Chapter 2: Picked up a child

While the morning prayer bells still rang, Liang Lai had already stumbled for the first time that day in the Immaculate Courtyard.She clutched the hem of her holy robe.
Morning dew spilled from the tilted rim of the chalice.It splashed across the ground.
“The Third Saintess!”
The deacon in charge of recording attendance rushed over, exclaiming.His parchment scroll slipped from his arms.
“The Holy Grail must not tilt more than thirty degrees!”
Liang Lai hurriedly tried to right the pure gold chalice.The ruby embedded in it suddenly began to flash.
She heard mocking laughter from the other Saintesses in the distance.Then she realized everyone else held their chalices with both hands.
The morning light filtered through the crystal prism at the courtyard’s center.It cast distorted marks on her disheveled figure.
Even as Liang Lai drank the holy wine at noon, her ears still burned.The wine in the glass had an eerie golden-red hue.
The association made her cough uncontrollably.Wine spurted from her nose, staining the snow-white linen tablecloth.
“Third Saintess.”The Chief Saintess’s voice came from the end of the long table.
The crystal chains on her mask jingled.
“Your crystal purity has dropped again today.”
Liang Lai looked down at the back of her hand.The once-bright golden veins beneath her skin were now as dim as dying embers.
She followed the others’ example, pouring the remaining wine into her palm.But the burning pain startled her, and she flung her hand away.
The wine arced through the air.It splashed onto the holy crystal atop a passing bishop’s scepter.
With a “sizzle,” green smoke rose from the crystal said to purify all filth.
As a result, Liang Lai was tasked with inspecting the Shadow Prison at dusk, tears in her eyes.Not out of guilt, but because the bishop’s spit, from his scolding, had splashed into her second pupil.Now, she rubbed her burning eyes, stumbling along the corridor to the underground sanctuary.
The buildings in the twilight resembled the spine of a giant beast.
At the seventh corner, Liang Lai collided with a breathing wall.More precisely, a bronze gate entwined with vines.Each leaf on the vines bore a human face.At that moment, they all opened their pupil-less eyes, staring at her.
Blue light seeped from the door’s crack, snaking along the ground.It illuminated a small human figure in the corner.
“Huh?”
Was someone else in this place?Judging by their frame, they seemed to be a small child.Had they lost their family?
“They shouldn’t be here…”
After all, Dustfolk children weren’t allowed in places like the underground sanctuary.
To be honest, this place was truly eerie.Liang Lai had planned to just go through the motions and leave.But now, it seemed she had to rescue the child inside.
What if the child ran off?
The kind-hearted Saintess gently pushed open the door.She looked around cautiously.Her eyes finally settled on the thin figure.
It looked like a girl, but her hair was too long, covering her face.It wasn’t clear.
Liang Lai waved to the little one.“Hurry, hurry, come here!”“No one’s allowed in this place.”“I heard there are man-eating monsters inside!”
She used the same tricks from her old world to scare kids.
The small figure stiffened slightly.Her lowered head slowly lifted.A young, beautiful face emerged.A pair of water-blue eyes rippled in Liang Lai’s heart like a lake.
“Wow, this child is stunning,” she couldn’t help but sigh.
The child didn’t move.But Liang Lai grew anxious.She feared other patrol guards would arrive soon.The guards here were strict, with rigid rules.This child would surely get in trouble.Her family might even be implicated.
So Liang Lai squeezed most of her body through the door.She grabbed the child’s wrist.“Hurry, hurry, come out.”
Liang Lai pulled the child to her chest and quickly shut the door.
The child’s body stiffened further.Being short, her head was level with Liang Lai’s chest.When Liang Lai hugged her tightly, the child’s face buried into her softness.
“Oh, you feel so cold. Are you scared?”
Liang Lai lovingly stroked the child’s head.
The child said nothing.She pursed her lips.Her big, watery eyes stared at Liang Lai without blinking.
“Little one, what’s your name?”“Where are your parents?”“Where are you from?”“Where’s your home?”“Big sister will take you back.”
She nearly forgot she was no longer an old man.
The child’s lips moved a few times.Finally, yielding to Liang Lai’s earnest gaze, she slowly uttered three words:“Duoluosa.”
“Hm?”
Duoluosa?
Oh, that must be the child’s name.
But why did the name sound so odd?If she recalled correctly, the name’s meaning wasn’t exactly positive.The parents were careless.To give a child such a name.No wonder they lost her.
Liang Lai had always been a worrywart.
“Can you remember where your home is?”
Liang Lai took Duoluosa’s hand.
Duoluosa turned her head away.“Don’t know.”
“What about your parents? What are their names?”
“Don’t know.”
“So, where did your parents go?”
“Don’t know.”
“…”
Liang Lai fell silent.
About half a minute later, she cautiously asked, “Duoluosa, you’re not… alone, are you?”
She didn’t dare say “orphan” for fear of hurting the child’s fragile, young heart.
Duoluosa raised her head.She met Liang Lai’s distressed, sympathetic eyes.Suddenly, she pulled the corners of her lips into a mocking smile.
“Yeah,” she replied softly.
Now, Liang Lai’s arched brows drooped.
Judging by the child’s frame, she seemed about thirteen.The adults in her family were truly cruel…Well, it was possible something had happened to them.
Liang Lai sighed.
So, what now?Take the child to the Pope?
Thinking of the Pope’s stern face, Liang Lai shook her head.
Then… wait!
Liang Lai suddenly recalled the new task she’d been given.It granted her the right to adopt a child.That meant she could take the child back to her residence.
Perfect!
Liang Lai’s dream was to open a shelter for homeless and unfortunate children.To ensure abandoned kids or those whose families suffered misfortune had enough food and access to education.
She was so thrilled that she suddenly hugged Duoluosa and lifted her up.
“Come on, I’ll take you home.”“From now on, my home is your home.”
She didn’t even consider asking if the other party was willing.