Chapter 52: A Challenge Accepted

The midday sun dyed the monastery’s stained-glass windows a deep amber. Allyrose stood bathed in that glow, her face cold as she looked at Jason before her, rejecting him outright with no room for negotiation.

Then, with a dismissive shove, she pushed him away, leaving Jason momentarily stunned.

‘What in the world was wrong with her?’

To be honest, Jason had anticipated Allyrose might be angry or refuse. After all, he had already experienced her anger and rejection during the previous incident concerning the house.

Yet, this time, even after feigning such deep concern for her, the girl remained so utterly indifferent?

However, after a brief moment, Jason suppressed the inexplicable irritation bubbling within him. He certainly wouldn’t let this opportunity to curry favor with Vivian slip away.

“My dear, converting this place into a tavern would benefit everyone.” Jason spun the emerald thumb ring he had bought from an Eastern caravan last month, a new trinket he adored, then gently began to soothe the young woman.

“Do you know how many caravans and travelers pass through the capital daily? They need fine wine and lavish meals, not these…” He gestured towards the large cross in the center of the monastery, “…these dull, inferior wooden crucifixes.”

Upon hearing this, Allyrose let out a cold laugh. A moment later, she shook her head firmly and spoke with utmost seriousness.

“Mr. Jason,” she deliberately used his formal name, “I must ask you to show the proper respect for the cross! And… I apologize, but I do not believe a monastery is in any way inferior to a tavern.”

“I hope you understand that not only copper and gold coins are what people desire in this world. As long as my monastery can extend a helping hand to those in difficulty and assist them, that is fulfillment enough for me.”

She took a step forward, her gaze fixed intently on both Vivian and Jason. “If it must be changed, then… what needs transforming is not merely a building, but potentially a haven for thousands of suffering souls.”

Vivian, hearing this, suddenly let out a disdainful chuckle, then raised an eyebrow and declared, “What a moving speech, Sister Allyrose. Even I’m tempted to applaud you.”

She deliberately drew out the last syllable, making it as syrupy and sticky as possible. “But speaking of helping the faithful, you seem not to have heard what I just said. Haven’t I already stated that with me, the Saintess, it is enough! You don’t need to worry any further, do you?”

At this, Allyrose became certain that Vivian was absolutely determined to make her close the church.

As for the young woman’s response? That was, naturally, quite simple. Before anyone else could speak, another group of burly men pushed open the monastery doors and entered. Of course, these were not from the Holy See, nor were they Jason’s guards. They were…

The renovation team.

“Miss Allyrose, may we begin the work?”

“Oh! No problem at all, just proceed as usual!”

Allyrose waved a hand at the renovation team leader, completely ignoring Vivian at her side. Her attitude was undeniably clear. Feeling utterly disregarded, Vivian gritted her teeth, then, bursting with indignation, spoke again.

“Sister Allyrose, Vivian has already made the stakes quite clear, hasn’t she? I know you might dislike me a little, Sister Allyrose, but… I, I truly mean these words.”

“Oh, Miss Vivian, you are overthinking. I don’t dislike you at all.” Allyrose sneered. ‘Well, come on, if you can act, so can I.’

“I just find it very strange. Since the esteemed Saintess is so confident, why would you care about my small monastery? Since you are already prepared to save countless souls, and no one will come here to pray in the future, then my secluded life here wouldn’t affect you, Vivian, would it?”

“So… why must you insist on me changing the monastery? You say it’s for my own good, but… a rather unpleasant thought just occurred to me. Could it be that… the honorable Saintess is worried that those who pray at your church will all flock here instead, and so you are… preparing in advance?”

“Impudent!”

Good heavens… Allyrose’s provocation struck with the force of true damage, a critical hit. In an instant, not only did Vivian’s face darken, but even Tok, her fawning minion, was triggered.

And so, the green-haired man was the first to leap out, pointing at Allyrose and shouting, “How dare you make such conjectures about the Saintess! You’re taking kindness for granted. Do you truly believe such a childish provocation can…”

“It’s alright, Tok.”

Before Tok could finish his reprimand, Vivian, who had been lowering her head behind him, softly interrupted him with a voice full of resentment.

A moment later, when Vivian looked up again, her perfect smile mask had shattered, revealing the hideous jealousy beneath.

“Sister Allyrose, is this… a challenge to me? Hmph… Very well, I accept your challenge. Allow me, your junior, to properly prove to you, my senior, who truly is the sole object of faith in the hearts of the believers!”

“Oh? How do you intend to prove that?”

Allyrose raised an eyebrow, finally getting the conversation to the rhythm she desired. This was precisely the black-haired girl’s scheme. She knew Vivian’s personality well: if there was something she wanted to do, she would never give up until she achieved her goal.

Therefore, the best method was to actively provoke her into a fit of pique, then engage in a fair duel.

“Let’s have a competition! We’ll compete until the first day of next month. Let’s see, on that morning, whether more people come to pray at your monastery or at the Holy See’s Central Cathedral! How about that?! Hmph, if I win, it will prove that this monastery has no reason to exist! Then you must close this monastery… no, you must transfer it to the Holy See.”

Jason’s expression suddenly turned subtle. He quickly moved to mediate, eager to protect ‘his’ property, for wasn’t Allyrose’s property his own? However, Allyrose spoke first.

“And if Miss Vivian loses?” She slowly walked closer to Vivian, so near she could see the other woman’s eyelashes. “Then, I want the Saintess to never again interfere with anything concerning my monastery, and at the same time, donate seven million dinars to fund the monastery’s construction. How does that sound?”

“Ha, you’re dreaming! Vivian is the Saintess, and her noble status alone is something you, a false saintess, cannot compare to. Do you really think the public would choose you over her? And you’re setting conditions?”

“Do you have a say in this?” Allyrose glanced disdainfully at the interjecting Tok, then turned back to Vivian, continuing, “Besides, when making a wager, shouldn’t there be stakes for both sides?”

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