Chapter 20: Angelica Must Die (2)
The Next Holy Maiden?
Angelica’s eyes were wide open, her breathing somewhat rapid, with an excited gleam deep in her eyes. She had thought being able to break free from Loseweisse’s clutches was already immense luck, never imagining she would still have hope of becoming the Holy Maiden again.
Ever since joining the Holy See at a very young age, she had strived to become the Holy Maiden. But she never expected to fall from heaven to hell overnight, going from Holy Maiden candidate to a mere maid.
She thought there was no longer any relation between herself and the position of Holy Maiden.
In that moment, Angelica felt a surge of burning passion welling up in her chest, an intense impulse emerging.
But soon, a hint of doubt appeared on Angelica’s face.
Excitement? It seemed…not that exciting after all.
Angelica had thought this sudden shock would excite her to the point of jumping up, but unexpectedly, the burning passion only lasted briefly before quickly cooling down.
The words “Holy Maiden” no longer held the same powerful allure for her as before.
The only thing that piqued Angelica’s interest was that becoming the Holy Maiden would allow her to properly be with Qin Chu and become his wife.
She understood very clearly why she was receiving this treatment now.
It was all because of Qin Chu.
If Qin Chu had not chosen her, would Augustus have stopped Loseweisse from trying to kill her? No!
If Qin Chu had not chosen her, would Augustus have promised to restore her reputation and make her the next Holy Maiden? No!
Everything she had now was given by Qin Chu. Augustus’s promise to her was merely an attempt to influence and control Qin Chu, increasing the Holy See’s influence.
Unlike in the past, to make her work for them now, they had to offer some incentive.
No matter the reason, even if it was just being physically attracted to her, only Qin Chu treated her as a real person. In Augustus’s eyes, she was merely a tool.
Just because Qin Chu chose her, everything around her changed.
Angelica inwardly mocked this, but showed no outward sign. Before leaving the Holy See to reach the hero’s side, she could never feel truly safe. She had no capital to refuse Augustus yet.
“Your Holiness, I understand,” Angelica replied.
Augustus was very satisfied with Angelica’s answer, giving a slight nod. “Good, do well, and the Holy See will not forget your contributions.”
Watching Angelica turn to leave, Augustus’s eyes narrowed into slits.
A murderous intent flickered in his eyes – he could tell Angelica had not truly submitted. For an old fox like him, it would be too pathetic if he couldn’t even see through the thoughts of a young girl.
However, he ultimately did not take action. As the hero had just arrived, he did not want any extra troubles now. He had asked Angelica to return to the Holy See, and if she died here, whether or not it was the Holy See’s doing, it would provoke the hero’s resentment towards them.
In the Holy Maiden’s room, Loseweisse sat primly before the dressing table, the mirror shattered into pieces.
She kneaded her own cheeks with her hands, adjusting her facial expression. As the Holy Maiden, she had to maintain elegance and beauty at all times – that earlier impulsiveness was truly unbecoming.
A crisp knock sounded on the door. Without looking up, Loseweisse said, “Enter!”
She knew who it was.
Sure enough, Augustus’s figure appeared at the entrance.
“Loseweisse, did you just try to kill Angelica?” Casually glancing at the mess in the room, Augustus pretended not to notice, his voice somewhat hoarse.
He was quite vexed. This unruly hero had disrupted many of Augustus’s original plans. He had no choice but to humble himself and do some appeasing work.
“Your Holiness, how could that be? No matter what, I wouldn’t kill Angelica within the Holy See,” Loseweisse answered with a mirthful smile, her tone lacking much respect for the Pope.
The difference between when they were alone and in front of others was a bit too drastic.
However, Augustus showed no reaction whatsoever to Loseweisse’s attitude, utterly unconcerned, as if he was long accustomed to it.
“Very well, Angelica cannot die…yet,” Augustus’s eyelids drooped. “If Angelica dies and Qin Chu chooses you, then her death matters not. But the key is, if she dies, it will very likely provoke Qin Chu’s resentment towards the Holy See. Then we can only push Qin Chu to the opposing side, giving Saint Monique and Wadsworth the advantage. You know those two old foxes have been eyeing Qin Chu as well.”
Loseweisse’s gaze dropped to the knife-like nails at her fingertips, which were still slightly trembling. Even after struggling to adjust her mood, the murderous intent was still difficult to suppress.
“Do not blame me.”
“Angelica must die,” Augustus continued. “Angelica harbors hatred towards the Holy See and will not truly stand on our side again. However, even if we kill her, we must ensure the Holy See is completely absolved of suspicion. Understand?”
Her eyes glinting, the corners of her mouth curved up slightly as she finally stood, lifting her skirts with both hands in a curtsy. “I humbly obey Your Holiness’s decree. I understand…”
Her figure as graceful as a startled swan, a beautiful smile adorned her face. “You are my mentor. I could only become the Holy Maiden thanks to Your Holiness’s help. I always remember your kindness, and am too grateful to ever blame Your Holiness!”
Her voice was gentle and crisp.
Yet, Augustus’s expression turned somewhat ugly.
He did not dwell further on this matter. “Then you should rest early. If I’m not mistaken, you have to attend the duchess’s daughter’s tea party tomorrow. Do not look haggard – that tarnishes the Holy See’s dignity.”
Augustus turned to leave, but in that very moment his benevolent countenance twisted into an ugly mass, his azure eyes turning crimson red – distorted like a demon’s.
Loseweisse, damn mongrel…
Augustus’s thoughts drifted back to the past.
The Holy See primarily worshipped the Goddess of Holy Light. But in addition, they also revered other deities like the Sun God, War God, Elemental Gods and many more.
Within the Holy See, the Pope held the highest, singular position.
Under the Pope were two transcendent roles – the Holy Son and Holy Maiden.
Only the purest, most handsome youths and beautiful maidens could serve as the Holy Son and Maiden – it was the Holy See’s public face.
The Holy Son and Maiden existed to serve the deities.
On the surface, this was true. But in reality, the Holy See had never actually sacrificed the Holy Son and Maiden to the deities. This so-called “service” amounted to merely kneeling and devoutly praying before the deity statues on their annual holy day.
Furthermore, the Holy See had never prohibited marriage.
Although there were a few types who chose to remain unmarried for life to display their piety, they were ultimately in the minority – the desire to procreate was human nature.
Even for the prestigious Holy Son and Maiden, many chose to marry and have children after reaching the age where they were no longer suitable to serve the deities.
In his youth, Augustus had been the Holy Son.
And the Holy Maiden during that time was named…Loseweisse Phyllis!
Perhaps it was because of their equally prestigious status, or perhaps because they frequently had to study etiquette together, they became the people who spent the most time together in each other’s lives.
There were no earth-shattering stories, only a plain, shallow affection between them.
Neither Augustus nor Loseweisse Phyllis knew when exactly they started liking each other.
Even Augustus had been young once, after all.
Though they liked each other, they never tasted the forbidden fruit. They still followed the Holy See’s rules, maintaining physical purity while serving as the Holy Son and Maiden.
That shallow, sweet, warm affection was already enough to make the two of them happy.
And once again, the annual holy day to serve the deities arrived.
This was Augustus and Loseweisse Phyllis’s final time serving the deities.
Their fingers intertwined, they made a pact before the temple gates – after tonight, they would no longer be the Holy Son and Maiden. They would go public with their relationship…
And then, get married!
Harboring wonderful hopes for the future, they entered the temple.
