Chapter 45

“Hey hey, little Vanessa, tell me, if I had struck a pose when I made my entrance just now, along with a catchphrase: ‘Ta-da, the idol of the Church, Little Saintess Vanessa makes a dazzling entrance~’, wouldn’t that have been better?” Selina said with a troubled expression. 

“And then, I left in such a hurry that I didn’t even have time to say goodbye to everyone.”

“Understood, thank you for saving me earlier.” Vanessa’s polite yet exasperated voice reached Selina’s mind.

If Selina had actually done that and even one person heard it, Vanessa felt she might as well move to another planet.

Although most people believed it was the goddess manifesting and had nothing to do with her.

“I personally don’t think it’s necessary. You’ve already done your best, and that’s enough.”

“Really? Hehe, by the way, little Vanessa, do you have any plans to find a partner?” Selina suddenly asked with a smile.

“Not really.” Did her ancestor not know about her current situation? She could barely afford to eat, let alone think about such things.

Well, she did have some thoughts on the matter, but she would only consider girls, which was definitely different from what Selina was imagining.

“What a pity. Little Vanessa is so beautiful, and not taking advantage of that is such a waste, isn’t it?” Selina said, even giving Vanessa’s ample chest a little lift from below.

“Ancestor, please don’t do such strange things to my body!”

“Why are you so shy? I’m your ancestor, after all. Your bloodline and body came from me. Let me take a look and even touch a bit, what’s the harm?~” Selina teased.

Although Vanessa’s current expression couldn’t be seen, her voice alone conveyed the deep blush and embarrassment on her face.

“Anyway, please don’t use my voice to say such outrageous things or do such strange things.” Vanessa took a deep breath, even though she couldn’t actually breathe right now.

“But, you know, I think there’s someone quite suitable for you. They like you enough, have similar experiences, and are a good match for you. Ahh~ what a shame. If I were still alive, I’d definitely play matchmaker for you two and help you get together.” Selina lamented.

“? May I ask, who are you talking about?” Vanessa was puzzled. Selina had been dead for so long; logically, everyone she knew should be long gone. How could she still talk about matchmaking for Vanessa?

“Hmm, who else could it be but that little girl named Aesphyra? You know her, right? She’s the last descendant of the ancient imperial family.”

“May I remind you that peeking into someone else’s memories is very rude, Ancestor Se li na!”Vanessa’s usually composed and ladylike tone shows signs of cracking for the first time.

“Sorry, but it’s just too interesting. Little Vanessa’s experiences are so rich? You even spent some time in another dimension.” Selina teased.

“But seriously, you two will make a great match~”

“Please stop saying such irresponsible things. I will never fall for such a promiscuous woman!” Vanessa was getting fed up. It felt like being pressured by a family elder to marry, and the person they were pushing her towards was someone she couldn’t stand.

“Pfft, don’t get so worked up, little Vanessa. I was just joking.”

“But honestly, the reason I didn’t even have time to say goodbye earlier is that I really don’t have much time left.”

“… Ancestor Selina?”

“Because there’s not much time left, and I have to return to my resting place. So, the mess that follows will be up for you to clean up, little Vanessa.”

“Wait, what do you mean by mess??” Vanessa was stunned.

However, Selina didn’t explain, or perhaps she didn’t have time to.

In the next moment, Vanessa’s soul returned to her body, and her eyes snapped open.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she noticed a change in her Virtue.

‘Virtue + 2000.’

‘Current Virtue: 4024.’

What is this??

Wait, how is it so much? There weren’t any heroines around to see it, were there??

After a brief moment of surprise and contemplation, Vanessa came to a conclusion.

Perhaps this was the total Virtue awarded for resolving the Demon Pillar incident. It accounts for all her actions and behaviors during the event, such as how many fanatics she killed and how many people she saved, and then gave her the corresponding Virtue.

A full 2000 Virtue, the first time she had seen such a massive increase in Virtue at once.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. She had risked her life to repel a Demon Pillar, even if it was just a tentacle, and she had borrowed her ancestor’s power to do it.

Repelling a Demon Pillar will definitely yield a high amount of Virtue.

This time, she really owed it all to her ancestor.

But just as Vanessa tried to move her body, she realized she was lying limp like a doll in front of the Radiance Residency in the Holy Church.

“Me?…” Vanessa broadened her beautiful almond-shaped eyes, trying to move her body, but found she didn’t even have the strength for that.

“Eh, eh??” Vanessa was momentarily stunned, and after gradually accepting the reality, a look of panic flashed in her heart-shaped eyes.

‘I, I can’t move??’

Was it because she let her ancestor take over her body, completely draining her mana and strength??

Now she was like a discarded ragdoll on the side of the road, unable to even move a finger. 

The only things she could move were her eyelids and facial expressions. Even if a goblin passed by, she wouldn’t have the strength to resist!

But, luckily, there were no goblins in Carillian Academy.

But Selina had controlled her body and returned to the Holy Church in front of everyone!

Surely someone will come to inspect the Holy Church!!

When they saw her lying limp in front of the Radiance Residency, wouldn’t that expose everything??

How could she explain it?? And what would happen if the Church found out about this later??

The Church was now completely controlled by the Pope and the higher-ups! 

Even if they didn’t dare to touch her openly, there were plenty of ways to deal with a rootless descendant of Varelis behind the scenes!

Even if they didn’t kill her, they would turn her into the Pope’s puppet Saintess!

And she had absolutely no interest in the position of Saintess, nor did she want to live under the same roof with those hypocrites!

“Goddess, Goddess! Are you still there??” At that moment, the voices of many believers rang out from below, including students and even some teachers who had come to see what was going on.

The academy’s administration would certainly come to investigate, to see if it was really the goddess manifesting or if it was man-made.

In any case, they will definitely search every corner of the Saintess Selina Cathedral.

So this was the mess Selina was talking about?!

Wait, did she really have no energy left at all? At least send me to a safe place, right??

Selina went home safely, but she was left here.

Now, who would save her??

Don’t leave her alone here??

Vanessa’s face was ashen. She was even more desperate now than when she was helpless against the Demon Pillar.

Soon, she will be seen by everyone in this ungraceful, spread-eagle position, and her identity and the reason for her presence here will seem utterly inexplicable. After being scrutinized by the entire academy, her identity will be exposed.

Wait, compared to her identity, she seemed more concerned about being seen in such an unladylike position by so many people??

But that wasn’t the main issue now!

Someone, anyone, please come and save her!

Goddess of Graceful Radiance, Selina, Mirexia, anyone, please come and save her!

The sound of people’s footsteps was getting closer. Vanessa could hear them approaching the spiral staircase leading to the Radiance Residency!

That meant they only needed to climb the last step and turn around to see her lying on the floor.

Wait, when she fell, was her skirt lifted up??

If that was the case, then…

No, please no!

Vanessa tightly closed her eyes, as if that could help her escape reality and the situation she was about to face.

She didn’t want to be treated like a rare animal, gawked at by so many people!!

Being seen like this would be too embarrassing!

So, have they arrived yet??

Why does this moment feel so excruciatingly long? Is it because she doesn’t want it to happen, making it seem longer??

Wait.

Vanessa, with her eyes closed, sensed something unusual.

She felt her position changed from lying flat to being held.

Was this also her imagination? But that was too exaggerated; how could the feeling of lying down be mistaken for being held??

No, something seems off. Why hasn’t there been any movement for so long?? The footsteps have disappeared. 

Could it be that everyone saw her lying in front of the Radiance Residency and was so shocked they couldn’t speak??

The moment Vanessa slowly opened her eyes, she was met with a pair of charming, smiling amethyst eyes.

“?!” Realizing whose familiar amethyst eyes they were, Vanessa’s almond-shaped eyes broadened in shock.

‘Virtue + 400.’

‘Current Virtue: 4424.’

“Eh? Did you notice the anomaly so quickly? I thought I could enjoy watching Miss Vanessa’s adorable ostrich look a bit longer~” The silver-haired girl, with a mix of charm and playfulness, smiled like a delicate ragdoll cat.

She had one arm around Vanessa’s waist and the other under her knees, holding her in a princess carry.

There was a height difference between the two, and the shorter Aesphyra was carrying the slightly taller Vanessa, creating a striking visual contrast.

Hey, this rude woman!

It took Vanessa a moment to process the current scene and what had just happened to her. Then, her face instantly turned a deep shade of red, whether from embarrassment or shame.

Aesphyra must have used her [Divine Blessing] to stop time and, without anyone noticing, whisked her away from in front of the Radiance Residency.

“Put me down.” Vanessa lightly bit her soft lips, her voice trying to sound firm but, due to her current weakness, it came out soft and delicate, making everything she said sound like a coquettish plea.

She had been worried earlier that Aesphyra might get hurt fighting the fanatics, but now it seemed her concern was unnecessary. With Aesphyra’s thick skin, how could mere fanatics harm her??

“How mean. I stepped in just in time to help Miss Vanessa out of a tight spot, and I don’t even get a word of thanks? That’s so sad. Miss Vanessa is truly heartless.” Aesphyra immediately put on a pitiful, teary-eyed expression, like a princess cat begging for food with a soft meow.

Hmph.

Vanessa remained unmoved. She knew this girl was a seasoned actress. Falling for her act would mean falling into her trap.

After a quick glance at Aesphyra to confirm she wasn’t injured, Vanessa averted her gaze.

Of course, this was the protagonist of the original story. Mere fanatics couldn’t even scratch her clothes. What had she been worried about??

The fanatics should be grateful they were still in their newbie protection phase, where the protagonist couldn’t instantly kill them due to the level difference. Once the protagonist grows stronger, they will learn the meaning of fear.

Wait, Aesphyra had been in the church earlier.

Also, when did she finish dealing with the fanatics, realize it was me in the air, and then come over to pick me up??

“Anyway, let me go.” Vanessa didn’t even look at Aesphyra’s expression.

“Really? Are you sure, Miss Vanessa? Then I’ll let go.” Aesphyra tilted her head, and seeing Vanessa’s insistence, she began to loosen her grip.

Vanessa’s expression changed, realizing she couldn’t move right now. If Aesphyra let go, she would collapse to the ground like a lifeless doll.

“W-wait, don’t let go.”

“Eh?” Aesphyra’s expression instantly turned playful. “What’s the matter? Miss Vanessa doesn’t want to part with me now?~”

“Who doesn’t want to part with you?? Miss Aesphyra, please don’t be so presumptuous. I can’t wait to get away from you right now.” Vanessa’s face flushed, whether from anger or embarrassment, or both.

“If that’s the case, and Miss Vanessa is so disgusted by me, I’ll put you down to avoid triggering your cleanliness obsession.” Aesphyra pretended to ponder.

“Y-you, don’t let go just yet…” Vanessa quickly said.

If Aesphyra let go, she would collapse ungracefully to the ground.

“Miss Vanessa told me to let go one moment and doesn’t want me to the next. So, do you not want me to let go, or do you not want to part with me?~”

“Of course, I don’t want to part with you…” Vanessa realized too late that Aesphyra had set a trap in her question.