Chapter 27: A Three-Year Promise and a Soul’s Release

“Are you truly leaving?”

“Yes, I must go… The Holy See still has many matters awaiting my return.”

Alice wrapped her arms around Eve from behind, resting her chin on Eve’s shoulder and gently nuzzling her cheek. Her soft, sweet voice was filled with reluctance.

Eve felt as though her ears must have deceived her, yet as she looked at Alice, there was no hint of jest in her expression.

Receiving such news still felt somewhat unbelievable.

‘Had I woken up too suddenly?’ Eve wondered. The very person who, just a month ago, had clung to her every day on this bed, was now telling her she was leaving.

What’s more, Alice intended to leave Eve alone in Yarokan City, returning to the Holy See with her Silverwing Knights.

Considering Alice’s profound attachment, it was astounding that she wasn’t trying to whisk Eve away to the Holy See with her.

This…

Could such a good thing truly be happening?

*Cough, cough.* It wasn’t that Eve disliked Alice; who wouldn’t enjoy spending time with a beautiful girl?

However, a month had passed since her transmigration, and their days consisted of either basking in the sun and sipping hot tea in the courtyard or strolling through Yarokan City, much like elderly retirees.

This excessive tranquility had given Eve the distinct impression that she wasn’t playing a game at all, but genuinely living out her retirement.

While it wasn’t entirely bad…

Nevertheless, having arrived in another world, one surely ought to embark on an adventure!

Eve’s thoughts were simple: ‘Since I’m here, I don’t aim for fame or glory. As long as I can experience the joy of adventuring, battling monsters, and leveling up, it will have been a worthwhile journey.’

Indeed, she was the type to be terrible at something yet love playing it.

Of course, despite her musings, Eve still felt a profound reluctance about Alice’s departure.

Though only a month had passed, Eve already regarded Alice as an incredibly important friend. She couldn’t help but try to persuade her to stay, asking, “Won’t you stay a little longer?”

Alice shook her head. “I’ve already spent more than enough time in Yarokan City, far exceeding the vacation I initially planned for myself. Besides, the journey back will also take considerable time.”

“I see…”

“It’s alright, Eve-chan. I’ve been incredibly happy with your company this past month. And this time, upon my return to the Holy See, I will definitely find a way to completely conceal your undead aura.”

“Three years!”

“Within a minimum of three years, I will return for you.”

Alice’s eyes were filled with earnest resolve, just as they had been when she first arrived in Yarokan City a month ago. Now, in her departure, she had found a new objective.

Though Eve could now wield Holy Light, it still couldn’t mask the undeniable truth of her being an undead.

While the Silverwing Knights might not detect it, that didn’t mean the influential Popes within the Holy See wouldn’t discern the scent of undeath clinging to Eve.

If Alice were to bring Eve back to the Holy See, and the Popes, who vehemently championed judgment, were to discover her true nature, a conflict would be almost inevitable.

Alice, leveraging her authority as the Saintess, could certainly override dissent and forcibly protect Eve, but that wasn’t what she truly desired.

Alice wanted Eve to completely conceal her undead aura and then arrive at the Holy See with a legitimate and convincing positive identity.

Whether as a priest, a paladin, or even a common devotee, it mattered not. As long as Eve could successfully infiltrate the Holy See, Alice possessed ample means to fast-track her promotion to her side.

Then they could stick together every day, *ehehehe…*

It might even be possible to marry openly and honorably then…

*Hiss…* Oh no, a nosebleed, a nosebleed is coming!

At this thought, Alice hastily turned her face away, pulling out a handkerchief to cover her delicate nose and wipe it, preventing Eve from noticing anything amiss.

*Cough, cough.* In any case.

For Eve’s sake, she had to arrive at the Holy See in advance and prepare everything.

Once Alice rested her head back on Eve’s shoulder, she spoke in a rare, playful tone, “So, Eve-chan, you must wait for me to return safely in Yarokan City, alright?”

Eve, oblivious to the full truth, longed to tease Alice about her “three-year promise” that was practically bristling with ominous flags. However, Alice had just been dabbing away tears with a handkerchief, clearly upset.

To disappoint her expectations now would surely cause her great sadness.

Thus, Eve simply nodded and promised, “I will wait for you.”

“Thank you~”

Alice hugged her even tighter.

This time, the embrace wasn’t overpowering; it was just enough to convey the young girl’s heartfelt affection.

“Good night, Eve-chan.”

“Good night, Alice.”

****

Alice departed the very next morning.

Eve watched as she boarded the carriage.

Before leaving, Alice lifted a corner of the curtain, smiled at Eve, and mouthed silently, “You absolutely must wait for me to return.”

In response, Eve nodded, raising the bracelet on her wrist to signal that she would not break her promise.

Only then did Alice feel reassured enough to close the curtain and begin her journey.

Standing at the city gates, watching the carriage recede into a distant white speck, Eve belatedly murmured, “Safe travels.”

Truthfully, there was no profound sadness. This wasn’t a permanent farewell, and three years was hardly a long time for either Alice or Eve.

At that moment, the man beside her rose and respectfully inquired, “Miss Eve, would you like to return and rest?”

The man was Xien, who had accompanied them for the farewell.

As Yarokan City’s lord, it was his duty to be present for the Saintess’s departure.

Over the past month, Xien had seen Eve accompanying the Saintess almost daily. He could easily deduce that Eve’s relationship with the Saintess was far from ordinary.

Furthermore, he had been following the investigation into Eve’s supposed death. This gave Xien an instinctive reverence for a person who should have perished but was still alive.

She was a contemporary of Her Highness the Saintess, practically a living fossil!

Her strength, he surmised, was likely on par with that of Her Highness the Saintess!

Therefore, even with Alice gone, Xien dared not show the slightest laxity towards Eve.

Eve considered for a moment, then finally nodded. “Yes, let’s go back.”

Upon returning to the residential courtyard, the table and chairs previously used for tea ceremonies still stood. Eve sat down and expertly brewed black tea. Everything was as it always had been, save for the absence of a familiar figure beside her.

Five more days passed in this manner.

Eve began to feel a distinct sense of tedium.

So, on the evening of the fifth day, Eve rose from her coffin and made her way to the Wells family ancestral home.

Entering the study, she activated her ‘Listen’ ability. Sure enough, Wennya’s lingering spirit was still there, undissipated.

“Miss Eve! Please, you must…”

“I believe you, Wennya. I will be leaving Yarokan City tomorrow.”

Before Wennya could launch into her familiar, frantic pleas for Eve to leave, Eve preemptively reached out, cutting off her mournful chant.

This wasn’t an idle remark; Eve genuinely intended to depart tomorrow, which was why she had returned to Wennya before leaving.

Unlike her previous visits, which were to subtly gather information from the ghost, this time Eve planned to grant Wennya release through Holy Light.

Just as Alice had explained, Holy Light would guide lost, deceased souls into the embrace of the Goddess of Light, allowing them to attain new life.

Eve’s personal interpretation was that they would enter reincarnation.

“Wennya, thank you for your warnings.”

“May the Holy Light carry away the obsessions you once held.”

A gentle, radiant glow emanated from Eve’s hand, slowly spreading to envelop Wennya’s spirit.

The spirit grew calm. A young girl’s delicate face emerged on the blue ethereal form, followed by the manifestation of her entire body. Sacred radiance enveloped her completely.

A short-haired girl in a maid’s uniform appeared in mid-air. She flashed Eve a lively, sweet smile. “Miss Eve, to see that you are still alive, Wennya’s wish is already quite—fulfilled!”

“It’s just such a pity that Wennya won’t be able to serve you anymore, Miss…”

“Miss Eve, even without Wennya, please remember to eat three meals on time, drink a cup of milk before bed, and make sure to cover yourself properly with your blanket when you sleep…”

The maid’s figure grew increasingly transparent in Eve’s eyes, and her voice gradually softened and faded.

Until she could no longer be seen, no longer be heard.

[One undead creature purified.]