Chapter 31
Chapter 31: How Much Longer Do You Think You Can Hide?
In Cynthia’s office, afternoon sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting dappled shadows on the deep red carpet.
Shion stood before the large mahogany desk, holding the brand-new version of the report he had just completed based on Erin’s original report. Sunlight danced on his lowered eyelashes, coating his handsome profile in a gentle golden hue.
“Mary Tars, female, 23 years old, from the ruined city of Naxco in the south that was destroyed by beast disasters. She has a younger brother, Tok Tars, 18 years old, who was contaminated by black mist during the beast disaster in Naxco and eventually transformed into a werewolf beast.”
Shion’s voice was steady and clear, echoing in the quiet office.
Cynthia leaned back in her wide leather chair, her slender fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest. Her thoughtful gaze rested on Shion, noticing his slightly furrowed brow and tense jawline.
Outside the window, plane trees swayed in the breeze, their shadows flowing across Cynthia’s delicate features.
She picked up the red tea from the desk and took a light sip, the warm liquid sliding down her throat, yet unable to dispel the doubts in her heart.
The mysterious person’s appearance had made the entire incident complex, but this report had to maintain surface simplicity.
“Through analysis of Mary’s corpse, the werewolf body in the cave, and the bones scattered on the ground, the truth is that Mary brought her infected brother Tok to Messiah. When treatment failed and Tok’s condition worsened, eventually transforming into a werewolf, Mary couldn’t bear to notify the Knight Order to handle it. She could only hide Tok in the cave outside the city connected to the basement through a magic circle. To cure Tok’s illness, Mary tried every method, finally placing her hopes in the ancient legends of the Ouroboros Cult, feeding him humans, believing Tok would eventually return to normal.”
At this point, Shion’s voice trembled almost imperceptibly.
He thought of that dark, damp cave, of the scattered white bones on the ground—all evidence of the crimes Mary had committed for her brother.
As an orphan who had also lost family, Shion could actually understand Mary’s desperate madness. Her crimes were unforgivable, but if it were Lufia, would he make similar choices?
In the end, wasn’t he committing crimes right now, ones far more serious than Mary’s?
The crime was overthrowing the entire world.
Shion readjusted his mindset and continued the report.
“Mary used charm magic to lure men back home, activating the magic circle in the basement to send them to the cave as food for Tok. To avoid discovery, she didn’t seek targets within the city but chose beggars and poor people from towns around Messiah’s outskirts. Eventually, Tok’s appetite grew larger, Mary’s frequent use of charm magic caused her mental breakdown and transformation into a demon. Now both Mary and Tok have been eliminated, and the incident is resolved.”
Shion closed the report and gently placed it on the mahogany desk before Cynthia.
Sunlight reflected off the polished desktop, illuminating the golden Knight Order emblem on the document folder.
Cynthia reached out to take the report, her fingertips inadvertently brushing against Shion’s hand. That momentary touch made both of them pause slightly.
Shion quickly withdrew his hand, his fingers curling slightly at his side.
The office fell into brief silence.
Cynthia sighed softly and locked the report in a drawer.
This “edited” report would be submitted to the Holy Temple of Light, while the truth was carefully hidden away.
“Shion, regarding the mysterious person, you must not speak of it.”
From the mysterious person’s words, it could be determined that he was the true instigator of this demon incident and was likely connected to the Ouroboros Cult.
But Cynthia wasn’t deliberately trying to conceal the mysterious person’s existence—she knew well that this report would definitely be seen by Herlaris, and that Radiant Saint would surely discover clues from it. At that time, she would be unable to explain why her spiritual power was so abundant.
“I understand, Lady Cynthia.”
Shion nodded. The plot’s development was much as he had expected. Though he had already selected Herlaris as his next target, having that Saint enter the scene now was still too early.
He hadn’t yet completed his control over Cynthia. If he added another Radiant Saint, the situation might develop beyond his expectations.
Cynthia looked up, sunlight dancing in her red hair, creating a golden halo around her.
“You’ve worked hard today, Shion. You can go rest now.”
Looking at Shion’s somewhat weary face, this young man had not only participated in intense combat today but had also helped her complete mental soothing that exceeded all boundaries. He should indeed rest well, making her voice gentler than usual.
“Yes, Lady Cynthia.”
Shion bowed and walked toward the door.
His silhouette appeared particularly slender in the sunlight, yet the shoulder lines beneath his uniform showed a resilient strength.
“Shion.”
Just as Shion’s hand touched the doorknob, Cynthia behind him suddenly spoke.
“Is there anything else, Lady Cynthia?”
Shion turned around, sunlight casting delicate shadows on his eyelashes, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue yet remaining warm and respectful.
Cynthia opened her mouth, those questions about the werewolf’s head wound spinning on her tongue, but finally turned into a soft sigh.
“Nothing.”
After the door gently closed, Cynthia rose and walked to the window.
She watched Shion’s retreating figure, her eyes gradually narrowing to slits.
“High-concentration compressed magical power…”
Cynthia whispered softly, her fingertips unconsciously applying pressure, leaving a shallow mark on the window frame.
She had examined it—the penetrating wound on that werewolf’s skull was too perfect, the edges of the wound as neat as if cut by the most precise magical instrument. This level of magical control would be difficult even for her to achieve.
At this thought, Cynthia’s brow furrowed unconsciously.
She clearly remembered how during the spiritual soothing, her hands had meticulously examined every inch of Shion’s skin, finding nothing strange hidden. So how had he managed to do this?
Suddenly, an inexplicable irritation surged up.
As the Crimson Flame Saint, Cynthia had long been accustomed to the feeling of controlling everything. This sense of losing control made a small flame ignite at her fingertips, flickering in the twilight.
“Shion, what exactly are you hiding from me?”
Her voice was low and dangerous, carrying the oppressive aura unique to those in power.
Regarding the special ability of mental soothing, Cynthia previously knew almost nothing about it. The only thing she had heard was that ancient legend within the Holy Temple of Light. She decided to thoroughly research the information and continue working on Shion, further studying his constitution.
At this thought, Cynthia felt a strange heat rise from her abdomen, making her breath catch. She couldn’t help but recall the scene of skin-to-skin contact with Shion not long ago, and instantly, her ear tips were dyed crimson.
Cynthia suddenly turned away from the window, her red hair cutting a sharp arc through the air.
This contradictory feeling made her both angry and excited—angry at Shion’s concealment, yet addicted to the pleasure he brought.
The flame in her palm shifted shapes, sometimes sharp as a sword, sometimes flowing like water, just like her current conflicted mood—wanting to use the most severe methods to interrogate his secrets, yet also wanting to hold him tightly in her arms and feel that intoxicating mental s