Rosaria looked at Barbara, who was sparkling-eyed and watching her excitedly, and helplessly held her forehead.
The Anemo Archon, that old coot, hasn't shown his face in hundreds of years. This child Barbara might have been tricked.
The thought that someone was using the Anemo Archon's name to deceive the innocent, pure, and devout little nun, the darling of the Knights of Favonius Church, Barbara, made Rosaria's fists clench.
Even though Barbara always dragged her to boring choir activities.
Even though Barbara always came to chat with her.
Even though her attitude towards Barbara seemed poor.
It wasn't because Rosaria disliked Barbara.
On the contrary.
Perhaps no one loved Barbara more than Rosaria.
Her tragic past and the indelible darkness she carried made Rosaria long even more for the pure and flawless people living in the light.
Barbara's kindness, Barbara's beauty, was something Rosaria acknowledged.
Whenever Rosaria traversed the streets of Mondstadt at night, transforming into the Executioner Nun to strike down all foes who dared attack, the thought of the happy smiles on the faces of those living in the light, the thought of Barbara's smile, made her feel her efforts were worthwhile.
"For this smile, even working overtime is worth it."
Rosaria hated working overtime; she would find ways to skip Church activities, yet at night, she would actively patrol to protect Mondstadt.
"Sigh!"
Rosaria sighed.
She felt Barbara might have been misled.
Usually, when Rosaria encountered people misled by hostile forces like the Abyss Order or the Fatui during her night patrols, she would choose to gently tap their slumbering minds with the mace in her hand.
The deterrence of using reason to convince people was far superior to a thousand words.
However.
She couldn't exactly pull out a mace in front of Barbara!
"Sister Rosaria, I just received a divine revelation from Lord Anemo Archon Barbatos."
"Studying medicine cannot save Mondstadt!"
"Fight, fight, offer your heart to Mondstadt."
Rosaria looked at Barbara, whose large, watery eyes held some inexplicably fervent emotion, and a flood of thoughts rushed through her mind.
Should she report this to the Archbishop?
Barbara was the Archbishop's daughter; perhaps he could persuade her back?
When did the Anemo Archon change his name?
Barbatos, someone is impersonating you to deceive your followers, aren't you going to do something about it?
Seeing Rosaria hesitate, Barbara decided to take the initiative.
"Help me, Sister Rosaria!"
Barbara spread her arms, hugged Rosaria, and snuggled close.
Hooooo~~~~
Feeling the warm, soft touch, feeling Barbara's complete candor and dependence, Rosaria immediately changed her attitude.
Barbara called me'Sister,' she cares about me!!!
Archbishop Simon, let's not contact each other anymore; I'm afraid Barbara will misunderstand!
Also.
To the person impersonating the Anemo Archon, well done!
If the real Anemo Archon gets rid of you later, I'll definitely burn a little more paper money for you.
Achoo!
In the tavern.
Venti, who was sitting in the corner writing furiously, sneezed.
"Who is praying to me again? Or did some cat sneak in?"
He was writing a letter to Arkz.
"My dearest friend, my mission is complete, and I guarantee a surprise for you. Don't thank me, because we are friends! Also, I picked up a dandelion on the roadside; you probably need it. Enclosed with this letter. —Venti"
After finishing the letter, Venti tossed it out the window and hurried to the tavern bar to order a drink, sipping it contentedly.
The letter he threw out the window was caught by the wind, carried high into the sky, and drifted into the distance.
The free wind would deliver this letter to where it needed to go.
Inside the Knights of Favonius Church.
Barbara and Rosaria's discussion continued.
"Rosaria!"
"I have a dream!"
"I want to protect Mondstadt with my own strength!"
"I want to prove to everyone that the nuns of the Knights of Favonius Church are not just meant to hide in the rear, protected by the Knights. Nuns can also fight side-by-side with the Knights, and even protect the Knights!"
Rosaria nodded in agreement.
She deeply felt that what Barbara said was very correct.
Because she herself was doing exactly that, though she couldn't tell Barbara yet.
Rosaria was still hesitating whether to let Barbara be exposed to the darkness of Mondstadt.
She wasn't sure if Barbara was ready.
Even in the City of freedom, Mondstadt, the city favored by the Anemo Archon, mold that is corrupt and rotten still breeds in places untouched by sunlight.
Corrupt high-ranking Knights, greedy nobles, traitors who betrayed their faith...
This world looks so beautiful because someone is bearing the burden for you.
"Barbara, are you ready?"
"Are you resolved?"
"This world is actually not beautiful, and it never has been?"
Rosaria wasn't sure.
But she would always stay by Barbara's side, ready to step in when she needed help.
"Rosaria, I want to protect everyone with my own strength."
"Will you join me?"
Looking at Barbara standing in the light, reaching out her hand to her, Rosaria felt a moment of trance.
It was as if...
If she grasped those delicate little hands, she could live under the light forever.
Rosaria gently grasped Barbara's hand, but dared not use too much force, afraid of hurting this delicate little flower.
"Of course!"
...
"You mean Barbara met Lord Anemo Archon tonight?"
"And she's planning to form a Combat Nun organization behind my back?"
The Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius Church, Barbara's father—Simon—asked in surprise.
"Yes."
Rosaria replied with a cold expression.
Forgive me, Barbara.
Your strength is too weak.
When I held your hand, I suddenly realized this wasn't a life-saving straw leading me into the light; it would instead drag you into an endless abyss.
Rosaria chose betrayal.
She had betrayed many times.
But this time, she felt she was so ugly, so repulsive.
Simon looked at Rosaria, who was bowing her head, radiating a world-weary aura, and felt a headache coming on.
They were all just children.
Why did they get stuck on such trivial matters so easily?
"Rosaria, don't worry about it. Perhaps Barbara is just going through a rebellious phase."
"Just treat it as a children's game."
"Let Barbara choose the members for the Combat Nuns herself."
"Rosaria, please help me look after Barbara."
Bearing the darkness is what adults should do; you children should grow up freely under protection.
"As for the appearance of the Anemo Archon..."
"I believe that with Barbara's devout faith in the Anemo Archon, she would not be deceived."
"The power of that faith cannot be faked."
"Since Lord Anemo Archon has not indicated his reappearance, let's keep this matter confidential."
"Yes!"
"Lord Archbishop."
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"