Chapter 7: The Nun and the Witch

Upon discovering Yang Hao’s potential whereabouts, Priscilla and Knight Robert decided to prepare and then set out in a small squadron.

They opted not to bring a large group for several reasons. Firstly, their intention was not to apprehend, but to request assistance, so it wouldn’t be fitting to approach with an imposing and intimidating force.

Additionally, a portion of their manpower needed to remain in the town, ready for any emergencies. Some had to oversee the essential supplies as they didn’t trust the townspeople with such responsibilities, considering they were the type to dig up even the steel pipes beneath the ground just to heat their households.

On the other hand, Priscilla felt the need to speak with Yang Hao, and similarly, she felt the need to speak with Teresa. She knew she had made numerous mistakes during the Silent Incident, but she hoped to use this opportunity to make amends.

After all, the bond of lovers still tied them. If he still cared for the citizens of the empire, if he was still the man she remembered–the one who would stop at nothing for the sake of the people–then, with this renewed connection, she could atone for the sins she had previously committed.

Upon arriving outside the village of Skool with the empire’s knights, Priscilla didn’t head toward the now-deserted village. Instead, she followed a nearly overgrown path at the foot of the mountain.

She knew of Sister Teresa’s residence and suspected that, unless something unforeseen had happened, Yang Hao would be there too.

However, when they finally ascended to the mid-mountain by dusk and caught sight of the dilapidated monastery, the scene took them by surprise.

What was before them wasn’t the former regent, His Majesty Yang Hao. Instead, they were met with the stern visage of a white-haired nun.

Her piercing gaze was fixed upon the witch at the forefront of the group, who wielded her gem-encrusted staff like a walking stick. 

From her lips came a scathing rebuke.

“Priscilla, you little witch of Skool village. You climbed the social ladder in the capital, carved out your own name, and then turned your back on your benefactors. How dare you return here? How dare you seek me out? During the Silent Incident, you couldn’t even muster a word in his defense. You shameless scoundrel! Why slink back here like a mongrel with its tail between its legs? Huh?”

A torrent of crude, incisive invective flew from the nun’s mouth, leaving the accompanying imperial knights exchanging uneasy glances.

For her part, Priscilla managed to suppress a flicker of shame that threatened to surface. With a raised hand signaling she would handle the situation, she took a step forward.

“Teresa, I–”

But her attempt to speak was abruptly cut short by another volley of vulgarity from the nun.

“Don’t you fucking dare to cozy up to me. I don’t know you. We’re not friends. I don’t need a shameless, backstabbing whore like you as my friend. If you had even an ounce of self-respect, you’d turn tail and get as far away from here as possible. Don’t you dare disrupt his life any further.”

Priscilla was left in an uncomfortable position.

She had harbored hopes that Teresa, as a nun, would at least lend an ear to her explanation, to understand the sequence of events from her perspective. But it was becoming abundantly clear that Teresa had no intention of engaging in dialogue.

In Sister Teresa’s eyes, it seemed Priscilla was left with two options–either withdraw voluntarily or escalate the situation to a breaking point. Yet, neither option was feasible for Priscilla.

If she left, the Roman Empire would crumble from internal strife and external threats due to the complete loss of the regent.

Acting recklessly without knowing the depth of feelings Yang Hao had for Sister Teresa was something she dared not and could not afford to do.

The worst outcome might compel him to strike a fatal blow to the already weakened empire, inciting wave after wave of new rebellions or even leading bands of marauders on rampages.

Although Yang Hao might not possess any military genius, he knew the vulnerabilities of the Roman Empire like the back of his hand. With such knowledge, even a five-year-old could deliver a devastating blow to the current Roman Empire, let alone a potential horde of bandits.

She needed to engage in dialogue to make Sister Teresa momentarily lower her guard, at least long enough to facilitate a meeting with Yang Hao.

With this in mind, the Night Witch took a deep breath. She slightly raised her staff, then fiercely slammed its pointed end into the cobblestones below.

Accompanied by the sharp crack of shattering stone, she saw Sister Teresa first retreat timidly a couple of steps, then grit her teeth and stand her ground.

At least now there was an opening to speak.

“Teresa, I am willing to explain the mistakes I’ve made in the past. But before that… could I see him just once?”

“And if I say no?”

“I must see him, Teresa. I beg you, the Roman Empire cannot afford to lose him now.”

Priscilla’s earnest plea evoked a sarcastic chuckle from Teresa, “You claim the empire can’t lose him, yet who was it that abandoned him in the first place? He’s done so much for the people, but who was the first to insult and berate him? With his help, you all built a vast nation. And when your interests were at stake, who discarded your founding hero like a dirty rag used to wipe toilets? How dare you expect him to continue serving you after such betrayal?”

Priscilla was momentarily rendered speechless. Everything Teresa said was the bitter truth.

Yet, reflecting on the Roman Empire’s current plight, the disasters she had witnessed in the towns along their journey, and the impending hardships, she regained her voice. 

“It’s for the common people, Teresa. For the welfare of the citizens.”

“To hell with that! Who doesn’t know that the people of the Roman Empire are a bunch of ungrateful wretches, complete fools? Even the primitive tribes in the Monster Forest have more gratitude in their hearts than you lot. Crow droppings are more noble than they are. Cut the ‘for the people’ act. Isn’t it all just to line your own pockets? Hmph!”

“Teresa, can’t you see the state the people are in now? Don’t you understand the significance of this drought for the Roman Empire? Are you oblivious to the suffering of the people in the drought-stricken regions, how they long for their former lives?”

“Isn’t this the result of their own actions, the life they asked for? Didn’t they fulfill their desires by driving out and demeaning Yang Hao? If they’re content, why would they want him back? Why do you assume the residents prefer life under Yang Hao’s rule, rather than thriving in a drought?”

Sister Teresa’s tone, filled with disdain and mock surprise, once again plunged Priscilla into uncomfortable silence.