Luojia was somewhat confused.

Originally, she just planned to persuade Ansu to turn back, so how did she end up exceeding her mission and enlisting him instead?

Watching Luojia lost in thought, Ansu's lips curled into an imperceptible smile.

The Glorious Church’s review process is strict. Secular nobles who wish to join the church must be recommended and endorsed by related clergy.

And whose endorsement could be more persuasive than that of the future saintess before him?

The most important reason Ansu asked Luojia for a recommendation was—

No matter what he did in the future, Luojia could not report him.

The oath Luojia swore to the goddess while imprisoned by Ansu actually contained a linguistic trap.

“After leaving, you cannot report Ansu, you cannot harm Ansu”

The key lies in the phrase "cannot report Ansu after leaving,”

It does not specify what cannot be reported.

A trap-free oath should specify, “After leaving, you cannot report the specific act Ansu is performing on the altar right now”

Omitting the timing and location completely changes the meaning.

Not specifying it means not just the act of sacrificing cultists; thus, Luojia cannot report Ansu for anything that happens afterward.

Nor can she harm Ansu.

This plan was perfect.

Ansu’s lips curled into a faint smile.

As for what he had just said to Luojia... indeed, it was all true.

The Church of the Mother of Life is fragmented, with factions divided, not even having an archbishop because of their goddess's affinity for dark life, the cultists are enemies to each other, each eager to sacrifice their brethren to their goddess.

According to Ansu's memory, just in this borderland, there are nearly ten mutually hostile cult strongholds.

Internally divided and externally pursued by the church.

Only a fool would join such a bandit group now.

Ansu, a boy as sunny and cheerful as he, of course, decisively chose to be an official soldier, not familiar with any Mother Goddess.

Passing the church’s test is the most important!

Moreover, Ansu had another purpose in joining the Glorious Church.

“But...” Luojia slightly opened her mouth, seeming to hesitate about something. She swallowed, slightly stammering, “You're not suited for the path of the church.”

This is a fact known to the entire Morning family.

Ansu's body has a scarce amount of holy light element, requiring much more effort than others to study the magic of light.

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Luojia put it very tactfully. A less tactful way to say it would be, we don't accept the cursed child.

Hmph...

She hesitated, her resolve wavered.

Ansu, observing the girl's expressions in front of him, knew he was secure.

He subconsciously clenched the prepared speech in his pocket, "Three Steps to Convince Luojia to Enlist Me."

He had already completed the first step, enlightening with reason.

Next was the second step, moving with emotion!

“Luojia.”

Ansu looked earnestly at the girl, his cyan eyes downcast, the sunlight filtered by the ivy lost its scorching tone, casting a dark green filter on the light that fell into the boy's pupils, sparkling with a brilliant sadness,

“I know, I am a child not blessed. Since my birth, I have been imprisoned in this grey tower, people say I am the cursed child, say it was I who killed my mother, but even such as I, born of darkness, deep in my heart, I also yearn for the light.”

“Even if the road ahead is tough, even if I am born unblessed, even if rejected, I also want to try to step out of this grey tower, I also want to try to step into that sunlight.”

Ansu was still not lying; of course, he yearned for the benefits of the Glorious Church's organization. Who wants to be a rat in the dark underground?

But Luojia looked somewhat uncomfortable, the little saintess inherently weak-hearted, unable to stand others playing the sympathy card.

This guy actually started being sentimental!

You're using all my moves!

She was afraid if she listened any longer, she couldn't help but agree.

After all, that person was Luojia's savior.

A life-saving grace, in exchange for one recommendation, is not at all excessive.

From the moment she entered the mansion, every scene she witnessed was vivid in her mind.

The maid who was afraid and fearful of Ansu, that avoiding attitude, the splendid castle and the dilapidated grey tower, and that lonely fourteen-year-old boy reading by the window...

“This family's child... he is a cursed monster.”

“From birth, he killed his own mother. He came into this world with his mother's blood.”

“You're deceiving me, you're definitely not his friend, no child wants to be friends with him—let alone a nun from the Glorious Church...”

Luojia bit her thin lips gently.

“And think about it,”

Ansu's last sentence became the straw that broke the camel's back,

“If even the cursed child can be redeemed, if even the cursed child can become a cleric of the church, wouldn't that prove the greatness and inclusiveness of the church? Isn't this the beacon of the world?”

The third step of the plan, another tale of redemption added to the church!

A perfect match.

Tsk... Luojia finally nodded, “I can recommend you to the church, but... you have to pass the church's entrance test on your own.”

“But,” her tone shifted, staring emotionlessly at Ansu, Luojia had already seen his level as a junior magician, “with your current level, it's impossible to pass.”

Being recommended only gives a fair chance to compete, but just this one opportunity is enough to eliminate ninety percent of the commoners and even nobles. God loves everyone equally—yet He loves those who are recommended more.

Unless the family has deep connections with the Glorious Church and proper arrangements are made, it's hard to secure a spot.

After being recommended, one can become a probationary congregant.

But it doesn't end there; to become an official cleric, one must still pass the entrance test of the church.

And the Glorious Church's entrance exam is the most difficult among the seven orthodox churches of the abyss. It's not just about magic levels, but also cultural exams, church history, understanding of holy light... thousands of young talents compete for a spot.

“I'm just missing an opportunity,” Ansu said earnestly to Luojia.

Missing an opportunity to cheat!

...

“One month later, there will be an entrance test, don't forget!”

After sending Luojia off, Ansu continued with his book.

Not long after, a knock came from the door.

“Master.”

“It's Enya, come in.” He didn't even lift his head.

The door slowly opened, surprisingly, it was the maid who had received Luojia before.

A pure white skirt paired with deer skin boots, lips thin as early spring's cherry blossoms.

Enya bent her knee slightly, her slender fingers lifting the edge of her skirt, elegantly curtsying.

Previously, she clearly did not want to step in even a step closer, nor did she want to speak more to Ansu.

“The nun has already left.”

Enya said calmly to Ansu, her face devoid of any hint of disgust or fear,

“According to your previous instructions, I played the ‘sinister maid speaking ill behind the master’s back’ role perfectly. Do you enjoy this kind of special play? Is it time to punish me for my ignorance?”

“I’m not that perverted.” Ansu looked up at her.

“So you still want to stay in this abandoned warehouse, do you enjoy playing outdoors?” She tilted her head, speaking calmly, “Although it's a bit dirty... I don’t mind.”

“...I already said I’m not a pervert.”