Ansu’s face was grim as he pondered the intelligence David had just reported.
The timing of Freya’s identity being exposed was far too coincidental; even a ghost wouldn't believe there wasn't a conspiracy behind it...
He suddenly remembered that time he had attended a lecture with Freya, when she had excitedly told him that the archbishops had lifted her restrictions and allowed her to move freely.
Ansu had felt something was fishy even then, because the suggestion had come from Archbishop Leonard. For that reason, he had specifically warned Freya never to reveal her demihuman identity to outsiders, suspecting that the old schemer might be planning another sting operation.
Now, it seemed his words had become a self-fulfilling prophecy...
Anyone close to Freya was bound to suffer, especially her guardian, Archbishop Paul.
The conservative faction, who disliked Archbishop Paul, would certainly use this to attack him. If he were absent from the Pope’s election at this time, the situation would be extremely favorable for Archbishop Leonard...
However, what confused Ansu was how Vera had been dragged into this. That girl had spoken highly of Freya, but their relationship hadn't been that close before...
Had they become much closer during the days he was away?
Ansu thought for a moment and quickly made a decision.
He looked toward David and instructed, "Keep focusing on this matter regarding the Church’s Holy Maiden for the time being. Report any new information to me immediately."
David nodded quickly. "Yes! I understand!"
"Also..." Ansu glanced at the sky, which would soon be dawn, and further instructed David, "Go pack your gear. You’re returning to Benalu City with me at dawn."
David bowed and replied, "I obey the Hermit’s orders."
After giving these instructions, David got up and walked toward where the horses were kept.
Ansu turned back and looked at Celia, whose gaze was somewhat subtle.
"Sorry... I’m worried about my sister." Ansu gave an apologetic smile. "I didn't expect such a big incident. I need to go back quickly to see how Vera is doing. You stay here and handle the demon army's treasure..."
Celia narrowed her eyes slightly, scrutinizing Ansu’s expression.
She didn't say yes, nor did she say no.
"The one you’re worried about isn't just your sister, is it?"
"Hmm?" Ansu blinked. "What else would it be?"
Celia crossed her arms and let out a cold snort. "I’ll say it for you! You must be full of thoughts about going back to save your little Holy Maiden, right? After all, she’s deep in the center of a whirlpool, just waiting for someone to play the hero!"
Ansu gave a forced laugh. "How could that be... I’m definitely most concerned about Vera!"
Seeing that Celia remained expressionless, his tone softened, and he patiently explained to her:
"Although this seems on the surface to be just the exposure of the Holy Maiden’s demihuman identity, it actually involves a power struggle within the Church. This is no small matter!"
"Besides, you know what those people in the Church are like... every single one of them is insidious and ruthless, especially Leonard, who heads the demon hunter department. He loves using extrajudicial punishment! Vera might be arrested as an accomplice or something... if anything happens to her, I can’t even imagine..."
Celia heard Ansu’s long explanation and waved her hand irritably. "Fine, fine! I didn't say you couldn't go!"
Ansu quickly asked, "So you agree?"
"Look at how anxious you are!" Celia glared at him crossly. "Go, go! I’ll stay here to handle the demon treasure. Once I’ve settled it, I’ll go to Benalu City to find you."
"Okay, good." Ansu nodded gently, a smile reappearing on his face.
"Hmph! Besides..." Celia watched Ansu gloomily. "What power do I have to stop you? If I dared to stop you, and something happened to your sister... or your little Holy Maiden, what would happen? You’d hate me to death, wouldn't you?"
Looking at her resentful little expression, Ansu burst into a laugh and took her hand.
"How could I make a decision on my own without listening to your thoughts? Your opinion has always been very important to me."
"Really?" Celia looked up slightly, gazing at Ansu’s smile.
"Of course!"
Celia suddenly narrowed her eyes and said with a fake smile, "Alright then, you’ll follow my suggestion, right? Then I say you shouldn't go back!"
"Ah?" Ansu was stunned.
"What do you mean 'ah'?" Celia said with a beaming smile. "Your sister Vera is actually just an irrelevant person in this matter. Besides, she has her teacher to protect her. If you’re still worried... then I’ll go back and rescue her for you! How about that? Isn't that the best solution?"
"This... this isn't very good..."
Ansu stared at her, both helpless and speechless, suddenly finding himself at a loss for words...
Because it seemed that was indeed the case...
"Hmph! Why isn't it good?" Celia’s gaze grew deeper. "The only thing not good about it is that Freya can’t be rescued, and that is exactly what you don’t want to see, and the reason why you must go back!"
Ansu looked at her awkwardly, almost forcing a smile onto his face. "That... it’s definitely not like that. Listen to me, actually, from a cost-benefit analysis, my return..."
"No need to explain, Ansu..." Celia sighed softly in her heart. "I was just joking. Go back and do what you want to do. I know you know what you’re doing."
Ansu looked at her silently, while Celia lowered her head, her gaze dark, thinking about something unknown.
After a moment of silence, Celia looked up at the sky, which was already starting to brighten.
In a while, Ansu would be leaving...
The thought of parting weighed on her heart. Although she knew they wouldn't be apart for more than a few days, Celia still felt a bit empty inside.
As if remembering something, she suddenly suggested, "There’s still time. I want to take you somewhere. I’ve already thought about where to place this hoard of treasure!"
"Oh? Where?" Ansu looked curious.
Celia gripped Ansu’s wrist and blinked with a smile. "Come with me! Let’s hurry and take a look~"
Then, Celia closed her eyes and began to chant the incantation for a teleportation spell.
A faint blue light circled beneath their feet, slowly enveloping their figures. Ten seconds later, both of them vanished from the spot.
On the other side, ten thousand miles away from the Eastern Wasteland.
Ansu looked around in surprise. He and Celia had appeared in a dark, cold cave.
"This is it." Celia let go of Ansu’s hand and looked around the cave with a smile. "How is it? It’s safe here, right?"
"This place..." As soon as Ansu saw this place, his heart inexplicably quickened.
After repeated observation, he was shocked to find that this place... wasn't it the dark cave where Celia had imprisoned him in the simulation?
Realizing this, Ansu looked at Celia cautiously, but her smile was natural, showing no signs of anything unusual.
"This is the northern part of the Black Forest, where few people go." Celia explained with a smile. "I discovered this place once while on a cult mission. I liked it because it was so quiet, so I set up a teleportation node here, thinking I might use it one day."
Ansu thought silently, You certainly did use it...
Because when she was preparing to imprison him in the simulation, she had indeed remembered this teleportation node.
But luckily, she didn't want to now...
"This cave is very, very long! If you keep going forward, there’s a massive space inside the mountain, because it used to be a mine hollowed out by the dwarven kingdom..."
While leading Ansu around, Celia shared her thoughts: "We can be like the demon army back then, set up a barrier here, and hide all the treasure inside!"
"Hmm..." Ansu rubbed his chin and nodded. "I think it’s feasible. It looks very safe here."
"Absolutely no one will find this place~" Celia watched Ansu with a beaming smile. "Once I finish learning that space magic, this will be a hidden space that only the two of us can enter! This will become our secret base!"
Ansu continued to nod.
As long as he wasn't locked up here, anything was fine...
"Eh? Why do you look so preoccupied?"
Celia’s beautiful eyes suddenly appeared right in front of Ansu, giving him a big fright.
Seeing Ansu’s reaction, Celia grew even more curious. "What on earth are you thinking... Also, have you been here before? I feel like you’re quite familiar with the way."
"How could I have been here before...?" Ansu shook his head.
"Oh..." Celia looked at him silently, then turned to the sky outside the cave, which was already beginning to glow.
"After you go back, we must keep in touch every day!" Celia instructed with a serious tone. "Unless there’s a special circumstance, I’ll contact you using the Communication Amulet every night at ten o'clock! Don’t find me annoying!"
"How could I?" Ansu smiled at her, thinking that the young witch was starting to become quite talkative.
"Also!" Celia’s voice grew heavier as she continued to instruct, "If you encounter something dangerous or something you can’t handle yourself, you must contact me in time! If Samantha finds you, you must inform me immediately! Got it?"
Ansu looked helpless. "Got it, got it..."
"Finally!" Celia pulled out the magic tome she was about to study. "This 7th Circle magic, Void Corridor, isn't a problem for me! Even if I have to learn the rune knowledge of this school from scratch, it’ll only waste a little bit more time..."
"Ansu, give me a month..."
"No! Two weeks! I only need two weeks to finish learning it! You have to wait for me to return home obediently! I’ll go find you in two weeks~"
"Okay~" Ansu’s smile became incredibly soft.
After saying all this, Celia suddenly stepped forward, her arms tightly encircling his waist, burying her cheek deep into his warm chest.
"Wait for me..."
Her voice was muffled, but it carried an irrepressible smile. "Because, the next time we meet, I’m planning to give you a gift~"
"What gift?" Ansu was startled and lowered his head slightly.
With a smile on her lips, a hint of mischief flashed in Celia’s eyes where Ansu couldn't see.
"It’s a gift you’ll definitely like..."
"Hmm??"
Celia giggled with slightly flushed cheeks but said no more.
Rate on N.U.
