Chapter 168: A Royal Encounter and Lingering Doubts

Alice Liddell relaxed slightly. Judging by the other’s reaction, she seemed to be doing alright.

“However, this statue is a bit of an eyesore,” the Snow Princess unexpectedly added.

“Eh?” Alice’s eyes widened.

To call the Supreme Deity’s statue an eyesore? By the standards of the Benevolent Holy Church, such a statement was nothing short of sacrilege!

After all, the Winter Kingdom, as a member of the Holy Alliance, also revered the Benevolent Holy Church as its state religion.

‘No, that might not be true in the Snow Princess’s heart,’ Alice thought.

Alice suddenly recalled the Duchess Liddell explaining to her that the Supreme Deity was actually a blend of three coronated divine ranks: the True Lord of the “Bishop” class and “Order” path, the Sun God of the “Paladin” class and “Sun” path, and the Creator of the “Mage” class and “Matter” path.

At its inception, the Benevolent Holy Church was merely a religion for the “Bishop” class, its monks devoted to and mastering the True Lord of True Order.

Later, for some reason, this religion was adopted as the state religion by an empire that was once a small kingdom, flourishing greatly. The True Lord of the Holy Church then merged with the kingdom’s previously revered Sun God, forming a single deity.

Subsequently, the empire rapidly expanded and allied with the Winter Kingdom. The Benevolent Holy Church absorbed the Winter Kingdom’s indigenous religions, and the Creator was also incorporated into the Holy Church’s deity, thus giving birth to the Supreme Deity.

The Winter royal family must know this history, but how do they truly view the Supreme Deity, who absorbed and replaced their native gods?

With reverence, or perhaps… abhorrence?

The Snow Princess did not respond to Alice’s surprise; she seemed entirely unconcerned that her irreverence towards the Supreme Deity was now known by this duchess from the empire’s border.

Alice, however, quickly understood. Indeed, even if she were to spread rumors, how many would truly believe her? The Imperial City’s Inquisitors would hardly trouble a future duchess over mere hearsay.

‘It would be the Winter Queen’s trouble,’ Alice realized.

This also subtly revealed that the Snow Princess did not take Alice Liddell seriously at all.

Alice was rather pleased by this fact.

“You wish to enter the inner court? Are you interested in studying the Mage faculty? If you can be promoted to the inner court early next year, perhaps I will have an opportunity to guide you.”

It was utterly impossible to discern her true thoughts.

‘Your Highness’s hair is truly beautiful, is it natural?’ Alice tried her best to find another topic.

“It’s merely white hair, nothing special to look at,” the Snow Princess replied calmly. “My hair used to be raven black; it turned white due to a minor issue during my advancement.”

‘Oh no, I’ve praised the wrong thing!’ Alice cried out internally, feeling a sense of dread.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know!” Alice quickly apologized, shrinking her head.

“It’s fine,” the Snow Princess replied, seemingly unbothered.

Another silence fell, far more awkward than before.

‘Surely I’ve stayed long enough now,’ this thought echoed three times in Alice’s mind.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she spoke, “It’s getting late, Your Highness. I should head home.”

“Mm, farewell,” the Snow Princess softly responded.

Alice felt as though she had received a great pardon. After curtsying once more, she quickly turned and exited the Grand Cathedral.

Walking a short distance along the path outside the Grand Cathedral, and after circling past the bell tower, Alice glanced back to ensure she was out of the Snow Princess’s sight, then immediately quickened her pace.

‘It’s so difficult to converse with that person,’ Alice thought.

With so little expression and no inflection in her voice, it was impossible to tell what she was thinking. She was as cold as an iceberg; Alice couldn’t imagine what kind of environment could cultivate such an eccentric personality.

‘But at least from her reaction just now, it seems she truly doesn’t remember me,’ Alice inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

****

Meanwhile, the Snow Princess continued gazing at the Grand Cathedral’s entrance, deeply pondering a question.

‘The Witch’s secret potion has actually infiltrated even this place. What could they be doing by entering this academy?’

Alice and her companions were unaware that the “Mage” class, starting from the Ninth Rank “Scholar,” received an additional blessing in memory capabilities. This blessing intensified with each advancement in rank.

This ability was simple yet subtle; low-ranked mages might not even consciously perceive their own difference, and only mid-to-high-ranked mages could clearly feel an effect unlike ordinary people.

Consequently, very few from other classes were aware of this information.

At the Snow Princess’s rank, her memory was essentially photographic.

In the past, she had indeed merely glimpsed Alice Liddell once, and while she wasn’t particularly interested in such a minor character, she had effortlessly remembered Alice’s appearance with perfect clarity.

Even upon instantly discerning Alice’s identity, she had no immediate intention of interfering.

Due to the matter concerning Samira, the Snow Princess regarded the Red Queen as a threat. However, at present, the Red Queen appeared to be merely infiltrating the empire.

The Snow Princess decided to remain a silent observer for now.

The empire’s damaged interests were of little concern to her; she was solely focused on threats to the Winter Kingdom.

Instead, she was deeply interested in the Red Queen’s objectives. Now that she had discovered them, and they seemed unaware of her perception, this presented a rare and advantageous opportunity that should be thoroughly exploited.

Therefore, it would be better to observe first and then act as the situation demanded.

Precisely because of her current choice of “non-interference,” she had unexpectedly deceived Alice’s precognition. Given her rank, Alice would be utterly incapable of foreseeing her future interventions until she decisively chose to act.

At the same time, she harbored no true ill will towards Alice. She was only interested in the strong, and a mere pawn like Alice held no significance in her eyes.

Rarely, a faint smile graced the Snow Princess’s lips.

‘It seems my decision to come here was indeed the right one!’