At five-thirty in the morning, the sky over Berren City was just beginning to be tinged with deep blue.
A carriage bearing the emblem of the Church of the Savior Goddess sped towards the Knight’s Bridge District.
Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the estate at Number 15, Sir’s Bridge District.
Two figures dressed in plain black robes, their faces obscured by hoods, hopped down from the driver’s seat. One quickly moved to the carriage door and opened it, while the other ran towards the estate gate.
“High Priest, please be careful.”
Inside the carriage, a woman wearing robes with white adornments, clearly of a higher rank than the first two, jumped down.
Almost the instant she landed, a figure clad in silver-white armor emerged from the estate gate.
Each step the armored figure took produced the clang of metal plates, drawing the attention of the three people outside the estate.
This armored figure was Nia.
At this moment, Nia felt a sense of foreboding.
The acting High Priest of Berren City visiting Miss Avena at such an hour definitely couldn’t be good news.
Nia’s intuition told her this was likely related to Miss Ciel running off earlier. After all, Miss Ciel’s state at that time seemed very wrong… almost like she was under the influence of a freshly consumed potion.
“I need to see Miss Roswell. Please inform her, Your Excellency.” Uris removed her mask, faced Nia, and said sternly, “This is a very important matter… concerning the unauthorized circulation of the ‘Judicator’ potion.”
In truth, Uris had no intention of pursuing the matter of the leaked “Judicator” potion. But she had to use it now to ensure she could see Avena as quickly as possible.
She needed Avena’s help to capture the Ciel who was on the verge of losing control… Uris had no confidence she could accomplish this task alone.
Getting Avena to agree was primarily a means to secure the assistance of the third-tier “Crown Guard” before her. That was Uris’s true objective.
Gambling on Ciel’s importance in Avena’s heart.
As expected, upon hearing Uris mention the “Judicator” potion, Nia fell silent for a moment.
After about three seconds, Nia slowly spoke, “I am unaware of any matter concerning a ‘Judicator’ potion. But if you wish to see Miss Avena, you may come in. She happens to be awake.”
Nia opened the estate’s iron gate and stepped aside, creating an opening.
Although surprised, Uris signaled her Ascetics to wait outside and followed Nia alone.
Since the reception hall was still under repair, Uris was led to the first-floor study used for receiving guests. After waiting for about five minutes, Avena hurried into the study and sat down on the single sofa opposite Uris.
“Miss Roswell, greetings.” Uris nodded slightly to Avena. “We’ve met before. My name is Uris.”
“Mm.” Avena responded expressionlessly, though inwardly she felt anxious.
She had heard from Nia that High Priest Uris’s visit was related to Ciel.
Recalling Ciel’s strange behavior earlier, Avena felt a pang of regret.
She should have had Nia restrain Ciel and kept talking to her until she returned to normal.
But now, Avena didn’t know what exactly had happened to Ciel.
“Let’s dispense with the pleasantries, Miss Roswell. To put it briefly, I am here regarding Miss Ciel,” Uris said. “You know her, correct?”
“Yes.” Avena nodded slightly. “She is my friend.”
“She’s suffering from potion backlash. The assimilation is severe,” Uris looked at Avena, her expression serious. “I need your help. Please ask Her Excellency ‘Crown Guard’ to assist me in restraining her.”
“Potion out of control?” Avena could no longer maintain her blank expression. Just as I thought, she lamented inwardly.
Avena’s worst fears had materialized.
Ciel, who had been examined multiple times and confirmed to be an ordinary person, had suddenly become a transcendent with a drastically changed personality.
If only I were a “Psychologist”…
A “Listener” had no way to treat mental instability caused by potions. Perhaps she should accelerate her own Reconstitution Ritual.
“You don’t seem surprised?” Uris asked, apparently sensing Avena’s reaction.
“No, I suspected as much,” Avena nodded, took a deep breath, and continued, “She woke up this morning and had somehow become an ‘Avenger.’ She must have drunk the potion sometime yesterday afternoon after returning from Deton Manor.”
“I haven’t seen her perform any Reconstitution Ritual these past few days. She seemed very calm, showing no animosity towards anyone… It’s alright. We can go find her now, arrange the ‘Avenger’ ritual for her. There’s still a chance.”
Avena stood up abruptly as she spoke.
She was genuinely getting anxious.
“‘Avenger’?” Uris’s mouth slowly fell open. Realization dawned. “Wait, are you saying she drank the ‘Avenger’ potion yesterday without performing any ritual?”
“Yes, before I left her room yesterday, there was no trace of potion aura on her…” Avena started to say more, wondering where Ciel got so many “Avenger” potions, but stopped herself, remembering she was talking to someone from the Church of the Savior Goddess.
Soon, Avena realized Uris remained seated, showing no intention of standing up.
“What’s wrong? High Priest.” Avena urged, “Where is she now? We need to hurry.”
“No, please let me process this.” Uris raised a hand, interrupting Avena. “First, answer me: did you give her the ‘Judicator’ potion?”
“No, the ‘Judicator’ potion I have is purely for collection. I haven’t given it to anyone,” Avena replied without hesitation.
She wasn’t worried about herself, but she feared Ciel might face investigation and interrogation from the Church of the Savior Goddess.
“Miss Ciel… didn’t drink the ‘Avenger’ potion,” Uris knew she wouldn’t get a straight answer this way, so she stated directly, “Just moments ago, she drank the ‘Judicator’ potion.”
Avena: “I know she drank a po— what did you say?! What potion?!”
“I think we need to call for more backup, Miss Roswell.”