Dekan, Do You Know Who the Bishop of Pain Is?

"Hmm, why don't I sense any love letter in this letter at all...?"

Croix stroked her chin thoughtfully for a moment, her face full of doubt.

"Croix, you have absolutely no idea what girls are thinking, meow. Sigh, I wonder when you and your childhood sweetheart will finally get married, meow."

The Cat Teacher helplessly waved its front paw and sighed.

"How could Claire and I possibly...!"

Croix paused halfway through her sentence, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

He remembered that Dekan had said the same thing before, and now even Cat Teacher was saying it.

Could it be that his childhood sweetheart, Claire, might not actually dislike him that much?

But liking him so much is just too outrageous.

"Wait a minute, I really can't see anything ambiguous in this letter. Princess Ice Princess's wording is always very precise..."

Croix thought for a moment, then steered the conversation back to the original question.

"You're such a silly cat! When I said this letter has a bit of a love letter feel to it, I didn't mean there's anything wrong with the wording! I meant the literal 'feel' of it! Take a sniff of this letter!"

"Cat Teacher explained."

"Ah, I see."

Croix felt that there was still a generation gap between herself, as a human, and her Cat Teacher.

He picked up the letter from Cornelia was still in a malfunctioning state, and examined it carefully.

This is an antique-style letter paper that has been scented with incense, and it is written carefully with brand-new ink, as if each stroke has been written for a long time.

Both the wax and the stamp on the envelope were as neat and clean as works of art.

It's clear that they put a lot of thought and effort into it.

"But that doesn't prove anything. What if Princess Ice Princess takes every letter she writes this seriously?"

"Meow, why didn't she write it for you? Didn't you save her life?"

"..."

Croix scratched his head, seemingly somewhat convinced by the Cat Teacher.

"Wait a minute, if this letter really does have that kind of meaning, is it really okay for the few of us to pass it around like this?"

Croix handed the letter back to Dekan and then asked.

Dekan has been spacing out ever since.

"You're overthinking it; that's excessive reasoning."

Dekan snapped out of his Master and said.

"Even if I saved her life, how could she possibly have feelings for me after all that tormenting and making her cry twice? Even shoujo manga wouldn't dare draw it like that."

Dekan shook his head with a cold laugh, then lifted the Cat Teacher by the scruff of his neck.

"Look what you've done, you stupid cat! Cornelia had finally gained a little confidence in her language skills, and you've made her doubt herself again."

"Meow meow meow! I'm a master of love, meow!"

"You call yourself a love guru? That's utterly ridiculous. You should become a normal person first."

"Don't look down on me, meow!"

"Then transform quickly."

"Meow..."

Almost no one researches or creates cards like [Transformation: Human].

Such bizarre cards may exist somewhere in the world.

However, it's too niche and too rare.

Firstly, it would be difficult to achieve its principles using human magic.

Secondly, once a monster reaches a sufficient rank, it can transform into human form using its own power.

Unfortunately, Cat Teacher is so lazy that it will probably be difficult for him to gain a human form in this lifetime.

"This... this isn't a love letter?"

Cornelia, seeing that Dekan had finally spoken up, timidly tugged at his sleeve and asked.

Dekan stared into Cornelia's eyes and soon understood the complex deductions she was making.

"Of course not, don't worry."

"Call."

Cornelia seemed instantly relieved upon hearing this.

"... Meow."

Although the Cat Teacher still wanted to argue with Dekan, after thinking about it, she quietly jumped onto Cornelia's lap and lay down.

At the request of the Cat Teacher, Dekan took them with him to the Tristin Magic Academy to see the Ice Princess.

It just so happens that Croix and Cornelia haven't visited the academy yet.

Since Dekan had visited the Ice Princess's room before, he led his companions on a two-time tour of the academy before heading straight to their destination.

The three arrived at the door of a room on the top floor of the ancient tower.

Dekan knocked lightly twice on the cold stone door.

"Please come in."

A cool yet gentle voice came from inside the door.

Before Dekan could even push open the heavy door, Cornelia helped him push it open.

She seemed to realize that Dekan would have a little difficulty pushing the door open.

"Hmph."

Dekan couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

This feels more like it.

What came into view of the three was this combination of a mini library-like living room and study.

And then there's the Ice Princess expression is slightly surprised.

However, she quickly composed herself and gestured for the guests to sit on the sofa.

Having fought alongside Croix, they also shared many complaints.

Therefore, among the people that Ice Princess knows, Croix is already considered a familiar person with whom she can have a good conversation.

But this was the first time she had ever met Cat Teacher and Cornelia.

I couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

Moreover, she didn't know why, but the Red-haired Girl seemed to be looking at her with some nervousness, which made Ice Princess even more nervous.

"Is there anything I need to do for the final stage of becoming a Master Card Crafter?"

After the Ice Princess served them the prepared fruit tea, Dekan went straight to asking the question that concerned him most.

"The third phase was originally going to be quite lengthy, and I'm sure President Leren of the Royal Capital branch of the Card Maker Association has already explained the reasons to you."

Ice Princess replied.

Dekan nodded with a wry smile.

He knew why his review process was so lengthy.

After all, his methods of card production are too similar to those of the major bishops of the Resurrection Church.

In fact, Dekan has always been indignant about everyone's misunderstanding.

"However, things changed after you defeated Evans..."

Ice Princess spoke again.

"Haha, great! Taking down Evans should speed up my review process a lot."

Dekan couldn't help but chuckle, taking a leisurely sip of his favorite fruit tea.

"..."

However.

Ice Princess remained silent.

This caused Dekan's smile to gradually fade.

He realized that something seemed wrong.

"Could it be that the review process has actually slowed down?"

Dekan asked, his voice trembling slightly.

He couldn't accept being stuck in the review process.

"Yes."

Ice Princess nodded helplessly.

"Is this even reasonable? I killed Cardinal of the Resurrection Church! Even if there were suspicions about my connection with the Resurrection Church, shouldn't I be cleared of those suspicions by now?!"

Dekan looked at Ice Princess and asked, full of confusion.

Ice Princess nodded helplessly:

"Actually... it's because there are rumors that the Resurrection Church appointed a new bishop after Evans' death, named Bishop of Pain..."

Dekan nearly dropped his teacup.

"Where did this rumor come from!"