Miss Wang Weina, even your cousin won't do!

“I think the Earl has misunderstood something. We are not from the Lateran Catholic Church, but from the Anglican Church. We are all legal monks registered with the Anglican Church at the Londinium office.”

Mostima said in a serious tone, subtly nudging the papal guard standing behind her, who was a full head taller than her.

After Lentinium learned through spies that Wayne had gone to Toronto for his graduation exams, Mostima immediately set off, wanting to arrive in Toronto ahead of Wayne and the others to make preparations in advance. Unfortunately, the journey from Lateran back to Victoria was too long, and after some delays, Mostima was ultimately unable to catch up with the Military Academy. Despite his best efforts, he could only barely squeeze into the bustling Toronto by following the tail of the Royal Military Academy's transport convoy.

Forcing their way into a border earldom guarded by troops would be unwise. To safely meet and rescue Wayne, they absolutely could not arouse the suspicion of Earl Vincent, otherwise Wayne, being an important figure, would inevitably be moved or hidden immediately. However, given the current unpopularity of the Lateran Catholic Church, entering Dorron County unnoticed was virtually impossible. Therefore, Mostima had a flash of inspiration and came up with a brilliant idea.

They hijacked the local Anglican church and, with the help of the local office director, created a legitimate Anglican friar's identity for themselves and the Pope's guard. Unlike Lateran friars who faced numerous restrictions and were thoroughly investigated even upon entry, Anglican friars were now highly sought after throughout Terra due to the flourishing Reformation movement. Most people wouldn't question the authenticity of their identities, nor would they ask for friar's credentials.

Using this method, they pretended to be Anglican monks from Lentinium, "enduring humiliation and hardship," and successfully moved the hearts of countless people by relying on Mostima's long-term residence in Lentinium and his profound knowledge of Anglicanism that was even deeper than some monks in the Anglican sect itself. At the same time, they were escorted to the front of Count Vincent's mansion by the people with food and drink.

They didn't even use the pre-prepared monk's certificates made in the local church.

Just as Mostima himself was almost overwhelmed by the scene of being adored by the masses, Vincent's implied meaning finally brought them to their senses.

Ah, does Count Vincent think we are members of the Lateran Catholic Church?

Wait, what? Were we really Lateran Catholics? Aren't we Anglicans?

Oh, I remember now, we are indeed from Laterano.

Coming to his senses, Mostima nudged the papal knight behind him, solemnly introducing himself while reminding the papal guard not to forget the prepared words:

"We are from Londinium, Your Excellency. We are one of the groups sent by His Highness Patriarch Broca to preach Anglican doctrine throughout Victoria."

Mostima gave the bewildered Earl Vincent a satisfied look, and then said:

"You must have many questions in your mind. Fortunately, we have heard and answered these questions countless times along the way, so let me answer them for you. Our great Patriarch Broca is deeply concerned about the collapse of faith and moral decay in Victoria. The Catholic Churches and Anglican Churches in various places are at odds with each other, and their thinking is confused. Therefore, he has sent missionary teams like ours to various mobile cities throughout Victoria, and we are the one responsible for Toronto County."

Earl Vincent's expression was somewhat strange. To be honest, he didn't quite believe this explanation and even found it very suspicious, so suspicious that he didn't even know where to begin to refute it.

You ask about evidence? They did produce stamped monk credentials. You ask about reasons? Although full of loopholes, the reason is plausible. In the past, with few guests in the Earl's territory, he wouldn't care at all and would simply let them into the restricted area. But these past few days, he's been a bit overly sensitive. One minute it's the beast tide invasion, the next it's Marshal Ernest personally instructing him to take good care of Prince Bruce, and then a group of missionaries from Lontinim arrives.

Isn't the timing a bit too coincidental?

and.....

Why Sakta?

Count Vincent murmured. Although many priests from the original Catholic Church did join the Anglican Church after its founding, the Sakorta, a race almost tied to the Catholic Church, actually had "traitors" among them? This was something Vincent hadn't expected.

Seemingly having heard Vincent's mutterings, Mostima smiled slightly:

"Wouldn't it be more convincing if it were Sakta?"

Wouldn't it be more convincing if someone like Sakota, who was raised with Lateran Catholic thought, joined the Anglican Church, openly opposed the Catholic Church, and proselytized for the Anglican Church?

That being said... Count Vincent frowned, and after much deliberation, decided to be on the safe side and refuse their request to enter the mansion. But Mostima spoke first, offering a compromise.

"I understand that Your Excellency is entertaining distinguished guests and therefore has doubts about our identities. How about this: we will be under your jurisdiction within the manor, and you can directly contact the Religious Affairs Office of Londinium to consult with His Highness Patriarch Broca. In the meantime, we will surrender all our weapons, and if our identities are found to be false, you can immediately take control of us. But if our identities are genuine, then you can avoid unnecessary misunderstandings with His Highness Patriarch regarding 'not supporting the plan,' what do you say?"

Very sincere terms.

Count Vincent scrutinized the girl before him again, as if trying to see through her completely. However, Mostima was like an iceberg in the Arctic, only ever revealing a fraction of her true form, making it impossible to see her clearly.

Still unable to find any flaws, Earl Vincent could not refuse what was already a very polite and sincere condition. He nodded and gave the butler beside him a wink.

The old butler nodded knowingly, picked up the walkie-talkie, connected with the security guard from earlier, and gave the order:

"Come to the main gate of the mansion immediately. You have a mission. Take our monk guests who have come from afar to rest."

There was another long silence on the other end of the walkie-talkie. Just as the old butler was getting the idea that he absolutely had to get a new walkie-talkie tomorrow, Kal'tsit finally answered:

"Understood, I'll be right there."

After saying that, she put down the walkie-talkie and looked at the main gate of the mansion in the distance with a puzzled expression.

Being able to enter the manor ahead of time is a good thing, as it means she has more time to observe Wayne, but what is the deal with this "monk who has come from afar"?

Things seem to be getting complicated.

Chapter Thirty-Five Wayne: Did I see a strange person?

As Wayne emerged from his room, which was clearly different from the others, he rubbed the bridge of his nose in exasperation.

It seems someone leaked the news, otherwise he wouldn't believe that when it was his turn, there would only be this one room left.

This is both a good thing and a bad thing. The good thing is that now that someone knows or has guessed about Wayne's identity, there will be far fewer man-made troubles Wayne will encounter during his graduation assessment. But the bad thing is that his plan to calmly observe all the students' normal performance is likely to fall through.

Don't let me find out who leaked it.

He angrily clenched his fist and slammed it against the wall, just as Chen, who had come out of the room, saw it. The little dragon man anxiously stepped forward, stopped Wayne's hand, and tried to calm him down:

"Don't be angry. Even if you are angry, you should aim your fist at the face of the person who made you angry, instead of hurting yourself."

Wayne nodded, somewhat puzzled.

To be honest, he had this feeling from the very beginning: was Chen's enthusiasm for him a little too high?

Considering that his identity has likely been exposed, could it be that the person who leaked his identity was Chen?

The moment this guess formed in his mind, Wayne thought it over and over, and it seemed increasingly plausible. Of all the graduates of the Royal Military Academy, only Chen and he had come under the guise of special recruitment. And only Chen had personally witnessed him and Vina together. If Chen were even slightly intelligent, a little investigation would have easily revealed Vina's identity as "Athlan," given that she was completely unmasked at the time. And his own identity, as Vina called "brother," was therefore quite obvious.

"Tsk..."

Wayne clicked his tongue slightly.

Even the best-laid plans can slip up. The intention was to keep this identity a secret until a future visit to Lungmen, then specifically request that the then-Chen Sir greet her and witness her dramatic reaction. But it was leaked so early. The plan failed before it even began, and all because of Vina?

Women are truly a man's nemesis, and even lionesses are no exception. Whenever Wayne's schemes involve Vina, no matter how small the chances, something always seems to go wrong.

If Vina hears me saying this, I hope she won't bite me.

However, Wayne also breathed a small sigh of relief. Contrary to his expectations, Chen didn't seem to be as averse to his royal status as he had imagined. In fact, she seemed quite sympathetic to Wayne's plight, constantly reminding him not to give up and to keep going, believing that he could definitely make a comeback.

Perhaps I didn't have to go through all that trouble to disguise myself and enter the campus in the first place?

With this question in mind, Wayne was pulled by Chen and followed him downstairs step by step—according to the academy's rules, after tidying up their rooms, students needed to assemble in a line at the fountain square in front of the mansion. However, before Wayne had even taken a single step off the stairs, the next second, he caught a glimpse of a pale green figure out of the corner of his eye.

Wayne: "?"

He abruptly stopped, grabbed Chen's shoulder, put his index finger to his lips to make a shushing gesture, turned his head, and looked at the black-clad, green-haired figure who was slowly walking into the porch.

Tall and slender, wearing a surprisingly well-fitting security guard uniform, with light green shoulder-length hair falling from the low brim of his hat, Wayne couldn't make out the guard's face because he was facing away from Wayne, but he vaguely felt that he was somewhat familiar.

Kal'tsit?

He silently recited the name that had flashed through his mind during that fleeting glimpse.

Is it her? Wayne's eyebrows twitched, unsure of what to do. The current time is 1092 in the Terra calendar, which, logically, corresponds to the outbreak of the Kazdel Civil War and the formal break between Theresa and Theresis (?). Leaving aside the possible machinations and deals involving the "Doctor, Theresa, Kal'tsit, and Theresis," Kal'tsit should undoubtedly be in Kazdel at this point, accompanying Theresa. There's absolutely no reason for her to be in the distant northern border of Victoria, in the County of Dorron, working as a security guard.

Maybe they just look alike?

Suppressing his doubts, Wayne convinced himself: Surely a pretty green cat head can't be Kal'tsit, right? Besides, he only saw her back, not even her face. Maybe she's a killer from behind?

To find out whether it's Kal'tsit or not, I'll ask Theresa during our long phone call tonight.

Wayne turned his head. At that moment, Chen Cai, who had been stopped by Wayne and remained silent, looked worried and asked in a low voice:

"What's wrong, Bruce? What happened?"

Recalling Wayne's sudden serious expression, Chen moved even closer and asked in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Have they been discovered?"

Those "royal lackeys" who had been following Bruce closely since he got on the bus, monitoring his every move.

"them?"

Wayne paused, not understanding Chen's meaning, and replied:

"No, no, no, there's only one person. And she's not exactly an enemy, she's a pillar of my fiancée's life."

Chen Xiao's mouth was slightly open, and she tilted her head blankly.

fiancée?

But you haven't graduated yet...

"A noble marriage?"

As he murmured these words to himself, Chen's mood grew even heavier.

No wonder, no wonder the royal family, who had nearly wiped out the Lancaster family, spared Bruce's life; so that's what they were planning.

Chen's hatred for aristocratic marriages was even greater than her resentment towards the imperial power. If it weren't for aristocratic marriages, her mother wouldn't have died in despair, and her sister Talulah wouldn't have suffered the pain of losing her father. And now, the term "aristocratic marriage" had once again appeared before her like a nightmare.

It's practically the exact same script!

Bruce, like his sister Talulah, is a lonely nobleman. Like his sister Talulah, Bruce is a tool of oppression by royal power. Like his sister Talulah, Bruce is a victim manipulated by interests. They are like chips in a gambling game, tossed around without being cherished.

So what's the next step?

Talulah lost her father, so is Bruce going to lose his father too?

Oh, no, the Lancaster family has been wiped out. Did you do that, Victorian royal family!

"What's wrong, Chen?"

Wayne's questioning voice and the warm hand touching his forehead pulled Chen back to reality.

"I've noticed you've been spacing out a lot lately. Are you sick?"

Chen pursed his lips, took Wayne's hand, and gently lowered it from his head while holding it tightly in his palm.

"No, I'm fine, Bruce. It just reminded me of some... bad things."

She looked into Wayne's pale gold eyes and couldn't help but wonder why the past and present were so similar.

Taking a deep breath, then another, suppressing the emotions surging within him, Chen looked directly at Wayne and said:

"Bruce, I hope you can tell me the truth. Is she here to spy on you?"

Wayne lowered his eyelids slightly. Countless possibilities flashed through his mind, and finally, he answered:

"If it really is that person, we can't rule out that possibility."

Given Kal'tsit's responsible attitude towards Theresa, it's not impossible that she would fly to Londinium specifically to observe her after learning about Theresa's relationship.

Chen released Wayne's hand, turned around abruptly, his back to Wayne, his clenched teeth almost drawing blood from his lips.

"What's wrong?" Wayne asked worriedly. Chen's condition today was really strange. He was starting to consider whether to call an ambulance, or simply ask Ernest to help take him to the hospital. Anyway, Chen knew his identity, so maybe it would be faster to have Ernest take him.

But Chen simply turned his back to Wayne, shook his head, and straightened his back. Although he was not as tall as Wayne, he exuded a certain aura, as if he wanted to protect Wayne from behind.

"It's nothing, please believe me, Bruce."