"That thief hasn't appeared recently."
"We can't let our guard down. The Saintess hasn't been very well-behaved lately either."
"It doesn't matter. It's about time to harvest the fruit anyway. Find a suitable man to get close to her. Once she conceives the next generation, dispose of her quickly. Avoid the same mess we had with the previous Saintess."
"Your topic sounds interesting. Mind if I join in?"
A third person's voice rang out without warning in the dim room. The two conspirators' faces changed instantly.
BOOM,,!
The next second, the entire wall, along with the doorframe, was blasted to smithereens by immense force. The light of dawn pierced fiercely into the dim interior, leaving nothing to hide.
Amidst the flying dust, the two looked in terror toward the doorway,only to see a boy leaning against the shattered frame, a scornful sneer on his face.
"You guys have some self-awareness, knowing you should hide in a place like this when discussing such dark topics."
"However, this room is already rotten. As compensation, I'll send you to a more suitable place."
"Who are you?!!"
"Weren't you just talking about me?"
The boy grinned, his smile carrying a hint of mockery.
"Aren't I that 'thief' who kept trying to get close to Tribios, only to be blocked by you again and again?"
"It's you?!"
"Enough with the nutritious nonsense. Don't bother hoping someone will come save you... While you were hiding here plotting your shady business, we've already taken care of all your men."
The two in the room instantly turned pale...
All of them... taken care of?
H-How is that possible?!
How could that be?! We didn't hear even the slightest noise!
"Alright, stop obsessing over meaningless things. Next... let's discuss where to send you."
"I calculated it. Going anywhere else from here isn't very convenient, but the Underworld Sea should be a quick trip."
...
The Treasury of Janus.
As a special forbidden area accessible only to priests and Saintesses, there usually weren't many guards here, and ordinary citizens wouldn't easily approach.
Under normal circumstances, no one would stop Tribios if she wanted to enter.
But...
Today was not normal.
"Lady Saintess, entry to the Treasury of Janus is currently forbidden."
The guard on duty explained to Tribios.
"You know there have been thieves wandering the city recently, trying to get close to you."
"To ensure your safety, we have locked down all your travel locations. Please wait for news at home for the time being."
All travel locations locked down.
Tribios frowned slightly. After pondering for a moment, she spoke softly.
"...I haven't chatted with Mother in a long time. Could you please make an exception?"
The guards hesitated for a moment. Unlike the higher-ups, most guards held respect and admiration for this Saintess.
However.
The orders from the top still made them dare not let her pass.
"Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for us."
They wanted to let her through, but the people controlling the lifelines of this city-state wouldn't allow them to open the door of convenience for her.
"Please return."
Saying this, the guards formed a human wall, firmly blocking the Saintess from the passage.
"...I understand."
Tribios sighed softly. It couldn't be helped. She truly didn't want to implicate these guards who protected the city.
But just as she was about to turn and leave...
Suddenly.
An anxious voice came from afar.
"The High Priest and the Head of the Zibego family have been attacked! Lock down all main roads! No one is allowed to remain on the streets!"
The High Priest and Zibego attacked?
Hearing this news, the guards present were stunned. Those two were practically the highest-level decision-makers in Janusopolis.
Attacked without warning?
What kind of audacious thief dared to commit such an act?
"The Saintess! Protect the Saintess! The thief might still be in Janusopolis!"
One guard in the human wall suddenly spoke up. The other guards froze, then heard him continue.
"We can't let the Saintess leave alone."
"Saintess, please follow close behind us."
Saying this, the guard stepped aside to open a path straight toward the direction of the Janus Treasury. Hearing this, a look of joy surfaced in Tribios's eyes.
She hadn't expected the situation to turn around so easily.
"Captain... this..."
"Let the child pass."
The Guard Captain who had stepped aside spoke softly, then continued.
"Both mother and daughter have given much to Janusopolis. Just turn a blind eye."
After speaking, he paused briefly.
"If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."
Hearing the Captain's words, the guards said no more, allowing Tribios to enter the Janus Treasury. As she passed the Captain, Tribios whispered a thank you, and silently added an apology in her heart.
Because...
Once she stepped into the Janus Treasury and attempted to directly touch Janus's Coreflame, this guard who let her in would inevitably be implicated.
But...
She had to consider whether this was the only chance in her life.
The higher-ups had already begun to harbor malice toward her. In the last few meetings, she saw those highly respected elders sizing her up clearly as if looking at goods.
Perhaps soon, she would be made to bear offspring like her mother, and then, like her mother, disappear from this world with "falling off a cliff" as the excuse.
She did not fear death.
But she had a mission she must complete.
So,,
I am sorry. Truly sorry.
But I still must do this.
With firm resolve, Tribios stepped into the Treasury.
But after she stepped deep into the Treasury, the scene that greeted her eyes left her somewhat dazed.
Almost all the internal patrol guards had collapsed on the ground, fallen into a sleep as deep as infants. Or more accurately, none had been spared.
"Janus's Coreflame!!!"
Seeing this scene, Tribios didn't have time to think too much and ran hurriedly toward the deepest part of the Treasury.
When she pushed open the final great door...
Two figures had already been waiting there for a long time.
One of them, a rather childish-looking boy, turned his head, looked at her, and revealed a satisfied smile.
"Finally meeting you, my dear Teacher Tribbie."