Chapter 346: I Only Want You
Qin Chu fought to suppress the primal urge surging within him.
The potent energy coursing through his veins, the constant cycle of his body breaking and healing thanks to Holy Healing…
Each cycle strengthened his body, making it tougher, more resilient.
But the desire, the burning need, remained, unquenched.
He couldn’t even look at Shaye or Anthea, fearing his resolve would crumble.
But the fire couldn’t be contained.
Shaye’s face paled as he grasped her shoulder and chin, tilting her head upwards.
His face flushed, his eyes burning, his breath hot against her skin.
Shaye’s heart pounded. Despite being a pure energy construct, capable of dissipating at will, she froze, unable to escape his gaze.
She felt her body temperature rising, her breath quickening, her heart racing.
Forced to meet his gaze, her eyes darted around nervously.
What’s he saying? Can’t… can’t escape? What does that mean?
She was bewildered. She hadn’t anticipated this. She had thoroughly analyzed the combined blood, concluding that while it contained immense power, it wouldn’t be influenced by the Evil God’s will, hence deeming it safe for Qin Chu to consume.
But she hadn’t foreseen this side effect.
She had been careless.
She could see that Qin Chu wasn’t under the Evil God’s control. He was simply… incredibly aroused.
She had played with fire and gotten burned.
While residing within his body, she had witnessed his… activities, but witnessing was one thing, experiencing it firsthand was another.
Despite being the most powerful Witch, she felt a flicker of… fear.
And why should she give herself to this womanizer?
She wanted to escape, but she didn’t know where to go.
She forced a smile: “Qin… Qin Chu, what are you doing?”
“I… I’ll just go get Sylph and Athena… Let me go.”
“You’re hurting me.”
She clung to a sliver of hope. He was clearly in distress. If she offered to summon the other women, he would surely release her.
But his reaction surprised her. He didn’t loosen his grip, his breathing growing heavier, his gaze fixed on her as if she were the most beautiful woman in the world.
“I only want you.”
Shaye froze, her heart skipping a beat.
She didn’t know how to react. After a moment, she opened her mouth to speak, but his lips captured hers.
A muffled moan escaped her.
Her slender body stiffened.
Then, melted against his.
Anthea, standing behind them, tilted her head, a curious look on her face.
…
Within the Hero’s Residence, passion filled the air.
But within the Imperial City, a storm was brewing.
Dark clouds gathered overhead, a sign of impending doom.
Perhaps today, perhaps in ten days, perhaps in a month… no one knew when it would strike, but a heavy sense of foreboding filled the air.
The streets were deserted, even the usually bustling noble district eerily quiet.
It was understandable. The nobles had suffered heavy losses recently. First, the First Prince’s rampage, then Karsus’s transformation, then Wadsworth’s purge, forcing them to send their children to the front lines… their numbers had dwindled, the once opulent noble district now seeming almost desolate.
Only the occasional maid or nun hurried along the streets.
Within the Imperial Palace.
Wadsworth’s usual boisterous temper had vanished.
He no longer lashed out, injuring or even killing those who displeased him.
He had even shaved his beard, though it didn’t improve his appearance much.
He had confessed his recent mistakes to his children, even publicly admitting his wives’ infidelities and the fact that some of his children weren’t his, begging for their forgiveness.
So, it was the humiliation of being cuckolded that had driven him mad. His children expressed their understanding.
Of course they did. He was the Emperor. What else could they do?
And it was indeed a humiliating experience.
Only Carol, seeing the faint smile playing on his lips, felt a chilling fear.
Meanwhile, at the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess.
Saint Monique sat on her throne, her subordinates constantly bringing her reports.
There was only one message from Augustus: wait.
They would act only after Loseweisse made her move. But she didn’t seem to be in a hurry.
Augustus was in his laboratory.
A strange glint shone in his old, yellowish eyes.
The stench of decay intensified. Two more rotting corpses lay within: one human, one Demon Beast.
He had used potions to purify the blood, suppressing its power and will, but they hadn’t been able to withstand it, their bodies swelling like balloons before exploding.
“Useless!”
Only the Hero’s body would suffice.
He sighed, picking up a vial containing a strange, greenish-red liquid: the blood, mixed with his own concoction.
He could sense the potent energy within.
And he was confident in his potion-making skills. He had purified the blood, removing its corrupting influence. Even if some remained, he could control it with his will.
He injected the potion into his veins.
His withered body convulsed, strange patterns spreading across his skin, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
He collapsed to the floor, his body writhing.
The pain was intense.
But he would endure it.
He needed revenge. He couldn’t die yet.
He had to see Phyllis recover, to see her leave that dark dungeon.
His eyes, wide and unyielding, reflected his determination.
After a long while, his breathing calmed, and he struggled to his feet, his body seeming slightly younger, less frail.
At the Holy See.
Douglas was in the Saintess’s chambers, reporting his findings.
Lately, Loseweisse had been enjoying her newfound power, the respect and obedience of those far stronger than her. It was intoxicating. Was this how the Pope felt?
No, the Pope’s power was even greater.
But she was a daughter of a god.
The position of Pope rightfully belonged to her. Augustus was a usurper. She would reclaim what was hers.
While not yet Pope, she had already adopted a regal demeanor, sitting on her throne, her eyes narrowed, listening to Douglas’s report.
“Your Holiness, we have a lead on Saintess Phyllis.”
“Augustus spends some time alone in his chambers every day, refusing all visitors. We suspect there’s a hidden passage leading to her prison.”
“Perhaps we can infiltrate his chambers while he’s away and rescue her.”
Loseweisse frowned, displeased with his report.
She didn’t want to rescue Phyllis. While technically her mother, she felt no connection to her. To Loseweisse, she was merely a vessel, nothing more.
It could have been anyone, not just Phyllis.
If not for Phyllis’s blood flowing through her veins, she would be pure, untainted.
It was Phyllis who had cursed her with this… impurity.
And after decades of imprisonment, who knew what state she was in?
A filthy, wretched madwoman… having such a mother could damage her reputation, her image as a daughter of a god, the future Pope.
Chapter 347: The Witches’ Connection
While she had never met her mother, Loseweisse already resented her.
But she couldn’t show it, not even to Douglas, her most loyal follower.
She had to maintain the facade of a caring daughter. If she revealed her true feelings, it would damage her image.
She forced a look of concern: “Really? That’s wonderful, Douglas. Please investigate thoroughly. I’ll personally rescue my mother…”
“She has suffered enough for me.”
“Douglas, I’m fortunate to have you by my side. I wouldn’t have made it this far without you. Once I overthrow Augustus, your contribution will be remembered.”
Douglas’s face twitched with excitement.
Such a benevolent, such a magnificent Goddess!
Being her most valued servant was the highest honor.
He knelt before her, taking her foot in his hands and kissing her shoe.
“Your Holiness, my loyalty is eternal.”
His display of devotion filled her with a profound satisfaction. See? This is Douglas, the second most powerful figure in the Holy See, the Cardinal of the Inquisition.
Someone far stronger and more influential than her, now kneeling at her feet.
It was an intoxicating feeling.
But a flicker of annoyance crossed her face as she looked at his fawning expression. Who allowed you to touch me, you disgusting creature?
You’re nothing. How dare you touch my body? Only Jie Luo was worthy of her. Anyone who dared defile her would pay the price.
She tolerated his actions only because she still needed him. Once she became Pope, he would be expendable.
Suddenly, a strange thought crossed her mind: If only it were Qin Chu kneeling at her feet, kissing her shoes…
She wasn’t even eager to kill him anymore.
While resurrecting Jie Luo was important, she also wanted to… torment Qin Chu.
He was strong, but she, with her divine blood, possessed even greater potential.
She wanted to humiliate him, to make him regret his actions. She would kill his beloved maid before his eyes, watching him writhe in despair. That would be a truly beautiful sight.
The thought filled her with a perverse excitement, a thrill she could barely contain.
If not for Douglas’s presence, she would have laughed out loud.
“Douglas, rise…”
She took a deep breath, composing herself: “How is the other matter progressing?”
Despite her pursuit of power, she hadn’t forgotten her other goal: Jie Luo’s soul fragments.
Having recruited so many powerful individuals, her resources had increased dramatically.
“We have some leads. We’re currently confirming them.”
At Sage Mountain.
The twelve Grand Mages, excluding Natia, were gathered.
They had sensed the disturbance in the Imperial City.
As the weakest of the four major factions, they had chosen to remain neutral.
They wouldn’t participate in the power struggles, knowing they couldn’t afford to offend any of the other three factions.
But they weren’t content with mere neutrality. They were plotting something, something they couldn’t let Natia hear.
At the tavern in the commoner district.
Candice frowned.
She had received important information from Lomond and needed to inform Horus immediately.
But she couldn’t contact him. She wondered what he was doing.
At the Hero’s Residence.
Shaye hadn’t escaped.
With a muffled cry, she was pulled into Qin Chu’s embrace.
…
Meanwhile, in the noble district.
A new arrival.
A tall, slender woman, her figure perfectly proportioned.
She wore a long black dress that seemed to enhance her pale skin, her silver hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, almost reaching her knees. The contrast of black and white was striking.
Her crimson eyes held a captivating allure.
It was Shaye Shub-Niggurath.
Or rather, another Shaye Shub-Niggurath.
The distance between the Demon King’s Palace and the Imperial City was vast, but for her, it was a trivial matter. A simple prayer to the Void, and a spatial teleportation array activated, transporting her instantly.
She had learned of someone impersonating her in the human world.
While she considered herself one of the more… reasonable Witches, she wouldn’t tolerate such an insult. She had decided to leave the Demon King’s Palace for a while.
And her first destination was naturally the Imperial City, the heart of the human world.
When had she last visited? Over a decade ago? She couldn’t remember.
She glanced around, her eyes narrowed. The city’s layout and architecture seemed largely unchanged.
But when had the Imperial City become so… desolate?
She remembered the bustling streets, the crowds of people, especially in the noble district. Now, it was eerily quiet.
Had the Demon Beast attacks weakened the human Empire so much?
Even the sky seemed gloomy, the city devoid of life, its buildings like tombstones.
Well, it didn’t matter.
She wasn’t concerned.
She wanted to find a shop and enjoy some milk tea.
The only things that interested her in the human world were sweets and beverages.
She spotted her target, a smile illuminating her beautiful face, brightening even the gloomy sky.
She walked towards the cake shop, her black skirt swaying, revealing her slender legs.
But after only a few steps:
“Ah!”
She stopped abruptly, her face paling.
She clutched her abdomen, a sharp, tearing pain.
It hurt.
Despite being a powerful Witch, even the Demon King feared her, Shaye was surprisingly sensitive to pain.
Cold sweat beaded on her forehead, her body bending, her face ashen, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
She stumbled, grabbing a lamppost for support.
She felt something… entering her body.
What… what was happening?
Even she, with her vast knowledge, couldn’t understand.
Had she been… corrupted by something?
Her stomach churned.
It hurts…
It hurts so much…
She almost cried.
Gritting her teeth, she ignored the pain, abandoning her quest for cake and milk tea.
She found a nearby hotel, not even bothering to check in, her body phasing through the window. She drew the curtains, closed the door, and erected a soundproof barrier.
Her resolve finally crumbled, and she collapsed onto the bed, gasping for breath.
Her eyes shone with anger.
Which bastard had set this trap?
She suspected a powerful mage, sensing her arrival, had decided to give her a warning.
But they didn’t want a direct confrontation within the city.
A battle between the most powerful Witch and a mage of equal strength would destroy the Imperial City.
Perhaps they simply wanted her to leave?
They were mistaken.
She wasn’t one to back down. She would repay this… insult tenfold.
But who was it?
Augustus?
Impossible. He was far too weak.
Saint Monique?
Even less likely. She was even weaker than Augustus.
Who?
As she pondered this, she focused on resisting the strange sensations within her body, a foreign power surging through her veins.
After a while, the pain subsided, replaced by another, stranger feeling.
Her crimson eyes glistened, tears welling up.
