Upon hearing the question, Thales in the study raised his head and looked in front of him with a hint of doubt.
She was an elderly woman, sitting opposite her in an easy-going manner, with a vicissitudes of appearance but an elegant temperament. The nun accompanying her was only sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing a veil and standing rigorously.
The sunset emblems on their robes reflect the dark golden light, which fits perfectly with the interior style of Mindis Hall, which is both classic and trendy.
The only thing wrong was that Gilbert was sitting on the other side of the room, looking at Thales' guests with an unkind expression.
Just now, when Marius led the teacher sent by the Sunset Temple into the study with an expressionless face, Gilbert hurried over on the back foot, looking at the old woman with eyes full of surprise and joy.
alert.
"I know, this is a theology class."
Thales gave Gilbert a questioning look and tentatively called the woman in front of him by title:
"Megan...priest?"
The old woman Megan shook her head, still smiling.
"No, you don't know."
Meghan smiled and pointed to the top of her head, with an easy-going smile but respectful eyes.
"You think you are here just for teaching arrangements and traditional needs, but in fact, whether you are sitting here or I am here, this is God's will."
The voice of the sacrificial lady carries a unique sense of mystery.
God's will?
Out of politeness, Thales forced a smile.
Alright alright.
For a few days, the boy had been curious about what his theology teacher would be like. After all, he had had direct contact with very few clergymen since he was a child: the Mingye Sifu whom he met when he was a beggar was extremely enthusiastic and nervous, and Luo Yang
The monks are full of compassion and piety, while the Haoyue priests in the north are aloof and inaccessible, repelling people thousands of miles away.
But now it seems... there seems to be no surprise in the prince's theology class.
Thales sighed softly in his heart.
The sacrificial words continue:
"The setting sun witnesses that our destinies have long been linked to each other."
After saying this, Meghan's face turned pale, then she lowered her head and coughed violently into the handkerchief.
"Nia..." Megan looked painful.
Thales was slightly startled, but the young nun standing behind the priest seemed to have been prepared. With a calm expression, she immediately took out a box skillfully, took out a few pills, and waited for the elder Megan to drink it with water, soothing.
He coughed violently.
Thales and Gilbert looked at each other.
After more than ten seconds, Megan's cough gradually subsided.
"I'm sorry, Sunset wants me to go through the test of illness in order to wash out a better self."
She put away the handkerchief and said to Thales apologetically:
"This is a merciful gift from the goddess, and there is nothing wrong with it, but it makes you suffer along with it."
The merciful gift of the goddess?
Thales could only smile politely and shake his head to express that it didn't matter:
"As long as you are healthy..."
But before the Duke could say a few more words, Meghan, who had completely recovered from her coughing, closed her eyes, spread her fingers with a grateful expression, made several prayers that were too fast to be seen, and muttered words.
"My caution will be known by the setting sun."
Even the young nun wearing a veil was hurriedly putting away the medicine box and then praying, looking very pious.
God stick.
Thales, who was bet on the topic, felt embarrassed and silently gave this evaluation.
Thales looked at Gilbert in the distance with sadness, hoping to gain some recognition from him, but Gilbert still just looked at the old female priest who came to teach with a solemn face.
This is rare.
After finishing her prayer, Meghan noticed Thales' eyes and looked back at Gilbert.
"Aren't you ready to leave, Count Castle?"
The older priest has a smile on his face and an easy-going tone. People who don't know better might think that the two have been close friends for many years.
Until Gilbert snorted softly.
"According to previous correspondence with the church," Count Castle's response was not very polite:
"The prince's teacher should be Archdeacon Stylianides of the Ministry of Mission. He has been my friend for many years. He is knowledgeable and sincere in his faith. He is very suitable for clearing the way for students."
Meghan understood what was said and did not feel dissatisfied:
"But it's me who comes?"
Gilbert narrowed his eyes:
"As far as I know, in the Sunset Temple, the sacrificial and missionary departments are not subordinate to each other: the chief priest leads the former, receives oracles, and listens to divine decrees, while the archbishop leads the latter, handles secular affairs, and manages the church."
Gilbert's tone was quite rude, which made Thales frown:
"Since when did the holy Archbishop Li Xiya become interested in the secular affairs of the mission such as teaching nobles? Does Archbishop Zenon know about it in your church?"
Are the sacrificial and missionary departments not subordinate to each other?
Thales suddenly discovered that as a servant of God, the Sunset Temple did not seem that simple.
However, Megan still smiled as before and softly uttered a few words:
"Your Majesty knows."
At that moment, the expressions of Gilbert and Thales both changed.
I saw Priest Megan maintaining a smile that was either polite or pious, flashing his fingers and making another prayer:
"The meaning of the setting sun has always been mysterious. It may seem unexpected at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it will make sense."
"I hope you don't mind, Count."
The nun behind her quickly followed the prayer pattern, keeping in line with the priest.
Gilbert twitched his mouth, as if he was not used to it.
The former Foreign Minister pursed his lips dully for a few seconds, and then said angrily:
"I will ask Fuxing Palace for confirmation. Well, maybe I will also give you some advice."
Meghan offered a "welcome" or "please" smile.
Thales also frowned.
Gilbert snorted, but showed no intention of leaving:
"Then I think the tolerant Sunset Goddess will not mind if I temporarily attend His Highness's classes and share the divine grace?"
"Liv Megan Priest?"
Priest Megan just curled his lips and did not comment.
She only paused for a moment, then ignored Gilbert and faced Thales behind the desk.
"So, regarding the god, Thales," the older female priest said warmly:
"How much do you know?"
At that moment, Thales's memory was stimulated.
A long-lost sweet voice sounded in his mind, taking him back to the past.
【When you think of gods, what comes to mind first?】
Thales was in a daze for a moment.
"It's Your Highness, Your Highness Thales."
Gilbert's hostile and dissatisfied protest brought Thales back to reality, and Count Casso said to Meghan unhappily:
"Please use your honorific title."
Meghan smiled indifferently: "Of course."
But the female priestess stared straight at Thales, waiting for his reply.
About God…
The young man swallowed his throat and made sure that he was not in a certain chess and card room in Longxiao City, and then said angrily:
"Well, a long, long time ago, there was a man called - there was a god called Mingshen."
Megan's expression remained unchanged and she waited quietly for him to continue.
Thales tried hard to recall the common sense he had known in the past six years, whether it came from the interesting chatter of the little slippery man or the boring ancient prose in "The Holy Edict of the Ming Dynasty":
"The Supreme God created the world: with a bang, heaven and earth separated, and the Sun Hell River faced each other far away. In the gap between them, all living things gradually took shape."
But as his energy was distracted by memories, the prince's tone became more and more casual:
"Then, then Ming Shen got off work - I mean, took a rest - and the earliest gods began to take over. What I remember seems to be the bright moon, the dark night, the mountains, the Muhai, the desert god, the harvest, the miserable wind...
…”
Thales scratched his head:
"Of course, the one with the biggest background is 'Holy Sun' Errol. It is said that he is the sun itself, and he can be regarded as the biological son of Ming Shen..."
Gilbert's heavy coughing sounded in the room.
"It's okay." Unexpectedly, Meghan's priest just excused herself with no intention of being offended:
"A little humorous joke from hearsay will not affect our fear of God."
Thales, who had paused for a moment, raised his eyebrows and secretly gave Gilbert a mischievous look:
"From then on, the Holy Sun, as the head of the gods, led the gods, replaced them, and protected all things..."
"Our world is named Errol..."
"Later, after the disaster came to the world, the End War, and the 'Great Sundering', Errol also lost his job like his father - ahem - took a break, and his daughter took over the responsibility and took care of it with the other gods.
The world is the sunset goddess..."
Well, that's right.
Therefore, in Thales's view, taking into account the history of the world, from the Myojin Catholic Church in the ancient empire, to the Holy Sun Church in the final empire, to the Sunset Temple in the Star Kingdom now, in Errol's world, the empire has inherited
The classic myth of "Mingshen-Holy Sun-Setting Sun" can be described as a tragic history of family business that is closely related to the territory of the empire:
God's generation worked hard and eventually became great.
The second generation of gods defeated Ye Tian, and the middle path collapsed.
The third generation of gods have been operating in dismal conditions, going bankrupt - ahem, I feel like I am the prince of the stars - and are about to be revived.
The building collapsed, and apart from the bitterness and sorrow, it was somehow inexplicably satisfying.
By the way, when Thales summarized the above points, the priest of the Haoyue Temple who was responsible for teaching the history class in Exeter had a bad look on his face, but the Regent Lisban on the other side listened with interest and nodded repeatedly.
Thales finished the above words in the tone of bargaining at a vegetable market.
He smiled and looked at Gilbert, who looked strange, and Megan, who was deep in thought.
"You know a lot..."
Meghan's eyes were calm, as if she was thinking.
"Thanks."
Thales shrugged.
"...but not in detail." Megan finished her words calmly.
Of course it's not exhaustive.
In fact, most of these frightening myths and legends were told to him by a girl with glasses and an immortal devil.
Well, maybe I have to thank a certain Northland king who collected a large collection of books for his Dragon Queen, who knows where he is now.
"So you believe in God, Thales?"
Priest Megan spoke again, his eyes bright:
"Do you believe that it is God's arrangement for us to meet here?"
Thales raised his eyebrows and glanced at the former Foreign Minister.
This time, he received the long-awaited recognition in Gilbert's expression, and the latter even let out an undisguised sigh.
I know right?
But Thales is still a prince after all. No matter how boring the people he faces in this class are, he must at least maintain the relationship between the royal family and the temple on the surface and ensure a tacit understanding between the two parties.
The prince cleared his throat and his expression returned to seriousness:
"Of course I believe in the Sunset Goddess..."
"No, you don't believe it."
Megan interrupted him coldly.
He saw the elderly priestess looking straight at him, her gaze compelling, and the wrinkles on her face were particularly conspicuous at this moment:
"You neither believe in those ridiculous myths and legends, nor the certified church scriptures, nor do you believe that gods like the setting sun should be our Lord and place of faith."
Taylor was stunned for a moment.
Priest Megan hummed, his eyes clear and his tone solemn:
"You would rather believe that this is politics, a strategy, or a struggle. You would rather believe that our gathering here is a measure taken by the Sunset Church to influence the royal family and the future king."
"Just like Count Casso, who is full of disdain but pretends to be serious."
In the distance, Gilbert, who was still drinking tea with the corner of his mouth raised, choked.
ah?
"You are just like the vast majority of people in this world who hold little power, have a slightly higher status, have a little knowledge, and have a little knowledge. You are self-righteous, respectful on the surface, but disapproving behind the scenes..."
"Don't believe in God."
"Contempt God."
This was said so bluntly and harshly that it left no room for error.
Thales had to suppress his smile, and Gilbert also put down his tea cup.
Meghan's tone was extremely cold, and even the nun behind her felt the aura and glanced at the prince and earl uneasily.
"So, you will not understand what it is like to live in a world with God, you will not understand what God and faith have brought to the world, and you will not understand how true believers live."
The expressionless Megan looked at Thales again and looked into his eyes.
"You don't even understand what you will discover if you approach the world of God and faith with piety."
At that moment, Thales felt slightly suffocated, as if the other party was the master of the study at this moment.
He took a deep breath:
"I……"
"Then, your world will always be missing a part."
Meghan didn't seem to care about the other party's power and position, and didn't give the Duke a chance to speak:
"This is bad."
She leaned forward and looked directly into Taylor's eyes.
"Very bad."
It seemed to penetrate his pupils, pierce his heart, and torture his soul.
"Very, very, very bad."
Her voice was low and her eyes were cold.
Thales's expression also darkened.
He sat behind the desk and was silent for several seconds before slowly pushing away the book "The Acts of the Sunset" that he had specially found for this class.
Gilbert wanted to ease the unfriendly atmosphere, but as soon as he coughed for the first time, Thales spoke.
"So, what are you going to do?"
I saw the young Duke of Xinghu looking at the compelling eyes of Sunset Priestess without hesitation:
"What would you do if I didn't believe in God?"
Thales smiled and spread his hands:
"Burn me to death?"
The room fell silent after saying this.
Priest Megan frowned and looked at Thales carefully.
A few seconds passed.
Megan snorted coldly and said in a bad tone:
"Yes."
This time it was Thales' turn to be stunned.
What, what?
The little nun who was standing there became nervous. She had never seen such a fight before. She looked at the astonished Duke of Xinghu with horror, as if she was afraid that the powerful man would say "drag him out and kill him" in anger.
of.
Gilbert's cough suddenly became louder:
"Ahem, Your Highness, today..."
But this time, Count Castle's untimely but forced interruption did not work.
Priest Megan smiled mysteriously, ignored Gilbert for the third time, and added what he had not finished:
"...a long time ago, yes."
As soon as these words came out, Thales's tightened eyebrows relaxed.
Please, don't be out of breath when you talk.
I saw the female priest slowly leaning back on the chair and her tone became gentle again:
"So, Thales, burning you to death will change your beliefs?"
"Would it make you believe in the existence of God, the glory of God, and the greatness of God?"
Gilbert in the distance let out a sigh of relief. Apparently, he had given up trying to correct her title issue.
Thales blinked and reluctantly raised the corners of his lips.
Priest Megan smiled and picked up the tea cup at hand:
"Then why do we burn you?"
Megan took a sip of tea:
"It should be noted that faith is not created with fire, let alone killed with a butcher's knife."
The female priest spoke very slowly, but without the aggressiveness just now:
"If I want to burn you to death just because you don't believe in God, it will only increase your disgust and rebellion, strengthen your position and aspirations, and will not help the spread of faith, and will go against the original intention of God."
Megan put down the tea cup and looked at him steadily:
"What is caused by fear will not be firm faith, but only endless hatred that gradually accumulates and will eventually be vented."
"Believe me, history has already proven this."
Megan glanced at Gilbert who was also frowning, intentionally or unintentionally, and said calmly
"On the contrary, the hardships of reality often bring spiritual sublimation - for thousands of years, many great prophets and divine messengers awakened from persecution and suffering, allowing the true meaning of faith to take root in the people and spread wider.
"
Thales looked at the sunset priestess in front of him in surprise.
This attitude...
Don’t they look like church people in your impression?
Megan turned around and smiled slightly:
"So, Your Highness the Duke."
She used the honorific for the first time.
Coupled with her softened content and friendly tone, Thales found that no matter what, his preconceived stereotypes about female priests had gradually disappeared.
Meghan said solemnly:
"Only evil gods and demons, and only arrogant mortals, are keen on promoting bloodshed and violence, enjoying killing and destruction, relying on oppression and power to fight for power, excluding dissidents, relying on them to win, and taking pride in them."
Thales sat up straight without realizing it.
"However, the real gods - just like our sunset goddess - tolerate all things and forgive everything. They also offer mercy and forgiveness, help and guidance to the lost lambs, even to pagans and pagans."
“This is the meaning of faith—salvation.”
After speaking, Priest Megan smiled slightly:
"So please put down your hostility, Thales, open your mind, and change from a skeptic to a tolerant one."
"Because this is how God treats you."
Thales frowned and looked at her.
In the distance, Gilbert let out a long sigh and murmured something like "Sure enough, I still miss that old guy Stylianides" in a low voice.
A few seconds later, Thales let out a sigh of relief and had to adjust his attitude:
"Oh well."
It was strange, the way of speaking was obviously very different, but for some reason, Thales remembered the scene when he faced the old crow.
"So, are you going to teach me how to believe in the goddess, Priest Liv Megan?"
The Duke said seriously.
Megan smiled and took another sip from the tea cup.
When she put down the tea cup, her tone became deep and mysterious again.
"Hundreds of years ago, there was a young man in the world who encountered misfortune, his family fortune declined, and his future was cut off."
Thales was startled, surprised when the other party started telling a story.
"When he was desperate, he received a revelation from God."
Megan looked confused, as if she was in the story at that moment:
"So the young man followed God's will, faced the sunset, and headed west."
Is it...a salvation story about an unfortunate young man encountering divine inspiration?
Thales glanced at Gilbert and found that the latter's expression changed slightly.
Megan's tone became gloomy:
"The day is approaching, but the young man keeps traveling westward. His road ahead becomes darker and more dangerous, and his eyes become more confused and chaotic."
"Finally, at sunset, in the deep moonless darkness, exhausted and in a trance, he lost consciousness and hope, and stepped into the middle of the cold Mu River in a daze."
But the female priest immediately changed the subject:
"And when the ruthless river is about to overflow his head..."
Meghan's words became serious:
"As if I had been given an order, at that moment, the clouds and fog dispersed in the long dark night, and the vast world was illuminated again."
The traditional dramatic twist attracted Thales' attention, and he listened to the story with great interest:
"At that moment, the stars all over the sky lit up for him, and the endless stars twinkled again."
Meghan's expression became majestic and solemn, as if the gods were right in front of her:
"Just as Ming Shen created the world."
"Just like the Holy Sun opening the sky."
"After the end, all things are reborn."
Meghan’s eyes seemed to be filled with light:
"Awakening the unfortunate and lucky young people from despair and sorrow."
Thales coughed lowly.
"Creation of the world, opening of the sky and so on..."
"When the sun goes down, it gets dark, and the stars come out," Thales murmured softly:
"I thought this was natural common sense, not a miracle?"
Meghan paused slightly and looked at the Duke who couldn't help but interrupt the story.
But the female priest just curled her lips and continued the story:
"So, on that miraculous day, the young man stood under the starlight in the sky, felt God's will, understood his mission, and made a solemn oath."
"In the face of many hardships, he must cheer himself up and move forward."
"And what he wants to revive is not just the crumbling buildings and the long-lost family properties."
Megan stared straight into Thales' eyes:
"What youth want to revive is to save lives and faith in the last days when the gods have fallen and disasters are everywhere. In order to drive away the cold and despair, the brightest light and the most blazing heat will transform into thousands of stars and scatter in the night sky forever.
The light that shines on the world—the rays of the holy sun.”
The gods fell and disasters spread...
Thales, who felt something was not right, raised his head:
"So you're telling me that before that, there were no stars and it was dark at night?"
But Meghan ignored him:
"Since then, young people have converted to Sunset, adopted it as the state religion, built temples, and broadcast their faith."
etc.
State religion?
Thales' expression changed, and he had to straighten up as he originally rested his elbows on the table.
Could it be that……
Sure enough, the next moment, Meghan looked at the Duke of Star Lake in front of her with a subtle expression, and said calmly:
"Thus, the great cause of Tormund I began."
"The Kingdom of Stars has prospered since then."
Megan's words fell.
The study was quiet for a few seconds.
Until Thales laughed awkwardly.
"This is a classic passage in the Sunset Teachings, recorded personally by Mohasa, the prophet and messenger of the goddess and the brother priest seven hundred years ago."
Meghan smiled slightly, half teasing and half reminding:
"You should know more about the stories of your ancestors."
"Tiles."
Thales lowered his head, cleared his throat, and pretended not to hear.
What kind of divine revelation, what kind of light, what kind of opening of heaven, what kind of oath...
This is actually the story of Tormund I encountering a miracle and vowing to found a country?
Isn’t that too ridiculous?
"About this story, there is debate even within the Sunset Church," Gilbert stared at the guest with a warning in his eyes: "Especially the key points of the oath."
"Megan Priest."
Meghan gave Gilbert a look in return, which seemed displeased and yet ridiculed.
"Our Earl is not satisfied with the story of educating believers in the Sunset Teaching Book," Megan looked at Thales gently:
"But it does not matter."
The next second, Meghan’s face became serious again:
“Because no matter how absurd it is, how unbearable it is that it cannot withstand in-depth inquiry...”
"Seven hundred years ago, this story spread and took root in everyone's hearts..."
Megan spoke calmly, and what she said made Thales frown:
"Tormund is no longer the remnant prince of that evil empire, no longer a foreign warrior who invades his homeland to eat and drink, no longer is he a lowly illegitimate bastard with doubtful blood, and is no longer a self-respecting and ambitious soldier.
The brutal warlord."
Hearing these adjectives, Thales was shocked.
This time, Gilbert was no longer polite. He shouted in a stern voice:
"Megan Sacrifice!"
But Meghan didn’t care, but her eyes were dark:
"In the eyes of all the believers, he is recognized by the unattainable gods, praised by the monks who are enthusiastic about helping others, enlightened by the setting sun, and grateful for the afterglow of the holy sun, so he vows to work hard to create a paradise on earth -
—”
"The King of Revival."
Thales looked stern.
Gilbert still pursed his lips, looking very angry.
"From then on, Tormund no longer needed to brutally execute every local who disobeyed his rule to scare the monkeys; he no longer needed to be vigilant about whether the well water brought from the village was poisoned to ensure safety; he
No more worrying about the next reliable place to stay or recruit troops to fight again.”
Thales's expression became more and more serious.
He understood the meaning behind the other person's words.
"Until he succeeds in his hegemony and the kingdom is settled..."
"The goddess of the setting sun became the patron saint of the Bright Star Royal Family, witnessing the coronation and death of every king in the future."
Meghan Priest said sternly:
"From that time on, the fate of the Sunset Temple and the Bright Star Royal Family have been entangled, making it difficult to separate."
Entangled with the fate of the Bright Star royal family...
Thales repeated these words silently, and suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Meghan paused for a moment and then spoke faster:
“Beginning in the first century of the End Calendar, ‘King of Peace’ Kessel I overhauled the temple, welcomed believers, and was praised by all people.”
"Tormund 'Blade' II appointed Bishop Longdong as Prime Minister, followed the destiny, spread faith, and enjoyed the success of opening up the territory."
"The 'Benevolent King' Sumei I was devout in his faith and practiced it personally. In the end, he was moved by the goddess and received the miracle of rain, which relieved the suffering of years of severe drought."
"Horace I of the Six Fingers swore an oath under the statue of the setting sun, received divine blessing, and united as one to resist the heresy from across the ocean."
“The ‘Jackal’ Su Mei III made a clear statement, re-proclaimed the national religion, and then affirmed the faith.”
"The 'Wise Lord' Mindis III promoted theology, printed classics, and taught monks widely..."
Every time Megan mentioned an example, Thales' mind would jump, forcing him to go back and look for knowledge that matched this in his history class.
But at the same time, he couldn't help but notice that as the priest spoke, Gilbert's brows gradually tightened and his coughing worsened.
"For the sake of the kingdom, Thales, if you are united in heart, it is even more difficult to unite in strength - let me ask you, if it is not consistent with what your people believe in, fear and care about, it is incompatible with their world.
"
"Then how will you rule the kingdom on the throne in the future?"
The other party's words made Thales' complexion gradually darken.
He suddenly realized that the theology the other party was talking about was far from the same kind of theology he understood.
"And the fact behind these stories is that we have always lived in a world with gods, whether you admit its miracles or understand its power."
"They may seem out of reach, but they are never far away from our world and deeply affect our lives..."
Meghan lowered her face:
"In a way that is sometimes mysterious and sometimes obvious, and seems to have traces but cannot be inferred."
Priest Megan tidied up his robe and said softly:
"One word is worth a million soldiers."
"This is the power of faith."
Thales remained silent for a long time.
But after a few seconds, Meghan's tone became brisk again.
"Therefore, my responsibility in this class, Thales," regardless of Gilbert's frowning expression on the side, Priest Megan smiled and said:
“I’m not trying to encourage you to believe in anything, not telling you where the true God is, and not even teaching you to memorize scriptures and regulations, but in the process of discussing this issue with you, I’m helping you discover your relationship with God and understand your relationship with God.
distance."
Megan stared at him straight:
"Helps you know yourself better."
"Whether you are a mortal now or you rule a kingdom in the future."
Thales frowned slightly.
Know yourself?
What the other party said at this moment reminded him of the indescribable and extremely mysterious powerful magician in 'Critical'.
From the view of gods to self-understanding...
Is it a coincidence?
"Because what we are going to explore today is not just about God," Megan said with a smile:
"It is also a science about people."
Thales's heart moved.
"So, theology," he asked with interest:
"But it's about human knowledge?"
Megan smiled and did not answer directly.
"And you might as well put down your hostility - just let poor Count Castle over there guard them."
Gilbert coughed unnaturally several times again.
A few seconds passed, and with a bit of heaviness, Thales raised his head and smiled awkwardly:
"Oh well?"
Megan smiled.
Well, at least admit it.
Thales said silently in his heart.
She can really speak.
Even Gilbert couldn't interrupt.
At the very least, Thales no longer dared to underestimate the elderly female priest in front of him, and to despise this "theology course" that sounded arrogant, but in fact had profound meanings between the lines.
But after all, he still underestimated the opponent's energy.
"And for our first class, Thales, let's talk about something that has been bothering you for several years..."
"This is a problem that has troubled us for thousands of years."
Has it troubled me for a few years, or troubled you for thousands of years?
Duke Xinghu raised his head in confusion.
The next second.
Liv Megan, the sunset priest who rarely calls him by honorifics, spoke with a normal expression.
I saw her speaking out one word in an understatement: