As a villain, he could do whatever he wanted.

Page 122

At that moment, an adjutant galloped up beside Leon, smiling as he spoke to the silver-haired female general, "Oh? You think I've changed?"

"Of course, after all, although you are always this serious, General, now... it seems there is another emotion involved, making your actions seem even more proactive."

What do you think of this change?

Looking at his adjutant beside him, Leon unusually asked him a question. The adjutant scrutinized the female general from head to toe, finally nodding slightly and smiling as he answered her:

"I think... General, the changes in you are quite remarkable. How should I put it... it's like you have someone you want to protect, right? I've heard similar stories before. This is probably what it means for lovers to protect each other. Because you want to protect Prince Lius, your actions have become more proactive than before, and even your own strength has increased."

"Is that so?" Leon smiled slightly at the adjutant's statement, offering no comment on her response. He simply continued to grip the rope tightly and quickened his pace, running towards the distant forest.

"Judging from your actions, General, you seem to be very happy. Hehe, actually, it's not just you, General. We are all very excited. Although we can't get close to Prince Lius like you did before, he did give us his blessings. After that, everyone was full of energy and inspired by Prince Lius."

"Hmm... After all, it's him. Whenever I'm around him, some lively emotions always emerge. Even just a few words can make me feel good. Although I can't explain why, I don't feel uncomfortable at all. I can only say... it's the unique charm of Lius."

In response to his adjutant's remarks, Leon continued to laugh and make a few more jokes. The adjutant, however, seemed to roll his eyes thoughtfully, and, moving his little feet on his horse, said:

"If you call it charm... this effect is more like magic. I have to say, Prince Leus is really attractive. Not to mention you, General, even I feel a little itchy when we look at each other face to face."

"Hmm? What? Do you want to do something else to Leus?"

Leon turned his head slightly, adopting a "friendly" expression, and looked at his adjutant beside him. The adjutant quickly shook his head and smiled ingratiatingly at the female general before him, saying:

"Ahaha... It's nothing, nothing at all. How could I do anything to Prince Lius? Prince Lius is your man, General. How could we possibly compete with you for your man? Hahaha... General, don't take this seriously." Wait a minute, you said... you guys? There are other people who have the same idea? Leon raised an eyebrow, sensing something was amiss, and continued to ask.

"Ah, cough cough, no, not many, just... a few..." A few?

"Um. There really aren't many, just me and the entire first squad, about ten people... Only about ten people? Only the squad at the very front?" Leon's doubts showed no signs of abating.

"Maybe... perhaps. Probably... the second squad, the fifth squad. They are also at the very front, and can see Young Master Lius directly. In addition, Young Master Lius visited the third and fourth squads earlier, so many people like Young Master Lius. As for the last sixth squad... they are usually at the back of the group and rarely have direct contact with Young Master Lius, so there shouldn't be anything else."

As he spoke, the adjutant's gaze darted around, and at the same time, a new voice came from behind him:

"Reporting to the General, we have captured a letter from the ranks. It seems to be... a greeting from Marsh, the captain of the Sixth Squad, to Prince Lius, an invitation for him to accept her hospitality in order to express her love... Shall we give this letter to you?"

"When the messenger handed him a letter that still bore the marks of tearing, the adjutant, who had been explaining, fell silent. Leon, on the other hand, gently took the letter, read it quickly while riding his horse with an elegant demeanor, and finally put it back in his pocket, continuing to ride on the road without making a sound."

"adjutant."

A calm voice came from Leon's lips, startling the adjutant, who then nodded and replied, "Yes, I am. What is it, General?"

"After that... it's time to reorganize the team. What do you think of a 15-kilometer training hike? That should alleviate the weak mentality that's been spreading within the team, right?"

"Isn't it you, General, who is the most 'weak'?"

The adjutant had this thought in his mind, but he didn't actually say it. He simply nodded to the silver-haired female general in front of him, thus indicating his answer.

"Alright, since you've agreed, then after this is over, it'll be time to properly rectify the atmosphere within the army. Look forward to it! I'll give you all a good talking-to and teach you the rules of the army, hehe..."

"Um... this rule was just something they came up with on the spot because they didn't want us to take Prince Lius away from them."

Looking at the "kind" silver-haired female general, the adjutant mentally grumbled again before continuing to follow Leon north to deal with the matters that needed to be resolved...

Chapter 248: Nottica's Thoughts (Part 1)

Just as Leon left the mansion, Leus was also doing something important. After taking the prepared potion, Leus lay down on the bed, gently closed his eyes, and allowed his consciousness to slowly detach from his body, eventually drifting outside the world and going to another "world" composed of consciousness.

“Bishop Nottica, I’m back.”

When Lius opened his eyes again, he was already in the space of consciousness, in front of the familiar cathedral, and saw the red-haired woman praying inside the cathedral.

She remained respectful, kneeling on the ground, praying to a headless statue. Upon hearing the voice from behind, Nottica immediately turned around, temporarily ending her prayer, and smiled gently at the approaching blond boy through her veil.

"Your Majesty is back... Xiaoyou has already informed us of what you've been doing these past few days, and as you instructed, we've sent some people into the real world to contact those secular Protestants."

"How is it going? Has the partnership been finalized?" Lius continued to ask.

"Yes, based on our contact with them, despite the many obstacles and dangers involved, we have finally achieved basic cooperation through the mediation of a lady named Loy, and have begun searching the surrounding area for the best route to dispel and dissolve the magic in those formations."

The veiled red-haired bishop spoke thus, then looked at Lius with a questioning gaze and whispered to him, "There is another matter... Since Xiaoyou left last time, we haven't been able to contact her recently, and we are a little worried. Your Holiness, do you know anything about Xiaoyou? Where is she now? Is she still with you?"

"Well, when faced with Bishop Notica's question, Lius pondered for a moment and then shook his head slightly."

"This matter cannot be revealed for the time being, but Bishop Nottica, you don't need to worry. Xiaoyou is not in any danger. She was just sent by me to carry out some tasks. She will naturally be able to return after everything is over."

"Was he dispatched by the Holy Son?"

Despite her lingering concerns, Nottica chose to trust the blond boy before her, nodding and bowing slightly in response to Lius's statement.

"I am truly grateful to Your Holiness for the recent events. Thanks to you, our church's actions have been able to proceed so smoothly, and thanks to you, this crisis has a chance of being resolved. I am truly grateful."

"This is what I should do. I don't want to see the world end. Besides, you've provided me with a lot of information. It's a mutually beneficial thing, so there's nothing to thank me for."

Looking at the red-haired young woman in front of him, Leus gently helped her straighten up again, and Nottica nodded slightly with a grateful look in her eyes. As Leus approached her, she gently pulled her into her arms, expressing her feelings in this passionate way.

“Ah, Bishop Notica, isn’t this a bit too intimate…” Holding the young woman in his arms, Lius felt a sudden tightness in his face, causing him to blush and raise his head slightly. Amidst the intoxicating sensation on his face, he said this to Notica.

“Is that so, Your Majesty? For us, this is the most basic action in serving God. The doctrine also says that the Holy Son should be treated like a leader or a child. Therefore, for me, I need to treat Your Majesty the Holy Son according to this standard.”

"Well... Bishop Notica, do you mean you want to treat me, your holy son, like a child?" Leus continued, looking at the loving expression on Notica's face.

"Hehe, you could say that. What do you think, Your Holiness? Would you like me to continue in this position and accompany you?" With a smile and a lowered head, Notica asked in return.

“I don’t mind, but if this is the rule in the church, then I’ll have to trouble you, Ms. Nottica.”

Feeling the gentle, motherly voice of Nottica and the loving, maternal gestures in her arms, Lius gradually felt a sense of weariness.

Just like being truly embraced by his mother, he couldn't help but gently close his eyes in this space of consciousness, leaning against the woman before him, immersed in his time with her. "Amidst the waves of fragrance like roses, Lius greedily savored this intoxicating aroma, his steady breathing flowing gently from his nostrils, sounding peaceful and content."

At the same time, Lius felt sweet and gentle breaths on his face, making his skin itch. He couldn't help but lift his eyelids slightly to watch the red-haired woman's movements.

“Bishop Notica, are you... sniffing me now as well?”

With a mischievous smile, Lius asked Nottica this question, and Nottica seemed to wake from a dream, her face flushing slightly, looking a little embarrassed by her prank-like sniffing behavior.

"Ah... I apologize for making you laugh, Your Majesty. I originally wanted you to feel my faith and respect, but I didn't expect that I would be the one who got so caught up in it that I forgot that I was serving Your Majesty. I was really being impolite."

"It's alright. I actually think Bishop Nottica's expression just now was quite cute. Being so openly immersed in your own desires is a sign that you've been recognized by the gods. There's nothing shameful about it."

Lius smiled magnanimously, then looked at Nottica with a curious gaze and continued to ask her:

"Also... Bishop Notica, the expression on your face just now was very absorbed. For you to show such emotion, is it because you really like my scent? Or is it for some other reason?"

"When faced with Lius's question, Nottica pursed her lips slightly, as if pondering how to answer. When she finally came to her senses, she found that Lius had already moved close to her, standing on tiptoe and pressed tightly against her face, looking at her with a serious gaze."

"As His Holiness felt Lius's sudden and forceful approach, Nottica's blush deepened, and she couldn't help but rub her fingers together, tightly gripping the young man's clothes in her hands..."

Chapter 249: Nottica's Thoughts (Part Two)

"After taking a deep breath to calm herself, the Holy Son looked at Leus again. After hesitating for a moment, she finally made up her mind and spoke softly to him:"

"I can't deny that the scent on His Holiness the Holy Son is indeed very fascinating and even captivating. But there's something else that's been on my mind, so I was lost in thought while I was smelling it and didn't react for a moment."

"Oh? Thinking? Thinking about what?" Leus asked, looking at the red-haired woman in front of him.

"What I'm thinking about... is also related to the scent on you, Holy Son. How should I put it? There is a scent on you that I am very familiar with, a scent that I came into contact with a long time ago. I haven't touched this scent for more than ten years. I didn't expect it to suddenly appear on you, Holy Son, which made me feel a little dazed for a moment."

"A familiar aura? What aura is it? Bishop Nordaca, could you tell me more about it?"

Hearing the young woman's words, Lius's eyes became even more serious, while Nottica shook her head slightly, looking equally troubled.

"My lord, I really want to tell you something, but... since arriving in this consciousness space, I've forgotten many things, including many things that happened in reality that were related to me. Now I've forgotten most of them, only remembering some vague feelings. Even if you asked me to explain the details of these feelings, I couldn't provide an accurate answer right away. I'm really sorry..." Faced with Nottica's words, Lius paused slightly, then realized what she meant and nodded to the red-haired woman before him. "Is that so... I've been in contact with quite a few people lately—Lia, Leon, Irina, and everyone else. The range is far too wide. Finding out who among them is Bishop Nottica isn't so simple. However..." Lius took the initiative to extend his arm and embraced the red-haired woman before him. Under her surprised and joyful gaze, he softly spoke to the bishop:

"Regarding this matter, Bishop Notica, you... are also very concerned about it, aren't you? You've always had a longing for something about your past and that unresolved feeling in your heart, is that right?"

"This... how did you find out, Your Holiness?"

As Leus revealed his innermost thoughts, Nottica was momentarily surprised, taken aback by his words. Leus, however, did not directly answer the red-haired woman's question, but instead continued to hold the delicate waist in front of him, pulling Nottica even closer into his embrace.

“I don’t know much about this matter, but… from my observations of you, Bishop Nordaca, I can conclude that you do have something on your mind, and that it has been affecting you… Although I don’t know what it is, it’s something that must be resolved. Don’t you agree?”

Faced with Lius's words, Nottica gradually regained her composure. After a brief moment of surprise, she slowly exhaled and nodded to the boy in front of her.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Holiness. This matter is indeed something I very much want to know and remember, even though I have forgotten it."

Nautica paused, a resolute glint in her eyes, and continued speaking to the boy before her:

"And deep down... I also have a premonition that I don't want to forget the past. Even if the past may be some unbearable negative memories, it is still my most real memories and feelings. I don't want to really forget those things." As expected, if that's the case, then I'll have to do my part even more. For Bishop Nottica, I will also investigate this matter thoroughly later.

Lius said this, then looked thoughtful and muttered to himself:

"Or rather, I've already gathered some information... Hmm? Your Highness, what did you say?"

"It's nothing, hehe. Now that things here are settled, I won't stay any longer."

As he said this, Lius gently released his arms from the young woman in front of him, while Nottica, with a look of lingering satisfaction, pursed her lips and gave the blond boy in front of her a slight smile.

Thank you again... Your Holiness, thank you for your concern. Actually, I never had high hopes for this matter. Since coming to the church and becoming the bishop here... I have long abandoned my former identity. But now you have told me so much... I really... really don't know how to express the feelings in my heart. "If you don't know how to thank me, then there's no need to say more. Let your actions prove your feelings. For example, deal well with the future crisis. After things are resolved, then consider your own affairs. When we join forces, we will definitely be able to find out a lot about your past."

"Hmm. All I can say right now is, thank you." The Holy Son looked at the blond boy before him with a grateful gaze, and Nottica thanked him again. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she gently extended her hands, channeling a portion of her power into Lius's palms.

"My Lord, I have delivered a part of my soul to you. If there is any need for me, I will be temporarily summoned into reality to assist you by fusing this part of my soul with magic."

"Oh? Summoning? And summoning with the soul at that? If I'm not mistaken, once this magic is used, the magic within you, Bishop Notica, and mine can merge, not only enhancing our respective magic but also allowing our minds to connect and merge. Am I right?"

"Ha... As expected of the Holy Son, you understand this so well. That's right, that's why I hope you will use this power, Holy Son. I hope that we can get along well and understand each other. I have such a desire for both of us..." With a heart full of excitement, Nottica blushed slightly as she spoke to the blond boy in front of her. Lius nodded slightly, accepting the soul magic power from Nottica and fusing it into his own body, making the two of them even closer in both soul and magic power.

At the very moment the powers merged, Lius closed his eyes and was suddenly overwhelmed by a surge of emotions.

Loneliness, longing, and hope surged from Lius's heart, plunging the boy into deep thought. "So...this is what you, Bishop Notica, feel? I see. No wonder you yearn so much for the past. Without resolving those lingering issues, your heart cannot be truly liberated..." Hmm...I can feel what the Holy Son feels now too. Hmm...Holy Son, you...have a very high opinion of my body, and you also yearn for it greatly." Notica closed her eyes, her face also flushed.

Well, let's not dwell on this for now. In short, I've learned about Bishop Nottica's inner thoughts... If that's the case, then that's good enough.

"Yes, that's enough." With a knowing smile to the boy in front of her, Nottica's expression relaxed considerably. After exchanging a few more words, they ended their conversation. Under Nottica's gaze, Lius slowly left the consciousness space, carrying her aura, and returned to real life.

Chapter 250: The Confession to My Sworn Sister (Part 1)

After emerging from the world of consciousness, Lius opened his eyes again and saw the familiar ceiling and the white-haired girl lying on top of him.

"Brother, you're awake? How are you? Did everything go smoothly?"

Seeing Lius awaken from his sleep, Lia, who had been waiting for a long time, leaned closer and asked him in a concerned tone.

"Ah. Everything went smoothly, but I'm still a little dizzy from just waking up. Brother, have some water and get some rest; you should recover soon."

Looking towards Lius, Lia skillfully handed him a glass of water and spoke to her elder brother. Lius gently patted the girl's head, and with his stepsister's help, slowly got up and sat on the edge of the bed for a short rest.

"Brother, what exactly did you just do? Although you only had Lia guard you, Lia still doesn't know what the potion you initially drank was, or what effects it would have after you fell asleep... Do you really not want Lia to know these things?"

During the rest, Lia gently placed her hand on Leus's shoulder and gave him a tender and attentive massage, while she spoke softly, her tone containing both concern for Leus and some dissatisfaction with his actions of concealing his true feelings.

In response, Leus gave Lia an awkward smile, then gently pulled the girl into his arms. After hesitating for a moment, he finally nodded to her.

"Well, now that I think about it, it's time to tell you the whole truth, Leah. Here's what happened a few weeks ago."

As he spoke, Lius recounted to the girl in front of him all the events that had occurred between him and several churches. Apart from the matter concerning Miss System, he revealed all the major events to Lia without reservation.

As for Lia, the more she listened to Lius's story, the more astonished she became. She would occasionally ask Lius to confirm, asking him things like, "Is that really true?" or "Has Lord Lius made a mistake?" But each time, she received an affirmative answer from Lius.

"That's right, that's exactly it. There's no mistake, and I haven't had any hallucinations. Those people call me Holy Son, and another group calls me Leader. Several major opposing forces all recognize me as their leader and accept my leadership without telling anyone. It's complicated, but that's really how it is."

Finally, when the last words came from Leus's mouth, Leah's mouth still showed no sign of closing, and the astonishment in her eyes continued to shine. Combined with Leah's blood-red pupils, a look of shock shone through her, echoing on Leus's face.

"This...this kind of thing...can it really happen? Although my brother has indeed encountered many strange things, what he is experiencing now is still far beyond Lia's imagination." I know these things sound very strange and hard to believe, but please believe me, Lia. I completely trust you, which is why I dare to be honest with you about these important matters.

Lius gently stroked Lia's head and spoke earnestly to her. Under the caress of her older brother, Lia gradually calmed down.

After taking a deep breath to compose herself, Lia gently raised her head and looked at Lius's face with the same serious gaze, her eyes flashing with a thoughtful expression.

"If what my brother said is absolutely true, then... Lia must be prepared to give everything she has for him." Yes, after all, the things ahead are far more complicated than before. Any mistake could lead to utter ruin, and we absolutely cannot allow that to happen.

Looking at the white-haired girl in his arms, Lius lowered his voice, allowing his emotions to be conveyed more clearly to the girl's mind.

Meanwhile, as Lia listened to Lius's words, the crimson light in her eyes deepened, and her two small fists clenched tightly, trembling. Amidst her rapid breathing, a radiance representing "enlightenment" emerged.

Next... I'll be standing with my brother against the world. Since that's the case, Lia must prepare herself properly; otherwise, she won't be able to protect her brother.

"Ok?"

Listening to Lia's muttered words, Leus slightly lowered his gaze, seemingly not immediately grasping the meaning behind the girl's words. Lia, however, remained excited and eager, her eyes shining as she gripped Leus's collar tightly, continuing to say, "Lord Leus, no matter how many people want to harm you, no matter how many people want to oppose you, whether they are members of the church, cultists, or even the entire kingdom, Lia will never abandon you. Even if it means fighting against the whole world, Lia will not hesitate!"

"Elia, you don't need to exaggerate like that." In short, as long as you give the order, brother, no matter what it is, Lia is willing to do it with you. Even if it costs her life, Lia will not complain.

"Wait, wait, this is a bit too much. It's not as exaggerated as you're saying, Leah! Don't worry about it."

Seeing the white-haired girl's voice gradually becoming lower and more subdued, Lius quickly stopped her to prevent her words from becoming more extreme. At the same time, he repeatedly comforted her, which gradually calmed her down.