The Evil God Summoned by the Saintess-Chapter 87 - 85: Following Her

"Hilia, are you planning to go out anytime soon?"

One noon, Anarce found Hilia and asked.

"No plans to go out lately, why?"

It’s the second week after the capture of the Sea Successor White Whale.

Hilia hasn’t gone out since then; she’s been diligently attending classes every day.

After obtaining the most important item, the main focus now is to digest and absorb.

Rose also said that before successfully reaching Tier Two, it’s best not to go out.

So she stayed in.

"Nothing much, just thought about having a meal together with you, it’s been a while since we ate together."

Ever since the Summoning Array was discovered in Beia Village, Hilia had been very busy, constantly on the move at Rose’s urging, often skipping the dining hall for lunch and opting for a meal delivered, while eating her self-made fish dishes.

"Indeed, it’s been a while; let’s go have lunch."

With her strength steadily improving, Hilia was in a good mood, especially since she wasn’t coerced into eating fish anymore; it was time to continue freeloading food at the cafeteria.

Hilia noticed Anarce hesitating to say something but didn’t bring it up, and Hilia didn’t ask either.

At the cafeteria, Hilia was about to grab something, when Anarce suddenly stepped in front of her.

"You’ve always treated me, let me treat you this time."

Hilia: "?"

She carefully observed Anarce: "Are you alright? I eat for free, why insist on spending money to treat me?"

"It’s different this time because I’m the one treating you."

Hilia was very perplexed and was about to say something when Anarce stopped her and continued, "Even though you eat for free, you’ve treated me so many times, I want to treat you once; it’s not that expensive."

"Alright, if you insist, it’s up to you."

It’s their money; how they choose to spend it is their choice. If someone’s stubborn, fine by me.

Speaking of which, showing kindness for no reason—who knows what’s Anarce’s real motive behind this.

"Maybe after treating me to this meal, she’ll talk, right?" the girl thought.

Soon, Anarce brought over lunch: a potato, two slices of bread, a cup of milk.

And an expensive tuna sandwich.

This dish isn’t even available for free to Holy Daughter candidates.

Hilia stared at the sandwich on her tray; if she remembered correctly, the sandwich was at least fifty Copper Coins, a considerable expense for Anarce.

Hilia had never treated her to this.

This time, when treating, her own tray lacked one.

This evidently needy situation left Hilia no choice but to say: "Just say what you need to say; we’re friends, if I can help, I will; why beat around the bush?"

"It’s this matter... I’m having a hard time saying it out loud."

Anarce still hesitated.

Hilia didn’t budge: "If you don’t say, then I won’t eat."

"Don’t!" Anarce lowered her head, "Alright, it’s... uh... I want... I want to borrow some money."

Hilia, prepared for all sorts of absurd requests, was taken aback, "Is that it?"

She thought it was something crucial.

Turns out to be borrowing money.

Hmm... it’s still quite important.

Recently not going out, hadn’t spent much, but seeing her eight Gold Coins at hand, Hilia felt the urgency.

Just didn’t know how much Anarce planned to borrow and for what purpose.

"How much do you need to borrow?"

Anarce lifted her head, made a "victory" gesture, then retracted one finger leaving only her index finger up.

"1 gold coin, is that okay?"

Before meeting Rose, 1 gold coin was a treasure to Hilia, never to be lent out.

But now, holding "huge money" and spending freely recently, Hilia instinctively felt 1 gold coin wasn’t much.

She even took out two Gold Coins directly.

"Though I don’t know why you need so much money, as a good friend, I should support you; are you buying the Heart of the Magic Puppet?"

"No, just encountered some difficulties, urgently need some cash."

Anarce gazed longingly at the two Gold Coins, but eventually only accepted one of them.

"1 gold coin is enough, it’s enough..."

"I gave it, take it; why hesitate? Just keep it safe!"

Hilia flicked her fingers, tossing the gold coin into Anarce’s embrace.

"Pay me back when you’re financially stable; no rush."

Hilia smiled and began eating.

Vaguely, hearing Anarce mutter, "It will happen."

Though unclear, she heard Rose say: "This girl, what she truly seeks isn’t borrowing money."

"What?" Hilia was puzzled, not grasping the meaning behind Rose’s words.

"For this girl, being short on money is usual, so hesitation in borrowing is normal. However, inviting you to a meal solely to borrow money is unlikely."

"What’s unlikely?"

"Who would treat someone to a meal just to borrow money? Regardless of lending or not, the relationship will inevitably cool down because it’s akin to morally coercing the other party; only a naive person like you would not overthink."

Hilia suddenly realized, "There are such implications? So why did Anarce choose to borrow money rather than express her original request for help?"

"Firstly, the matter might be difficult, potentially problematic, or impossible for you; secondly, it might challenge your boundaries or legality; thirdly, pride interferes. There could be other reasons, but in essence, seeking help but unable to speak is typically due to these three reasons."

Hilia observed the quietly dining Anarce opposite her, realizing she seemed more worn than before.

For a girl aged fifteen or sixteen, this was worrisome.

Perhaps some troubling matter was plaguing her, seeking Hilia’s help but unable to voice it.

Hilia hesitated several times, unsure how to inquire to make Anarce open up, ultimately seeking Rose’s advice: "Rose, how do I get her to speak?"

"Wait until she figures it out," Rose advised, "by the way, don’t you blame her? She got you into the flying competition, and when it accidentally went wrong, you were informed across the school."

The consequence of a Holy Daughter candidate being informed school-wide needs no explanation.

"Blamed her, but had she not, I wouldn’t have found this side gig, and anyway, the blame lies with Mier, possibly instructed by Doris... It’s over now, I’m not one to bear grudges."

Rose nodded.

The Holy Court has a knack for selecting Holy Daughter candidates.

"If you want to help her, there’s a way to make her speak. However, while my method can get her to open up, it might also embarrass her. Moreover, you might discover an unknown side of her, potentially ending your friendship. Are you sure?"

Hilia was stunned, "What method is this intimidating?"

"Follow her."

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