Miss Witch’s Devotion Has Gone… Twisted

”Lately, what have you been researching?”

”Researching a virus targeting the people of Uridia. Someone wants to wipe them out with a virus.”

The Plague Believer was very pragmatic, answering questions without even needing to think. Gwen’s reputation was indeed quite useful.

”Who are you researching for?”

”I don’t know. I normally only conduct research at the hospital. They provide me with the venue and materials, but I’ve never met their higher-ups. I only know there’s a figure from the Bloodline behind them.”

”How far along is the research?”

”I’ve already developed the virus, but it hasn’t undergone many live experiments, so the exact effects aren’t very clear.”

He said ”hasn’t undergone many live experiments,” not ”hasn’t undergone any live experiments.” It seemed quite a few people had already died from this virus.

”What symptoms appear in those infected with the virus?”

”The initial symptoms are unclear. Some are similar to a cold, not even developing a fever, but the skin quickly starts to fester. Others show no symptoms at all before directly starting to fester. It’s transmitted through air and contact. Male-to-male sexual behavior is almost a one hundred percent transmission route. I carry the pathogen myself; everyone I’ve tried it on has been infected.”Perhaps he was evil, but his professional competence was undeniable. Loren had only asked a few questions, and he explained everything down to the smallest detail.

”Do they have any other plans?”

”I don’t know. They only told me to research the virus. I know nothing about anything else.”

”But I investigated privately. Those two nurses who came to assist me are actually Monster Hunters. So, I suspect they are connected to the Bloodline Rebels.”

To save his own life, he spilled everything. Loren didn’t think he would hold anything back. After all, his relationship with the Bloodline Rebels was merely cooperative. There was no need to sacrifice his life for them.

”Do you know anything else?”

Gwen took out her pistol and began cleaning it. It was like starting a countdown on the Plague Believer’s life.

He racked his brains, sweat unknowingly beading on his forehead.

”Pity. I already knew everything you said. Goodbye.”

The gun muzzle aimed at the Plague Believer. Gwen couldn’t actually shoot him. If he were shot dead, it would definitely alert Aisaco. What Loren needed was for him to die in a reasonable way.

”Wait! I realized they don’t seem to value me very highly!”

The Plague Believer finally thought of something and hurriedly spoke. Gwen also put away her gun.

”Continue.”

”I’ve been researching for several months, but very few people come to supervise me, and not many are monitoring me. But based on my observations of them during this time, the people behind the scenes couldn’t possibly trust an outsider like me so much. So, this can only mean they simply don’t attach much importance to what’s happening here with me.”

”Moreover, apart from those two Monster Hunters, I rarely see anyone else. The hospital is under their control, which is why I’ve been able to act so recklessly.”

”Anything else?”

”No more...”

This time, there really was nothing left. The Plague Believer looked at Gwen anxiously, terrified she might kill him the next second.

”Alright. Say a few words after me, and I’ll let you go.”

”Come on, repeat after me: The Perpetual Observer.”

Having reached his position, this Plague Believer knew quite a bit. He was well aware that these strange appellations should not be spoken. Although he didn’t know what The Perpetual Observer was, since Gwen was forcing him to say it now, it definitely meant it was nothing good.

Saying it might lead to corruption, but not saying it meant certain death. He had no choice.

”The Perpetual Observer...”

After uttering the appellation, he felt a palpitation in his heart, but there wasn’t any major reaction. So, Gwen continued speaking.

”The gods betrayed The Perpetual Observer and stole the authority.”

”The gods betrayed The Perpetual Observer... uh...”

He wanted to continue repeating, but he couldn’t anymore. His jaw had already festered and fell directly to the ground, followed closely by his body. The plague that had been suppressed earlier erupted in an instant, even amplified by the authority of the plague itself, causing him to lose his life in a flash.

In the end, he turned into a pile of rotten flesh, meeting the same fate as those Loren had experimented on before.

”As a Plague Believer, collaborating with believers of Night and Thunder to research a virus, even planning to use it against your own people, is undoubtedly an act of betraying the Church. It’s perfectly reasonable to face punishment, right?”

That betraying the Church leads to punishment is common knowledge. It’s just that the line defining this betrayal is hard to pin down. People who think they can get away with it often die because of it, and most of those who die are nobles and wealthy individuals, because only they have the opportunity to betray the Church.

Ordinary people can’t leave the place they are rooted in their entire lives, so naturally, they don’t have much chance to betray the Church.

When that moment truly arrives, the gods won’t care if you’re high-ranking or a noble. To the gods, you’re just an ordinary believer. They have thousands upon thousands of such believers; killing a few thousand doesn’t matter.

...

The moon was slightly waning, but it wasn’t far from being full. Moreover, the moon’s position wasn’t fixed. To know the exact time, Loren had to look at his watch.

After leaving the cinema, they went to have a meal. The main one eating was Anna. The others were just happy to be with Loren; whatever they did was enjoyable.

Lilith was also quite greedy for food, but her appetite was very small. The amount of food she ate in a week was only enough for Anna as a side dish.

”Thank you.”

After returning to the room, Loren, as usual, took out the Magic Book to study. It was at this moment that Lilith suddenly thanked him.

”Why the sudden thanks?”

”Thank you for accompanying me. I’ve already forgotten how long I’ve been alone.”

”...”

Hearing Lilith’s words, Loren suddenly realized her poor memory was also a good thing. She couldn’t remember any pain or sorrow. Being carefree every day might not bring great happiness, but it also wouldn’t bring much suffering.

Loren recalled a topic he had seen before: Suppose you were given a hundred million, but you had to stay alone in an empty space with nothing for a hundred million years. During this time, the real world’s time doesn’t flow, and you would lose all memories of being inside once you came out.

From your perspective afterwards, it might just seem like you pressed a button and gained a hundred million. You wouldn’t remember the pain of that hundred million years, which is almost as if it never happened.

Lilith’s situation was similar. She only remembered her teacher being killed, but she didn’t remember the grief.

”It’s alright. If you’re willing, I’ll stay with you until you leave this world.”

Thinking about it carefully, for the help he had given Lilith, Loren didn’t really have anything to repay her with except offering himself. Moreover, he was quite confident his lifespan would exceed that of her, a half-vampire.

”But before that, I need to take care of some things first.”

When the day truly comes to tear off all pretenses, Loren’s side won’t be safe. Lilith following him wouldn’t be a good choice.

”Oh.”

Lilith responded. Loren couldn’t sense her emotions, but after Mirrorheart leaned in and whispered something in her ear, Lilith showed a smile.