Chapter 104
Even though the young lady wasn't on the "detective" path, she possessed a keen insight and reasoning ability, making her a natural-born "detective."
Even if she couldn't deduce that Xia'er had been killed by her own hand, as long as she called upon the family's seasoned "detective" members, it wouldn't be long before the investigation led back to her.
At that point, she would lose the young lady's trust.
So, even though Niya was seething with hatred towards Xia'er, she had no way to act against her.
All she could do was wait until the young lady woke up and remind her that Xia'er had consumed the "Instigator" potion, prompting the young lady to activate the "Sacrificial Saint's Remains" at regular intervals to cleanse her own troubled mental state.
Was her intention in getting close to the young lady merely to have her drink the "Instigator" potion at the moment when the young lady trusted her the most?
Thinking about it this way, the young lady had indeed been led by her to do quite a few things... even Niya hadn't realized that Xia'er had been perfecting her resurrection ritual all along.
What a cunning person!
What does she really want to do?
"I can sense your anger, Niya. You shouldn't be angry."
Xia'er shook her head. "I'm just trying to eliminate the cultists here and return to the peaceful life I desire."
"As long as you help me get rid of them, I can promise you that I will never set foot in this manor again."
Xia'er's tone shifted, her voice dropping to a somber note tinged with a hint of resentment. "I was just an excellent student at Bole Private School, a poor student who relied on my sister... Just as I was about to graduate and my life was finally looking up, I was targeted by an 'Instigator' and became the target of their resurrection ritual... You know all this."
"Fortunately, an intelligence organization saved me. They provided me with information and helped me through the tough times... Now, if I can get past this last hurdle, I can return to a peaceful life with my sister... I should have had nothing to do with all of this."
"We have a common interest, don't we?"
"If you help me... everything will be over before Aivina wakes up."
"I and my intelligence network can guarantee that Aivina and Adele will be safe until the 22nd."
"Will you... help me?"
Deep within Xia'er's pupils, an eerie pink light flickered.
In the reflection of Xia'er's black irises, several pink tendrils burst forth, thrashing wildly within her pupils.
"I..."
Niya slowly released her grip and took a deep breath.
"I'll go back and set up a ritual in the young lady's room."
As Niya turned to leave, she glanced back at Xia'er from the kitchen door, the metallic hum echoing within her armor.
"If you're here to deal with the cultists, then I'll help you."
"But the moment I find out that things aren't going as I expect, I'll kill you immediately... Those cultists' marks can't affect me."
"You'd better keep your promise, Miss Xia'er."
With that, Niya turned and walked away.
Left behind, Xia'er curled her lips into a faint smile and murmured, "Of course..."
"I'm speaking the truth."
---
**Chapter 83: Sacrifice the Whole Place, Summon the Mother Goddess?**
*Thud, thud, thud...*
In the night, a steed galloped outside Bole City.
On the fully armored horse sat a knight clad in silver armor, with a red-haired girl in front of him.
The girl's petite body bounced with the horse's run, her face displaying an expression of utter disinterest.
Until the reins were pulled, and the horse stopped at the foot of Kelik Mountain.
The knight dismounted with agility, gently patting the horse's neck.
The girl, who had been jostled around, tried to tiptoe, but even the tips of her shoes couldn't reach the metal stirrups.
In the end, she had to give up, adjusting her posture before jumping down from the horse and landing steadily.
This red-haired girl was Xia'er, and the knight behind her was, of course, the "Crown Guard" Niya, whom she had instigated to come along.
"Can't you bring out a carriage? Do you have any idea how hard your armor is..."
Xia'er complained while rubbing her back with the back of her hand.
Riding wasn't as fun or cool as Xia'er had imagined; not only was it hard to stay steady, but every bump also made her back ache from the armor.
Xia'er suspected that Niya was deliberately getting back at her.
Once Xia'er dismounted, Niya loosened the reins, and the horse galloped back towards Bole City.
Niya gazed at the darkened path up the mountain, not responding to Xiaer's words, but instead said, "We agreed that my task is to prevent anyone from coming out. No matter what happens inside, I won't intervene, even if you die in there."
"Of course, if you intervene, it would expose that Aivina is involved too," Xia'er said with a smile, patting Niya's armored arm. "We both want to keep Aivina safe, right?"
Niya stood still for a moment before slowly making her way up the mountain path.
If her armor could express emotions, the helmet would likely be flushed red.
Xia'er followed behind, curiously watching Niya walk along the stone path.
Whether traversing muddy ground or walking on stone, Niya's armor made no sound and left no footprints.
It was as if the armor had no weight at all.
*Clang—*
A hollow metallic sound rang out.
Niya stopped and turned to see Xia'er tapping her fingers against the armor on her back.
"Is this really silver? Or some kind of alloy made from extraordinary materials?" Xia'er asked, looking up with curiosity.
Niya fell silent, turning her gaze back to the front and quickening her pace.
After about five minutes, under the moonlight, Niya could see the outline of Deton Manor ahead. She stopped and walked straight into the nearby thicket, hiding herself.
Throughout the journey, she had hardly spoken to Xia'er, knowing that the more they talked, the more likely she was to be unconsciously influenced by Xiaer's terrifying abilities.
All she could do was minimize conversation and maintain her current state, untouched.
"Thanks~ I'm going in now."
Xia'er waved at her with a smile. "Remember not to let anyone out, okay?"
"Oh, and thanks for the mask and adhesive. If I make it out, I'll pay you back."
With that, Xia'er lifted the silver wolf mask that only covered the left half of her face and slowly placed it over her face, concealing the left side.
The mask gradually fused with Xiaer's flesh, and her extraordinary aura began to weaken, even her life force becoming faint and difficult to detect.
After completing all this, the girl continued towards Deton Manor under the moonlight, while Niya's gaze remained fixed on Xiaer's back.
What... does she really want to do?
Knowing that Deton Manor had been infiltrated by cultists, what gave her the courage to go there alone?
But none of this concerned Niya.
What she hoped for most was for Xia'er to die inside, exposing her intelligence network and diverting the cultists' attention from Aivina.
Then, she could release some rumors claiming that the young lady of the Russell family had been attacked by the Instigator, and post a bounty on Xia'er, clearing Aivina's name.
In Niya's keen perception, she saw two attendants wearing green chip masks approaching Xia'er.
And Xia'er was reaching into her bag, seemingly retrieving something.
A membership card?
Niya shook her head, no longer looking in Xiaer's direction.
To her, Xia'er's actions were undoubtedly a path to self-destruction.
Even if she perfectly matched the potion, it was still only a first-tier ability.
Could she really investigate the Holy Spirit Sect all on her own?
Not a chance, even if she had a hundred lives.
Even if she could gather some information by instigating those without extraordinary abilities, such actions would soon be discovered by the cult leader here.
Heaven knows what strange sealing items that cult leader might possess; even Niya wouldn't dare to say she could enter and come out unscathed, let alone a first-tier girl.
Suddenly, Niya sensed a faint silver light flicker in the distance.
A wave of inexplicable anxiety surged from the depths of her heart, and the buzzing that had been troubling her mind intensified at that moment.
Huh?
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