eternal Pope.

The Holy Maiden’s status in the Eternal Theocracy was exalted, she could even be considered a “vice-Pope.”

If the Eternal Pope was responsible for the higher functions, then the Holy Maiden was responsible for the lower ones.

Their role was simple, to “play the Pope.”

Since the Pope bore the Sin Thorn, making it difficult to move freely, the Holy Maiden would attend any event, speech, ceremony, celebration, or festival that required the Pope’s presence—some documents written by the Pope, and others by themselves.

Whenever appearing in the Pope’s stead, she would also refer to herself as the Pope.

Thus, it was not so much a substitution as a performance.

Even, in a sense, the Holy Maiden could be seen as the “de facto Pope” of the Eternal Theocracy.

“Then, what do you think…?”

Aiwass inquired.

Just then, they prepared to turn a corner.

Aiwass subconsciously touched the Unicorn.

The steps of the Holy Maiden faltered for an instant.

And seeing that the Unicorn had no reaction to Aiwass’s touch, she tilted her head in slight confusion.

She did not answer Aiwass’s question but instead asked, “Are you tired, Aiwass?”

“…It’s not even three kilometers yet, I think I should be…

not tired?”

Aiwass was about to say he wasn’t tired but sensed the Holy Maiden might have something to say, so he looked up tentatively as he responded.

Should I be tired…

or not?

“I think you’re tired.”

The Holy Maiden replied, “Take a rest.”

With these words, she grabbed Aiwass by the waist with one hand as if holding a cat and hoisted him onto the Unicorn as well.

Aiwass, standing at 1.82 meters tall, for the first time felt the peculiar sensation of being petite in the arms of the Holy Maiden.

“So, what do you believe…?”

Aiwass continued to press the earlier topic.

He was genuinely curious about the Holy Maiden’s assessment of him.

Both the Pope and the Holy Maiden were quite versed in the research of the gods.

An evaluation from the Holy Maiden could be greatly helpful in understanding the Swampfolk system for Aiwass.

But the Holy Maiden’s counter-question left Aiwass dumbstruck, “Are you a girl, Aiwass?”

“—Huh?”

Aiwass was immediately taken aback.

…I just spent the whole day yesterday playing with Isabel, and now you’re asking me if I’m a girl?!