Seeing her smile and the emotions that was being displayed on her status, Adam's eyes narrowed into a visible frown,
"You were testing me?"
"I was testing everyone in the room."
Her smile never wavered as she spoke out those treacherous words, "I always test everyone, even the pope or even my fellow saints and saintesses. That's just how I am…"
Her voice was calm and unwavering as she enunciated, clearly her words.
While she was quite apologetic about how this came to be, she sadly had no choice in the matter as long as she wished to keep herself safe.
"Bringing you into the church, observing you, serving coffee mixed with holy water. Layer after layer of tests to assure me that I am not facing a nefarious being and even then I will continue to doubt you. What if it's an illusion? What if my senses were altered?
Even if everything is good now, what if they corrupt you later? What if they kidnap someone dear to you and ask you to do something for them? So I will still test you every single time we meet. And it's not just you. It's never only you, I assure you that."
In the end, she shook her head and continued to drink her coffee,
"You may think that I am an alarmist or that I am jumping at shadows but everything I said is events that actually happened and ended with the death of many. I have been facing more assassination attempts in months than I can possibly count with my hands and they only slowed down recently after I managed to bring forth more power from my contract."
For the devils, Saints and Saintess were nothing less than absolute targets of hatred and… desire.
"We are the perfect vessels for the descent of supernatural creatures."
Because of this fact, the early life of a saint candidate was filled with endless danger. Starting with kidnapping and the like and switching to assassination or corruption. The worst was that the force outside were not necessarily the only enemies. Even those from inside could become potential enemies in the long run.
"Once one of my sisters was caught by the devil cultists. She had to suffer months of the worst humiliations imaginable as her body and soul were defiled in every possible way in and out. In the end, Mother Anastasia had to put down one of the girls she raised with her very own hands and end her."
She spoke softly, more to herself than anyone else. Her eyes wandered a little then as if she thought of something, they widened as she looked at Adam,
"I usually never share my inner thoughts like this. It seems like Benefactor has more than just one secret."
Elysia's mental defenses were such that she could always keep a smile even when if she was facing the end of the world.
She would usually never share her grievance like this. She knew herself better than anyone else. After all, she always had a series of tests specially prepared to test her sanity or any signs of corruption at any moment of her life.
She trusted no one. Not even herself.
For her to speak so much, meant that her mental faculties were being affected by some outside force.
'How fascinating. I am sure that he did not have such power in the past.'
"Well, I am sorry for the display of negative emotions. In short, Devils can corrupt even Saints with the staunchest faith in their God. I will never presume that I am smarter than one of them and in my opinion, everyone is guilty until proven innocent."
"This is a pretty sad way to live."
"True. But at least I can Live."
Adam grinned, his feeling over that weird test alleviating a little the more he heard her. He could not understand the feeling of someone who had to fear for her life at every waking moment and who could never truly trust anyone.
But he could understand the logic behind her words. Even though he trusted his loved ones like Cecilia, Shuri, and Yui, there was no telling what could happen in the future.
Things could change and having a way to check if everything was good and normal would certainly not hurt in the slightest.
"You taught me a lesson and I am grateful for that."
"Thanks."
"But this does not take away the unpleasantness of being tested for no reason."
Adam understood her. He truly did and she was well in her right to make any tests she wished to do.
But this was a question of respect. She could test him and he had the right to be angry at being suspected for no reason. It didn't matter how right she was in her actions.
"Of course, I perfectly understand and this is why I made sure to increase the rewards that would be given."
"Heh, it seems like you planned for everything from the start."
"I can never prepare for everything. I can only make as much preparation as possible."
Both Susanne and Oscard made sure to stay completely silent and transparent throughout the whole exchange. Even though there was no clash of Prana and there was no threat nor insults mixed into their words…
This polite conversation between Adam and Elysia made them feel all the more stressed out.
It felt like they could clash at any moment.
Silence filled the room and Adam increased the assessment he had of Elysia.
"I like you. I feel like we can become good friends."
"I am honored. Having friends is always a good thing."
The two gave a smile full of hidden meaning and Susanne finally let out a sigh of relief causing Elysia to finally remember that she was not alone with Adam.
"I am truly sorry. It seems like I was too engrossed in our discussion."
"No no no… Don't mind us. Either way, we finished our job. I think it's time for us to take our leave."
Oscar stood up and took Susanne by the hand before walking toward the door at full speed. His instincts were telling him that the longer they stayed, the higher the chance of them being roped into some shady business that was way above their pay grade.
Fighting a horde of demons once in his life was more than enough for him.
"Fufuu~ Mister Oscar is a very careful man. A delight to be around honestly."
"I know. At the very least, he is smart enough to leave at the slightest smell of trouble. I wish I did the same."
"Oh? But I do not stop you. I will never force anyone to do something against their will. Free will is perhaps one of the most beautiful gifts given to humanity."
"Yeah. Whatever. Now give me the rewards that were promised."
"Of course. But before that, I have one thing I wish to ask."
"What is it?"
Adam raised an eyebrow at her sudden shift in words and asked with curiosity.
"Would you like to become an Apostle or a Holy Knight of the Church?"
It seemed like he was suddenly being recruited for no reason whatsoever.
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