Chapter 4 : Sleeping together

“…What did you say?”

Bellon’s eyes widened, hardly believing what he heard.

“…Huh?”

Via was stunned too.

She didn’t understand why she had said such words to the bishop—they were completely unlike her.

It started after seeing the demon in the mirror.

She clearly remembered those words were spoken by the demon.

Could it be…

The demon had controlled her!

Thinking this, she glanced at the window glass again.

Strangely, just like in the dressing room, the mysterious demon had vanished once more.

“Via, I need an explanation!”

Bellon glared at her, his gaze almost devouring.

“That was…”

Via raised her arms to shield her face, looking every bit the crybaby.

She didn’t even know herself.

If she told the truth, Bellon would never believe her and might even accuse her of spreading demon rumors.

She had to bluff her way through.

“I’m sorry, Bishop-sama… I was a bit dazed earlier and subconsciously quoted a line from a novel!”

“A novel?”

“Yes, it’s a popular novel I’ve been reading lately… the protagonist’s most domineering line. The atmosphere felt tense, so I thought I’d lighten it…” Via’s voice grew weaker; even she found it absurd.

“…”

Bellon studied Via’s expression and fell silent.

In that instant when he heard those words, his heart had trembled.

As if he truly faced an arrogant king lording over all beings.

But this was Via.

A useless girl who only hid behind her sister and cried—capable of intimidating whom?

Was he overthinking?

…In any case, as bishop, he shouldn’t lose composure and be bluffed by someone like her.

“Not only incompetent, but mentally fragile too,” Bellon said coldly. “Fine, no more changing the subject. Answer me, Via—what choice will you make!”

“I should…”

Via understood Bellon’s intent—he wanted her to vanish from public view, no longer affecting the Holy Land in the slightest.

She would have to say goodbye to her sister, never seeing her again.

But remembering their moments together pained her heart.

She couldn’t let go of her last family in this world.

Even if it was selfish.

Whether from her earlier absurd act or unwillingness to part with her sister, courage welled up in her—she refused to submit.

“Bishop-sama, I can give up my saintess candidate status and never trouble anyone again—”

“Oh?”

Bellon heard a satisfactory answer, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

But before he could speak further, Via launched her counterattack.

“However, please—no, the Holy Land must give me one chance to prove myself!”

“What do you mean?”

“I want to prove myself once—as Mother’s daughter, that I’m not a useless failure!”

Via spoke her thoughts with unprecedented courage.

“The Avalon Academy assessment is coming soon. If I can prove myself, please let me stay as a saintess candidate. If I fail, I’ll unconditionally accept your proposal!”

“You still harbor delusions?”

Bellon sat back down.

Avalon Academy was humanity’s top institution, unrivaled, with a long history, superior teachers, and many geniuses and noble heirs as students.

Many graduates had left brilliant marks on human history.

Known as the cradle of humanity’s combat power.

For example, the Silver Sword Princess Serena, who defeated the evil Demon King, was an Avalon graduate.

Sophie had entered Avalon at a young age and graduated early with perfect scores.

As for Via…

If not for Sylvia’s name, she would have been expelled long ago.

Passing didn’t even exist in Via’s vocabulary.

Tap, tap, tap—

Bellon’s fingers drummed the desk.

He was thinking.

If he forced Via out of the Holy Land his way, though it aligned with most people’s wishes, he would bear the responsibility of “actively expelling” her.

Without the Pope’s order, acting alone would harm his reputation within the Holy Land and give rivals ammunition.

But if Via proposed it herself, it would be entirely different—no blame on him.

Moreover, with Via’s talent, achieving even a passing grade in Avalon’s strict assessments… was impossible.

She was a waste who couldn’t even use holy power.

“Very well, Via. For Sylvia’s sake, I’ll exceptionally grant this request.”

Bellon’s lips curved upward; for insurance, he added a condition.

“However, I require you to achieve not a passing grade, but an excellent one in the academy assessment!”

“Excellent?” Via hesitated.

“Can’t do it?” Bellon said coldly. “Your sister achieved near-perfect scores in every assessment at Avalon. As Sylvia’s heir, if you can’t do it even once, how is that proving yourself? It’s not just me—you need everyone’s recognition.”

“…I understand.”

Via had no choice but to agree.

“Fine, go back. This is your choice, not me forcing you.”

Bellon waved dismissively, eager to be rid of this annoyance.

Via said nothing more, curtsied, and quickly left.

“One major problem will soon be resolved.”

Bellon picked up the fallen oil lamp and placed it on the desk.

Leaning back in his chair, resting in the quiet room, a faint sense of unease arose.

“…Something’s off about her.”

Bellon pondered, then summoned a nun.

“Bishop-sama, what do you need?” the nun asked with a curtsy.

“I need you to investigate all the popular novels Via has been reading lately and report the titles to me. Do this without her noticing.”

“…Ah.”

Back in her residence, Via was exhausted.

She didn’t even change for bed, collapsing face-down onto it, feeling her whole body falling apart.

Today’s pressure had nearly crushed her.

“I’m done for…”

“Done for? What’s done for?”

“Ya!”

Via heard a familiar voice and flipped over.

She found the red-haired girl sitting on the bed’s edge, smiling at her.

“Sis, when did you get here?” Via asked, delighted.

“Just now, while you were muttering face-down on the bed. Didn’t notice me knock?” Sophie replied.

“N-No…” Via looked embarrassed.

“Via, you seem down. Was Bishop-sama bullying you again?”

“That’s—”

Via had intended to tell Sophie everything.

But then she thought—if her sister knew, she might rush to confront Bellon right now, causing a scene and getting punished.

“I’ll go find him!”

Sophie, protective of her sister, was upset and started to leave, startling Via into grabbing her hand.

“It’s nothing! Just like before—Bishop-sama was unhappy with my performance, criticized me a bit, and told me to be careful in the future!” Via explained quickly.

“But you don’t seem like your usual self.”

“It’s because tonight was too stressful.”

Via knew Sophie couldn’t help with this.

Though her sister was an excellent saintess candidate, she was still just one among many—before becoming the true saintess, she had no real status or voice.

“Alright, Via. If you face any difficulties, you must tell me, okay?” Sophie gently stroked Via’s head.

Via felt comforted; warmth from her only family eased much of her fatigue.

Never mind. Don’t overthink. As long as she could stay by her sister’s side, even a little longer would be enough.

“It’s late, Via. Rest well.”

Sophie glanced at the clock; she had to return to her room to sleep.

Saintess candidates in the Holy Land followed strict rules; sleeping past curfew meant punishment.

“Um… Sis.” Via hesitated.

“Hm?” Sophie turned back to look at her sister.

“Can you…”

Via fidgeted with her fingers, peeking at Sophie like a kitten.

“It’s a bit selfish, but Sis… can you stay tonight…”

The Holy Land’s management was strict, but the sisters sometimes secretly broke rules.

Like sneaking out to play or sleeping together at night.

Of course, getting caught meant punishment.

For the sisters, punishment didn’t matter—what mattered was being together.

But most of that was from childhood. After Sophie graduated from Avalon and began interning with holy knights, becoming busy, their time together had dwindled.

“Sure, Via. Let me prepare, then after lights-out, I’ll sneak over.”

Sophie agreed.

How could she refuse her adorable sister’s request?

“Yay, Sis!” Via beamed.

*

“Sis… still not here?”

In the darkened room, Via lay in bed staring at the ceiling, yawning.

Though sleepy, she held on.

“Hey~”

Sophie whispered in her sister’s ear.

“Sis!”

Via caught the scent of her sister’s hair and immediately snuggled close.

“Mhm, Via, good girl. I’m here to sleep with you.”

Sophie hugged Via, as always, lavishing gentle affection to lull her sister to sleep.

“I love Sis the most…”

Via’s cheeks warmed slightly; though it made her seem childish, she shyly voiced her feelings.

With Sophie’s company, she gradually drifted into dreams.

But she dreamed neither of herself nor Sophie.

In a very strange dream, two people she didn’t recognize at all appeared.

It was the first meeting between the demon boy and the human girl.