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Join the ServerAs the dismissal bell rang, Alice navigated the narrow paths between the school buildings, students bustling around her. A cacophony of conversations filled the air, and occasionally, snippets of remarks that piqued her interest drifted into her ears.
“I heard it was because the Alençon family got tangled up with political rivals.”
****
“Are political persecutions by the Inquisition so rare? Whenever they lack a clear charge, they simply brand someone a heretic.”
“But why would the Church discredit itself?”
“It might not even be the Church pulling the strings.”
****
“Who truly knows the truth?”
****
“Is she dead?”
“There’s no news, so she was probably quietly executed.”
****
“Ah, Senior Jeanne, how pitiful…”
“Hey, don’t pity her in front of others! You’ll be in trouble if someone reports you to the Inquisition!”
Days had passed since Jeanne Decker’s execution, yet the topic remained a point of considerable discussion within the academy. The news of her being condemned as a witch and sentenced to the stake was widely known.
However, ordinary people were largely unaware of her rescue. While the Inquisition’s news blockade wasn’t entirely successful, it certainly wasn’t without effect.
Most believed Jeanne Decker had been discreetly executed in Requiem Square. Given more time, most would forget the incident entirely, and Jeanne Decker would vanish from the academy’s memory.
The Inquisition would likely continue to pursue her, but since they wished to keep the events at the execution grounds a secret, they could only conduct a covert internal search for her.
Only Inquisitors of a certain rank would be on the lookout for Jeanne Decker; even the town guards would be oblivious to her wanted status.
Considering this, with a slight disguise, Jeanne Decker should still be able to operate in the outside world for a short while.
Alice walked against the current of students heading towards the main gate, making her way towards the inner court. She soon arrived at the Grand Cathedral.
Previously, when Jeanne Decker recounted her experiences after their separation, Alice mentioned she was investigating the Grand Cathedral. Jeanne Decker then shared that during her promotion ceremony, certain arrangements within the Grand Cathedral had seemed different from usual.
The Dormouse had not mentioned this, but considering he had attended the Cathedral Academy more than a decade ago, it wasn’t surprising that some details might have slipped his mind.
Alice had come specifically to confirm whether the details Jeanne Decker mentioned were related to the Church’s sealed grounds.
Based on her experience, she would only have about two quarters of an hour to explore the Grand Cathedral after school. While the cathedral wouldn’t close after that, knights would begin patrolling the academy grounds.
Given her status, she would only need to show her family crest ring if questioned by a knight.
However, she disliked doing so, and furthermore, the fewer suspicions she aroused, the better.
As she approached the open Grand Cathedral, she suddenly paused.
The Grand Cathedral already had a visitor today.
The woman, not in an academy uniform, stood with her back to Alice on the cathedral’s altar, gazing up at the supreme deity statue.
Alice suddenly felt a subtle premonition, one that stemmed not from a witch’s intuition, but purely from her rational mind.
That woman’s long, snow-white hair was quite distinctive. From her attire and hairstyle, she appeared to be a young woman, not an elder.
Coincidentally, Alice recalled a young woman with a full head of white hair who taught at this very school.
After a few seconds of hesitation, Alice stared at the woman’s back.
She instinctively took a step back, intending to quietly exit the Grand Cathedral.
‘I’ll just slip away quietly…’ she thought. However, the woman suddenly spoke.
“I didn’t expect anyone to visit at this hour.”
No sooner had the words left her lips than she turned her head, casting a sidelong glance at Alice.
It was a literally understated glance, conveying an air of utter indifference towards the newcomer.
Yet, Alice froze.
That profile confirmed her suspicion—it was the Snow Princess of the Winter Kingdom!
She had encountered her again!
Although Alice had anticipated running into the Snow Princess at the academy when she learned of her teaching here, actually encountering her still made her inevitably nervous.
‘Calm down! Don’t panic! It’s not a big deal!’ Alice reminded herself.
The witch’s foresight remained silent, indicating that the Snow Princess harbored no ill will towards her and would not interfere with her future, at least for now.
This was enough to suggest that the Snow Princess didn’t remember her, so Alice simply needed to act naturally.
Last time, she had scurried away in a flustered panic upon seeing the Snow Princess in the commercial district, earning her a scolding from the Duchess. This time, Alice had learned her lesson and quickly put on an act.
“Ah! You are… Your Highness Snow Princess?” Alice feigned surprise, then curtsied respectfully, “My deepest apologies for disturbing you.”
‘Excellent, now leave!’
Alice finished speaking and was about to make her exit, but the Snow Princess suddenly uttered, “Wait.”
It was another understated remark, yet it made Alice feel as if her heart had momentarily stopped.
“This place is open for visitors; it’s not my private property. You can enter if you wish; why be concerned about me?” the Snow Princess said indifferently, turning fully to face her.
‘Damn… If I try to force my way out now, it’ll seem unnatural.’
Realizing this, Alice could only steel herself and walk into the Grand Cathedral. “My… my apologies.”
‘It’s fine, she doesn’t recognize me,’ Alice inwardly affirmed, yet as she drew closer, the Snow Princess suddenly furrowed her brow slightly. “Hmm? You…”
‘Oh, no! It can’t be!’
That reaction sent Alice’s heart leaping to her throat.
“…are truly beautiful,” the Snow Princess finished her sentence.
‘Would it kill you to not pause when you speak!?’ Alice screamed inwardly. ‘That was terrifying; my heart can’t take such sudden scares.’
“I don’t recall seeing your face before. You’re not an inner court student, are you?” the Snow Princess asked.
“Yes, my name is Alice Liddell, a freshman in the Theology Department,” Alice quickly introduced herself.
“Liddell… Ah, you’re the Duchess from Broadsword Province?” The Snow Princess nodded. “I’ve heard of you.”
‘No, no, I’m just a little blade of grass by the roadside, an insignificant passerby. I’m not worth remembering by you—’ Though she desperately wanted to say this, Alice could only rely on her acting skills.
“Your Highness actually knows of me? What an honor,” she quickly responded, feigning delight.
“A freshman specifically visiting here after school?” the Snow Princess inquired.
Her tone sounded casual, but Alice felt compelled to provide a thoughtful answer.
“I’ve always admired the inner court, so I often come to look around,” Alice smiled a little shyly. “Besides, when there aren’t many people after school, the sunset through the skylight is beautiful. I really like it.”
The Snow Princess turned to look at the skylight.
The lingering glow of the sunset streamed through the skylight, painting delicate threads of light across the interior. It illuminated the ivory-white supreme deity statue while also scattering across the clear pool water, coating its surface with a golden sheen.
“Indeed, it is quite beautiful,” the Snow Princess agreed.
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