Chapter 296
“No one understands prayer better than I do.”
The man’s voice was soft, yet it seemed to carry immense weight.
Bathed in moonlight, the girl’s small face was slightly flushed, looking incredibly endearing.
She let out a soft hum, turning her head away, unwilling to respond.
Luo Xiu remained silent as well, and the two of them shared the quiet.
After an unknown amount of time, Luo Xiu felt a heavy little head gently rest on his shoulder.
In the darkness, Eileen’s faint voice broke the silence.
“Let’s go back.”
Luo Xiu nodded, agreeing without hesitation.
The moment before they were about to get up, a petite figure hastily withdrew her gaze from the corner of the corridor.
…
…
Following the brief interlude with Ichitia, Luo Xiu’s manor returned to its usual tranquility.
The rumors of him idling his days away, staying home, spread further and wider as time passed.
Undoubtedly, Luo Xiu was a big celebrity throughout the entire outer city district.
He didn’t know how many people were watching him, openly or secretly.
Every move he made was naturally subject to widespread discussion among people.
For instance, the rumors spread by the Third Prince Lance a while ago, claiming he harbored witches and had fallen into depravity.
Initially, not many were willing to believe it.
After all, in everyone’s eyes, Luo Xiu was the pride of their outer city district, and the pride of the entire Maya Empire.
But now, as time trickled by, the two “witches” Luo Xiu had taken away had vanished without a trace.
This forced people to speculate.
The number of people questioning Luo Xiu’s actions in taking the witches also increased daily.
Although a portion of people still believed in Luo Xiu, believing that their esteemed Priest was loyal to the Holy See and the Goddess.
However, whether they were questioning or believing, everyone was awaiting a response from Luo Xiu himself.
The doubts even reached the current Emperor of the Maya Empire.
Some political rivals of the Holy See seized the opportunity to spread slander, belittling Luo Xiu to no end. Coupled with the previous conflict of defying imperial orders, it had already caused dissatisfaction among numerous ministers and nobles in the court.
Luo Xiu’s response to this was no response at all.
No matter how boisterous the storm outside was, what did it have to do with him?
Hiding behind the guise of a Priest, no one dared to lay a hand on him.
Those with ideas lacked the power.
Those with power mostly chose to turn a blind eye.
The most prominent example was the Third Prince Lance, who had still not fully recovered.
Rumor had it that his personality had drastically changed, he had become mentally unstable, his temper growing more violent, and he even experienced occasional incontinence, which was quite laughable.
It was likely that the psychological trauma Luo Xiu had inflicted on him last time was too great.
One early morning, Luo Xiu got out of bed and put on his clothes. Just then, he heard Anna’s gentle female voice from outside the door.
“Lord Luo Xiu, the Holy See has sent another letter, requesting that you hand over the witches as soon as possible.”
Luo Xiu chuckled and pushed open the door.
He was greeted by the familiar blue and white maid outfit, accentuating the woman’s beautiful figure.
He said nonchalantly, “It’s fine, have the letter put in my study later, and I’ll reply around noon.”
Luo Xiu paused after speaking and suddenly asked, “By the way, how many times has it been?”
Anna lowered her head slightly and replied respectfully, “This is already the seventh letter from the Holy See.”
Luo Xiu’s eyes flickered, and he remained silent, only letting out a soft “mm,” his expression thoughtful.
Anna continued, “Lord Luo Xiu, the Royal Family has also been urging you, saying that His Majesty specifically wishes to meet you in person.”
Luo Xiu waved his hand dismissively, “You can just reply on my behalf, say I’m feeling unwell and cannot go.”
Anna’s expression faltered, and she reminded him, “Lord Luo Xiu, you used that excuse last time…”
“Did I? Then say I broke my leg yesterday while swinging in the garden, and can’t go out.”
Luo Xiu continued to casually fabricate a reason.
Compared to the Holy See, which was his stronghold, dealing with the Royal Family felt much more relaxed to Luo Xiu.
You can call all you want; I just won’t go.
If you’re not satisfied, send another prince. Let’s see how many princes you have to expend.
During this period, the conflict between the Holy See and the Royal Family intensified. The two sides were already like gunpowder kegs, so Luo Xiu’s actions could hardly be considered insubordination.
Or rather, it was precisely because of the escalating conflict between the two sides that Luo Xiu’s value as a top-tier combatant became even more apparent.
The Royal Family was currently employing a soft policy, wanting to win over Luo Xiu and poach him from the Holy See, while the Holy See naturally refused to agree.
Both sides, openly and secretly, had promised Luo Xiu countless benefits.
For example, the Holy See’s tacit approval of him harboring witches was a significant gesture of goodwill.
Only those old fools in the imperial court who couldn’t understand the situation thought Luo Xiu was the target of public criticism and wanted to bring him down.
They didn’t realize that their own powerful strength was the guarantee of everything.
If the Holy See and the Royal Family truly fell out, the first targets to be sacrificed would be these nobles and ministers who were usually rolling in dough.
Lost in these thoughts, Luo Xiu suddenly noticed that Anna had been silent.
He raised an eyebrow, snapping back to attention.
“What, have I used that one too?”
Anna obediently hummed and nodded, “This is already the twenty-third time the Royal Family has sent someone to urge you.”
The implication was that most of the usual excuses had probably been used already.
Luo Xiu knitted his brows and thought for a moment, saying, “Then tell them I’m going to the church to pray today and don’t have time to go.”
Anna’s expression froze.
“But today isn’t a prayer day at the church…”
Luo Xiu glared at her.
“What, are you the Priest or am I the Priest?”
“No one understands prayer better than I do.”
After speaking, Luo Xiu turned and headed towards the stairs.
Suddenly, he seemed to recall something and turned back to ask, “How long has it been?”
Luo Xiu’s question was somewhat abrupt.
However, Anna quickly understood his meaning and replied, “Two years.”
Two years…
Luo Xiu couldn’t help but glance at the azure sky outside the corridor.
It had been a full two years since he brought those two little witches back.
During these two years, Luo Xiu had spent day and night with them, and their relationship had progressed by leaps and bounds.
The two girls, delicate as dolls, had been raised by Luo Xiu to be healthy and fair-skinned.
They no longer bore the pale, tragic appearance they had at first.
Although there had been significant resistance during this period, and the Holy See had exerted immense pressure, Luo Xiu had managed to fend it all off.
But Luo Xiu knew very well that the time for a showdown with the Holy See was rapidly approaching.
The Holy See would never allow adult witches to appear.
To be honest, the fact that the Holy See had tolerated his reckless behavior until now far exceeded Luo Xiu’s expectations.
He had thought that within a year at most, the Holy See would have resorted to coercive measures against him.
To let the two “witches” finally gain their freedom…
Luo Xiu strode down the stairs.
He actually already had an idea in mind.
This idea stemmed from information provided by the system.
It also originated from the legendary ritual of becoming a god.
(End of Chapter)
