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

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!”

Chapter 267: Sylph Would Never Betray Lord Jie Luo

Hearing Airi’s sobs, Loseweisse’s mind went blank, her body swaying.

Sylph… dead?

How… how was that possible?

Sylph was so strong, how could she die so easily?

She couldn’t believe it, refusing to accept the news.

But Airi’s tears soaked her chest, and Eileen’s face was also filled with grief, forcing Loseweisse to confront the reality of Sylph’s death.

Was she truly dead?

Loseweisse’s lips trembled, her face pale.

She wasn’t saddened by Sylph’s death. In her secret diaries, she had even planned dozens of gruesome deaths for the elf.

She was angry. Sylph’s death might jeopardize her plan to resurrect Jie Luo.

“Damn it… what happened?” She couldn’t even maintain her Saintess composure.

“It… it was a trap,” Airi sobbed, “Ronald… he was tortured… he’s already dead, his body… eaten by wild beasts…wuwuwu…”

She looked up, wiping her tears, “That Lomond… he’s become so cunning… he hid Ronald’s death to lure us in.”

“We went to the dungeon, it was swarming with Demon Beasts.”

“Ronald wasn’t there. We had to interrogate a Pig-headed Man guard to learn the truth…”

Another blow.

All color drained from Loseweisse’s face, she didn’t even have the energy to be angry.

Sylph was dead, and so was Ronald.

Four members of the Hero Squad were gone.

She clenched her fists. Could the remaining six really succeed in assassinating Qin Chu, who was growing stronger every day?

Only Ekaterina had gained his trust.

And Athena had made some progress.

The others were still… distant.

Relying solely on Ekaterina and Athena seemed like a long shot. Loseweisse felt a growing despair, unsure if she could continue.

“Did you… see Sylph die?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Airi shook her head. “No,” she sobbed, “We were together, but then… Sylph’s invisibility was broken, and she was discovered.”

“Lomond and his forces surrounded her. Eileen and I… we had to escape…”

“He’s so cruel… Sylph must be dead…”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not dead.”

A familiar voice came from outside the tent.

The curtain was lifted, and Sylph stood there.

Although Eileen and Airi had left earlier, they had gotten lost in the fog and had to travel on foot. Qin Chu and Sylph, however, could use magic and fly, arriving much sooner.

Eileen and Airi stared at Sylph in disbelief.

Why? they thought. Why is she still alive? Why didn’t she just die? Does she want to steal our Jie Luo that badly?

Airi was filled with resentment.

The twins exchanged glances, a mixture of shock, fear, and resentment in their eyes.

Loseweisse, initially surprised, then felt a surge of relief. Although Ronald was dead, and Sylph was a rival, it was good that she was alive. One more member meant a greater chance of resurrecting Jie Luo.

But why was Sylph wearing a maid outfit?

Airi, recovering quickly, rushed forward with a joyful cry, grabbing Sylph’s hand, “Sister Sylph, you’re alright! That’s wonderful!”

“We felt so guilty after we left. We should have stayed and fought with you!” Her face was filled with feigned regret.

Sylph, glancing at the seemingly distraught Airi, her eyes filled with crocodile tears, a performance that might have fooled a man, but not her, smiled coldly. “It’s okay,” she said, “I know you must have felt very guilty.”

“Although I don’t know how my invisibility was broken, if we had all stayed there, none of us would have survived.”

“You were thinking about resurrecting Jie Luo, after all. That’s the most important thing for our squad.”

“We can all be sacrificed for that goal.”

“Ekaterina can be sacrificed, Athena can be sacrificed, Ronald can be sacrificed, and so can I, Sylph.”

“I won’t blame you two for abandoning me.”

Her slightly sarcastic words made the atmosphere tense.

Loseweisse sensed the underlying tension. Sylph seemed to suspect that Airi had deliberately broken her invisibility.

Even if it wasn’t deliberate, she was still resentful that they had abandoned her.

It was good that Sylph was alive, but… Loseweisse now had a bigger problem. This incident had created a rift within the Hero Squad, and mending it wouldn’t be easy.

And that was her job.

Damn it!

She forced a smile. “Sylph, it’s so good that you’re alive! You wouldn’t believe how much Airi cried.”

“Is that so? My apologies,” Sylph said casually.

“By the way, there are some things that Eileen and Airi might not have told you. I’ll say it again,” she said coldly, “Ronald is dead.”

“His storage ring fell into Lomond’s hands, and Jie Luo’s soul fragment should be there as well.”

Loseweisse frowned. More bad news.

Why did every mission end like this?

Lomond wasn’t easy to deal with. That massive creature… Retrieving Ronald’s storage ring from him would be incredibly difficult.

Damn that useless Ronald.

Not only had he failed to bring back Jie Luo’s soul fragment, he had made it even harder to obtain.

Why didn’t you just die? she thought.

Oh, right, he was already dead.

“And there’s more bad news,” Sylph continued, “that Lomond was able to capture Ronald, and the traps that almost caught us… it was all because of someone named Horus.”

Her voice was cold and indifferent, like a routine report.

“This person knows a lot about the Hero Squad, almost everything.”

“Lomond values him greatly. It seems this Horus has a deep grudge against Jie Luo and the Hero Squad. Lomond even followed his instructions and arranged for thousands of Demon Beasts to… entertain… Ronald…”

Loseweisse gasped.

“Don’t doubt it, it was exactly the kind of… entertainment… you’re imagining. Until Ronald finally died, and his body was discarded.”

“I suggest you investigate this Horus. You might find something interesting,” Sylph said, glancing at Loseweisse.

Loseweisse nodded, memorizing her words.

But Horus?

Who was this person?

She had never heard of this name before. How could she even begin to investigate?

“I understand…”

Sylph nodded silently, then turned to leave.

“Wait, Sylph, you haven’t told me how you escaped… And what’s with your clothes? I thought you hated dresses,” Loseweisse asked quickly.

“I was almost surrounded. I was desperate, so I contacted Qin Chu…”

Qin Chu?

Loseweisse frowned. “Why didn’t you contact us? I…”

Sylph remained silent.

Loseweisse quickly understood and smiled wryly.

Of course, Airi and Eileen had just abandoned her. How could she still trust the other members of the Hero Squad?

In her desperation, she had turned to Qin Chu.

Ronald had been… entertained… by thousands of Demon Beasts. Sylph’s fate, if captured, would be even worse. It was understandable that she would grasp at any chance of survival.

Loseweisse understood… but she still couldn’t forgive her.

Seeking help from the Second Hero was betrayal.

And if Qin Chu died there, how could they resurrect Jie Luo?

Had that bitch Sylph not considered this at all?

Malicious thoughts swirled in her mind, but she kept her face neutral.

She just asked curiously, “But Qin Chu was at the camp before, how could he have arrived so quickly…?”

“He has two magic scrolls for long-distance spatial teleportation, which he bought for a fortune,” Sylph glanced at her, “I heard that during his duel with the Grand Prince, he bet all his money, even borrowed some, on himself winning…”

“You know, the Hero’s reputation carries weight. It wasn’t difficult for him to borrow money, so he made a killing.”

“Then he encountered someone selling magic scrolls on the black market and bought them. One scroll cost a million Mana.”

Sylph’s explanation of how Qin Chu had arrived differed slightly from the truth. This was Qin Chu’s instruction.

Although she didn’t understand his reason, Sylph, still resentful towards the Hero Squad, hadn’t questioned it.

The duel with the Grand Prince… Thinking about that gamble made Loseweisse want to cry. She had bet her entire fortune, ten million Mana, on the Grand Prince, and lost it all.

Remembering this painful experience, tears welled up in her eyes.

“As for my clothes…”

“Qin Chu forced me to wear them, as payment for saving me. I have to be his maid for a while…” Sylph’s hands clenched, her face flushing crimson, “That bastard, he even had a maid outfit prepared.”

“Just how much does he like maids?!”

She was furious.

Seeing her flushed face, her clenched fists, calling Qin Chu a bastard…

It seemed that being forced to wear a maid outfit had angered Sylph greatly. She must hate him now.

But this Qin Chu…

Carrying a maid outfit with him, did he want to turn all the women around him into maids?

What a strange fetish.

Sylph took a deep breath, suppressing her embarrassment. “Then, for a while, I’ll stay by Qin Chu’s side… You can handle the rest,” she said.

Staying here made her feel suffocated, disgusted. She would rather be with Qin Chu.

With that, she turned and left.

The three remaining women exchanged uneasy glances. The atmosphere in the room was heavy.

Eileen and Airi looked awkward.

The former Hero Squad, seemingly united, was on the verge of collapse, and it was their fault.

“Loseweisse, don’t you think Sylph is getting too close to Qin Chu? She’s actually going to be his maid? Do you think she’ll betray us?” Airi asked after a long silence, “What if she tells Qin Chu about our plan…?”

Loseweisse felt a surge of frustration.

It was their fault. If they hadn’t abandoned Sylph so readily, she wouldn’t be so resentful.

Taking a deep breath, she said, “Don’t worry…”

“Sylph would never betray Lord Jie Luo, she would never betray us. I’m certain of that!”

Loseweisse knew how deep Sylph’s feelings for Jie Luo were.

Chapter 266: Is Sylph Dead?

A gentle smile graced the prince’s handsome face, a stark contrast to his father, Wadsworth. He looked every bit the charming nobleman.

He arrived at Qin Chu’s tent and saw Angelica preparing breakfast. So this is the maid the Hero requested on his first day, he thought. Although a mere servant, she was undeniably beautiful. It was understandable why the Hero was smitten.

Seeing the prince, Angelica curtsied.

The prince, showing no arrogance, returned the greeting with a smile. “Beautiful lady,” he said, “I am Warren Aberchian, the Seventh Prince of the Auville Empire. Could you inform the Hero that I wish to speak with him?”

Angelica’s face fell.

“He’s unavailable at the moment.”

“Is the Hero attending to important matters?” Warren asked curiously, glancing at the tent. He had heard the rumors about the Hero. Although he had made great contributions in the fight against the Demon Beasts and his strength was growing rapidly, his… reputation… wasn’t exactly stellar.

Was the Hero currently engaged in… strenuous activities… inside the tent?

Well, it was morning, after all… As a man, Warren could understand.

Perfectly normal!

Angelica rubbed her forehead wearily, “The Hero is not in the camp. He seems to have… slipped away… again…”

Prince Warren was taken aback.

The Hero had left?

This…

This was highly inappropriate!

The Hero was a crucial figure, his safety paramount. What if he encountered Demon Beasts and something happened to him? The Heavenly Continent would be…

“Your Highness, don’t worry, this is quite common,” Barnal, having finished his duties, approached and said, seeing the prince’s surprise.

Warren’s face darkened, and he spoke with the authority of a prince, “How could you be so negligent? The Hero’s safety is paramount! He must have guards at all times! If anything happened to him, you would all be executed!”

Barnal looked aggrieved. “Your Highness, it’s not our fault! Do you know how strong the Hero is?”

“If he wants to leave, we can’t stop him. And even if he did encounter Demon Beasts, who knows who would be the unlucky one…”

“Last time he sneaked out, he encountered Eldritch, the Second Demon Beast Prince, and two War God-level Demon Beasts, a Snow Woman and a Blood Elf…”

Hearing this, even Warren, despite his royal composure, couldn’t help but be alarmed. “What?!” he exclaimed, “Eldritch? And War God-level Snow Woman and Blood Elf?”

Good heavens.

Now that the Demon King rarely appeared, the war against humans was mostly handled by his children.

And among them, the most famous was Diabolique, the First Prince.

Then there was Eldritch, the Second Prince, incredibly talented, although not as strong as his elder brother, he was still a War God. Even level 80 experts were no match for him. A level 82 general had once died at his hands.

And the last one was Lomond, the Seventh Prince.

Although weaker than the other two, his massive size made him a force to be reckoned with. Even without using any abilities or magic, just his stomping feet could cause destruction comparable to Super-tier magic.

And the Snow Woman and Blood Elf were also powerful Demon Beasts.

For the Hero to encounter Eldritch and two War God-level Demon Beasts, it must have been incredibly dangerous…

Barnal shrugged, “And then the Hero killed Eldritch and brought back the Snow Woman and Blood Elf… Look, over there…”

He gestured towards the side.

Warren was stunned. He turned his head and saw a woman with icy blue hair, her skin as white as jade, and another woman with long golden hair, her figure graceful and alluring.

The woman with icy blue hair seemed normal, but the golden-haired woman, with her pointed ears, was clearly a Blood Elf.

“This… this…” Warren was speechless.

“It seems the Hero intends to keep them,” Barnal whispered.

The Seventh Prince was completely dumbfounded. After a long moment, he finally spoke:

“As expected of the Hero.”

Good heavens, in the eyes of ordinary humans, Demon Beasts were terrifying and brutal.

But this Hero was actually taking them as… consorts? He was even more… flamboyant… than his father.

…

Meanwhile, on the mountaintop.

Sylph was tidying her torn clothes, the morning breeze raising goosebumps on her skin.

Just how… vigorous… is he? she thought, looking at her ripped leather armor.

How could she wear this?

She wasn’t like Ronald, who always carried dozens of spare outfits. Her clothes were back in her room, and her storage ring only held her bows, arrows, and other such items.

Could she just go back naked?

She glared at Qin Chu resentfully.

He chuckled and produced a pure white dress… a maid outfit.

Sylph rolled her eyes. “Why do you have women’s clothes?” she asked. “Do you have a cross-dressing fetish?”

“How could that be? I prepared this for Angelica,” Qin Chu replied immediately, “It’s a maid outfit, but a little variety is always good, right?”

“You’re so dirty-minded!” Sylph said, snatching the dress from him.

Her cheeks flushed slightly. Looking at the flowing tassels and white lace on the dress, she felt a twinge of dislike. She preferred her practical, form-fitting leather armor, which allowed her to move freely and fight effectively.

This dress was too… cumbersome.

And deep down, she also felt a sense of aversion… because it was meant for Angelica.

She didn’t like that.

But she had no choice. She couldn’t just wear leaves.

She reluctantly began to change.

However, she didn’t notice the cold, indifferent glint in Qin Chu’s eyes as he watched her with a smile.

He would let her enjoy this happiness for a while. She was still useful.

The revelation of the truth, after he had extracted all her value, would be even more… delightful.

Because she wasn’t used to such flimsy clothing, it took her a long time to change. But Qin Chu wasn’t in a hurry, just enjoying the view.

After she finally finished changing, Sylph’s forehead was covered in sweat. Then she looked down at her own tattered undergarments, clearly unwearable.

Qin Chu produced another set of clothes: black stockings and a black tube top.

Sylph was speechless. Why did this guy have so many women’s clothes?

Although she disliked these even more, she had no choice.

She suspected that Qin Chu had some strange fetish and was deliberately not giving her any normal clothes.

Qin Chu’s eyes lit up as he looked at the newly dressed Sylph.

Putting aside their animosity, he had to admit that she was truly beautiful.

Her figure was athletic and slender, not particularly curvy, but perfectly proportioned.

Not as voluptuous as Athena, but elegant and refined, the maid outfit’s belt accentuating her slender waist.

The pure white dress and the black stockings, the black lace against her fair skin…

The contrasting colors were strikingly beautiful.

Qin Chu swallowed. She was a true enchantress.

His heated gaze made Sylph feel a flicker of smug satisfaction.

Even Lord Jie Luo never saw me like this… she thought.

Then she smiled wryly. Although this was supposed to be a treatment, she had already been… thoroughly enjoyed… by Qin Chu. They were both very familiar with each other’s bodies.

Compared to that, changing into a more seductive outfit seemed insignificant.

Just as she was lost in thought, she felt a strange sensation against the black fabric.

Her body went weak, her eyes clouding with confusion.

“If you tear them again,” she murmured, “I’ll have no clothes left…”

“Don’t worry, I have plenty…”

…

Meanwhile.

Eileen and Airi, after a sleepless night and a brief detour through a foggy forest, finally returned to the camp.

Without speaking to anyone, they went straight to Loseweisse’s tent.

Seeing them, Loseweisse’s face lit up, expecting good news. But when she saw that only the two of them had returned, Sylph and Ronald nowhere in sight, a bad premonition filled her heart.

The next second, Airi threw herself into Loseweisse’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably, “Sister Loseweisse…wuwuwu…”

“Sister Sylph… Sylph… she’s dead…”

Chapter 265: Sylph Needs More Treatment

Sylph was mortified.

It was all Qin Chu’s fault.

If it weren’t for him, her body wouldn’t be so sensitive, her mind wouldn’t be filled with such… inappropriate… thoughts, and she wouldn’t have made such a fool of herself.

He was the one to blame.

Her embarrassment seemed to worry Qin Chu. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice filled with concern, “Were you injured during the fight with the Demon Beasts? Where? Let me see.”

His gentle concern made Sylph feel even more flustered.

Please don’t be so kind to me, she thought. It only made her more confused.

She bit her lip, stood up, and shook her head. “I’m fine,” she said, “it’s just a small scratch…”

But under his insistent gaze, she couldn’t refuse. Sighing, she unbuttoned her leather armor, revealing the delicate skin beneath her collarbone.

A crimson wound marred the snowy white flesh, a strangely beautiful contrast.

A soft, white light emanated from Qin Chu’s palm, and as he touched her, the wound began to close, the stinging pain fading.

Sylph adjusted her shirt, her gaze complex as she looked at him. “Why were you in the Demon Beast territory?” she asked.

“And you just happened to save me?”

It felt… too coincidental.

“I heard that Eileen returned, and then you, Athena, Eileen, and Airi left. It seemed that Ronald was trapped in Lomond’s territory,” Qin Chu said, his voice grave, “I was worried that you might be trying to rescue him, so I rushed over.”

“I arrived just in time.”

Actually, he had been there for a while, watching from a distance, only intervening when Sylph tried to kill herself.

He wasn’t done playing with her yet, how could he let her die so easily?

Besides, he hadn’t fully unravelled the secret within her, those threads of the Evil God, which could be very useful.

Sylph’s feelings were a tangled mess.

This Second Hero, Qin Chu, was a truly good person.

The former Hero Squad members hadn’t accepted him, yet he was so concerned for their safety.

This poor man, he didn’t even know that they all wanted to kill him, that they only saw him as a tool to be used and discarded.

“By the way, where are Athena, Eileen, and Airi?”

“Athena went to support Muse, at the Snow Chain Mountains,” Sylph answered without thinking, then added with a hint of mockery, “As for Airi and Eileen, they should be safe now.”

“Safe, that’s good,” Qin Chu seemed relieved.

Seeing his reaction, Sylph knew that if Airi and Eileen were still in the Demon Beast territory, he would rush to their rescue.

What a foolishly kind man.

Sylph felt increasingly conflicted, torn between Jie Luo’s resurrection and this good-natured Qin Chu.

The images of the two men flickered in her mind, an endless loop.

She longed for something to distract her from this turmoil, like those times at the residence, lost in a frenzy of passion, her mind blank, focused only on Qin Chu.

She had so much pent-up frustration, she needed to release it.

She placed her hand on her chest, took a deep breath, and spoke, her eyes locking onto his:

“Hero…”

“I think I need… more treatment.”

“Huh? Are you feeling unwell somewhere else?”

Sylph bit her lip, her heart racing, her eyes glazing over, “No, I mean… inside my body, my soul… the corruption…”

Qin Chu understood.

Of course.

With the taint still within her, she must be worried. They should indeed continue the treatment as soon as possible.

“Then, which method do you prefer this time?” he asked.

Sylph’s cheeks flushed crimson. “The… second one?” she stammered.

“No, wait, the third one.”

Something’s off with you, Sylph, Qin Chu thought, a smile playing on his lips.

“Perhaps we can try a few different methods and see which one is more effective,” he suggested.

Sylph, forgetting their location, her shyness replaced by a strange eagerness, reached for her armor, as if to remove it.

But Qin Chu stopped her.

She looked at him, puzzled. Was he refusing to treat her?

“I mean… let’s just… keep it on… just in case we’re attacked,” he said, finding a convenient excuse.

…

Meanwhile, in the dark forest.

Thanks to Sylph drawing away all the Demon Beasts, Eileen and Airi’s escape had been surprisingly smooth.

They had already left Lomond’s territory and crossed back into human lands.

But they didn’t relax their vigilance.

Night had fallen, and the dim light of their oil lamp barely penetrated the darkness.

Although they could see clearly in the dark, this was still Demon Beast territory, and they had to be careful.

The sounds of nocturnal creatures echoed through the forest, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Airi’s fingers toyed with a thin, silver wire, while Eileen’s hand spun a dagger expertly.

After a long silence, Eileen finally spoke, her voice tight, “Why did you leave Sylph behind? Why didn’t you maintain her invisibility?”

This question had been weighing on her mind. They were twins, their thoughts usually in sync, but this time, she couldn’t understand Airi’s actions.

But she had still cooperated with her sister.

Under the moonlight, Airi’s orange eyes seemed to glow red, a flicker of killing intent that made even Eileen’s hair stand on end.

“Because that bitch wanted to steal Big Brother Jie Luo!” Airi said with a cheerful smile, “And it wasn’t my fault. I didn’t dispel her invisibility. It was her own carelessness that exposed her, not me.”

Eileen ignored her excuse, her brow furrowed. “You wanted to kill Sylph just because of that?”

“It was Lomond who killed her, not me,” Airi shrugged.

“Well, if she died… If not, her fate might be even worse than Ronald’s.”

“And that’s not the only reason,” she continued, stretching her arms, trying to puff out her chest, but her figure remained stubbornly flat, which made her pout slightly, “You haven’t met Qin Chu, so you might not know, but… Sylph and he are very close.”

“It’s more than just surveillance, or trying to please him for the sake of resurrecting Big Brother Jie Luo.”

“That woman is not on our side. Keeping her around would only be trouble. It’s better to use Lomond’s hand to eliminate her. And no one can blame us afterwards,” Airi said with an innocent smile.

That smile made even Eileen’s scalp tingle.

Everyone thought that Loseweisse and Ronald were the most devoted to Jie Luo… but Airi’s devotion was no less intense, and perhaps even more…twisted.

“What if… one day… you see me as an obstacle and eliminate me too?” Eileen asked, her eyes narrowing.

Airi looked at her sister in surprise, then grinned and hugged her, her head nuzzling against Eileen’s shoulder, “Sister, what are you talking about?”

“You’re my sister.”

“Don’t you remember? We’ve always shared everything, haven’t we?”

A smile appeared on Eileen’s face. Yes, they were used to this, sharing everything.

They were sisters, inseparable.

After a long moment, they separated.

“By now, Sylph should have been captured by Lomond. I wonder how long she can last. We should go back soon,” Airi said, glancing around, her orange eyes flickering nervously as she saw a few will-o’-the-wisps dancing in the forest.

By the time they returned to the camp, it was already the next morning.

The reinforcements from the Auville Empire had arrived.

Emperor Wadsworth had promoted Barnal to the rank of lieutenant general, recognizing his achievements. Although it wasn’t a particularly high position, it was the highest rank a commoner could achieve, breaking the class barrier.

But this army was a bit… special.

To boost morale, Wadsworth had even sent one of his sons to the front lines as the supreme commander, instructing him to listen to the advice of the veteran officers.

Clearly, he was just there for show, to gain some experience and perhaps learn a bit about military command.

And if Wadsworth had sent his son, the other nobles, naturally, followed suit, each sending a descendant to the battlefield, along with a large number of personal guards to protect them. This greatly inflated the army’s size.

And in Wadsworth’s eyes, these personal guards, better equipped and trained than the regular soldiers, were the true reinforcements.

The arrival of the reinforcements, bringing with them a large amount of supplies, weapons, and food, brought a renewed sense of hope to the camp.

The prince in charge knew he lacked experience, and with his father’s instructions, he immediately appointed Barnal as his second-in-command, entrusting him with all matters of logistics, training, intelligence gathering, and giving him full authority over all the soldiers, including the nobles’ personal guards.

He could punish anyone who disobeyed, even execute them.

After giving his instructions, the prince immediately went to the Hero’s tent with his attendants.

He knew his true mission. Fighting on the front lines was secondary, at least for now.

Building a good relationship with the Hero was his top priority.

Moreover, he had brought a special gift from Wadsworth for the Hero.

And a piece of information that the Hero would be very interested in, related to the being that had corrupted the Grand Prince, and to the Blissful Witch Society!

Chapter 264: Sylph’s Filthy Mind

Sylph fled.

Lomond pursued.

He intended to chase her to the border of his territory, then use the excuse of a potential human ambush to retreat.

But his territory was vast.

And scattered throughout it were Demon Beasts who, upon seeing Sylph, joined the chase with excited roars.

Sylph was forced to change directions repeatedly, her Mana and Battle Qi rapidly depleting.

As the Ghost Archer, she was capable of bursts of incredible speed, but like Eileen and Airi, her stamina was limited. She couldn’t maintain prolonged combat like Ekaterina, Benson, or Karsus.

How long had she been running? Ten hours? Twenty?

She didn’t know.

Her dwindling reserves slowed her down.

Hope was fading.

Her legs felt heavy, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her face flushed.

Sweat plastered her golden hair to her face, stinging her eyes.

The words of the Pig-headed Men echoed in her mind:

“Held in a cage, put on display for all the Demon Beasts to see.”

“Entertained by thousands of strong Demon Beasts…”

“Any Demon Beast, as long as they pay, can have their way with him.”

“Begging for mercy…”

Each time she recalled these words, the image of Ronald’s torment filled her mind, making her shudder.

She had never felt such terror.

She knew that if she was captured, her fate would be even worse than his.

She would rather die than become a Demon Beast’s plaything.

A group of patrolling Demon Beasts spotted her and gave chase.

Sylph made a decision.

She stopped abruptly, a sharp dagger appearing in her hand.

Her hesitation was brief.

This made Lomond pause, confused. What was this woman doing?

Was she planning to fight?

Please, no, he thought. His subordinates were a mindless horde, and he wasn’t sure he could control them. If they accidentally killed her, he wouldn’t be able to fulfill his agreement with Horus.

And he couldn’t call out to her. That would reveal his deal with a human, which he had to keep secret.

The next second, Sylph plunged the dagger towards her heart.

Holy shit! Lomond’s eyes widened.

He hadn’t expected this.

He froze, his simple mind unable to process what to do.

Sylph wouldn’t normally be so impulsive.

But Ronald’s fate was too terrifying.

It was her unwillingness to be a noble’s slave that had awakened her power, leading her to slaughter the merchant’s family.

Becoming a plaything for Demon Beasts was even more unacceptable.

The sharp blade pierced her skin, drawing blood.

Just then, a dark red chain shot out, striking her wrist.

Her fingers went numb, and the dagger flew from her grasp.

Sylph’s face paled, not from the pain, but from despair.

Even suicide was denied to her. Did these Demon Beasts truly intend to capture her alive?

Her pale face twisted with rage, her eyes filled with killing intent.

Don’t underestimate the Ghost Archer.

If they wanted to capture her alive, they would pay the price.

She gathered her remaining strength, her aura rippling outwards.

Just then, the chain that had disarmed her wrapped around her waist.

She was about to resist when a voice echoed in her ear:

“Relax.”

“Don’t resist.”

The familiar voice made her legs go weak, and she almost fell from the branch.

A surge of warmth filled her chest, a flicker of hope.

It was… Qin Chu’s voice?

What was he doing here?

Sylph was confused, but she let the chain bind her. The next second, she was yanked away, flying through the air.

A few seconds later, she landed in a warm embrace, strong arms holding her tightly.

That familiar feeling, it was Qin Chu.

A sense of security, of comfort, washed over her.

She had so many questions, so many things to say, but then she remembered where she was, and her face paled. “Why… why are you here?” she stammered, “There are so many Demon Beasts, it’s dangerous! You have to…”

“Shh…” Qin Chu smiled, signaling her to be quiet.

He activated a magic scroll, and the next instant, they vanished before the eyes of the stunned Demon Beasts.

Lomond breathed a sigh of relief.

Sylph hadn’t died, and he had fulfilled his agreement with Horus.

Although he was currently ascendant, his position was still precarious. If he broke his deal with Horus, that man, with his uncanny ability to gather information, could easily replace him with another prince.

At least until he became the Demon King, he wouldn’t break his agreement with Horus.

Who was that person who had just appeared?

He had been too far away, and the figure had been shrouded in light, so Lomond hadn’t seen his face clearly.

Judging from his build, it must have been Horus.

But all humans looked the same to Lomond, small and insignificant like ants.

Why had Horus bothered to save Sylph?

Could it be that he had taken a liking to her? It seemed that Horus also had… unique tastes…

Although in Lomond’s eyes, this woman was skinny and unattractive.

If Horus liked this type, then when his own power grew, he would simply give him a few Succubi, Blood Elves, and Snow Women. That would surely make Horus forget about human women and focus on serving him loyally.

Lomond pondered, then another thought occurred to him.

He had to salvage the situation.

A member of the Hero Squad had infiltrated his territory and escaped. This was a blow to his reputation.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t very smart, and no matter how hard he racked his brains, he couldn’t think of a suitable excuse.

Since he couldn’t figure it out, he would ask someone more cunning, like Candice.

Although he despised her mixed blood, he had to admit that she was very resourceful.

As expected, Candice quickly provided a solution:

The despicable members of the Hero Squad had attempted to rescue Ronald, and the brave Seventh Prince, leading his forces, had personally pursued them. Although they failed to capture the Ghost Archer alive, they had forced the Hero Squad members to flee in terror, greatly demonstrating the might of the Demon Beasts and defending the Demon King’s honor.

Candice’s response stunned Lomond.

He had achieved nothing, yet this half-breed had spun it into a glorious victory.

After a long moment, the Seventh Prince finally spoke:

That’s so damn shameless.

Then, equally shamelessly, he had his subordinates spread this version of the story throughout his territory.

He felt that he was being corrupted by Candice and Horus.

…

Meanwhile, Sylph felt a wave of dizziness.

This was her first experience with spatial teleportation.

Looking at the barren mountaintop around her, she was still disoriented. Where am I? she wondered.

“Don’t worry, you’re safe here,” Qin Chu’s voice came from above, “This is hundreds of kilometers away from Lomond’s territory. He won’t be able to catch up anytime soon.”

Sylph realized that she was still in his arms.

Recalling the thoughts that had flashed through her mind before she attempted suicide, she blushed and squirmed out of his embrace.

“What kind of power is this? Did you learn spatial magic?” she asked, changing the subject.

“How is that possible? No one taught me spatial magic,” Qin Chu said, holding up the blank magic scroll, “It’s the effect of this scroll.”

“I spent a fortune to obtain it. I only had two, and now I only have one left.”

This was a lie. He had forced Shaye to create hundreds of these scrolls, all stored in his spatial ring.

He wouldn’t run out even if he used them to buy steamed buns every day.

Of course, making it sound rare made it seem more valuable.

A magic scroll with spatial teleportation?

Sylph naturally understood its value.

In critical moments, like today, it could save your life.

And he had just used it?

“Although it pains me to use it, saving Miss Sylph was worth it,” Qin Chu said with a smile.

Sylph’s heart fluttered, a warmth spreading through her chest.

When her former comrades, those she had fought alongside for years, had abandoned her, this Hero had paid a great price to save her?

In her mind, Jie Luo’s image faded slightly, while Qin Chu’s became more prominent.

Like a brand, indelible.

She lowered her eyes as he approached, his hand reaching towards her chest. Her face flushed, her heart pounding.

“This… here? Isn’t… isn’t this a bit inappropriate?” she stammered, her eyes flickering with a mixture of shyness and anticipation.

Although just before she tried to kill herself, she had also longed to be with him again.

But this was a mountaintop!

The thought of being seen made her blush.

But… it would also be quite exciting.

“Huh? I’m just treating your wound. Do we need to choose a location for that?” Qin Chu asked, puzzled.

Ahhh! So embarrassing!

Sylph clutched her head, a small moan escaping her lips. She wanted to jump off this mountain and end it all.

Her mind was filled with filth!