Chapter 393

Oh? Actually, at that time...?

“What? Greeting the freshmen?”

Spring was rapidly coming at Saint-Noel Academy. Mia was in attendance of a student council meeting on this day of warm sunshine and sweetmoon cherry blossoms. The typical crowd was present in the workplace. The entry ceremony was the subject that was currently on their minds after they had talked about a number of other things.Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

Mia questioned, “But...aren’t you the one who usually welcomes the new students?”

Rafina answered with a kind smile, “I’ll be speaking at the ceremony too, of course, but I think our new students would appreciate a few words from the student council president as well.”

“So, it falls under the purview of the president’s duties. Hm... What ought I to say?”

Rafina made a brief giggling noise.

“Oh, don’t stress yourself out too much. Just be honest and express your thoughts.”

Her remark initially appeared comforting, but Mia knew otherwise.

I can’t accept this kind of suggestion at face value, for sure.

She wasn’t that stupid; she knew she couldn’t just blurt out whatever came to her. Rafina had given her the presidency of the student council voluntarily. There were expectations to meet. There were expectations that would be grievously disappointed if she stood at the stage and discussed her favorite desserts.

Rafina added, “There’s no rush, so give it some time. Later, I’ll provide you the draft of my speech from the previous year so you can review it as well.”

“All right, then.” Mia was compelled to nod. Rafina had made a direct request, and she couldn’t afford to refuse it.

I guess. It’s not too bad, I suppose. It’s not like I have to risk my neck for this, she reasoned to herself as she tried to feel better. No, most likely not.

Rafina called out, “All right, everyone,” while clapping her hands. “Although we had a great time talking, I think it’s time to get to work.”

“Huh? Oh, you’re referring to what Duke Yellowmoon was discussing?” She responded, feeling incredibly glad to be spoken to because it proved she wasn’t actually dead.

“Uh... I’m pretty sure he said the Chaos Serpents can be grouped into four types of people,” she remarked. “There are individuals who interact with the Serpents inactively, those who actively work with the Serpents in an effort to employ them for their own ends, those who resonate with the Serpents’ teachings and turn into adherents, and shamans who teach and guide those adherents. That’s how it went, I believe.”

Recalling the four cookies the duke had set out on the table, Mia connected the words with cookies since she found it difficult to recall only the words. It was Mia’s memorization technique.

“Yes, you did write that in the letter. That classification leads me to believe the men we apprehended are adherents.”

Mia pursed her lips as she thought of Barbara’s lackeys’ appearances.

“I believe you are correct. Those people undoubtedly exude a cult-like, malevolent vibe. They appear to be the kind who would sacrifice their lives for a diabolical philosophy.”

“Indeed, I think those who react unfavorably to the Holy Book are the adherents and shamans.”

Sion remarked, “Ah, that makes sense,” and he nodded in agreement. “I’ve always found it odd that they didn’t all respond the same way to the Holy Book. That would explain it.”

“Yes. Whether they accept the Serpents’ teachings as gospel will depend on it. Or, if they consider the serpents to be divine or only useful tools. The Holy Book would be the teachings of their deadliest enemy for those who revere the Serpents. They must find it repulsive. They fundamentally reject something that is totally intolerable. They reacted so strongly to it because of that.” Rafina stopped. Her voice took on a hesitant quality. “At least, that’s what I thought.”

“Hm? Why do you say that?” Mia tilted her head in a perplexed manner and inquired, “Did something change your mind?”

“It is Ms. Barbara. She somehow seemed different. She didn’t just reject me, that’s what I felt from her. There was undoubtedly some of that, but hate predominated much more. A deep-seated hatred of us—nobles, royalty, everyone—not just the Lord but also me and everyone who is similar to me.”

“A deep-seated hatred?” Mia recalled the occasions when she had seen Barbara. “Now that you bring it up, I do recall Bel mentioning Rina was treated fairly harshly. For some reason, she also appeared to detest Duke Yellowmoon a great deal.”

“One explanation for her actions is that she sincerely adheres to the Serpents’ beliefs and, as a result, despises the authority of nobles and the society order it supports. That makes perfect logic, but I think there’s something more.”

After Rafina’s thought, there was a moment of silence that was finally broken by Abel’s faint murmur. “We don’t really know anything about these people. I’m genuinely curious in this high priestess of the serpents.”

For some reason, Abel’s remark lingered in Mia’s ears.