Just as Wendy was hesitating whether to take action, she suddenly heard Greg speak from inside the alley.
"By the way, Allie, I've actually been keeping an eye on your progress. I never expected you to actually grow the Dark Night Order to this extent. I only mentioned 'try to spread the faith of the Night' in passing back then, but the results have truly exceeded my imagination. You've done a wonderful job!"
"........."
Outside the alley, Wendy's body suddenly stiffened the moment she heard those words!
Her eyes, which usually seemed capable of masking any emotion, widened uncontrollably for a split second, her pupils even constricting slightly.
The information contained in that sentence was simply too overwhelming. She had never imagined that this exceptionally handsome man was actually the mysterious Bishop!
Thinking back, it all made sense. The Vice Bishop was so special toward him—showing both respect and intimacy, along with that unique sense of possessiveness...
Who else could it be but the very Bishop she was willing to serve?!
"That means... I was the one who ruined the Bishop's plans earlier..."
At that realization, the color drained from Wendy's exquisite face, which she usually kept elegant and composed. A few drops of cold sweat slid uncontrollably down her temples.
She knew exactly how loyal the Vice Bishop was to the Bishop, and she knew how much the believers below revered their mysterious leader.
If this matter were ever exposed, she would certainly be expelled from the order.
"No! I can't let that happen! I have to find a way to fix this!"
Wendy forced down the turbulent waves in her heart and compelled herself to stay calm.
Her past experience in handling complex interpersonal relationships and work caused her brain to shift into overdrive under the extreme pressure.
Countless clever solutions for smoothing things over flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.
Inside the alley, the conversation continued.
After hearing Greg's words, Allie shook her head. "No, the affairs of the order were mainly handled by—"
Halfway through her sentence, Allie's eyes suddenly narrowed as if she had remembered something.
She snapped her head back toward Greg. The expression that had just softened froze back into frost at a speed visible to the naked eye.
She stared at Greg and asked, emphasizing every word:
"By the way, Master Greg, you just said... you invited them to dinner as a rehearsal, so you could bring me here later, right?"
Wait... wasn't this topic already over?!
How did it circle back again?!
Alarm bells rang in Greg's mind as an ominous feeling rose once more.
He steeled himself and nodded. "Y-Yes... what's wrong?"
Allie slowly placed her hand back on the sword hilt, her voice terrifyingly calm.
"Since it was a rehearsal for my sake... then, Master Greg, please explain."
She tilted her head slightly, her azure eyes flashing with a cold, scrutinizing light.
"Why... did you invite three girls of this caliber all at once?"
"!!!"
At that moment, Greg's mind felt as if it had been struck by lightning, going completely blank.
But at that critical juncture—
A slender figure stepped silently out from the shadows of the alley entrance. She walked quickly between Greg and Allie, perfectly blocking their line of sight.
"I have heard that when a brilliant alchemist performs an important experiment, they often prepare multiple sets of different reagents as controls to ensure the accuracy and universality of the results. A single sample is prone to bias and cannot fully reflect the reality of the situation."
"Therefore, I believe the reason the Bishop invited three outstanding women of the same caliber as Lady Allie, yet with vastly different styles, was surely out of the same rigorous consideration!"
Wendy paused and continued:
"This was by no means due to any other ulterior motives, but because the Bishop values Lady Allie too much! He hoped this rehearsal would be as thorough as possible, taking all these variables into account to ensure that the formal banquet prepared for the most important person, Lady Allie, would be truly perfect!"
After speaking, she bowed deeply to Greg once more, her tone full of admiration.
"Such meticulous planning and deep affection are not things an ordinary person could possess. The Bishop's wisdom and his devotion to Lady Allie are truly breathtaking to this subordinate."
Greg: "...Right, right! That's exactly it!"
With the pressure relieved, he looked at the honey-haired beauty he had seen briefly in the restaurant and asked:
"By the way, you are...?"
"It is an honor to meet you, Bishop!"
Wendy knelt on one knee before Greg and said respectfully:
"I am Wendy, the Night Crow responsible for spreading the gospel for the Dark Night Order. You may simply call me Wendy."
To be honest, knowing that a beauty with heroine-level looks like Wendy was now his subordinate left Greg genuinely shocked.
But for the sake of his life, he kept a straight face and nodded in praise. "Hmm, you are quite good. To think you could guess my true intentions."
Wendy breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, but she maintained her humble expression and shook her head slightly.
"The Bishop overpraises me. It is not because I am clever, but entirely due to Lady Allie's constant teachings and subtle influence. It is only because of her that a dull person like me can even begin to grasp a fraction of the profound wisdom contained in the Bishop's actions."
She naturally pushed all the credit onto Allie, then shifted her gaze toward the still-skeptical Allie, her tone becoming even more respectful.
"Moreover, I believe... with how deeply Lady Allie understands the Bishop, she must have known this answer long ago—perhaps even more clearly than I did."
Wendy bowed slightly to Allie, her expression sincere.
"Lady Allie likely asked the Bishop that question just now not out of genuine confusion, but... to give a dull subordinate like me a chance to perform before the Bishop, allowing me to think for myself and discover the Bishop's painstaking efforts. Lady Allie, you are truly... so thoughtful. Thank you."
Allie: "............"
She blinked her light blue eyes, looking at Wendy, who had a face full of 'I completely understand your deep meaning,' and then at Greg, who had a face full of 'exactly, that's it.' The ice on her face completely melted away, replaced by a subtle expression that was a mix of confusion, realization, and a hint of 'Wait, was that really what I was thinking?'
She froze for a few seconds before slowly nodding, as if accepting this narrative.
"Ah... yes. It's good that you know."
Subsequently, she seemed to completely forget the killing intent from moments ago. She turned around, lifted her chin slightly toward Greg, and introduced Wendy with a proud tone:
"Master, this is Wendy. The Dark Night Order was able to develop so quickly mainly thanks to her! She's responsible for almost everything—from intelligence gathering and recruitment to the methods of spreading the faith and daily operations. And she is a talent I personally discovered!"
There was a clear sense of pride in Allie's tone, as if she were showing off to Greg that she had talents beyond swordsmanship.
"Do you see now? Besides using a sword, I'm also very capable at discovering and nurturing talent!"
Seeing Allie's finally relaxed expression, Greg quickly nodded with a grin and gave a thumbs up.
"Yes, yes, yes! As expected of you, Allie! You have a keen eye and know how to use people! Truly amazing!"
He praised her with his words, but inwardly, he was clicking his tongue in amazement.
This wasn't just a 'talent.' This was clearly a figure on the level of a Chief Steward!
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