Chapter 28: Master Hero
In such a short time…
From gratitude…
To burgeoning affection…
To complete and utter devotion!
Angelica had fallen hard, her heart ensnared by Qin Chu’s carefully crafted words and actions.
“I won’t allow anyone to hurt you again. If they try… I will be there.”
His promise, his vow of protection, echoed in her mind, a soothing balm to her wounded soul.
He was her everything now, her savior, her protector, the only one who truly understood her, who saw her, not as a broken, scarred creature, but as a person worthy of love and respect.
The Church, the Holy Maiden… it all seemed insignificant now.
She would live for him, serve him, obey him.
Her sobs, a release of years of pent-up pain and fear, filled the room, her tears soaking Qin Chu’s shirt.
Outside, the guards exchanged confused glances.
The men, their expressions a mixture of admiration and envy, marveled at the Hero’s… stamina.
The lone female guard, her cheeks flushed, muttered under her breath, “Shameless creatures.”
Qin Chu held Angelica close, gently stroking her hair, his movements tender, his expression… cold.
He believed her, believed in the sincerity of her emotions, the depth of her devotion.
But what about tomorrow?
What would happen when she was presented with a better offer, a chance to escape her past, to achieve a higher status?
He ran a finger through her emerald green hair, watching as her sobs subsided, her breathing evening out. She had fallen asleep, exhausted in both body and soul.
He gently laid her on the bed, covering her with a blanket, then sat beside her, a stack of papers in his hand.
One page contained a detailed list of every Demon hiding within the capital, courtesy of Candice.
The others were filled with spells, thirty-six Low-tier and seven Intermediate-tier, meticulously copied by Candice.
He had the magical power, but he lacked the tools, the spells, to wield it effectively.
Even Low-tier magic, though weak, could be useful in certain situations.
With his understanding of magic, mastering these spells would be a trivial matter. He would simply add them to his status panel, their incantations etched into his memory.
In his previous life, he had reached a level of mastery where he could cast even High-tier spells without incantations, his magic flowing effortlessly from his fingertips.
Shaye Nigulas, sprawled across his lap, played with a strand of his hair, her expression a mixture of amusement and boredom.
“That poor girl,” she said, her voice laced with mock sympathy. “Seduced by a few sweet words. Shame on you, Hero.”
She understood, of course, why Angelica had fallen so easily. Years of abuse and neglect had left her vulnerable, desperate for kindness, for a glimmer of hope. Qin Chu’s carefully crafted words, his feigned affection, had been the final push, sending her tumbling into the abyss of love.
“Don’t make me sound like some kind of heartless seducer,” Qin Chu retorted, rolling his eyes.
“That wasn’t my intention,” Shaye replied, her voice softening. “She was at her breaking point, Hero. A few more weeks, and she would have either died or succumbed to despair, transforming into a mindless beast.”
“Your methods might be… questionable, but you did save her. That much is undeniable.”
“Consider it a mutually beneficial transaction. A win-win situation.”
Shaye’s assessment was accurate.
In his previous life, Angelica, driven to madness by Loseweisse’s relentless cruelty, had become a monstrous aberration, a tragic victim of their world’s twisted power dynamics.
“She’s devoted to you now,” Shaye continued, her gaze fixed on the sleeping maid. “And her power, once unlocked, could be quite useful. She could be your bodyguard.”
“Her power is sealed,” Qin Chu said, his brow furrowing.
“Not a problem,” Shaye replied, her smile widening. “I’m sure Pope Augustus would be happy to remove the seal. He wouldn’t dare refuse you.”
“True,” Qin Chu said, his eyes narrowing. “But her loyalty… needs to be tested.”
“Tested?” Shaye asked, her brow furrowing. “Why? She’s utterly devoted to you. She would do anything you ask.”
“I need to be sure,” Qin Chu replied, his voice taking on a stubborn tone. “I need to see her choose me, even if it means sacrificing her own life. Only then will I truly trust her.”
He was different now, his previous life’s experiences hardening him, twisting his heart.
He was suspicious, distrustful, his faith in humanity shattered.
He had gone from one extreme to the other.
“How do you plan to test her?” Shaye asked, her curiosity piqued.
“I have a plan,” Qin Chu replied, his expression enigmatic.
Silence descended upon the room.
His previous life’s knowledge, his deep understanding of magic, made learning these Low and Intermediate level spells a trivial matter.
By midday, he had mastered them all, his arsenal expanded, his combat prowess significantly enhanced.
He glanced at the list of Demons hiding within the capital, then stretched, his joints popping.
He opened the door, finding a new set of guards stationed outside. Even the most dedicated soldiers needed rest.
The current captain of the guard was a woman named Lena Martithes.
She was tall, at least 1.8 meters, her muscular frame towering over him. Her build was athletic, her curves toned and defined from years of training.
Her tanned skin glowed with health, her dark hair pulled back in a tight braid.
Her armor, a warrior’s garb, covered her shoulders, chest, hips, thighs, and feet, leaving the rest of her body exposed.
Qin Chu, accustomed to full plate armor, found her attire… distracting. Perhaps it was designed for greater mobility?
He shrugged, dismissing the thought.
“Greetings, Hero,” she said, her voice deep and resonant, her manner forthright.
She noticed he was still wearing yesterday’s clothes and frowned. “Where is Angelica?” she asked, her voice laced with disapproval. “As your maid, she should be attending to you.”
“Angelica is… resting,” Qin Chu replied, waving a hand dismissively. “She’s exhausted. Let her sleep.”
The other guards exchanged knowing glances.
They had heard the rumors, the whispers of the Hero’s… nocturnal activities.
Angelica, it seemed, was a rather… inefficient maid.
A true maid would be by her master’s side, ready to fulfill his every need, regardless of the circumstances.
And the Hero, they thought, was far too indulgent, allowing his maid to sleep in his bed, to share his chambers, even neglecting to wake her when he rose.
He truly was a maid fanatic.
The commotion outside finally roused Angelica from her slumber.
She opened her eyes, her gaze unfocused, her mind still foggy with sleep. She blinked, her surroundings unfamiliar, then the memories of the previous night came flooding back, her cheeks flushing crimson.
It had been… a dream come true.
She had found someone kind, someone who saw her, not as a broken, scarred creature, but as a person worthy of love and respect.
Her physical and emotional exhaustion had receded, her aches and pains dulled by a night of restful sleep. Even her scars seemed to have faded slightly.
And then she realized, with a jolt of panic, that he wasn’t in bed beside her. She had overslept, her duties neglected, her master left unattended.
She mentally cursed her laziness, scrambling out of bed, her movements frantic as she straightened her uniform, gathered the invitations from the desk, and rushed out the door.
“I apologize, Master,” she said, her cheeks burning with shame as she met Lena Martithes’s disapproving gaze.
Qin Chu, however, seemed unconcerned. He patted her head, his touch gentle. “It’s alright, Angelica. You were tired. Why didn’t you sleep longer?” He glanced at the stack of invitations in her arms. “What’s that?” he asked, feigning ignorance.
“Invitations, Master,” she replied, her voice regaining its usual formality. “One hundred and twelve in total.”
“Thirty-six are for tea parties hosted by various noblewomen. Twenty-seven are from noblewomen who wish to… meet with you privately…”
Qin Chu’s jaw dropped. Twenty-seven married women? Requesting private meetings? Were they trying to cuckold their husbands?
He knew this world was… liberal, but this was still shocking.
“Master, which invitations would you like to accept?” Angelica asked, her efficiency returning as she shifted back into her maid persona. “And… you haven’t had breakfast… I mean… lunch…”
She was a whirlwind of activity, her energy seemingly boundless.
Qin Chu smiled. “Slow down, Angelica. One thing at a time. Prepare some food for me, and for the guards as well. I’m sure they’re hungry.”
“As for the invitations…” He paused, his expression turning serious. “Ignore them. I won’t be attending any social gatherings.”
“The Heavenly Continent is at war, Angelica. People are dying every day. I can’t afford to waste time on frivolous pursuits.”
His voice rang with righteous indignation, his words a performance designed to solidify his image as a selfless hero.
“I must focus on defeating the Demon Beasts, on bringing peace to this land!”
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