Chapter 31: A Candid Confession

“L-Lucia, Big Sister Lucia, what brings you to the Demon Hunter Guild so suddenly today? Do nuns typically frequent establishments such as this…?”

“No, we don’t usually frequent places like this. My reason for coming to the Demon Hunter Guild today, of course, was to seek you out.”

Lucia’s casual revelation of her purpose for seeking Nikola sent a jolt of surprise through Nikola’s heart.

‘Find me… Why, exactly, is she looking for me? Have I revealed something?’

Nikola remained deeply unsettled. Their encounter had been but a fleeting one, just last night, so why would Lucia specifically seek her out the very next day? What other reason could there be, if not that she suspected something amiss with Nikola?

“When we parted ways yesterday, I realized I’d forgotten to ask your name. I simply wished to make your acquaintance.”

“’…Make my acquaintance?’”

Nikola found herself unconsciously echoing Lucia’s words, yet a profound suspicion festered in her heart. She was convinced Lucia wasn’t merely seeking to make her acquaintance; rather, she must have perceived something amiss. This affable demeanor, Nikola theorized, was nothing more than a ploy to lull her into complacency, ready to strike and ‘punish’ her the moment she revealed any hint of abnormality.

‘And to think… I’m actually harboring such suspicions about Lucia. Does she truly possess such intricate ulterior motives? In my mind, she’s always been such a pure-hearted child… Still, I can’t afford to dwell on that now.’

Nikola found herself caught in a dilemma: one part of her believed Lucia might be scrutinizing her, patiently awaiting a misstep; another part argued that Lucia simply didn’t possess such intricate cunning. In the end, Nikola resolved to maintain her guard for the time being, for her very life hung in the balance.

“It’s a little crowded here. Perhaps we could move somewhere else?”

Nikola gestured towards a street in the distance, where a quaint coffee shop nestled on a corner. Despite the late hour, certainly not prime time for coffee, she reasoned that indulging in some desserts and light conversation would be rather pleasant.

Yet, Nikola’s primary objective wasn’t to share desserts with Lucia. Instead, she yearned to swiftly distance herself from the Demon Hunter Guild’s entrance. Any conversation, she felt, needed to occur far away. Otherwise, should she inadvertently ‘spill the beans’ and be forced into a confrontation with Lucia right outside the Guild, it would undoubtedly draw Daisy Cameron’s attention, leaving her with absolutely no avenue for escape.

“Oh, that sounds lovely.”

Upon hearing Nikola’s proactive invitation to a coffee shop, Lucia appeared visibly pleased. Yet, a subtle nervousness also fluttered within her. While she cherished Imeline and Attestor, her two childhood friends, she had never been the one to initiate such bonds; they had always been the ones to reach out and forge their friendship with her.

To actively seek out and befriend someone like this was a novel experience for her.

The coffee shop nestled on the street corner boasted a facade that, while not luxurious, exuded a charming simplicity. As Nikola and Lucia pushed open the door and stepped inside, the clamor of the street was gently, yet decisively, muted.

This quietude wasn’t solely attributable to the building’s sound-dampening construction materials, but also to a magical barrier within the shop, designed to maximally insulate its patrons from the street’s incessant din.

The shop was sparsely populated with customers, understandable given the late hour. The fragrant aroma of roasting coffee beans permeated the air, a scent that subtly eased Nikola’s tension.

“Welcome.”

“Yes, please lead us to a corner table.”

The attendant respectfully welcomed Nikola and Lucia, then guided them to a secluded table.

“May I take your order for drinks?”

“Um, I’ll just have a hot chocolate, please. Big Sister Lucia, what about you?”

Nikola observed Lucia, who had been intently studying the menu. Lucia’s gaze swept over the offerings for a moment before she lifted her eyes to the attendant.

“I’ll simply have a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.”

Lucia deliberately avoided any caffeinated beverages. Consuming coffee late in the evening would undoubtedly disrupt her sleep, and with rigorous training awaiting her tomorrow, inadequate rest was simply not an option.

Following Lucia’s order, Nikola added a selection of desserts, only then signaling the attendant to depart.

Once the attendant had withdrawn, a peculiar silence settled over their table. Neither Lucia nor Nikola spoke at first; Nikola was tense, wary of suspicion, while Lucia, for her part, struggled to find the right words to forge a connection with Nikola.

In the end, it was Nikola who finally broke the quietude.

“So… did you uncover anything in Savigny Village last night?”

“Nothing.”

Hearing Nikola take the initiative to start a conversation, Lucia visibly relaxed. She then continued.

“Aside from that blood kin, who was disguised as a nun, we found no further leads.”

“I see…”

From Lucia’s tone and words, it was evident she still maintained that it was merely a blood kin who had donned a nun’s habit, masquerading as a devout sister.

Nikola’s intuition, however, vehemently rejected such a simplistic explanation.

“I’ve already reported this matter to my Teacher and the Bishop. They will undoubtedly uncover the full truth of this incident.”

Lucia uttered these words intending to put Nikola at ease. However, upon hearing Lucia mention her ‘Teacher,’ Nikola was suddenly struck by a flash of inspiration.

Previously, Nikola had been uncertain of Lucia’s true feelings towards her. Now, occupying Nikola’s identity, she realized this might be the perfect opportunity to subtly probe and ascertain Lucia’s current perception of her.

“Thank you for your patience.”

“Thank you.”

At that very moment, Nikola’s hot chocolate arrived. Only after the attendant had set down the steaming mug and retreated did Nikola resume her conversation.

“Big Sister Lucia, the ‘Teacher’ you spoke of—is she your own mentor? What kind of person is she?”

“Yes, she is indeed my teacher. She’s quite strict… yet, she’s also the closest thing I have to family.”

“’Only family…’”

Nikola’s heart gave a sudden tremor. She hadn’t anticipated Lucia held her in such profound esteem.

“Indeed. In fact, Nikola, you and I share a certain resemblance. Not long after my earliest memories began to form, I lost my parents in an attack by fantasy creatures—a ruthless band of werewolf bandits. I, too, was on the verge of death there, but then my Teacher suddenly appeared, and it was she who saved me.”

“Teacher brought me back to the Royal City, secured new lodgings for me, and allowed me to live within the church. As I grew older, she guided me through cultivation, imparted combat skills, and even elevated me to the esteemed position of the church’s Saintess.”

“For all of this, I am profoundly grateful to my Teacher. She truly bestowed upon me a second chance at life.”

“Just like you, Nikola, I, too, harbor a fervent desire to eradicate those fantasy creatures. Therefore, despite the immense rigor of Teacher’s training, I find the strength to persevere.”

“Teacher always maintained a rather cold demeanor in the past. I don’t know why she is that way, but I’ve always imagined she must have endured some truly tragic experiences to become so.”

“To be honest, I’ve come to sense that Teacher might be intending to utilize my unique powers for some purpose. But what does that truly matter? She is my savior, the one who raised me and meticulously instructed me in the art of combat. Even if she were to use me, I could accept it wholeheartedly.”

Lucia herself seemed unsure why she had suddenly divulged so much about her Teacher. Perhaps it was because Imeline and Attestor always harbored a somewhat disparaging attitude towards Lovelenica, making Lucia hesitant to openly share her true feelings about Lovelenica with them.

However, in Nikola—a stranger to Lovelenica—Lucia found an unlikely confidante, someone to whom she could finally articulate these ineffable emotions.

Nikola lightly bit her lower lip, Lucia’s earnest confession stirring a profound disquiet within her.

So, Lucia had been aware all along. She had perceived the possibility of being used, yet out of profound gratitude for the life she had been given, she had foolishly continued to place her trust in Nikola.