Safri, who had been about to leave, froze on the spot.
She looked at the white-feathered raven not far away, hesitation showing on her face, but in the end, she said nothing.
Only after the two red-robed bishops and all the elders had left.
Did the plump white-feathered raven waddle over to stand before her.
Its beak opened and closed, and Archbishop Byron's deep, resonant voice emerged.
"Safri, the divine intent of baptism within your bloodline seems to be growing fainter and fainter."
Archbishop Byron's very first words nearly made her shudder.
Fortunately, Safri was strong-willed. She suppressed the turmoil in her heart and, at least outwardly, revealed no flaw.
She looked at the white-feathered raven and asked in the calmest tone she could manage.
"Why do you say that, Archbishop?"
Upon hearing her words, the white-feathered raven flapped its wings as it hopped up onto a roof beam, then let out several mocking chuckles.
"There is no point in lying before me."
"You have given yourself to a man, Safri."
"Who was it?"
"That human you mentioned before?"
"Or someone else?"
"There are not many people who could make you abandon your vow and choose to release the divine power of baptism."
Archbishop Byron's voice was full of interrogation, yet his tone was not stern. Instead, it carried a hint of teasing.
Not long ago, he had spoken with Safri heart-to-heart in Cold Raven Valley.
At the time, Raven Saintess Safri had only just escaped back from Oduo Village.
After the mission failed, Zong Shen had taken root in her heart, and she had begun to yearn for freedom. At the time, she was lost and confused.
When the Archbishop had spoken with her, she had tentatively suggested cooperating with Zong Shen.
Back then, Archbishop Byron's answer had been