Chapter 68: The Revived Statue
Candice agreed, sneaking a peek at the Hero’s face. Her little “Uncle” maintained a calm facade, his true thoughts hidden.
He truly was worthy of standing alongside Horus, his demeanor exuding the aura of a master.
After a long silence, Qin Chu drained his glass. “Continue monitoring the Demonfolk. Inform me immediately if anything unusual occurs.”
Candice nodded silently.
He stood up, placing a bill on the counter.
“Wait…” Candice called out just as he was about to leave.
She hesitated, her face betraying her uncertainty. Then, she pulled a small box from her pocket and offered it to him.
He accepted it, his brow furrowed in confusion. Opening the box, he saw a silver necklace with a star-shaped pendant.
“What’s this…?” he asked, certain it wasn’t for him. After all, this was their first meeting, at least as Qin Chu.
“I… I found it while shopping,” Candice said, her cheeks flushing slightly. “It… It seemed to suit Horus’s… style.”
“I wanted to give it to him personally, but he’s so elusive… You’re close to him…”
“So you want me to give it to him?” Qin Chu raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Candice nodded eagerly, her face growing even redder. She twirled a strand of her purple hair around her finger, her teeth nibbling her lower lip.
She truly was a Succubus, her charm undeniable.
Even her usual demeanor was captivating, but now, her shyness, her hesitancy, made her even more alluring.
She noticed his gaze, her embarrassment intensifying. “Hero-sama… please don’t misunderstand…”
“Horus has helped me greatly. I just wanted to express my gratitude. There’s… there’s nothing more to it. Please don’t get the wrong idea.” She waved her hands frantically, her words tumbling out in a rush.
Qin Chu nodded, understanding filling his eyes. Of course, of course. After all, they had only met once. Love at first sight was rare.
“Don’t worry, I’ll give it to him personally. We’re… close.”
He placed the box in his Storage Ring, then, right before her eyes, he rubbed his face, rearranging his features, his previously calm expression shifting into one of frustration and annoyance.
“Charles…” he called out, his voice now laced with impatience.
“Hero-sama, your orders…” His lieutenant entered the tavern, his gaze falling upon Lena Martithes, who was still unconscious on the counter.
He facepalmed, remembering his captain’s… weakness…
Judging by the Hero’s demeanor, he hadn’t enjoyed himself. He had come here to relax, to drink, but she had passed out after a single drink. How was he supposed to have fun?
Charles broke out in a cold sweat, his face paling. “Hero-sama, I…”
Qin Chu waved a dismissive hand. “Forget it. Take Lena Martithes back. I’m going home.”
Charles sighed in relief. The Hero, though clearly unhappy, wasn’t directing his anger at them. He ordered a few men to carry Lena Martithes back to her quarters, then, with the remaining guards, escorted the Hero back to his residence.
Qin Chu chatted with them, his mind, however, focused on Ekaterina, on how to break her completely.
According to Shaye, the original Stunning Love potion required seven doses. The enhanced version was more potent, so the process should be faster.
Ekaterina was strong-willed, but even she was nearing her breaking point after only two doses. Her pride, her sense of self, were crumbling.
Three or four doses should be enough.
He listened to the rhythmic click of their boots against the pavement.
Something was wrong. It was too quiet. There were no other sounds, no chatter from the guards, only the sound of their footsteps.
He stopped abruptly, his gaze darting around. Charles and the guards… they had been with him just a moment ago… now they were gone…
Charles wouldn’t leave his side without orders.
Qin Chu’s expression turned serious. He had entered a… domain… something dangerous, something unusual. But he didn’t panic.
The sky was a dull gray, not the darkness of night, but a pervasive fog that swallowed even the light of the two moons.
The pedestrians, the carriages… they were gone, vanished like his guards. The shops lining the street were dark and lifeless, their usual vibrancy extinguished. A sense of oppression filled the air, a faint scent of burning…
“Shaye?”
No response.
This strange domain had severed their connection. This had never happened before.
The air grew warmer, a wave of heat washing over him.
He scanned the street. No footsteps, no breathing, no heartbeats… only the smell of burning… and a profound sense of emptiness.
A feather drifted down from the sky, landing on his forehead.
He picked it up, his fingers stained with gray-black ash. He rubbed his fingers together… burnt feathers.
He looked up. Countless ashes, like feathers, were raining down from the sky, blanketing the ground. The air shimmered with heat.
A figure stood at the end of the street.
The figure, clad in a form-fitting female armor, held a spear longer than two meters. Black chains wrapped around her arms, legs, and waist, half of her body swallowed by shadows, her face hidden from view.
This was the source of this strange domain.
He started towards the figure, intending to inquire about his imprisonment, but then the figure raised its arms.
And then…
A surge of fire erupted from her body, illuminating her features.
Her face was as pale as snow, devoid of any color, any sign of life… Her body seemed as hard and unyielding as stone…
Cracks spread across her armor. The tip of her spear was stained with blood, a tattered banner, its fabric crimson, hanging from its shaft. The fire consumed the banner, reducing it to ash.
Her legs, slender yet strong, had carried her through countless battles.
Her golden hair, whipped by the flames, danced wildly around her. Her eyes, blue and piercing, were empty and lifeless.
Qin Chu stumbled back, recognition dawning.
The figure, the face… he knew her.
This… This was the statue from Anthea Street!
The statue had come to life, consumed by flames.
He stared at her, fear gripping his heart.
Her power, the aura radiating from her… it rivaled Ekaterina’s!
He searched for an escape route as he bowed slightly, forcing a polite smile. “Greetings, Lady Anthea?”
“What brings you here?”
His question was met with silence.
The flaming figure, a blur of motion, lunged towards him.
He tried to dodge, but a strange force held him in place, his body unresponsive. A wave of heat washed over him as the fiery figure reached him.
He caught a glimpse of her pale face within the flames.
“Light brings life… you awakened me…
You carry… the seed of life…”
…
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