My older sister is a villainous rich girl

What happened? Did the little girl grow up and become more individualistic?

Wayne was completely confused.

After a long pause, Tasia finally spoke.

"I remember."

“Remember what?” he asked in return.

"I remember you and the eldest daughter of the Edgeworth family—"

"Wait, wait a minute!" Wayne's heart stopped beating.

Chapter 669 Wayne Returns to His Original Character

Wayne was completely unprepared for such a bombshell opening line. He had thought Tasia might just be trying to comfort him about being targeted by his classmates.

At that moment, he felt as if his feet were rooted to the ground and he couldn't move, and his palms were sweating. Without thinking, a panicked cry of "Stop!" blurted out.

However, after the sudden shout, in the silence that seemed to freeze the air, Wayne realized that he might have overreacted.

What to do?

Wayne and Tasia locked eyes.

Although one side showed no aggressive intent, the other side felt uneasy under such calm and unwavering gaze.

"Ha, ha, why... why bring up these things all of a sudden?" The embarrassment in Wayne's laughter was obvious to everyone.

He thought that even though his relationship with Ge Li had been exposed before, with his subtle persuasion under the guise of being her teacher, and given that Tasia cherished the friendship she had finally made, she would be too embarrassed to expose his relationship with Ge Li again.

He harbored a secret hope that Tasia might see the extravagant and decadent lifestyle of the nobles in the capital and find Wayne's actions less inexcusable.

After all, there is a widely circulated proverb in the capital that goes like this: "Our kingdom of Lones has never had a duke who did not keep a mistress."

Wayne heard this from his friend Gavin.

Thinking about it this way, Wayne broke out in a cold sweat again, because as far as he knew, the Duke of Elliott was the first person in history to break this unwritten tradition.

Seeing his embarrassed and bewildered expression, as if he were being punished by a teacher, Tasia sighed softly.

"I have heard that most of the nobles in the kingdom are dissolute in their private lives, and even boast about it and regard it as an honor."

Wayne was speechless.

“Or perhaps, our friendship isn’t as close as I thought, to the point where we can interfere in each other’s private lives. Even if I mustered the courage to say such things to you, you would still consider it offensive,” Tasia said earnestly.

“No, I never thought that way.” Wayne emphasized solemnly, “To me, Tasia is someone I can trust at any time.”

"Trustworthy at all times..."

Tasia's expression shifted slightly.

—If you really trust me, why would you hide things from me at every turn?

“...Wayne..."

"I want to know the answer to a question: if you really think I'm 'trustworthy at all times,' can you promise that what you say is the truth?"

Wayne was quite surprised to hear her request.

"Of course, go ahead and ask."

Tasia took a deep breath. Even Wayne could feel his heart pounding as her chest rose and fell slightly.

"you--"

Her expression shifted rapidly, seemingly a mixture of sadness and joy. But perhaps it was neither, merely the trepidation and unease she felt before the revelation of an important mystery.

Moved by her emotions, Wayne's sense of unease grew stronger.

Could it be that Tasia has actually sensed something?

That shouldn't be the case. I haven't given myself away at all, and I've managed to cover it up successfully every time.

His intuition told him that he must not speak first at this moment.

Isn't there a similar situation? The secret itself wasn't exposed, but because the protagonist was guilty, he was easily tricked by others and honestly confessed everything, including his ancestors for eighteen generations.

After a long while, Wayne finally heard Tasia ask in a voice so soft it was almost inaudible:

"Why...why did you accept me, a commoner, as a friend in the first place?"

"—"

Is that all there is to it?

Wayne's anxiety gradually subsided.

“Tasia, no matter what others say, my friends are never bound by birth or family background.” He assured that he was telling the truth. “I don’t care what others think of me. They can say I’m someone who abuses my family’s power, or they can speculate behind my back that I’m nothing without my noble status.”

"However, one's destiny is ultimately in one's own hands. What one gains through external conditions may one day be lost in the same way. Only the strength you have accumulated and the will you have steadfastly upheld after tempering are treasures that no one can take away and that no one can deny."

"In my eyes, Tasia is a bright pearl whose brilliance cannot be obscured even when it is covered in dust."

"So what if they are commoners? Commoners and nobles share the same feelings, which gives rise to the same will, and thus generate the motivation to change the world. These things are not determined by their social status or the amount of their wealth."

He said, "I believe in you at all times, not because I believe you are perfect, but because I believe that even if you have flaws, you still have the strength to overcome them."

This is precisely the quality that I admire and am willing to admire at any time.

On the contrary, he understood better than anyone the so-called "nobility" that, having thoroughly studied the history of the rise and fall of dynasties in China, meant nothing when the resistance of the lower classes swept everything away like a raging tide.

Tasia blinked her bright eyes, watching his eloquent expression, and said as if in a casual joke, "I'm only now realizing that Wayne, sometimes you really sound like a mentor I know."

"!?!" Wayne tensed up instinctively.

"But he's not a playboy like you."

"..." Should I be happy?

“Although you said a lot of things to praise me, I believe that those words were not lying to me. But... just now, when I heard you praise Camille in the same admiring tone, and when I remembered that you used to say similar sweet words to the eldest daughter of the Edgeworth family, I felt like I had never really known you, Wayne.”

Wayne: ?

Seeing his bewildered expression, unsure how to respond, Tasia sighed again, "I don't know if I'm trying to make things difficult for you or for myself. The answer is right in front of me, yet I'm genuinely afraid of the outcome just one step away."

Was she questioning her own motives for befriending her? Or...?

Admittedly, Wayne has never been good at trying to understand the unpredictable thoughts of girls.

"I...I'm not really that much of a playboy..." His voice, as he tried to argue, gradually faded under Tasia's innocent gaze.

Damn it, is this the end of fate?!

Wayne, who was supposed to appear before Tasia as a playboy, eventually returned to his playboy persona after experiencing many unexpected twists and turns.

Chapter 670 Is this really true?

"Another chosen one has emerged in the Vatican."

"A magician of light?"

"No, it is a hero who appeared as prophesied and underwent the blessing ceremony."

—A bombshell news story spread like wildfire across the continent, with such conversations taking place in various institutions and facilities, large and small. The news that the Vatican's mountaintop temple would undergo a complete closure for renovations was overshadowed by the appearance of the chosen ones.

Some say that this hero descended from the heavens, and the magic he inspired gathered at the top of the Papal Mountain, blooming with colorful rays of light; others say that this hero once captured an evil dragon with his bare hands, tamed beasts as his mounts, and had an appearance as majestic and rugged as a savage giant.

However, the Vatican has classified all information about heroes as top secret, making it difficult to verify any rumors circulating outside. Even Wayne, who is inside the Vatican, received a message from Lornes, asking him to find out as much as possible.

Wayne crushed the letter, which was nominally a letter from home but was actually a secret message from the Royal Court of Lornes to spy on them, with a sigh.

So that's how it is... Indeed, experience counts. By elevating the "Hero" to the forefront as a shield, and then releasing unsubstantiated rumors behind the scenes, they successfully diverted most people's attention. Anyone capable of making this decision in an emergency must be no ordinary person.

He thought of the Pope, who was like a candle flickering in the wind, and then of the master that Homa had mentioned that day.

When the flag in the hands of those in high positions falls, there will always be someone else trying to raise a new flag; power is never absent.

Ever since Tasia decided she was a playboy, she hadn't come to talk to him for the past few days. Wayne could sense that she had many concerns and worries, but she was unwilling to tell him directly, and he didn't want to pry.

But with the appearance of a new chosen one of the gods, it is only right and proper that I take the initiative to meet with Tasia and hear her opinion.

He convinced himself with a very high-sounding excuse and felt that he had regained the courage to face Tasia, so he arranged to meet Tasia again.

The Vatican does not have places for entertainment in the conventional sense, nor do it have cafes or pubs. Even meals can only be taken after prayers at a set time. Therefore, there are not many suitable meeting places for Wayne to choose from.

Formal meeting rooms required a report to be used by lower-ranking clergymen like them, and Wayne didn't even consider this option.

Fortunately, the Vatican pays great attention to the construction of the gardens. Beautiful sculptures and fountains can be seen everywhere, complementing the swaying flowers in the flowerbeds. There are often pavilions, corridors and stone benches nearby for people to rest. It is said that in the morning, some lectors often come here to interpret scriptures and share their insights on church scriptures.

Beside a fountain that had temporarily ceased operation, Wayne sat on the stone steps by the flowerbed, lost in thought.

After a long while, Tasia's voice finally rang out from behind.

"Sorry I'm late."

"No, no. I'm just too early." He discreetly rubbed his numb thighs and stood up.

"Have you heard the news about the new chosen one?" To avoid any misunderstanding, he got straight to the point.

Tasia was taken aback.

Seeing that she didn't react for a moment, Wayne further explained: "The Holy See previously recognized only as the chosen ones of God, the Light Mage, but the [Hero] who passed the blessing ceremony is a new chosen one officially certified by the Holy See. What's special is that his identity comes from a clear divine oracle, rather than tradition."

"The emergence of a new chosen one will inevitably affect your life. This is an important matter, both for you personally and for us—for everyone in the Kingdom of Lornes."

Wayne wasn't sure if she understood that those favored by the gods were beings who could exert a huge influence on the world by using the name of the gods. In terms of being God's representatives, they were almost equivalent to popes who did not need to be crowned. This was why the Holy See was determined to recruit every generation of light magicians and to bring them into the Holy See.

The appearance of another chosen one is undoubtedly good news from the perspective of the Vatican. But for Tasia, it means she has another replacement.

“My life…” Tasia paused for a moment before slowly walking closer to Wayne and sitting down by the flower bed just like he had done earlier.

Are those favored by the gods really that important?

Wayne didn't want to lie to her. "Perhaps who the chosen one is isn't important, but what matters is what one can accomplish with that identity."

"You think so too?" The confusion in her eyes was undisguised.

Wayne sighed and sat back down next to her. "...Does what I think matter?"

“I don’t care about the Vatican having a few chosen ones, but Tasia, you need to understand that everything you have now comes at a price.” His voice was cold and hard. “The Vatican, the Academy, even the Royal Family… every investment they make in you is in the expectation that you will bring more returns.”

"Therefore, you must always be vigilant about your position and the role you can play with the resources you have. Then, use what others want from you to your advantage."

"Otherwise, you will be devoured by the expectations of the masses."

For her, who had always lived in an ivory tower, accepting this world that operates purely on the principle of exchanging interests was cruel.

After all, she always genuinely believed in everyone's goodwill.

She may never become the kind of person Wayne describes, and she may be disappointed by Wayne's dark view of everyone, but if she wants to stay true to herself, she must know that there are indeed people in the world who live like that.

Unlike those nobles born into illustrious families, or magicians who inexplicably won divine favor.

"I have just been received by His Holiness the Pope."

Tasia casually uttered a sentence, which struck like a thunderbolt.

"What did he say to you?" Wayne pressed, making no attempt to hide his question.

But Tasia didn't answer immediately. Instead, she turned her face and carefully observed Wayne's expression.

Wayne felt uncomfortable under her focused gaze, so he leaned back slightly and coughed twice: "W-what's wrong? If it's inconvenient for you to tell me, then don't worry about it."

"His Holiness the Pope is seriously ill and may not have much time left."

Wayne showed a momentary look of surprise, but quickly regained his composure, his brows furrowed: "Is this true?!"

In the woods at dusk, several ominous caws rang out.

Chapter 671 "I Believe You Have It"

Wayne was very experienced in faking it; for example, he knew that a surprised expression could only last for two seconds at most.

With ample theoretical knowledge and an attractive appearance that easily wins people's hearts, he was accustomed to flexibly switching between different identities and was almost always successful.

But under Tasia's innocent gaze, as if she never understood the meaning of scheming, Wayne always felt that his disguise was just the emperor's new clothes, existing only in his own one-sided illusion.

Her bright, lively eyes, like those of a fawn in the forest, seemed to be constantly telling her: Keep acting, I'm watching.

"Sigh... What should we do?" Wayne sighed, rubbing his forehead. "To be honest, a secret letter just arrived from the capital, asking me to find out the true situation within the Papacy. And you immediately told me such an important secret. If I send this secret involving the Pope back to the capital, wouldn't that make you break your promise to the Papacy?"