Mythology Rebooted
Chapter 513 - 224 Divine Arts, Investigator_3

Chapter 513: Chapter 224 Divine Arts, Investigator_3

"Priestess Hefei may be very capable, but she cannot be better than you, especially when it comes to recommending candidates for the Holy Maiden,"

Lina expressed concern, "What about your student? Missing this selection might mean she’ll never have a chance again."

Technically, age shouldn’t matter for the Holy Maiden. Take Flora, for instance; she could continue to serve as the Holy Maiden for another twenty years, as fresh and beautiful as ever. Time would not leave many marks on her—only more grace and charm.

But the thing is...

A sixty-year-old Holy Maiden...

It conjures up images of a grandma, or rather, a Holy Grandma, and it’s difficult to associate her with purity, affecting the faithful’s perfect image of the Goddess.

A twenty-year-old girl, or one who is eighteen or nineteen, is different. Pure and unblemished, refreshingly elegant, her heart untouched by the world, filled only with dreams and freedom—she stands as the very embodiment of purity.

At the same time, a long-reigning Holy Maiden capable of conveying the Goddess’s Divine Decrees is bound to stir up power disputes, and that does not align with the expectations of the Church headquarters’ upper echelons. A turnover every twenty years benefits everyone.

The abdication and election of a Holy Maiden are events that everyone looks forward to; in comparison, the opinion of the Holy Maiden herself is inconsequential.

What can be achieved in twenty years? It’s hardly enough time to reclaim one’s own power, let alone challenge the upper ranks of the Church. One can only obediently follow orders and tread the path of an idol, touring from place to place.

"My student is indeed excellent, and I am confident that should she be allowed to participate in the election, she will certainly become the next Holy Maiden," Flora declared with great assurance, followed by a shake of her head and a sigh.

"She’s just had bad luck, that’s all."

"No, luck can be fought for!"

Lina, visibly moved, frowned and said, "Lady Flora, I have seen the list of candidates from the Windsor District, and there is an heir to a Saint Heir who, frankly speaking, does not plan to become a Saint Heir, am I right?"

"I have not investigated it, and the High Priestess did not explain," Flora replied.

"That must be the case then."

Lina scoffed, as if to say that where there are policies, there are ways around them. The selection of the Holy Maiden has always been under scrutiny. He wouldn’t comment on the underhanded dealings of the Church headquarters’ higher-ups, nor was it his place to. But he would speak of the lower ranks’ strategies.

Every district wants their candidate to become the Holy Maiden, not just for the honor, but also for career prospects—a tangled mess with the support of high-ranking officials at the headquarters.

In order to ensure their candidates’ advancement, each major district concocted devious plans around the limited two slots: one for the actual candidate and another to guarantee advancement, be it an assistant, bodyguard, or enforcer—all serving the same purpose.

The Holy Maiden will always be a Holy Maiden, as the Naturalism Church has yet to produce a male Saint Heir, same with the entire Life Alliance. The Goddess’s representative on earth has always been depicted as a pure female image.

Not saying that a male can’t fulfill the role—the goddess doesn’t mind—but it’s about the feelings of the believers, shouting ’Goddess’ to a man...

It’s a bit off-putting.

After some thought, Lina saw through Wayne’s guise as a bodyguard and asked, "Lady Flora, how much do you know about Wayne?"

"I haven’t looked into it much..."

"Feel free to speak candidly. This is part of my duty as an investigator. Your cooperation with my work need not be hindered by any reservations."

"Well, it’s not quite proper for me to say," Flora admitted.

At Lina’s insistence, Flora candidly shared, "The student of the High Priestess has a mixed reputation. His private life is somewhat disorderly. He is not only the High Priestess’s student but also the illegitimate son of her husband—a rich young master from high society."

Lina narrowed her eyes, now understanding Wayne’s character, and, with displeasure, said, "Priestess Hefei is too overbearing. Even as a candidate, such conduct should not be permitted. She has betrayed the Church’s trust in her!"

"Lina, be cautious with your words. We are not in a position to say such things."

"My apologies, I was carried away."

Lina quickly expressed his regret, then earnestly said, "Lady Flora, please be at ease. I will conduct a thorough investigation on Wayne. If he is indeed so unsuitable, I will revoke his candidacy and fill the vacancy with your student. She deserves this honor far more."

"Lina, that’s not what I meant. I have already contacted friends at the headquarters, and they will make arrangements for me," Flora hurriedly said, indicating that she had no ill will towards Hefei and accepted all the High Priestess’s arrangements.

"It won’t do. The headquarters are too chaotic. To find a slot there, you might..."

Lina didn’t finish his thought; in his opinion, Flora’s move to transfer away from the headquarters was partly to avoid harassment.

The lot of you, what do you take the Holy Maiden to be!

Today, the Holy Maiden shall be protected by me, Knight Lina!

Lina was full of determination, caught in the throes of a knight’s fervor, vowing to protect Flora’s purity.

Flora, deeply moved by his gesture, had tears rimming her eyes and turned away, saying, "I apologize, I got emotional."

"Lady Flora, rest assured, leave everything to me."

Lina looked at her with concern, his words clumsy, unsure of how to comfort without sacrilege, and he quickly said his goodbyes before hurrying away.

He dared not even share a ride with the Goddess!

For Wayne, this little grove, this luxury car, not to make the Holy Maiden cry out, would fail to honor her warm invitation and be no different from a brute.

Wayne: It was the Holy Maiden who made the move first, insisting on baking puffs with me in the grove. Don’t you doubt it; if she didn’t mean it, why didn’t she meet in a proper restaurant?

Incidentally, ’puffs’ in the romantic French language implies enjoying fun.

It’s quite the flirtation—completely over the top.

Watching Lina’s retreating figure, the smile on Flora’s face faded as she stepped out of the grove.

The Death Knight and another had disappointed her; it had been so long and they still hadn’t dealt with Hefei.

Especially the Death Knight—her left mark had vanished, rendering her unable to track him and thwarting her subsequent plans.

"Lina, don’t disappoint me..."

Flora glanced at the rearview mirror and drove back to Lundan. The investigator from the headquarters had arrived, and her plans could now proceed.

She had set her sights on Wayne; she was determined to secure that position.