As if walking in sleep, Tasia returned to her room in a daze.
Was it a mistake?
No, she would never forget the way her teacher rushed to rescue her that night.
The low-key and luxurious dark gold pattern on the corner of the white pajamas hidden under the cloak was so dazzling under the moonlight that it was deeply engraved in Tasia's heart.
Maybe it just happened by chance? Wayne's appearance is obviously different from that of his teacher.
Tasia carefully recalled the words and deeds of her teacher in her mind, but she could not connect that mysterious and powerful man with the Wayne she knew.
But at that moment, Tasia couldn't ignore the premonition that was so clear that it even scared her.
If the facts were really as he imagined, what thoughts did he have, pretending to know nothing while watching his wishful thinking of Wayne as a friend interceding for him?
Tasia's expression changed unpredictably.
…
The second day.
The team regrouped, led by Bishop Smith. Under the careful escort of the Holy See Knights, the group safely arrived at the holy place in the hearts of all church believers.
"Ah, I'm finally back!"
For the exchange students who were sent to the Kingdom of Lownes, although the rules of the Holy See were not necessarily more relaxed than outside, they were always much happier when they returned to their home territory.
Wayne looked at the sights he saw curiously along the way.
The main road is paved with stone slabs, and tall trees are planted on both sides of the road. Under the shade of the trees, priests wearing robes of various ranks come and go. Their expressions may be busy or leisurely, but they do not reveal the decadence and confusion that Wayne often sees in the hedonistic nobles of the royal capital.
The halls made of huge stones, the tall and solemn statues, and the gorgeous and grand murals all declare the sanctity of this place.
In order to better integrate into the life of the Holy See, Wayne changed into a uniform white uniform at the request of Bishop Smith. The only difference from Tasia is that there is no emblem on the collar exclusive to the Holy See, to show that he is an outsider after all.
But apart from that, in the next month, Wayne will join the basic-level apprentice class like everyone else and receive lessons on how to become a trainee priest.
"Your Excellency, Mr. Wayne and Tasia are new here, so they must have a lot of discomfort. Maybe we can select two students from the apprentice class to serve as guides to help them better integrate into the life of the Holy See?" Camille suggested. .
Upon hearing this request, Smith glanced at her in surprise.
"What you said makes sense. In that case, you will be responsible for dealing with Tasia, and Alex will entertain Wayne." He designated the personnel without thinking too much.
Camille hesitated to speak.
Alex, who had long been dissatisfied with Wayne, didn't look good, but he didn't say anything to refute him.
Tasia looked from Camille to Alex.
"Do we need to live in the same dormitory?" she asked Camille softly.
"No, no need. You stay in the reception area. Rooms have been arranged over there." Bishop Smith left these words in a hurry before leaving to report to the Cardinal's Court.
The task of settling Wayne and Tasia was left to Camille and Alex.
Camille sighed softly, "Then let's go too."
Then she said seriously to Alex: "Alex, I think you should understand - in order to officially become a trainee priest, you need the extra performance points given by the bishops more than anyone else."
"Oh, you don't need to remind me." The young man named Alex said sarcastically: "I didn't expect you to think about this pretty boy. Why, are you afraid that he will be wronged?"
Pretty boy?
I?
Wayne was speechless.
How should I put it? This nickname is quite strange. In all his life, he has never been called that in front of someone.
Realizing that there was a dispute between them, the other people around who had not dispersed also cast their gazes in this direction as if nothing had happened.
"In any case, Wayne and Tasia are very important guests of the Holy See." Camille was unmoved, as if she didn't care about the eyes of others at all.
Hearing this, Alex couldn't help but glance at Wayne, who was still holding a dog in his arms, with an innocent face as if he was an outsider, and suddenly felt a bit bored.
"Then let's go, don't waste my time."
He walked in front alone. Wayne and Tasia looked at each other for a while, and then followed him not too far away. If someone who didn't know the inside story saw it, they would definitely not think that they were traveling together.
Fortunately, at least Camille was enthusiastic and competent, and actively introduced the customs and customs of the Holy See to the two of them along the way.
"This main road is the only way to get to the Cardinal Court and the Great Hall. Turn right at the next intersection and go straight along the fork to reach the reception area. All forks are signposted, so if you really get lost You can also ask passers-by, as long as you explain your identity, they usually won’t refuse.”
"That's the restaurant over there. There is a collective prayer before each meal, so please be sure to go at the fixed time, otherwise you will have to wait for the next meal."
"..."
Tasia would add a sentence or two from time to time, but she didn't appear to be indifferent.
Wayne silently memorized the route, combined with observations of the surrounding environment, and gradually constructed in his mind the location of several major functional areas and landmark buildings within the Holy See.
The Holy See has a very strict schedule. The gates will be closed at nine o'clock in the evening, and several cardinals on duty of the Judiciary will be responsible for leading the escort team on patrol. If a person is caught staying outside after the access time without special permission, the Holy See will severely punish him, with the lowest level starting from seven days of confinement.
From this point of view, it is still very difficult for me to detect secretly, unless - I become Ecos.
However, Wayne did not want to expose Echos' whereabouts unless he had to. If Echos, who had claimed in advance that she had other important matters, appeared in the Holy See at the same time as herself, it would inevitably arouse the suspicion of some thoughtful people.
For now, consider this plan as your final insurance, and then try to see if you can meet the Pope through positive channels.
Wayne finalized the plan silently.
"We have arrived at the reception area. This is a place specially responsible for receiving visiting distinguished guests. Occasionally, some princes and nobles come to visit, or other groups come to study."
What comes into view is a tall six-pointed star-shaped building, connected by intricate covered bridges in the middle. If you are in it, it may be difficult to distinguish east, west, north and south for a while.
As soon as the few people entered the hall, they were greeted by a priest who had been waiting at the front desk.
"Are you two distinguished guests from the Kingdom of St. Lornes? Wayne Winche, and Tasia Louis." His eyes were always on Tasia, and he didn't pay much attention to Wayne. "Perhaps you don't know yet, but the Holy See has been looking forward to your visit for a long time."
…Perhaps this opening line would be a little more convincing if you weren’t speaking exclusively to Tasia from beginning to end.
