Time was running out, I had to hire a carriage to take me back to the mansion. As I walked on the street, my pace quickened. But suddenly, I came to a halt. I saw a group of knights from the Holy Light Church approaching, at least twenty of them. And among them, the one giving them instructions caught my attention—it was Qi Feng.

I couldn't believe I would run into an acquaintance on the street!? I quickly ducked into an alley, luckily I managed to hide in time and they didn't notice me. I peeked my head out a little to take a look, and indeed, the figure in the white robe with a golden ponytail was undoubtedly Qi Feng. She was the closest in age to me among all the sisters, and we were true childhood friends!

As a member of the clergy in the Holy Light Church, she had worked hard and had now been promoted to an inspector of the church. But wait—what was she doing now? I couldn't hear what she was saying from this distance. However, I suppressed my curiosity, fearing that if she discovered me, I might not be able to make it back to the mansion on time. Besides... I really didn't want her to see me in a maid outfit...!

I am... the Saint of the Holy Light Church. It would be too embarrassing if my faithful followers saw me wearing a maid's outfit...! Would the reputation I had built up be ruined? Who can save the image of me in her heart?

While Qi Feng hadn't noticed me yet, I planned to escape through the alley. Suddenly, a voice came from behind me, "What are you sneaking around here for?"

I was startled. The voice didn't come from Qi Feng, but from the alley behind me!? I quietly turned around and saw a young knight in a white robe staring at me.

Undoubtedly, he was also a knight of the Holy Light Church, and he seemed to hold some rank judging by his attire. I guess he happened to come across me while patrolling the area? Uh... why was I so unlucky? Why did I always encounter trouble when all I wanted was to buy a pair of stockings?

"I... wasn't sneaking around," I said softly.

"Don't tell me you weren't sneaking around? Tell me, what were you eavesdropping on behind the wall?"

"I wasn't eavesdropping... because I couldn't hear anything in the first place."

"Don't fool around with me." The knight adopted an air of superiority. "Are you a member of a cult?"

I pointed at my face. "Me...? A cult member?"

This was the first time I heard such a statement at this age. It was rather helpless...

"What are you holding in your hand?" he asked, staring at me.

"Nothing... really." I instinctively held the black package in my arms tighter. Maybe it looked more suspicious because it was black?

"Which household's maid are you? Did you steal something from the master's house?"

"Me...? Steal?" I pointed at my face again.

"Show me what you're holding." He commanded.

There was no way I would show him. The stockings inside were too embarrassing for me to hold in my hands, which is why I specifically put them in a black bag.

"Why are you like this...? Are you intentionally causing trouble for me just because I'm a girl?"

To be honest, I was getting angry. But unexpectedly, he became even fiercer—

"Insolence! How dare you speak to me like that!"

"You... take a good look at me." I pointed at my face.

"Look at you?" The narrow alley was already a bit dim, he came closer to me, and at the same time, I witnessed how the blood color on his face slowly disappeared and turned pale.

"This white hair color...? These silver eyes...? You're the Saint???"

"It's me." I smiled faintly. The fact that the guard from the Magic Academy didn't recognize me was understandable, but for a devout follower of the Holy Light Church to not recognize me was really unexpected, especially at his level as a knight.

Before I finished speaking, he knelt down in front of me, "Uh uh uh? Who told you to kneel? Get up, get up quickly!" I quickly said to him. I was worried that the commotion would be heard by Qi Feng outside...!

"Your... Eminence... I couldn't recognize you dressed like this! I was foolish, I didn't realize that the Saint had arrived!"

He stuttered as he spoke, completely different from his earlier arrogant attitude. It seemed like it was all an act just to create this moment of contrast and make me smile. But seeing him like this, I couldn't help but feel a bit amused."I am...dressed like this for a secret investigation, yes~ it's a secret investigation."

I was delighted with myself for coming up with such a good lie on the spot.

"Oh, I see! I accidentally disturbed your majesty's visit, please forgive me, your holiness..."

Looking at his terrified expression, avoiding eye contact with me, am I really that scary?

"Is this how you always enforce the law with such a domineering attitude?" I asked.

"My Lady, you don't understand. If we're not firm, we won't be able to carry out our work properly, and the cultists won't fear us..."

"If I weren't the holy maiden, would you have arrested me today?"

"L-Listen...how could that be...?" He stammered, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, muttering under his breath, "Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding..."

I raised a finger and wagged it at him. "You better change your ways from now on, got it?"

"Yes, yes!" He nodded furiously, like a woodpecker pecking at a tree.

"I will faithfully follow the holy maiden's teachings. From this moment on, I will transform myself and become a new person!"

Ha...?

His words were a bit too exaggerated.

But it's not surprising he's so scared. Saying that the holy maiden is a cultist is probably a capital offense.

"Do you know what Qi Feng is doing?" I asked.

"Qi Feng, my lady? Honestly, I have no idea."

"I see."

I pondered.

Qi Feng's secrecy is remarkable, even a knight like him doesn't know what she's up to.

"You may leave. You didn't encounter me today, remember?" I said.

"Yes, yes! I didn't see anything! I didn't hear anything!" He quickly replied.

"No...! You did hear something, I told you to change." I made sure to emphasize.

"Yes, yes! I will certainly repent!" he said, nodding and bowing.

He seemed relieved, as if he had been given a second chance at life. In truth, my intention was not to make them fear me. As the holy maiden, I should use love to influence them. I'm only fifteen years old, there's so much more I need to learn in the future.

Oops! Suddenly realizing the time I wasted, if I don't hurry back now, I'll really be late!