Heroes Really Are Such Passionate People (3)

No, that's not right.

That's impossible. In her heart, there's only Jello; Qin Chu has no place at all, not even a little bit!

Athena's eyes widened, her pupils trembling slightly, her breathing becoming rapid. She bit her lip hard, as if denying something. This sight made the venerable Pope Saint Monica somewhat puzzled.

"Athena, what's wrong with you today? What happened?"

"You've never been so restless as you are today."

Hearing Saint Monica's voice, Athena took a deep breath, barely suppressing the thoughts in her mind.

Maybe I'm just overthinking things?

Falling in love with Qin Chu?

Ha, absolutely impossible.

Even if all the men in the world died, she would never fall in love with that pervert who takes pleasure in humiliating her.

Moreover, didn't the words of the Pope Saint Monica prove that Jello also didn't tamper with his own body...? Therefore, there is absolutely no problem with my feelings for Jello.

My love for Jello will never change, no matter how many years pass. No one can shake Jello's place in my heart, nothing!

Athena took a deep breath, her expression gradually returning to normal. "I'm sorry, Your Holiness, for making you worry. I'm fine."

Saint Monica glanced at Athena with some skepticism, then smiled broadly a few seconds later, "It's good that you're alright... But, my dearest investigator, whatever difficulties you encounter, you can always come and tell me!"

"I see."

"So, Investigator..." Saint Monica's kind and gentle expression gradually faded. "How are the Holy Son Onions and the Holy Daughter Inas?"

Onions and Inas?

A hint of disdain immediately flashed across Athena's face, followed by a cold reply, "Trash."

This is Athena's assessment of the holy sons and daughters of the Earth Mother Church.

Saint Monica gave a wry smile. Couldn't Athena have hidden it a little?

"Onions is a complete waste. He grew up in an environment of unparalleled privilege, with unlimited access to potions and Holy Crystal, yet he's only level 79 at this age and is still smug about it. Doesn't he know he's actually a waste?"

"Furthermore, he's extremely arrogant and disdainful of everyone. Although I don't like Hero either, at least they'd at least put on a show..."

Um... At this point, Athena paused slightly, a strange thought swirling in her mind; it wasn't just superficial at all...

Immediately, she shook her head vigorously. No, no, why am I remembering those terrible images again?

It's all Qin Chu's fault for making me so strange.

Saint Monica didn't think much of it this time; she took Athena's head shake as a rejection of Onions.

"Onions was also arrogant and domineering when facing the Hero, completely failing to see the difference between the two."

"Inas is the same. Although he is much stronger than that idiot Onions, his personality is just as bad. As a member of Onions Hero's Party, he always hangs around Onions."

"Onions, and those clergy you appointed, even clashed with the surviving soldiers, and even attempted to execute all seven thousand surviving soldiers..." Athena rubbed her forehead speechlessly. "Honestly, I find it hard to imagine what kind of brainless person could make such a decision!"

That's right, the lives of ordinary people don't matter.

This is an axiom recognized by all the upper class and clergy.

But that depends on when.

We now need to arm civilians to fight the Magic Creature, but you're executing thousands of soldiers who survived the Magic Creature. Aren't you afraid of causing a mutiny?

Saint Monica's mouth was slightly open.

They seemed to be frightened by the information provided by Athena.

She knew Onions and Inas were foolish, but she never imagined they could be this foolish.

"And then what happened?"

"Violet, a member of the Hero's Party, intervened, pinning Onions to the ground, slapping Inas, and confiscating the weapons and armor of everyone in the Earth Mother Church to prevent them from causing further trouble."

Athena pursed her lips. To be honest, the Earth Mother Church had completely lost face at this moment, but Saint Monica was not angry at all, and her expression remained as calm as ever.

"In short, these two pieces of trash must be eliminated, otherwise they might cause trouble for the Earth Mother Church in the future. Speaking of which, isn't this exactly what you wanted—to use Hero or Magic Creature to kill Inas and Onions?"

Saint Monica glanced sideways at Athena: "Athena... I know you're very smart."

"But being too smart can be annoying."

"Please, you're not young anymore, it's disgusting to talk like a girl!"

Saint Monica suffered an unprecedented blow.

Just as the two were talking, they suddenly saw a middle-aged beautiful woman outside the Earth Mother Church, her face full of anger, her eyes filled with flames, her expression extremely gloomy and cold, like a storm passing by.

Athena raised an eyebrow. "Former High Priestess Florence, guess what this child-obsessed person is up to?"

She stuck out her tongue. Luckily, Florence didn't hear her call her son an idiot, or she would definitely fight her to the death.

She was originally an exceptionally capable woman, powerful, of high status, and resourceful, but once she got involved with her good-for-nothing son, Onions, she would immediately transform into a completely different person.

Everyone felt that Florence's care and pampering for Onions was a bit too much, almost to the point of being twisted.

"Is there even a need to ask?" Saint Monica said irritably, "It's probably because that good-for-nothing Onions was resentful after being beaten, but he didn't have the strength to fight back, so he used Message Magic to contact Mom to complain..."

His words were full of disdain.

Saint Monica didn't even want to dwell on the matter for long; there was really not much point in discussing that good-for-nothing Onions.

Compared to that, Saint Monica had something more important to tell Athena.

Her expression gradually became serious. "Athena, do you remember the Divine Oracle I told you about last time?"

Athena's expression suddenly changed, and her body trembled slightly.

Not many people knew about the Divine Oracle received by the Earth Mother Church, but Athena was one of them.

The Divine Oracle contained only one message:

Kill the Hero!

Since the First-Generation Hero, Jello, is dead, it is self-evident who this Hero refers to.

Qin Chu.

When Athena first learned this from Saint Monica, Athena was puzzled but accepted it quite calmly.

But this time, recalling the Divine Oracle of the Earth Mother Church, a strong, indescribable resistance welled up from the depths of his heart.

We've recalculated, and actually we already added an extra chapter the day before yesterday, and we added one more yesterday... Oh well, it doesn't matter. To thank everyone for their support, we'll have five chapters today, so please give us all your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets.

Chapter 253 The Hero is Truly a Man of Passion (3)

Even without Divine Oracle, killing Qin Chu was something Athena was obligated to do.

It wasn't part of the Hero's Party's plan, but rather because Lord Jello's remnant soul resided within Qin Chu's body. In order to ensure Lord Jello's complete resurrection and minimize Jello Qin Chu's corruption and interference upon his resurrection, crushing Qin Chu's soul was a necessary step.

Athena never doubted this goal.

However, at this moment, Athena felt a strong resistance to killing Qin Chu.

For some reason... she didn't want to see Qin Chu die.

The chaotic and conflicting emotions deep within Athena made her feel extremely uncomfortable.

She didn't want it to be like this... she didn't want it to be like this...

Athena's reaction was clearly observed by Saint Monica. The Pope's insight was incredibly sharp; she saw right through Athena's thoughts, and her brow furrowed slightly.

"Athena, you haven't fallen for that man after spending so much time with Qin Chu, have you?"

"Huh?" Saint Monica's words provoked a strong reaction from Athena, who shook her head like a rattle. "Your Holiness, what nonsense are you talking about? How could I possibly like Qin Chu? You know very well that there is only one man I like, and that is Jello."

Saint Monica narrowed her eyes and glanced at Athena.

That gaze made Athena feel as if all her secrets had been exposed, giving her an inexplicable unease.

A few seconds passed before Saint Monica looked away. "That's good. Jello... he was indeed a very charming man. It's a pity he died."

You old hag, are you also eyeing Jello Geralt?

Please, stop pretending to be young. Face your age properly; you could be Jello Geralt's grandmother.

Athena thought to herself... But why would Saint Monica say that Jello was a very charming man?

That makes absolutely no sense.

Jello's appearance is actually quite ordinary, isn't it...?

Seeing Athena's strange expression, Saint Monica felt a surge of anger. "Athena, are you thinking about something extremely rude?"

"How could that be? You are much older than Lord Jello, and I have never thought that you are not a good match for him at all," Athena replied immediately.

Saint Monica was furious at Athena's attitude.

He was, after all, the revered leader.

Could you please show some respect?

Saint Monica decided not to argue with Athena about this, otherwise it would never end.

She let out a long sigh, "Then, can you tell me why? I can sense that you don't want to kill Qin Chu..."

"To be precise, it's because they don't want to kill Qin Chu at this time." Athena was clever; she added to Saint Monica's question.

"Qin Chu is Hero, a beacon of hope. Although he's not exactly a saint, he led his Hero's Party to the front lines and in their first battle repelled a large number of Magic Creature, salvaging the increasingly low morale of the human alliance."

"What do you think would happen if the Hero died at this moment?"

"The human alliance will likely lose all fighting spirit and collapse instantly in the face of the Magic Creature's attack, unable to withstand Magic Creature iron hooves."

"You, Your Holiness, surely couldn't have been unaware of this situation?"

Saint Monica nodded, signaling Athena to continue.

"Moreover, do you really believe that the so-called Divine Oracle was issued by the Earth Mother, just to extinguish all hope for the entire Skyvault Continent?"

"How many years has it been since the Earth Mother Church received Divine Oracle? Hundreds of years? Thousands of years?"

"To speak disrespectfully, does the Earth Mother truly still exist? Is it really the Earth Mother who issues us Divine Oracle, or is it some other being?"

Saint Monica was somewhat helpless. In the Church of the Earth Mother Church, only Athena dared to say such things. To say something disrespectful would be the least of her worries. If some radical believers found out, they might shout that Athena should be burned at the stake.

She paused briefly, then said, "Alright, Athena, you don't need to worry about the assassination of the Hero for now. But you have another mission coming up."

"Investigate Norma."

"Norma?"

"Yes, that woman..." Saint Monica's eyes narrowed. "When Karthus destroyed the Imperial City, Norma used a Transcendent Magic, the Earth Mother's Wrath!"

"This is a magic technique that our Earth Mother Church has lost for many years, existing only in records..."

"I hope you can find out Norma's background, why she uses this magic, and whether she has some kind of connection with the Earth Mother Church."

"As a fellow member of the Hero's Party, you are the most suitable person to handle this matter."

Athena nodded. Compared to that, this task was much easier. "I understand, but... I'll have to wait a while, because I have another place to go right now."

After the conversation ended, Athena left.

Watching Athena's retreating figure outside the door, Saint Monica's face still wore a gentle and tender smile, her fingers lightly stroking the table.

Athena, oh Athena!

You're absolutely right.

The Earth Mother has not issued Divine Oracle for over a thousand years. Does she still truly exist?

Was this Divine Oracle truly issued by the Earth Mother?

But... don't you understand? For the Earth Mother Church, is it really that important whether or not the one issuing the Divine Oracle is the Earth Mother?

Most importantly, we have once again received the watchful eye and guidance of the divine.

On the other side, Athena, who had just left the church, suddenly stopped, a look of confusion on her face... What had she come to the church for today?

Several seconds passed before Athena remembered, slapped her forehead, and turned back to the church.

Damn it, I didn't get a single drop of holy water!