Order of the Deep, library.
Phoebe stood on her tiptoes, straining to reach The Complete Guide to Flower Seed Cultivation on the top shelf. A hand reached past her and took the book down for her.
"Thank you, Senior Roya..."
Before the words of gratitude were fully out, the middle-aged priestess in front of her immediately pulled out a small notebook and wrote: "Priestess Phoebe, making noise in the library—deduct one conduct point."
Seeing this, Phoebe closed her mouth. Only then did the middle-aged priestess nod slightly and turn to leave.
Phoebe lowered her head, opened the first page of the book, and had just glanced at the table of contents when she suddenly caught the sound of tiny footsteps.
Turning her head, several small doll Echoes peeked out from the edge of the bookshelf, enthusiastically waving at her.
"Shh!"
Phoebe hurriedly made a shushing gesture toward the Echoes. She glanced guiltily at Senior Roya not far away, confirmed that the senior hadn't noticed the Echoes sneaking into the library, then quickly gathered the book and a flowerpot and left. A line of doll Echoes followed behind her.
Jogging out of the library filled with the scent of old books, Phoebe's mood brightened like the vivid sunshine outside. She turned back to look at the dolls hopping and skipping behind her:
"Rabbi, Beni, keep up—we're going to the back mountain—ah!"
A large doll Echo with long claws and bared teeth suddenly jumped out of the grass. The unexpected scare caused Phoebe, who had turned around, to stumble and fall backward.
The book and flowerpot that flew from her hands froze mid-air. Phoebe felt herself caught from behind by a strong arm.
The arm exerted a slight force, using precise strength to lift her from a forty-five-degree tilt. When she was about to fall in the other direction, it grabbed her left hand.
Noah pulled Phoebe back upright, lifted her left hand, and with delicate force guided her into a light spin in place. Only then did he release her and perform an elegant waltz closing courtesy.
He had completely mastered the waltz that Little Potato taught him. See? Immediate practical application.
Catching the book and flowerpot that had been paused mid-air and handing them to the golden-haired girl in front of him, Noah smiled warmly:
"Priestess, we meet again."
"Ha... haha." Phoebe hugged the book and flowerpot, nodded slightly at Noah, her heartbeat quickening from the recent scare, making her a bit flustered.
Why did this bad guy who loves to tease people come to the Order?
"Mr. Noah, what a coincidence. Thank you for catching me just now."
"Not a coincidence—I came specifically to find you!"
Noah directly reached out his sinful big hand and pinched Phoebe's pure, delicate little round face again:
"Thanks with just words are too perfunctory. How about something more substantial?"
"Ah? I... what kind of substantial thing do you want?"
Perfect—Phoebe's first reaction wasn't to pull away from his hand, but to ask what he wanted.
Noah released his hand and continued:
"I've recently formed a band, and we're short a lighting technician. After thinking it over, I feel your ability is perfect for it!"
Phoebe's ability could materialize light. If used for stage lighting, it would be guaranteed to look amazing!
"A... a band?"
Phoebe's eyes widened. Recalling Noah's performance back at Lorelei, her toes hidden in her little white boots couldn't help but curl tightly again.
"Are you coming or not? Come with me to Fool's Elysium—I'll pay you a salary."
"You cannot leave this place!"
The middle-aged priestess's stern voice suddenly rang out. Roya approached quickly with a dark expression, pen and paper still in hand:
"Priestess Phoebe, what were you just doing?"
"As a member of the clergy, you once again got close to Echoes, hugged and touched a strange man in an improper way, and even plan to take a job outside of clerical duties!"
"As punishment, all your leave this month is canceled. Now, immediately go reflect before the Sentinel's statue."
"Ah... yes."
Phoebe lowered her head, bit her lip, and weakly responded. She turned to leave, but suddenly a hand pressed on her shoulder.
"Hey, this lady—"
"First, Phoebe did not get close to any Echoes. Second, she did not hug or touch me. Finally, I only extended a band invitation—she hasn't agreed yet."
"A great person from my homeland once said: no investigation, no right to speak."
Turning around, Noah stepped forward, positioning himself one step ahead of her, confronting the middle-aged priestess:
"And you, based solely on your own assumptions, directly pass judgment on someone—and speak so aggressively. That's not very good, is it?"
"Hah? I haven't even charged you, an outsider, with trespassing on Order grounds, and you're turning it around on me?"
Roya's face hardened:
"I am one of the chief bishops of the Order of the Deep, head of the Inspection Department. I have the authority to discipline a junior priestess who violates rules. As for investigation? Phoebe, tell me yourself—was my judgment just now incorrect?"
"I..." Phoebe raised her head in embarrassment, lips tightly bitten, then shook her head, her gaze dimming.
She only had some status among the lower priests—she couldn't afford to offend Priest Alessio, nor the chief bishop of the Inspection Department.
Even if Roya's accusations were somewhat exaggerated, she couldn't talk back; otherwise, who knew how many obstacles she'd face in the future.
Just as she was about to speak, Noah cut in first:
"Damn, a chief bishop—such impressive authority. Does having power mean you can do whatever you want?"
In one short sentence, Phoebe immediately raised her head, her whole body tensing involuntarily.
Why was she so unlucky every time she met this guy? The first time, he pinched her face, nearly getting her mistaken for a heretic by Priest Alessio.
The second time, he pinned her against a wall and kneaded her, then took her to the Oakheart Highcourt for a massive social death scene. And now, the third time, he was actually antagonizing her superior.
Phoebe couldn't help but tug at Noah's clothes from behind, silently pleading for him to restrain himself a little.
But Noah paid no mind to Phoebe's small gesture. He took out his terminal, dialed a contact, and immediately handed it over:
"Here, your High Seat wants to speak with you."
"Playing mysterious."
Roya snorted coldly as she took the terminal. Her expression shifted from arrogance to shock and doubt, then to fear.
Only after the call ended did Roya, looking dazed, cross out the deduction points related to Phoebe in her little notebook:
"Priestess Phoebe, the High Seat has ordered that you comply with this Righteous One's arrangements. You now have ten days of leave. If that's not enough, come to me for more approval."
"Ah! Is that really okay?"
Phoebe was both surprised and delighted—delighted at the ten days off and no punishment, surprised that she had to follow Noah's arrangements.
Who knew what tricks that guy would use to torment her next.
Roya waved her hand impatiently:
"Go, go. You two can go wherever you want now."
Watching the two leave, Roya let out a deep breath, somewhat lost in thought:
"Who on earth is this person... to make even the High Seat... Oh supreme Sentinel, the skies over Ragunna have darkened..."
On the other side, after Noah took Phoebe away from the Order, he began casually strolling:
"Priestess, where's your home?"
"Eh? Why are you suddenly asking that?"
"Come on, let's go to your place! Get you out of those clothes you're wearing now."
Gulp.
Phoebe swallowed hard. Even if she was as naturally airheaded as could be, she heard a different implication in those words.
In an instant, Phoebe's heartbeat raced, a rush of hot blood surging upward, instantly dyeing her cheeks and earlobes red. She was so flustered she nearly cried.
She suddenly didn't want these ten days of leave anymore.
Being with this man was simply like dancing with a wolf.
"N-no... that's not okay... Mr. Noah, please behave yourself. Even with the High Seat's orders, I can't—"
Her stammering words were interrupted by Noah's surprised tone:
"Hey, what are you thinking? I meant for you to go home and change into regular clothes."