Chapter 90 Anomaly
Ig pinched the girl’s delicate nose, making her pout and raise her big eyes in dissatisfaction. The haughtiness on her small face was replaced by an expression of “Aren’t you scared?”
A smile played on the young man’s lips. This girl… she liked him so much, it was merely being tsundere. Of course, he wasn’t afraid.
However, her affection… he should cherish it even more. He couldn’t hurt her like last time, and then avoid the situation by expecting her to give more.
Ig thought, his palm, his fingers intertwined with the girl’s small hand, pressing close as if connecting their body heat and the pulsating heartbeats in their blood.
The girl’s expression shifted to surprise. Her golden pupils held an incredulous look, as if she couldn’t fathom why he would suddenly make such a sentimental gesture. Ig didn’t explain. In front of her gaze, he simply offered a smile, then suddenly bowed his head and kissed the girl’s flawless jade cheek.
Verafia’s golden eyes shot open wide. She had just been playfully acting cute, teasing this guy. Had Ig eaten something wrong this morning? He reacted so strongly and just kissed her!
Behind them, Ophi, holding Niya’s small hand, also walked in and, along with the red-haired loli, witnessed the scene.
“Eek!” Niya’s ruby-like eyes widened considerably, then she felt herself extending her small hand to cover her face.
Verafia, already with a subtle blush on her small face, turned beet red. She quickly broke free from his grasp, called him an idiot, and retreated to hide herself away.
The girl’s voice, lingering in the air, was filled with a shyness akin to a rosy sunset. Ig couldn’t help but shake his head and smile, thinking how this young lady, who clearly loved to tease people, was still so easily embarrassed by a mere touch.
However, in the future, a shy, delicate wife… would be quite interesting.
Ig couldn’t help but indulge in fantasies of playfully teasing her after marriage, making the girl’s face flush with pure embarrassment, and how that captivating blush would spread across her flawless, delicate body, as lovely as frosted jade.
Beside them, Niya, covering her eyes with her small hands, left only a small gap between her fingers to watch Ig and Verafia, who had retreated to the side.
She tugged Ophi’s fingers and asked in her childish voice, full of confusion, “Little Fei-sister, Veer-sister, and Brother Ig, what are they doing… Oh, and why are they suddenly arguing when they seem to get along so well?”
“Well…”
Ophi rested her small hand on her chin, which was as white as jade, and tilted her head, contemplating how to explain to the little loli.
The Ice Dragon Girl’s frosty eyes suddenly lit up. She cheerfully raised her face and explained, “Hmm, I guess they’re two idiots who are afraid others don’t know about their relationship, so they’re showing off on purpose!”
…
The tickets Count Sirius had given them were clearly only obtainable by individuals of extremely high status. The adjacent rooms were occupied by noble lords, wealthy merchants, or powerful and distinguished titled knights.
Soon, attending servants brought expensive fruits, snacks, and fine wine. This was specially provided for these distinguished guests.
Of course, considering that besides Ig, everyone else was a young girl, and there was also a goddess who seemed to get drunk from even a hint of alcohol and go wild, Ig entrusted the servants to replace the wine with fruit juice.
Although Verafia had appeared shy moments ago, she was not a girl who was afraid of strangers. Soon, she ran back to Ig’s side and leaned her delicate body against him as she sat down.
“By the way, Ig, why do you think this martial arts selection is being held?” the girl asked, her small face, as pure white as a bright moon, slightly facing him as she held his arm.
Carrying the Sacred Relic, Mistetinn’s Staff, Cardinal Bro personally presided over the knight selection. It was said to be for choosing the God’s Chosen Knights… Although the specific process was unknown, it was likely for the victors.
Ig’s gaze swept over the scene. From their private room, they could see the arena. Although it was a vast space, the number of participating knights was not large. Including Azer and Kaino, there were only eight people in total, suggesting that the qualification for recommendation was indeed very rare.
Of course, Ig knew that the answer the girl wanted was not this. He pondered for a moment: “Does Veer know something?”
The girl glared at him petulantly, as if saying, “I’ve been with you all this time, how would I know?”
However, she still gently tilted her small face, her slender hands resting on her knees: “But, I just feel something is strange, and it feels rather deliberate…”
Strange, Ig also felt this way, but he couldn’t quite articulate where that feeling came from.
“Then, what do you think, Young Lady?”
The girl’s gaze shifted slightly. It was towards the other side of the arena, where Cardinal Bro and Mistetinn’s Staff were located.
“If it’s just a knight selection, why would this Cardinal of the Church specially bring their Sacred Relic to Vinash City?”
“This… Young Lady, I asked Sirius. Bringing a Sacred Relic to tour cities resisting the frost and snow is a tradition of the Church. Furthermore, if they are truly God’s Chosen Knights, the Sacred Relic they carry might very well be used for the consecration ceremony.”
“Then, Ig, why do you think they chose Vinash City to come here… Is it because of a so-called oracle? Doesn’t that seem too coincidental?” Verafia said, resting her snow-white cheek on her hand and gazing afar with her golden eyes.
“An oracle is a possibility. And…”
“Are you trying to say it’s because of your actions half a month ago?”
Seeing his hesitant expression, Verafia suddenly said, “We’ve only been on this continent for a month. Would they make a decision so quickly?”
“Moreover, this is precisely what is more suspicious. You see, half a month ago, Sirius considered you an envoy of the Fire Saint. However, this Cardinal Bro, let alone forcing you… didn’t even invite you.”
Verafia suddenly lowered her face and stuck out her tongue slightly. “Perhaps Sirius will keep his promise and not inform Cardinal Bro, but I don’t believe the Bishop of the Vinash City Church wouldn’t do so.”
Ig frowned. Verafia’s explanation also revealed suspicious points to him. If Cardinal Bro’s visit to Vinash City was truly due to a genuine oracle, how could he possibly not consider himself?
“Then, Veer, you mean… could it be that Cardinal Bro has some other intentions?”
“It’s possible, but not necessarily. Perhaps he is simply stubborn and thinks it’s all an exaggeration, which is why he didn’t consider you?”
Verafia flicked her hair with her slender hand, gently lifting her small face. The golden light of the dazzling sunlight flickered in her golden eyes:
“But, what if I say… what if this oracle, which brought Cardinal Bro and the Sacred Relic to Vinash City, was forged?”
