Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 927 - 44: The Old Man’s Expectations

Chapter 927: Chapter 44: The Old Man’s Expectations

"So, we gave him a good thrashing," Lina nestled at the Archbishop’s leg, swinging her fists excitedly. "He dared to toy with Freya’s feelings, he deserved a lesson," she huffed.

Meat Mountain, no, the Archbishop, now sat in a specially made chair, smiling as he listened to Lina recount the amusing incidents that had happened over the years she had been away. Lina, sitting on the carpeted floor like a daughter, nestled against the old man’s legs as if she had forgotten all displeasure, returning to a childhood phase where she and her sister used to cling to the Archbishop, only back then, the story was told by the not-yet-old man, and now, it was the once-young girl who listened to stories. The old man gently stroked Lina’s head with one hand and stroked his silver beard with the other, his face filled with contentment. However, as the listeners of the story, both Pannis and the Archbishop, with their nearly eerily extensive experience, could clearly discern the unspoken sourness and pain in the young girl’s heart.

In the priestess’s storytelling, though everything was filled with joy, even the life-threatening situations were happy memories for the girl, the two listeners had long since realized that her story started after she joined the adventure team. The girl had left Neville City over four years ago, and she joined the adventure team a year after departing Neville, which meant there was a year gap in the story from reality. That year, the priestess girl had resolutely left Neville City, left the familiar Earth Church, and stepped alone into this completely unfamiliar world without any basic understanding of interaction with strangers or any fundamental concepts. It was not hard to imagine the priestess, filled with fear and doubt about the entire world and even herself, facing such a cold world, how crushing and desperate she must have been. Strikingly, she didn’t mention this one year at all, but the less she wished to talk about it, the more it indicated how painful that period had been for her, so much so that even the Archbishop’s eyes slowly filled with a hint of pity, looking sympathetically at Lina immersed in her stories.

It was hard to tell how long had passed when Lina finally finished her story, and the two listeners exchanged a glance, Pannis reading deep gratitude in the Archbishop’s eyes. Indeed, the Archbishop was very thankful to Pannis. It was clear from Lina’s story that in the first part of her story, with the company of Catherine and Vivian, Lina gradually emerged from the darkness and fear, beginning to face the outside world. But from the depths of her heart, she still held deep resistance and fear towards the memories of her past, still vehemently despised the jealousy she had once harbored. However, as time moved on in the story, ever since Pannis joined, the Archbishop did not know the exact reasons, but he could distinctly hear that the girl was increasingly gaining the courage to confront her past, to face the sins and frailties deep within her heart.

The Archbishop knew in his heart that without Pannis, Lina would hardly be able to truly be happy again, and even less likely to stand before himself again so contently like when she was a child. Therefore, the Archbishop’s gratitude towards Pannis was hard to describe. In the Archbishop’s heart, Lina and her sister Betty, whom he had personally taught, were like his own children. Not just the Archbishop, but also the Dean Margaret, who was responsible for taking care of the sisters’ daily lives, viewed them in the same way. After the incident that occurred many years ago, the ones who were most heartbroken were the Archbishop and the Dean, and Dean Margaret even fell seriously ill because of it, almost losing her life. Thus, for these two people, perhaps other than the descent of the goddess, Lina’s return was the most exciting event, and the Archbishop could already imagine what kind of expression would come over Margaret’s face when she learned of Lina’s return.

"Archbishop Grandpa." The old archbishop hadn’t realized he had been silent for a long time until Lina’s call awakened him from his thoughts. Regaining his awareness, he looked down to find Lina looking up at him curiously, asking, "Archbishop Grandpa, I noticed something odd. You seemed happy to see me return but not surprised at all. It’s quite strange. Did you already know I was coming back?"

"The Earth bears your steps, and your movements cannot escape the eyes of the Earth." This response, imbued with religious overtones, had become an instinct in the life of the old archbishop. However, seeing Lina’s puffed-up cheeks and her frustrated expression, the old man gave an awkward laugh and scratched his head, saying, "Well, actually, over the past year, your adventures have become a main topic in many tavern tales. Margaret and I have been collecting information about you guys. This time, when various races and forces convened in Neville City, many large churches were invited, and our Earth Church was among them. Thus, we could certainly know that you would come to Neville City soon. After learning that, Margaret and I thought that even if you were reluctant, you might still come to see us. You are such a good child, and you surely wouldn’t forget about us. So, ever since we heard that you were coming, Aunt Margaret and I have been anxiously waiting every day, not daring to leave the Holy Sanctuary, fearing that we might miss you the day you returned, and that would be a lifelong regret."

Lina looked up, dazed, at the archbishop’s aged face. The old man was over seventy now, and though his frame was large, it couldn’t hide the increasing wrinkles on his face. Bishop Margaret was also nearing sixty and had long reached an age that could be considered elderly. As the archbishop continued, a vivid image emerged in Lina’s mind: every day, two aging figures nervously paced the Holy Sanctuary, frequently walking to the entrance of the main hall, looking outside with worry. Whenever a figure appeared in the distance, they would go on tiptoes, eyes filled with expectation, only to end up disappointed.

Only when the old man finished speaking did Lina suddenly lower her head, burying her face in the archbishop’s sturdy thigh, embracing his lower leg tightly, biting her teeth hard to keep herself from crying out loud on the spot. The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became. If she hadn’t finally mustered the courage, hadn’t resolved to face her past during this opportunity, the two hopeful old individuals might have waited in vain until the end of the meeting.

"I’m sorry, Archbishop Grandpa." Lina looked up again, her pale face now covered in tears, "I’ve said it before, but I want to say it again, I’m sorry, I’ve come back." (To be continued. If you like this piece, please feel welcome to recommend and vote monthly at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)