Category: Dear, it’s time for your medicine!

Chapter 277: I’m Not Interested in Other Men’s Wives

Bitch?

The term Wadsworth used puzzled Sharon.

But she dismissed it as a slip of the tongue in his rage. Secretly delighted, she eagerly led him towards the “scene of the crime.”

Behind the tent, Carol and Angelica breathed a sigh of relief.

Compared to the other consorts, Carol knew her father better. She knew he wasn’t a blindly impulsive man. Even if Qin Chu had truly wronged his consort, he would have restrained himself. But… the rift between the royal family and the Hero would have widened, irreparably.

Thanks to Angelica’s information, this was the best possible outcome.

…

Meanwhile, walking through the palace corridors, Qin Chu sensed something amiss.

The palace should have been teeming with servants and guards.

He had seen many hurrying about earlier, but now the surroundings were eerily deserted.

Lowering his gaze, Qin Chu smiled. He had just been discussing with Wadsworth how to lure out the Blissful Witch Society assassins, and now it seemed they were even more impatient than he anticipated.

The assassin would likely appear soon.

Qin Chu wondered who it would be. A maid? A court lady? Someone else?

Feigning ignorance, he stretched and continued towards the courtyard exit.

As expected, a tall figure emerged from the inner courtyard entrance. Qin Chu’s eyes lit up as he saw the woman.

What a striking figure.

Bright eyes, white teeth, graceful and seductive.

Barely in her twenties, at the peak of a woman’s beauty, her hair elegantly coiled, she wore a pure white dress that exuded elegance and nobility. The hem revealed the outline of long, shapely legs, adding a touch of allure.

Her skin was delicate like a young girl’s, her voluptuous figure swaying enticingly as she moved.

Her figure was only slightly inferior to Athena’s. Qin Chu hadn’t expected such a treasure hidden within the palace.

He was certain any man would be captivated by her… ahem… striking charm, his gaze drawn to her and nothing else.

This woman was like a captivating siren. Any man, upon seeing her, would feel a surge of desire, a yearning to possess her, regardless of the cost.

And this woman would surely show him the true meaning of paradise.

Except for Qin Chu.

While he appreciated beauty, he wasn’t a fool.

Was she beautiful?

Very.

But she was still a step below Angelica and Anastasia, let alone Shaye.

Yet, even Shaye didn’t possess such overt seductiveness. This level of allure seemed unnatural, directly targeting a man’s primal desires. This was… charm magic.

The Blissful Witch Society’s specialty.

Moreover, Qin Chu, a veteran of countless battles and encounters with women far more beautiful than her, had developed considerable immunity. He merely nodded politely as a sign of respect.

Coupled with his exceptionally high mental fortitude, her charm magic was useless.

Although he had identified her as a witch from the Blissful Witch Society, Qin Chu didn’t intend to follow the plan he had discussed with Wadsworth. Judging by her attire and demeanor, she held a high position within the palace, likely one of Wadsworth’s consorts.

Wadsworth’s worst fears had come true. He had been cuckolded.

Wadsworth was on his revenge list, but further down. Qin Chu didn’t want to antagonize him prematurely.

If he interacted with this woman, future encounters would be awkward.

Again, Qin Chu had no interest in other men’s wives.

Even if he had a justifiable reason.

Seeing Qin Chu’s calmness, Angela frowned. This wasn’t going according to plan.

According to the Blissful Witch Society’s intelligence, Qin Chu could be described with one word: insatiable.

This man wouldn’t let any beautiful woman go, not even Demon Beasts. Luring him should have been easy.

Angela had been confident that a slight display of seduction would have him panting after her like a dog.

Yet, he remained strangely unmoved.

She had even cleared the area of guards and servants. They were alone in the courtyard. What was he so hesitant about?

Ah, she understood.

It must be because of his title as Hero. He wanted to maintain his image.

Hah, what a joke. Everyone knew what kind of man he was. What was the point of maintaining a false facade? He hadn’t been in this world long, but he had already learned the nobles’ hypocritical ways.

Perhaps, she needed to give him a stronger incentive.

He wouldn’t be able to resist.

Whoosh…

A sudden gust of wind billowed her pure white skirt upwards, revealing her jade-like legs.

Angela feigned surprise, quickly pressing down on her skirt, bending forward.

One of her shoulder straps had slipped, revealing ample cleavage.

Under the setting sun, her skin was dazzlingly white.

Qin Chu rolled his eyes. Did she think she was Marilyn Monroe?

Her contrived actions disgusted him.

As if that wasn’t enough, Angela’s eyes teared up, her face flushed, her entire being radiating seductive allure.

She was certain the Hero wouldn’t be able to resist this.

But she was disappointed again. The Hero merely glanced at her, showing no sign of the ravenous pursuit she had expected.

He even clicked his tongue dismissively, showing no interest whatsoever. He bypassed her completely, walking around her as if she wasn’t even there.

Hiss…

Angela shivered.

Her face flushed, not with shame, but with anger.

She had never been so thoroughly ignored. At the Witch Society gatherings, she was always surrounded by dozens of admirers. She refused to believe her charm had no effect on the Hero.

Was it because he was surrounded by so many beauties?

Was she inferior to those silly girls?

At that moment, the mission to lure Wadsworth into killing the Hero, to fulfill the Lord of Pleasure’s will, became secondary. She needed to prove her own allure.

Accustomed to being the center of male attention, Angela couldn’t accept being ignored.

Gritting her teeth, she lifted her skirt, the click-clack of her heels echoing as she moved to block Qin Chu’s path.

“Excuse me, are you the Hero? … Oh!”

Her melodious voice turned into a cry of surprise.

Her heel seemed to catch on something, causing her to stumble. Her voluptuous body lurched forward, falling towards Qin Chu.

Again?

Qin Chu sighed inwardly.

As she was about to fall into his arms, he sidestepped again.

Angela was stunned. He had dodged her deliberate fall? Was this man even a man? Who said he was insatiable?

Too late to recover her balance, she watched the ground rush towards her.

Then…

Thud!

She landed face-first, her nose gushing blood.

Her shoulders shook, her lips trembling. She had never suffered such humiliation, ignored so completely by a man.

He had even dodged her… dodged her?

The insult to her pride stung far more than the pain in her face and nose.

Finally, she couldn’t hold back any longer. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

She looked utterly pathetic.

Not my problem.

Qin Chu, wanting to put this embarrassing display behind him, started to walk away. But as he passed her, she suddenly wrapped herself around his leg.

Literally wrapped herself around him.

Her body became like a boneless snake, coiling around his legs, her hand grabbing his tie and pulling him down.

This bizarre tactic caught even Qin Chu off guard.

He stumbled forward, falling onto her. Angela quickly adjusted her position, ensuring he landed on top of her.

His hand landed squarely on her breast.

At that very moment, footsteps approached. Emperor Wadsworth, accompanied by Sharon, was hurrying towards them.

They witnessed the worst possible scene.

A sly smile flickered across Angela’s face, instantly replaced by an expression of fear and struggle. Her scream echoed through the palace: “Help! Someone help me!”

“I’m the Emperor’s consort! You can’t do this! Beast! Let me go! Sob… Help!”

Her acting was impeccable.

She perfectly portrayed the fear and despair of a woman being assaulted. She deserved an Oscar.

Combined with her disheveled clothes, exposed skin, and tear-streaked, bloodied face, no one would doubt her words.

Wadsworth’s face contorted with rage, his knuckles white as he clenched his fists.

Sharon could hear the suppressed growl rumbling in his throat.

A triumphant smile spread across her face. The Hero was dead.

Angela had really gone all out, even making herself look this disheveled. It was even better than they had planned.

Go on, Wadsworth.

Do it. Kill him.

Qin Chu sighed, resigned. This was the worst possible scenario. He climbed off Angela, spreading his hands helplessly: “Your Majesty…”

“I didn’t intentionally touch your consort.”

“Do you believe me?”

Qin Chu felt wronged. She had started this.

He truly had no interest in other men’s wives!

Chapter 276: The Green King’s Fury

Seeing Angelica’s pale face and trembling body, Carol, despite the myriad questions swirling in her mind, knew this wasn’t the time for inquiries. Gritting her teeth, she scooped Angelica into her arms and sprinted towards her father’s study.

At the meeting’s conclusion, Carol had seen her father invite Qin Chu to his study for an important discussion. Going there now offered the best chance of finding both of them.

Carol’s speed was considerable. With a light tap of her foot, her slender figure shot forward over a dozen meters.

The wind whistled past her ears.

The palace’s central area was usually bustling with servants and guards. Seeing someone sprinting while carrying another person naturally drew curious glances.

But recognizing Princess Carol, they dismissed it as another of her eccentricities.

After all, nothing the princess did was truly surprising.

Angelica was extremely weak. Having died once, her recovery would take time.

This ability seemed inferior to the Demon Beast Prince Diabolique’s Rebirth. Diabolique’s rebirth was guaranteed and instantly restored him to full strength.

Angelica’s Dead or Alive was a true gamble, with only a 10% chance of success.

However, Diabolique’s rebirth was a one-time affair, while Angelica could theoretically use Dead or Alive repeatedly, as long as her luck held… though the odds of repeatedly hitting that 10% chance were astronomically low.

Her breathing remained ragged, but her eyes shone with anticipation.

Hopefully, they weren’t too late.

“Angelica, what happened?” While running, Carol finally succumbed to her curiosity. She cursed the vastness of the palace.

It never seemed this large before, but now the distance to her father’s study felt immense.

Angelica, still gasping for air, replied: “Someone… is trying to murder Qin Chu.”

Carol’s eyes narrowed.

Angelica’s answer was brief, but Carol’s mind raced. The incident had occurred within the palace. Someone was attempting to assassinate the Hero within the palace walls? Regardless of who was responsible, the blame would ultimately fall upon the royal family.

Damn it, wasn’t this worse than Angelica’s death?

Why were there always people trying to shatter the fragile hope of the Heavenly Continent?

Carol increased her speed.

Finally, her father’s study came into view.

Forgoing formalities, she kicked the door open and rushed in, still carrying Angelica.

Inside, Wadsworth looked at Carol with exasperation.

His daughter’s figure and appearance were impeccable, but her personality… She was now kicking down his study door. He dreaded to think what she would do next.

However, his attention quickly shifted to the pale and weak Angelica in Carol’s arms. His expression changed: “What happened?”

Carol glanced around the room: “Where’s the Hero?”

“He just left. What’s going on?” Wadsworth asked again.

“There’s no time…” Angelica took a deep breath, struggling to regain her composure. She tried to stand, but her legs buckled. Carol quickly steadied her.

Disregarding etiquette, Angelica spoke directly: “Your Majesty…”

“Your consorts… Angela Goethe and Sharon DeLaise… are members of the Blissful Witch Society.”

Buzz…

Wadsworth felt as if a gong had struck his head.

Even with his strength, the shock was almost too much to bear.

His dark face paled, his eyes widening.

Angela Goethe and Sharon DeLaise, members of the Blissful Witch Society? He knew Angelica, as the Hero’s personal maid and favored companion, wouldn’t joke about such a thing.

But… how could this be?

These were his newest and most favored consorts!

Wadsworth didn’t consider himself a man easily swayed by feminine charms, but he truly doted on these two women. He fulfilled almost every reasonable request they made.

They were docile, charming, and affectionate. In recent years, he had spent more time with them than with all his other consorts combined.

But now, Angelica claimed they were members of the Blissful Witch Society?

They had even borne him two sons.

Were… were those sons truly his?

Wadsworth’s face turned ashen, his limbs turning cold. He stumbled back, collapsing into his chair, his rough hand gripping the armrest.

Crack!

Under his immense force, the wooden armrest splintered, the fragments falling through his fingers.

Her father’s reaction shocked Carol. She didn’t know about the Witch Society, but she sensed the gravity of the situation.

Wadsworth, however, lived up to his title as Emperor.

Despite the near-apoplectic rage, he controlled his fury, taking deep breaths: “Miss Angelica, please continue.”

“Consort Angela and Consort Sharon plan to use you, Your Majesty, to kill the Hero.”

Angelica recounted everything she had overheard, leaving Carol horrified. If their plan succeeded, the Heavenly Continent would descend into chaos, and the royal family would face utter ruin.

After finishing her account, Angelica added: “Your Majesty, I have no proof. I can only swear I’m not lying.”

Wadsworth waved his hand, a twisted, ferocious smile spreading across his face: “It’s alright, Miss Angelica. Whether you’re lying or not, we’ll soon find out when someone comes to inform me of an… infidelity.”

Wadsworth was smiling.

But both girls sensed the terrifying depth of his rage.

Perhaps, the Emperor was hoping.

Hoping that Angelica was lying.

He sat in his chair, waiting. Each passing second felt like an eternity. Even the usually boisterous Carol remained silent.

Suddenly, Wadsworth lifted his head.

His gaze fixed on a point beyond the study walls, a flicker of sadness crossing his face, quickly replaced by a chilling calm.

He gestured to Carol: “Take Miss Angelica to the back and hide…”

Carol’s heart pounded. Her father’s voice was devoid of emotion.

It was understandable. From the conversation, Carol had gleaned the nature of the Witch Society. His most beloved consorts were members. No wonder her father was devastated.

She wanted to offer comfort, but words failed her. Comfort would only add salt to the wound. This was something her father had to face alone. Carol helped Angelica hide behind a bookshelf.

Soon, hurried footsteps approached.

Before the person arrived, a clear female voice called out:

“Your Majesty! Terrible news!”

It was Sharon’s voice.

Wadsworth rubbed his forehead. When he looked up, a smile plastered his face.

In recent days, he had ordered a thorough search, uncovering a large number of Witch Society members within the Imperial City, including commoners, merchants, and nobles…

The husbands and lovers of these women, upon learning of their depravity, were either heartbroken or enraged.

Back then, Wadsworth had felt a flicker of pity for them. Who knew he would soon be in their shoes?

The Witch Society… the thought of the filth and depravity he had uncovered during the purge, the thought of his beloved consorts participating in such acts…

He was truly enraged.

Sharon appeared at the study door, looking puzzled at the broken door.

“Ah, Carol did that. I’ll have someone fix it later,” Wadsworth said cheerfully.

Sharon nodded understandingly. Nothing the princess did was surprising.

Wadsworth, pretending to read, looked up, his face full of affection: “My dearest Sharon, is there something you need?”

He stood up, extending his arms towards her as if seeking a comforting embrace after a long period of reading.

But Sharon, like a slippery snake, evaded his grasp.

“Your Majesty…” Her face was filled with feigned anxiety and fear: “Terrible news! Someone is harassing Sister Angela in the palace… Please, save her!”

Wadsworth’s face darkened like an enraged lion: “What did you say?”

The book in his hand crumbled to dust under the sudden surge of his power.

“Damn it! Which bastard dares lay a hand on my woman?”

Wadsworth roared, his lips trembling with fury, his face contorted in a grimace.

Sharon inwardly rejoiced at his outburst. A single sentence had enraged the foolish gorilla. Qin Chu was doomed.

His crimson eyes glared at Sharon, the intensity of his rage almost frightening her. Fortunately, it was directed at Qin Chu.

“Sharon, take me to that bitch!”

Chapter 275: The Goddess’s Favor

The unusual activity of the Goddess’s Hair and the sapling surprised Qin Chu.

Since they had taken root within him, they had been relatively quiet, only lending their power during combat. Most of the time, they simply resided peacefully within him.

The Goddess’s Hair was also Qin Chu’s link to the goddess trapped in the Void.

This was the first time they had actively manifested like this.

Qin Chu was taken aback.

He didn’t rashly suppress their activity, but instead pondered the cause.

Wadsworth interpreted Qin Chu’s contemplation and surprise as reluctance.

He understood Qin Chu’s hesitation. Even with preparations, facing the insidious Witch Society was dangerous.

The changes in the sapling and the Goddess’s Hair didn’t last long, perhaps only a few seconds, before returning to normal.

The Goddess’s Hair remained wrapped around his wrist, the heat gone.

The sapling also settled down within him, quiet once more.

It seemed the matter was resolved.

Although unsure of what had transpired, at least it hadn’t caused any trouble. Qin Chu felt slightly relieved.

Noticing Wadsworth’s expectant gaze, Qin Chu coughed lightly: “Apologies, Your Majesty. I seem to have drifted off.”

“But don’t worry. I won’t refuse anything that benefits the Heavenly Continent.”

Wadsworth was overjoyed.

This time, he would wipe out the Blissful Witch Society completely. Hopefully, none of his consorts were involved.

…

Meanwhile, Carol left the meeting room.

She hadn’t organized a private gathering. As a member of the Hero Squad, she had attended the latter part of the meeting, but remained silent.

She had witnessed the nobles’ unsightly behavior.

When Qin Chu mentioned the possibility of capturing the Snow Woman, Blood Elf, and Succubus, the nobles’ reactions disgusted her.

Didn’t they realize Qin Chu was just bluffing?

In this world, verbal promises held no value.

Besides, knowing Qin Chu’s personality, if he did capture them, why would he hand them over?

They were dreaming.

Of course, some of the shrewder nobles likely saw through Qin Chu’s bluff… but, for these old foxes, since stopping Qin Chu from claiming Heloise and Iyeta was impossible, and they lacked the courage to contradict him, it was better to feign ignorance and let the matter slide.

Compared to those cunning old foxes, Carol, though intelligent, lacked their worldliness.

She found the atmosphere, both at the banquet and in the meeting room, distasteful.

Having grown up in the palace, Carol had led a sheltered and carefree life, envied by many.

But this had also fostered a certain rebellious streak within her. She wasn’t content with the greenhouse. She craved something to stimulate her body and soul.

Stepping out, Carol stretched her arms with a disregard for royal decorum, her well-proportioned figure forming seductive curves.

Suddenly, her nose twitched.

Her raised arms slowly lowered.

Her brow furrowed, and she took a deep breath… the scent of blood lingered in the air.

Innate Ability – Beast’s Intuition.

Beast’s Intuition: High-Rank Ability. Grants the eyesight of an eagle, the hearing of a bat, and the sense of smell of a bear.

The scent of blood was faint, but Carol’s heightened senses detected it.

With nothing better to do, she followed the scent, arriving at a garden.

Seeing the uncleaned bloodstains on the ground, Carol’s frown deepened.

She initially thought someone might have cut their hand, but the scene suggested something more serious. Footprints were clearly visible.

Lingering mana fluctuations remained in the air.

A conflict had taken place here?

Carol’s sharp mind sensed something amiss. Wrinkling her nose, she followed the direction of the fading blood scent.

After some time, almost reaching the edge of the palace grounds, she found the source.

Two guards were carrying a motionless, seemingly lifeless maid.

Had another consort flown into a rage and killed a servant? Such incidents weren’t uncommon in the palace. After all, these consorts, mostly daughters of dukes and marquises, had fiery tempers.

They wouldn’t dare vent their anger in front of their father, but taking it out on their servants was commonplace.

However, Carol felt this was different. The maid’s uniform looked familiar.

A bad premonition arose.

Suddenly, her eyes widened.

Carol was tasked with improving relations between the Hero and the royal family. But she cleverly realized that directly flattering Qin Chu wouldn’t be effective. A better approach was to befriend the women around him. Thus, despite being a princess, she had made efforts to befriend Angelica at the front lines.

That uniform… she had seen it on Angelica.

Was this woman Angelica, Qin Chu’s personal maid and most favored companion?

Carol shivered, her face draining of color.

She felt faint.

This was a disaster.

The Hero’s most beloved woman, dead within the palace walls?

Knowing Qin Chu’s temperament, he would tear the palace apart. Forget improving relations, this could ignite an unquenchable feud.

Damn it, what had happened here?

Carol didn’t have time to dwell on solutions. Like a gust of wind, she darted forward, intercepting the guards.

“Stop! What’s going on here?” Carol’s voice, sharp with fear, betrayed her composure.

Up close, she was certain this was Angelica. Goosebumps erupted on her skin.

The two dazed guards, surprised by Carol’s sudden appearance, froze, unsure how to react.

Their stunned silence fueled Carol’s anxiety.

Suddenly, Angelica, who had been motionless, lifted her head and gasped.

Her stilled heart began to beat faintly.

Her dull eyes regained their light. Looking at Carol, she spoke in a hoarse voice: “…Kill them!”

The sound sent chills down Carol’s spine. Was this Angelica’s usually clear and gentle voice?

As Angelica revived, the guards’ eyes reddened, their expressions turning fierce.

Although unclear about the situation, Carol reacted swiftly. Without hesitation, she lashed out with her whip.

Crack!

The whip exploded against one guard’s neck, shattering it into pieces.

The whip snaked through the air like a viper’s fangs, coiling around the other guard’s throat. With a sickening tear, his throat was ripped open, blood spraying everywhere.

Carol’s strength wasn’t exceptional within the Hero Squad, but it was more than enough to deal with ordinary guards.

As Angelica, no longer supported by the guards, began to fall, Carol rushed forward, catching her in her arms.

Carol couldn’t describe the turmoil within her.

She had thought Angelica’s death would implicate the royal family, perhaps even the entire Heavenly Continent. A furious Qin Chu might even ally with the Demon Beasts.

Even Carol’s sharp mind and resolute spirit had faltered in that moment of despair.

But now, Angelica, who had been dead, was inexplicably alive again.

And demanding the guards’ deaths.

Carol felt like she had plummeted into hell, only to be yanked back into heaven.

Her arms trembled as she held Angelica. Her lips, still pale, parted. A torrent of questions burned on her tongue, but she couldn’t speak.

Finally, she managed to stammer: “Miss Angelica, what happened?”

Angelica gasped for breath, a slightly hysterical smile on her face. She had won her gamble.

The Goddess of Holy Light had truly favored her.

Dead or Alive.

The slim 10% chance of revival after death… she had grasped it.

She had actually been revived for about a minute.

But having just experienced death, she was extremely weak, her combat strength almost nonexistent. Angelica had suppressed her heartbeat and breathing, waiting for her chance. Carol’s arrival had provided it.

Death was not a pleasant experience.

But Angelica didn’t regret it.

Her throat worked as she struggled to breathe.

She didn’t have time to recover. After a few seconds, she gripped Carol’s hands: “Quickly, take me to my master, or… the Emperor!”

Chapter 274: The Goddess’s Hair Stirs

In a split second, countless thoughts flashed through Angelica’s mind.

This eerie woman, even standing motionless before her, even without any detectable mana fluctuations, made Angelica’s hair stand on end.

The feeling was like facing a venomous viper.

Her throat constricted, her heart nearly stopping.

An invisible pressure intensified, stealing Angelica’s breath. Only her long eyelashes trembled slightly.

Although she didn’t know the woman’s identity, Angelica had a distinct feeling: danger.

The scene seemed to freeze, the world solidified, time ceased to flow.

This eerie silence lasted for an unknown duration. Then, Angelica suddenly raised her hand to press her ear, ready to use Information Magic to notify Qin Chu, even if it meant risking exposure to the consorts by releasing mana fluctuations.

The moment Angelica raised her arm, the woman opposite her moved.

She raised her head. Disheveled hair obscured her face, but through the strands, Angelica glimpsed azure eyes, similar to Anastasia’s. Pale lips parted slightly:

“Hah…”

She breathed on Angelica.

Instantly, Angelica felt a bone-chilling cold engulf her.

Accompanied by a crackling sound, frost bloomed from her feet, creeping up her slender legs and spreading across her body.

Angelica’s body froze almost instantly. Her raised arm remained suspended in mid-air, immobile. She couldn’t even scream.

She knew that in a matter of seconds, her heart would stop completely, her body frozen solid.

The power was overwhelming. Yet, at that moment, a strength Angelica didn’t know she possessed surged within her… perhaps the strongest, most tenacious will deep within her heart.

She wrestled back a sliver of control over her frozen body… just a sliver… mana surged within her.

However, this forceful exertion of power sent a violent shock through her.

The surging mana strained her heart, a sharp pain erupting in her chest. Angelica couldn’t suppress a mouthful of blood, spraying it onto the ground.

“Trying to resist?”

“It’s futile!”

The woman opposite her spoke, her voice soft yet like cracking ice.

The frost spread rapidly along Angelica’s slender waist, reaching her chest, her neck.

An invisible fire seemed to burn in Angelica’s eyes, an eerie heat.

Carol, please!

Ability activate!

Dead or Alive!

High-Rank Ability: Upon death, there’s a 90+% chance of dying, and a 10+% chance of regaining a heartbeat!

In the final moment before losing consciousness, Angelica offered a fervent prayer:

Goddess of Holy Light, protect your most devout follower.

Then, only infinite darkness remained.

…

Though subtle, the mana fluctuations caught the attention of the two consorts beneath the pavilion.

Their beautiful faces changed instantly: “Who’s there?”

With low shouts, they rushed out, mana coursing through them, ready for battle.

However, upon seeing the scene, they froze in surprise.

A woman, frozen solid, devoid of life.

A tall woman with disheveled hair.

Shock filled their faces. The next moment, they knelt before the woman: “Vice President!”

“Why are you here?”

This mysterious woman was the Vice President of the Blissful Witch Society.

A true high-ranking member of this mysterious and terrifying organization.

The woman’s face was icy, her gaze filled with bone-chilling indifference. Yet, deep within her eyes, an almost uncontainable excitement flickered.

Revenge!

She wanted revenge.

Qin Chu and Wadsworth had killed her son.

She would drag these damned bastards into an endless abyss.

The moment was almost here. She longed to see the pain and despair on their faces.

The hidden excitement vanished as quickly as it appeared, her eyes returning to their chilling indifference: “Sharon, Angela… you’re too careless.”

Her voice was flat, devoid of emotion.

“Someone was eavesdropping on your conversation, and you didn’t even notice?”

“Don’t you know to set up surveillance beforehand?”

Her tone wasn’t harsh, but Sharon and Angela, kneeling on one knee, trembled uncontrollably. They knew the Vice President was furious.

Indeed, they had been negligent, and they had no excuse. If the Vice President hadn’t appeared and dealt with the eavesdropper, the plan to assassinate the Hero would have been exposed, costing them their lives.

Their faces paled, cold sweat drenching their skin.

The Vice President’s methods were cruel and merciless. She showed no pity to members who failed.

However, this time, perhaps because of the important task these two carried, she spared them punishment.

“Dispose of the body.”

“I don’t want to see this mistake repeated.”

With those words, she vanished without a trace.

Sharon and Angela breathed a sigh of relief, exchanging glances that revealed their lingering fear.

Not daring to delay, Sharon clapped her hands, summoning two guards to drag away the frozen corpse.

The guards’ faces were blank, like puppets, clearly under control.

These guards had both been intimate with Sharon.

This was another terrifying aspect of the Blissful Witch Society. They obtained the Lord of Pleasure’s favor through indulgence and depravity, gaining immense power. They could also influence and control men they were intimate with.

The highest-ranking members could achieve this effect even without physical intimacy, through simple contact, conversation, hugs, or even just talking.

Of course, this only worked on men with weaker willpower and strength.

Like Wadsworth. Although Sharon and Angela saw him as a crude fool, impulsive and easily angered, his power was too great for them to control.

Looking at the maid’s body being dragged away, Angela spat, disgust and annoyance on her face. This wretched woman had nearly caused them to be punished by the Vice President.

The thought of the Blissful Witch Society’s punishment for failure sent shivers down her spine.

Sharon, slightly more composed, looked at the bloodstains on the ground and the receding body of the maid. A sense of unease settled in her heart.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the churning anxiety: “Alright, Angela, that’s enough.”

“Go prepare. We cannot afford any mistakes in the next task.”

…

Elsewhere.

The meeting concluded in a pleasant atmosphere.

The nobles had departed, Augustus and Saint Monique had returned to their respective domains.

Qin Chu was about to leave as well, but Wadsworth stopped him.

“Something else, Your Majesty?” Qin Chu raised an eyebrow, suspicious of Wadsworth’s request.

The matter had been resolved. Qin Chu saw no need for further discussion. But Wadsworth apparently had no intention of dwelling on the Demon Beast girl incident. His brow furrowed: “Brother Qin, Warren should have told you about the Blissful Witch Society, yes?”

Qin Chu nodded.

“That organization might be even more terrifying than Warren described. I suspect even my palace has been infiltrated.”

Wadsworth spoke gravely, not bothering to save face.

The threat posed by the Blissful Witch Society far outweighed any concerns about appearances: “These past few days, I’ve had my most astute investigators scrutinize every woman in the palace.”

“And guess what?”

You haven’t been cuckolded, have you?

Qin Chu wanted to make the sarcastic remark, but refrained to spare Wadsworth some dignity.

After all, these were his consorts. And the members of the Blissful Witch Society… well, with indulgence as their primary tenet, they didn’t care about their own social standing, be it noble lady, miss, or consort, nor did they care about the status of the men they were with, be it knight, servant, or commoner…

If even one consort in Wadsworth’s harem was a member, Wadsworth would have a whole collection of hats.

Green ones.

“We haven’t found a single clue. None of my consorts, daughters, or maidservants have any connection to the Blissful Witch Society.”

Wadsworth spoke calmly. This seemed like good news. No connection meant no cuckolding. Yet, Wadsworth’s face held no joy, only a deeper frown.

Qin Chu understood. The Blissful Witch Society was too thorough.

Even a duchess had been a member, and only a mid-ranking one at that.

Countless nobles were members.

It was impossible for Wadsworth to believe his palace was untouched. The Blissful Witch Society thought they could erase all traces and allay Wadsworth’s suspicions, but they only made him more wary.

It meant this sinister organization was even more terrifying and deeply entrenched than imagined.

After a brief pause, Wadsworth continued: “While we could continue investigating, and I’m confident we’d eventually find something concrete, it would take too long.”

“And since the Blissful Witch Society seems to be targeting you, Brother Qin, don’t you think this is a good opportunity?” A glint appeared in Wadsworth’s eyes.

Qin Chu understood immediately. Wadsworth wanted to use him as bait, to lure the snakes out of their holes and eradicate this cancerous growth within the Empire.

He hadn’t proposed this during the meeting for a simple reason: it would have been met with opposition from Augustus and Saint Monique.

That’s why Wadsworth had kept Qin Chu behind to discuss this privately.

Although being used irked Qin Chu, it was indeed a good opportunity to eliminate the Witch Society.

As Qin Chu pondered, he suddenly felt a strange sensation on his wrist.

He glanced down. The area where the Goddess’s Hair was wrapped around his wrist felt hot.

As if stimulated by something, the power of the Goddess’s Hair had been activated.

Moreover, the small sapling within him swayed its three emerald leaves!

Chapter 273: Wadsworth’s Verdant Headwear

The Blissful Witch Society!

Angelica knew exactly what kind of organization that was.

Indulgent and depraved, beautiful yet covered in sharp thorns, they were like venomous needles, mercilessly piercing the throats of their targets.

The last time, members of the Blissful Witch Society had attempted to assassinate her master, even disguising themselves as her. This filled Angelica with even greater disgust for the vile organization.

However, Angelica never imagined this organization could be so terrifying, infiltrating even the Imperial Palace… one of the most heavily guarded places in the entire Heavenly Continent, corrupted by the Blissful Witch Society.

What made it even more unbearable for Angelica was that these two women seemed to be plotting against her master.

Her gentle eyes turned cold and emotionless. Her departing footsteps halted. Her master was the most important person in the world to her. Even if it meant her own death, Angelica would never allow anyone to harm him. No one.

She held her breath, suppressed her heartbeat to the bare minimum, and completely concealed her mana fluctuations. Like a silent, invisible ghost, she pursued the faint, almost imperceptible sounds in the air.

The palace gardens were somewhat complex.

Angelica kept low, weaving through the flowerbeds.

After a long while, she finally found them. Beneath a pavilion to the right of the flowerbeds, two women sat quietly in gorgeous gowns. Their clothing and jewelry indicated their high status.

Perhaps aware of the prying eyes throughout their living quarters, these two women had chosen the deserted garden for their discussion. Currently, the princes were vying for the position of heir, busily courting influential nobles. No one had the leisure to come to this place.

The Emperor, along with the Hero, Wadsworth, Saint Monique, and some high-ranking nobles, were in a meeting, and wouldn’t be here.

Wadsworth’s consorts and daughters were also accounted for. Angelica had learned they were hosting private banquets, inviting ladies and misses close to them.

So, this place was absolutely safe.

These two women, however, had no idea that a seemingly idle maid would wander over here.

Angelica drew closer, finally seeing their faces clearly.

In that instant, it felt as if a muffled thunderclap had struck her mind.

She recognized them.

Sharon DeLaise!

Angela Goethe!

Angelica’s scalp tingled. These two women…

Were Wadsworth’s consorts!

Moreover, they were his most favored consorts recently.

Sharon DeLaise was the mother of the nineteenth prince, and Angela Goethe, the mother of the twenty-third. Having married Wadsworth just after coming of age and living in extreme luxury with meticulous self-care, despite having borne children, time had left barely a trace on them.

Their skin was still delicate like a young girl’s, their figures graceful and mature. The youthful tenderness and the allure of mature women blended perfectly within them. Combined with their elegant and noble attire, they possessed an astonishing allure for the opposite sex.

Although she’d long known the Blissful Witch Society was terrifying, Angelica hadn’t imagined even the Emperor’s consorts were members.

What about the princesses? The princes’ consorts?

The entire Imperial Palace might be riddled with the Blissful Witch Society’s influence.

Considering the Society’s indulgence and depravity, wasn’t Wadsworth’s head already a vibrant green?

Countless thoughts flashed through Angelica’s mind. She carefully concealed herself, not wanting to miss a single detail.

She wanted to know how these two women planned to deal with her master, and whether there were other members involved.

Angelica understood the danger she was in. The Blissful Witch Society member at the Hero’s Residence, though of lower rank, would have been difficult to handle in a surprise attack. These consorts held a higher position and likely greater power within the Society. If her presence was discovered, her life would be in immediate danger.

But, the more she knew, the less danger her master would face.

For her master, Angelica was willing to take the risk.

Of course, Angelica also didn’t want to be separated from her master forever. She hadn’t enjoyed enough of his affection yet. She hoped to stay by his side for the rest of her life, never to be parted.

Taking a deep breath, Angelica glanced at her own ability.

For her master, she was willing to gamble.

The two women under the pavilion, unaware of being overheard, continued their quiet discussion.

It was clear that Sharon DeLaise held a higher position within the Witch Society. Angela Goethe listened quietly to Sharon’s arrangements:

“The higher-ups want us to use Wadsworth to eliminate the Hero.”

“Angela, you’re young and beautiful, and skilled in the art of seduction after so long in the Witch Society. With Qin Chu’s lustful nature, a little enticement will surely make him take the bait.”

“When you lure Qin Chu in, I’ll inform Wadsworth. As long as you act convincingly, you’ll make him witness you being forced by Qin Chu.”

“Wadsworth is impulsive and easily provoked. Seeing such a scene, he’ll lose control. In his rage, he won’t even bother to see who the man is. He’ll attack immediately. Although Qin Chu is strong, he’s no match for Wadsworth.”

“With one blow, Qin Chu will be smashed to a pulp.”

A cold smile played on Sharon’s lips. Having been with Wadsworth for years, they knew exactly what kind of man he was.

Wadsworth was extremely selfish and cold. His consorts were merely tools for satisfying his desires and producing heirs. He held almost no affection for them.

However, Wadsworth’s possessiveness was also incredibly strong.

He wouldn’t allow any other man to touch his women.

Such incidents had happened before. Wadsworth had once executed a consort and a guard based on mere suspicion of an affair, without any evidence. Such a vulgar man, if not for his overwhelming strength, wouldn’t be able to hold the Emperor’s throne.

Angela’s expression darkened. She knew that as the executor of this plan, she also faced immense danger. In his fury, Wadsworth might very well kill her too.

Seemingly sensing Angela’s worry, Sharon smiled, her delicate fingers gently tracing Angela’s face. Where her fingertips brushed, a tingle seemed to pass, causing Angela to tremble slightly, a blush rising on her cheeks.

“Angela, don’t worry.”

“You’ll be perfectly safe, understand?”

“The great Lord of Pleasure will protect his most loyal followers.”

“And, once we succeed, Wadsworth will bear the heavy crime of murdering the Hero. Augustus and Saint Monique will definitely seize this opportunity, uniting the continent’s experts to eliminate him. By then, we’ll be free!”

Sharon’s voice held a captivating charm. Angela’s breathing quickened, excitement for freedom filling her, and the title “Lord of Pleasure” ignited a mad glint in her eyes.

She shuddered involuntarily, a giggle escaping her lips.

Placing her delicate hands on her chest, her pinky and thumb touching, she chanted in a low voice:

“For the great Lord of Pleasure, I will tempt the world into depravity, and offer you the supreme pleasure.”

Her crazed demeanor made Angelica’s scalp tingle. Their plan filled her with dread.

It was simple, yet incredibly malicious.

If executed properly, given Wadsworth’s personality, it could very well succeed.

Then, not only would Qin Chu be in danger, but Wadsworth would also be ruined.

After reassuring Angela, Sharon began to explain the specific details of their plan. Although Angelica wanted to continue eavesdropping, she knew she had to leave immediately and relay this information to her master, so he could prepare.

While she could tell Wadsworth directly, Angelica had no proof. Without evidence, why would he believe her?

She couldn’t use Information Magic either, as the consorts might sense it.

Calming herself, Angelica quietly turned.

However, as she turned, her pupils suddenly contracted.

A figure stood behind her. Had she been so engrossed in eavesdropping that she hadn’t noticed the presence behind her?

The figure’s clothes were worn and tattered, not at all luxurious. The ice-white long dress even had holes, and her bare feet, as white as sculpted ice, rested quietly on the ground.

The torn hem revealed a section of her fair calf, her skin delicate as snow, spotless.

Ice-blue hair fell messily around her, framing her face and obscuring most of it, preventing Angelica from seeing her features.

She had a good figure, well-proportioned and athletic. The worn dress hinted at graceful curves.

An icy aura emanated from her, reminiscent of Angelica’s first encounter with Anastasia, a breath of winter’s chill.

Who was this woman?

Was she also a member of the Witch Society?

How long had she been standing there?

Chapter 272: Following the Will of the Lord of Pleasure

Stretch had been indulging in the Succubus’s charms, neglecting his wives and concubines.

There was no helping it. Succubi were simply too skilled in the arts of pleasure. Her skin was so soft, her body so alluring, her technique so…thorough… that Stretch felt drained.

A Succubus’s touch was truly intoxicating.

Stretch was a Marquis of the Empire, a position of power. Although he wasn’t in charge of military command, he controlled the distribution of supplies for a portion of the army. This was an important position, and if it were known that he was keeping a Succubus, it would be used against him.

That was why he had been so careful, even eliminating the mercenaries he had hired to capture her. He had thought his secret was safe. How did the Hero know?

A wave of panic washed over him.

Qin Chu just smiled and patted him on the shoulder, the unspoken threat clear: You wouldn’t want this information to get out, would you, Your Grace?

In the first playthrough, Qin Chu had spent his initial years focused on cultivation, only occasionally reading newspapers to keep up with current events.

And the newspapers of the Heavenly Continent were mostly filled with gossip and scandals, which he had dismissed as meaningless entertainment. Who would have thought it would be so useful now?

This Marquis would be exposed for keeping a Succubus in two months, losing his lucrative position.

Stretch’s lips paled, and he stammered, then, abruptly changing his tune, he said, “Although they are Demon Beasts, I believe that under the Hero’s noble guidance, they will surely walk the righteous path. So I think it’s acceptable to… welcome them.”

“Besides, this Snow Woman and Blood Elf helped the Hero kill Eldritch, the Second Demon Beast Prince. They have broken ties with the Demon Beasts. As humans, we should show… tolerance.”

What the…?!

The sudden shift in his stance stunned the other nobles.

Had Stretch lost his mind?

He had been the most adamant about removing those Demon Beasts from the Hero’s side.

No one present was stupid.

They all understood that Stretch had been…compromised… by the Hero.

Silence filled the room, the nobles wondering if they, too, had any secrets the Hero could use against them.

After a long moment, a middle-aged man coughed slightly, about to speak, when Qin Chu smiled at him.

The man’s heart sank. Before he could speak, Qin Chu walked over to him. “You’re Count Brule, right?”

He hadn’t intended to use this tactic again, but the words slipped out…

“Count Brule, you wouldn’t want your wife to know about your… affair… with that nun from the Holy See, would you?”

He whispered, using his Mana to ensure that only Brule could hear him.

Brule’s face paled instantly.

He looked at Qin Chu as if he were a demon.

Brule’s situation was… delicate. He was a minor baron, his wife the only daughter of a count. He had married into her family, and after her father’s death, he had inherited the title, but the true inheritance still belonged to his wife.

So, while it was normal for a count to have several mistresses, Brule couldn’t. If his wife found out, he would be kicked out, his title stripped away.

He had been so careful with his affair with the nun, always afraid of being discovered. How did Qin Chu know?

How could he know that in six months, his name would be splashed across the tabloids: Count Brule’s Affair with a Nun Exposed, Wife Demands Divorce…

After a brief silence, Brule forced a smile. “Everyone,” he said, “I agree with Marquis Stretch. The Hero’s character is noble and pure, like the bright moon in the sky. I believe that even Demon Beasts can be purified by his light.”

Hiss…

His sudden change of heart shocked the other nobles.

If it were just one case, it could be a coincidence, but now, with Brule also changing his stance, they all realized that the Hero must have something on them.

And these secrets were very important.

Silence fell over the room, no one daring to speak, afraid of becoming the Hero’s next target. After all, they all had their secrets, things that could ruin them if exposed.

Even Wadsworth, Saint Monique, and Augustus remained silent.

Since you won’t speak, then I will!

Qin Chu smiled, his gaze sweeping over them. “Everyone,” he said, “if you have any objections, please speak freely. Aren’t we here for a friendly discussion? I’m sure we can find a solution regarding Heloise and Iyeta.”

“Why is everyone so quiet? Duke Burrell, you seemed to have something to say just now.”

Duke Burrell’s face stiffened slightly. Although he didn’t think Qin Chu had anything on him, seeing what had happened to Stretch and Brule, he didn’t dare to be careless. He quickly said, “Well, I think Marquis Stretch and Count Brule are right.”

“Mr. Qin is the Hero we summoned. We should trust him completely.”

“With his noble character, he would never betray humanity for a few Demon Beast women. I have absolute faith in him.”

“Thank you for your kind words,” Qin Chu smiled and nodded, then turned his gaze to another noble, “Marquis Rommel…”

“I also think it’s fine. The Hero’s charm is boundless. Conquering two Demon Beast women should be easy for him. There’s no need to worry,” Marquis Rommel replied without hesitation.

Qin Chu was satisfied with his answer, his smile widening. “Asking everyone individually seems like a waste of time. Let me rephrase the question.”

He spread his hands. “If anyone has any objections regarding Heloise and Iyeta, please step forward, and we can have a frank discussion.”

His gaze swept over them, and the nobles quickly averted their eyes, no one meeting his gaze, no one daring to step forward.

“Huh? Why isn’t anyone standing up? Stand up!”

“I swear in the name of the Goddess of Holy Light that I won’t hold any grudges.”

“You all know that I’m a magnanimous person, very forgiving.”

Silence. Still no one moved.

Forgiving, my ass, they thought. Who doesn’t know how petty you are, Hero? Karsus, the Grand Prince, and Saint Son O’Niens are all watching you from above.

“So, it seems that everyone is willing to accept Heloise and Iyeta,” Qin Chu said with a smile, “In that case, I’ll thank you all on their behalf.”

Then he continued, “Actually, I think this is a good thing.”

“One day, when we conquer the Demon Beast territory, we will naturally eliminate those ferocious and ugly creatures. But everyone, those are Snow Women, Blood Elves, and Succubi… Once captured…”

He was just baiting them, but the nobles’ eyes lit up.

Snow Women, Blood Elves, Succubi.

Such beauties, they could hardly be considered Demon Beasts. Any one of them would be a rare treasure among humans, and the fact that they were Demon Beasts made them even more… alluring.

If they captured these beautiful Demon Beasts one day, who would they belong to?

They, as high-ranking nobles, would surely have a chance to… enjoy them, right?

After all, they were men.

Having grown tired of human women, they wouldn’t mind a change of pace. To say they weren’t interested in those beautiful Demon Beasts would be a lie.

And even if someone questioned them, they could simply blame it on the Hero. We’re just following the Hero’s example, what’s wrong with that?

With the Hero’s strength and his rapid progress, conquering the Demon Beast territory seemed only a matter of time. This was a very real possibility.

Stretch even smiled. It seemed he could finally release his pet Succubus.

Was this the benefit the Hero had mentioned?

It seemed… promising.

This Hero, he was alright!

Wadsworth, Augustus, and Saint Monique exchanged glances. They knew that it was impossible to make Qin Chu give up those two Demon Beast women.

This Hero’s methods were far more sophisticated than they had imagined.

…

Inside the Imperial Palace, outside the meeting room, Angelica waited patiently.

Although she was just a maid, thanks to Qin Chu, she had been allowed to attend the banquet, but this meeting was beyond her station.

Anastasia had already taken Heloise and Iyeta back to Qin Chu’s residence, familiarizing them with the Imperial City.

Violet and Ekaterina weren’t interested in such tedious affairs.

Only Angelica remained here, waiting for her master so they could return home together. It was a simple pleasure.

But the wait was long, the meeting seemingly endless, and Angelica, feeling bored, stretched and strolled within the permitted area.

The Imperial Palace was impeccably maintained, its gardens, fountains, and landscaping a feast for the eyes, the air fresh and clean. Even the Holy See couldn’t compare to the luxury of the Imperial Palace.

She unknowingly wandered into the garden, the quiet tranquility broken only by the faint sound of two women talking.

“I heard he’s back.”

“This time, we have to kill him. We can’t let him continue to live in this world.”

Angelica, with her enhanced hearing, recognized them as women, their voices low and conspiratorial.

She frowned slightly and sighed.

Even within the Imperial Palace, schemes and plots were everywhere.

In fact, being close to the center of power only intensified these intrigues.

The Emperor’s suspicion of his sons, the princes’ vying for the throne, the consorts’ competing for favor… all for the sake of power.

Power was intoxicating.

For power, they were cautious, their words carefully chosen, their every step calculated. They planted spies around their rivals, while their own surroundings were filled with the eyes of others.

They lived in a gilded cage, their lives a constant struggle, exhausting yet exhilarating.

She had once lived in such an environment, a loser in their games… But now, it had nothing to do with her. She was just a little maid, serving her master.

A sweet smile appeared on Angelica’s face, and she quietly retreated. Whatever those two women hidden in the bushes were plotting, it had nothing to do with her. She wouldn’t get involved.

But then, she stopped.

“Following the will of the Lord of Pleasure, the Heavenly Continent doesn’t need a Hero!”

Angelica’s scalp tingled.

The Lord of Pleasure?

Wasn’t that the Evil God worshipped by the Blissful Witch Society?

Could it be that there were members of the Blissful Witch Society even within the Imperial Palace?

Chapter 271: Bringing Nuclear Peace to the Heavenly Continent

Saint Monique was still pure.

This news was shocking, but Qin Chu had mastered the art of maintaining a neutral expression, no matter the turmoil within.

He mentally reassured Phil that even if she desired Saint Monique’s body, obtaining it wouldn’t be easy.

However, if she succeeded, wouldn’t that mean the entire Church of the Earth Mother Goddess would fall under his control?

Interesting…

After exchanging pleasantries with Saint Monique, the three of them escorted Qin Chu to the banquet hall.

This was the troublesome part of high society, their constant need for banquets.

This time, it was to celebrate the Hero’s triumphant return and his victory against Eldritch, the Second Demon Beast Prince.

After the banquet, a smaller, more private meeting was held, attended by Augustus, Wadsworth, Saint Monique, Qin Chu, Loseweisse, and the high-ranking nobles of the Empire (Marquis and above).

Compared to the banquet, this meeting was the truly important event.

The number of high-ranking nobles, although not insignificant before, had been greatly reduced by the recent events, the hall not even half full.

Besides the nobles, there was another person present.

A short, shifty-eyed man, his appearance and demeanor reeking of cunning and vulgarity, his thin mustache accentuating his… unsavory… aura.

While the nobles sat, he stood, hunched over, a servile smile plastered on his face, a stark contrast to the others.

And this man, Qin Chu recognized.

His name was Lex.

Years later, this cunning and vulgar man would become the wealthiest person in the entire Auville Empire… no, the entire Heavenly Continent.

He would control all the most profitable industries: weapons manufacturing, medicine production, food processing…

He would even control the news media.

His transformation from a small-time merchant to a wealthy tycoon would be astonishing.

And this rise to power would be due to his collaboration with the Hero Squad, using their influence, even the Hero’s name, to achieve his goals.

Wadsworth, sitting at the head of the table, smiled. “Brother Qin,” he said, “let me introduce Mr. Lex, a merchant, and also a skilled blacksmith.”

“The weapons he forges are truly exceptional.”

“You don’t have a suitable weapon yet, Brother Qin. Let Lex forge one for you.”

Lex, his wrinkled face beaming, scurried over to Qin Chu, bowing and scraping.

His hand trembled as he shook Qin Chu’s.

“I’ve long heard of your great name, Hero,” he said, his voice trembling with feigned excitement, his face flushed, “It’s my great fortune to finally meet you. To forge a weapon for you would be the greatest honor of my life.”

Qin Chu discreetly withdrew his hand and smiled. “Then I’ll leave it to you, Mr. Lex.”

“Of course, of course,” Lex patted his chest, “Hero, you can rest assured, I will use all my skills to forge a weapon worthy of your status. I will not disappoint you.”

“Thank you.”

Lex was indeed a skilled blacksmith, his weapons both beautiful and effective.

Even after becoming a wealthy merchant, he had continued to personally maintain Qin Chu’s weapons.

But it was also this damned bastard who had tampered with his weapon, adding a hidden mechanism that caused it to explode during his battle with the Witch. At that time, Qin Chu had thought it was simply due to the force of their clash.

And Lex’s crimes didn’t end there.

In the first playthrough, the poison Loseweisse had added to his medicine had been created by Lex.

And it was Lex’s media empire that had slandered his name, turning him from the savior of the Heavenly Continent into a hated villain.

This seemingly harmless old man was filled with malice, willing to do anything for his own profit.

Qin Chu remembered Ekaterina’s report: when Sylph and Airi first arrived in the Imperial City and met with Loseweisse, two people had visited them.

One was Carlos, the president of the Adventurer’s Guild, and the other was this merchant, Lex.

It seemed that he had already been colluding with Loseweisse.

It was a pity that there were too many people here. Otherwise, Qin Chu would have loved to put one of those threads he had extracted from Sylph into Lex’s body. That would be a good show.

But there would be plenty of time to deal with him later.

“Alright, Lex, you can go prepare the Hero’s weapon now,” Wadsworth said, waving his hand dismissively.

The current Lex wasn’t worth his attention. He couldn’t have imagined that this insignificant blacksmith would one day control most of the Empire’s wealth, making Wadsworth seethe with impotent rage.

Lex, not daring to overstep his bounds before the Emperor, bowed and scurried away.

After this…unpleasant…person left, the atmosphere turned awkward. Wadsworth, Augustus, and the other nobles all looked at Qin Chu, but didn’t know how to broach the subject.

Qin Chu, however, knew exactly what they were thinking.

Warren had already given him a heads-up.

So, you want to interfere in my… personal affairs… as well? Do you even have the right?

“Everyone,” he said, picking up his teacup and taking a sip, his voice calm and relaxed, “this is about the Snow Woman, Heloise, and the Blood Elf, Iyeta, isn’t it?” He had anticipated this. After all, he was the Hero, the hope of the Heavenly Continent.

They wanted him to focus all his attention on humanity, not on Demon Beast women.

His words broke the tense silence, and Wadsworth quickly said, “Brother Qin, it’s not that we’re judging you. I know you like… ahem, beautiful women. Who doesn’t? I also like having a beautiful woman in my bed, not some… ugly monster…”

His crude words made the other nobles avert their gazes, trying to distance themselves from his vulgarity.

No matter how despicable they were in private, nobles had to maintain a facade of elegance and decorum.

Only Saint Monique spat lightly, disgusted by his words.

Wadsworth, however, ignored them. “But you can’t be indiscriminate,” he continued, “Although they’re beautiful, they’re still Demon Beasts. You’re the Hero! If this gets out, your reputation will be ruined!”

Augustus also nodded, like a concerned elder, “Of course, we believe that you’re dedicated to the Heavenly Continent, Hero, but not everyone thinks like us, especially those commoners… You taking in a Snow Woman and a Blood Elf, some might suspect that you’re not on humanity’s side, they might even spread rumors that you’ve joined the Demon Beasts…”

“We’re just concerned about your reputation. This matter could have serious consequences.”

Wadsworth quickly added, “Yes, yes, Brother Qin, I’m doing this for your own good. Even if you like those two, you can keep them hidden, visit them discreetly… Why make it so public?”

And he had even killed the Saint Son of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess because of them.

“If you need women, I can’t guarantee anything else, but if you just shout on the street, you’ll have noble ladies lining up, fat, thin, big breasts, small breasts, whatever you like, take your pick. Why fixate on Demon Beast women?”

Although Wadsworth’s words were crude, everyone agreed.

As the Hero, Qin Chu shouldn’t be consorting with Demon Beast women.

Qin Chu smiled, inwardly scoffing.

Noble girls?

In his opinion, Demon Beast women were probably cleaner than those noble ladies.

Of course, he wouldn’t say that out loud.

He put down his teacup and spread his hands helplessly, “Everyone…”

“What kind of person do you think I am?”

“Do you think I’m someone who only cares about lust?”

You are!

That was the unspoken message in their gazes, which made Qin Chu feel a bit wronged.

These people of the Heavenly Continent truly misunderstood him.

He felt he had to clear up this misunderstanding.

He stood up, a gentle smile on his face, “Everyone, please rest assured, I am the Hero you summoned, and I will fulfill my duty and bring nuclear peace to the Heavenly Continent…”

“This goal will never change, no matter what.”

“But while fulfilling this goal, I also want to… satisfy my desires… a little. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”

Desires? You mean lust, right? they thought. He just found those two Demon Beast women attractive, which, admittedly, they were.

“As for me joining the Demon Beasts… that’s absurd. If I had, I wouldn’t be here. And although monster girls are… appealing… I actually prefer maids.”

The nobles rolled their eyes. A monster girl dressed as a maid, that would be truly irresistible.

“There’s nothing I can do, I’m an equal opportunity lover,” Qin Chu shrugged.

The atmosphere was strange. Clearly, the Hero wouldn’t abandon those two Demon Beast women.

A noble frowned. None of the nobles present were fools. They didn’t want Demon Beast women around the Hero. It made them uneasy.

But they also didn’t want to offend him, so even if they objected, they had to start with flattery:

“Hero, we admire your noble character, but precisely because of this, we don’t want to see your reputation tarnished. They’re just… filthy Demon Beasts…”

Before he could finish, Qin Chu walked up behind him, placed a hand on his shoulder, and whispered in his ear with a sinister smile, “Marquis Stretch…”

“Little Ivy tastes quite nice, doesn’t she?”

The marquis froze, his eyes widening, his mouth opening slightly in shock.

Little Ivy was a small Succubus he had acquired for 600,000 Mana, using a group of skilled mercenaries to capture her from the Demon Beast territory.

She was kept locked away in his mansion.

How did Qin Chu know about this?

Looking at Qin Chu’s gentle smile, Stretch felt a chill run down his spine.

That smile was a clear warning: Your Grace, you wouldn’t want this information about your pet to get out, would you?

Chapter 270: Saint Monique Isn’t Bad

Muse wondered if he had caught a cold.

The itchy feeling in his throat irritated him.

He was Muse the Mad, the most ferocious member of the Hero Squad, capable of fighting Demon Beasts for days and nights without flinching. A mere illness was nothing to him.

Besides, with his strength, getting sick was almost impossible.

He hadn’t been sick since he began cultivating.

Perhaps it was just too cold in this place.

He reached for his clothes, then remembered that his upper body was bare.

Damn it… he cursed under his breath.

He was feeling inexplicably irritable.

He had been waiting here for days. Where was that woman Athena? What was taking her so long?

He shook his head, suppressing his frustration. He knew he was being unreasonable.

This place was far from the Auville Imperial City, and Athena had to travel from the front lines, the journey long and arduous.

It had only been three days since he contacted Loseweisse for help.

He looked back at the cave, at the blackened skeleton with a ring on its finger, a small gem embedded in it.

That gem captivated him.

Like Athena before, although he had never seen a soul fragment, he knew instantly that this was what he was looking for. He could sense Jie Luo’s aura from it.

Damn it, he thought, daring to wear Jie Luo’s soul fragment as a ring. It’s a good thing you’re dead. Otherwise, I would have crushed you.

He had considered forcing his way into the chamber, even breaking through that translucent door.

It wouldn’t be difficult for him.

But he had held back.

For the impulsive Muse, this was remarkable restraint.

He was worried about damaging Jie Luo’s soul fragment.

Cough… Cough… Cough…

The itch in his throat intensified, and he coughed violently, spitting a glob of black phlegm onto the wall.

He wiped his mouth and scratched at the scars on his body, his skin itching inexplicably.

He really seemed to have caught a cold.

…

The journey back felt much faster than the journey there. Qin Chu arrived at the Imperial City two days earlier than expected.

A large crowd had gathered at the city gates to welcome the returning Hero.

After all, this was his first true battle.

Not only had he repelled the Demon Beasts’ attack, but he had also single-handedly killed Eldritch, the Second Demon Beast Prince. This news, spread by the talkative Warren, had filled the city with hope.

The atmosphere was electric.

The Empire’s leadership was deliberately playing up this victory to boost morale, so Wadsworth, Augustus, and even Saint Monique were all present at the gates to welcome the Hero’s return.

As Qin Chu emerged from the carriage, the cheers reached a fever pitch, everyone praising his achievements.

Wadsworth rushed forward, clapping him on the shoulders with his usual boisterous enthusiasm, seemingly unaffected by the possibility of being cuckolded.

“Brother Qin, you’re amazing! I never expected such a resounding victory on your first expedition! You even killed that Eldritch, that little bastard who killed so many of our people!” Wadsworth’s face was flushed with excitement, whether genuine or feigned.

He laughed heartily, his gaze sweeping over the women who followed Qin Chu, finding his daughter, Carol, among them.

Carol had been regularly reporting on the situation at the front lines, especially about the Hero.

He was very satisfied with her performance.

Although she hadn’t gotten particularly close to Qin Chu, at least he knew her now.

And she had handled the matters of the corrupt nobles and the Saint Son of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess very well.

It was a pity she wasn’t a son. Then he would have a suitable heir.

Augustus also stepped forward with a smile. “Mr. Qin is truly valiant. Even the First Hero, Jie Luo, couldn’t compare. It is our great fortune to have you as the Hero of the Heavenly Continent.”

Hearing this, Loseweisse’s mood darkened.

She hated hearing comparisons between Qin Chu and Jie Luo, especially when the conclusion was that Jie Luo was inferior.

“But you should still be careful, Mr. Qin…”

“Although you’re very strong, that’s still Demon Beast territory. It was too dangerous to go after Eldritch alone,” Augustus said with a concerned smile.

Qin Chu responded with equally enthusiastic greetings.

Behind Augustus was Saint Monique. Zimmerman, however, was absent, perhaps attending to some important matter. Natia from Sage Mountain was also not present to greet him.

Saint Monique, as expected of the Holy Maiden of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess, exuded an aura of… maternal warmth… her every move radiating mature charm.

And her figure was indeed… generous.

Could this woman really be the leader of the Blissful Witch Society? Her aura seemed so different.

Saint Monique bowed slightly, her soft hair framing her face. “Hero,” she said, her voice gentle, “I sincerely apologize for the trouble caused by the Saint Son, the Saintess, and the former Holy Maiden of our Church. It is my fault for my lack of discipline. I hope you can forgive us.”

Although she spoke these words, Saint Monique must be overjoyed.

The former Holy Maiden, Florence, was gone.

The Saint Son was dead.

The Saintess was gone.

Several important positions in the Church were now vacant.

The former Holy Maiden’s influence had crumbled, and thanks to Qin Chu’s actions, Saint Monique now had complete control over the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess.

She hadn’t even participated, yet she was the biggest winner.

This seemingly gentle woman was far more ruthless than she appeared. O’Niens and Inas had likely been deliberately sent away, hoping they would die.

Qin Chu’s thoughts churned, but his face was filled with a polite concern, “Holy Maiden, you jest. It wasn’t your fault. It was O’Niens who dabbled in dark powers, bringing this upon himself.”

“He was the Saint Son of your Church. I should have brought him back for you to deal with.”

“But he had already transformed into a monster like Karsus. I had no choice but to purify him.”

“I apologize for overstepping my boundaries.”

As he spoke with Saint Monique, Qin Chu felt a sudden warmth in his body, and Phil’s voice echoed in his mind.

Since eliminating Diabolique, Phil had been quietly residing within him, using the power of the Holy Light to heal her damaged soul.

Her sudden appearance surprised him.

“Qin Chu…”

“This Saint Monique… isn’t bad.”

For a moment, Qin Chu didn’t understand.

What did she mean by “not bad”?

Then he realized.

She was talking about her body.

Phil was just a damaged soul, temporarily residing within him.

She still possessed the power of Divine Authority. If she left his body, the Holy Light’s protection, she might lose control again.

But if she could find a suitable vessel…

Could it be that Phil had taken a liking to Saint Monique’s body?

That couldn’t be, right? She had rejected Ekaterina and Sylph, young and beautiful, and now she was interested in Saint Monique?

Was the Flame Witch’s taste… that peculiar? A MILF hunter?

And most importantly, didn’t Phil hate impure bodies?

As the former Saintess of the Flame Temple, she loathed all that was impure.

She had rejected Ekaterina and Sylph precisely because they had been… defiled… by him.

And Saint Monique, in everyone’s eyes, was a mature and alluring woman.

“Whether her soul is tainted or not…” Phil’s voice came again, “I can sense that her body… is pure.”

Qin Chu almost choked.

Good heavens, what was this?

The most beautiful, the most alluring woman in the entire Heavenly Continent, her body was still pure?

If he remembered correctly, Saint Monique was married. Her husband was the commander of the Earth Knights of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess, a powerful and influential figure.

Could it be that her husband, despite his strong physique, was… impotent? Or perhaps… too small?

No wonder they had no children after all these years.

This news shocked Qin Chu.

But he mentally removed Saint Monique’s name from the list of suspects for the leader of the Blissful Witch Society.

The Blissful Witch Society and purity were mutually exclusive!

After all, that place was filled with indulgence and depravity, its members having been with at least hundreds of men, if not thousands.

Chapter 269: The Next Victim

This information, obtained through rigorous interrogation by the royal family, was deemed valuable enough by Wadsworth to share with Qin Chu, a gesture of goodwill to strengthen their relationship.

Warren had expected Qin Chu to be shocked, but the Hero’s expression remained calm.

He seemed to be deep in thought. After a moment, he asked, “Did you find out who the leader of the Blissful Witch Society is?”

Warren frowned and shook his head. “No, we haven’t.”

“The Empire’s interrogators are very skilled. They can extract information from anyone, no matter how strong their will. The Duchess of Wyatt was about to confess, but then…”

Before he could finish, Qin Chu interrupted him, “But then her body suddenly began to rot, dissolving into a puddle of goo?”

Warren was stunned. “How did you know?” he blurted out.

This had happened in the Empire’s secret interrogation chamber. How did the Hero know, as if he had witnessed it himself? He quickly realized, “Could it be that you already knew about the Blissful Witch Society, Hero?”

Qin Chu nodded. “I was targeted by them before,” he said.

“I learned some things from that assassin. Of course, not as much as you know. When I asked about the identity of their leader, the assassin’s body dissolved.”

Warren smiled wryly. He had thought this information would be a valuable bargaining chip, but the Hero already knew.

“Why didn’t you inform the royal family, Hero?” he asked, “We could have arranged for your protection.”

Qin Chu chuckled. “There are countless people who want me dead. If I had to worry about every single one of them, I wouldn’t be able to live my life.”

After a pause, he continued, “Of course, I’m grateful to you, Your Highness, for telling me this. I’ll remember this favor.”

Warren felt a little better.

“By the way, what is the Duchess of Wyatt’s position in the Blissful Witch Society?”

Warren’s eyes narrowed. “She’s a mid-level leader. Although she’s not very strong, she’s quite influential in the Imperial City. The society’s hierarchy is based on a combination of strength and status.”

“Judging from her case, there might even be high-ranking members within the Church, or even… the royal family,” he added, his voice lowering.

This wasn’t good news at all.

The thought that the Blissful Witch Society had infiltrated the Imperial City to such an extent made Wadsworth uneasy.

After all, what was the Blissful Witch Society?

A den of depravity and indulgence.

He had mobilized all his spies, investigating whether any of his consorts were members.

He didn’t have deep feelings for them, but as the Emperor, he couldn’t tolerate being cuckolded.

“When are they planning the assassination?” Qin Chu asked.

“After you return to the Imperial City. They’ll find an opportunity,” Warren replied quickly, “Although you’re very strong, Hero, the Blissful Witch Society is insidious and cunning. You should be careful.”

“And my father has a suggestion. He hopes to cooperate with you, to lure out all the members of the Blissful Witch Society, especially their leader…”

“If we can eliminate this threat, it would be beneficial to both you and the Empire.”

After a long discussion, Warren finally left.

With the arrival of the Empire’s reinforcements, Qin Chu, the Royal Knights, and the clerics from the Holy See and the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess could finally return.

These clerics couldn’t stand the harsh conditions here any longer. They preferred the comforts of the Imperial City, their soft beds, not this… wilderness.

The carriages swayed on the road, their wheels creaking.

Qin Chu was alone. He needed some time to think.

Although much of what Warren had told him he already knew, it still gave him food for thought.

Status and strength determined a member’s rank within the Blissful Witch Society.

Even a duchess was only a mid-level leader.

Then how powerful and influential were the high-ranking members, the leaders?

It wasn’t difficult to narrow down the possibilities.

The members were all women, so the top leaders must be women of both high status and great strength…

Like Natia… a Grand Mage from Sage Mountain, her status and strength were both considerable… but that girl… Qin Chu shook his head.

Natia’s innocence was genuine.

She was sometimes even a bit… naive… lacking common sense.

If they were talking about the woman with the highest status and strength in the entire Heavenly Continent, then it could only be…

Saint Monique, the current Holy Maiden of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess.

But thinking about her image, so noble and elegant…

It was hard to connect her to the Blissful Witch Society.

Then he remembered Florence’s warning before she left:

Beware of Saint Monique.

Her strength had increased at an astonishing rate, breaking through a barrier that should have taken decades in just two years.

And although she was the Holy Maiden of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess, she was actually worshipping another deity, and not a benevolent one.

Qin Chu hadn’t completely believed Florence’s words… but if they were true… then the possibility of Saint Monique being the leader of the Blissful Witch Society was very high.

The Blissful Witch Society was a dangerous enemy. Although he wasn’t worried about being assassinated himself, with his current strength, he was worried that they might target the women around him, using them as leverage against him.

This was something he absolutely had to prevent. And the best way to prevent it was to eliminate them first.

…

Meanwhile, at the border between the Empire and the Ice Duchy, in the Snow Chain Mountains.

Deep within a mountain, a figure, holding two massive axes, leaned against the wall, motionless. If it weren’t for the slight rise and fall of his chest and the faint puffs of white air from his nostrils, he might have been mistaken for a corpse.

This place was on the side of the mountain facing the Ice Duchy.

Even within the mountain, the temperature was frigid.

But the man didn’t seem to feel the cold, his upper body bare, his powerful muscles, shimmering like metal, visible beneath his dark skin.

Just looking at him, one could sense his immense strength.

Countless scars, like wriggling centipedes, covered his skin: marks from Demon Beast claws, wounds from human swords…

A chilling sight.

But these scars were also like medals, a testament to his countless battles.

Of course, those who knew his identity wouldn’t call him a hero, because once enraged, this man would attack indiscriminately, friend and foe alike.

He was a pure killing machine.

This man was Muse the Mad.

The most volatile member of the Hero Squad, even more so than Karsus and Ekaterina.

When his rage was triggered, no one but Jie Luo could control him.

Slaughter was ingrained in his very being, in his soul.

He liked Jie Luo, in this aspect.

So he saw Jie Luo as his best brother.

Benson and Karsus were also alright.

As for the others, Muse didn’t care.

Especially that little girl Loseweisse, who considered herself the leader of the former Hero Squad. He scoffed at her commands. What right did she have to order him around?

But when Loseweisse told him about the possibility of resurrecting Jie Luo, and that there might be a soul fragment here in the Snow Chain Mountains, for the sake of Jie Luo, Muse had reluctantly accepted her mission.

Finding this place hadn’t been difficult.

But obtaining Jie Luo’s soul fragment was another matter entirely.

He had been trapped here for days, wanting to retrieve the soul fragment on his own, without asking for help from that woman he despised… but he couldn’t.

A torch flickered on the wall, dispelling the darkness.

Before him, a large opening had been carved into the rock face.

Sealing the entrance was a dark purple door, translucent like jelly, the torchlight revealing the black stone walls within.

Inside the chamber was a large stone slab covered in strange writing that Muse couldn’t decipher, a blackened skeleton lying on it, tattered clothes scattered around it.

The skeleton was riddled with holes, clearly having suffered greatly before death.

And around it were strange objects: vials filled with a dark red liquid, grotesque skulls, metal instruments covered in twisted runes, and eerie clay pots…

Although this place had been sealed for who knew how long, tiny black insects still wriggled within the pots.

And at the back of the chamber stood a massive statue, shaped like a bloated, decaying toad.

A strange, putrid stench filled the air.

Suddenly, Muse felt an itch in his throat.

He coughed, touching his throat. Had he caught a cold?

Chapter 268: Disciples of Lust

When Jie Luo was still alive, among the six female members of the Hero Squad, Sylph was the one Loseweisse considered her greatest rival.

She believed Jie Luo had only accepted Athena because of her unique constitution, her ability to boost Mana, a gift he hadn’t had the chance to… enjoy… before his death.

As for Ekaterina, she was a drunkard with a terrible personality. Jie Luo probably saw her as more of a brother.

Eileen and Airi were just little girls, cute as younger sisters, but lacking the allure of a woman. Cuteness couldn’t compare to sexiness.

Only Sylph, a rare and beautiful elf, with a figure and appearance that rivaled her own, was a true threat.

And, besides Sylph, the second person Loseweisse was wary of was Ronald…

She had witnessed Sylph’s heartbroken confession to Jie Luo, her elven pride crumbling with his rejection. At that time, Loseweisse’s only thought was, If you’re so heartbroken, why don’t you just kill yourself?

Sylph had truly seemed suicidal then, her despair palpable.

Such a person wouldn’t betray Jie Luo, wouldn’t abandon their plan for Qin Chu… Of course, this was just speculation.

But Loseweisse had another reason to believe in Sylph’s loyalty. If she had betrayed them, told Qin Chu about their plan, he wouldn’t have kept her around. Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to use her as a spy? And Sylph wouldn’t be acting so… obviously suspicious…

Qin Chu wasn’t an idiot. He understood the value of a spy.

Therefore, after careful consideration, Loseweisse believed that Sylph was still trustworthy.

She was probably just upset about being abandoned by Eileen and Airi. She would talk to her, and Sylph would come around.

Of course, what Loseweisse didn’t consider was that… perhaps Qin Chu already had enough spies within their ranks.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her frustration.

“Is what Sylph said true? About Jie Luo’s soul fragment and that Horus person?” she asked.

Eileen and Airi nodded. They had also intended to report this, but Sylph had beaten them to it.

Loseweisse pondered. “We have to abandon the Lomond situation for now. We can’t deal with him and his forces alone…”

“But we need to obtain a soul fragment quickly.”

“As long as we have one, there’s still hope…”

A journey without hope was agonizing, unbearable.

“We failed this time, but we have to ensure that Athena succeeds…”

“Eileen, Airi, go support Athena,” Loseweisse said after careful consideration.

The repeated failures and setbacks had frustrated her greatly.

So, even though Athena and Muse were already on the mission, she still felt uneasy and decided to send Eileen and Airi as well, to ensure their success, no matter the cost.

And having Eileen and Airi leave would also ease the tension between them and Sylph, giving her time to… persuade… Sylph to return to their side.

After a pause, she continued, “I will investigate this Horus.”

“If my guess is correct, he’s our greatest enemy. Our recent failures are probably his doing.”

“He’s a dangerous and cunning enemy, and he has a deep grudge against us.”

“But if we can eliminate him, our plan should proceed much more smoothly.”

“As for Ekaterina, she’s our most important spy within Qin Chu’s ranks.”

“Although she can’t obtain all the information, she’s still very valuable to us. We can’t touch her for now. So, Muse and Athena, I’m counting on you.”

The twins nodded. “We understand. Be careful too.”

Come to think of it, Horus… Could that be Augustus’s alias?

After all, they had already suspected him before.

…

Meanwhile, at Qin Chu’s camp, Sylph arrived, feeling a twinge of shame in her maid outfit.

But the atmosphere here was more relaxed than in Loseweisse’s tent, the air less oppressive, less charged with suspicion and hidden agendas. She could even smile here.

The Seventh Prince, Warren, seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

He was said to be Wadsworth’s most gentlemanly and refined son, lacking in combat talent but skilled in governing.

She didn’t understand why Wadsworth had sent him to the front lines.

Warren and Qin Chu were sitting on rocks near the tent, discussing important matters.

“Hero, I truly admire you. A Snow Woman, a Blood Elf, both War God level… Good heavens, even ordinary Snow Women and Blood Elves are highly sought after by nobles, and you managed to… capture… no, I mean… acquire… ahem, bring back two of them. Impressive, truly impressive…” Warren’s eyes narrowed, showering Qin Chu with praise.

Any woman he desired, he could have.

Human women were no longer enough, so he went to the Demon Beast territory and snatched a few beautiful Witches.

What a life! Truly enviable.

“So, Hero, when you… visit… the Demon Beast territory again, could you perhaps bring back a Succubus for me…?” the Seventh Prince asked, a hint of flattery in his voice.

A Succubus…

A man’s dream.

Even Warren was no exception.

Then he saw Sylph, newly arrived, in her maid outfit, and he was even more shocked.

By the Goddess!

He had actually made the proud Ghost Archer wear a maid outfit… This Hero, how did he do it?

Qin Chu was speechless. The Seventh Prince had said he had important matters to discuss, and this was it?

A Succubus?

Could his body even handle it?

She would probably tear him apart.

Qin Chu coughed. “Your Highness Warren… we can discuss the Succubus matter later. You said you had something important to discuss?”

Warren seemed to have completely forgotten his royal decorum. He slapped his forehead as if he had just remembered.

This kind of behavior, strangely, wasn’t annoying.

He took off a ring and handed it to Qin Chu, a slightly ambiguous expression on his face.

Qin Chu took it, puzzled, and saw a row of light green potions inside.

He had seen these before, in the supplies Wadsworth had sent to his residence.

They were called Stamina Potions!

Although the name wasn’t impressive, they were highly refined potions made from rare ingredients, each bottle worth at least 100,000 Mana.

Qin Chu had used them many times in the first playthrough.

They could quickly replenish stamina after a battle with Demon Beasts.

And they also had a similar effect to Moonflowers.

“My father knows that you’ve been working hard, Hero, so he prepared a small gift for you,” Warren said with a smile.

Qin Chu’s expression was strange. “This is the important matter?”

Nevertheless, he transferred the potions to his own ring and returned the empty one to Warren.

It wasn’t because he was greedy, but because this world was dangerous, filled with Demon Beasts. It was better to be prepared.

Warren’s expression turned serious. “There’s one more thing…”

“It’s about my elder brother…”

The Grand Prince?

Qin Chu’s expression also turned serious. He knew too little about those beings in the Void.

“After a thorough investigation, we have some clues about the Evil God that corrupted my brother.”

Warren suddenly stopped speaking as Angelica approached with a tray of tea.

He took a sip and smiled at her, “Your tea-making skills are truly exquisite, Miss Angelica.”

After she left, Warren continued:

“That being is called the Lord of Lust, also known as the Lord of Pleasure, the Goddess of Desire, the Fallen Child, and many other names.”

Qin Chu frowned. “Goddess of Desire? Fallen Child?”

“Yes, it’s a being of indeterminate gender, or rather… it can change its gender at will, even be both male and female simultaneously,” Warren said, spreading his hands helplessly.

This was hard for humans to comprehend, but for those strange beings, it seemed quite normal.

“There are few records about this deity, only that it rules over not just lust, but also elegance and nobility.”

“After much investigation, we found that over a thousand years ago, the Lord of Lust had followers in the Auville Empire. They formed a depraved and filthy religion centered around indulgence and pleasure, seeking to corrupt others.”

“Its other aspects, elegance and nobility, also had followers… and the conflict between these three factions, worshipping the same deity, was even more intense than the conflict with the Holy See.”

“It was a fight to the death.”

“But, as you know, although elegance and nobility are desirable, lust is the most captivating.”

“The followers of elegance and nobility were eventually annihilated by the cult of desire.”

“And this heretical religion was finally destroyed by the other churches, disappearing from history.”

Warren quietly recounted the story of the Lord of Lust, and Qin Chu listened intently.

“But darkness is difficult to completely eradicate.”

“It might be inappropriate for me, as a prince, to say this, but the decadence of the nobility is a breeding ground for such evil beliefs.”

“The followers of the Lord of Lust still exist in this world, in various forms, corrupting everyone they encounter.”

“Recently, the Duchess of Wyatt held a private gathering, attended by twenty-four other noble ladies, along with dozens of male guards and commoners…”

It was obvious what kind of “gathering” this was.

“Duke Wyatt had long suspected his wife, so shortly after the gathering began, he stormed in with his personal guards.”

“I wasn’t there to witness it, but… the words used to describe it were… chaotic, filthy, obscene, depraved…”

“Although he suspected his wife of infidelity, Duke Wyatt couldn’t believe that she was such a shameless woman. He pointed at her, trembling with rage, and after uttering just three words, he died of anger…”

Qin Chu felt a flicker of pity for Duke Wyatt. He had gone to catch his wife cheating, only to be killed by the shock.

“The matter escalated, and the royal family intervened, arresting everyone involved. During the interrogation, they learned about a mysterious organization…”

“The Blissful Witch Society!”

Qin Chu’s eyes narrowed.

The woman who had disguised herself as Angelica and tried to assassinate him was a member of this society.

He hadn’t expected this mysterious organization to have infiltrated such high levels of the nobility.

And the Duchess was probably just a high-ranking member, not the top leader.

This was just the tip of the iceberg.

He remembered… that woman had also mentioned that the Blissful Witch Society worshipped a deity called the Lord of Pleasure.

Warren continued, “The Blissful Witch Society worships that evil deity, the Lord of Pleasure.”

“And they’re currently planning an assassination… targeting you, Hero!”