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

Chapter 52: Qin Chu or Jie Luo?

Qin Chu stared at the empty vial rolling on the floor, his mind reeling.

Was Ekaterina truly this… undisciplined?

He was curious to see the potion’s effects.

He snapped his fingers, summoning a small flame that melted the glass, leaving no trace. He didn’t want Loseweisse to find any clues.

Perhaps she was truly drunk. After consuming the potion, Ekaterina remained silent, her head resting against his back, her breathing slow and even. She seemed to have fallen asleep.

Only Shaye, hovering above him, her face twisted into a mischievous grin, watched Ekaterina with keen interest.

At her peak, Shaye’s power had been immense. The Eternal Monarch, Nagath, might have been the Demon King in name, but she had been his equal in strength.

The entire Hero Squad, excluding Qin Chu, wouldn’t have been a match for her.

But opportunities to experiment on a Valkyrie like Ekaterina were rare.

The original Stunning Love hadn’t satisfied her. And time was running out.

She was eager to see the results of her modifications, the enhanced version of the potion.

Witches, after all, loved to experiment, whether with magic or potions.

Ekaterina wasn’t asleep.

She was awake.

But her mind was hazy, her head pounding. The sweet drink she had found in Qin Chu’s pocket had intensified the alcohol’s effects.

Her thoughts felt sluggish, her movements clumsy.

Every step filled her with a sense of instability, the world spinning around her.

It should have been unpleasant, but… she found it strangely comforting. She felt like she was floating on a cloud, drifting effortlessly on the wind.

Her alcohol tolerance seemed to have decreased.

A few barrels of liquor wouldn’t have affected her before.

She felt hot, her body burning with a feverish intensity. The heat made her restless, her thoughts racing.

And then… a wave of sadness washed over her, an emptiness that made her want to cry, as if a part of her soul was missing. She didn’t understand why she felt this way.

She glanced at the man carrying her, his broad back, his tall frame… He seemed to overlap with a figure from her memories, a phantom from her past.

She tightened her grip on his chest, her fingers tracing the outline of his muscles beneath his shirt. His body felt cool, a welcome contrast to the burning sensation within her.

She held him tighter, refusing to let go.

She wanted to stay with him forever… forever…

She smiled, a blissful smile. She was happy… so happy… but… it wasn’t enough.

She felt a void within her, a gaping hole in her soul that yearned to be filled.

Qin Chu ignored her movements, attributing them to her drunken state.

After over an hour, they reached the small gate near the residence.

The guard, still faithfully performing his duty, stood at attention, awaiting their return.

He sighed with relief as they approached. His shift was almost over.

If his superiors discovered that he had allowed Qin Chu to leave the residence, he would be severely punished. He had taken a considerable risk for that one thousand Mana.

He opened the gate without a word, urging them to enter quickly.

The guards stationed outside Qin Chu’s bedroom were changing shifts.

He seized the opportunity, slipping inside, depositing Ekaterina on the bed.

He glanced at her. She was a fierce warrior, her personality more masculine than most men.

But when drunk, she seemed… softer, more feminine.

She wasn’t as delicate and graceful as Loseweisse, but her features were undeniably attractive. Combined with her impressive physique, she was a man’s dream, a true beauty… as long as she kept her mouth shut. Her personality, however, was a major deterrent.

Even now, lying on the bed, her body writhing like a serpent, her cheeks flushed, her eyes hazy with desire, her lips slightly parted… she was alluring.

Qin Chu felt a flicker of arousal, a purely physical response, devoid of any emotional attachment.

He adjusted his expression, feigning confusion and annoyance, as he headed towards the door.

Ekaterina, hearing his footsteps, watched him retreat, the emptiness within her intensifying.

It was a painful ache, bringing tears to her eyes.

The door creaked open.

Six guards stood outside.

“Ah, is it your shift, Nikles?” Qin Chu asked, forcing a smile.

Nikles, his posture impeccable, his dark skin gleaming in the moonlight, his green eyes filled with surprise, replied, “Hero-sama, you’ve been training diligently all afternoon. Why not rest? If you need anything, just ask us…”

“Oh, no, no, Nikles, you misunderstand,” Qin Chu said, shaking his head.

“You know Lady Ekaterina. She loves her liquor. She’s… well, she’s drunk. And she’s… she’s taken over my room, my bed. I need to find another place to sleep… The smell of alcohol is unbearable.”

Nikles understood.

They had all heard about Ekaterina’s legendary drinking habits.

But he hadn’t expected her to get drunk and occupy the Hero’s room on her first night… If she wasn’t so powerful, she wouldn’t even be qualified to be the Hero’s companion.

He gave Qin Chu a sympathetic look.

“I hope you find a comfortable room, Hero-sama. Perhaps Angelica’s room would be suitable…”

He winked, his meaning clear. The other guards chuckled, their expressions knowing.

Even Qin Chu smiled.

But then, a sound, a stumbling, hurried gait, accompanied by the scent of alcohol, interrupted them. Someone grabbed his shirt.

He turned. It was Ekaterina.

But something was different. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes hazy with desire, her lips slightly parted, her breath warm against his skin.

Her chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath.

“Don’t go…”

She pulled him back into the room, slamming the door shut. The guards outside exchanged bewildered glances.

They envied the Hero. Such luck was beyond their reach.

The Hero and a member of the Hero Squad, the Valkyrie Ekaterina…

This wasn’t something they should get involved in.

Qin Chu, dragged back to the bedside, was still confused. Before he could speak, Ekaterina’s arms wrapped around his neck.

Her lips, hot and demanding, crashed against his.

He heard her breathless whispers between kisses:

“Jie Luo, love me…”

Jie Luo?

She was so drunk that she had mistaken him for Jie Luo?

If he truly loved her, hearing another man’s name at this moment would have enraged him.

But Qin Chu… he felt a thrill of excitement, a perverse sense of satisfaction.

 

Chapter 51: Stunning Love, a Little Sweet

Auville Empire, Imperial Capital!

Under the pale glow of two crescent moons, Qin Chu slipped out of the residence through a side gate.

His destination: the Fire Rose Tavern, located in the commoner district.

There were taverns in the noble district too, but Ekaterina wasn’t interested in those establishments. Their prices were ten, even a hundred times higher than those in the commoner district, but that wasn’t the reason for her disdain. Her income was more than enough to support a lavish lifestyle, even in the noble district.

The taverns in the noble district emphasized elegance and refinement. They served their drinks in delicate, tiny glasses, barely larger than a thumb. For someone like Ekaterina, it was torture. She couldn’t even taste the alcohol after downing countless glasses.

She preferred the taverns in the commoner district. They served their drinks in bowls… even barrels.

Their rye-based liquor, harsh and fiery, was considered sacrilege by the nobles, a violation of their refined palates. But to Ekaterina, it was nectar.

Qin Chu checked his status panel.

Level: 39

Class: Hero

Strength: 179

Stamina: 122

Agility: 153

Spirit: 432

Defense: 144

Charm: 6 (Average: 5, Maximum: 10)

His stats had increased significantly. Stealing others’ power was indeed the fastest way to gain strength. Though he was only level thirty-nine, his stats were comparable to those of a level sixty character.

And this was after the significant reduction in power absorption from consuming lower-level Demons. Otherwise, his stats would be even more impressive.

He wasn’t as strong as the top-tier powerhouses yet, but he could handle most threats now.

His Spirit stat was particularly impressive, exceeding even that of a level seventy mage.

It had increased by dozens of points after his encounter with the scrolls.

Martial Skills: None

Magic: Besides the thirty-six low-tier and seven mid-tier spells Candice had taught him, he had also acquired fourteen spells from the Demons he had consumed. A total of fifty-seven spells… or so he thought. The panel, however, displayed fifty-eight.

There was an additional, uncategorized spell: Holy Light.

He had acquired this spell after touching the scrolls, after witnessing the cage in the void.

As he walked, his thoughts drifted back to those scrolls.

They were dark and sinister, the images they had revealed terrifying, but they clearly contained immense power.

If he could decipher them, his strength would skyrocket, surpassing even his previous life’s peak.

But the risk of madness… it gave him pause.

He had died once. Though he was driven by a thirst for revenge, he wasn’t reckless. He wouldn’t blindly pursue power, not if it risked his sanity.

Logically, he should avoid those scrolls. He had initially done just that, sealing them within a storage ring, refusing to even look at them.

But the urge to study them, to unlock their secrets, to gain more power… it lingered within him, a persistent whisper in the back of his mind.

He knew it was the taint of corruption, a consequence of his first contact with the scrolls.

It would remain with him, tempting him, whispering promises of power.

But it wasn’t insurmountable.

A faint, milky white light enveloped him.

Holy Light.

The spell he had acquired after his encounter with the scrolls. It wasn’t their power, he knew. It felt different, opposing their darkness.

A voice in his mind whispered that Holy Light could suppress the corruption.

He remembered his initial hesitation, his instinctive aversion to those scrolls. But then he had heard a soft voice, a seductive whisper that had urged him to touch them, leading him to the vision of the cage in the void.

Whose voice was that?

He had asked Shaye, but she claimed she hadn’t heard anything.

The mysteries surrounding his rebirth continued to grow. He was encountering things he hadn’t noticed in his previous life.

This world was far more complex than he had realized.

He shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside for now.

…

He walked along Anthea Street, heading towards the towering wall that separated the commoner and noble districts.

Anthea Street was named after a noblewoman, a legendary figure in the Auville Empire. She had been known for her beauty, her grace, and her prowess in battle.

A thousand years ago, the Auville Empire had faced a major crisis. Several neighboring kingdoms had united, their armies marching towards the capital. The Emperor at the time, a weak and decadent ruler, had underestimated the threat, believing his forces could easily crush the “barbarians.”

As the enemy neared the capital, Lady Anthea had stepped forward, rallying the nobles and the ambitious princes and princesses who refused to see their nation fall. She had gathered their private armies, forming a united force.

On the battlefield, her figure, holding aloft a spear adorned with the Auville Empire’s flag, had inspired her troops, their courage fueled by her presence. They had fought valiantly, repelling the invaders, pushing them back to their own lands, protecting the Auville Empire’s honor.

Her popularity had even surpassed the Emperor’s.

But she had died shortly after the war.

Her death had been attributed to injuries sustained during the conflict, her old wounds reopening. The Emperor, honoring her memory, had even reserved a place for her in his harem, declaring that though she was gone, she would still receive the honor of a princess consort.

Anthea Street, connecting the commoner and noble districts, was a bustling thoroughfare. The Fire Rose Tavern was located at its end.

The commoners living along the street had even petitioned to build another wall, separating them from the true poor who resided beyond.

Qin Chu quickened his pace. After about half an hour, he reached the tavern.

The pungent scent of alcohol wafted from within. He could hear Ekaterina’s voice even before entering.

“Hahaha! Drink up!”

Her boisterous laughter made him cringe.

He peeked inside. Ekaterina was the center of attention, surrounded by a crowd of men.

She had traded her evening gown for her battle armor, her crimson hair, usually loose and flowing, now tied back in a ponytail.

She stood on a table, her foot planted firmly on its surface, holding a barrel of liquor that was at least five liters in volume.

She probably didn’t even know the meaning of the word “ladylike.”

She lifted the barrel, tilting it towards her lips.

She guzzled the clear, fiery liquid, ignoring the spills that stained her armor, adding a touch of wildness to her appearance. Her head tilted back, revealing her slender neck, her throat bobbing seductively as she swallowed.

She drained half the barrel in a single gulp.

Her opponent, a burly man with a thick beard, slumped to the floor, his stomach churning.

She wiped her mouth and chin with her arm, her laughter echoing through the tavern. “Hah! You call yourself a man? You can’t even handle half a barrel!”

She held up the remaining liquor, her voice challenging. “Who’s next?”

Another man, his pride wounded, stepped forward, determined to defend men’s honor.

They couldn’t let a woman outdrink them all.

The tavern owner, watching the chaos with a smile, was delighted. This was good for business.

This woman, bold and generous, was a good customer.

She never caused any trouble, even when drunk. She would simply fall asleep at her table, waking up the next morning to settle her bill without complaint.

She was a cash cow… no, a valued patron. Her presence guaranteed a month’s worth of income in a single night.

But she was also dangerous.

She was beautiful, and some men, their minds clouded by lust, had made the mistake of trying to take advantage of her when she was drunk. One man, foolish enough to grope her, had been cleaved in two by her greatsword, his intestines spilling across the floor.

After that incident, everyone knew that challenging her to a drinking contest was acceptable, but touching her was a death sentence.

Two hours passed. Every man in the tavern, except the owner, was sprawled on the floor, defeated.

Ekaterina, seemingly bored, finished the remaining liquor, tossing the empty barrel aside. She rested her head on her arms, falling asleep on the table, ignoring the spilled drinks and the unconscious men surrounding her.

Qin Chu finally made his move.

He approached her, reaching out to tap her shoulder.

“Be careful, young man. That lady is trouble. You might lose your life,” the tavern owner warned, mistaking him for someone looking for an easy target.

Qin Chu thanked him but continued his approach.

Before his hand touched her shoulder, she reacted instinctively, her fist shooting towards his face with bone-shattering force.

But Qin Chu didn’t flinch. Her fist stopped just before connecting with his face.

She lifted her head, her eyes bleary. “Huh? I… guh…”

“Is that… Qin Chu? What are you doing here? Come to drink with me?”

“You’ve had enough,” he said, his voice gentle. “Can you stand? I’ll take you home…”

“Hah! You think I’m drunk? I can stand just fine…” She slurred her words, attempting to stand, but her legs buckled, and she stumbled.

Qin Chu caught her, his hands gripping her armor. The exposed flesh beneath felt soft and smooth.

He shook his head, leaving a one-thousand-Mana bill on the table.

He lifted her, slinging her over his shoulder, her legs dangling against his chest.

She was tall, almost as tall as him, and her physique, though toned and athletic, was undeniably curvy. She wasn’t light, but her muscles, honed by years of training, felt firm and solid.

Strands of her crimson hair tickled his face.

“Ugh… I’m thirsty… My throat is dry…” she mumbled, squirming against him like a child.

Her breastplate, digging into his back, was uncomfortable.

Her hands, fumbling at his chest, found the vial of Stunning Love in his pocket.

In her drunken state, she didn’t even bother examining it. She bit the cork, tilting her head back.

She gulped down the entire contents.

She smacked her lips.

“Mmm… a little sweet!”

 

 Chapter 50: Shaye’s Test Subject 

Augustus, the Pope!

That damned bastard was the most likely culprit.

His position granted him unrestricted access to the Holy See. The barrier wouldn’t stop him, and the Holy Knights wouldn’t dare question him. He could move freely within the complex, his authority unquestioned.

He had the opportunity.

And his power surpassed hers. It was plausible that he could disable her wards.

He had the ability.

Most importantly, he had promised Angelica that he would reinvestigate the cursing incident during the Holy Maiden selection, ensuring her ascension to the position.

Her term as the Holy Maiden wasn’t over yet. To replace her, Augustus needed a valid reason, a justifiable cause. He couldn’t simply remove her on a whim.

He needed to find something incriminating, something to discredit her.

He had the motive.

Motive, opportunity, and ability… Loseweisse was convinced that Augustus was the thief.

But did he think he could easily remove her from her position?

She wasn’t one to sit idly by. She had cultivated her own network of influence within the Holy See, her power rivaling the Pope’s. If Augustus truly intended to challenge her, he would learn the extent of her influence.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror, her face contorted with rage, her eyes blazing with fury.

No, this wouldn’t do.

She was unsightly, her anger marring her beauty.

Jie Luo would be disappointed if he saw her like this. She picked up his photograph, holding it close, her eyes softening with longing.

A figure entered the room.

He gasped as he saw the disarray. “Lady Loseweisse, what happened here?”

Loseweisse glanced at him. It was Douglas, the Cardinal in charge of the Holy Inquisition, the second most powerful figure in the Holy See, his authority exceeded only by the Pope. Officially, his position was equal to hers, but in reality, he wielded far more power.

But for some reason, he treated her with utmost respect.

They were supposed to be allies, but he seemed to consider himself her subordinate.

“It’s nothing…” she said, forcing a smile. “I was just… looking for something. Cardinal Douglas, is there anything I can do for you?”

He eyed her skeptically. Her room didn’t look like someone had simply been searching for something.

But he wouldn’t question her.

He was her loyal follower, obeying her every command. She possessed a unique bloodline, a lineage that commanded his respect.

“It’s about Maggie and Sana…”

“They’re dead…”

What?

Loseweisse’s anger, momentarily subdued, flared up again. She shot to her feet, her face twitching.

Damn it! Today was truly a disaster.

…

Meanwhile, at the training grounds, Qin Chu, who had been meditating, opened his eyes.

He dismissed his illusion, his true body taking its place.

It had been a busy day.

But productive.

And he had another task to complete: Ekaterina.

He stood up, suppressing his power, projecting an aura of slight improvement, as if he had made a small breakthrough during his afternoon training session.

As he approached the training grounds’ exit, the guards sensed the faint heat emanating from his body.

“Congratulations, Hero-sama, on your progress.”

As expected of the Hero. He had achieved a noticeable breakthrough in a single afternoon. Unlike them, who had struggled for almost a month just to sense elemental energy.

Qin Chu scratched his head, feigning embarrassment. “It’s all thanks to Lady Ekaterina’s guidance. And I’m just getting started. I still have a long way to go… By the way, where is Lady Ekaterina?”

He knew the answer.

“She said she had some… important business to attend to… Has she not returned yet?”

The guard’s expression turned strange. “Uh, if you’re looking for Lady Ekaterina, you might find her at the tavern…”

Seeing Qin Chu’s confused expression, he added, “For Lady Ekaterina, drinking at the tavern is the most important business.”

“I’ll gather my brothers and accompany you…”

“No need. I’ll go alone this time,” Qin Chu said, shaking his head.

The guard was alarmed. “But Hero-sama, what if…”

“I’ve eliminated all the Demons from the city. And I’ll be with Lady Ekaterina. She’ll protect me. I’ll be fine.” Qin Chu stretched, his muscles relaxing. “You know, I’ve been cooped up in here all afternoon. I just need some fresh air…”

“Besides, the city is patrolled by the Knights. If anything happens, I’ll call for help.”

“Oh, and…” He pulled out a one-thousand-Mana bill, handing it to the guard. “You’ve been standing guard all day. You deserve a treat.”

The guard’s eyes widened at the sight of the bill.

Qin Chu saw his throat bobbing, his hands trembling slightly as he tried to control his excitement.

One thousand Mana… Though the Royal Guards received a higher salary than ordinary soldiers, this amount was equivalent to his annual income.

“Hero-sama, you’re here to save our world. We should be the ones paying you…”

But despite his words, he couldn’t resist pocketing the bill.

“There’s a small gate on the left side. The guard there… his wife is giving birth today. He’s not on duty…”

“And I’m not done with my shift yet. I’ll be here until midnight.”

Qin Chu smiled, his expression sincere. “Thank you, sir. Your dedication is admirable. You’re a good man.”

He left the training grounds, following the guard’s directions, heading towards the small gate under the cover of darkness.

He glanced up at the night sky, his thoughts drifting towards the visions he had witnessed when he had touched Loseweisse’s scrolls.

What secrets lay hidden within the vast expanse of the cosmos?

Would he, even at his peak strength, be a match for those entities?

He didn’t know. It was a realm beyond his comprehension, a world of darkness and chaos.

But he knew that strength was the foundation of everything.

“Shaye, is Stunning Love ready?”

“Just finished. It’s a special, modified version. Slightly different from the original…”

“I think Ekaterina will be an excellent test subject…”

I’m so brilliant!

Shaye praised herself, eager to see how Ekaterina would be transformed.

 

Chapter 49: It Couldn’t Have Been Qin Chu

Loseweisse didn’t pursue the thief.

She didn’t even know how they had entered or escaped. How could she possibly chase them?

She couldn’t raise the alarm, couldn’t order the Holy Knights to investigate. The stolen items were too incriminating.

She slumped against the wall, her body numb, her mind reeling. She couldn’t even muster the energy to move a finger.

She was on the verge of a breakdown.

Seven hundred million Mana…

She had spent years, using every dirty trick in the book, accumulating that wealth.

Did anyone know how much effort she had put into embezzling those funds?

And the thirty thousand Saint Quartz… She had paid a hefty price for those precious stones. Now, it was all gone.

But what worried her most were her notebooks and diary. They contained her darkest secrets, her most shameful thoughts. If they were exposed, her carefully crafted image would be shattered.

It would be a scandal of epic proportions.

And the most devastating loss… the seven divine scrolls.

As the Holy Maiden, Loseweisse, like her predecessors, was tasked with serving the divine.

It wasn’t a difficult task. It involved cleaning the statues, ensuring their pristine condition, and praying for the gods’ blessings.

Occasionally, a Holy Maiden would receive a divine revelation.

But such occurrences were rare. Many Holy Maidens lived their entire lives without experiencing a divine message.

Loseweisse, however, had been different. During her first prayer session, the seven statues had erupted in a blinding light. When the light subsided, seven scrolls lay scattered on the ground.

She had picked them up, her heart pounding with trepidation. As her fingers touched the scrolls, she had sensed a powerful, ancient energy, a mysterious consciousness guiding her, urging her to grow stronger.

The mental magic she had mastered, the intricate wards she could create… she had learned it all from those scrolls. She hadn’t experienced the mental assault, the taint of corruption, that Qin Chu had suffered.

She had understood the scrolls’ value instantly. Since there was no Holy Son this generation, she was the only one present. She had concealed the scrolls, unwilling to share their power with anyone.

They contained countless secrets, knowledge, power… If she had enough time, if she could decipher even a single scroll, she would surpass Augustus, the Pope, becoming the first female Pope in the Holy See’s history.

After Jie Luo, the First Hero, had appeared, her focus had shifted, her research neglected. Otherwise, she would be far stronger now.

And after his death, she had been consumed by her desire to resurrect him…

The value of even a single scroll far exceeded the combined worth of the seven hundred million Mana, the thirty thousand Saint Quartz, and her notebooks and diary.

And now, these priceless artifacts were gone.

She couldn’t understand how it had happened. The Holy See was protected by a powerful barrier, patrolled by countless Holy Knights. How had the thief breached their defenses?

Could it be… Qin Chu?

Her dislike for the Second Hero made her suspect him instantly.

But she quickly dismissed the idea.

He wasn’t capable of such a feat.

He was currently training in the residence’s training grounds, learning the Star Flame Battle Qi technique from Ekaterina.

If he had entered openly, as the Hero, he would have been surrounded by priests and bishops, leaving him no time for such mischief. And if he had tried to sneak in, he wouldn’t be able to bypass the Holy Knights or the barrier with his current strength.

Most importantly, she had passed by the training grounds on her way back. He was still training. She had even questioned the guards, who confirmed that he hadn’t left the training grounds all afternoon.

He had been diligently practicing, his focus unwavering.

The guards, though disliking the Hero, were impressed by his dedication. It seemed unlikely that he was the culprit.

If not him, then who?

The thief must be incredibly skilled, perhaps even a Master Thief.

Master Thieves were rare in the Heavenly Continent. If a Master Thief was responsible, retrieving her stolen possessions would be impossible.

Wait…

Loseweisse, her mind regaining its clarity, assessed the situation. All five storage rings were gone. The Stunning Love potion in her desk drawer was missing. She didn’t know if Maggie and Sana had succeeded, but even if they had, it was useless now.

She couldn’t gather the necessary ingredients to create more Stunning Love within a week.

She continued her analysis.

This might not be the work of a Master Thief.

She hadn’t offended any Master Thieves. They wouldn’t risk antagonizing the Holy See by stealing from her, especially since she had a reputation for integrity.

And her wards were exceptionally crafted.

Even Athena, the Grand Magus of the Hero Squad, could only sense them, not disable them.

A thief wouldn’t possess such advanced magical skills.

Only a more powerful mage could have breached her wards.

And had the thief truly entered undetected?

Could it be someone who had legitimate access to the Holy See?

That would explain how they had bypassed the barrier and the Holy Knights. They were an insider, recognized by the barrier.

The Holy Knights wouldn’t have questioned them.

The priests and clergymen wouldn’t have suspected a thing.

And they possessed superior magical skills, enabling them to disable her wards…

Within the Holy See, only one person fit that description:

Augustus, the Pope!

Could he be responsible for this?

 

Chapter 48: Which Damned Bastard Did This?

The chain, formed from writhing serpents, stretched into the depths of the void, leading to…

A giant cage.

Countless chains, bound tightly around the cage, pulsed with a dark energy, their movements resembling a raging inferno.

Distorted shadows writhed within the black mist, their forms shifting and coalescing. He caught a whiff of blood, a coppery tang that made his stomach churn. Faint whispers, a chorus of maddening voices, echoed in his ears.

Pain lanced through his head. Qin Chu stared, his heart pounding in his chest.

He knew he had glimpsed something forbidden, something no human should ever witness.

What… What was that?

The giant sphere, its surface covered in countless eyes, seemed to sense his gaze. The eyes, shifting slowly, focused on him.

He felt a thousand gazes piercing his flesh, his body reacting instinctively. A cacophony of screams filled his mind, grotesque images flashing before his eyes, strange energies coursing through his veins. His soul felt like it was being torn apart.

Pain, like a thousand cuts, ripped through his skin.

Countless eyes, resembling parasites, erupted on his flesh.

He glimpsed images, fragments of memories, filled with despair, madness, and an alien evil. They flooded his mind, threatening to shatter his sanity.

He felt something dark and sinister, an ancient entity, attempting to possess him, to use his body as a vessel for its return.

Then, his body convulsed, the horrifying visions receding like a tide.

It was as if it had all been a hallucination.

But he knew it was real. He covered his eyes, blood and tears seeping through his fingers. His clothes, soaked in cold sweat, clung to his skin. His muscles spasmed, his mind still reeling.

A knife protruded from his arm, blood flowing freely from the wound.

Shaye had done it.

It had happened so quickly. She had seen him freeze, his body trembling, his eyes wide with terror. She had tried to snap him out of it, but he hadn’t responded. He hadn’t even heard her.

She had sensed his “Forced Calm” Ability activating repeatedly, desperately trying to suppress the mental assault, but it had been ineffective.

She had acted instinctively, choosing a brutal but effective solution. She had stabbed him, hoping the pain would shock him back to reality.

It had worked.

She could sense the lingering taint of mental corruption within him.

She didn’t speak, her expression grim as she hovered beside him. She glanced at the scrolls, her brow furrowed. Who would have thought that the Holy Maiden’s chambers contained such dark, sinister objects?

After a long moment, Qin Chu took a deep breath, his trembling subsiding. He pulled out the knife, healing the wound with a simple Water Healing spell.

He glanced at the scrolls, his heart pounding. Loseweisse was more dangerous than he had realized.

A single scroll had almost destroyed him. And there were seven of them.

He didn’t know what they contained, but he had a premonition that if he left them here, if he allowed Loseweisse to continue her research, she would become his most formidable enemy.

He didn’t mention the scrolls, simply pocketing the storage rings.

But the images he had witnessed, the giant sphere with its countless eyes, the cage at the end of the chain… They were etched into his memory.

What were those things?

What was imprisoned within that cage?

What did the remaining six scrolls represent?

He felt like he had stumbled into something far beyond his comprehension, something dangerous and terrifying.

He knew he couldn’t delve any deeper, not yet. He wouldn’t touch those scrolls again until he regained his previous strength.

He searched the rest of the room, but he couldn’t find the remaining six vials of Stunning Love.

He had assumed they were hidden behind the wards, but those wards had concealed something far more sinister.

The only remaining places to search were the desk, the wardrobe, and under the bed…

But Loseweisse was cautious. She wouldn’t leave such valuable items in such obvious locations. That was something Ekaterina would do…

Perhaps she carried the potion with her?

He pulled open a desk drawer, his thoughts elsewhere.

He found a photograph. He couldn’t tell who it was… It was the kind of face that would blend into a crowd, utterly forgettable.

Not ugly, per se. Ugliness was a distinctive feature, at least memorable.

But this person… average height, average build, average complexion, average features…

The word “ordinary” seemed to have been invented for this individual.

Their face left no impression.

Only their smile, a slight upturn of the lips, hinted at something sinister, something unsettling.

Who was this person? Why did Loseweisse keep their photograph? It couldn’t be Jie Luo, the First Hero, could it?

He had only heard stories about Jie Luo. He had never seen his face.

But considering Loseweisse and Ekaterina’s infatuation with him, he must have been handsome, charismatic, a true heartthrob.

This person in the photograph didn’t fit the description.

Qin Chu shrugged, tossing the photograph aside.

He opened a metal box beneath the photograph, his hopes dwindling.

But he had come this far…

He lifted the lid. His face fell as he saw the box’s contents.

Six pink vials, neatly arranged.

Damn it!

He wanted to curse. Loseweisse had left the remaining vials of Stunning Love, such a valuable and dangerous potion, in her desk drawer?

He had wasted so much time searching, and it had been right under his nose all along.

He didn’t know what to say. Even Shaye facepalmed.

…

Meanwhile, at the Holy See, Loseweisse returned to her chambers, greeting everyone she encountered with a warm smile.

She treated even the lowliest nuns with respect, her demeanor a perfect example of Holy Maidenly conduct.

Her actions earned her widespread admiration. The nuns she spoke to blushed with excitement, their hearts fluttering at her attention.

But her mind was elsewhere. She was eager to hear the good news from Maggie and Sana.

However, when she reached her residence, she didn’t see them waiting for her.

She frowned. They were supposed to report to her immediately after completing their mission.

A sense of unease crept into her heart. Had something gone wrong?

It was impossible. Maggie and Sana might not be strong enough to defeat top-tier opponents, but dealing with a powerless Angelica should have been a simple task.

Perhaps they had been delayed?

She tried to reassure herself as she retrieved her key, but as her hand touched the copper lock, she realized it was broken.

Her face paled.

She flung the door open. Her mind reeled as she saw the state of her room.

It looked like it had been ransacked by a pack of huskies… Huskies were a breed of domesticated dogs named by the First Hero.

The bed was a mess. Clothes, both inner and outer garments, were scattered across the floor. The desk was overturned. The wardrobe’s contents were strewn about. Even the two magical wards on the ground and the wall had been disabled, the storage rings they had concealed gone.

She shuddered, then rushed upstairs, her movements frantic.

The three wards on the second floor had also been disabled, the storage rings missing.

She stumbled back, her strength draining away. She collapsed against the wall, her body shaking uncontrollably.

It was all gone.

Seven hundred million Mana…

Thirty thousand Saint Quartz!

And most importantly… the seven divine scrolls.

Which damned bastard had done this?

 

Chapter 47: A Cage in the Void 

Seven hundred million Mana!

He didn’t love money.

Really.

As the Hero, he received a monthly salary of one hundred thousand Mana, a considerable sum in the Heavenly Continent, though not as extravagant as the income of the great nobles.

In his previous life, he had never worried about money.

But this amount still shocked him. He hadn’t realized Loseweisse was so wealthy. He had only received an annual salary of one hundred million Mana after saving the entire continent.

Loseweisse was just the Holy Maiden of the Holy See. Though her position was prestigious, her salary wasn’t exorbitant. Even if she lived to be two hundred years old, she wouldn’t be able to accumulate such wealth through her salary alone.

It was clear that she had been exploiting her position, embezzling funds, and accepting bribes. How corrupt!

And to think that she had constantly pestered him to buy her clothes and had always expected him to pay for their meals.

She had been playing the poor, helpless maiden all along.

But then again, resurrecting Jie Luo required rare and expensive ingredients. And she had been cultivating her own private force. These things couldn’t be achieved without considerable funds.

He wasn’t motivated by greed, he told himself. He was simply disgusted by her hypocrisy, her blatant corruption. He pocketed the storage ring, his heart filled with righteous indignation.

His eyes crinkled with amusement.

He had almost forgotten his original purpose. Now, he was on a treasure hunt. He snapped his fingers, his gaze turning towards Shaye.

“Shaye, next!”

Shaye was just as eager. She wasn’t lacking in wealth either.

As the most powerful Witch, she was richer than most nations.

But…

She had a fondness for shiny objects: crystals, gems, gold coins, banknotes… They brought her a strange sense of joy, making her wonder if she had some dragon blood in her lineage.

After her return through time, her physical body had been destroyed.

She was now a parasite, inhabiting Qin Chu’s body. Her previous wealth was gone. This unexpected windfall delighted her.

She didn’t even wait for his command. She floated towards another wall, another intricate magical ward, its presence undetectable even to Qin Chu.

But Loseweisse’s wards were no match for Shaye’s skill. She disabled it with ease, revealing another storage ring.

He channeled his magic into the ring, its contents spilling out before them.

This time, it wasn’t banknotes. It was… Saint Quartz, filling the entire space, its multicolored brilliance so intense that it made his eyes ache.

Saint Quartz was a precious ore in the Heavenly Continent, a combination of diamond and gold, possessing both beauty and practicality.

It was used to create exquisite jewelry for royalty and nobility.

Mages embedded it into their staffs, enhancing their magical conductivity.

Warriors incorporated it into their armor, increasing its durability through special enchantments.

And it contained a vast reserve of pure elemental energy, making it a valuable tool for any practitioner, aiding in their training and replenishing their depleted magic or Battle Qi.

Its uses were numerous.

But it was rare and expensive, its value exceeding even gold.

This ring, filled with Saint Quartz, was worth far more than the previous ring filled with banknotes.

Qin Chu and Shaye, now full-fledged robbers, swept through the first floor, their original goal forgotten.

Each ward concealed a storage ring.

“We’ve struck it rich!” Shaye exclaimed, rubbing her hands together gleefully.

Qin Chu stared at her, surprised. He hadn’t realized the most powerful Witch was a money-grubber.

His image of the fearsome Dark Witch was crumbling.

Her eyes sparkled with greed. “These three rings probably contain more money. We’ll split it seventy-thirty.”

“Why do I only get thirty percent?” he protested.

“Seventy percent is mine,” she stated flatly.

“What do you need so much money for? You can’t even spend it right now.”

“I’ll… keep it safe for you. Six percent interest…”

He had heard of loan sharks, not… deposit witches.

Was she truly the Dark Witch? Or was she the Money Witch?

He ignored her, picking up another ring. He felt a pang of disappointment as he saw its contents. Unlike the previous rings, this one wasn’t filled with treasure. It contained nine notebooks.

He picked one up, flipping through its pages. His initial dismissiveness vanished, replaced by a strange smile.

“What is it? Why are you smiling like that?”

“Nothing. These notebooks are… interesting,” he said, tucking them away.

In his opinion, these notebooks were more valuable than the Saint Quartz and Mana.

They were Loseweisse’s personal journals, detailing her observations of the other Hero Squad members and their interactions with Jie Luo, the First Hero.

Perhaps she had intended to preserve these memories as a memento?

But as he picked up the next ring, he discarded that theory. This ring contained a single, thick diary. Its pages revealed Loseweisse’s dark side, her obsessive possessiveness, her jealousy.

She had harbored intense animosity towards anyone who got close to Jie Luo, even men.

This diary was a collection of her darkest thoughts, her hidden desires, her venomous rage.

She had been consumed by jealousy when Athena, Ekaterina, Sylph, or any other woman interacted with Jie Luo. The pages were filled with insults, calling them “whores” and “sluts.”

She had even envisioned elaborate and gruesome deaths for each of her comrades.

No wonder she had sealed this diary with magical wards. Beneath her facade of grace and purity, she had been a cauldron of negativity, releasing her pent-up emotions through her writing. This diary, if exposed, would shatter her image as the Holy Maiden.

He pocketed the ring and opened the last one.

It contained seven scrolls.

These scrolls, unlike ordinary parchment scrolls, were made of an unknown material, their color a dark, unsettling gray.

Intricate patterns, resembling chains, covered their surfaces, inscribed with countless ancient runes. Even a glance at these runes made his eyes ache, tears stinging his eyes.

A dark mist clung to the chains, their links taut, as if something was struggling to break free.

He felt a shiver run down his spine. He imagined countless grotesque figures writhing beneath the chains, their presence a palpable threat.

Danger!

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He had been the Hero, the slayer of Demon Kings, the strongest being in the Heavenly Continent.

Though he was weak now, his courage and willpower remained.

But these scrolls… they filled him with a primal dread. His instincts screamed at him to stay away.

“Open it…”

A soft, seductive voice echoed in his mind.

His trembling fingers reached for one of the scrolls.

He didn’t want to touch it…

Why…

His fingers brushed against the scroll’s surface.

A wave of energy, powerful and chaotic, surged through his mind, overwhelming his senses.

He saw endless darkness, a vast, empty void. A giant sphere, its surface covered in countless vertical eyes, pulsed within the void.

Black tendrils, resembling monstrous serpents, snaked across the sphere’s surface, their movements erratic and sinister.

The serpents writhed and intertwined, merging into a massive chain that stretched into the depths of the void.

At the end of the chain… a giant cage.

…

Chapter 46: The Holy Maiden’s Home Invasion

In his previous life, he had been the one carrying a drunken Ekaterina home.

She had challenged twenty men to a drinking contest, a relentless battle of endurance. She had outlasted them all, leaving them sprawled on the tavern floor, before finally succumbing to the alcohol herself.

“I see. I’ll have to hurry then. I should still be able to catch her,” Shaye said, nodding.

She was always eager to assist him in his wicked schemes.

Qin Chu, cloaking himself in invisibility, slipped out of the residence.

“Where are you going?”

“Loseweisse knows how Stunning Love works, right?” Qin Chu asked, raising an eyebrow. “The incomplete version requires seven doses to take effect… She wouldn’t use it on me if she only had one vial. If the sequence is interrupted, it’s useless.”

“Where do you think she’s keeping the other six vials?”

…

The Holy See.

Even from afar, the elegant, white marble statue of the Goddess of Holy Light, standing tall in the center of the complex, was visible.

She was the Holy See’s primary deity.

Legend described her as a compassionate and beautiful goddess.

Seven smaller statues, representing her subordinate deities, surrounded her.

Qin Chu was familiar with this place.

Augustus had invited him to countless banquets and gatherings, far more than Saint Monique or Wadsworth.

And Loseweisse had contributed to his familiarity too.

As a member of the Hero Squad, and the object of his supposed affection, she had often displayed a playful, endearing side… Of course, now he knew it was all an act.

Her heart was darker than an octopus’s ink.

She had often behaved inappropriately for a Holy Maiden, skipping mandatory etiquette classes, sneaking away from banquets with him, dragging him on shopping sprees…

Her antics had captivated him, convincing him that she reciprocated his feelings.

Now, he realized how thoroughly he had been played.

But thanks to her, he knew the Holy See’s patrol routes, its blind spots, its weaknesses.

A powerful barrier surrounded the complex. Without an identification token or an invitation, entry was impossible. Even invisibility wouldn’t work.

He didn’t want to risk triggering the barrier, so he transformed himself into a sparrow, then cloaked himself in invisibility, perching on a tree branch, waiting patiently.

Once a Holy Knight patrol passed, he took flight, landing near a corner of the wall.

There was a small, damaged section, a flaw in the barrier.

He slipped through the gap before the next patrol arrived, entering the Holy See undetected.

He was certain Loseweisse wasn’t home. She was probably attending a banquet at some noblewoman’s mansion, ensuring she had an alibi if her nuns failed to eliminate Angelica.

He had been to her chambers before, her invitations a frequent occurrence. He knew the way.

He reached a small, two-story building, its white walls symbolizing purity, adorned with carvings of the Goddess of Holy Light.

Perhaps to project an image of transparency, Loseweisse’s door had only a simple lock, no magical wards.

The Holy See’s outer barrier was considered sufficient protection. And no one within the Holy See would dare intrude upon the Holy Maiden’s chambers.

Loseweisse wouldn’t have dreamed that this… changed Qin Chu would pay her a visit.

He glanced around, ensuring no one was watching.

He broke the lock and entered.

Her room was as he remembered it, decorated in shades of pink and white, reflecting a girlish innocence.

The furnishings were sparse: a bed, a wardrobe, a vanity, a desk, two chairs. Nothing more.

A faint, feminine fragrance lingered in the air.

Her clothes, even her undergarments, were drying on a windowsill…

But that wasn’t his focus. He needed to find her hidden stash of forbidden items.

He scanned the room, but nothing stood out.

The only possible hiding places were the desk drawers and the wardrobe, but… Stunning Love was too important. She wouldn’t leave it out in the open.

“Wow, this woman is quite skilled in magic,” Shaye said, her voice interrupting his thoughts.

“Aren’t you supposed to be modifying the potion?”

“Almost done, almost done!” she replied, waving her hand dismissively.

“There are five magical wards in this building… both floors.”

“They’re intricately crafted, their magical fluctuations almost completely suppressed. If it wasn’t for me, the most powerful Witch, even you wouldn’t have sensed them,” she said, her tone smug.

She might have lost their battle, but when it came to magical knowledge, she was superior.

Such elaborate concealment suggested that the wards protected something valuable, perhaps even the remaining vials of Stunning Love.

“Can you disable them?”

“Are you doubting my abilities?” Shaye huffed, offended by his question.

It was an insult. She was the most powerful Witch. There was no magical ward she couldn’t break. Loseweisse’s wards were child’s play to her.

She floated down from his shoulder, squatting on the floor. Her hand, tracing patterns in the air, drew a symbol on a floor tile.

A faint magical pulse rippled outwards, and the tile clicked, tilting upwards. Qin Chu, following her instructions, removed the tile.

Beneath it was a small, square cavity, barely large enough to hold a human head.

And inside… a single ring.

A common storage ring, its internal space capable of holding small, valuable items.

He picked it up, channeling his magic to unlock it. His eyes widened as he saw its contents.

“Is it Stunning Love?”

“No…”

Shaye’s curiosity grew. “What is it then?”

It must be something extraordinary to elicit such a reaction from him.

“It’s money…”

“It’s Mana…”

“Seven hundred million Mana…”

Stacks of ten-thousand-Mana bills, the highest denomination in the Heavenly Continent, each stack containing one hundred bills, a total of one million Mana per stack.

Seven hundred stacks filled the ring’s internal space.

…

At Duke Alman’s mansion, Loseweisse sipped her wine, her smile radiant.

She sat across from Duke Alman’s daughter, surrounded by other noblewomen. Though the Duke’s daughter was the host, Loseweisse was clearly the center of attention.

She chatted with them, her smile never faltering, her demeanor gracious and charming.

But her mind was elsewhere. She wondered how Sana and Maggie were progressing. They must have succeeded by now. Angelica, her magic suppressed by the collar, was powerless. Those two nuns were more than capable of handling her. There shouldn’t be any problems.

Perhaps Qin Chu had already consumed the potion Angelica, under their control, had added to his food.

Six more doses, and he would be her obedient slave.

Then, their plan to resurrect Jie Luo would proceed smoothly.

The thought filled her with joy, her smile widening.

“Lady Loseweisse, what is it? You seem so happy…” Duke Alman’s daughter asked, noticing her expression.

“Oh, it’s nothing…” Loseweisse’s smile softened slightly. She stood up gracefully. “I just remembered something pleasant. I apologize, but it’s getting late. You know the Holy See’s rules. I must return.”

These women were her alibi. If anything went wrong, she was in the clear.

She didn’t want to waste any more time with these frivolous creatures. She was eager to return to her chambers, to hear the good news from Sana and Maggie!

Chapter 45: The Road to Revenge, Starting with Ekaterina

The kiss was long and deep.

Angelica felt like she was drowning, her senses overwhelmed.

When they finally parted, she felt a strange emptiness.

She wanted more, but she was too shy, worried that her master might think she was a lustful maid.

She cared deeply about his opinion of her.

“Master…” she said, her voice soft. “Those two nuns… who were they?”

Her heart belonged to Qin Chu now. She wanted to tell him everything she knew, to warn him about the Hero Squad. They were fiercely loyal to Jie Luo, the First Hero. They had even protested when the Thirteen Sages had decided to summon a second Hero.

They didn’t welcome his presence.

Those two nuns were likely Loseweisse’s agents.

Though Maggie and Sana hadn’t mentioned Loseweisse’s name…

And the Pope… he harbored ill intentions towards the Hero too.

But before she could speak, Qin Chu silenced her with a gentle “shh.”

“Ange…”

His use of her nickname sent a thrill through her.

Her cheeks flushed, the warmth spreading to her ears.

He had never called her that before…

Qin Chu, oblivious to her reaction, continued, his voice low and somber. “Ange, I know more about this world’s darkness than you do.”

His words sent a shiver down her spine. She looked up, meeting his gaze.

His eyes, usually bright and playful, were now shadowed with pain, filled with a complex mix of emotions.

Anger, fear, despair, hatred, sorrow…

There was no warmth, no hope.

She didn’t know what he had endured, but she sensed that it was far worse than her own years of suffering under Loseweisse.

She felt a surge of protectiveness, a desire to offer him comfort, but she didn’t know how.

She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly, her cheek pressed against his chest.

“No matter what happens, Ange will always be by your side,” she whispered.

“Always.”

Was it warmth he felt?

Her soft body, pressed against his, brought a strange comfort.

And her words… they kindled a flicker of warmth within his heart.

She wanted to stay awake, to watch over him, but she was exhausted, her body and mind drained by the ordeal. His embrace was too comforting, too safe. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted off to sleep.

He carried her back to the residence, laying her gently on her bed, tucking her in.

“Shaye…”

“Here.” He handed her the vial of Stunning Love.

“What ingredients do you need to modify it? And who will be the creator after you’re done? You or me?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

“You, of course. I’m currently inhabiting your body,” Shaye replied. “And the ingredients… they have to come from you.”

“The potion’s creator isn’t the one who brews it, but the one who provides the ingredients.”

“What ingredients?”

“Just a little bit of blood…”

Just a little bit of blood…

Thank goodness it wasn’t something more gruesome, like an eye, a tongue, or a heart.

“I’ll start modifying it right away. Give me your arm,” Shaye said, her voice cheerful.

Qin Chu, unconcerned, extended his arm.

Shaye floated down from his shoulder, her pink lips parting slightly.

She was beautiful.

There was no denying it.

She was a vision of perfection.

Loseweisse, Ekaterina, Angelica, Natia… They were all beautiful in their own way, each possessing a unique charm.

Even Saint Monique, the High Priestess of the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess, had a certain allure.

But none could compare to Shaye.

She was flawless, her beauty capable of captivating any man, fulfilling their deepest desires.

Her silver hair flowed around her, her crimson eyes sparkling with mischief.

Her lips, slightly parted, revealed two tiny, sharp fangs.

Even this simple gesture seemed seductive.

Qin Chu swallowed, his throat tightening.

Then, she sank her fangs into his wrist.

As her form became more substantial, they could occasionally interact physically, but most of the time, she remained a phantom.

He felt a sharp pain, but it was nothing compared to the agony of being dismembered.

But then something felt wrong. Blood, spurting from the two tiny puncture marks on his wrist, flowed like water from a broken faucet.

Guided by Shaye’s magic, it coalesced in mid-air, forming a pulsating sphere. A liter bottle wouldn’t have been enough to contain it.

He felt dizzy, his vision blurring from the sudden blood loss.

“You said just a little bit!” he protested, his voice weak.

“It’s just a liter. Is that too much?” Shaye rolled her eyes. “You’re the Hero. Don’t be such a wimp…”

A wimp?

If he wasn’t so strong now, he would have fainted from blood loss.

Didn’t this damn Witch know that humans were fragile? That excessive blood loss could be fatal?

He suspected she was taking revenge for him sealing her twice in his previous life.

“I need a few strands of hair too…”

She reached up, yanking a handful of hair from his head, ignoring his yelp of pain.

This woman had no mercy.

“By the way, who are you going to use this potion on first?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

This man was full of wicked schemes. Even a normal Hero wouldn’t resort to using Stunning Love.

“Loseweisse?” she guessed.

He hated her the most, after all.

Shaye’s eyes lit up. “Make Loseweisse forget Jie Luo, make her fall for you, then…”

She didn’t believe he would be so merciful. He wouldn’t stop at mere seduction.

She imagined his plan:

“Once she’s completely under your control, you’ll remind her of Jie Luo, then shatter his soul fragments before her eyes, forcing her to break free from the potion’s influence, restoring her memories…”

“She’ll wake up to a broken, defiled body, realizing that the man she loves can never be resurrected…”

“Oh my god, Qin Chu, you’re so evil! You’re practically a Witch already!”

A Witch?

He scoffed. He was a man.

If anything, he was a Warlock… No, that didn’t sound right either.

“Don’t put words in my mouth. That’s your plan, not mine,” he protested, defending his already tarnished reputation.

It was unfair to be labeled as evil when he hadn’t even revealed his intentions.

“Huh? You’re not going to do that? Do you have an even worse plan?”

“Well… your plan isn’t bad.”

Shaye rolled her eyes. She knew him too well.

But she didn’t disapprove.

He brushed a strand of her silver hair from his face.

“But Loseweisse won’t be the first to taste Stunning Love.”

“What?” Shaye was surprised. “Why not? You hate her the most.”

“I do hate her. She deserves far worse than what you described… But Stunning Love isn’t suitable for her.”

“She created the potion. She’s too familiar with its aura. It would be too risky, too difficult to control.”

“I want revenge, but I prefer a more… measured approach.”

“Who are you targeting then?”

He smiled, his voice a low murmur. “The Crimson Valkyrie, Ekaterina.”

“She’ll be drunk tonight. Don’t you think it’s the perfect opportunity?”

 

Chapter 44: Kiss Me

Bang!

Sana’s body slammed into the ground, the impact shaking the earth.

Her face, buried in the dirt, scraped against rough soil and sharp pebbles, blood staining the ground.

Qin Chu thought he heard the sickening crunch of bones breaking. He had put all his strength into that throw. He had probably shattered most of the bones in her body.

He saw a few bloodstained teeth scattered near her head.

Even with her considerable strength, Sana couldn’t withstand such force.

Her slender body, reduced to a writhing mass of pain, twitched on the ground like a wounded insect.

She tried to scream, but only a gurgling sound escaped her lips. Waves of dizziness washed over her, and she felt herself drifting towards unconsciousness.

Sana was in a bad way.

Maggie and Angelica stared, their eyes wide with disbelief.

They hadn’t expected him to be so powerful.

Even a Hero shouldn’t possess such strength after only half a day of training. He was cheating!

They had been so confident, so certain of their victory… Now, the situation had reversed. Maggie trembled, fear coursing through her.

She had been so arrogant, so smug… Now, she was terrified.

Sana, defeated in a single move, was barely clinging to life. Maggie knew she wouldn’t fare any better.

They were doomed.

Angelica’s eyes, however, shone with excitement.

Was this the power of the “Justice’s Companion” Ability?

Her master had explained that this Super-tier Ability not only allowed him to sense evil but also enhanced his strength in battle against Demons. The more Demons he killed, the stronger he became.

And he had eliminated quite a few Demons recently.

She had already found a convenient explanation for his sudden surge in power.

Maggie shuddered as Qin Chu’s gaze, cold and predatory, shifted towards her.

Fear, a primal terror, seized her, her stomach churning.

She was going to die.

She had witnessed Sana’s fate. Her own will had crumbled.

She didn’t even have the courage to fight back.

Her eyes fell on Angelica… Perhaps she was her only hope.

Qin Chu cared for this maid. If she could take her hostage…

She acted instinctively, her body moving before her mind could fully process the plan.

But Qin Chu was faster.

If they hadn’t moved away from Angelica, he might not have been able to stop her. But now, it was too late.

As Maggie lunged towards Angelica, a figure materialized before her.

A hand, moving with lightning speed, grabbed her forehead, pushing her down as a knee slammed upwards.

Her face collided with his knee with a sickening crunch.

Darkness swallowed her, her consciousness fading.

Blood poured from her nose and mouth.

He was stronger, faster, more powerful. The difference in their levels and stats was overwhelming.

But they were still valuable experience points. He wouldn’t waste this opportunity to increase his power.

He activated Devourer, its energy enveloping Maggie’s body.

She convulsed, her returning consciousness greeted by a horrifying realization. Her magic and Battle Qi were draining rapidly.

If her energy reserves were depleted, her Battle Origin and Demon Core might shatter, destroying years of training.

She struggled desperately, but his grip was unbreakable.

Her strength faded, her struggles becoming weaker.

She looked up at him, her face bloodied and bruised, her voice a desperate plea.

“Hero-sama…”

“P-please… spare me…”

“I’ll be your slave. I’ll serve you faithfully for the rest of my life…”

“I… I’m skilled in the art of pleasure. I can please you far better than Angelica…”

Loseweisse wasn’t just the Holy Maiden. She commanded a hidden force, a network of loyal followers.

These followers were carefully selected, both men and women, chosen for their beauty and their talent. They were trained in magic, martial arts, and even the art of seduction, their minds indoctrinated with loyalty to Loseweisse. Attractive and skilled, they were valuable assets, capable of seducing and manipulating their targets.

Even now, Maggie refused to reveal Loseweisse’s name.

Qin Chu, however, wasn’t interested. Her bloodied face, her broken nose, held no appeal. He ignored her pleas, his grip tightening.

His growing power enhanced Devourer’s potency.

Maggie’s body withered, her flesh shrinking.

Two sharp cracks signaled her doom.

Her Battle Origin and Demon Core shattered, her twenty years of training destroyed.

Her blue eyes, filled with hatred and despair, stared up at him.

He wanted to make her suffer, to prolong her agony, but he knew time was of the essence. Once her energy was drained, he tossed her aside. Her head lolled to the side, her body twitching once before falling still.

He turned towards Sana, who was still writhing on the ground.

Her injuries were worse than Maggie’s. Without immediate treatment, she would die soon.

Devourer accelerated her decline, her life force fading before he could fully drain her energy.

He dealt with the two nuns, retrieved the vial of Stunning Love, then approached Angelica.

She stared at him, her mouth slightly open, her expression still dazed from his display of power.

He lifted her into his arms, her body light and delicate. Her cheeks flushed, and she squirmed slightly. “Master, I can walk…”

“It’s okay, I’ll carry you home,” he said, his voice gentle.

She relaxed, resting her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

Her hand clutched his shirt, her grip tight.

This was her happiness, a treasure she would never relinquish.

She had almost lost it, only to have it returned. Now, she truly understood its value.

“Master, were you watching the whole time?” she asked after a while, her voice trembling slightly.

She wasn’t stupid. His arrival had been too perfectly timed. And his words, “the foolish, insecure Hero, as you so eloquently put it,” confirmed that he had been observing them for a while.

“Yes,” he replied, his voice a soft murmur.

He didn’t bother hiding it. “Do you hate me?”

“No,” she said, nuzzling against his chest like a contented kitten.

“Do you trust me now?”

She was clever… He smiled.

“You’re the only one I trust.”

Shaye didn’t count. She was a Witch, her current existence closer to that of a ghost.

Candice was a subordinate he had manipulated and deceived.

Lena Martithes’s loyalty was to the cause, to the fight against the Demons.

Angelica was the only one who was truly devoted to him, the only one he fully trusted.

His answer pleased her. Her cheeks flushed, her eyes crinkling with happiness.

She tightened her grip on his shirt.

She closed her eyes, tilting her head up slightly. “Master… can you… can you kiss me?”

She wanted a reward, though a kiss was a bold request for a maid.

He looked down at her, a chuckle escaping his lips.

He lowered his head, his lips capturing hers.

Chapter 43: Trying to Turn the Tables? No Chance!

It was only when Angelica threw herself at the blade, her life a mere trifle compared to his safety, that Qin Chu finally accepted her as a trustworthy companion.

He had remained unmoved as she was tortured, his heart cold and distant.

He was ruthless.

Betrayed by those he had loved, he found it difficult to trust anyone.

The woman he had adored, the women who had cared for him after his injuries, the women he had treated as sisters, the friends he had trusted… They had all betrayed him.

His love, his devotion, had been met with treachery.

He could only trust those who were willing to sacrifice everything for him.

Angelica stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Master… how did you…”

Wasn’t he supposed to be training with Ekaterina?

Panic surged through her. She knew he possessed two Super-tier Abilities, but as the nuns had said, he was still weak, no match for them. Her concern wasn’t for herself, but for him.

She had forgotten about the pebble that had effortlessly deflected the dagger.

The nuns frowned, their eyes darting around, searching for others. They hadn’t answered Qin Chu’s question. They suspected he wasn’t alone. He had only arrived in the Heavenly Continent a few days ago, and he had only started training today. Even a Hero shouldn’t possess such power.

But no matter how hard they searched, they saw no one else.

They exchanged a look, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief. How was this possible?

They scrutinized Qin Chu again, but he appeared ordinary. They sensed a faint aura of elemental energy, but it was weak, consistent with someone who had just begun their training.

Could this Hero truly have deflected the dagger with a pebble?

Perhaps he possessed some hidden strength, some innate ability…

Uncertain of his true power, they hesitated to attack. But they knew the situation had become complicated.

The nun who had tortured Angelica was named Maggie. The one with the dagger was Sana.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ladies,” Qin Chu said, his smile polite, his demeanor gentlemanly. He bowed slightly, his arm across his chest. “But I must ask… what business do you have with my maid?”

Maggie’s lip twitched. “This… this is just a misunderstanding…”

Both nuns were confused by his behavior. Why was he acting so politely?

Why hadn’t he attacked yet?

Seeing his maid tortured, he should be enraged, charging at them with murderous intent.

Why was he so calm?

Could it be…

“A misunderstanding?” Qin Chu asked, feigning naivety. “Well, if that’s the case, could you release Angelica?”

“I’m rather helpless without her.”

He requested Angelica’s release, making no move to retrieve her by force.

This reinforced the nuns’ suspicions. Perhaps… the Hero wasn’t as powerful as they had imagined.

He might have deflected the dagger with a pebble, but perhaps that was his only trick, a one-time ability.

Perhaps he was bluffing, trying to intimidate them into releasing Angelica.

In reality, he was no match for them.

The more they thought about it, the more convinced they became.

Their eyes hardened, their auras shifting, a cold wind swirling around them as they channeled their elemental energy.

They couldn’t release Angelica. She would tell the Hero everything, revealing their plan. Even if she remained silent, the Hero had already witnessed enough.

Their plan had failed the moment he arrived. Their master’s schemes were exposed.

Their only consolation was that they hadn’t revealed their master’s identity.

Their only chance to salvage the situation was to make the Hero consume Stunning Love, then use the Mind Control scroll to erase his memories.

Then, they would kill Angelica, ensuring their actions remained a secret.

Maggie smiled, her voice sweet and alluring. “Of course, esteemed Hero. But first, we have a small request…”

“Could you drink this beverage? I assure you, it’s quite delicious.” She held up the vial of Stunning Love.

Sana moved, flanking Qin Chu, blocking his escape route.

As they maneuvered, they didn’t notice the increasing distance between them and Angelica.

Qin Chu stared at them, his expression a mixture of amusement and disdain. “Do you honestly think I would drink something that looks so suspicious?”

“Well, if you refuse to cooperate, we’ll have to resort to… less pleasant methods,” Maggie said, her smile turning cold.

Qin Chu’s smile widened. This was perfect.

They had finally moved away from Angelica.

If they hadn’t been so close to her, he wouldn’t have bothered with this charade.

They couldn’t afford to wait any longer. The Hero’s arrival had complicated matters. Who knew what other surprises awaited them?

Maggie nodded at Sana, who lunged at Qin Chu, her movements swift and fluid.

Like the other assassins their master had trained, they were skilled in both magic and martial arts, their combined power formidable.

Sana reached him in an instant.

A cruel smile twisted her lips as she spun, her leg sweeping towards Qin Chu’s neck with bone-shattering force.

This kick would knock him unconscious.

She was confident he wouldn’t dodge it. After all, they were both level thirty-five…

As expected, he stood motionless, seemingly frozen in fear.

Angelica gasped, her voice a frantic cry. “Master, watch out!” She struggled against her restraints, but she couldn’t break free.

Sana’s leg was about to connect with his neck when…

A sharp crack echoed through the air.

Sana froze mid-kick, her expression shifting from smug confidence to shock and disbelief.

A rough hand had caught her ankle.

The Hero…

He hadn’t moved, hadn’t even flinched. His hand, seemingly appearing out of thin air, had grasped her ankle with an iron grip.

She hadn’t even seen him move.

How… How was this possible?

Both Sana and Maggie were stunned.

Once again, their expectations had been shattered.

“Did you honestly think I was a helpless weakling?” Qin Chu asked, his voice calm, but his eyes cold. He was annoyed by their underestimation.

He had absorbed hundreds of Demons in the past few days.

He was level thirty-nine, higher than them both. And his stats, boosted by his unique abilities, were far beyond what his level suggested. Sana’s speed, which seemed blindingly fast to others, was like a snail’s crawl to him.

He was stronger, faster, and more powerful than they could have imagined.

Trying to turn the tables? They were dreaming. They had no chance.

His smile widened, his mood improving. He could finally unleash his power without restraint.

And unleashing his power meant that he had no intention of letting these nuns live.

His smile sent shivers down Sana’s spine. She gritted her teeth, twisting her body, trying to free her leg.

But he was faster. He twisted her ankle, his grip tightening.

A sickening crunch echoed through the air as her leg bent at an unnatural angle, muscles tearing, bones shattering.

Sana screamed, her voice a high-pitched wail, blood staining her teeth.

Qin Chu, his anger fueled by Angelica’s suffering, showed no mercy. He swung her body, using her broken ankle as a pivot, launching her into the air.

She crashed to the ground with a sickening thud.