"Just three people…" Maria gazed thoughtfully at Arthur. The savage scar across his throat was hidden by the Scarf of Silence; if not for the archbishop's report stating this man wasn't mute, Miss Maria would have truly suspected that this expressionless man, who hadn't uttered a word, was in fact a real mute.
A special squad of only three.
And not even the traditional warrior–mage–priest setup: one Scholar, two Priests.
But soon Maria's expression grew serious. It was only at this moment that she realized she couldn't properly sense the depth of these two clerics' auras. Though both of them were still technically within the Iron rank, their casual words and gestures leaked a subtle air of danger.
They too must have survived and resolved chaos-related disasters.
In other words, just like Miss Maria.
They had experience dealing with Chaos events, at the very least, they had successfully handled one before.
"Three people then… did Southwind Province really have three incidents?" Liline's smile remained dazzlingly radiant. Because one of her eyes stayed shut, she seemed to have trouble focusing; she had to turn her head often, letting her glances flit playfully between Maria and Arthur.
"…"
Arthur, as if determined to cement his "mute" reputation, stared at Liline for a moment before turning toward the side hall. Strangely, Liline understood his gesture perfectly, and translated for Maria.
"Sit and wait, is that it? No problem, Sir Arthur."
And with that, this Priest of the God of Justice left without saying a single word. From start to finish, he hadn't spoken at all. This eerie method of communication left Miss Maria deeply uncomfortable. To say nothing else, was this cleric of the Lady of the Lake naturally blessed with psychic intuition? Maria's own Chill Insight couldn't even read Arthur's face, and yet Liline seemed to catch his intent so easily.
Duang~! Duang!!
That dangerously suggestive sound rang out again as Liline suddenly leaned close. Her one beautiful eye glittered with endless curiosity, locking onto Maria with a gaze heavy with seductive charm.
"Will you tell me your story? How were you chosen~~?"
Her breath brushed like orchids; resting her cheek against one hand, Liline smiled brightly at Maria. Her voice, like a songbird's, carried a pleading lilt that was almost impossible to refuse.
Maria, never on guard, felt her clear crimson eyes turn hazy. She answered without thinking.
"My hometown was destroyed because of… huh?! You're controlling me!"
As she recalled the great fire in Seth Town, despair surged up within her. But the shock to her spirit snapped her back instantly. With willpower honed to a formidable 30 points, Miss Maria glared furiously at the gorgeous woman before her.
This woman definitely had a talent related to mental influence. Otherwise Maria would never have been swayed so easily.
"Eh? Was that control?"
Liline blinked, her innocent eye wide in feigned helplessness, clutching her handkerchief like a frightened maiden.
"You don't know?" Maria eyed her skeptically. The prettier the woman, the better she lied, Maria was sure of it. And this one was so beautiful she immediately brought to mind thoughts of the bed.
"Ah, I always made such requests of gentlemen before. They were always happy to oblige." Liline touched a pink finger to her lips, her guileless expression only making her allure more potent.
"You mean… you really have no awareness of how to interact with gentlemen and ladies?"
"Ehh, such a bother. That's exactly why I joined the ladies' salon, to avoid all that."
Ladies. That was the clerics' honorific for the Lady of the Lake. Members of this faith were warm-hearted, opposed to rigid formalities, and preached equality between men and women along with bold pursuit of love. Their views were considered radical, earning mixed reputations across the continent.
And Liline was the perfect example.
She exuded ripe, irresistible charm at every moment, and yet seemed wholly unaware, living as free and radiant as a fairy.
"Ma~~ if I offended you just now, I truly am sorry. I honestly want to be your friend, Maria." Hands clasped together in apology, Liline tilted her head, cheekily poking out her tongue.
Maria cursed witch under her breath, quietly raising her guard. This NPC's allure was simply too strong, she was born to enchant.
Through their conversation, Maria also learned Liline's story.
This cleric of the lady of the lake had likewise faced chaos corruption. Unlike Maria, her ordeal involved a man who admired her but fell into the embrace of the Prince of Pleasure. When that chaos-corrupted suitor tried to bed her with unnatural power, Liline instinctively prayed to the Lady of the Lake. She immediately received a divine oracle and annihilated the filth on the spot.
That poor chaos worshipper was crushed before he could cause any real harm.
Even so, the taint of Slaanesh enslaved an entire hall of revelers to lust. That unspeakable open-air orgy left the victims warped to varying degrees. Liline pouted and didn't describe their fate, but Maria knew: once tainted by chaos, most mortals either die, or meet ends worse than death.
And so Liline was conscripted.
The Lady of the Lake herself commanded her to join a special unit at the Luminous Cathedral, one of the Eleven Pillars of the sun god pantheon and said to be the place closest to the divine.
Maria now had confirmation: the true gods were indeed vigilant against chaos. The decline of the Sun Gods was tightly linked with it. No wonder, in the past version of the game, when players confronted chaos corruption, every major faction offered aid under the joint will of the gods.
"Ma~ and that's my story. Now tell me yours, Maria~!"
Excited, Liline's lone eye sparkled as she leaned in, clearly eager to listen.
"My story…"
Maria carefully omitted her parents' role in the tragedy of Seth Town, describing only how she personally handled the calamity. Even that much brought tears to Liline's eye, who wept sadly for her tale.
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