Huh? Goddess Shadow? Me?
Angel's first thought was that Crestet Cesimir, the "Goddess's Sword," was joking with her. But the solemn look on his face said otherwise.
"Doesn't an 'appointment' like this require my consent?"
She protested softly, unsure whether to be pleased that the Church valued her or worried about the strange title.
"You were originally a member of the Nighthawks. Although the internal records marked you as dead, Arianna kept your status after assigning you a new mission," Cesimir explained with a smile. "But the reason you were granted the title of 'Goddess Shadow' was a divine revelation from the Goddess. Only Arianna knows its contents."
So this was an order from the Goddess herself?
Angel's mouth went dry. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
Only after a pause did she find another question. "What about the other members? Are they hiding in other organizations like me?"
As soon as she asked, Angel realized something was off. One member of the Goddess Troop, the "Goddess's Sword," was standing right in front of her.
"No, you're the only one. Perhaps your potion pathway makes you suited to approaching the Demoness Sect... Aside from me, 'Goddess Eye' Iliya is also a senior deacon and handles affairs on the Southern Continent. Only Arianna knows the identity of 'Goddess Heart.' Most of the other members are ordinary Nighthawks or Red Gloves. You'll have a chance to meet them."
The look on Cesimir's face reminded Angel of how he had appeared when she met him at the Holy Cathedral after the Tingen Incident: smiling, but saying nothing he wasn't supposed to.
"...So I count as a 'senior deacon' too?" She stopped asking about matters he would keep confidential and gently steered the conversation where she wanted it to go.
"Yes.