My evil self is completely unable to exert its power in the Zerg.

The human girl was about to melt.

Su Tang only had this one thought recently.

He felt like a steamed bun trapped in a luxurious steamer, about to be cooked through by the white "cotton-padded coat" and the ever-increasing room temperature.

We absolutely cannot sit idly by and wait to die! We must find a way to leave this tropical region!

"Gela...Gelahead," Su Tang finally couldn't hold back anymore, her face flushed, beads of sweat on her forehead, her voice slightly shaky from the heat and nervousness, "I...I want to go out...for some fresh air, I don't know..."

He didn't even dare to say he wanted to go out for a "stroll," for fear of being mistaken for a spy trying to uncover church secrets and then having his identity as a "little devil" discovered.

The face covered by the white silk turned to him, and remained silent for a moment, seemingly assessing whether the request was reasonable and feasible.

Grahide nodded slightly: "Please follow me, Your Excellency. The sanctuary corridors are open to the public."

The tall female insect stood up, like a huge small mountain. He turned and pushed open the heavy stone door.

Su Tang felt as if she had been granted a pardon and quickly followed with small, quick steps.

The heavy skirt trailed on the ground, making a soft rustling sound. His little leather shoes kept stepping on the hem of his skirt, making each step extremely difficult for him, like a little penguin wrapped in a thick blanket.

Stepping out of that rune-filled "steamer," the air in the outer corridor seemed noticeably fresher and cooler.

Huge columns support the towering dome, and stained glass windows filter the outside light into dreamy bands of light that fall on the warm white marble floor.

The air was still filled with that strange, cool fragrance that calmed the insects' minds.

After that, Glahad followed Su Tang a few steps behind, like a silent white shadow, keeping a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

His steps were steady and made no sound at all, but even so, the female insect was like a mountain, its presence so strong that it made Su Tang's back tingle, constantly reminding her to be careful of the tail's disguise.

The corridors are winding and deep, with occasional closed side doors carved with sacred patterns or archways leading to deeper areas.

Su Tang dared not wander off, and only dared to move cautiously along the main corridor, looking around at the exquisite reliefs and murals with curiosity and nervousness.

Just as he passed the entrance to an indoor courtyard filled with exotic flowers and plants, resembling a miniature forest, a figure slowly emerged from the depths of the courtyard.

It was a figure with an upright posture and a gentle, refined demeanor.

He looked much shorter than Gladhead, but also much taller than Su Tang. Based on Su Tang's experience, he was about the same height as the female insects in her family.

How come everyone in this Western fantasy world is so tall?

Su Tang pouted, somewhat dissatisfied.

The newcomer was tall and elegant, dressed in a simple, pure white robe without any elaborate decorations, with only the collar and cuffs outlined with extremely fine silver thread depicting sacred vine patterns.

Her smooth, long brown hair was like the finest silk, coiled at the back of her head with a simple silver ring, and a few stray strands fell casually across her forehead and the sides of her neck.

His face was gentle and handsome, as if kissed by the softest moonlight, and his skin had an almost transparent glow.

What captivated the insect most were its eyes—a clear, emerald green like new leaves in early spring, containing boundless compassion and wisdom, as if capable of encompassing all the suffering in the world.

When the corners of his lips turned up slightly, revealing a faint yet sincere smile, it was like the warm spring sun shining down, carrying a tangible warmth that instantly dispelled all the gloom, making the insect feel involuntarily at peace and convinced.

Unlike the clergy aura emanating from Glahad, he possessed an indescribable radiance, as if he himself were the embodiment of divine grace.

"Your Holiness the Pope."

Glahad seemed to have sensed the presence of the newcomer, or perhaps the other party had deliberately made Glahad notice him. The tall paladin bowed in greeting.

Su Tang froze in place, her amber eyes wide with shock.

pope!

That aura, those compassionate eyes, that feeling of being bathed in holy light!

It's definitely the Pope of the Church of Light, no doubt about it!

Oh no! How did I run into the final boss the moment I stepped outside?! I should never have left this house!

"Gelahaid, my child, no need for formalities. Didn't I say that you can just call me Father and Mother in private?" The Pope's voice was ethereal and pleasant, but Su Tang had no time to appreciate it; his heart instantly leaped into his throat!

The little male insect instinctively lowered its head and backed away, trying to shrink itself into that heavy skirt and disappear!

But with Glahad right behind him, he was caught in a pincer movement, truly in a dilemma!

No! He can't arouse suspicion!

Unlike Raphael and Gelahead, he wasn't blind.

The Pope's gaze naturally fell on Su Tang.

When they saw the small figure wrapped in a white dress that was clearly out of season, heavy and even somewhat comical, with only a small face showing, flushed red and filled with panic and helplessness, a genuine, gentle smile, like a spring breeze brushing across a lake, appeared in their clear green eyes.

"And this is...?"

Raphael looked at Gelahead with gentle eyes.

He knew who it was, of course. Raphael had just received a cold and oppressive communication from the Imperial Marshal, and was now rushing to Glahad's residence to have the other party confirm the little male's safety with his own eyes.

However, His Holiness the great Pope did not expect such a coincidence, as they met halfway there.

"Holy See... Father," Grahide bowed slightly, his posture respectful, "this is Lady Sweetie. She was just admiring the Holy Church's art murals in the corridor."

Sweetie? Raphael's smile deepened. He knew this gentleman's real name very well, but he didn't reveal it.

"Your Excellency Sweetie," Raphael nodded slightly, his emerald eyes filled with a warm smile as he looked intently at Su Tang, "Welcome to the Starry Cathedral. I am Raphael Norman, the... patriarch of this place."

He did not use more imposing titles such as "Pope" or "Holy Throne," but spoke as if greeting a lost neighbor's child: "You seem a little nervous? Please do not be reserved. All the stars in the sky are my God's children. If you wish, you can call me 'Father' like Gladhide did."

A loving father?

That's true, the Pope is also a priest, and he does look quite kind.

Raphael's attitude was incredibly gentle, and his smile was so genuine it was flawless.

Su Tang's tense nerves relaxed slightly, but the alarm bells in her heart rang even louder.

The gentler, the more dangerous! That's what the books say! The more harmless the Pope appears, the more terrifying he is when he gets angry! Especially towards heretics!

After all, there are often those kinds of people who are righteous but turn evil!

"You...you are hello! Pope...no, Father!"

Su Tang stammered in response, trying hard to force a smile, but instead managed to look like she was about to cry. Her flat little mouth and soft cheeks made her look rather pitiful.

The little male's mind was a complete mess, desperately searching for images of religious figures he'd seen in movies and TV shows on Earth. "I'm not nervous at all! God... God loves our whole world! Amen!"

In his haste, he even clasped his hands together in an awkward prayer gesture, almost causing his heavy skirt to fall over due to the large movement.

Raphael's smile almost overflowed, like spring water rippling. In truth, even a pope like him rarely favored female insects. The male insects Raphael had encountered were almost all individuals with cold, stiff, fake smiles, radiating endless disgust.

But this little guy... is so funny.

He could certainly sense the other's panic and fear. But this was different from the male insect's disgust and fear of the female; it was a guilty fear, as if he had some secret—making the insect want to investigate what kind of conspiracy was hidden beneath this amusing behavior.

Raphael didn't expose Su Tang's clumsy acting; instead, his smile softened and became more tolerant, as if looking at his own mischievous yet adorable grandchild: "Divine grace is indeed widespread. It seems that Your Excellency Sweetie is also a creature drawn to the light?"

He followed Su Tang's lead, his tone carrying just the right amount of praise and guidance.

Is your heart turned towards the light?

The little bug in Su Tang's heart shook its head frantically: No, no, no, who believes in the light? Anyway, my heart is drawn to darkness! I'm going to become the villain's vicious cannon fodder... No, no, right now my heart is drawn to survival!

Thinking this, he readily agreed, "Yes, yes, yes! My heart yearns for the light! I especially long for it! I grew up listening to God's stories since I was little!"

He made up stories haphazardly, his gaze wandering, not daring to look directly into Raphael's emerald green eyes that seemed to see right through the insect's heart.

Raphael leaned slightly forward, his posture elegant and full of concern: "To meet you here is a sign of good fortune. May I ask where you come from and why you have ended up here? If you are in trouble, the Holy City is willing to offer you refuge."

His Holiness the Pope's voice was gentle and full of genuine concern, as if he were truly a merciful shepherd caring for lost sheep.

But only he knew how wicked he was. Knowing that the little male insect was stolen by his adopted son by mistake, he still deliberately made things difficult for the little guy and watched his clumsy performance.

Where did he come from? How did he end up here? Su Tang's CPU was practically burning out! He couldn't possibly say he was a transmigrator, could he? He certainly couldn't say he was a male insect from the Zerg world! Insect demons were monsters too! And he couldn't reveal his tail—he'd be seen as a little devil!

"I...I come from the very, very far...East!"

In a moment of quick thinking, Su Tang began to make things up, "A...a small place called 'Aotu Village'! It's...it's a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters! The people are simple and honest! Everyone believes...believes...uh...believes in the light!"

The little male insect stammered, sweating profusely, "I...I came out for a study tour! But...but I encountered a terrible...terrible monster attack!" He tried to make his voice sound a little tearful, making him seem even more pitiful and helpless, "Luckily...luckily I was saved by Glahad..."

He stole a glance at the silent white colossus beside him.

"Aotu Village?" This little guy is quite good at making up stories.

As for the monster attack... according to the information from his people, could the monster refer to himself?

A dark glint flashed in Raphael's emerald eyes. No, perhaps this little guy had no idea of ​​his own abilities.

"I see."

Raphael's expression deepened with compassion as he looked tenderly at Su Tang. "Having suffered such a calamity, you must be quite shaken. The Holy City is a place of light, a haven for the soul. If you don't mind, why not stay here for a while, bathe in divine grace, and soothe your soul? Once your mind has calmed, you can then seek your way home. What do you say?"

His invitation was sincere and warm, making it hard for the insect to refuse.

Temporary stay?!

Su Tang's inner worm nodded frantically: Yes, yes! Although there is a very imposing paladin commander here, he is an idiot and blind, and cannot see his own tail hook at all!

Moreover, this pope seems very gentle and not particularly intelligent. Perhaps he's just a charlatan who hasn't yet discovered he's the "little devil." Of course, it's also possible that he's not a heretic at all, so the pope simply can't detect it...

Yes, that way, as long as he doesn't actively reveal his little tail hook, they won't discover that he's a little devil! Those holy waters might not even work on him!

The Western fantasy world must be very dangerous. The church headquarters must be safer than outside, right?

Here, as long as I'm careful and disguise myself, I might be able to gather some information, learn some magic, and find my way home! I wonder how Klein and the others are doing...

"Really...really?" Su Tang's face showed a grateful expression. "Thank you...thank you, Father Raphael! You are so...so kind! You're like...like an angel!"

He racked his brains for words of praise, but in his heart he thought: This pope looks so gentle and beautiful! Maybe...maybe he really is a simple-minded and kind-hearted fool pope, maybe...maybe I can take advantage of that!

Upon hearing this, Raphael's lips curved into a crescent moon, and his emerald eyes shone with a smile that seemed to be filled with starlight: "Your Excellency Sweetie is too kind; it is my honor. Well then, Grahide," he turned to the silent Holy Knight Commander, "You shall continue to take care of Your Excellency Sweetie's daily life. Make sure Your Excellency feels the warmth and peace of the Holy City."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Grahide bowed and accepted the order.

Just as Su Tang secretly breathed a sigh of relief at the initial success of her "infiltrating the church" plan, she lowered her head slightly, trying to hide her flushed cheeks from lying—

Raphael's emerald green eyes subtly swept over the lower back of Su Tang's heavy white dress.

While speaking, the young male insect kept glancing inadvertently at its tailbone and ankles, then stealing glances into its eyes, as if afraid he would discover it...

His Holiness the Pope's gaze lingered for a fraction of a second on a particular fold of fabric that was deliberately piled up, making it appear exceptionally bulky.

What this gentleman has carefully hidden there is a tail hook?

This is not unusual among male insects. Males do not easily display their cerci; most hide them on their waists, concealing them with layers of folded skirts.

But this was strange about Su Tang. As far as he knew, this male insect never hid its stinger. Some insects had speculated that perhaps it was because the stinger was unusually long, several times that of an ordinary male, making it impossible to hide.

Of course, some insects speculate that this gentleman is naturally dissolute and likes to display his tail hook in front of the insects.

So, is it because you've finally realized the shame that you're hiding your tail hook now?

In the deepest part of Raphael's compassionate emerald eyes, a hint of understanding, mixed with a deeper, more playful smile, silently spread out.

It turned out to be the case.

It's such a cute little secret that makes me feel sorry for the insect.