Chapter 72: Why Bring Me Along?

Ailbana gripped Pereti’s wrist, her fingertips damp with a faint, cool sweat. Her steps were so hurried she nearly stumbled. Wind swept dust across the street, stinging their faces. In the distance, outside the Fantasia Courtyard, the armor of knights glinted harshly in the light, while onlookers stood on tiptoe whispering among themselves. Those gazes were like fine needles, pricking at Pelleti’s back.

Feiye followed silently behind them, the hem of her black dress brushing against the stone pavement.

The three hurriedly climbed into a carriage. The moment the curtain fell, it shut out the noise of the outside world—but made the silence inside feel even heavier.

Pereti pulled her hand back, still feeling the lingering chill of Ailbana’s palm. She stared at the folds of her skirt, hesitated for a long time, and finally couldn’t hold back:

“You’re going to see the Pope—why do you have to bring me?”

Right now, she was nothing more than a talented Senior Priest—no power, no influence, no reputation. She truly couldn’t understand what was so special about her that Ailbana insisted she come along. Logically, Josuna should have been the one to go.

“No matter how you look at it, my identity doesn’t match what you’re trying to do. If foreign races are going to attack humanity, shouldn’t the nations unite against them? What does that have to do with me?”

Ailbana had been staring out the window, lost in thought. Hearing this, she froze for a moment. When she turned back, her usual lazy demeanor was gone, replaced by a rare sincerity.

“I just… hope you can help me.”

Looking at the girl in front of her, making such a request, Pereti felt a fire slowly burning in her chest.

“Ailbana… tell me honestly. In all the time we’ve spent together—was there ever even a single moment when you saw me as human?”

“Of course! I’ve always treated you as someone close—”

“That’s a lie,” Feiye cut in mercilessly.

For once, panic appeared on Ailbana’s usually carefree face.

“No, Pelleti, listen to me—”

“Enough!”

Pelleti suppressed the anger boiling inside her. Her gaze turned cold, almost tangible.

“Even now, I still believe I’m human. But which one of you has ever treated me as one?!”

“Do you think I want to be a witch? Do you think I enjoy this? I don’t! I just want to live as an ordinary person—quietly, in a small house, staring out at withered trees. That’s all I ever wanted.”

“You want to use me. I know that. I don’t mind.”

Her voice dropped, filled with numb exhaustion.

“This kind of thing has happened to me so many times I’ve lost count.”

“I… don’t think I’m anyone special. I just want to do what little I can.”

“I only wished that at least one person by my side would acknowledge me as human. I thought you were that person… but what about you?”

“… ”

The carriage fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the rhythmic clatter of wheels against stone.

Ailbana looked at the disappointment in Pelleti’s eyes. Her lips trembled, but she couldn’t say a single word. She wanted to explain—but realized she had no defense.

Feiye quietly took Pereti’s cold hand, her warmth passing through their skin in silent comfort.

Leaning against the carriage wall, Pelleti felt utterly drained. Staring at the ceiling, she spoke softly:

“Ailbana… tell me—do you nobles even see the common people under you as human?”

It sounded like all her strength had left her with that question.

Her thoughts tangled like a knotted mess of threads—questions, anger, confusion all twisted together. She couldn’t untangle them, couldn’t even tell which thread was truly her own.

Was she angry? Sad? Or simply… disappointed beyond repair?

A thick fog of confusion filled her mind.

“Wait.” Ailbana suddenly realized something was wrong. Pereti’s drastic change didn’t feel normal.

“I remember—you had to pass through a corridor after leaving the kitchen. Did those Gluttony cultists say something to you?”

“…Yes.”

Pelleti didn’t deny it. She simply nodded, her tone frighteningly calm.

“Listen to me—those people are masters of deception. You absolutely cannot believe them.”

“You’re afraid.”

Pereti let out a faint, humorless chuckle, her eyes devoid of emotion.

“So even someone like you can feel fear.”

“You’re afraid I’ll defect to the Gluttony Church. You’re trying to keep me, even avoiding my question…”

“…I see.”

As if realizing something, Pelleti collapsed weakly against the seat, letting out a bitter laugh.

“So you’re the same as them. No different from those nobles… I was just too naïve.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Joleidi—that sanctimonious beast in fine clothes. Do you know how many people he’s killed?”

Ailbana shook her head. These past few days, she had been entirely focused on matters involving Pelleti and the Church. Other nobles’ affairs had never concerned her.

To her, what other nobles did had nothing to do with her.

“A mountain. A mountain of bones—about six meters high. Roughly estimated, more people than the daily staff of the Falisa Cathedral.”

Pelleti’s voice was light—but it struck like a hammer against Ailbana’s chest.

“That’s impossible!” Ailbana immediately refuted.

“Outside the west gate. About a thousand meters. You have people—go see for yourself.”

Ailbana stared at Pereti. She didn’t look like she was joking—but what she described was simply too absurd.

If it were anyone else, she wouldn’t believe a word of it.

But because it was Pereti… she couldn’t ignore it.

So many people gone missing—and not a single record in the Church’s archives. If this were true, it could only mean one thing:

The Church and the nobility were colluding for profit.

No—this went far beyond profit.

This was unchecked abuse of power.

The carriage slowly came to a stop.

Pelleti stepped out on her own. Watching her resolutely walk up the steps, Ailbana was startled and quickly stopped her.

“You’re still going to see the Pope?”

“Of course. I have a lot of questions for him.”

“Big sister, I’ll wait outside,” Feiye said softly, standing beside the carriage.

“No need.” Pereti glanced back at her, her gaze softening slightly. “Come in with me.”

“…Okay.”

Feiye immediately followed.

Ailbana watched their figures disappear, a heavy weight pressing down on her chest.

“Notify everyone,” she said at last, her voice cold.

“Search every inch within a thousand meters outside the west gate. If anyone obstructs you—kill them.”