Aponia, Imprisoned in Her Own Thorns.

"It's alright, I was just using the Abyss Flower you brought and applying its function."

Upon hearing Gwen's words, Su Qingxiao shook her head, a hint of reminiscence appearing on her face—

"Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I've been called a doctor."

Fun fact: Although the wise men left behind by the current Previous Civilization appeared in the form of humanoid QQ, in the Previous Civilization, when Kevin, a middle school student, joined the Flame-Chasing Moth, Sue was still studying medicine at university and had worked as a doctor for a period of time.

"But judging from your actions just now, you are quite skilled at treating and saving lives."

"It's just that I was very skilled at using the Abyss Flower's abilities before."

Sue smiled and shook her head, returning the Abyss Flower, which resembled a knight's sword, to Gwen.

"Moreover, rather than keeping it in my hands, let it appear in the hands of the warriors fighting against the Honkai as part of the Black Abyss White Flower."

"That day will come."

Gwen accepted the Abyss Flower and casually replied.

After Sue left, Gwen turned around and saw Raven still staring blankly at the artificial organs that had once been inside his body for a while. He couldn't help but wave his hand in front of Raven's eyes.

"I'm snapping out of it!"

What, are you so reluctant to part with these artificial organs?

"My money..."

Only then did the Raven's eyes regain their liveliness, but the words it uttered caused Gwen to turn strange—

It seems you're not expressing your joy at your recovery, but rather your sadness about the money you've spent.

Through the somewhat dazed Raven's narration, Gwen understood the reason for the other's reaction—

After being injured by the Mimic Heavenly Fire Sacred Judgment, Raven's injuries were difficult to heal, so she had to have artificial organs replaced. Fortunately, the World Serpent was fully capable of this.

Although Gray Serpent said that World Serpent would reimburse these expenses, Raven, who was still thinking about making enough money to leave World Serpent, was persuaded by Jackal to choose the most expensive artificial organ, which had the lowest maintenance cost, at part of the cost herself.

As a result, after Raven's body recovered under Abyss Flower's healing abilities, Raven began to feel sorry for the money she had "Abyss Flower".

"Where did you come from, you miser?"

After hearing the whole story, Gwen couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time, and made a sarcastic remark.

"I'm not a spoiled rich kid like you; I have to earn my own money..."

Upon hearing Gwen's teasing, Raven rolled his eyes at Gwen with a resentful look and said irritably.

"Is it possible that I'm not some rich young master?"

Hearing that this title seemed to have a similar feel to the "young lady" he used to address Mei, Gwen didn't feel like he was being seen as some kind of spoiled rich kid who relied on his family.

"Although I am now the patriarch of the Caslana family, that has only been for about a year."

Before that, I could only earn money through the salary and benefits provided by Schicksal.

As for becoming the clan leader, he did acquire some properties that originally belonged to the clan leader's lineage, but those were public property, not his own.

So, if you really think about it, I might not be as rich as you.

"Even so, you're still a young master with businesses, unlike me, a rat in the underworld, who can only make money by doing mercenary missions, working hard for more than ten years to save up this little bit of money for my coffin."

Seemingly bothered by Gwen's earlier teasing, Raven continued to nag at Gwen relentlessly.

"If that's really how you see it, then you shouldn't call me Young Master."

Gwen smiled as he heard the somewhat resentful tone in the voice.

"What's that called?"

"Would you like me to call you 'Master'?"

"Puff..."

Upon hearing this, Raven couldn't help but chuckle and looked Gwen up and down.

"You little brat who hasn't even grown a beard yet, and you're already calling people 'Master'?"

Is it possible that I'm already an adult?

Feeling the Raven's scrutinizing gaze, Gwen's eyelids twitched involuntarily, and he spoke meaningfully.

"Alright, alright, sir..."

The Raven immediately averted its gaze and said very obediently.

Having been in the mercenary world for many years, Raven, though still somewhat naive in interpersonal relationships, could sense that Gwen had no ill intentions towards her, but rather a great deal of goodwill.

Given their past connection in the illusion, Raven was quite relaxed and able to joke with Gwen.

Gwen was naturally quite pleased with this outcome.

While obedient subordinates are indeed good, what if the dodo bird didn't have that quality...?

"Lively" means it's not the Raven he remembered.

However, Gwyn quickly withdrew his Gwen—

"Gwen, this young lady... seems somewhat unfamiliar."

When Gwen returned the Abyss Flower, he unexpectedly encountered Rita.

After greeting Gwen, Rita's gaze naturally fell on the stranger, Raven.

"Hello, I'm Raven, a former international mercenary. Right now, I'd say I'm an unofficial member waiting to be recruited?"

Raven initially treated Rita, a key figure in Schicksal's data, with considerable politeness—after all, he might need to work for her in the future.

However, Rita was unusually... not very polite in the face of the Raven's cooperation.

"To be personally recruited by Gwen... Miss Raven must have some extraordinary abilities, right?"

"Um... it's alright..."

In other words, some underhanded tricks...

Raven wanted to say something sarcastic in response to Rita's uncomfortable gaze, but since he was under her roof, he chose to remain silent.

Seeing the two, who should have had no prior conflict, suddenly seem at odds upon meeting, Gwen felt a pang of unease.

Raven really gets angry and refuses to give in to Rita, he'll have a hard time handling it.

Fortunately, Raven's patience far exceeded Gwen's expectations, and she didn't provoke him at the slightest provocation. Rita also only made minor probes and didn't say much, allowing Gwen.

After Raven Rita into a dormitory, Gwen took her to his home and comforted her for a while.

Although it was unclear why Rita was being targeted by Raven —whether it was because of a strange man in her life or because they were simply incompatible— Gwen knew that he needed to comfort Rita.

438

Chapter 438 Aponia, imprisoned in thorns.

After that, Rita seemed to have learned something from Gwen's attitude, did not target Raven as Gwen had worried. Instead, she treated everyone the same, which relieved Gwen.

After arranging the unexpected gain of the Raven, Gwen did not delay any longer and went directly to the World Serpent with Kevin. Under the puzzling but respectful escort of the Gray Serpent, they entered the dark corridor.

As for the Jackal showed obvious dissatisfaction with Kevin's order to temporarily suspend all current plans, that was no longer under Gwen's jurisdiction.

After walking along the dark corridor for a long time, long enough that Gwen could feel the strange mental fluctuations around him, the darkness in his eyes was suddenly replaced by a bright and sunny world.

However, after surveying the magnificent, artistically-filled hall, Gwen did not approach the white-haired, masked man leaning against the counter, whose bulging muscles were still visible beneath his loose clothing. Instead, he closed his eyes—

The world before our eyes may seem real, but it is ultimately just an illusion.

When Gwen opened his eyes again, darkness had returned to his sight, so dark that he couldn't see his own hand in front of his face. Even Gwen's vision, which allowed him to see the night as nothing, was significantly affected.

However, Gwen did not illuminate the dark surroundings, but instead continued walking deeper into the corridor from its end.

The strange power that had brought him into the Elysian Realm did not dissipate; on the contrary, it grew stronger as Gwen advanced.

Moreover, that force has not given up its influence on Gwen, it has just been brewing for a little longer.

Gwen did not deliberately resist this; instead, he used it to test something.

After an unknown amount of time had passed, as Gwen took another step forward, the darkness before him was suddenly replaced by blinding sunlight.

Looking up, the sun shines brightly in the sky, and white clouds drift lazily by.

Under the bright sunlight, the magnificent building, which seemed to exist only in the scriptures, floated among the white clouds. The building was made of white marble and decorated with simple yet beautiful patterns. The sense of holiness was almost overwhelming.

On the stark black and white marble floor, a nun dressed in black and white robes is praying with her hands clasped together and her eyes closed.

"Looks like I had a pretty good time this time, seeing you so soon, Aponia."

Before the host could speak, Gwen interrupted.

As he spoke, Gwen carefully examined Aponia—

Yes, it's a very traditional nun's habit. Not only are her thighs not shown, but her ankles aren't either. However, the hem of the skirt still has a thorn-like pattern, or rather...

"..."

Upon hearing Gwen's words, Aponia was lying on the ground in a prayer position, remained silent for a moment, then slowly raised her head, opened her tightly closed eyes, and looked at Gwen—

"It seems that the Elysian Realm has welcomed a very special guest..."

Hearing the somewhat ethereal voice, Gwen smiled slightly, casually tossing a stack of photos down in front of Aponia—

"Not just a guest, but also a messenger, bringing you some good news that you want to hear, or that is hard to believe."

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, Aponia raised an eyebrow, lowered her eyes, and was immediately drawn to what she saw—

In the photo, the blue-haired Goddess still looks somewhat bewildered, just like yesterday...

"This was taken a few months ago at Griseo's place—"

Hint: The Griseo in the photo is not Griseo.

Seeing that Aponia was indeed drawn to the photograph, Gwen smiled slightly.

"Griseo... is she in some kind of trouble?"

Upon hearing Gwen's words, Aponia's aura of a devout nun dissipated slightly. She picked up the photos from the ground and began to examine them. Finally, she looked up again, puzzled, at Gwen.

A strand of honey-like hair fell from her temple, but it only added a touch of sorrow and... coldness to that devout and beautiful face.

"Well... in short, after Griseo's second departure, she fell into a trap, was captured, and is currently in self-preservation mode—"

The Griseo in the photo is the Griseo you all know.

The real Griseo was hidden inside that Mr. Knight.

Seeing that Aponia didn't engage in any veiled attacks, Gwen secretly breathed a sigh of relief and informed Aponia of Griseo's current situation.

"..."

After gazing at the Mr. Knight in the photo for a long time, Aponia finally let out a soft sigh.

"Using his father's color to protect himself... that child must be in a terrible situation."

Aponia's tone seemed to have returned to its previous compassionate tone, but Gwen could hear the difference.

"It's not good, but it's not as dangerous as she thinks."

I now know her coordinates, but it will probably be difficult to get her out of this self-protection mechanism.

So..."

Gwen casually explained, noticing the hint of coldness hidden beneath Aponia's beautiful face, and said softly—

"Would you like to come with me to rescue our Little Griseo?"

"..."

Upon hearing Gwen's words, Aponia raised her eyebrows and looked at Gwen.

After exchanging a brief glance with Gwen, Aponia shook her head slightly.

"I... can't leave here."

The matter of rescuing Griseo... I can only ask you for help.

Please don't hesitate to ask if you need any help.

"As expected..."