Chapter 70: Michelle’s Progress in Strategy…

“It’s not good. Before experiencing all this, I never had such a deep understanding of the lives of the lower-class people. Whether it’s the children of cultists or the villagers now, they are all forced to become unrecognizable versions of themselves.”

“Our church members have never experienced their lives either. Without going through such things, how can we truly empathize with these people?”

“There are probably many others like them in the world, forced to dirty their hands out of necessity.”

Michelle spoke a lot in one breath, while Leo quietly listened to her confessions.

In this short time, Michelle had clearly grown, but it also came with distress.

“Those who are pitiful must have their own faults. I just want to say, you can have sympathy for these people, but don’t be too soft-hearted,” Leo advised.

These villagers still have kindness in their hearts, they know repentance, but there are also those whose souls have completely fallen, committing all kinds of evil. There’s no need to sympathize with them; just do what needs to be done.

“That’s true.”

After her outpouring, Michelle revealed a relieved smile, quietly leaning against Leo’s shoulder.

“The empire is too vast. I want to go out for a walk, just like now, to see the wide world. After dealing with the cultists…”

Michelle stopped halfway through her sentence, seemingly feeling it was inappropriate.

Leo guessed what she was about to say, “It’s already enough. The things you are experiencing now will become experience for the future. You don’t have to force yourself.”

“I’m still far from it. Actually, a long time ago, when a candidate saintess was promoted to saintess, she would embark on the path of trials, hiding her identity and traveling throughout the empire, witnessing the lives of the lower-class people and experiencing various things. Only a saintess born this way would understand what the people truly need. Now the church can no longer cultivate such saintesses. If possible, I also hope to travel the world and feel the suffering of others.”

Leo was not clear about this matter. In his view, those who have gone through these experiences are the true saintesses, not those who only speak of righteousness and morality.

“Isn’t the path of trials still required for promotion to saintess now?” he asked.

Michelle shook her head, “It was canceled a long time ago. No candidate saintess has walked that path since.”

“Something must have happened.”

Many people were eyeing the saintess, perhaps someone was assassinated, Leo thought darkly.

“In the history of the church, there was once a candidate saintess named Emily, who was recognized as someone destined to become the chosen saintess. But because she met people she shouldn’t have while on the path of trials and became an enemy of the church, she brought great losses to the church. Since then, the church canceled the trials for saintesses.”

The chosen saintess awakens to the profession of saintess, rather than the officially recognized saintess by the church.

“Is there such a thing? If she really was the chosen saintess, then it must have been the church’s fault.”

Leo smiled, feeling like he had just told a joke.

“You are not wrong. This is what the church people believe now, but no one knows what really happened in the past. The stories have only been passed down through the fragmented words of the elders, and no one even knows if they are true.”

Tsk, what a heavy history. Perhaps the righteous church also has an unglamorous side.

“Leo, look, it’s fireflies.”

In the nearby grass, tiny sparkling lights appeared, like a sky full of stars.

Michelle walked over to the grass, her radiant smile turning as she elegantly twirled, and the fireflies immediately danced around her.

This beautiful scene, Leo truly wanted to keep it in his memory forever.

Thanks to these fireflies, Michelle had completely let go. She came to Leo’s side, leaned against him, and smiled, “Thank you, Leo, for letting me vent my feelings. I don’t know why, but after talking to you, I feel so relaxed.”

Leo’s body stiffened again, and he calmly said, “I promised you that I would listen to you anytime.”

Upon hearing this, Michelle smiled slightly, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

“Miss Saintess, actually, I am also very sad and upset. Now it’s your turn to heal me. Can I lean on you?” Leo said shamelessly.

“No, you must be trying to take advantage of me.”

Michelle saw through his thoughts and playfully responded.

Leo secretly regretted it; he still preferred the pure and innocent saintess from before.

“Is it really okay for me to rely on you like this? It’s always you helping me. I’m afraid I will become dependent on you, and what should I do if I can’t live without you in the future?”

Michelle’s face showed hints of distress and conflict as she turned her head to look at him, her gaze hazy, filled with a hint of intoxication, as if there were tender feelings contained within.

Leo’s heart trembled violently.

This appearance, this expression, is unfair!

“I…”

How should he respond? He had a thousand words in his heart, but his throat was dry, and he found it difficult to speak, only managing to utter one word.

As the words reached his lips, he smoothly blurted out something strange.

“Great! Michelle’s strategy progress increased by 50%!”

His eyes were vacant; what kind of nonsensical words were these?

“Pfft!”

Michelle covered her mouth and giggled. It was the first time she had seen Leo in a flustered state.

Her eyes sparkled as she blinked, raising her flushed face to look at him.

The cool moonlight illuminated her stunning face, the close-up beauty blushing shyly, her rosy lips slightly parted, speaking words that captivated the heart.

“Um, Leo, do you want to pursue me? Do you want to date me? Although as a candidate saintess, dating is not allowed, but…”

Michelle’s eyes were filled with mist, her blush deepening, like a girl in love, shy and timid.

Is this an act? It must be an act!

Leo’s heart seemed to stop beating as he stared blankly.

He would never be fooled!

“If it’s you, privately… um… can… can…”

Michelle suddenly turned her head, unable to finish her sentence, feeling too shy to continue, covering her flushed cheeks with her hands, the last few words stuck in her throat.

Leo’s brain crashed directly, his body leaning back, his head becoming dizzy.

He seemed to see a group of angelic Michelle and little devil Michelle swirling around him, with little devil Michelle poking his head with a spear while little angel Michelle flew off into the distance.

What to do? That little angel Michelle has completely disappeared.

“Ah! Leo, are you okay? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have teased you.”

Michelle secretly peeked at Leo’s reaction through her fingers, only to see him lying on the ground.

Leo practiced his heart’s meditation method, casting aside distractions, and his heart gradually returned to calm.

After confirming he was fine, Michelle moved slightly away from him, lowering her head, still feeling shy. She had been too bold just now and couldn’t believe she had done such an unusual thing.

Her gaze flickered, wanting to look at Leo, only to find that Leo was also looking at her. She immediately turned her head away, feeling shy and having to change the subject.

“It’s getting late. Let’s go back and rest.”

Seeing Leo’s calm demeanor, she felt a little down.

The two walked along the path, the atmosphere somewhat awkward, as if a youthful feeling was circulating between them.

“We’re here.”

Arriving outside the tent, Michelle spoke softly.

“Mm.”

Leo followed Michelle into her tent.

He felt helpless; although the saintess had tacitly agreed to share a tent with him, her hand gripping his waist had not loosened.

The night sky was quiet, the torches around them extinguished, and the distant sound of cicadas echoed. Fireflies surrounded them, emitting tiny glows, while the other villagers, except for the night watchmen, had already fallen asleep.

“Leo, are you asleep?” Michelle’s voice rang out in the darkness.

“Get some rest early; we still have to continue our journey tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

Michelle lay on the bed, her silver eyes shining brightly, more radiant than ever.

Leo’s heart was also somewhat unsettled. How long would this opportunity to be alone with Michelle last?

———-
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