Luo Wei searched around before finding them by the windows. "Why are you all here? I thought you'd come find me."

  Hearing her voice, Sebastian turned and helplessly pointed at two wilted underclassmen. "We were going to. But these two spun themselves dizzy dancing. They can barely stand. We had to hold them up."

  Luo Wei looked at Hessel and Gladys. Both had just thrown up and looked greenish. Supported by their teammates, they leaned against the window with vacant stares.

  Sebastian: "If we hadn't stopped them, they'd still be spinning."

  Luo Wei: ...

  Getting this dizzy from dancing—these two were really something.

  After breathing fresh air for a bit, Gladys and Hessel felt slightly better. Their teammates helped them turn around, though their eyes still couldn't focus properly.

  "L-Luo Wei, you c-came?" Both sounded drunk.

  "Yeah. Came to check on you and share what happened with Alfried." Luo Wei lowered her voice.

  Theodore quickly asked: "What did that bastard say?"

  Sebastian whipped out his wand and cast an anti-eavesdropping spell, then looked at Luo Wei.

  Luo Wei spoke flatly: "He said he used Holy Water to test you because he wanted honesty. Claims he'll protect you and change the future where the Church slaughters beastmen and monster races to extinction."

  "That old bastard's full of shit. Since when is he kind-hearted?" Theodore scoffed.

  Hol said: "Obviously just cover for his schemes. What else does he want?"

  "He wants us to work for him." Luo Wei said.

  "First, I have to publicly submit to the Church. Help him recruit Holy Knights around the Pope. Convince Gelu City forces to submit to him."

  "Second, when he needs us, we all work for him. Clear obstacles. Support his rise to Pope."

  "Bah! Shameless bastard dreaming big!" Theodore exploded. "You agreed?"

  Sebastian defended her: "What choice did she have? Let him kill us?"

  "I know, I just—ugh, working for Church people makes me sick!" Theodore grabbed his hair.

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  "When he makes us do things, we don't have to follow orders exactly." Luo Wei reassured them. "Besides, there are benefits. Your lives are safe for now. We can track Church movements through him."

  "The benefits outweigh the problems. But..." Hol looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, Miss Luo Wei. We dragged you into this."

  "Yeah, Miss Luo Wei." Laura felt guilty too. "If not for us, he wouldn't have threatened you. We're really sorry."

  Hessel, voice hoarse, also apologized.

  Luo Wei shook her head. "He would've targeted me anyway. I'm a Life Goddess descendant. The Church won't allow that outside their control."

  "Why?" Theodore was confused. "You're from the Misty Plains. Not under Western Continent rules."

  Luo Wei: "But I'm standing on Western Continent soil. I follow their rules here."

  Plus, her existence proved the Sun and Moon Gods were frauds. If she refused to submit, the Church would silence her permanently to keep that secret.

  "One more thing." Luo Wei looked worriedly at Laura. "I tested Alfried. Those cat-skin cloaks were just warnings—obey or face that fate."

  "He doesn't know about your parents. I didn't tell him. Didn't want him targeting you."

  Laura's eyes dimmed, but she said gratefully: "Thank you, Miss Luo Wei. You've done so much for me when I can't help you at all."

  "You help me plenty." Luo Wei said gently. "Just come to work tomorrow. Do your job well—that's the biggest help."

  Laura's cheeks flushed as she quickly lowered her head.

  What was that about? Luo Wei felt puzzled.

  "Ahem, well, we've been busy preparing for the ball and forgot about work. Right, Hol?" Theodore quickly stepped in front of Laura, winking hard at Hol.

  "Yeah, right. Preparing our outfits." Hol played along. They definitely weren't searching for that person who vanished, leaving only clothes behind.

  Luo Wei looked at what they wore... Dressed like this, they really prepared?

  She'd believe it more if they said they went to the dessert shop for "Sweet Temptation."

  "Someone's coming!" Sebastian shouted. He dropped the spell and turned toward the approaching people.

  Five young men in formal wear walked over carrying boxes, faces full of delight.

  "Wonderful! Friends from Siria, I finally found you!"

  The lead youth's eyes sparkled as he eagerly quickened his pace.

  "Miss Luo Wei, Miss Gladys, Mr. Hol—on this beautiful night, I represent the Pengato Junior Squad to express our heartfelt thanks and sincere blessings!"

  The youth and his four teammates bowed deeply.

  "Mr. Fubinne." Luo Wei remembered his name and gestured for them to rise. "Please, get up. Friends don't need formality."

  Fubinne straightened. "Miss Luo Wei, thank you for saving our team. I promised gifts after the competition to thank you."

  He offered his box. "We couldn't find any other way to express our gratitude. This is our gift. Please accept it, or we'll feel terrible!"

  "In that case, we'd be rude to refuse." Luo Wei sighed and accepted with a moved expression.

  The other two Pengato members placed boxes in Gladys and Hol's hands.

  Seeing them accept, Fubinne relaxed. "Friends from Siria, you're forever my dear friends. If you face difficulties, please write me. I'd be happy to help."

  "Thank you, Mr. Fubinne." Luo Wei opened the box in front of him.

  Under the lamplight, colorful gemstones filled the case. Like a rainbow had fallen inside, the light dazzling.

  Luo Wei said in surprise: "This is beautiful! Thank you, Mr. Fubinne. I love it. But isn't this too expensive?"

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