Chapter 43: Not Guilty

“No way to judge this nun guilty.”

Ji Jige’s words hit like a stone in calm water, stirring everyone’s hearts.

The regional bishop turned, stunned.

She hadn’t expected Ji Jige to join in framing Duke Meng’s daughter.

Her silence was tolerable.

But this?

A betrayal.

Her lips twitched, but she held back.

With the cardinal’s word, the tide turned.

Meng Linna was declared not guilty.

The regional bishop couldn’t accept it.

As the priest announced the verdict, she dragged Ji Jige out for a private talk.

Na Naya stepped forward, uncuffing Meng Linna.

“No idea why that lord helped you. But you’re free now. Need an escort back?”

Meng Linna gave a bitter smile.

“Can’t go back yet.”

“Can’t?”

Na Naya frowned, but a hand patted her shoulder.

“Hello, I’m Cardinal Ji Jige.”

Ji Jige flashed an innocent smile.

“You two seem close. Is Miss Na Naya the ‘friend’ Little Meng mentioned?”

The bishop returned, a red slap mark on her face.

“You know me?”

Na Naya paused, then remembered her saintess candidate status.

“But my relationship with Miss Meng isn’t as close as you think.”

“Oh?”

Ji Jige glanced playfully at Meng Linna, skeptical.

Meng Linna nodded.

“Just average.”

Admitting closeness now would get her dragged off by Ji Jige.

“My mistake.”

Ji Jige nodded, turning to Na Naya.

“I’m taking Little Meng to hunt heretics. Care to join, saintess candidate?”

“Hunt heretics?”

Na Naya hesitated.

“I’d just be a burden with my strength. Might drag you down.”

“Don’t say no so fast.”

Ji Jige wagged a finger.

“They’re weak heretics, no real fight. You two could solo them. Come gain experience. It’ll help your saintess bid.”

With that pitch, Na Naya couldn’t refuse.

“When do we leave?”

“Pack up. We go this afternoon.”

***

As a detainee, Meng Linna had nothing to pack.

She followed Na Naya to the church cafeteria.

“…”

Na Naya, annoyed, watched Meng Linna casually sit beside her with a tray.

Meng Linna wasn’t eating quietly.

Forking a veggie sausage, she spoke.

“Didn’t expect you to agree.”

Na Naya glanced, answering out of courtesy.

“A mission with a cardinal is rare.”

“Thought you didn’t care about that.”

Na Naya ate silently.

Couldn’t she see she didn’t want to talk?

Meng Linna kept going.

“You agreed so easily. Do you know who these heretics are?”

Na Naya sighed, setting down her fork.

This woman wouldn’t stop.

“No idea. But I trust Lady Ji Jige.”

“Don’t know and still said yes?”

Meng Linna grinned.

“We’re hunting volcano heretics. They worship the Flame Giant. You get it, right?”

The Flame Giant, an evil god, was the church’s sworn enemy.

Driven to volcanoes by crusades, their individual strength was fearsome.

If the heretics summoned one…

“I don’t.”

Na Naya touched her waist.

Her Flame Giant Whip was stored in her system.

“You telling me not to go?”

Meng Linna shrugged.

“Who knows? It’s a bit dangerous. But it’s a cardinal’s invite. Your call.”

Na Naya dropped it, changing topics.

“When did you cozy up to a cardinal?”

“Cardinal?”

Meng Linna paused, then got it.

“Oh, you mean Little Ji.”

Na Naya frowned.

“Little Ji? Real cozy.”

Meng Linna knew the nickname was off but played it cool, teasing.

“Jealous?”

“Self-absorbed much, scumbag? Too many mushrooms giving you delusions? Think everyone’s swooning over you?”

“Ouch, harsh.”

Meng Linna shrank back, ending the verbal spar.

***

“You two have history?”

In a fancy carriage, Ji Jige flipped through their files.

Thanks to Duke Meng’s influence, Meng Linna faced no real punishment.

Her file vaguely noted a warning.

Noting Na Naya’s support from the duke, Ji Jige guessed something happened between them.

Meng Linna stayed silent, leaving it to Na Naya.

“Sort of.”

Na Naya brushed it off.

She wasn’t one to air grievances for pity.