118: Chapter 118 Alia's New Appointment! The Promotion Banquet! A Subtle Response!

One day later.

Dawn Cathedral, at dusk.

The Chief Priest's private room.

Aria sat before her desk, reading the transfer order that had just arrived from the Stellar Oracle Institute in the Imperial Capital.

The content of the transfer order was simple:

"Order: Arbitration Priest Aria Windsor is to step down from her position as Chief Priest of the Dawn Cathedral in Gino County, Will Province, effective immediately."

"Transferred to serve as the Sacred Arbiter Secretary of the College of Cardinals, handling matters related to the Inquisition of the Empire..."

Her gaze fell upon the words "Sacred Arbiter Secretary," her eyes calm and undisturbed.

She had long expected this day.

The path planned for her by her family was never confined to a single time or place.

Her trip to the North was merely a necessary local experience in her long clerical career.

The College of Cardinals was the core department where the family had truly arranged for her to serve long-term.

The Sacred Arbiter Secretary, while seemingly just a secretarial role, was actually a key position for leading, participating in, and governing the affairs of the Inquisition across the Empire.

It was also a necessary stepping stone to higher holy orders, one that could not be filled by anyone without experience as a local Chief Priest and as an Arbitration Priest.

She should have felt the peace of a settled matter.

However...

She put down the transfer order and walked slowly to the floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked most of Gino City.

Winter dusk came early, and the twilight spread across the sky like diluted ink.

The scattered lights in the city began to shine one by one.

This city, where she had arrived at the turn of spring and summer, seemed quiet and real in the twilight.

For some reason, a faint sense of wistfulness suddenly emerged in her heart...

Just then.

A soft knock came from outside the door.

"Priestess, the peerage banquet held by Count Goldflame at the Golden Dawn Manor in the west of the city is about to begin. The carriage is ready." The nun's respectful voice came through.

"Understood." Aria replied, took one last look at the city sinking into twilight outside the window, and turned to leave.

...

Golden Dawn Manor.

Tonight, it was brightly lit, as if it were day.

Melodious music flowed through the air.

Almost all the nobles of Gino County were present at this banquet.

After all, this was the first public appearance and reception banquet for the newly promoted Count Goldflame, Rowan Flynn, the Lord of Gino City. No one dared to be absent without cause.

When Rowan walked into the banquet hall in his perfectly tailored count's dress uniform, the eyes of the entire room instantly focused on him.

He walked along, a just-right smile on his handsome face, calmly accepting congratulations from everyone.

Behind him were three newly promoted viscountesses of Gino County, dressed in their finest:

Viscountess of Red Maple, Mira Mesa.

Viscountess of Mist, Elena Gladstone.

Viscountess of Purple Thorn, Vanessa Bryce.

The three women had different Charms; one was as bright as fire, one as clear and beautiful as a secluded orchid, and one as blooming as a rose.

And perhaps most eye-catching were the seven children following not far behind Rowan, being carefully looked after by maids.

The little ones, looking like carved jade, softened the overly formal atmosphere of the banquet and drew whispers from many noblewomen and young noble ladies.

"The Count is so handsome!"

"Oh my! He is simply my ideal type!"

"Eh? Those seven children... I heard they are all the Count's offspring? That is truly... regrettable."

"However... which one is the Countess? It seems she is not here?"

"Hush, be careful with your words..."

...

Just as various gazes and whispers intertwined, the master of ceremonies' clear voice sounded again:

"The Church of Dawn, Bishop Cole, Commander Calvin, and Priestess Aliyah have arrived—!"

The whole room went silent for a moment.

Then, more respectful greetings followed.

The people from the Church were the truly heavyweight guests at the banquet tonight.

Everyone knew that the current Count Goldflame was able to rise to power because of the Church's strong support.

The Church group entered the banquet hall.

Aria walked half a step behind Bishop Cole, still wearing her iconic priestess robes.

As soon as she entered, her gaze naturally fell on Rowan in the center of the banquet.

Her gaze lingered on him for only a moment.

Then, her gaze shifted downward, falling on the little girl beside Rowan.

Smooth golden hair, large emerald eyes...

Aria's eyes tightened imperceptibly.

That hair color, that eye color...

And the faint silhouette of the little girl's features...

A subtle sense of familiarity emerged in her heart.

She suddenly thought of the situation with The Senate vote this time, and a piece of big news from the Imperial Capital four years ago.

A certain unbelievable speculation flashed across her mind, but it was quickly suppressed by her.

At this moment.

Rowan had already walked up to meet the Church group.

After a polite conversation with Bishop Cole, he came to Aria.

He bowed slightly and saluted:

"Priestess, thank you for coming."

Aria replied calmly: "Congratulations on your promotion, my lord."

The conversation between the two was polite and brief, appearing normal to everyone else.

The banquet began in a lively and harmonious atmosphere, gradually reaching its peak.

Fine wine and food, exchanging toasts.

The nobles surrounded the new Count and the new Viscountesses, probing, flattering, and watching...

Aria seemed to dislike the noise; holding a glass of water, she walked alone to a balcony window that was open at the edge of the banquet hall.

No one around dared to disturb her.

She just looked quietly at the night view outside the window.

Just then.

Rowan walked quietly to her side.

He held a glass of amber liquid in his hand, and a faint, clear aura emanated from him.

At the same time, an invisible aura of [Charm] quietly enveloped this relatively quiet space.

"Priestess, you seem to dislike the noise?" Rowan said in a low voice, with a hint of a smile:

"Then, I wonder if you could answer some... theological questions from the last time for this pious yet confused believer?"

Hearing this, Aria did not turn her head, continuing to look out the window, as if admiring the night view.

She could hear a certain hidden expectation in Rowan's words.

She was silent for a moment, and the prophecy that her family had requested for her from the Stellar Oracle Institute when she was a child flashed through her mind.

She slowly turned around and looked at Rowan.

At this moment, Rowan's eyes seemed to carry some secret and burning exploration and desire.

Aria met his gaze, her eyes calm and waveless, yet appearing deeper than usual.

A moment later, her red lips parted slightly, and her voice was very soft, but it clearly entered Rowan's ears:

"I have gained some insight."

Four words, as light as a sigh, yet made Rowan's heart skip a beat!

He could hardly believe his ears!

She... she actually responded!

And it was... a positive response?!

A huge surge of surprise instantly overwhelmed him.

He looked at Aria with burning eyes, and then quickly glanced at the still lively venue not far away.

So, he said directly: "I have a place that is absolutely quiet and undisturbed, perhaps... suitable for the Priestess to explain it to me in detail?"

Aria looked at him, the corners of her mouth seemed to twitch imperceptibly, and then, she nodded slightly.