Chapter 229: You Don’t Intend to Collect All the Witches, Do You?
A deathly silence filled the air.
Violet had long been dissatisfied with the current Hero Squad.
The new members, Angelica and Anastasia, although lacking in strength, were completely devoted to Qin Chu.
Natia and Norma were also alright.
But Princess Carol, Shirley, the Saintess candidate of the Holy See, and this Inas, all had their own agendas. Carol and Shirley were still fine, at least they hadn’t done anything outrageous on the surface.
But Inas’s every move irritated Violet.
This woman didn’t even bother to hide her disdain for Qin Chu, not even cooperating with him during battle, always staying by O’Niens’s side.
Did someone like this deserve to be a member of the Hero Squad?
Although Qin Chu didn’t seem to care, Violet couldn’t tolerate it. Since he wasn’t here, she would take it upon herself to discipline these Hero Squad members.
This was also a warning to Carol and Shirley.
She didn’t care about their status. Since they were members of this squad, they had to act accordingly, not just pursue their own selfish agendas.
Their status and position were worthless in the face of absolute power.
The silence lingered.
Then, a wave of applause erupted.
It came from the soldiers.
This was what a member of the Hero Squad should be like.
Big Sister was amazing.
Mr. Qin was truly different from the First Hero, whose squad members, although strong, were all arrogant and aloof, looking down on them.
Inas trembled, her eyes reddening.
Perhaps because she had never suffered such humiliation before, while O’Niens was filled with resentment and anger, Inas felt a deep sense of grievance, tears welling up in her eyes.
But tears were useless against Violet.
She had experienced far too much for Inas’s little tantrum to matter.
“After we return to the Imperial City, I will suggest to Qin Chu that he inform Saint Monique and have you removed from the Hero Squad…” Violet said with a smile, “Consider it an honor. You’re the second member to be removed. The first was Karsus.”
She casually tossed Inas to the ground.
Her gaze swept over the other clerics, and she frowned. “Confiscate their weapons and equipment,” she ordered.
“Otherwise, I’m worried these esteemed clerics might cause more trouble.”
With Violet backing them, the soldiers’ courage surged. They swarmed forward, stripping the clerics of their weapons and armor, items they desperately needed.
Although the clerics felt deeply humiliated, with Violet present, no one dared to protest.
Violet yawned lazily, her demeanor shifting back to her usual gentle calmness, the transformation so complete that it was hard to believe she was the same woman who had just unleashed such power.
After dealing with this matter, Violet returned to the tents, glancing at Inas…
What a pitiful creature, she thought, bound by such heavy shackles.
She would leave it to Qin Chu to decide what to do with this woman. She couldn’t be bothered.
It felt good to stretch her muscles a bit. Quite enjoyable.
…
Meanwhile.
Qin Chu finally disengaged.
Ireta’s slender body leaned against his chest, strands of her black hair brushing against his face, tickling him slightly. She seemed to be savoring the afterglow.
For the first time in a thousand years, she had experienced something other than pain.
And she didn’t dislike it, she even liked it.
She liked the feeling of her cheek against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, a sound absent from her own lifeless body.
For a few hours, she had even forgotten the torment of the death aura.
The only thing that bothered her was the small tear in her favorite stockings.
Qin Chu looked down at Ireta. Apart from the lack of a heartbeat and breath, she was no different from a normal girl, her skin soft and delicate.
And to his surprise, a faint blush colored her cheeks.
This was the first time he had seen any color on her face, usually as pale as snow. Now, with this hint of pink, she looked even more beautiful.
“Ireta, are you blushing?” Qin Chu asked, surprised.
Ireta rolled her eyes. “How is that possible?” she retorted. “My body is dead, my heart no longer beats, how could I… Huh?”
As she spoke, she felt a slight flutter in her chest.
She thought it was her imagination and placed her hand over her heart, sensing carefully. After about half a minute, she felt it again.
Her heart was beating.
Her heart, silent for a thousand years, had come back to life.
Ireta couldn’t comprehend this feeling. She didn’t even know what she was feeling: happiness or shock?
Was she dreaming, or was this real?
For a moment, she was at a loss, her expression strange, which aroused Qin Chu’s curiosity. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I… I don’t know…” The usually calm and composed Daughter of Death stammered, “My heart… it seems… it seems to be beating again.”
She couldn’t help but take his hand and place it on her chest.
She was afraid it was just her imagination and wanted him to confirm it.
Qin Chu was happy to oblige.
Beneath his palm was her soft skin, and he could feel a faint warmth, no longer the coldness of death.
After a while, he let out a long breath, a gentle smile on his face. “Congratulations, Ireta,” he said, “your heart is beating again.”
Although the rhythm was very slow, it was a good sign.
“By the way, you said before that the death aura causes you great pain. Do you still feel it?” Qin Chu suddenly remembered and asked.
Ireta seemed to have just realized it as well. Because of Qin Chu’s presence, the death aura had been suppressed, the pain no longer as intense, so she had almost forgotten about it.
Now, reminded by him, she carefully examined her condition, her face filling with surprise and joy.
The death aura had been greatly reduced.
Not suppressed, but cleansed.
Now that she thought about it, it seemed to have happened the moment the Holy Light bloomed within her body. The dense death aura surrounding her had instantly dissipated.
The remaining death aura was now at a level she could endure.
Even if she approached other living beings, although there might be some effects, it wouldn’t kill them directly.
She couldn’t describe her feelings. Her heart, still for a thousand years, now rippled with emotion.
Now, she could finally walk in this world like a normal human, taste delicious food and drinks, talk to others, and touch those fluffy little animals…
She wanted to laugh.
But it had been too long, and she had forgotten how. Her lips, slightly less pale, trembled slightly.
And all of this was because of the man before her. It was Qin Chu who had freed her from her agonizing prison.
She didn’t know how to express her gratitude, so she threw herself at him, her lips pressing against his.
This was the only way she could express her feelings.
She knew that as long as she continued to act as the agent of Death, the death aura would accumulate again. This freedom was only temporary, but it was still enough to make her grateful.
And Ireta’s action rekindled the fire within Qin Chu.
It wasn’t until near noon that they finally calmed down.
This time, Ireta felt it clearly. When the Holy Light bloomed again, the death aura within her, already greatly reduced, was further cleansed.
At this rate, perhaps after a few hundred more times, she would be completely healed.
“Ireta,” Qin Chu said, looking at her as she tidied her black dress, “why don’t you come back to the Auville Imperial City with me?”
It was rare to encounter a Witch, so it was better to keep her close.
Ireta tilted her head, puzzled, “Why?”
“The death aura on you has been greatly reduced. Even if you appear in the city, it shouldn’t have any effect, right?”
“And the death aura will continue to accumulate. It would be easier to deal with if you stay by my side,” Qin Chu searched for excuses.
This was purely to help Ireta, definitely not because he craved her body or anything like that.
But Ireta shook her head, “I’m sorry, although I appreciate your invitation, I can’t stay in one place. People die every moment in this world, and I can’t let their souls linger.”
She walked up to him and kissed him lightly on the cheek, “Of course, if the death aura accumulates again, I’ll come to you for help.”
“And if you find any more soul fragments that need deciphering, you can also call me. Just call my name, and I’ll appear by your side as soon as possible.”
Seeing that she seemed to be about to leave, although Qin Chu felt a little disappointed, he didn’t try to stop her. Everyone had their own choices, and he respected her decision.
“Before you go, I have one more question. How much do you know about the Flame Witch?”
“The Flame Witch?” Ireta’s expression seemed a bit reproachful, “Having just tasted the Daughter of Death, you want to taste the Flame Witch as well?”
“You don’t intend to collect all the Witches, do you?”
“But you might be disappointed. She’s completely mad.”
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