Chapter 17 : Surveillance by the Pure White Knight (Part 6)

After slaying the demon bear, everyone returned to Sweetmelon Town.

Knight Gao and old knight Vic still had to go fetch a cart to retrieve the one-eyed demon bear’s corpse—they planned to exchange it for money at the Adventurers’ Guild.

Samimi and Fabiana headed straight home, only to find the knight captain and the town mayor already waiting at the church gates.

“Sister Samimi, we’ve been waiting for you. This is the reward for helping us subjugate the Steelback Dragon last time, as well as payment for assisting with missions. It’s all in here,” said the town mayor, handing over a thick pouch of coins.

“Is it just money? You went all the way to the royal capital and didn’t get any other rewards?” Samimi asked with a smile as she took the pouch.

“All the credit went to those guys,” the knight captain answered. “Each of those light cavalry brats got a [Dragon Slayer Medal]. Us? We’re lucky to get a few coins.”

Fabiana stood stiffly beside them, awkwardly pretending not to hear the passive-aggressive tone clearly directed at her.

“Captain, we just took down a one-eyed demon bear. Gao and Vic are off retrieving the body—you can go check it out,” Samimi added.

“What’s with all the demon beasts lately? Thank the heavens you were here to help, or us local knights would’ve been dead meat by now,” the captain said, before heading off to help.

Fabiana gritted her teeth. Only she helped? Am I invisible or something?

“Thank you, Mayor. We won’t trouble you any further,” Samimi said politely.

“It’s no trouble at all! You’re this town’s savior, Sister Samimi. Let me know if you ever need anything,” the mayor replied before leaving.

“Niubao! We’re rich! Big feast incoming!!” Samimi yelled gleefully once they got back inside the Sweetmelon Church, completely dropping any pretense of ladylike grace.

Fabiana stood there like an invisible ghost.

No one noticed her. No one cared.

That night, however, Fabiana shamelessly clung to the dinner table, mooching food like a pro.

“They’ve already paid out the Steelback Dragon reward. Isn’t it time for the great Pure White Knight to head home?” Samimi asked.

“Mind your own business,” Fabiana snapped.

“If you keep hanging around, the Hero Party might vote you out,” Samimi said, feigning concern. “It’s not hard to find a new knight to replace you. Let’s be honest, we’re the two most replaceable people on the team.”

“No shop talk during meals,” Fabiana growled, shoveling food into her mouth like she was battling two hungry ghosts.

After dinner, Fabiana trained hard in the church courtyard—sweating through sword practice in an effort to vent her frustration.

The Sweetmelon Church was purely decorative. No one from town ever came to pray.

Meanwhile, Samimi and Niubao slipped out carrying two wooden tubs filled with laundry.

“Welcome, Sister!” said the innkeeper cheerfully when they arrived at the town’s large inn. He happily offered them the use of the women’s bathhouse for free.

“Thank you, boss!”

Samimi and Niubao quickly stripped down and entered the empty hot spring bath.

Before soaking, they scrubbed themselves thoroughly.

While washing her hair, Samimi noticed her black lace blindfold and made sure it didn’t get wet—it would be a pain to fix.

She was already used to wearing it. With her constant use of Clairvoyance, the blindfold couldn’t truly block her sight anymore.

Sigh… Clairvoyance has basically become my signature spell now.

It was how she had instantly spotted the demon bear earlier. The spell enhanced sensory perception—very handy indeed.

“Sister Samimi, let me help you,” Niubao offered and carefully helped wash her hair, taking great care not to soak the blindfold.

“Thanks, Niubao,” Samimi said gratefully.

Once clean, they entered the hot bath.

As Samimi eased into the water, all her fatigue melted away. Her worries seemed to dissolve.

To outsiders, it probably looked like she had fallen from heaven to hell—but as a transmigrator, it didn’t feel all that bad.

In fact, getting a fresh start was more than she could ask for.

“Niubao, that’s enough. You’ll get dizzy if you soak too long.” Samimi gently fished the reluctant girl out of the hot water.

They dried off, sipped some milk, changed clothes, and cheerfully returned hand-in-hand to the church.

“What were you doing!?” They were barely through the door when Fabiana stormed over, hands on her hips and eyes glaring daggers.

“We went to the bath,” Samimi said simply.

“Bathing?! Why didn’t you invite me?!”

“Would you have come if I did?” Samimi raised an eyebrow. “You’d probably have drawn your sword on me. I mean, you do remember what kind of person I used to be, right? I’d be asking to get yelled at.”

She had her excuse ready.

After all, the villainess character had a hidden setting: she was a butch lesbian.

Being kicked out of the Hero Party had a lot to do with that—those girls couldn’t stand her and used it as an excuse to get rid of her.

“This… I…” Fabiana hesitated. That did make sense. She couldn’t argue.

“Feels great~,” Samimi sighed contentedly, strolling past her hand-in-hand with Niubao, treating Fabiana like thin air.

Yep. I didn’t invite you on purpose. Just to get under your skin.

Samimi felt thoroughly victorious. Back in her room, she meditated and trained, riding the high of her emotional satisfaction. Her cultivation speed even felt boosted.

“Damn mutt Samimi! Rice bug! Maggot!” Fabiana seethed in her room, having swallowed multiple indignities that day with no outlet.

She had observed Samimi closely for days now. The girl really hadn’t done anything bad—in fact, she was constantly doing good deeds.

Even Fabiana’s stubborn defenses were beginning to crumble. Seeing was believing—Samimi really had become a good woman.

Has she actually changed…?

And yet, Samimi’s constant subtle jabs and sneaky provocations made her suspicious. She was clearly vengeful and petty.

Every time Fabiana tried to have a calm conversation, Samimi would infuriate her into blowing up.

So what if she’s turned into a good woman? My mission is to bring her back to the team—not to spectate her redemption arc!

“This is so hard… I can’t even bring it up…”

Fabiana lay on her wooden bed, staring at the ceiling. Her face was full of confusion, like a love-struck teenager drowning in tangled feelings.

Because there was a certain indescribable emotion slowly blooming inside her heart.

The Next Morning

“Hehe~ I heard there’s a pretty nun around here—where’s she hiding?”

Early in the morning, three drunken noble brats rode into Sweetmelon Church, trying to flirt with Samimi as she swept the floor.

“Anyone injured?” Samimi asked with an awkward smile.

It was a brand-new experience for her—this was the first time in her life she’d been hit on.

Her body was stunning and mysterious, so it wasn’t surprising that men were drawn to her.

But Samimi’s soul was male, and she had fully inherited her predecessor’s distaste for men. Contact with them only made her feel disgusted.

“Yeah, we’re hurting right here,” one of the knights smirked as he pointed to his crotch.

“Please leave my church,” Samimi said flatly, her voice devoid of emotion.

“What did you just say!?” the noble knight snarled, clearly hoping she’d reject him so he’d have an excuse to make a move.

But just as he lunged—

WHAM!

A platinum-plated gauntlet flew in from the side with a clean left hook, smashing the noble brat’s face flat.

“…” Samimi stood in stunned silence.

Seriously? Even for this, you’re stealing the kill? You deal no damage during team fights, but you always KS.