Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully-Chapter 120: Title at the End

"Please leave before I call the Capital Wardens."

Riku didn’t move. He simply watched Seraphina, her back rigid with furious denial. He let the silence stretch for a moment before continuing.

"I understand your loyalty to the Grand Luminar," Riku said, his voice quiet but clear. "But you have to trust me. Ask yourself—why haven’t your own investigations yielded any truth?"

Seraphina remained unmoved, her eyes like chips of ice. It was clear she wouldn’t listen to him any longer unless he produced undeniable proof.

"I understand your skepticism," he finally said. "But perhaps you would trust the word of a fellow member of your own Church. A Vestal of the Inner Flame, I believe."

Seraphina hesitated, turning slightly. "What are you talking about?"

"Her name is Lysaria," Riku said carefully. "We’re friends. We traveled together from Vintross after she witnessed the Church’s corruption there. She should be in Luxia now. Ask her. She will vouch for me."

The reaction was immediate. Seraphina’s composure, already fragile, shattered. "Lysaria?" she whispered, her eyes widening in genuine shock. "You... how do you know that name? After receiving the Herald’s blessing, she was entrusted to my care. Did you use some form of dark arts to read my mind?"

"As I said," Riku replied calmly. "We’re friends. Just ask her about a man named Riku. You will know if I am lying or not."

Seraphina stared at him, her mind racing. This lecher... claimed friendship with a Vestal she personally knew and respected? The claim was absurd. Impossible.

Then, a slow, condescending smile spread across her face. It was a chilling expression, full of craft and contempt. The perfect trap had just fallen into her lap.

"Friends, you say?" she purred, her earlier rage replaced by a predatory calm. "An interesting claim. A very interesting claim." She stood up, her demeanor shifting entirely. "Very well, ’Riku’. I have just the way to verify this. Come with me right now. Just know that if she doesn’t recognize you, a long night in a Luxia prison cell is the least that awaits you."

"With pleasure. Lead the way."

Riku followed her from the garden. To avoid unwanted attention, he once again donned the disguise of a Capital Warden. Seraphina snorted at his cheap tricks but didn’t object; it would be a problem if she was seen walking with an unknown man at this hour.

They traveled through the quiet, lamp-lit streets of the Noble’s Quarter to another elegant, walled manor.

"Wait here, Warden," she commanded, her voice dripping with mock authority as they reached the grand entrance. "I will handle this." Her lips were curved in a cruel smile, one that promised a swift and satisfying humiliation. ’Got you now, you liar,’ her eyes seemed to say.

She swept into the manor, leaving Riku standing guard outside a set of ornate parlor doors. A few moments later, he heard voices from within.

"Sister Seraphina! It’s so good to see you!" It was Lysaria’s voice, warm and full of genuine affection.

"Lysaria, my dear," Seraphina’s voice was smooth as silk. "Forgive my long absence. This Crimson Creep... my investigation has consumed every waking moment."

"Oh, I understand completely, Sister Seraphina!" Lysaria replied earnestly. "The suffering in the city is immense. But there’s wonderful news! A new healing talisman has appeared, distributed by House Hummer. It’s incredibly effective! It should ease your burdens significantly."

Seraphina’s internal smirk widened. "A light in the darkness, indeed. Still, there are vipers who seek to exploit this crisis." She let out a theatrical sigh. "I came here tonight because I had a most... vexing encounter. A wretched man, a pervert who trespassed in my chambers, is now spinning the most vile, treasonous lies about the Grand Luminar. He is trying to sow dissent within our very walls." novelbuddy.cσ๓

She gave Lysaria a short, embellished recount of the "intrusion."

"What?!" Lysaria’s voice rose, sharp with indignation. "Who dares?! Where is this blasphemer? I’ll teach him the meaning of disrespect myself!"

"He is just outside," Seraphina said, her voice filled with triumphant glee. "I have him under guard."

The parlor doors burst open. Lysaria stormed out, her face a mask of righteous fury, with Seraphina following close behind, a victorious smirk on her lips. Lysaria’s eyes fell upon the stern-faced Capital Warden standing sentinel in the hall.

"Sister Seraphina," Lysaria said, confused, "what is this Warden doing here?"

"Oh, this is no ordinary Warden," Seraphina said, her smile widening. "This is the man himself. Warden, would you be so kind as to remove your disguise? My friend would like a word with the liar who slanders our great Luminar."

Riku met Seraphina’s triumphant gaze with a wry, almost tired expression. He let the illusion melt away.

Lysaria stared. Her fury vanished, replaced instantly by wide-eyed, stunned silence. Her mouth fell slightly open as her brain tried to connect the ’wretched pervert’ with the face now standing before her.

Then, recognition dawned, followed by a brilliant, explosive wave of pure joy.

"RIKU!"

Before Seraphina could even process what was happening, Lysaria let out a happy cry and launched herself forward, throwing her arms around Riku in a tight, relieved hug. "You’re here! You’re really here! I was so worried!" Tears of relief began to stream down her cheeks.

"There, there. Don’t cry, Lysaria," Riku said gently, patting her back as he soothed her. "People will think I’m bullying you."

"Of course not," she mumbled into his shoulder.

As she witnessed the scene before her, Seraphina stood frozen in the hallway, her mouth agape. Her perfect, foolproof trap had just backfired in the most spectacular and undeniable way imaginable.

But something else struck her even more violently. A Vestal of the Inner Flame—one who had sworn an oath of chastity—was hugging an unknown man with tears of joy.

(A/N - though the oath of chastity was not specifically mentioned earlier, it is kinda implied in the name. Do look up Vestal Virgins to know more)

Seraphina trembled, fearing the consequences if this matter got out. The punishment was absolute: death by starvation in an isolated cell.

"How can this be..." she whispered to herself.

Title - Meeting Lysaria once again.