I find it very sacred to pick someone up and make them a saint.

The attention of Mien and the other two was drawn to it.

He was a guard from the Holy See's Knights, with blackened breadcrumbs still clinging to the corners of his mouth.

He wiped his mouth: "Is this soot?! You want me to eat this?!"

The young waiter trembled with fear, took a half step back, and said:

"This isn't soot from a pot; it's a local specialty. It's added to the mushroom broth and used for seasoning."

"Pfft!" One of the guards chuckled, making him blush with embarrassment. He felt he had lost face in front of everyone and couldn't save face.

"What the hell is this seasoning?!" The man slammed a loaf of bread into the waiter's chest.

"You're putting the mushroom broth seasoning on my bread?!"

Fortunately, it had no offensive power, but it still dealt a heavy blow to the waiter's heart. Overwhelmed by fear, he staggered back two steps.

"Okay, okay," one of the companions laughed, "I accidentally bumped into it when it was brought over."

It would have been better if he hadn't tried to persuade them; the attempt only made them lose face, and the guard overturned the adjacent table.

Seeing the waiter's fearful expression, he became even more ferocious, taking steps forward and even placing his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Stop it, stop it!" another companion shouted with laughter, but most of them just watched the show.

Upon seeing this, Lucia immediately tried to get up and make a move.

Even defeating a mere henchman would be a piece of cake for him.

But as soon as his bottom left the stool, his body froze in place, and he was surprised to find that Mien and Phyllis were unmoved, just watching quietly.

Phyllis looked at Mien's calm expression and knew what he meant: she wouldn't act on her own without his orders.

Lucia quickly realized that what she had done was probably somewhat irrational, and that the teachers must have had deeper considerations, so she sat down again.

But she looked to the side, struggling with her inner turmoil. It was a job she had done for three or four years, and she had experienced similar things several times. She understood the waiter's fear and self-blame.

So, instinctively, I wanted to offer help, unable to suppress my anxiety.

The guard had tripped over the overturned table leg and was crawling backward while begging for mercy.

Since Mien and the others didn't intervene, the ordinary people around them dared not help, and even avoided their sight to prevent any possible involvement.

"Hmph." The guard sneered upon seeing this, naturally wanting to humiliate him in front of everyone as much as possible to save face for himself.

He picked up a kettle of boiling water and pretended to throw it at the man, which immediately elicited a loud wail.

Having gained a sense of control, he was about to throw the kettle at him.

The kettle froze in mid-air, along with itself.

The waiter who had fallen to the ground quickly got up and ran away shouting.

The surroundings fell silent instantly, and a soft glow spread through every corner of the tavern, as if it were bathed in sunlight from outside.

A man wearing a huge white-gold robe slowly walked in, followed by four or five people.

He glanced inside, ignoring the stationary guards, and quickly locked onto Mien and his two companions at the deepest part of the room, a smile spreading across his face.

"Bishop Phil," Mien said with a smile, leading the two to their feet to pay their respects.

Phil responded respectfully and came over.

The kettle, which had stopped in mid-air, fell to the ground with a thud, hitting the guard right beneath him, and scalding hot water splashed onto every inch of his lower body.

He collapsed to the ground, howling in pain, his hands flailing around his lower body, touching something and then pulling away in agony.

Several companions who had been sitting and watching the show immediately stood up and bowed to Phil.

Phil merely turned and glanced at them, his gaze flat and expressionless.

Several guards seemed to immediately understand his meaning, and ran to help the man rolling on the ground out and hand him over to the Vatican for processing.

Bishop Phil sat down with the three men and smiled:

"Chief Mien, I didn't know you would come here today. I've been busy in the city center, and there's a lack of discipline here."

Mien simply smiled and did not respond, waiting for Phil to say more.

Phil chuckled in a friendly manner.

"I heard that a sergeant named Oscar dared to offend you and the saint."

He glanced at Lucia as he spoke:

"I have ordered his knightly order to strip him of his officer status and send him to the harbor prison for ten years of penance after this ceremony."

"Those belonging to the Vatican should naturally be dealt with by His Holiness the Bishop; I have no objection," Mien said with a smile, accepting Phil's apology, and then added:

"I don't know why, but Saint Lucia and I have only been in Valgang City for half a day, and we have already witnessed such things twice."

Surely it's not that the Vatican officials have some kind of opinion about the Academy of Scholars?

"How could that be?" Phil laughed. "The Papacy and the Academy of Scholars are both among the three holy powers of the Empire, sharing the same faith and status."

"It's just that this place is remote, and some people lack discipline. If similar incidents happen again, just let the people at the Academy tell me, and I will certainly not let them off easily."

Mien laughed and said, "Bishop Phil is joking."

"But since that's the case," he said, looking at him again, "if something like this happens again, I'll personally take him to you to seek justice."

The two looked at each other and laughed, thus putting an end to the matter.

Several more people ran in from outside, bringing several food boxes, which they placed on the table one by one.

"Chief Mien and the Saintess have just arrived; they'll have something to eat now."

I opened one myself, and a wonderful aroma filled the air:

"Try it, sea cod pasta, the Vatican style."

"Thank you, Your Excellency." Mien did not refuse.

Phil then led the group away, while the battle with Rachel continued in the city center, showing no signs of stopping.

Tomorrow morning I have to pick up the late Prince of Phoenix; I'm really not free for a moment.

Mien picked up her knife and fork and began to eat, and Phyllis followed suit.

Lucia looked at the waiter with concern.

He had already retreated far behind the bar, lying on the counter, pretending to be busy with something, calming his emotions, and no longer wanting to interfere in the affairs of the people of the capital.

She glanced furtively at Mien and the others, and breathed a sigh of relief when she realized they were ignoring her.

Lucia felt relieved and prepared to eat something; after all the twists and turns, she was also a little hungry.

"Luya," Mien called out suddenly, taking a sip of sherry.

"Hmm." Lucia looked up.

"What were you thinking when Phyllis and I didn't go to help?"

Lucia hesitated before saying, "At the time, I didn't know what the teacher and Scholar Philie were thinking."

But I believe the teachers definitely won't let them bully others.

After saying that, he revealed an innocent smile.

"If something like this happens again in the future, will you still trust us?" Mien asked instead.

Lucia hesitated for a moment, but immediately replied, "Yes."

"You spent some time at the Academy of Scholars making a lot of preparations."

In particular, they were very skilled at dispelling magic circles and purifying curses.

However, you shouldn't do these things unless someone asks you to, or you need their help.

"Why?" Lucia asked instinctively.

Mien tasted a few bites of what she wanted and was satisfied. She wiped her mouth and said:

"There are some things that only you can do, and that you should do."

But that doesn't matter, because there are many, many people in this empire who share the same ideas, and they will hinder you. Only by ultimately getting things done can you succeed.

This requires first ensuring self-protection, protecting oneself and everyone in the academy, and preserving one's abilities.

Then quietly wait for your turn to shine. Only then can you truly do what you want to do without any obstacles, understand?

Lucia was unable to digest it for a moment.

"You are right to wish well for the people here and to keep them free from disaster."

However, if you enter at the wrong time, it can backfire.

Acting rashly will not only fail to help them, but may even endanger yourself…

Mien emphasized again: "And everyone in the Academy."

Seeing Lucia's confusion, Mien explained in detail: "If you had been the one to intervene first and stopped the Vatican's guards..."

Believe it or not, this kind of thing will happen again soon, and possibly even more frequently.

Lucia had seen many wealthy and powerful people on Tin Can Street and understood their ways. Combined with the man's earlier outburst of anger and desire for revenge after losing face, she understood the situation perfectly.

I understand what Mien means; it's true... Misplaced anger and a desire for revenge are unavoidable aspects of human nature.

His brow furrowed slightly, a sense of heaviness creeping in as he recalled how Mien had repeatedly protected everyone at the Academy, always managing to do things that others couldn't.

I couldn't help but feel ashamed of my impulsiveness just now.

Tell yourself: You must never act impulsively in the future!

He nodded firmly to Mien: "Teacher, I understand."

After the three finished eating, they walked out of the tavern together.

As they stepped out, all the guards and the owner greeted them respectfully, yet there was a clear sense of distance between them.

They treated the members of the Academy no differently than they would the soldiers and nobles.

Lucia felt inexplicably sad again.

A few days ago, she thought the saintess was actually very simple. She had long ago made up her mind to give everything for the empire, even her life, without hesitation.

But now, it feels very complicated, so complicated that it's become somewhat impure...

Because in Grandma Marissa's account, the saintess was an existence that transcended all the dark sides and conflicts of the entire empire.

She is different from others.

That is why everyone simultaneously loathes everything within the imperial hierarchy, yet so deeply reveres the Goddess of Light and the Holy Maiden, and prays to them for blessings...

Looking at the people around her, their figures and expressions of avoidance, Lucia couldn't help but think to herself:

Am I really the saint I once admired?

Did they also feel disappointed in the saint?

Am I really qualified...?

Lucia lowered her head slowly, wanting to avoid people's gaze, and quickly did so.

But just before he stepped out the door, he happened to pass by the guard who was hiding deep inside the bar.

He lowered his head and softly said, "Thank you."

Lucia looked up at him in surprise.

But he quickly lowered his head and left, unwilling to communicate further.

How did he know that I wanted to help him?

And I clearly didn't do anything...

Why?

Lucia stared wide-eyed, frozen in place.

Mien noticed everything and said softly:

"Don't underestimate the people."

Lucia looked at Mien.

They may remain silent, or pretend to be easily fooled, but no one is wiser than them.

They actually know everything, they can see everything…

The three returned to the Academy's residence.

…………

Not far from the abandoned factory in Valgon, a three-story villa was packed with people on the first floor.

A dozen or so people gathered in front of the stairs, whispering and discussing something.

The atmosphere was oppressive and restless.

This is inside Miles' private residence, where Theodore has arrived with his men.

"Theodore, what do you think we should do now?"

Miles took the cigarette butt out of his mouth; it was almost finished, and he flicked it aside forcefully.