CA – Chapter 80
Chapter 80
Tang Qiu had only said she would consider a position for Karen, but Karen acted as if she had already agreed. Before long, the entire matter was known throughout Eden.
After all, Karen was a genius knight, and her reputation in Eden was quite significant. Of course, the possibility that she had spread the news herself couldn't be ruled out.
Although Tang Qiu was greatly surprised to learn there was a Tree of Life in Eden, her expression was as normal as ever when she faced Lisa the next day, showing no hint of what she knew.
This time, Lisa hadn't come to deliver the Holy Water of Light but to discuss Karen. She first studied the blonde priest carefully, then questioned, “Why did you choose Karen to be your Holy Knight?”
Tang Qiu blinked. “She was always pestering me. I felt sorry for her.”
Lisa’s face was cold, her tone laced with a hint of anger as she warned, “I told you, she belongs to Archbishop Cambecus.”
Seeing her anger, Tang Qiu actually smiled and said softly, “Then you should send her to Archbishop Cambecus’s side. That way, I wouldn’t have to consider a lovely girl’s feelings and choose a knight I’m not quite satisfied with.”
Lisa glared, gritting her teeth as she cried out, “Grace.”
The smile on Tang Qiu’s lips faded slightly. She straightened her posture, and Lisa couldn't help but take a few steps back, startled by her sudden, sharp aura. Tang Qiu casually picked up the Holy Water of Light from the cabinet, tossing it in her hand. She glanced at Lisa and said with a grin, “Are you calling my name to remind me it's time to practice light magic?”
Lisa couldn't believe she had been intimidated by the aura of a mere priest. She shot Tang Qiu a hateful glare, snorted coldly, and turned to leave with large strides.
Tang Qiu watched her back disappear, a flicker of inquiry in her eyes that soon vanished. She turned back to her chair and continued to practice light magic, enhancing the power of light within her body.
She had been in Eden for quite some time, and her proficiency with the power of light had improved significantly, bringing her just shy of the Bishop level. According to Tang Qiu’s estimate, she could leave this place to see Reese in a week at the latest.
As long as she could get through the next week peacefully… Tang Qiu toyed with the Holy Water of Light, her gaze somewhat profound. A breeze blew in from the window, carrying with it a cloyingly sweet fragrance.
Tang Qiu covered her mouth and sneezed. She turned to look at the window, her brow slowly furrowing as a look of confusion crossed her face.
Below the window, Lisa was expressionlessly scattering a basket of flower petals on the ground. The rich aroma mixed with the faint scent of the small white flowers on the vines, creating a sweetness so cloying it could make one’s mind wander.
She lowered her gaze to stare at the small white flowers for a moment, then lifted her head slightly, her cold eyes fixed on the second-floor bedroom where Tang Qiu was staying.
Since the founding of Eden, countless people had stayed in that room, but how many of them were still alive now? She turned away with an indifferent expression. She would not spare anyone who stood in the way of Karen staying by Archbishop Cambecus’s side.
Eden was filled with the fragrance of flowers, something Tang Qiu had grown accustomed to. However, the cloyingly sweet scent drifting in from outside was something she couldn't get used to at all. Her thoughts were thrown into disarray by the aroma, making it impossible to calm down. Tang Qiu had no choice but to close her book for the time being, walk over to the bed, and lie down. She raised a hand to summon a barrier of light to surround herself.
The air suddenly felt a little fresher, but before Tang Qiu could relax, the sweet scent seeped through the barrier and enveloped her completely.
Tang Qiu pressed a hand to her forehead. Her inability to concentrate put her on high alert. She sat up in bed, took out a bottle of Holy Water of Light she had brought with her, uncorked it, and drank.
The cool liquid slid down her throat, but instead of clearing her mind, it was like a spark falling on dry tinder, igniting a raging fire.
Tang Qiu was stunned by the heat that suddenly surged through her body. The strange sensation made her expression change. She subconsciously glanced outside-it was still a long time until the full moon.
How on earth had she fallen for this trap?
Tang Qiu wiped the sweat from her forehead and calmly scanned her surroundings, not missing any suspicious detail. Finally, her gaze landed on a vine that had crept in through a crack in the window.
The small white flowers on it looked pure and pitiable.
Tang Qiu expressionlessly withdrew her gaze and took out an ice-blue fruit from her Space Gem that suppressed her heat, then ate it.
The fruit was very effective during the full moon, but it was useless now. She wondered if it had something to do with her not being in her werewolf form.
The heat rising within her had already spread to her limbs. Tang Qiu raised a hand to feel the temperature of her cheek. As she lowered her head, pondering how to resolve her current predicament, there was a sudden knock on the door.
It seemed Lisa already knew of Tang Qiu’s condition, so she didn't wait for her to open the door. Instead, she called out directly, “Priest Grace, Archbishop Cambecus will be here shortly to instruct you in light magic.”
“If you’re not feeling well, it’s best not to wander around. A wild beast has broken into Eden, and the knights outside are trying to capture it. It wouldn’t be good if you were accidentally injured.”
After issuing her warning, Lisa left.
Listening to the fading footsteps, a flash of anger crossed Tang Qiu’s eyes. A slight smile touched her lips as she muttered to herself, “Cambecus…”
So this is what Reese meant when she said Eden was occupied by Cambecus’s forces?
She got out of bed, walked to the window, and glanced down. A dozen knights stood guard below, their longswords held at the ready.
If a truly ordinary priest were standing here right now, they would probably be filled with despair. Tang Qiu calmly averted her gaze and closed the window.
She leaned against the window, enduring the discomfort while deep in thought, holding two scrolls in her hand. A hint of hesitation flickered in her eyes.
Teleportation scrolls had a limited range. Using one now would only transport her to some random location within the Holy See's lands. Being seen in her current state would only make things worse. She couldn't use a teleportation scroll by herself.
Lucille… Thinking of Lucille’s aura, which even a Cardinal couldn't detect, the hesitation in Tang Qiu’s eyes slowly vanished. She calmly unfurled a scroll. A single strand of blonde hair fell out and was instantly ignited by a black flame in mid-air.
In the Gosse Empire, Lucille sensed something and paused her steps. A black vortex suddenly appeared before her.
Lola glanced at the vortex and asked in confusion, “What’s this? Did you give someone a summoning scroll?”
She was also capable of using this secret vampire art, though she had never done so.
Lucille nodded, her voice cool. “Go hunt.” With that, she stepped into the black vortex.
Lola watched as Lucille and the vortex disappeared, then shrugged and vanished into the darkness to search for prey.
When Lucille teleported through the black vortex, before she could even observe her surroundings, a searing hand gripped her wrist, capturing all her attention. A familiar scent enveloped her. She habitually wrapped an arm around the waist of the person leaning against her. Looking down, she keenly noticed that something was wrong.
“Hasn’t the full moon already passed?” Lucille’s first reaction was the same as Tang Qiu’s.
Tang Qiu buried her head in the crook of Lucille’s neck, taking a deep breath that came out hot. “It’s not the full moon. It’s something else.” She still couldn't figure out what that sweet fragrance was.
Footsteps sounded from outside. A glint flickered in Tang Qiu’s eyes, and she ultimately chose to leave for now. She pressed the teleportation scroll in her hand into Lucille’s, whispering, “The destination should be somewhere in the lands of the Holy See.”
Only with Lucille leading her could she leave the Holy See’s territory without alerting anyone. That way, Cambecus wouldn't be able to track her down. As for how to return later… Tang Qiu lowered her gaze, her sky-blue eyes darkening. Reese, who had concealed such an important matter from her, would surely be able to find a way.
Otherwise, she might come to regret her decision to “forget” to warn her.
As for Cambecus… A cold glint flashed in the eyes of Tang Qiu, who was nestled in Lucille’s arms. She would definitely find an opportunity to deal with him in the future.
Lucille held the blonde priest and, following her instructions, unfurled the teleportation scroll. A flash of white light later, the two of them had vanished from the spot.
In the corridor outside the door, the dim yellow light from the kerosene lamps illuminated the path, one square at a time. A subtle smile played on Cambecus’s lips as he stopped in front of Tang Qiu’s door. Just as he was about to raise his hand to push it open, footsteps suddenly sounded from behind him. He thought it was Lisa and was frowning as he turned to scold her, but the figure bathed in the dim light was Reese.
He paused, his expression turning grim.
Reese looked at Cambecus with a faint smile, but her eyes held no warmth. “Archbishop Cambecus, you’re even older than His Holiness the Pope. Aren’t you afraid you’ll die on top of a woman one day?”
Although he and Reese had practically torn all pretenses away, Cambecus still hadn't expected her to speak to him so rudely. His face flushed red with anger, and he shouted, “Reese, do you only know how to rely on the Holy Son to back you up?”
“Do you think I don’t dare to touch you?”
Reese let out a low laugh, mercilessly exposing him. “If you had the power to oust me, would I still be here?”
A murderous intent flashed in Cambecus’s eyes. He said coldly, “Eden is not the Central Church. If you think you can take her away today, you can forget about it.”
“I didn’t realize you valued her so much.” Cambecus glanced at the closed door, no longer bothering with his gentle facade. His face was grim as he said cruelly, “In that case, it seems I’ll have to change my mind. I guarantee she won’t see tomorrow’s sun.”
Believing he had the upper hand, he looked at Reese with contempt. Reese met his gaze calmly and said flatly, “The Holy Son is looking for you.”
Cambecus was taken aback. “What?”
Reese tossed a piece of parchment at Cambecus’s feet and looked at him mockingly.
Cambecus picked up the parchment and glanced down. At the bottom was the Holy Son’s seal. His expression changed several times before finally turning completely black.
“The Holy Son doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” Reese curled her lips at Cambecus, her tone cool. “Otherwise, he might be the one to make sure you don’t see tomorrow’s sun.”
Cambecus resentfully folded the parchment, then walked past Reese with a dark face. A moment later, his figure disappeared around the corner.
Reese stood in place for a while, then took out the antidote she had prepared. She expressionlessly pushed the door open and swept her gaze across the room, a look of surprise and doubt flashing across her face.
She walked to the window and opened it. The knights below had already left with the furious Cambecus.
But where had the blonde priest gone?
Reese stood stunned for a moment, her brow slowly knitting together. If Cambecus had moved her ahead of time, he wouldn't have reacted that way just now. The only other possibility was that she had escaped on her own.
A teleportation scroll?
But being teleported in that state would be even more dangerous. Reese walked around the room but found no clues. She frowned, first going to the window and coldly tearing off the vine before turning to leave.
A figure flashed outside. Upon seeing Reese emerge, the person turned to run. Reese glanced at their back and recognized who it was. She called out, stopping them, “Lisa.”
Lisa’s steps halted, her body stiffening.
Reese walked in front of Lisa, looked at her, and smiled. “Long time no see.”
Lisa kept her head down and reluctantly said, “Archbishop Reese.”
Seeing her stiff expression, Reese couldn't help but let out a low laugh, her tone mocking. “You’ve followed Cambecus for over twenty years. In that time, how many church officials have died at your hands because they trusted you? A few hundred?”
Lisa’s face paled slightly, but she managed to maintain her composure.
Reese walked past her, her tone indifferent. “You’ve done so much for him, yet you’re still just a minor priest.”
Lisa turned to look at Reese’s back and said in a low voice, “We pursue different things.”
Reese’s steps paused for a moment, and then she heard the person behind her say coldly, “So you have no right to judge me.”
Reese scoffed, not even bothering to give her a glance as she walked away without looking back.
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