423: Tea Talk

The smile on Steward Horne's face faded slightly as he tucked the money bag back into his sleeve. "Miss Therese is a sensible person. Since that's the case, I'll speak plainly."

He took a step forward, lowering his voice so only the three of them could hear. "The matter of the mine ends here. His Lordship the Viscount does not wish to hear any more rumors related to this, especially from the mouths of you two."

"Your late father did indeed have some connections in the past, but times have changed. In Chisong Town, defying the wishes of the Viscounts Manor is by no means a wise move. I hope you conduct yourself well and do not make a mistake, let alone involve others."

With the last sentence, his gaze drifted seemingly unintentionally toward Shang Wan Ning, who had been keeping her head down beside Therese.

Therese's back bent slightly.

She understood this blatant threat. The favor left by her father would eventually run out, and in Chisong Town, the Viscounts Manor truly held the power of life and death.

Just as her chest was filled with anger and a sense of helplessness, a weak and trembling voice sounded beside her.

"Mr. Steward," Shang Wan Ning raised her small face, her eyes slightly red.

"Miss Therese, are we in big trouble? It's all my fault; I shouldn't have spoken out of turn yesterday."

She turned to Steward Horne, her eyes shimmering with tears, full of panic and self-blame. "Mr. Steward, please don't blame Miss Therese; she did it all to protect me. That mine, we really won't speak of it again."

"I promise! Please, speak to His Lordship the Viscount for us and let Sister Therese go!"

The girl's voice was soft and sweet, carrying a sob. Anyone who saw her would think she was a poor little thing who knew nothing of the world and was terrified by the noble's power.

Steward Horne's brow furrowed for a moment.

He had seen many such Little Priestesses who hadn't seen the world; they were useless for anything except weeping and begging for mercy.

He didn't bother to say much more to her, only saying coldly, "As long as you watch your words and deeds, the Viscounts Manor naturally won't trouble you."

"We'll definitely behave, definitely." Nicole nodded hurriedly, looking like a startled quail.

She fumbled "clumsily" in her linen bag, trying to find a handkerchief to wipe away non-existent tears.

Amidst the fumbling, a badge about half the size of a palm was "accidentally" pulled out by Nicole. With a soft "clink," it fell to the ground and rolled to Steward Horne's feet.

The badge was dark all over, neither gold nor iron. The edges were engraved with twisted chain patterns, and in the center was an abstract, downward-spiraling vortex design that faintly emitted a disturbing, cold aura.

Steward Horne instinctively looked down.

With just one look, the composure on his face froze instantly. His pupils constricted sharply, and his body stiffened imperceptibly for a moment.

As the trusted steward of the Viscounts Manor, how could he not recognize this emblem—the mark of a "Guixu Walker" of the Abyss Church?

The Abyss Church's influence had been expanding rapidly within the kingdom recently, and their methods were mysterious and unpredictable. Even the royal family and the major temples were wary of them, adopting an attitude of tacit consent.

Guixu Walkers were the feared executioners of the church, directly under the command of that mysterious "Pope," possessing the power to act first and report later.

How could this unremarkable, even somewhat cowardly Little Priestess possess a Guixu Walker's badge?

Shang Wan Ning seemed to have just noticed the badge had fallen. She cried out in surprise, hurriedly bent down to pick it up, carefully wiped the dust with her sleeve, and apologized in a low voice: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't get your floor dirty, did I?"

"This is an amulet given to me by an elder in my family; they told me I must keep it safe." She clutched the badge tightly in her palm and stuffed it back into the cloth bag.

Steward Horne stared at the bag, his throat feeling a bit dry.

An amulet?

Using a Guixu Walker's badge as an amulet?

He looked up again at the priestess girl, trying to find a flaw in that panic-stricken face, but he only saw pure terror.

But this instead made him even more alarmed.

If this girl really was a Guixu Walker, then her disguise was far too terrifying!

If she wasn't, then where did this badge come from?

Regardless of the possibility, it meant that these two people in front of him were definitely not ones he could easily manipulate.

Especially this Little Priestess; the power that might be involved behind her was enough to bring Viscount Morris's Manor to ruin.

Recalling that His Lordship the Viscount had repeatedly instructed him to keep a low profile recently and never provoke people from the Abyss Church, a layer of cold sweat broke out on Steward Horne's back.

Young Master Mike had truly kicked a steel plate this time.

The steward forced down the stormy waves in his heart, squeezing out a smile that looked worse than crying. His tone underwent a earth-shattering change, even carrying a hint of imperceptible respect: "So... so it is Miss Nicole. I was rude just now."

He bowed slightly to Shang Wan Ning, then looked at Therese, his attitude much more polite: "Miss Therese, regarding the matter of the mine, since you two have no other intentions, then let us put it behind us."

"The Viscounts Manor will never trouble you two because of this in the future. As for Young Master Mike's side, His Lordship the Viscount will naturally discipline him strictly."

This sudden change left Therese stunned. She caught the dramatic shift in Steward Horne's expression when he saw that strange badge, as well as the flash of fear in his eyes.

Just what was the origin of that badge?

To think it could make the steward of the Viscounts Manor change his expression in a second, going from arrogant to servile?

Shang Wan Ning, on the other hand, seemed completely unaware of the steward's change in attitude. Looking as if she still had lingering fears, she said softly: "Really? That's wonderful. Thank you, Mr. Steward. You really are a reasonable and kind person. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)✧"

Steward Horne's mouth twitched, and he barely maintained his smile: "I don't deserve such praise. If you two have nothing else, I shall take my leave now and won't disturb you further."

He almost couldn't wait to lead the two guards away, his pace much more hurried than when he arrived, as if he were being chased by a monster.

Looking at Steward Horne's back as he almost fled in panic.

Therese slowly turned her head. "Nicole, what exactly is that badge?"

"It's just the amulet I mentioned. An uncle in black clothes gave it to me, saying that if I run into trouble, I can show it to people, and it's very useful."

"See, Miss Therese, I didn't lie to you, did I? It really helped us solve the trouble!"

The priestess girl smiled innocently.

Therese stared at her in silence for a long time.

An uncle in black clothes, someone from the Abyss Church?

She found she understood this seemingly weak Little Priestess less and less. Every time she thought she had seen through her, Nicole would always show a new, baffling side.

"Let's go." In the end, Therese didn't ask further and only sighed. "Let's go deal with today's harvest first."

Inside the study of the Viscounts Manor.

After listening to Steward Horne's report, Viscount Morris's face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water. He slammed the crystal wine glass in his hand onto the table, splashing a bit of the expensive wine.