The Holy Man of Another Century Gospel

Chapter 112: Meeting by Chance

Eric and Eileen came out of Agnes's room after a short while.

As they descended the floating ladder, Eric asked, "Is this moon elf archmage always so mysterious?"

Eileen asked, puzzled, "Why are you talking nonsense?"

“It’s what she just said,” Eric said, “things like ‘supreme glory’ and such.”

Eileen shook her head. "No, I'm not hearing those things for the first time either. The teacher only said them after meeting Eric."

"Yeah."

Eric didn't say much for a moment.

He had a vague feeling that the moon elf archmage was paying too much attention to him, even though his elven bloodline was much thinner than Eileen's.

The only thing he could think of was that Agnes desperately wanted to make amends to her brother and sister to ease the remorse in her heart for accidentally killing her people.

—After all, the longest lifespan of a moon elf is only about three hundred years, and this moon elf archmage is also nearing the end of his life.

"Take whatever she gives you first," Eric told Eileen.

Eileen looked at him and nodded.

Both siblings now have a ring on their hands.

This was a birthday gift from Agnes to them, which was supposed to be delivered to them yesterday.

Agnes's Protective Ring

"An exquisite ring crafted by elven artisans, which was then modified by the moon elf archmage Agnes to give it the ability to store magic."

It slightly enhances the wearer's mental attributes.

"Inheritance."

Attached Skill: Vengeance Protection (Charged)

[Revenge Protection]: Magic. Generates a powerful magical shield that envelops the caster. If the shield remains intact after a certain time, it transforms into a magical shockwave that propels the caster forward.

Eric stared at the ring on his hand for a while.

Crafted by an elven artisan, the ring is quite exquisite. It would be acceptable for him to use it simply as an ornament, not to mention that it comes with a very powerful life-saving skill. It can be said to be a pretty good birthday gift.

Agnes immediately presented a pair of rings, meaning she already knew he was coming to see Irene.

Eric thought to himself, hoping it was just a simple act of concern born of guilt.

The floating platform quickly descended to the ground, and Eileen asked, "Is Eric going back?"

“Hmm.” Eric snapped out of his thoughts. “I’ll come find Eileen again in a couple of days for the exorcism anniversary, and we can go to the festival together.”

“Okay.” Eileen smiled.

As he was leaving, Eric thought of Eileen's "friend" again.

"Alan didn't see you yesterday, will he come looking for you again?"

Eileen thought for a moment and shook her head. "I don't know. We don't always get to see each other. If we don't see each other, we usually say we'll see her next time. There was a period last year when I didn't see her for more than a month."

Eric didn't say much, just patted Eileen's head and said goodbye, as he still needed to observe the Aran woman's purpose.

After leaving the magic academy, Eric rode back to Lutia, only to encounter the person he had been thinking about on his way back to the city.

Lake Elf's Tear, located in the suburbs, is not too far away. The roads along the way are smooth and the environment is tranquil, so some people with leisure time are willing to walk there.

Alan had her eyes down, thinking about something else. She noticed a horse approaching, but didn't pay it any mind. Even when the horse stopped in front of her, she immediately assumed it was a frivolous nobleman trying to pick her up.

Until she looked up.

"..."

Indeed, a nobleman was sitting on the horse; judging by his face alone, he resembled the kind of handsome young man who often came to chat people up.

But she recognized the face she had almost mistaken.

"Long time no see, Miss Alan." The young nobleman on horseback casually extended his hand. "Are you on your way to the magic academy? I happen to be going there too, I can give you a ride."

"...I never expected to see you here, Your Highness Eric."

Alan ignored his outstretched hand and took a step back, watching him warily.

“I didn’t expect that either.” She stepped back, and Eric spurred his horse forward a step. “It’s been almost two years since we parted ways in Leslie.

The tall horse was snorting, and the horse was so close that you could see her face. Alan looked up and asked, "Your Highness Eric, aren't you going to be your quasi-saintess? What are you doing here in the capital?"

“It was Eileen’s birthday yesterday. Miss Alan knew that and even made a special trip for her. It just so happens that it was also my birthday yesterday, so I came all the way from Lesser to be with her.”

His expression was kind, but his tone was anything but. Alan pursed his lips, vaguely guessing his thoughts, and could only curse his bad luck inwardly. "Your Highness Eric, I can assure you that my acquaintance with Eileen was purely accidental. Initially, it was just because she looked so much like Your Highness that I was curious, and I had absolutely no other intentions."

"Is that so? I haven't asked anything yet."

Eric smiled and reached out again, "Come on up. We're old acquaintances who know each other pretty well. Let's chat."

"..."

After staring at his hand for a while, Alan could only reach out and grasp it, then mounted his horse and sat behind him.

Eric turned his horse around and rode slowly toward the academy, barely faster than she could walk.

"What have you been busy with these past two years, Miss Alan? Are you still busy with your great cause of restoring your kingdom?"

She immediately glanced around, gritting her teeth as she looked at his retreating figure, "Your Highness, although there aren't many people on this road, please keep your voice down."

"Oh, sorry, that's still a secret."

"..."

It would have been better not to apologize at all.

Alan took a deep breath. "I'm busy with things that have nothing to do with Your Highness."

"My sister is involved too, how can she not be involved?"

Eric tilted his head slightly. "I can believe that our first meeting was an accident, but Miss Alan, have you really no other purpose in your long-term interactions with me since then?"

Seeing that this was indeed what he cared about, Alan felt utterly helpless.

"Aren't there many people who meet because of some kind of misunderstanding? That's how Eileen and I are. Admittedly, her relationship with His Highness was the main factor that piqued my interest, but our long-term friendship is due to Eileen herself. She possesses the noble qualities of nobility, yet she lacks their hypocrisy. She is kind, sincere, and willing to listen. Being with her makes me feel relaxed..."

“You’re right,” Eric, who had been listening the whole time, suddenly agreed.

Alan paused, momentarily forgetting where he was.

"In short, my relationship with Miss Eileen is a private matter, and I swear on the fate of the Aran people."

“It doesn’t sound fake.” Eric didn’t say much, while the horses beneath them ran even faster.

Before long, the spire of the academy came into view.

"Speaking of which, how has High Priest Simagu been lately?"

Alan glanced at him. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The High Priest is in good health recently."

When they reached the stone bridge at the entrance of the academy, Eric put her down and asked, "Miss Alan, how long do you want to talk to Eileen?"

Alan sensed something was wrong. "Does Your Highness intend to send me back?"

“Isn’t this only natural?” Eric bowed gracefully. “I am a sibling of Eileen and share the same noble qualities as her.”

"..."

Alan was about to vomit.

What's wrong with this person?!

She swore an oath on the fate of the Arameans, so can't she even be friends with his sister?

Although she certainly wasn't a good person.

Alan took a deep breath. "No need, Your Highness. I haven't seen Eileen in a long time, so we might chat a little longer."

Upon hearing this, Eric immediately dismounted and gestured for the academy ahead to proceed.

"...Your Highness Eric, are you enjoying yourself today?"

“Miss Alan may not know, but Her Highness the Saintess gave me a long vacation so that I could come to Lutia and make more friends. Catching up with old friends should also be included in that.”

Alan had no choice but to go with him into the academy to find Eileen.

"Miss Alan...and Eric?"

Eileen was surprised and delighted, and pulled them both into her room.

Through his conversation with Eileen, Alan learned that Eric had indeed come to celebrate his sister's birthday, which changed his opinion of him considerably.

As her initial resistance subsided and she calmed down, she began to understand his concerns.

“Eileen is my friend. I wouldn’t hurt her even if it meant hurting myself.” Alan said to Eric when Eileen wasn’t looking. “Please believe me.”

The latter looked at her for a moment, smiled, and whispered, "In that case, we can still be friends."

(End of this chapter)