Chapter 357: The Cowardly Turtle (Part 1)

“Y-you…” Samimi’s face was full of surprise.

“You… how are you here?” The town nun shot back, even more stunned.

“I should be asking you what you’re up to here,” Samimi retorted.

Under the town nun’s cloak, messy graying hair spilled out, and her face was wrapped in bandages to conceal her features.

But even if she turned to ash, Samimi would recognize her—

Weary, yet still beautiful. The drastic change in style was just jarring to accept at first glance.

Because this was the long-unseen—

Pure White Knight, Fabiana Diarmuid.

“What kind of roleplay are you doing?”

The bizarre reunion left Samimi unsure what expression to wear.

Normally, facing a former teammate like this, she’d have a few jabs ready, but this time, she was surprisingly serious.

She’d just been thinking about where to find Fabiana, wanting to see who this so-called “traitor war commander” really was.

And now, the person herself appeared right in front of her.

This also confirmed her initial suspicion—

The rebel leader wasn’t Fabiana.

But the question was, why would someone impersonate a dimwitted knight?

No one even bothered to pretend to be her, the Archbishop, yet they went out of their way to fake Fabiana?

“Ugh…”

Fabiana was silent for a moment, then tears began to stream uncontrollably.

“Aren’t you embarrassed? Fine, let’s talk inside.”

Samimi couldn’t stand seeing women cry.

Fabiana wiped her tears, sobbing as she led them to the back of the church.

Mino silently finished filling the unfinished pit, burying the coffin before following.

The layout of the little chapel was almost identical to Sweet Melon Town—

One church, two wooden houses: one for living, one for storage.

“Please, have a seat.”

Fabiana led them into a shabby little room.

It only had a few broken wooden furnishings, and nothing else.

This scene gave Samimi a sense of “back to the beginning.”

The image of Fabiana stubbornly hanging around Sweet Melon Chapel back then, only to get thoroughly beaten by Niubao, was still vivid.

Back then, Niubao wasn’t as strong as now.

But now—

Going one-on-one with Fabiana would probably be a breeze.

Let alone in her current pathetic state.

“I heard you became a traitor war commander. What’s the deal?”

Samimi cut straight to the point.

“I…”

Fabiana stammered, unable to speak.

“In just a year, you’re the worst off in the Hero Party,” Samimi sneered.

Fabiana lowered her head, sweat dripping, too afraid to argue.

This robbed Samimi of any pleasure from mocking her.

Without any retort, it was too boring.

“What exactly happened? Outside, everyone’s saying you killed your parents, betrayed the knightly spirit, desecrated the dead, and did every evil under the sun.”

“You didn’t actually do it, did you?”

“I didn’t… I really didn’t… I’m all framed…”

Fabiana’s voice was faint.

“Then say it clearly!”

“I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me…”

“I can’t take this anymore.” Samimi frowned. “Niubao, punch her.”

“That’s not really a good idea…” Mino refused.

“Since when did you become such a coward?”

Samimi slammed the table, grabbed Fabiana by the collar, and laid into her.

“People in the Hero Party can be arrogant, proud, shameless, go dark, or even fall to being the Mage King—”

“But they can’t be cowards!”

“Even if you really became a traitor war commander, I’d still respect you as a warrior!”

“What are you doing hiding here like a turtle?”

“Aren’t you the toughest one? The never-give-up Pure White Knight?”

“What are you afraid of? Where’s your grandfather, the Knight King? Where’s your family?”

At those words—

Fabiana completely broke down, tears streaming like rain.

“It’s all my fault… it’s all because of me… everyone got dragged into this…”

Samimi could see she was in no state to talk properly.

So she let go, letting her cry it out.

“It’s fine, we found her. We’ll get the truth out eventually.”

She raised her hand to cast a spell—

“[Clear Mind Technique].”

Fabiana’s emotions gradually calmed.

Meanwhile, Mino had already started a fire outside and was cooking.

Soon, a table of steaming dishes was set out.

Night fell, and the town fell into a dead silence.

But the backyard of the church was brightly lit.

The three of them sat down to eat.

“It’s good…”

Fabiana took a bite, and tears nearly fell again.

This taste reminded her of home.

Samimi held back her complaints and ate quietly.

Mino focused on devouring the food.

“That day, it was the end of the West Sea’s annual Knight Feast.”

Fabiana finally began her story.

“I represented the Giant Whale Knights in the tournament and did well.”

“After the matches, I was on the road home with my parents—”

“We were ambushed by assassins… they… died…”

Her voice choked up.

“My condolences.” Samimi spoke seriously.

“Then, somehow, everyone said I killed them.”

“The whole West Sea Knight Order seemed to believe it.”

“What about the Knight King?” Samimi asked. “Why didn’t he help you?”

“The Three Great Lords of the West Sea applied pressure together…”

“They said I was the rebel leader, forcing my grandfather and the family to cut ties with me.”

“Otherwise, they’d unite all the knight orders to attack our family.”

“For the greater good… my grandfather had to temporarily give in…”

“I didn’t want to drag the family down, so I hid…”

“He doesn’t even know where I am now…”

Samimi sneered.

“So, the Three Great Lords ganged up on you?”

“And the so-called rebel army might just be their own setup?”

Fabiana froze.

“Why… would they do this… we’re just a small baronial family…”

After hearing this, Samimi got furious.

She flipped the table in one go.

“Your parents were killed, your family ruined, you were framed—”

“Your grandfather’s old and still bearing the pressure—”

“And what are you doing?”

She lunged and grabbed Fabiana.

“You’re still in the mood to eat?”

“You don’t even have a shred of revenge in your mind?”

“Do you even remember how your parents died?”

“Still counting on your grandfather?”

“Still hiding here?”

“You might as well just go die!”

“Slap!”

A slap sent Fabiana sprawling.

Samimi followed up with a flurry of kicks.

Fabiana curled up in a defensive stance, covering her head—actually a pretty solid posture.

“Violence won’t solve anything. Let’s talk it out.”

Mino quickly stepped in to hold Samimi back.