"You really like me, don't you?" The Hero lounged on the sofa with a smile at the corner of her eyes and a sweet tone, as if she were playing upon stirred heartstrings.
The air was filled with a honey-like fragrance, making it unclear whether it was the scent of the tea or the fresh aroma emanating from the young girl.
"This, I, I haven't…" The man stammered, diverting his gaze, unable to meet the girl's eyes.
Despite this, he could still feel the crimson gaze watching him playfully, causing his heartbeat to accelerate uncontrollably and heat to rise to his face.
He had always been in contact with the Hero as a mere bishop, and although there had been times when he couldn't control himself and had made a fool of himself in front of her, overall, his relationship with the Hero was peaceful and friendly.
He had never revealed to the Hero the prophecy that she was destined to be a Saintess, nor was the Hero aware that this somewhat eccentric bishop idealized her, harboring a fervent adoration towards her, seeing her as a flawless idol.
However, now, as the smile in those eyes deepened, the secrets in his heart seemed to be slowly unraveled, laid bare before the girl's eyes.
Something was not right.
The highest valued attribute by the Church Professional, Legendary Perception, rang an alarm in his mind, but the sound was as distant and murky as if it came from a thousand miles away, unable to penetrate the enchanting atmosphere.
He had to do something; he couldn't let this aberrant Lady Saintess manipulate him—
"What's wrong, bishop uncle?" The Hero chuckled, her voice a whisper by his ear,
The Cruising Bishop's gaze shifted slightly, focusing on a strand of hair beside the Hero's temple.
The dying sunlight scattered through her hair, emitting a crystal-like glint, causing him to daze momentarily, even though the alarm still rang, his feet felt rooted, immovable.
This beautiful hair color was his doing, he remembered the texture of the dye he used; surprisingly long-lasting, it had faded slightly despite enduring wind and sun, yet it did nothing to diminish the Hero's unique charm.
"Look at me, will you?"
Her voice was an invisible command, gentle yet undeniable. The Cruising Bishop's heart trembled, his gaze drawn to her, gradually meeting her eyes.
Those eyes were still clear, but hidden in their depths seemed to be dark whirlpools, slowly devouring his spirit, unable to escape.
"Do not conceal your heart, haven't I told you—'Be sincere to others.'"
She nestled in the sofa, her head slightly tilted back, smiling as she met his gaze, seemingly welcoming a lost lamb.
That smile was so tender, filled with care and affection.
But those eyes were so cold, filled with mockery and ridicule.
"Yes, just like that, very good."
When the Cruising Bishop regained his senses, he had already sat down opposite the Hero.
He held the warm cup of Jasmine Honey Tea, its wisps of steam clouding his senses. He took a small sip, and it felt like a warm flow rushed into his heart, bringing a long-missed peace, momentarily feeling as though he was in the warmest and safest hometown.
And that distant alarm had finally quieted down completely, as if it had never sounded.
"After all, not everyone is as brainless as I am," the Hero looked at the baffled and relaxed expression of the Cruising Bishop, narrowly squinting her eyes, a sneaky smile playing on her lips.
"Hero... Lady Saintess, what did you just say...?" Like someone who hadn't woken up yet, the Cruising Bishop slowly asked.
"Just talking to myself, you need not worry."
The Cruising Bishop nodded unquestioningly, making the Hero's smile grow wider.
"Now then," her voice as comforting as a mother's, softly floated into his ears, "let me listen to your heart."
[Cruising Bishop's Perception Resistance Failed, Charm Resistance Extreme Failure]
[Cruising Bishop's heart will be fully listened to by the Hero, the Cruising Bishop's thoughts might be influenced]
[Cruising Bishop's thoughts—(Extreme Failure: Fanaticism, Extreme Failure: Positive Emotions)]
1-4. Magic Cloud Airspace Survey (Suicide Squad)
5-8. Prophetic Ritual: Fire of Divine Sage (Sacrifice a bishop, complete the absolute prophecy)♛
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
[Hero's Luck (Cruising Bishop Double Extreme Failure, 3+Undisturbed)]
The territory of the Kingdom was not achieved through friendly negotiations with Magic Creatures, nor is the power of the Six Major Guilds built by merely teaching and collecting fees.
Even a rural Lord like my grandfather has forbidden knowledge kept within the family, and it is imaginable that the upper echelons of the Six Major Guilds, especially the Mage, Magician, and Church guilds, which lean towards the mystical realm, have countless unmentioned forbidden secrets.
These three Guilds each possess a Great Library, the collections of which contain forbidden books inaccessible to laypeople, bearing the Kingdom's accumulated wisdom and taboos.
Though the Church does not focus as strongly on spells and knowledge as Mages and Magicians, its members' exceptional perception often allows the Nun Clerics to grasp some indescribable truths in the cracks of the world.
Within the Church, there exists such a long-sealed, little-known forbidden ritual: the Sacrificial Ritual—Fire of Divine Sage.
This ritual is only used when the Church faces an existential crisis, and the requirements for its completion are extremely strict—only a Bishop-level believer with Legendary Perception, willing to sacrifice his life and soul with unwavering will and faith, can complete this ritual.