Chapter 229 (2): Candidate Wayne, You Are Not Pure

Wayne’s heart skipped a beat. He wondered where the scandalous photos had come from. He had been staying indoors recently, and even when he visited Filomina, he had gone in and out through the sewers every time. Logically, there shouldn’t be any photos of them.

It was even less likely to be photos with Veronica. During the mission, he had behaved like an older brother—the proper kind rather than the incestuous kind that would land him in a hospital with broken bones[1].

“Knight Leno, both candidates are present. It’s time to show your evidence.” Silvia mentally prepared herself for the inevitable.

“Please wait a moment, High Reverend. I need one more witness.” Leno adhered to a knight’s code of conduct and never failed to mention fairness and justice when he opened his mouth.

It greatly displeased Silvia. She said sarcastically, “Let me guess. The witness is Flora Evelina, former Holy Maiden and current regional priest in Windsor, isn’t it?”

“High Reverend, although Lady Flora has stepped down from her position, she has served the church for years and tirelessly spread the goddess’s grace. Please don’t address her by her full name so casually.”

Leno’s face flushed red at the confrontation. Setting aside his simp quality, he was actually a qualified knight. For example, he still had a healthy sense of shame, so he was mortified when Silvia exposed him on the spot. If he didn’t fix this problem of his, he would never get to see Flora’s thighs in his lifetime.

“So it is her. Assistant!” Silvia shouted at the door. “Invite Priestess Flora over.”

Her assistant scurried off. Leno calmed himself and said solemnly, “High Reverend, please don’t take this the wrong way. Lady Flora doesn’t know the evidence I possess. I’m inviting her as a witness because there’s no one else I trust in Londan.”

His explanation only made things worse.

You punk definitely got a glimpse at the former Holy Maiden’s legs!

Wayne rolled his eyes. “Knight Leno, yesterday, I met another auditor from the Order of Nature in Winster. To be frank, he gave me a far better impression than you do.”

“Which knight?”

“Garvin Fervoy.”

“Vice Captain...”

Leno was shocked. He wondered why Vice Captain had come to Londan in person and whether there was a secret mission. Then again, nothing seemed out of the realm of possibility for that spontaneous man.

“The auditor was satisfied with Veronica and me, giving us perfect scores,” Wayne said leisurely.

Young man, your superior has spoken. Be smart about it and destroy the photos quickly.

Also, calling him Vice Captain? You’ll never become somebody if you act like that, kid!

Leno’s breath hitched. After a moment, he shook his head and said, “Vice Captain is tolerant and unbothered by trivial matters. He had to have given you a perfect score for your talent. I’m different. I pay more attention to the details. Since you’ve made a fundamental mistake, I no longer see you as a qualified candidate.”

Veronica cocked her head. Compared to the underhanded deal, she was more curious about the photos in the envelope. It seemed that the scumbag was photographed when he got touchy with some girl. If she wasn’t mistaken, it had to be Vera.

Seducing someone else’s fian—hmph! When I get back, I’ll skin you alive!

Soon, Priestess Flora entered the meeting room. It was Wayne’s first—no, second time seeing Flora in person. He had to admit that she was a beauty.

No wonder Leno couldn’t resist. Flora wasn’t just a beautiful woman, but also a former Holy Maiden. If Wayne got to see the former Holy Maiden’s thighs, he was likely to reach out for a touch, too.

However, she wasn’t much upon further inspection. Flora’s figure, looks, and grace were impeccable. Her grace, especially, was far beyond girls like Veronica and Vera. Compared to Filomina, however, Flora fell short.

As a veteran pervert, he judged that in this match between two all-rounders, Filomina triumphed over Flora in every aspect. The latter didn’t stand a chance at all.

As Silvia’s student, Wayne recognized the face for a different reason, and he had to narrow his eyes to conceal his killing intent.

“High Reverend, you asked for me?” Flora bowed in greeting. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Leno, and her heart sank. Leno hadn’t informed her that he would be visiting today. Not only had he caught Silvia off guard, but he had also caught Flora unprepared.

“Priestess Flora, this is Knight Leno. You should know each other. You may have even met recently,” Silvia said, her tone frosty and dripping with sarcasm. “Knight Leno claimed to have evidence of a candidate’s impurity and asked to confront the candidate in person. However, out of distrust for my character, he invited you to serve as a third-party witness.”

Flora’s scalp tingled. If this was Leno’s surprise gift, she had to say that the simp had put his heart into it; she was surprised, just not pleasantly so.

“You misunderstand, High Reverend. Knight Leno and I became acquainted back at headquarters. Although we met recently, we met as friends, nothing more.” Flora smiled bitterly. She cared greatly about her image. If Leno had informed her beforehand, she would never have let him act so recklessly.

If word got out that she had instigated this action, her image would be tarnished.

What was done was done, however. Flora could only bet on Leno’s evidence being incriminating enough to bring down one of the candidates.

“High Reverend, with Lady Flora as witness, I hereby present the photographs I’ve taken. Please view them together.” Leno was satisfied with himself. He had prepared a gift for the woman of his dream and delivered it to her before the auditing team could confirm the final score. This way, her student could replace Wayne. He would have completed his mission perfectly and once again protected the Holy Maiden as a knight.

He didn’t ask for a lot; he would be content with silently gazing at her back.

He presented the folder with both hands. Silvia glanced at Flora and, seeing her observing from the side, cursed inwardly.

Wench

.

She had to have seen the photos already. Why bother pretending to be innocent?

Silvia took the folder with a scoff, slowly taking out the photos inside. She smothered a sigh. It would be her rotten luck to have both her student and daughter disqualified simultaneously. Worse still, Flora would gain one of the spots, winning twice with one move.

Veronica went up to check the photos and accidentally stepped on Wayne’s foot hard. She had to see if Vera and the scumbag had kissed.

They looked at the photos with varying expressions—some expectant, some angry, and some helpless and curious.

What they saw was Wayne and Ottilia sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in the library. Thanks to the well-chosen angles, the two seemed to be snuggling in several photos and couldn’t be more intimate.

Ottilia had a bright smile, and Wayne gestured animatedly while saying something. No matter how one looked at it, it seemed like a young woman gazing at her beloved while listening to sweet nothings uttered with affection.

Definitely a couple.

So...

“Who is this?!” x2

Silvia and Veronica both gaped. The former was expecting to see her daughter, while the latter was expecting Vera. Their four eyes stared at Wayne, demanding an explanation.

Wayne gulped silently. He would’ve been able to talk his way out if it had been Vera, Kristen, or even Filomina. He never expected the auditor to have arrived early enough to photograph him with Ottilia.

Wait, there’s nothing wrong with the photos!

“Candidate Wayne, as an auditor, I suspect you of being physically impure. What do you have to say for yourself?” Leno gave him a judgmental look, speaking in a booming voice with his back straight. He seemed like a judge interrogating the accused.

He glanced at Flora from the corner of his eye, expecting to be rewarded with his dream woman’s smile, but no. Flora stared down at the photos with an expression of... bafflement.

“There’s much to be said. These photos suggest nothing. I was simply reading books in the library with a female friend. It’s only because of the camera angle that the photos lead to misunderstanding.”

Wayne explained stiffly, coming to understand the difficulties Auston faced. Being stared down by two Dragonbloods was a lot of pressure.

He added, “We’re reading buddies. She likes books, and I do, too. That’s all.”

“What’s her name?” Veronica stomped on his foot hard. If there weren’t so many people around, she would’ve already mounted him.

“Um, Ottilia...” Wayne admitted in a small voice. “She’s a follower of the Church of Nature, whom I met at a library. She has very few friends, so she often asks me to read books with her.”

“And you just say yes?” Veronica raised her voice. “Speak. What’s your relationship with her? How far have you gone?”

Sister Veronica, whose side are you on exactly? Can’t you see Master giving you pointed looks—oh, Master’s glaring at me, too. Never mind.

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

“I’m innocent, truly. We’re nothing but friends.” Wayne groaned inwardly, once again feeling Auston’s plight. He wanted to defend himself, but Veronica and Silvia wouldn’t give him a chance. They both took Flora’s side immediately. What was he supposed to do?!

“I believe Candidate Wayne’s explanation, that he and Ottilia are only friends rather than lovers,” Flora said. “Knight Leno has taken misleading photos and caused unnecessary damage to his and Ottilia’s reputation.”

Everyone fell silent, incredulous.

“Flora, have you knocked your head?” Silvia blurted out. Then she cleared her throat and amended, “Priestess Flora, what did you just say?”

“Knight Leno, the evidence shows clear signs of manipulation for the purpose of framing a candidate. As the third-party witness, please allow me to reject the evidence.” Flora looked at Leno coldly with a clear threat.

Leno blanched and hastily said, “Lady Flora, please take another look. I was there. I saw them with my own eyes...”

“Enough. Knight Leno must have seen wrong. I believe in Candidate Wayne’s character. He is pure.”

“...” x3

Flora’s truly gone mad!

Silvia thought.

Saw what with your own eyes?

Veronica tore at her hair.

Just say it! This is so frustrating!

Wayne was thoroughly confused.

My teammates become my enemies, and my enemy is now taking my side. What’s that woman doing? Is she trying to appeal to me? First, there was Filomina, and now Flora is doing this. Are all aunties these days this friendly?

The air thickened with silence. Flora’s expression was terrifyingly icy, while Leno froze like a child who had done something wrong, not daring to look at his teacher’s authoritative face. Moreover, the child didn’t know what he had done wrong.

“Assistant!” Silvia broke the silence, shouting at the door. “Check the list of followers in the Londan district. Is there someone called... What’s her name again?”

“Ottilia!” Veronica spat.

“That’s the name. Retrieve her file immediately.”

“That won’t be necessary, High Reverend. I’m familiar with the follower. The Londan branch won’t have her detailed information.”

The sense of defeat left Flora numb. She glared at Leno as she said, “Her name is Ottilia Ferdinand. She is my student.”

“...” x4

Wait, this is confusing. Let me sort things out first.

x4

1. The original uses ‘骨科’, literally means ‘orthopedic’, to refer to an incestuous relationship. Someone was said to have gotten into a relationship with his biological sister and had his legs broken by his parents, and afterwards, he headed to Germany to receive orthopedic treatment. The story became a popular meme and is still widely used to mean incest now. ☜