I Thought I Was Going to Lose You Forever

The atmosphere fell into an eerie silence.

Samantha kept glancing back and forth between Ansu and Celia, the expression on her face dark and unreadable.

Celia let out a cold snort and ignored Samantha, instead carefully inspecting Ansu's body.

"I'm really fine, Lady Celia, I'm really fine..."

Ansu watched helplessly as the witch patted him down. "The Cult Leader and I were just chatting. You're acting as if she poisoned me..."

"Who knows!" Celia shot a glance at Samantha.

Since ascending to the position of Cult Leader, Samantha had naturally inherited the cult's most important assets. After so many years of the cult researching black magic, she surely possessed many insidious methods that were impossible to guard against.

Seeing that Samantha remained silent, Ansu turned his gaze toward the chief inquisitor lying on the ground not far away.

He didn't know if Celia had held back just now or if the chief inquisitor's physical constitution was simply that good, but even after having his head slammed into the floor so many times, the man was actually still alive.

"Cult Leader..." The chief inquisitor's bones were shattered throughout his body. He struggled, inching his way toward Samantha like a wriggling maggot, begging piteously, "Quick... please, treat me..."

Seeing Ansu's surprised expression, Celia explained for him, "Scholar is indeed very durable. He specializes in magic resistance, and his body has undergone a certain degree of modification. That is why Teacher is very willing to let him handle some of the most dangerous missions..."

"Oh..." Ansu nodded silently. It seemed he was a master of endurance.

Now he had seen the Master of the Rinse Cycle, the Master of Modification Resistance, the Master of Poaching, and now a master of endurance had appeared.

"Fine..." Samantha pondered for a long while before finally making a helpless compromise. She cast a cold glance at the young man and woman standing side by side.

"Since you are unwilling to let him go, so be it! However, the Hermit must provide me with a detailed summary of all the intelligence he possesses. This operation is of great importance, as I intend to activate all the long-dormant cult executors in the Royal Capital."

Hearing her say this, Celia felt a sigh of relief in her heart.

She then gave a faint smile. "Very well, Teacher. However, from now on, Ansu will be by my side. Do not even think about chatting with him alone again."

"Do you still remember that I am your teacher?" Samantha narrowed her eyes, her smile not reaching them. "You actually dare to threaten me? And for such a matter?"

The thought that she would threaten her just for such a thing—for the sake of romance between a man and a woman—made her even more annoyed, to the point where she was almost moved to a frustrated laugh.

Although she felt that this brat was gradually slipping out of her control...

At least it was only for the Hermit. She had not realized the true purpose of her upbringing, nor did she covet her position.

She would let her continue to immerse herself in the joy of love.

Once the Chosen One was dealt with, she would have time to come back and handle this brat. Her death was already on a countdown.

This beautiful fruit she had cultivated for so long could finally be plucked. She was even becoming a bit impatient.

...

It was already eight o'clock in the evening by the time Ansu and Celia left the cult stronghold.

As they rode the carriage back to the manor together, Ansu lowered his head, pondering if there were any omissions. Celia, sitting across from him, merely stared at him intently without making a sound to disturb him.

"Mhm... regardless, Samantha is definitely going to the Royal Capital. She might even set off as early as tonight." Ansu looked up, meeting those beautiful eyes that were watching him. "My Lady Witch, we should also be prepared on our end."

"Mhm." Celia nodded gently.

"Professor Duncan has already gathered the students, and the supplies and equipment for the trip are ready. He will meet with the inquisition squad at Oak Town in Solan Province."

Ansu suggested, "I will take a long leave of absence from school tomorrow. We can all meet at Oak Town. That is the last human settlement before heading to the ancient ruins."

"Mhm..." Celia still only nodded gently.

Ansu frowned and waved a hand in front of the witch. "Celia, are you listening?"

He thought she was spacing out, but he didn't expect...

Celia's eyes flickered for a moment, and she lunged forward, suddenly hugging Ansu's body tightly.

"My, My Lady Witch?" Ansu was held so tightly he could barely breathe. "What's wrong?"

"Ansu..."

Celia's face was full of fear and unease, her voice even trembling. "I thought just now... that you were going to die. I thought I was going to lose you forever..."

So it was because of this. Ansu gave a helpless smile and gently patted her back.

"Don't be sad. Am I not fine? Am I not alive and well?"

Celia shook her head vigorously, her voice even carrying a hint of a sob. "What are you laughing at! Do you have any idea how dangerous it was just now? I thought Samantha would..."

At the thought that she had actually set a trap, intending to use a teleportation item to separate her from Ansu, Celia felt an immense lingering fear.

She had been unable to do anything at that moment, only able to watch helplessly as Ansu disappeared before her eyes.

"That old witch..." For the first time, Ansu did not avoid using that derogatory term in front of Celia. He sneered, "Fortunately, my mind was quick enough to trick her into going to the Royal Capital with fake intelligence. Otherwise, it really would have been over this time..."

In fact, he had already been finished once in the simulation, but there was no need to tell Celia that.

"It's all my fault..." Celia looked up sadly, her eyes already turning red. "I knew she was wary of me, but I didn't expect her to have such a move. I even confidently promised you..."

If it hadn't been for Ansu's strong ability to adapt on the fly...

Just a little bit more! Just a little bit more and she really would have lost Ansu!

"It's not your fault." Ansu looked at those eyes shimmering with tears and comforted her softly. "I didn't expect it either. It can only be said that Samantha is far too cunning..."

"Samantha..." A shadow of gloom emerged in Celia's gaze.

Today's events made her realize that the other party was not just wary of her; she was guarding against her like an enemy.

Celia knew she had never been someone with high emotional intelligence or good at sensing the emotions of others, but when their conflict erupted, she had still felt it in the other party's eyes...

A strong sense of loathing.

And a type of hostility that simply could not be described...

In the tavern just now, she had been focused on Ansu's safety and had no time to think too deeply. But now, the more she thought about it, the more she felt something was wrong. Where did this loathing and hostility come from?

If she truly hated her, why would she take such care of her, even nurturing her to learn magic?

At least in Celia's view, there was simply no need to spend so many years in close proximity with someone you hated... it was simply asking for trouble.

Unless she had some other special purpose for her...

As Ansu watched the deepening gaze in Celia's eyes, a slight smile slowly curved at the corners of his mouth. She must have thought of it...

Thought of the old witch's ill intentions toward her.

And for all of this, he had only provided a tiny bit of guidance. Having her uncover the truth with her own hands was far more profound than the persuasion of others.

Although it was still just suspicion... very soon, once she knew the truth, she would be filled with hatred for the old witch and stand on the same front as him to oppose her, and even kill her.

Celia looked up, her previous thoughts making her feel dazed and muddled. This was something very difficult for her to accept.

Ansu gently wiped away the tears from those beautiful eyes, the smile on his face growing even deeper.

He really had to thank the old witch.

This time, it was a triple-win!

His reverse modification plan seemed to have a very good start. He had indeed succeeded... in taking control of Celia's life.

Ansu began to look forward to the trip for the demon army's treasure.