Chapter 341: Partiality

"If you ever have someone you like, you must tell your teacher, okay?"

"Before you truly set foot on this path of no return."

In the flickering candlelight, those clear eyes gazed quietly—yet shimmered with a light Liya could not understand.

Like a lake beneath a hazy drizzle—deep, and unfathomable.

"...I told you, there’s no one like that."

Liya twitched slightly, then turned her head away with a small pout. "Saintess, you’re overthinking things."

"Is that so?"

The Saintess released her hands and smiled.

"That’s good then. Teacher just wanted to make sure, that’s all. Don’t be mad, little Liya~"

"I’m not mad!"

Liya puffed up her cheeks.

"My, my. You’re completely mad already."

"I’m not!"

"Liya, you’re so cute."

That adorable sight of Liya sulking like an angry hamster made the Saintess’ smile soften even more.

She opened her arms and gently drew Liya into a hug.

"Now, get some good rest. Since you’ve come this far, don’t overthink it. The outcome—perhaps it’s been decided by fate all along."

"Mm. Thank you, Teacher."

Nestling lightly against the Saintess’ broad and gentle embrace, Liya felt warmth seep into her heart, easing her nerves.

"See you in a bit."

"W-wait..."

"Is there something else?"

The Saintess, just about to leave, turned back with a gentle smile—no hint of irritation in her voice.

"Th-there’s... one more thing I wanted to ask."

"Go ahead."

"I-It’s just that..."

Kneeling on the bed, Liya’s fingers twisted the poor bedsheet over and over. Her toes curled beneath her, tightening and relaxing with every small motion of her body.

After a fierce inner struggle, her flushed face turned aside as she finally blurted out the question buried deep in her heart.

"How do you know what it means to like someone, Saintess?"

"..."

Silence. Sudden and complete.

Inside the shadowed room, the statue of the Goddess still watched them with serene benevolence.

The Saintess blinked slightly. Staring at the shy girl who had mustered her courage, something unreadable flickered in her eyes again.

But that glimmer soon receded. She once more showed that gentle smile—warm and radiant as sunlight.

"To ask something like that... could it be that you really—"

"N-No, it’s not like that—!"

Liya shook her head so fast her hair left afterimages.

"You’ve got it wrong, Saintess. I just wanted to confirm something. Yes, confirm. The books say there are many kinds of feelings that can be mistaken for liking someone. Gratitude after being helped, or that racing heartbeat in a dangerous moment, for example.

Those emotions aren’t love, but they can still cloud one’s thoughts.

And since the ritual is about to begin, I don’t want to be distracted.

So... so that’s why..."

By the time she reached that point, Liya suddenly realized just how indecent her words sounded—especially coming from a girl who aspired to serve the Goddess as a Saintess candidate.

Her face burning scarlet, she quickly buried herself under the blankets.

Aaaaah... what are you even saying, Liya Angiel?

How could you lose # Nоvеlight # your head like that and ask the Saintess such a question?!

No matter how kind or wise she is, how perfectly she embodies the Saintess ideal—she’s still a pure, innocent maiden when it comes to matters of the heart!

To ask her something like this, on top of what just happened—she might not say anything, but she’s definitely thinking I’m some shameless...

"You really have grown up, Liya."

"Eh?"

In the quiet room came a reply Liya never expected.

She peeked her head halfway out from the blanket, only to see that same perfect face, smiling gently as ever.

Not even the curve of her lips had changed.

"Grown up... what do you mean?"

"In this world, those who dare ask such questions and face their own hearts—there aren’t even one-third of them."

The Saintess’ voice was calm.

"The remaining two-thirds are nothing but cowards, fools, and scum."

"I... I see?" Liya blinked in confusion, her innocent eyes unable to follow her teacher’s words.

"As for your question—what counts as liking someone... honestly, I don’t really know either. I doubt there’s anyone in the world who could explain it clearly."

"Ah."

"But if I really had to say... maybe it’s that thump."

"That thump?"

Liya wrinkled her cute little face, even more lost.

"Yes. That thump."

The Saintess pointed at Liya’s chest, smiling brightly. "If someday, someone makes you hear that sound—so clear, so vivid—then that’s probably when you like him."

...

...

"Lynn."

After stepping out of the room, the Saintess called softly.

"Here."

From the shadows appeared the senior nun Lynn, who had earlier guided Muen.

"Did you meet that boy?"

"I did."

"How did you find him?" the Saintess asked with a smile.

"Hmm..."

After a brief pause for thought, Lynn replied,

"A very strange person."

"Strange?"

"Yes. The one from the rumors, the one in the reports, and the one I met in reality—they’re like three completely different people. That dissonance... it’s strange.

...But there is one thing that’s perfectly consistent."

"Oh?"

The Saintess tilted her head slightly.

"What is it?"

"He’s lecherous. Likes black stockings."

"..."

The Saintess instinctively glanced down—just in time to notice the pair of smooth legs beneath Lynn’s habit, sheathed in sheer black silk.

"But you don’t seem to dislike him."

"Indeed. His lechery’s no more than the average man’s, and he’s always stayed within bounds—no inappropriate behavior. Besides, with that face of his, it’s honestly hard to hate him."

"You look at faces too?"

"Everyone looks at faces."

Lynn’s tone remained flat, as if describing something that had nothing to do with her.

Whether that was truly so—only she would know.

Still, the Saintess’ beautiful almond eyes narrowed slightly. "For someone to earn such an evaluation from you... Muen Campbell, hmm. A brilliant young man, and a girl just awakening to love—no wonder."

"What are your next plans, Your Holiness?" Lynn didn’t take the bait, simply changing the subject.

"To the confessional."

"A message just arrived—Lady Freya has come. Should we go greet her?"

"Freya..."

The Saintess pictured another of her disciples in her mind, then shook her head. "Forget it. I’m tired. Go greet her for me."

"You... show favoritism as well?" Lynn glanced toward the nearby door.

There were many reasons, perhaps—but the Saintess herself had personally gone to greet that girl named Liya, and even in front of countless believers.

By now, word of it must have spread throughout the Holy City.

"Of course."

The Saintess smiled. "I’m human too. Naturally, I have my own preferences, don’t I? Besides, Liya’s just so adorable."

"But that kind of behavior... may not be good for Miss Liya."

Lynn thought for a moment, then asked curiously,

"Do you mean you think Miss Liya’s advantage in the ritual has already grown that much?"

"No, quite the opposite."

The Saintess shook her head softly. "Judging by all her performance so far, Liya’s the one with the least hope."

"But precisely because of that..."

With a quiet sigh, the Saintess looked out the window—at the endless sea of believers beneath the Goddess’ gaze.

"She’s the one I love most of all."