Chapter 45: Clothes make the man, Saddles make the horse

Ina slipped into the black dress, marveling at its exquisite fabric.
“Even in Borus, this would be high-end…”

The smooth texture hugged her skin, and she sighed.
“Bazerolle’s a trade hub, but dresses like this aren’t common.”

Stepping out, she nearly bumped into Charlotte.

“Little Ina, done bathing?”

“Yeah, Sister Charlotte, where’s Cynthia-chan?”

“With President Tiani. I’ll take you.”

Charlotte led her to Tiani’s office.
“President, Ina’s here.”

Waving, Charlotte added, “Call if you need me.”

“Go handle your tasks,” Tiani replied.

Ina spotted Cynthia on the sofa and froze.
In the locker room, she’d only glimpsed Cynthia’s dress, struck by its beauty.
Now, it was breathtaking.

The ruby-red gown, like molten gemstones, amplified Cynthia’s silver hair and glowing red eyes.
White lace at the hem added delicate elegance, and the black leather boots sculpted her calves perfectly.
She sat quietly, yet stole the room’s light.

Gone was the cold, fierce adventurer.
This Cynthia radiated noble grace.

“Standing there for what?”

Cynthia’s soft voice carried a hint of concern.

“Not… used to this?”

Ina scratched her head, easing onto the sofa beside her, steps light as if awed.

Cynthia sighed, glancing away.
“You’ll adjust.”

Tiani coughed, refocusing them.
“Shall we continue?”

“Where were we?”

Cynthia sipped her black tea, setting it down with refined poise.
“Details for the lord’s meeting?”

“Yes, we’ll arrange it… but be straight with me.”

Tiani took a breath.
“You’re a Kalmoz noble, aren’t you?”

Cynthia paused, glancing at Ina, then nodded.
“I am.”

“What rank?”

Cynthia hesitated.
Revealing her princess status risked diplomatic fallout—a vampire royal in a human kingdom, with a “witch” like Ina nearby.
Too conspicuous.

“Minor noble, borderlands,” she said, half-truthfully.
“Here to investigate something tied to the Holy Church.”

True enough—her quest did involve the Church.
If pressed, she’d pin any blame on Tara Town’s lord.
No one would challenge her.

“Got it. I’ll handle the lord,” Tiani said, accepting the story.
“Rest at the Guild tonight?”

“Fine.”

Cynthia sipped her tea, rising gracefully and pulling Ina up.
“As for Ina… she’s mine.”

She paused, eyeing Ina’s dazed look, and sighed.
“My subordinate.”

Ina barely processed being dragged out.
“Leave the rest to you, President.”

Tiani exhaled, fear creeping in.
Commissioned a foreign noble for sewer work?
If anything had gone wrong, she’d be ruined.
Thankfully, they were fine.

She eyed the half-empty tea cup, muttering, “Sleepless night ahead.”

At Bazerolle’s Lord’s Mansion, Lorena faced Lord Zekas.

“The Church’s corruption… you saw it,” Zekas said, hands behind his back, staring out a window.
“Barov threatened me long ago. I couldn’t act openly.”

“Even with the city’s lives at stake?”

Lorena couldn’t grasp his inaction.
Barov hid his schemes even from his own, and Zekas, knowing, did nothing?

“As a Paladin, some things I can’t share.”

Zekas turned, eyes heavy with grief and rage.
“I built Bazerolle into what it is. I’d never risk my people. You know that.”

Lorena did.
Without Zekas’s policies, she’d have died an orphan, never becoming a Paladin.

“But the Church… the kingdom… something’s wrong.”

Zekas’s voice strained.
“I reported Barov to the capital. Guess their response?”

“What?”

Dread gripped Lorena.

“‘Obey the Saint’s command. Assist Barov.’”

Zekas hurled a letter from his desk to the floor, roaring, “Saint? What kind of Saint is this?!”

Cynthia’s new look stunned Ina, shifting her from fierce adventurer to regal noble.
Her half-truth to Tiani kept her princess status hidden, avoiding complications.
Ina, still processing, was claimed as her “subordinate,” a label that left her reeling.

Meanwhile, Lorena’s meeting with Zekas revealed deeper rot.
The Church, the kingdom, even the Saint—corruption ran high.
Cynthia’s Church-related investigation was more on point than she’d let on.
The Blood Crown and Luofengte’s mysteries loomed, but now, a tainted Saint added new weight.