I, the wizard, the foolish Buddha.

Looking at the young man not far away, Brianna felt a mix of emotions.

Thinking back to her time in Vermeek, Brianna felt a sense of familiarity, like meeting an old friend in a foreign land.

"Lord Roland, how have you been?"

Brianna dismounted and greeted Roland with a warm smile. Unexpectedly, Roland gave her a hug.

Brianna cursed inwardly, 'That brat, trying to take advantage of me the moment we meet!'

Recalling the rumors circulating about her in the Holy City, Brianna cursed under her breath: 'Neither you nor Catherine are good people!'

Suddenly, Brianna felt Roland's lips press close to her face, as if he were about to kiss her on the cheek. This made Brianna both embarrassed and angry.

What frustrated her even more was that she couldn't push him away in front of so many people, so she could only curse this bastard in her heart.

Just then, she suddenly felt Roland's lips stop near her ear instead of touching her face.

"Thank you for your hard work, my good comrade."

Feeling those broad, strong shoulders and the comfort of her comrades, Brianna almost burst into tears.

She had suffered so much injustice. This business trip, which seemed like a chance to go home and enjoy life, involved twists and turns and risks that only Brianna and Florence could truly understand.

To make matters worse, the two women had no idea why Roland had sent them there. They could only try to keep themselves occupied while hiding their identities and waiting for Roland to arrive.

It wasn't until recently, or rather, until after the Riverside Peace Talks ended, that Brianna gradually began to understand the significance of Roland sending her back.

My coming here was meaningful; Roland was practically a prophet.

In any case, Roland has finally arrived. Brianna can finally rest easy.

And she can then gradually hand over the network of relationships she has built in the Holy City to Roland.

Thinking of this, Brianna's face flushed again, and she cursed inwardly. She pulled her head even closer; yes, this was her lover, and this was how she had to act, wasn't it?

Prince Regent Charles, who was not far away, watched this scene and couldn't help but show a subtle smile on his face.

His good niece was really stubborn, but when His Majesty was considering who should receive the prince, she volunteered and offered herself up.

Now that they've met, my dear niece has completely put aside her pride, and it's quite clear what their relationship is.

Of course, this matter cannot be disclosed to outsiders; for a clergyman, such an incident would be a very serious stain.

However, Charles saw this as a good thing. Previously, some people had proposed a marriage alliance, which sounded very improbable, but he and His Majesty had indeed considered the pros and cons of the matter.

Yesterday, while on the train, Richard sent a message subtly revealing some of the statements Prince Alaye had made. This has caused Charles and His Majesty to reconsider the marriage alliance.

The question is whether Alaye is sincere or not.

If his feelings for the future eldest princess (after she returns to secular life) are genuine and he truly wants to draw a line between them in their future conflicts, then this marriage will be more beneficial than harmful.

Conversely, if Alaye is not genuinely revealing her true feelings to the Orbis, then this marriage will send the wrong signal to the Orbis, making those who already had high hopes for Alaye even more unable to see reality.

Seeing the situation between the two today, Charles suddenly felt that perhaps he could really reconsider this matter with His Majesty.

On the other side, Roland, who was holding Brianna tightly, heard the sound of this strong older sister sniffling. He couldn't help but hug her even tighter, and a deep sense of guilt welled up in his heart.

It was Roland who sent Brianna and Florence to the Papacy—he opened a door, threw the two into a cathedral in the Holy City, and then left them there.

Isn't this cheating?

Roland didn't know exactly what his plan was, but he had been worried for a long time. Seeing Brianna safe and sound today, he was finally at ease.

As long as Brianna is alright, Florence will be fine too. After all, if either of them slips up, the other will be implicated as well.

To be honest, in the original plan for the Eastern Territory, Brianna and Florence did not intend to go to the Holy See. This was because Brianna had become very close to his group in Vermeek, and later became involved in the events in Malrod, personally killing many people.

If one were to examine her resume closely, it would be discovered that she has 'defected' to the wizards' camp.

Florence, needless to say, is a staunch member of the Vermeek faction, and a key one at that. Now that the entire Vermeek has risen in rebellion, getting the Holy Court to accept her won't be easy.

Although according to the information Catherine gave them, the two of them were doing quite well at the Holy Court, Roland was very clear about how many risks and doubts they would face.

When Roland patted Brianna on the back and released her from his arms, Brianna's eyes were red.

She wiped her eyes and nose, smiling as she tried to tease Roland. But then she noticed Roland gesturing behind her with his eyes.

Then Brianna remembered Prince Charles—she had just dismounted and walked over to introduce them!

She glanced back discreetly and noticed a meaningful smile on her uncle's face. This made the usually playful older sister blush, a rare occurrence for her.

She quickly introduced Roland and Charles to each other.

In her introduction of Charles, she made no mention of their uncle relationship. Because she was a clergy member, the brothers and sisters in the church became her only family the moment she dropped her surname.

Furthermore, she did not mention terms such as 'empire' or 'papal state'. These terms are controversial because there are currently two empires and two papal states.

She replaced it with 'Holy City' and 'Holy See or Church of So-and-so'.

In the parallel world, Brianna also worked in the church, and her words and actions made her seem like a proper papal knight, rather than a witch who was proficient in various black magic.

So when she introduced Charles to Roland, she acted as professionally as a clergyman.

Everyone else besides Charles was a retinue, though they were all nobles (knights) with legitimate titles and considerable strength. In this situation, however, they were merely guards. Therefore, Brianna did not introduce them.

As for the people behind Roland, some she knew well, and some she didn't—especially the lady standing next to Maria and Teresa who seemed a bit socially awkward, she had no recollection of her at all.

In Brianna's eyes, all the people behind Roland were wizards—she didn't know Maria, she only knew Maria.

Therefore, it was neither appropriate for Brianna to introduce the people behind Roland.

Roland didn't mention the people behind him. After exchanging pleasantries with Brianna and Charles, he went straight to the point: "Miss Brianna, Your Excellency Charles, is there some problem with the arrangements for the Holy City today?"

The two exchanged a strange look.

Brianna told Roland that the church had already communicated with Olivia—Richard and Roland should have left separately. That was the proper course of action!

Because Olivia was not a member of the Crusades, and neither was Roland.

Roland and the Crusader's forces were two separate groups—it would be illogical for the Crusaders of Alaye and Orbis to return to the Holy City together in close cooperation.

We were just hitchhiking on the train together.

Therefore, normally, the two teams should have separated after getting off the train.

The Crusaders should enter the city from this side first. Roland and his group should avoid suspicion and choose to enter the city with Olivia the next day.

Brianna said, "Didn't the Holy See communicate with Her Highness Queen Olivia, and didn't her priests tell you?"

A thunderbolt flashed through Roland's mind, and he suddenly realized what had happened.

Most of the church members, during their prayers, made their own small 'wishes'—or rather, reasonable suggestions—to Diana (Olivia).

No wonder Diana seemed so flustered throughout the journey, and would occasionally clasp her hands in prayer. She heard the believers praying, but she didn't know what was going on and thought she was hearing strange noises.

So, did Diana respond to anything?

Roland quickly turned around and glanced at Theresa and Maria.

The two understood each other perfectly and shook their heads at Roland. Roland secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

To prevent Diana from causing any trouble on the road, Roland specifically assigned Teresa and Maria to keep the 'Book of Rest' and the 'Book of Paradise' respectively.

Therefore, seeing the two shake their heads, Roland knew that Diana's strange thoughts were not in the Book of Rest, and that the conversations between the gods and Diana were not in the Book of Paradise.

Turning around, Roland noticed that Brianna and Charles were both looking at him with strange expressions.

Roland's expression was somewhat strange as he thought to himself, 'As a prince deeply favored by the goddess Olivia, what's so strange about me exchanging glances with her priests?'

Roland didn't want Charles and his group to come into contact with Diana and the others, so he didn't introduce the people behind him, but said, "Miss Olivia doesn't want anyone to bother her right now. Let's go straight into the city."

"cough."

Charles coughed and asked appropriately, "Lord Roland, has His Highness the Throne of Olivia said when he will enter the city?"

Seemingly realizing that Roland hadn't understood Charles's meaning, Brianna added, "Charles means that the priests should rest in the town for a day, and if she enters the city tomorrow, the church should make preparations accordingly."

Roland suddenly understood what was going on—Brianna and Charles had never seen 'Priestess Maria' and the others.

Furthermore, many of the priests were dressed in caravan clothes and stood discreetly at a distance, making them appear like Roland's attendants, so the two of them assumed the priests were wizards.

Roland rubbed his head and said, "I forgot, after Olivia arrived, she went straight to the riverbank, and none of you saw her. However, Brianna, His Excellency Charles didn't see her, but he did when you were in Wilmick."

Suddenly, Roland froze, turned around and looked at Diana twice, realizing something—that face was definitely not 'Countess Wendy's' face!

Diana has never revealed her true self. She always uses the persona of 'Countess Wendisa'!

Her true appearance bears a striking resemblance to the oil painting of the Dracula family—or rather, Olivia's appearance is the true appearance of 'Olivia Diana Heracles'!

Therefore, Brianna never saw Diana's true appearance, so she didn't recognize her at all!

At the same time, she had no idea that Olivia was right behind her.
At this moment, a lady rode up to Roland and his companions. She raised her head and said haughtily, "It's been a long time, Your Highness Prince Charles."

Charles stared at the woman, seemingly trying to remember who she was. To the prince's great embarrassment, while she did look somewhat familiar, he couldn't place her.

The lady didn't seem to mind. She smiled and said very kindly, "Your Excellency Charles, so many years have passed, and you've grown some gray hairs at your temples. How is Emily doing?"

Suddenly, Charles remembered who this dignified-looking woman was.

More than twenty years have passed; she was just a six-year-old child back then. I was fortunate enough to find her and personally bring her back to my home in the holy city to be with my daughter.

I remember when I sent her to the church, my daughter Emily cried for a long time. But it was precisely because I wanted to protect her that I sent her to the church.

After all, this is an Alaye!

"You, you are 'Theresa'?! Theresa von der Leyen Tosta Alaye!"

Upon hearing this, Roland was stunned—Briana's pupils also suddenly contracted.

Miss Theresa ignored the master's bewildered gaze and said with a smile, "Your Excellency Charles, the Church and the Orbis have always had a misunderstanding of the background of our group of orphans."

My family does indeed have the surname 'Alaye', but this is only because our ancestors did not have a surname and were bestowed the surname 'Alaye' by the late emperor.

As an angel born from the Black Tide, I should rightfully be given the name 'Alaye'.

Therefore, you may call me 'Theresa Alaye'—though until I return to secular life, you should call me 'Theresa.' After all, I am currently a librarian serving in Olivia.”

Charles was stunned for a long time before he could fully process what Theresa had said.

Suddenly, he and Brianna realized something—Olivia's Book-Holding Saintess was here, but where was Olivia?

The two men searched the crowd in the distance for a long time before finally fixing their gaze on a tall woman with a long sword at her waist, whose beauty was tinged with a touch of heroism—she was the most beautiful and elegant woman among them all.

According to legend, Olivia was a beautiful Valkyrie in heaven. So it must be her.

As a result, when the woman saw the two men looking at her, her expression suddenly froze.

She reached out and pulled out a timid woman who had been hiding behind her. Then, pressing down on her shoulder, she pushed her back into the center of the group.

Upon closer inspection, it seemed that she had a ball of yarn hidden in her sleeve. She appeared to have been secretly organizing the yarn, perhaps planning to knit a new sweater when she had some free time.

Prince Charles: "???"

Brianna: "???"

Roland: "." (End of Chapter)