Watching Ansu's surprised expression, Celia narrowed her eyes slightly. "What, you don't believe I'm always watching?"
"I believe you..."
"Don't underestimate me!" she snorted coldly. "The Communication Amulet I gave you was inscribed with a special positioning rune long ago. As long as I wish, I can know exactly where you are at any time!"
"Ah, is that so?" Ansu glanced at the amulet pendant in his palm. This thing was actually a tracker?
"And..." Celia flashed a meaningful smile, "with this, I can initiate face-to-face communication with you at any time, just like this. So... you'd better behave yourself for me~"
Just as Ansu was about to say something, Celia's phantom suddenly leaned in close, her eyes narrowing and her tone turning dangerous.
"Especially when you're with that little Holy Maiden of yours! You two had better behave!"
"When have we ever not behaved...?" Ansu gave a forced laugh. "Rest assured! We're perfectly innocent..."
"Hmph." Celia clearly didn't believe a word of it.
Being innocent now didn't mean they would be innocent later!
She had to keep a close eye on him!
Ansu felt an inexplicable sense of his 'girlfriend checking in on him'... and began to examine the small amulet in his hand.
He knew Celia was actually just trying to scare him. Where would she find the time to monitor him constantly?
Otherwise, if she had seen the scene where he met Freya this morning, she would have probably exploded with rage...
"Keep the amulet on you, or I'll lose contact with you." Celia still seemed a bit uneasy, so she nagged him for quite a while.
"Don't think I'm doing this to spy on you. I'm doing it for your safety. After all, you have so many enemies now... Returning to Benalu City will definitely be dangerous..."
"Alright, I understand." Ansu tucked away the amulet, smiling at the increasingly talkative witch.
Celia seemed to know what he was thinking, so she pursed her lips, her face filled with grievance. "Ansu is starting to get tired of my nagging. How heartbreaking..."
Watching her dramatic performance, Ansu rubbed his forehead and sighed.
Celia chuckled and dropped her playful demeanor. Unwilling to continue the topic of Freya, she said, "I've made some progress with that 7th Circle spatial magic. However, there are already many groups searching for the ruins' entrance on the wasteland, so I moved the treasure into that cave first."
Ansu nodded. Barcas wouldn't give up searching for the treasure, and the Church of Holy Light had surely noticed the unusual activity on the wasteland. Staying in the ruins was no longer a wise move.
After finishing the topic of the treasure, Celia's tone became more serious. "Is there any news on Samantha?"
"She is preparing to return to Benalu City." Ansu shared the intelligence David had brought. "But currently, she is still hiding in the provinces, and her movements are very secretive."
"Has the cult come looking for trouble recently?" Celia looked at Ansu. "They should know the news of your return by now."
Ansu shook his head. "No."
"That's very interesting..." Celia said meaningfully. "Samantha must be urging the cult to move against you, but so far, not a single person has dared to look for trouble."
"Because they're afraid," Ansu said with a faint smile.
With over a dozen members of the Council of Elders, including Elder John, missing and presumed dead while he returned unscathed...
Who would dare to make a move against him?
If he were an executor ordered by Samantha to assassinate himself, he would probably be reduced to tears of fear...
"Excellent!" A sharp glint flashed in Celia's eyes. "That's exactly the effect we want!"
Ansu took the opportunity to suggest, "While Samantha hasn't returned yet, there's a power vacuum in the cult. This is our best opportunity."
The two looked at each other, seeing mutual signs of plotting and calculation.
"Those remaining old fogies must be secretly preparing a Council of Elders meeting at the seaside manor behind Samantha's back to push for a more suitable Acting Cult Leader." Celia chuckled. "Ansu, we can't miss such a big day!"
"Of course!" Ansu replied with a knowing smile.
"Call me whenever you need anything." Celia gave Ansu a deep look. "Act carefully."
"Don't worry." Ansu glanced at the sky outside the window. "It's getting late. You should rest."
Celia cast a weary glance at the magic texts beside her and gave a soft yawn. "Yeah, I'll sleep after I finish studying these magic principles."
Ansu looked at the dark circles clearly visible under her eyes. The witch must have been studying that spatial magic day and night.
"You were the one advising me to rest before, and now it's my turn..." Ansu recalled the days he had been obsessed with studying and smiled helplessly.
"Since the treasure has been moved, there's no need to be in such a hurry. Put the magic aside for now; it's better to get some rest."
"The reason I'm so anxious to learn spatial magic is because of you." Celia gave Ansu a resentful glare. "If I don't hurry back, and something happens between you and that little Holy Maiden, then I...!"
Ansu blinked. "Don't you have the Communication Amulet? Didn't you say you'd be watching me always, anytime and anywhere?"
"Where would I find the time to watch you all day! Who even researched these spells? They're so incredibly obscure and difficult to understand!" Celia curled her lip and muttered in annoyance. "I only have time at night..."
But in the next second, she realized she had let it slip.
"Wait, no! I am watching you every single day!" Celia's eyes suddenly widened. "I'll be watching you... always!"
Ansu burst into laughter. "Goodnight, Ms. Witch."
"Hmph! Goodnight~"
...
The next morning, Ansu summoned David and the other two again.
"Lord Hermit! We have followed your instructions and spread those 'messages'."
David bowed his head, reporting the results of their work from yesterday.
People didn't actually know much about who Samantha was, even if she was number one on the wanted list. However, most citizens were aware of the notorious Echoes of Truth cult and the recent events in the Royal Capital.
The news of the pope's death was common knowledge. Now, the previous cultist riots in the Royal Capital and the rumor that the 'cult leader successfully assassinated the pope' merged perfectly together.
Even if Samantha hadn't actually killed the pope, who could blame them for the timing of her appearance being so coincidental?
"We focused our efforts on the docks and the taverns in the Black Harbor District," another executor, Ryan, added. "News travels fastest in those places. I took a walk around the docks this morning, and people are already discussing how the Church is deliberately hiding the truth and disregarding the safety of the commoners."
"You've done well." Ansu nodded with satisfaction. Now he just had to wait for the rumors to fully ferment.
"By the way, what's the movement from the Council of Elders?" Ansu asked again.
"I was just about to report on that," David said immediately. "Since this morning, multiple elders from the Truth faction and the Restorationist faction have arrived from the provinces, heading to the cult's base at the seaside manor. For elders of both factions to be present at the same time... I suspect they are secretly preparing a Council of Elders meeting..."
"They finally can't sit still anymore." Ansu recalled his discussion with Celia last night and smiled inwardly. Those old foxes must be eager to kick Samantha aside and push a puppet cult leader who is easier to control into power.
"David, prepare a carriage for me." Ansu looked at him. "I'm going to attend this Council of Elders meeting as well."
David was stunned for a moment, followed by a surge of nervousness and excitement.
Are Lord Hermit and Lady Celia finally going to take this step?
"Yes!" David suppressed his racing thoughts and replied with absolute loyalty.
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