Chapter 52: Adjustments Between Apostles

"Okay, you two, what do you think of Saint Stelaria? She’s my older sister, so she must be incredible to you, right?" Nio asks the two novice nuns she brought to her room.

’After I finish figuring out what I want... I should pay a little visit to Moros... that guardian is one of the only ones who’s somewhat loyal to me, plus if everything became real, then Moros must think he’s been imprisoned for millennia, and that’s bad for his broken loyalty,’ Nio thinks as the two nuns begin to speak.

"Saint Stelaria is incredible! She’s been managing everything since she was 12 years old, and even though everyone had serious doubts about whether she could do it, she proved them all wrong. She showed amazing leadership ability."

"She also made several policies to help the Theocracy grow, although since she’s a saint focused on predictions, she doesn’t get involved much in healing people, leaving that to priests and bishops who go out and travel through the Theocracy on healing journeys," the blonde nun says to Nio with a dreamy, adoring smile.

’So it’s not that the church is almost empty, it’s that most of the relevant members are out... that actually makes a lot of sense, and explains why Ryu doesn’t leave the church — she’s here to protect the saint...’ Nio nods.

"Saint Stelaria is quite pro-plebeian. She made several policies that helped the poorer population get back on their feet, though she also made plenty for the nobles," the other novice nun with black hair speaks in a more rational, less dreamy manner.

"That’s incredible. Do you think I’ll be as good a saint as her?"

"Of course, Saint Nio!!" The two agree immediately.

"Okay... and do you have... any criticism?" Nio touches on a more sensitive point. She doesn’t want praise; she wants to know the other side.

"...Saint Nio, there are some rumors that are quite... dark about Saint Stelaria, but they’re just rumors."

"What kind of rumors?" The two nuns exchange glances at Nio’s question.

"They’re—"

"..." Someone knocks on the door right at that moment. Nio senses Ryu’s magic and figures she interrupted on purpose.

’Tsk...’

"Alright, sisters, you can go now... we can talk later! I’ll come down to the lower floors to help you all," Nio decides to abort the mission for now. As the two head to the door, Ryu enters the room.

"...Do you want something from me?" Nio’s tone loses all that cuteness, turning cold and cutting.

"If you want to know something, ask me. But don’t try to mess with the new nuns’ heads."

’She didn’t fully figure out my motive...’ Nio gives her a smile.

"I was just talking with them. But so, what are these rumors? And are they true? Besides, I’ll keep talking to the nuns. I’m a saint; that’s my duty, right?"

"...It’s nothing. All nobles have their dark secrets. If you want to know, ask Stelaria..."

"...Ryu, I’m going to have to step out. I’ll leave my clone here. How about talking to him in the meantime?... Actually, I think I’ve taken a liking to the Theocracy. I’m seriously considering giving this place some real help."

"Then your support is essential for my plans to move forward faster. Of course, if you want to try to get in my way, you can try, but I’ve nearly killed you twice already. I’m not planning on a third time, okay?" Nio smiles with the small threat.

"..." Ryu says nothing as the Faceless One enters through the window. Although Nio doesn’t like having to keep moving from place to place, for now it’s almost mandatory, since being there in person allows her to accelerate her plans to deal with a monster like Typhon.

"Well, I’m off!!" Nio heads to the balcony and flies up above the church to the teleportation circle she already made. Her destination is the sixth floor of her palace.

"It’s a shame today’s progress was really poor..." She activates the magic, leaving the Theocracy, determined to give some extra attention to her servants to prevent troublesome rebellion.

"..." She appears inside the sixth floor, but immediately her expression twists in frustration.

’My stockings got wet... I forgot for a moment that this entire floor is filled with water...’ She looks around, seeing the hundreds of doors scattered throughout the place.

"Moros!!! I came to see you. Azalea said you wanted to get out... I decided to release you from your punishment!" Nio shouts into the space. Immediately, the water near her takes shape, resembling a little boy of about 8 years old.

"Nio!!" Moros runs to Nio and jumps into her arms, which makes Nio freeze and go completely rigid on the spot, not expecting that. In the game, Moros would never have done something like that.

"...Moros... you’re doing great..." She looks at his dark blue hair and his eyes, also a deep navy blue. She doesn’t even know what form this is, since in the game, the forms Moros had were limited.

’Looks like now he can truly take any form he wants... what an immense power buff he got from becoming real...’

"C-Can I go out?!" He asks hopefully. Nio puts her hand on his face and pushes him down to break the hug.

"That’s right. You’ll be allowed to go out. Your punishment is over. I’m also going to allow others to leave... I realized I need your help to explore," Nio is overwhelmed. Just having to keep going back and forth between the Theocracy and her palace made it clear how laborious it is to do everything alone.

That’s why she’s been thinking about sending some of her more stable servants to the Ortyr Kingdom and the Empire to gather information, to live among humans collecting valuable resources and assessing this world’s secrets.

"Ohh!! Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!!!" He thanks her with tears, squeezing Nio even tighter.

"...Moros, you won’t fight with the others, okay? Please, I want you to always keep a humanoid form. If you stay in your true form and cause trouble, I’ll punish you even worse than this time," Nio just accepts the role. Even though she didn’t actually "punish" him, in the Lore she did, so she just acts as if she had.

"I-I won’t cause any more trouble!!! I swear!!!"

"Also, avoid using my appearance unless you’re inside the palace and completely alone. If you try to use my appearance outside the palace, you’ll pay dearly. On top of that, obey Azalea. Don’t leave if she doesn’t allow it," Nio imposes immediate rules to avoid some of the main problems.

"I’ll obey!! Thank you for trusting me!!!"

’At least he still seems quite loyal... more dependent than loyal, really...’ Nio finally manages to push him away to break the hug.

"Now come with me... I’m going to visit another apostle, and this might end up involving you..." Nio adjusts her clothes, which got slightly damp from the hug.

’I need to choose which apostles should stay in the palace to protect it, and which I should send to spy on the Empire and the Ortyr Kingdom... maybe even to take over both...’