Chapter 33: The Crimson Valkyrie
The usual headlines in the Heavenly Continent’s newspapers were typically along these lines:
“Count So-and-So Caught in Adulterous Affair with Mistress…”
“Marquis What’s-His-Name’s Son Might Not Be His…”
“Young Master Such-and-Such’s Fiancée Spotted Entering Hotel with Mysterious Man, Emerging the Next Afternoon. Fiancée Claims They Are Just ‘Friends’ Playing Blackjack…”
But ever since the Hero’s arrival, everything had changed.
Especially after the Hero, accompanied by his guards, began eliminating Demons hiding within the capital, his exploits dominated the headlines.
Every newspaper sang his praises, their fawning articles filled with flowery language that made Loseweisse’s skin crawl.
Disgusting, utterly disgusting!
How shameless could they be, using such saccharine language, even calling him the “savior”?
It was one thing to praise him, but to claim he was more extraordinary than Jie Luo, that he surpassed…
These shameless creatures! They had sung Jie Luo’s praises when he was alive, and now they were trampling on his memory, eager to curry favor with the new Hero.
Despicable.
What infuriated Loseweisse even more was that every photo of Qin Chu in the newspapers featured a beautiful young maid by his side: Angelica.
These shameless newspapers, while praising Qin Chu, had also showered Angelica with compliments. In just three days, Angelica’s reputation had soared, her past transgressions forgotten.
No one mentioned the incident during the Holy Maiden selection, the accusations of her using dark magic to curse her rivals.
Everyone only knew that Angelica was the maid who accompanied the Hero, his constant companion, his most important ally in the fight against the Demons.
Angelica, that wretch, had stolen the glory that rightfully belonged to her.
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!
Loseweisse, her composure shattered, her usual grace and dignity forgotten, raged like a common shrew.
Her life had been a nightmare since Qin Chu’s arrival, each day filled with frustration and humiliation.
She had been publicly rejected, her pride trampled upon.
People were even beginning to question the veracity of the accusations against Angelica. After all, the Hero, blessed with the “Justice’s Companion” Ability, wouldn’t possibly choose a woman who used dark magic.
Her position as the Holy Maiden was under threat…
And that woman, the one she had once tormented and humiliated, was thriving…
The contrast only fueled her rage.
She had a premonition that if she allowed this to continue, Angelica, that little bitch, would eventually take everything from her.
And it was all Qin Chu’s fault, that man, the root of all her problems.
She couldn’t control her murderous urges.
She didn’t care what would happen to the Heavenly Continent without the Hero. She just wanted him dead.
As her rage reached its peak, a series of brisk footsteps echoed outside her door.
Then, with a creak, the door swung open.
Loseweisse frowned, her irritation growing.
This was the Holy Maiden’s chamber. Who dared enter without permission, without even knocking?
“Who is it? Get out! Have you no manners?” she snapped, her voice sharp, her Holy Maiden facade forgotten. She didn’t even bother looking up.
But the intruder didn’t leave. Instead, a playful voice responded:
“Wow, haven’t seen you in six months, and your temper has gotten worse. Is that how you treat an old friend?”
Loseweisse’s anger dissipated as she recognized the voice. She looked up, her face lighting up with joy.
A tall figure stood in the doorway, her attire a fiery red, as vibrant as the sun.
Crimson hair, crimson eyes, crimson armor, crimson boots, and a crimson greatsword slung over her shoulder.
She was like a blazing inferno, her presence radiating warmth, dispelling the darkness that had consumed Loseweisse’s heart.
Her face, though lacking Loseweisse’s delicate beauty, exuded a bold, untamed charm. Her physique, athletic and powerful, dwarfed Loseweisse’s own, showcasing a raw, primal allure.
Her armor clung tightly to her curves, her boots reaching her knees, revealing a pair of toned, muscular thighs. Her hips, though covered by armor, hinted at her strength, her waist, bare and defined, emphasizing her athleticism.
Handsome, beautiful, capable, powerful!
She was a stark contrast to Loseweisse’s delicate beauty.
“Ekaterina…” Loseweisse’s joy intensified. She couldn’t contain herself any longer. She rushed towards the woman, her arms outstretched, embracing her tightly.
Ekaterina.
A member of the Hero Squad.
The Crimson Valkyrie.
A powerful warrior, her strength rivaling that of a Great Sage or a Titled Knight.
Among the Hero Squad, she was one of the strongest.
Her ferocity in battle was legendary, leading some to believe she was a Demon Beast in disguise. Even ordinary Demons lacked her savage intensity.
Her most famous feat was her single-handed defeat of a level eighty-six Demon Beast, a monstrous ape known as the Raging Gorilla. They had fought for an entire day and night, both sustaining grievous injuries. Ekaterina’s weapon had shattered during the battle, forcing her to rely on her bare fists. She had pummeled the ape’s skull to pulp, her relentless assault finally ending its life.
Only after the battle, her body battered and bruised, had she collapsed, falling into a coma that lasted a month. Upon awakening, she had immediately resumed her training, her energy seemingly boundless.
From that day forward, she had earned the title of “The Mad Beauty.”
She was in her thirties now, still unmarried. In fact, she had never even had a boyfriend.
In the Heavenly Continent, where the average marriage age was seventeen, Ekaterina was a confirmed spinster.
The reason was simple: men feared her strength. They worried that any marital disagreements might result in their heads being crushed. After all, their skulls weren’t as durable as a Raging Gorilla’s.
Loseweisse, her Holy Maiden facade forgotten, buried her face in Ekaterina’s chest, nuzzling against her armor. Unfortunately, the breastplate was too hard, the experience less than comfortable.
But she was still overjoyed. She looked up, her eyes shining with happiness.
“Ekaterina, you’re finally back…”
Ekaterina laughed, her demeanor easygoing. She seemed to genuinely care for Loseweisse, treating her like a younger sister. She patted her head. “Am I the first to arrive?”
“Yes, you’re the closest. The others are still far away. I think Benson will be the next to return.”
After exchanging pleasantries, Ekaterina’s expression turned serious. “Loseweisse, is what you told me in your message true?”
Loseweisse knew what she was referring to. She nodded. “Of course it’s true. Why would I lie to you?”
She handed Ekaterina the scroll.
Ekaterina scanned it quickly, her brow furrowing.
It contained detailed instructions for a resurrection ritual, listing the required materials. The two most crucial components were the Hero’s blood and life force and Jie Luo’s complete and restored soul fragments.
The scroll also listed numerous other ingredients, their names unfamiliar to Ekaterina. She was a warrior, her understanding of magic limited. These intricate rituals and obscure ingredients were beyond her comprehension.
“Is this… reliable?” Ekaterina asked, her voice laced with skepticism.
Her doubt was understandable. Resurrection was unheard of in the Heavenly Continent, a power attributed only to the gods.
“I can’t be sure, but I showed the scroll to Athena. She believes it has at least an eighty percent chance of success.”
Loseweisse’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Even if it was only a one percent chance, we have to try, don’t we?”
“I was worried I wouldn’t be able to pull this off alone, but now that you’re here, we can proceed.”
“What’s your plan?”
Loseweisse, consumed by hatred, her reason clouded by her emotions, didn’t hesitate. “We kidnap Qin Chu, kill him, and take his blood. Together, we can’t fail… We’ll do it tonight!”
…
Meanwhile, Qin Chu sat in his room, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He tapped his fingers against the table.
The time was almost right. Ekaterina, the Crimson Valkyrie, would be returning to the capital today, becoming one of his martial arts instructors.
It was time to initiate the next phase of his plan.
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