Me, a priest? How could that be!

Chapter 12 The Genius Who Plays Dumb

What a small world.

Despite this thought, upon closer examination, it doesn't seem surprising at all, since only clergy would have the compassion to help those in need.

And as Chris just mentioned, the best church in Axel is the Church of Eris. They just never expected that the old man would be the high priest they were going to consult.

Was it just a coincidence?

"What a coincidence!"

Chris was surprised when she learned the whole story.

Encountering priests who have helped him in succession is almost a standard trope in adventure storybooks, a prelude to the protagonist's rise to power.

Considering Charlotte's status as a reincarnated being, there's an inexplicable sense of destiny about her, which makes people look forward to it.

"Hehehe..."

The old man smiled kindly and said, "I see. No wonder I felt so close to the young man. Perhaps it really is the guidance of the goddess Eris."

Charlotte pursed her lips.

Although this statement had the air of a clergyman's usual refrain of "everything is guided by the goddess," he, knowing Chris's true identity, had to admit that the old man was right.

Because this time it really was the goddess's guidance.

"So, is that alright?" Chris asked. "I can assure you that Charlotte is a good kid who won't cause trouble. Could you please tutor him? It shouldn't take up too much of your time and energy."

"What are you saying? Since it is Lady Chris's request, I naturally have no reason to refuse."

The old man readily agreed.

Chris exclaimed excitedly, "Really? Thank you!"

"Please don't be so polite. The church's smooth operation is also thanks to Lady Chris's assistance." The old man bowed and said, "I also want to thank you on behalf of those who are suffering."

"No, no!"

The silver-haired female thief helped the old man to his feet, and shyly scratched the faint scar on her cheek.

Charlotte was slightly taken aback.

The old man in front of me was dressed in priest's robes and was a high priest. It was obvious that he held an extraordinary position in the church. I didn't expect him to be so respectful to Chris.

It's probably the clergy's respect for the donors.

he thinks.

At this moment, professionalism and kindness are inseparable, and this is fully demonstrated.

Chris looked at him again and asked, "So, Charlotte, you don't have any objections, right?"

"Of course not," Charlotte answered decisively. "I think I'll get along very well with the old man."

"Really? Then I'm relieved."

After finishing this task, Chris left in a hurry. It's unclear whether she sneaked away from work, but in any case, she was unexpectedly busy.

Really.

She is so dedicated.

No wonder she's been ranked number one in the Heavenly Realm for several consecutive years as the "most desirable boss"—who wouldn't like such a dedicated and caring boss?

At this point, only two people remained in the church.

Everyone else was gone; I didn't know if they were out or had other work to do. Plus, no one had come to pray yet, so it was unexpectedly quiet.

"Hehehe, don't be nervous."

The old man comforted Charlotte, saying, "You were brought by Lady Chris, so I will definitely teach you carefully."

"Thank you."

Charlotte realized that besides saying thank you, she seemed to have nothing else to say, and for a moment she was embarrassed and at a loss for words.

The old man nodded appreciatively.

"Yes, you really do look alike." He said as if reminiscing, "I think it's because you resemble me from back then that Lady Chris brought you here. Thinking back, I was brought here in the same way."

Oh.

It turns out I was seeing my past self.

Many influential figures will show kindness and help to younger, unfamiliar people, mostly because they see a reflection of their younger selves in those individuals, and that's why...

Ok? ? ?

Is something wrong?

"Is that how it came about?"

Wasn't the old man brought by Chris back then? But Chris looks only 16 or 7 years old, while the old man looks 8 or 90 years old. With such a huge age difference, how could the two possibly know each other?

Suddenly, recalling the old man's respectful manner, Xia Luo had a flash of inspiration and an idea popped into her mind. She couldn't help but ask.

"Do you perhaps know something?"

"No, I don't know anything."

"Then why are you so respectful to Chris, even excessively so? Given your status, you shouldn't be like that."

"That's because Lady Chris frequently provides aid to the Church of Eris, ensuring that those who suffer can fill their stomachs. Is it because her status is higher than mine?"

"real?"

"real."

The two fell silent for a moment, then simultaneously looked at the statue of the goddess in front of the church—

In order for believers to pray or be baptized, most churches place a statue of a goddess in front of the main hall, and the starting village of Axel is no exception.

Perhaps due to Charlotte's position, the light shining from his angle onto the goddess statue revealed a faint scar on her cheek.

It's very inconspicuous.

But it's also quite surprising.

It is important to understand that a statue of a goddess worshipped must be flawless in order to symbolize the goddess's perfection; otherwise, it would contain elements of blasphemy, causing dissatisfaction and complaints from believers.

The old man was clearly not that kind of person, unless he had some reason for doing so.

The old man and the young man exchanged another glance.

They smiled knowingly.

Speaking of which, Jesta, the highest priest of the Axis religion who can do anything, sensed Aqua's arrival and later even sensed her need for money.

So the old man in front of her, who was also a high priest, should naturally have some strange feelings as well, even though Chris had hidden her true identity.

The old man prayed before the statue of the goddess.

Charlotte did it just like him.

After a while, the old man spoke up: "I hope you can keep our conversation a secret. If Lady Chris stops supporting this church, I will be in great trouble, as will those who are starving."

"What just happened?"

Charlotte's eyes began to look lost.

The old man was slightly taken aback, then said with a wry smile, "You're a genius at playing dumb. You and I are indeed very similar."

I don't know if he's trying to glorify himself, but for so long no one knows Chris's true identity, not even she herself. It seems that even if the old man isn't a genius who's pretending to be confused, he's not far off.

"However, I have high hopes for you, and most importantly, Lady Chris also has high hopes for you. You are the next chosen one."

What's going on?

Am I becoming LeBron James?

This familiar empty promise made Charlotte uncomfortable. With deadpan eyes, she said, "You don't say this to everyone who comes to pray or join the church, do you?"

"Yes, you are the 91st."

Good guy, I just call it good guy!

Isn't the net cast too wide? The title of "Chosen One" isn't really worth much, is it?

That's right, at most 12 sets for the Spring Festival.

Seemingly sensing Charlotte's subtly hostile gaze, the old man wasn't angry. Instead, he said, "However, you are the first person besides me to be introduced by Lady Chris. You must have something extraordinary about you."

He extended his right hand toward Charlotte.

Although there was no conversation, Charlotte understood what the old man meant, and quickly took out the adventurer card from her pocket and handed it over.

The old man looked at the card, then at him.

half an hour.

"It seems there are still some differences between you and me."

"What? Could it be that I have an unusually high number of skill points, and I possess an innate priestly physique?"

"...No, my intelligence isn't that low."

I'm getting angry!

I'm really getting angry!!