Chapter 296: Are They Sacrifices?
A gentle breeze blew in from outside the window.
It ruffled Eileen’s cascading hair and coincidentally turned a page of the book on the desk.
Eileen blinked in surprise.
The book blown open by the wind wasn’t the one she had taken from the bookshelf, “One Hundred Ways to Judge a Witch,” but one already on the desk.
The book cover was a deep black with no text. Only when it was opened did its contents become visible.
Eileen had been to the study many times over the past two years and had seen this seemingly mysterious book on many occasions.
However, out of respect for Luo Xiu, Eileen had never opened it without permission.
Only today, it seemed, even the heavens wanted to see what secrets it held.
Eileen hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose to lean closer and take a glance.
It contained only a short sentence.
“To become a god, one does not need earth-shattering sacrifices, nor complex rituals.”
A nonsensical sentence.
Eileen’s eyes flickered, her long eyelashes trembling.
For some reason, she was suddenly reminded of the question she had asked when Luo Xiu first brought her back.
“Why?”
“Why did you save me?”
This question had always remained buried deep within Eileen’s heart.
If it was for their bodies, then why had two years passed without the man making a move?
It couldn’t be that he could genuinely hold back for two years, could it?
After all, the three of them lived together day and night, spending a great deal of time together. If he had wanted to do something, they would have had no way to resist.
Moreover, Selena had also made her stance clear multiple times, indicating she wouldn’t mind if the man did something.
Thinking of this, Eileen lowered her gaze and looked at the sentence in the book again.
The handwriting was elegant and free-spirited. She had seen Luo Xiu write before; it was unmistakably his handwriting.
The girl froze, a wild and almost despairing thought brewing in her mind.
Were they… sacrifices?
Eileen dared not dwell on it, quickly pushing the thought away.
No, it wasn’t like that.
The girl’s small hands clenched unconsciously. She thought of every interaction she had with the man, of the vows he had personally made that night.
He could never be that sort of person…
Eileen reached out and gently placed her hand on her chest.
It felt as if an invisible hand had firmly grasped her heart, causing a dull ache.
Just then, footsteps were heard from the hallway.
The girl startled awake and quickly closed the black book. Then, as if remembering something, she hugged the book “One Hundred Ways to Judge a Witch” from the desk into her embrace.
She was about to stand up and return the book to the bookshelf.
But the next moment, the study door was pushed open, revealing a tall figure.
Luo Xiu pushed the door open and saw Eileen. His eyebrows rose, but he didn’t seem particularly surprised.
However, the girl’s nervous demeanor did cause him some confusion.
“What’s wrong? If you want to read, just keep reading. Did I disturb you?”
Eileen silently used her hand to cover the embarrassing title and shook her head, saying softly, “No, no.”
Luo Xiu’s confusion deepened.
He walked closer, “What no? What are you talking about?”
Seeing the man approaching, Eileen steeled herself and sat back down in the chair.
She placed the book on her lap, her hands pressing on the cover, effectively hiding the entire title.
Her voice involuntarily rose a few decibels.
“I, I said I wasn’t reading!”
The girl’s reaction was a bit agitated, and Luo Xiu couldn’t help but look at her a couple more times.
He didn’t rush to speak. Instead, he walked to another chair by the desk and sat down. This chair was originally prepared for Selena, who often sat with Luo Xiu in the study until late at night.
Then, Luo Xiu casually said, “If you’re not reading, then you’re not reading. Why such a big reaction? If you hadn’t said anything, I would have thought you were caught secretly reading erotic novels.”
“But that’s fine too. Kids grow up. Adolescence is like that, I can understand.”
His voice was calm, just a normal casual chat.
But to Eileen, it made the girl’s fair earlobes visibly turn red.
She pursed her lips, her eyes darting back and forth, and immediately loudly denied, “How can you slander my innocence out of nowhere!”
Luo Xiu was taken aback. “I didn’t say you were reading. It was just a casual joke. Why are you shouting so loudly?”
Eileen let out a forced, composed snort.
Her legs, hidden beneath her skirt, were pressed tightly together, and her toes were also clenched.
A moment later, she calmed down. She glanced at the man, who looked innocent, and then turned to look out the window, avoiding his gaze.
She mumbled softly, “Who makes jokes like that with a girl?”
Hearing this, Luo Xiu chuckled and didn’t continue arguing with her on this topic.
He picked up an envelope from the desk. It was a personal letter from His Eminence the Pope that morning.
Luo Xiu opened it and began to read.
Before long, his brow furrowed tightly.
In the letter, the Pope explicitly stated that this was his final warning.
If he insisted on being stubborn, the outcome was predictable.
Even though he was a priest, if he repeatedly disobeyed the Holy See’s orders, he would still be hunted by the Judgement Army.
He had thought he could stall for a bit longer.
It seemed the situation was no longer optimistic…
Luo Xiu thought. If only he could hold on for another year. The closer the witches were to adulthood, the more complete their bodies would become.
But it was close enough. It would be sufficient.
While he was troubled by the complete confrontation with the Holy See.
The girl across the desk grew increasingly nervous.
She wanted to stand up and casually put the book back on the shelf behind her.
But as soon as her legs moved, she quickly pulled them back.
Because the thought of the humiliating situation if she were accidentally exposed made Eileen afraid to take the risk.
She’d rather just wait, wait for Luo Xiu to leave on his own.
She, who always called Luo Xiu a pervert, would rather die than be discovered by him secretly reading such a book.
Perhaps Eileen’s fervent prayers had worked, as the man didn’t sit for long before making a move.
He tucked the letter into his embrace, then stood up and called out, “Let’s go. It’s getting late. Selena is waiting for us in the living room for dinner.”
“Ah…”
Eileen blinked and instinctively moved to get up.
The next moment, with her movement, the thick book tumbled to the floor with a thud.
Luo Xiu followed the sound and met the girl’s slightly widened eyes.
The large characters on the book cover gleamed in the sunlight.
…
…
Inner City, Holy See Headquarters.
In the vast hall, the hunched-over silver-haired old man clasped his hands, his expression pious.
His eyes were tightly shut, his aged face etched with the tribulations of time.
A moment later, the Pope slowly opened his eyes and turned to the Cardinal beside him, asking softly, “His reply?”
Seco knelt respectfully on one knee and relayed Luo Xiu’s words verbatim.
He hesitated, “Your Eminence the Pope, Priest Luo Xiu’s actions are truly absurd. We, we…”
The Pope waved his hand to interrupt him.
“Prepare yourself.”
Upon hearing this, Seco’s eyes suddenly flashed with brilliance. He lowered his head, a cruel smile gracing his lips.
“Yes.”
(End of this chapter)
