Chapter 296: The Twelve-Winged Pure White Statue of the Goddess
The woman stood tall, with naturally red-brown long hair that drew attention to her curvaceous thighs.
Her long hair was slightly curled, neatly tied back with a hairband at her chest.
At this moment, Anna was respectfully bowing, not daring to meet Lord Luo Xiu’s gaze.
Even with just a fleeting glance as she stepped out, she could not help but feel a surge of emotions in her heart.
Indeed, it was Lord Luo Xiu; even without the aura and status of a priest, his face alone could leave one breathless.
“Take me there,” he said softly, then discreetly averted his gaze.
Due to the head maid’s posture, the view before her was quite revealing.
Fortunately, after spending every day with Luo Cong’an in her previous life, Lord Luo Xiu had shown considerable patience in resisting beauty.
Anna responded and led the way ahead.
Luo Xiu followed behind, passing through a corridor. Looked around, he noticed a vast garden surrounding him, with a gentle breeze carrying a hint of fragrance.
His residence resembled an independent manor typical of a medieval noble, rather than a monastery where clergy would usually rest.
Typically, priests reside within the churches they oversee, which not only contain offices but also dedicated rooms for the clergy.
But Lord Luo Xiu did not.
This reflected how greatly the Holy See’s power had expanded in the current Maya Empire.
Even the priests of parish churches now enjoyed privileges comparable to those of nobles and even the royal family.
After exiting the manor, Anna had arranged for a luxurious carriage to wait at the entrance.
The carriage was extravagantly adorned, and the road beneath hinted at a rich, medieval fantasy style.
The journey was silent.
Livia Church was located in the southern district of the outer city, not far from Lord Luo Xiu’s manor.
About ten minutes later, the carriage slowly came to a stop in front of a grand church.
Outside the church, a throng of people gathered, surrounding the main gate and creating a bustling atmosphere. Occasionally, someone stretched their neck to peer inside.
They appeared agitated, gesticulating energetically and murmuring excitedly.
“Burn her, burn her!”
“Just as expected from the Blood Rose Demon Hunter Squad; this is already the second witch they have captured!”
“Of course! This time they caught two in one go!”
At this moment, the crowd noticed the arrival of the carriage and erupted with excitement, their expressions even more animated.
“It’s Lord Luo Xiu’s carriage!”
“Hahaha, I can’t wait to see how the priest presides over the execution ceremony!”
Such shouts reached a peak as Luo Xiu lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down.
He was the pride of the entire outer city, the most outstanding talent since the inception of the Holy See.
At just twenty-five years of age, he was a grand mage and the youngest priest of the Holy See.
He was exceptionally gifted and dazzling, with countless subjects of the empire seeing him as a deity and an idol to pursue throughout their lives.
How could people not be excited to witness such a figure in person?
Not to say there would never be another, but surely he was unprecedented.
Moreover, based on what the crowd understood, today was to be this young priest’s first time presiding over a ceremony.
Were not all the onlookers witnesses to this historical moment?
In the midst of their eager anticipation, Luo Xiu, with a slight smile, calmly walked into the church.
Upon entering, the noise outside suddenly dimmed, as if a silencing magic had been cast.
Stepping onto the marble-tiled aisle, Luo Xiu’s heart trembled.
He recalled the enthusiasm of the people outside and was somewhat surprised.
It seemed that the image of the witch as an omen of misfortune had deeply rooted itself in the hearts of the citizens of the Maya Empire.
The enmity between them had lingered for centuries, growing into an unending feud.
If he wanted to nurture the witch into adulthood, he could only imagine the obstacles and crises that lay ahead.
Luo Xiu took a deep breath and strode confidently into the center hall of the church.
This was usually a place for the citizens to pray and fulfill their vows, but it was currently sealed off due to special circumstances, prohibiting entry for unrelated personnel.
At the front of the hall stood a towering statue of the goddess; twelve pure white wings extended from her back, and her face was regal, her posture graceful.
Below the statue was a square area, now filled with people.
There were men and women, roughly seven or eight of them, dressed in unusual attire—some were armored swordsmen, while others were wizards wielding staffs.
They formed a circle, expressions largely filled with joy and satisfaction, occasionally pointing and whispering within the circle.
This was the now-famous Blood Rose Demon Hunting Squad.
The squad leader was named Russell, a burly man of large stature, burdened with a massive greatsword across his shoulder.
His fierce features showed a glimpse of sharpness in his narrowed eyes.
He was the first to spot the late-arriving white-robed priest and immediately tempered the bloodlust in his demeanor to greet him respectfully.
“Lord Luo Xiu.”
Russell approached the white robe symbolic of supreme authority, kneeling on one knee to pay his respects.
At the same time, memories associated with this squad leader surfaced in Luo Xiu’s mind.
He immediately revealed a gentle smile.
“Russell, no need for such formalities, please rise.”
Although he would inevitably find himself at odds with the demon hunters in the future, it was still far from the time for hostility.
Building an amicable relationship was the best strategy.
Indeed, upon hearing Luo Xiu’s words, Russell’s eyes shifted slightly, and he quietly replied, stepping aside.
According to the Holy See’s regulations, regardless of one’s status in the Demon Hunter Association, anyone meeting a priest must kneel on one knee and kiss the priest’s shoes to show respect.
However, it was clear that Luo Xiu had not genuinely demanded this of him, preserving Russell’s dignity in front of his squad members.
Perhaps it was a minor detail, but often such details are what touch people’s hearts most.
At this moment, Russell felt a flicker of gratitude.
He thought to himself that the rumors about Priest Luo Xiu were indeed not exaggerated.
It was said that even though this priest held a high position at such a young age, he was exceedingly gentle in his dealings, without any airs of a significant figure, and was well-loved by the ladies and young misses of the noble circles.
“Lord Luo Xiu, please.”
Russell thought as he extended his hand to lead Luo Xiu.
Luo Xiu nodded, and the three of them walked towards the open area beneath the statue of the goddess.
The other members of the Blood Rose Squad quickly cleared a path.
They did not need to bow.
Of course, it was not because they were special, but because they were not yet worthy.
If anyone could qualify to kiss the priest’s shoes, then Luo Xiu might as well not go out, sitting at a door and waiting for people to come to him one by one.
As the crowd parted, Luo Xiu finally beheld the central figures of this world.
Before him lay two petite figures, collapsed on the ground and bound by anti-magic chains.
(End of Chapter)
