Chapter 206: Giving the Bishop a Little Shock

Chapter 206: Giving the Bishop a Little Shock

Alice glared angrily in the real world. When did Klein learn to be so mischievous? She reconsidered if she had been too harsh on him. Still, she was furious that he had cut off her internet connection!

Enraged, Alice stormed out to buy a wireless telegraph, slamming the door forcefully as she left. As she walked, she pondered where to purchase such a device while absentmindedly casting misfortune on a passerby she disliked.

Wishing for online shopping, Alice chose divination over asking for directions after brief consideration. Just as she was about to find a quiet spot to divine, she heard a scream. Turning her head, she saw the unfortunate passerby she had cursed earlier fall face-first into something unpleasant on the ground.

Disgusted, Alice wrinkled her nose and looked away, her mood no better than before. Even after purchasing the wireless telegraph, she couldn't shake the nauseating feeling.

Usually at this time, Alice would be wandering around contemplating dinner options among the various food shops and street vendors. Today, however, she headed straight home with the telegraph and then made her way to St. Samuel's Cathedral, thinking bitterly about tasteless dinners.

As Alice entered the Church of the Evernight, she instinctively glanced at the donation box, a strange thought crossing her mind about stealing from it. Shaking off the idea, she politely inserted a 1-pound note instead.

Alice made her way to the confessional, reasoning it would be unwise to approach the bishop directly or venture into the church's underground area. The spacious confessional in Backlund was more like a separate room than the cramped wooden boxes of old.

She entered and sat down, facing the wooden partition. A rich voice spoke from the other side: "What would you like to say? The Goddess watches over all Her followers."

Alice hesitated before replying, "I encountered the 'Blasphemer' Amon."

Silence fell over the confessional. After a long pause, the bishop asked, "What brings you here, madam?"

Alice explained that she had stolen Amon's monocle, which was now cursed and she couldn't remove it. The bishop seemed taken aback by this revelation.

After another period of silence, Alice was led to the Nighthawks' headquarters beneath the church and introduced to a bishop in ceremonial robes - Saint Anthony Stevenson, one of the Goddess's thirteen archbishops and the head of the Backlund diocese.

As Anthony's gaze fell upon her, Alice's spirituality trembled, sensing an unknown presence from the depths of darkness. Recognizing this was not due to a difference in sequence but some ability, Alice greeted him respectfully.

They discussed her encounter with Amon, with Anthony showing particular interest in the cursed monocle. As they talked, Alice suddenly felt a sense of danger and instinctively moved to crouch behind the desk.

Just then, someone entered the room. Alice heard a familiar voice, now calmer than she remembered, addressing Archbishop Anthony.