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Chapter 20 — “I heard you’re also a favored one of the gods?”
The manifestations of deities came in many forms. A human shape was only one of them.
Beyond humanoid appearances, there existed a “true form” that reflected a god’s divine authority far more directly. These forms varied wildly—there was no limit, no fixed category.
Su Cheng covered her face.
No wonder the God of Purity had been so furious.
What she said at the end… was basically like spitting in his face while standing on his shoe.
It was already impressive he hadn’t cut her down on the spot.
…Probably because he realized she didn’t even know that horse was him.
Su Cheng let out a long sigh. “That horse—”
“What do you mean, that horse?” the squad leader frowned. “That’s a unicorn.”
A unicorn was a rare, high-tier magical beast.
As a favored race of the God of Purity, their reproduction was mysterious. They were said to live solitary lives, deep in remote mountain forests.
They were called “judges of virtue.” Only those with a clean heart and noble character could approach them—and even form contracts.
Su Cheng: “……”
Suddenly, everything clicked.
No wonder the God of Lust had called it a “stupid donkey.”
She had been confused at the time—why would he insult a horse statue as a donkey, when it clearly wasn’t one?
So he hadn’t been insulting the animal.
He had been insulting the God of Purity.
Su Cheng slowly said, “I thought it was… some important person’s mount, or a legendary beast. You people do make statues like that, don’t you?”
Outside the hall, voices rose and fell in discussion. Some clergy had already left for work, but more had been drawn in by curiosity, gathering outside to watch.
“You’re really—”
The nearby holy knights whispered among themselves.
One looked at her in confusion. “You don’t even know what that statue is… and yet you still gained the favor of His Highness Cessia?”
“Now that you mention it,” another shook his head, “maybe it’s precisely because she’s so ignorant of divine matters—so ‘pure’ in a way—that she fits the definition of purity.”
“Hah? Pure? Her? After what she did outside—”
“Perhaps it was pure admiration. An appreciation of beauty. That must be what moved His Highness—”
Su Cheng’s face darkened.
Were they seriously concluding she was a favored one of the God of Purity?
The clergy continued their wild speculation, stealing glances at her constantly.
If her expression hadn’t been so dead inside, they would probably already have come over to question her.
Su Cheng turned stiffly and walked toward the unicorn statue.
She looked down at the inscription on its base.
The script was strange—less like writing, more like symbols made of geometric shapes.
The squad leader approached. “My lady?”
“I understand, I’ll leave soon,” Su Cheng said. Then she lowered her voice. “But… can you read this?”
The squad leader nodded.
Apparently she had already accepted this “divine favored one’s” lack of knowledge.
“In honor, may your name be measured by the scale of glory. To the Saintly White Radiance, the blessing of purity, the envoy of light, we offer our humble souls.”
Her voice was slow and reverent as she recited the inscription.
Her tone echoed through the prayer hall.
Around them, the clergy fell silent. Many bowed their heads, lips moving in silent prayer.
Su Cheng forced herself not to look at the horse again.
Otherwise certain memories would come rushing back.
Even if it had been the influence of the God of Lust, she had still… behaved inappropriately toward a horse.
Worse, that horse and the statue outside were the same being.
And she had said all sorts of nonsense in front of him.
Just thinking about it made her scalp prickle with embarrassment.
“No—no more,” Su Cheng muttered, clutching her head. “Let’s just go meet the archbishop before he gets impatient.”
The clergy looked at her with strange expressions, half offended at her interruption, half unsure how to react to a “divine favored one.”
Soon, a path opened for her.
She stepped out—and immediately heard greetings from afar.
People along the corridor bowed.
The hallway fell into a hush, broken only by soft breaths.
A group of high-ranking clergy approached.
“Miss Su.”
At the center stood a blond young man. He smiled and inclined his head.
“I apologize for summoning you so abruptly. I hope you won’t take offense.”
He was tall, dressed in ceremonial attire: a white-and-gold coat with intricate runic shoulder insignia, golden trim at cuffs and hem, and a chest emblem of crossed scepters encircled by faint flame-like holy light.
“I am Janne White, Archbishop of the Rosanne Grand Diocese.”
He extended a hand.
White gloves covered his fingers, the leather fitting perfectly along his joints, emphasizing both elegance and strength.
Su Cheng had intended to shake it.
But just as she raised her hand, she froze.
Wait… if he’s an archbishop, shouldn’t she be kissing his hand instead?
She looked up again. He was undeniably handsome, with deep green eyes and a gentle smile that made him seem almost disarmingly warm.
…Honestly, that would be kind of embarrassing, but not exactly a loss.
She hesitated, uncertain, afraid of doing something wrong.
Before she could decide, Janne casually took her hand.
A brief, proper handshake.
Then he let go.
No one reacted.
Su Cheng was immensely relieved she hadn’t tried anything dramatic.
Otherwise she’d be branded a pervert for life.
“Likewise,” she said with a strained smile. “Though I suspect you might already regret inviting me.”
A few of the high-ranking clergy exchanged subtle looks.
Clearly, they had already heard about what happened earlier.
“You flatter me,” Janne said calmly. “Please don’t misunderstand my intentions.”
He introduced the others: two knight commanders, two diocesan bishops, and several priests and clerics.
They all greeted her politely, carefully avoiding the earlier incident.
Janne led her deeper into the temple.
The crowd gradually dispersed. The corridor grew quieter.
Occasionally, passing clergy would bow and leave.
“You’ve been studying at home?” one kindly-looking bishop asked.
Su Cheng hesitated.
What kind of setting is this supposed to be?!
The original host had indeed studied at home—her family left her enough inheritance to hire private tutors.
Many low-tier magic practitioners worked for guilds or adventurer associations to earn money.
Teaching wealthy children was far safer than fighting monsters, and not necessarily less profitable.
Her original teachers were exactly such people.
When she reached sixteen or seventeen, she had prepared to enter an academy in Jinkor City for entrance exams.
That was the original Su Cheng’s trajectory.
But now—
Su Cheng felt a headache coming on.
She lowered her head shyly and mumbled something vague about being unskilled and knowing only a few spells.
“You’re too modest,” someone said immediately. “We heard you passed the entrance exam for the Ten-Star Arcane Academy. Quite impressive. The examiners this year were very strict.”
Su Cheng blinked.
Their information network was way too fast.
Either the Magic Guild had informants here—or they had direct ties with the academy.
“Thank you. I was just lucky,” she replied vaguely.
Before she could say more, a young priest hurried over.
He stopped beside a bishop and lowered his voice.
“The son of Count Goler has died in front of the Magic Guild. The family has brought the body.”
The bishop’s expression didn’t change.
“Do they want us to heal him… or investigate?”
“Both. They claim he was killed by heretics.”
A faint wave of distaste passed across the high clergy’s faces.
Su Cheng almost laughed.
To ordinary people, a count’s son might be untouchable.
But to high-ranking clergy—especially those capable of resurrecting the dead or hunting heretics—it was nothing.
“Condition of the body?” the bishop asked.
“Only half remains. Everything above the chest is gone. Heart and lungs missing. Multiple rib fractures…”
Detailed descriptions followed. Expressions shifted subtly among the clergy.
Janne finally spoke. “Ask them what he did before his death. Any contact with heretics.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The priest left.
Su Cheng’s thoughts flickered.
The Goler family did have ties to southern heretics—not for belief, but profit. Smuggling forbidden magical materials north.
Over time, that corruption deepened.
In the original story, they even performed human sacrifices.
If the count’s son was killed in that manner… the family might interpret it as either a warning or a message from the church.
Or a test.
Su Cheng spoke suddenly. “He was supposed to participate in the academy entrance duel with me.”
She sighed dramatically. “If he really was a heretic… what a pity I didn’t get to execute him myself.”
The clergy’s expressions turned strange.
She had just casually labeled him a heretic.
Janne smiled faintly. “We lack evidence. Still… we should investigate.”
A knight commander immediately stepped forward and left.
Another priest spoke up. “One of my acquaintances from South River Academy asked if there’s any way to bring back those killed by the divine favored one.”
Janne asked mildly, “And what did you tell her?”
“The deceased was a Sword Martial elder, at least rank seven. I said if someone could kill a seventh-tier warrior, they must be at least seventh tier themselves. If not our people, then there is no such strongman in this city.”
He paused.
“Then she said it wasn’t the favored one who acted—it was divine manifestation. I told her that if it was the gods’ will, the person must have been guilty, and we cannot interfere. Right, my lord?”
Janne nodded. “Correct. We will not pursue it further.”
Another cleric spoke. “There is also a young noble from House Murong who wishes to meet you—”
Janne waved dismissively. “No time. Handle it yourselves.”
Soon, the clergy dispersed completely, leaving only the archbishop.
The corridor was quiet now, bathed in warm golden sunlight.
Su Cheng finally spoke. “You all already know, don’t you?”
Janne smiled. “Know what?”
She exhaled. “Never mind.”
Then Janne spoke again.
“There are two matters I wish to discuss. First—the bracelet.”
Su Cheng froze.
That… was not what she expected.
Her mind immediately shifted. “I heard it was sent to the Holy City.”
“It was,” Janne replied. “My mentor examined it, and after discussion with the High Council and His Holiness, it was sent to the Divine Realm.”
Su Cheng: “?”
The Pope… sent it to the gods?
“Specifically,” Janne continued, “to the God of Purity.”
Su Cheng’s mind went blank.
“…He wants to see you,” Janne added.
At that moment, something in her brain snapped.
The God of Purity wanted to see her.
The statue that glowed earlier… wasn’t random.
It was because he had been trying to talk to her.
And she had stood there thinking indecent thoughts about a horse-shaped divine manifestation.
“…So when I stood in front of that statue,” Su Cheng said slowly, “he could actually see what I was thinking?”
“Normally no,” Janne said calmly. “But if your thoughts were intense enough, then yes.”
Su Cheng: “…………”
Of course.
Of course he saw it.
No wonder he was angry.
Everything made sense now.
And she had still said those things afterward.
“…Anything else I should know?” she asked weakly.
Janne considered. “He believes you are a person of virtue, willing to sacrifice your family heirloom for the church. He wishes to invite you into the clergy.”
Su Cheng blinked.
“…So his initial impression of me was good?”
Probably not anymore.
“…He also warned that the bracelet may have left a trace on you. It could attract heretical dark entities.”
Su Cheng frowned. “That’s all?”
Janne nodded.
“No threats? No warnings to kill me if I go astray?”
Janne looked at her. “No.”
Su Cheng stared.
“…Then what am I supposed to do with that?”
And then—
In a completely different realm, far beyond mortal perception, a faint voice echoed through divine mist and floating palaces.
“I could answer her,” the voice said lightly, “after all, I’m not a primary or secondary god.”
And in the temple corridor below, Janne smiled politely.
“I assure you,” he said, “no god is listening to this conversation.”
He paused.
“I would stake my soul on it.”
“…For example, let His Highness of Contract take it.”
A brief silence followed.
And somewhere beyond the veil of worlds, something quietly laughed.
