Don't confiscate my identity as a human race

If Talia weren't still pretending to be a cat at this moment, she would have launched a gray cat attack on Lanci.

"I see."

Violet nodded gladly, feeling even more at ease as she stroked the gray cat.

When she saw Professor Landry holding it the other day, Violet thought it would be a more rebellious and lively proud cat.

But on second thought, the way this big gray cat lay limp in Professor Landry's arms, acting coy and begging for food, Violet felt relieved.

"I didn't expect to meet compatriots from afar at the Saint Kray Temple today."

Satisfied, Violet petted the cat's soft fur and looked at the visitor, Sigrid.

"Yes, I'm also glad to meet you. The prayer ceremony on the day of the Moon Festival was truly beautiful. Your voice, as the High Priestess, was ethereal, making me feel at peace. I even came to watch your blessing dance."

Sigrid nodded repeatedly, blinking as she spoke.

On the night of the Moon Festival, she was among the bustling crowd at the monastery, watching Violet's dance from afar, in line with her imagination of the Moon Goddess.

"Oh, how embarrassing."

Violet shook her head slightly.

Receiving such straightforward praise face to face made her a bit embarrassed, especially when such a high evaluation came from the Bishop of Hegemony.

Just by looking at Sigrid's excited eyes, Violet knew that Sigrid's words were sincere and heartfelt, without a hint of flattery.

"Actually, if it were in ancient times, besides the High Priestess, a wolf warrior like you could also perform a war dance at the Wolf Clan's Moon Festival. When you heard the Moon Goddess's sacred song back then, you must have felt the call of the Moon Goddess too, right?"

Violet turned to ask Sigrid, gesturing for her to sit on the chair by the sickbed.

"Yes, I was also enchanted by it. The sacred song's melodious tune, accompanied by harp and flute, went straight to the heart. During the chant praising Elseya, I felt as if I had traveled millions of years back to the Divine Era."

Sigrid sat down, agreeing.

She also reached out and poked the cat.

"The first time I heard that song was on a pilgrimage to the Temple of the Moon Goddess with my mother. It was deep autumn, and the mountains and forests were ablaze with colors, the leaves like a fiery carpet. My mother said it was a carpet laid down by the Goddess Elseya for the people, welcoming us to her sacred ground, and once night fell, everything would be bathed in the silver glow of the moon, extinguishing all the world's suffering."

Violet narrated to Sigrid.

"What a beautiful interpretation."

Sigrid had never had the opportunity to hear the Moon God Priest explain the Moon Goddess's legacy, mostly learning myths herself in the Northern Continent.

"But if you ended up in the Northern Continent, how did you become a follower of the Moon Goddess?"

Violet had already discerned from Sigrid's reaction Sigrid's attitude towards the Moon Goddess.

However, in the present era, the Wolf Clan no longer retained their tribes, and Violet was one of the few with a Moon God High Priest's legacy, while Sigrid was almost from a scattered Wolf Clan unanchored.

"When I was young, due to a severe illness, a nun at the orphanage took me to seek help from the Moon God Church in the Northern Continent. Ultimately, it was under a Church Priest's care that I was rescued. At that time, I felt the moonlight within the Moon God Church as if finding my ancestors, and it was that glow of the Moon God that granted me extraordinary vitality. From then on, I gradually began to worship the Moon Goddess."

Sigrid recalled the past.

"Everything is a blessing from the ancestors and the Goddess."

A warm feeling surged within Violet.

The compatriot before her had also, like herself, grown up bathed in the glow of the Moon Goddess.

The seed of faith buried deep within blossomed over time, growing into the most sacred flower.

Suddenly, a crisp bell sounded.

Both turned toward the sound, seeing the white clock tower outside the garden striking the three o'clock afternoon bell, its echoes lingering melodiously.

"Today marks exactly the third week after the conclusion of the Moon Festival. There are usually small evening activities held during the half-moon, new moon, and dark moon after a full moon ends each year. If you stroll around the monastery tonight, you might see moon lanterns and hear the sacred song led by priests."

Violet informed Sigrid and Lanci.

Normally, she might host these events, but this year she had to stay here to recuperate, with Nyla taking full responsibility.

"I love the evening hymns most, especially on a full moon night when the silver glow shines through the stained glass into the temple. The music, combined with the song, feels sacred and solemn, making one feel the Goddess is right beside them."

Sigrid smiled, glancing up at Lanci.

It seemed they could leisurely explore the monastery tonight.

"Let's go check it out."

Lanci agreed.

"Violet, we'll leave this gray cat in your care for a bit."

Sigrid said to Violet.

"Really, is that alright?"

Violet didn't expect to play alone with the gray cat for so long.

"Meow."

Talia hesitated initially, but considering the possibility of being found out as a cat if she continued with Lanci and Sigrid and got taken home later, it was better to stay with Violet and return home herself, seamlessly appearing as Talia.

"It seems it agrees too."

Sigrid stroked the smooth tail of the big gray cat contentedly, saying,

"I remember a story told by a Priest of the Moon God Church about the Goddess. On a stormy night, a lost little wolf lay frozen in the snow, barely alive. Elseya, in her great mercy, rode the moon bridge to the wolf, warming it with the pure moonlight and moistening its lips with moon dew. The little wolf finally revived, becoming the Goddess's guardian."